OMAHA, Neb. – UConn freshman star Liam McNeeley hadn’t performed in entrance of a crowd as hostile because the one the Huskies confronted in Omaha on Tuesday night time. He discovered the atmosphere inspiring.
In what coach Dan Hurley known as top-of-the-line performances all season in faculty basketball, McNeeley scored a career-high 38 factors whereas prepared the Huskies to a 70-66 victory over No. 24 Creighton.
“I had a blast,” McNeeley stated. “Vitality feeds vitality, and I used to be feeling it.”
A few of his motivation was drawn from the Creighton college students, who’ve heckled Hurley unmercifully since UConn began making annual journeys to Omaha when the college rejoined the Huge East in 2020.
“A number of pupil sections have began chanting a three-word chant earlier than the sport, through the sport, throughout timeouts,” McNeeley stated, referring to vulgarities directed at Hurley. “A shot at Coach is a shot on the group, so it will get me fired up.”
The 6-foot-7 McNeeley, enjoying his second sport since getting back from an ankle harm that sidelined him for eight video games, is having to regulate to enjoying a point-forward position with level guard Hassan Diarra battling a knee harm that restricted him to seven minutes towards the Bluejays.
McNeeley opened UConn’s scoring with the primary of his season-high 5 3-pointers on 10 makes an attempt. He was 12 of twenty-two from the sector and grabbed 10 rebounds.
“I used to be fairly assured as soon as I acquired my first shot off,” he stated.
Hurley stated McNeeley makes UConn a top-10-or-12 group within the nation when he is wholesome and in rhythm. UConn went 5-3 with out McNeeley and this week dropped out of the AP High 25 for the primary time for the reason that begin of the 2022-23 season.
“He will be a top-10 (NBA draft) decide,” Hurley stated. “No freshman has had a extra spectacular efficiency in one of these atmosphere towards a group like that.”
McNeeley was at his animated greatest when he hit back-to-back 3s and dunked off a steal because the Huskies took their first lead halfway by means of the second half. When Creighton known as a timeout, McNeeley pumped his proper fist and screamed at followers behind the UConn bench. Then he turned to the Creighton pupil part and waved his arms.
The night time ended with McNeeley knocking down the rebound, getting fouled and making two free throws with 4 seconds left. By then, followers have been heading to the exits.
“I believed the fitness center was actually quiet,” he stated. “You could not hear a peep. They have been loud when it was going nicely, however the crowd died down fairly quick.”
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