A pair of top 10 teams meet at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday, December 7 when the The #7 Gonzaga Bulldogs take the court against the #4 Kentucky Wildcats.
The game is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM EST and will be broadcast ESPN2. Fans who want to watch this men’s college basketball game can do so by using FuboTVwhich offers $30 off the first month or DirecTV Streamwhich offers a free trial. SlingTV does not offer a free trial, but has other promotional offers available.
Both teams are 7-1 in this contest, but the Wildcats are fresh off a 70-66 loss to the Clemson Tigers. Gonzaga hasn’t played in more than a week when it earned a 90-65 win over the Davidson Wildcats.
WHO: no 4 Kentucky Wildcats vs. no 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs
when: Saturday, December 7th at 10:00 PM EST
where: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle
current: FuboTV; Sling; DirecTV Stream
What is FuboTV?
FuboTV is an Internet TV service that offers more than 200 sports and entertainment channels, including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. From the UEFA Champions League to the WNBA to international sports tournaments, there are plenty of options available at FuboTV, which offers $30 off the first month for new customers.
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream it offers pretty much everything that DirecTV offers, except for a remote control and a streaming device to connect to your TV. Sign up now and enjoy three free months of premium channels included MAX, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and Starz.
What is SlingTV?
SlingTV offers a variety of live programs ranging from news and sports and from as little as $20 per month for the first month. Subscribers also get a free month of DVR Plus if they sign up now. Choose from a variety of sports packages with no long-term contracts and easy cancellation.
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Freshmen Liam McNeeley and Sarah Strong thrive under the pressure of playing for UConn
By JIM FULLER Associated Press
STORRS, Conn. (AP) — A look at the retired banners and numbers at Gampel Pavilion is a reminder of the special players who came to UConn before Liam McNeeley and Sarah Strong.
However, it may be difficult to find a season where a pair of freshmen arrive at UConn who are asked to carry the load for the Huskies like the two current freshman stars.
Before Strong played his first collegiate game, Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma suggested the 6-foot-2 freshman could change the trajectory of the UConn program. This came from the person who trained Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart.
The UConn men’s basketball team lost four starters to a team that won a second straight national title. Coach Dan Hurley made it clear that McNeeley would not be a player who will have a couple of months to figure things out.
In his first game, he had two points, one rebound and one assist in the first four minutes of the season-opening win over Sacred Heart. McNeeley finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the game. The following night, Strong had 17 points and six steals as the 11-time national champion UConn women’s basketball team opened the season by rolling past Boston University.
McNeeley is a 6-foot-7 Texan freshman who was one of the most vocal players during timeouts at times as the Huskies were reeling off three games in three days at the Maui Invitational. The soft-spoken, 6-foot-6 Strong started playing basketball when her family lived in Spain before moving to North Carolina. She is more like a typical freshman in her dealings with the media as she chooses her words very carefully. Despite their differences. both play a strong game and welcome the pressure of playing for elite college programs.
“I think they show in high school that they’re made for big moments, that they show their best when people expect it the most,” Auriemma said. “That’s why they come to school (at UConn). We’ve certainly had our share of that and I don’t think you go into the season thinking that this freshman is going to come in and be ready. Every now and then you have guys singles that come and from what I heard from the men, Liam is that type of player and Sarah is that type of player that pops up from time to time.”
McNeeley and Strong don’t just thrive against overmatched opponents. Strong had 14 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five blocked shots in a win over then-No. 14 North Carolina. McNeeley had 20 points in a loss to Colorado at the Maui Invitational. UConn played at home against No. 15 Baylor on Wednesday without its only starter. With Alex Karaban sidelined after suffering a concussion late in UConn’s final game at the Maui Invitational, McNeeley scored 10 of his 17 points in the second half in a four-point win.
Games like this are why McNeeley came to UConn. He’s ready to face the pressure of trying to help the program win a third straight national title.
“I decided to come here because I knew I was going to be pushed harder than anyone by the coaches and the team,” said McNeeley, who is second on the 25th-ranked Huskies with an average of 13 points per game. “That’s where I feel I play my best.”
Strong leads UConn in rebounding and also leads the second-ranked Huskies with 19 steals and 11 blocked shots. Only All-American point guard Paige Bueckers is averaging more points for UConn than the 15.6 Strong is contributing for the 7-0 team. Having the opportunity to play for Auriemma, who recently became the all-time winningest Division I college basketball coach, was a key factor in making a strong commitment to UConn.
“He knows the game very well and wants the best from all of us,” Strong said. “I know it’s going to prepare me to get better and develop to be able to go to the WNBA.”
There was a moment in one of UConn’s first games when Strong went out of the game. Auriemma was waiting for him to hit the UConn bench. As he stopped her and began calmly instructing his star freshman on what he was looking for, Strong looked directly at his head coach and tried to soak up every word that came his way. Many of those who came to UConn before Strong quickly retreated to the bench and let one of the attendees deliver the message. Strong chose a more mature option.
“It’s really important,” Strong said. “I care about what he has to say and it’s going to put me in the best possible position, so whatever he says, I’ll take it.”
The two freshmen will join their teammates in high-profile games this weekend.
The UConn women head to New York to face No. 22 Louisville at the Barclays Center in the Women’s Champions Classic on Saturday night. The men’s team will play its first true road game of the season against unranked Texas on Sunday. McNeeley and his teammates will look to build on Baylor’s win with a matchup against No. 7 Gonzaga at Madison Garden on Dec. 14.
“We have to build on it,” McNeeley said. “We’ve got two very important games and then we’ll play the league so we’ve just got to keep the momentum going.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article