University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Travel to Face the Buckeyes on Saturday
12/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| @UConnMBB on Twitter | Game Notes
STORRS, Conn. - Coming off a thrilling 52-50 victory over Syracuse in Madison Square Garden on Monday night, the UConn men's basketball team hits the road this weekend for a Saturday game with Ohio State at 6 p.m. (ET).
Riding a two-game winning streak for the first time this season, the Huskies (4-4) tip-off with the Buckeyes on the Big Ten Network. The game can also be heard on the UConn/IMG Radio Network.
UConn overcame an 11-point second half deficit against Syracuse, earning a trademark win in New York City in front of a crowd of 15,347. Senior guard Rodney Purvis led the charge against the Orange, scoring a game-high 21 points on 6-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-12 from long range.
Despite averaging just 51.5 points in the past two games, the UConn defense has stepped up - holding opponents to 49.5 points and 28.6-percent shooting per game. Boston University and Syracuse combined to shoot 20-percent from three-point range.
In the past four games, sophomore guard Jalen Adams has led the team's scoring efforts with 18.8 points per game. Senior forward Kentan Facey had a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game, during that stretch.
UConn, a winner of three of its past four games, will take on Ohio State for the seventh time in program history. The all-time series is tied, 3-3.
In their most recent meeting, the Huskies cruised past the Buckeyes, 75-55, in Gampel Pavilion on Dec. 12, 2015. Five players scored in double-figures for the Huskies.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes (7-2) enter Saturday coming off a 79-77 loss to Florida Atlantic on Tuesday - their first home loss of the season. Prior to that, Ohio State's only loss was a 63-61 decision at Virginia.
Six players are currently averaging double-figures for Ohio State, including the team's leading scorer Jae'Sean Tate with 14.0 points per game. Tate also leads the Buckeyes with 7.8 rebounds per contest.
As a team, Ohio State is shooting 49.6-percent from the field, while holding opponents to a mere 37.3-percent. The Buckeyes are turnover-prone, however, averaging 14.1 per game and are 11th in the Big Ten in turnover margin (-0.8).
BY THE NUMBERS
13: Rebounds for Kentan Facey against Syracuse, a career-high. His previous career-high was 12 against Central Connecticut State on Dec. 23, 2015.
3-1: UConn's record in games decided by four points or fewer this season. In tight games, the Huskies have answered the call - losing just once to Northeastern.
25.9: Syracuse's field goal percentage on Monday, the worst of any UConn opponent this season. The total included a 23.1-percent mark in the first half.
