UConn Basketball had a big offensive night to beat Georgetown, 93-79.
It seems like it’s become the usual for UConn basketball to open their XL Center games extremely slow and this one was no different. Georgetown made four threes in the first three and a half minutes of the contest to jump out to a quick 14-4 lead. Solo Ball and Tarris Reed Jr. dug the Huskies out with a combined 22 points in the first half as UConn took a 7-point lead to the halftime break.
The Hoyas were already shorthanded in the post with the loss of Thomas Sorber due to injury which made it even more painful when backup center Drew Fielder fouled out with 15:37 remaining in the game.
UConn basketball looked very stable for most of the second half as they grew their lead to double digits thanks to a strong offensive showing. Hassan Diarra had 10 points and 5 assists in just the second half and when the floor general is feeling it then the rest of the team usually follows.
The Huskies get their first double-digit victory since beating DePaul last month in Hartford. UConn was led by Tarris Reed Jr.s 20 points, 10 rebounds and Solo Ball’s 20 points. Notably, Georgetown’s Micah Peavy played all 40 minutes and scored 25 points.
Picked up the big home W 🔥@keybank pic.twitter.com/2g9UZZbcYm
— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) February 27, 2025
Takeaway #1: Are the Huskies back?
It doesn’t get more comfortable than a double-digit win, 19 assists, and winning the rebound battle 35-18. After a disappointing three-game stretch, this was the kind of clean win that UConn basketball needed to shift their momentum. Nothing speaks confidence like having five players score in double figures.
It’s hard to single out just one of the five strong UConn performances, but Tarris Reed Jr. may have been this game’s MVP. Dan Hurley praised Tarris’s effort tonight and talked about how he has no problem giving him more minutes when he plays with the “relentless pursuit of [a] competitive warrior”.
Reed grabbed three offensive rebounds and was a big reason why UConn basketball dominated in second-chance points, outscoring Georgetown 30 to 3.
Takeaway #2: The Hoyas disappointment continues
Starting off the week with the news that your star freshman will be missing the rest of the season is less than ideal. Then add in the way that Tarris Reed Jr. exploited mismatches in the post tonight and Hoya fans are left feeling empty. The Hoyas’ at-large bid hopes were likely gone before this game, but fans were looking to end this season with momentum that may no longer be obtainable without Thomas Sober.
Micah Peavy’s 15 second half points were a bright spot in what was otherwise a forgettable second half for the Hoyas. Drew Fielder came out of the break with a hot start but fouling out early left Georgetown without another scoring option as UConn grew their lead.
Takeaway #3: Floor general Hass
When the offense is flowing as well as it did tonight then it likely means that the point guard has something to do with it. Hassan Diarra had a great night with 14 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. Diarra was not just a facilitator, but a floor general in this game.
This season has been a big adjustment for Hassan who went from being a key role player on two national championship runs to being the leader and starting point guard. Of course, the expectations are always high for UConn basketball and at times it seems like Diarra hasn’t lived up to them.
Then you find out he’s been playing injured for some time now and how just the fact that he goes out on the court limping is inspiring his teammates. Even when the box score doesn’t show it, you can be certain that Hassan Diarra is making his impact on this UConn basketball team.
Hassan now approaches the end of his college career and in a moment of reflection had this to say about UConn, “I’ve been blessed to be part of this program… I’m so grateful for the fans and it’s a blessing to be in the position I’m in”. He finished with, “UConn has changed my life.”
Next up for UConn basketball (19-9, 11-6): at Providence (12-16, 6-11) – Mar. 1 at 12:00 p.m. EST
Next up for Georgetown (16-12, 7-10): vs. Marquette (21-7, 12-5) – Mar. 1 at 8 p.m. EST
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