Game 2: Michigan vs. UConn Preview

The last time Michigan and UConn shared the court, the Wolverines walked off as national champions. Seven months later, the Huskies get their shot at payback — in Boston, in front of a crowd UConn fans affectionately call Storrs North.

November basketball doesn’t determine anything, but it sets the bar. This is the first real test of the season for two teams with Final Four aspirations. After three exhibitions and a buy game apiece, UConn looks more like the finished product. Michigan, meanwhile, has started three different lineups in four games and is still searching for its identity.

Tonight (8 p.m., TNT), one team leaves TD Garden as a contender with a statement win. The other leaves knowing how far it has to go.

The Huskies

These previews usually start with the offense, but UConn’s defense is the headliner.

UConn not only did a terrific job slowing down Michigan in the title game in April (1.05 PPP, 48% on twos, 13% on threes), but early signs suggest this group is excellent defensively already this season.

The Huskies allowed .64 points per possession in their opener against Gardner-Webb, which made just 21% of its shots inside the arc. Gardner-Webb is one of the worst programs in Division I, so that might not mean much, but UConn also played three high-major exhibition games and was dominant defensively in each:

• .81 PPP and 35 eFG% allowed vs. Syracuse
• .78 PPP and 34 eFG% allowed vs. Purdue
• 1.07 PPP and 43 eFG% allowed vs. Michigan State

It’s early, but everything—continuity, coaching, talent, scheme, last year’s metrics—points to UConn being one of the best defensive teams in the sport this season.