[10:00 PM] Connecticut @ Loyola Marymount

Who will WIN this matchup?

Connecticut Huskies (0-2)

@ Loyola Marymount Lions (1-1)

 

• Ranked 16th in the nation in the preseason poll, Connecticut is off to an embarrassing start, losing its first two games of the season for the first time since 1968. The Huskies look to right the ship when they stop off to face Loyola Marymount on Thursday on their way to the Maui Classic over the weekend.

• After defeating NAIA foe Vanguard in its opener, Loyola Marymount lost at Nevada last time out.

• Senior center Amida Brimah had eight blocks against Northeastern, but UConn was beaten on the boards 47-38 and watched Northeastern knock down nine 3-pointers. The formula has quickly become apparent to beat the Huskies: play a zone defense and shoot 3-pointers and Northeastern did both and won despite shooting just 36.4 percent from the field. VCU transfer Terry Larrier led the way with 17 points and Jalen Adams added 15, but UConn is averaging a paltry 59.5 points through its first two outings and has led for mere moments against a pair of mid-major squads.

• The Lions return three starters from a team that went 14-17 and finished seventh in the West Coast Conference last year. Brandon Brown, a 5-11 senior guard who has 187 assists in his career, and Kelvin Amayo led Loyola with 13 points apiece in their lopsided loss at Nevada. The Lions brought in six newcomers including Hawaii transfer Stefan Jovanovic and Iona grad student Amayo, who have made immediate impacts, and senior Buay Tuach leads the team at 15.5 points a game.

• The Lions have stressed rebounding this year but were beaten on the backboards 34-28 against Nevada last time out.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Connecticut Huskies

Confidence: 5/10

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