Jaden Daly
@dalydoseofhoops.bsky.social
Independent college basketball writer covering NY metro hoops since 2009. USBWA member w/focus on MAAC, Big East, Rutgers, local mid-majors, UNC, zebra alerts.
Take every exhibition with a grain of salt, but if this is how #UConn looks on its first night out of the gate, you might want to take a look at the Huskies this season. Na’jai Hines led the way with 17 and 8 as the Huskies rolled by 20, 72-52 the final.
They’re going down the stretch in eastern Connecticut, and #UConn is 3:29 away from raising the curtain on 2026-27 with an exhibition win that wasn’t pretty in every facet, but workmanlike from start to finish. At the last timeout, it’s the Huskies up 20 on Syracuse, 69-49.
Najai Hines has 17 and 8, #UConn is up 17 with 7:50 to go after his last bucket, and Gerry Mac will talk going to the U8, his Syracuse team on the short end of a 57-40 count. For the first of what I’m sure will be many times this season, it’s Big Red time.
Hurley has gone 10-deep now, with Elmir Dzafic checking in moments ago. He, Egor Amosov, Junior County and Nils Machowski are out there now with Jayden Ross. #UConn has some separation at the U12, up 46-35 on Syracuse at the 11:34 mark.
Khamenia and Hines are up to 11 each at the U16, propelling #UConn to a 37-28 lead with 15:55 to play in regulation. The Huskies are conducting a defensive clinic, but the 8-of-14 showing at the line is probably something Hurley will, and should, lament in his film session.
The first 20 of season #20 are in the books, with #UConn taking a 31-26 lead into halftime over Syracuse. Hines, Khamenia and Demary are all at outscoring the Orange on their own. Ryan Moesch, who Gerry Mac flipped from Siena when he got the job, is going to be a Cuse favorite.
The two big #UConn transfers are carrying the Huskies thus far, with 17 of the team’s 26 points split between Hines (9) and Khamenia (8) with 2:53 to play before the intermission as UConn holds a 26-21 lead over Syracuse, who is 5-of-16 from the floor.
UConn 11-2 run Syracuse 7-1 run Tied at 13 with 7:58 left in the first half. What is basketball, boys and girls?
UConn has settled in over the last few minutes, using a 9-0 run to double up Syracuse with 11:34 remaining in the opening stanza. Na’jai Hines has made the same impact off the bench he had last year at Seton Hall, with four points and a dunk. Huskies 12, Orange 6 right now.
Both sides are all square at 4 apiece through the first 5:08, with Sadiq White accounting for the entire Syracuse offense and Khamenia pulling #UConn level on a three not too long ago. Six fouls across the house so far, which is normal for the three stripes on this one.
After 106 scoreless seconds, Oskar Giltay has broken the seal on the season, knocking down the second of two free throws for #UConn. Syracuse hasn’t looked confident yet against Hurley’s defense.
Kiyan Anthony just checked in for Syracuse. Rumor has it his dad was pretty damn good back in his day.
Jayden Ross has TWO fouls in the first 77 seconds. Nils Machowski will check in. We are SO back.
Off and running from Mohegan Sun for year #20, and Syracuse commits a turnover on its opening possession by stepping out of bounds. Potter called an illegal screen on Jayden Ross about 10 seconds later, so away we go into the Connecticut night. Another Orange turnover after that.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend. Come inside, come inside. Season #20, game #1 of God only knows how many. It’ll be UConn and Syracuse baptizing this year’s festivities at Mohegan Sun.
Jump Around in the final minute of a Ranger win at MSG. Could anything be more spectacularly normal, @anonymouseagle.bsky.social?
For the Marquette followers, our MU beat writer, Jackson Gross, just sent this piece in on Shaka looking to reclaim his trademark edge with this year’s group, a process starting with what he calls “implementation.” Here’s what that means, plus some wholesale updates. #mubb
Golden Eagles hopeful to bring back their edge in resurgent season - A Daly Dose Of Hoops
One hallmark of any team led by Shaka Smart was the edge and tenacity it brought every night. From VCU to Texas, and now at Marquette, his defenses have led the charge, and it’s been a very successful...
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I’m assuming Marquette’s first-place vote came from Rick Pitino. He told @adamzagoria.bsky.social back in July that he thought the Golden Eagles were the best team in the Big East. #mubb
Breaking down St. John’s schedule: What to watch, what to expect from Red Storm’s ’26-27 slate St. John’s released full schedule Monday, officially sending Red Storm on path to third straight Big East championship. (Photo by the Big East Conference) By David Okula (@david16okula) With exactly a…
Breaking down St. John’s schedule: What to watch, what to expect from Red Storm’s ’26-27 slate
St. John’s released full schedule Monday, officially sending Red Storm on path to third straight Big East championship. (Photo by the Big East Conference) By David Okula (@david16okula) With exactly a month to go before its first exhibition game against Drexel, St. John’s released its full 2026-27 schedule on Monday morning. Following a year where the Johnnies secured back-to-back Big East regular season and conference tournament titles, made the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 and had an offseason full of major additions, the expectations have arguably never been higher for the program.
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Saturday morning football #MUPS have been lit on Long Island about a half-hour out from kickoff. A pleasant good morning from the broadcast booth, @bracketdobber.net.
New York’s Big Ten team isn’t exactly honoring its city or media market tonight, of all nights, @anonymouseagle.bsky.social. #RutgersGonnaRutgers
Quinnipiac retools in hopes of finally breaking through after near-misses in Metro Tom Pecora reloads at Quinnipiac in search of third regular season championship in four seasons and Bobcats’ first trip to NCAA Tournament at Division I level. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) For all that Tom…
Quinnipiac retools in hopes of finally breaking through after near-misses in Metro
Tom Pecora reloads at Quinnipiac in search of third regular season championship in four seasons and Bobcats’ first trip to NCAA Tournament at Division I level. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) For all that Tom Pecora has accomplished throughout his career, there is one thing he has yet to do as a head coach: Lead a team to the NCAA Tournament.
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Marquette adds another transfer in Liberty guard Colin Porter By Jackson Gross (@JGrossReporter) Colin Porter could be Marquette’s final piece after Golden Eagles signed former Liberty guard. Porter is still seeking a fifth year of eligibility. (Photo by Liberty University Athletics) Marquette has…
Marquette adds another transfer in Liberty guard Colin Porter
By Jackson Gross (@JGrossReporter) Colin Porter could be Marquette’s final piece after Golden Eagles signed former Liberty guard. Porter is still seeking a fifth year of eligibility. (Photo by Liberty University Athletics) Marquette has filled out the final player on its roster for this season, potentially. The Golden Eagles announced last Thursday that they had landed fifth-year point guard Colin Porter out of Liberty University.
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