Hawkins, Huskies embracing roles

Jan. 11—Jordan Hawkins has embraced a bigger offensive role this season for the UConn men's basketball team.

At the same time, Hawkins and the rest of the Huskies have embraced another role of late: being the road villains.

"I like away games. That's where you really show your toughness as a team," Hawkins said. "That's where you really show the nation that you're tough and you have a togetherness as a team."

The sixth-ranked Huskies will be the villains again tonight when they visit No. 25 and Big East foe Marquette. Tipoff at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee is set for 7 p.m. (CBS Sports Network).

It's UConn's third road game in its last four games.

But coach Dan Hurley feels that the villain role isn't anything new for the program.

"You are (the villain) at UConn," he said. "You are in general."

The Huskies (15-2, 4-2 Big East) won their first five games away from home this season: three neutral site games at the Phil Knight Invitational tournament in Portland, Oregon Thanksgiving weekend, at Florida Dec. 7 and at Butler Dec. 17 to open Big East play.

Since then, UConn has stumbled on the road, suffering back-to-back losses at Xavier Dec. 31 and at Providence Jan. 4.

The Muskateers were ranked 12th in this week's Associated Press poll while the Friars were No. 19

"You just have to learn from them," Hawkins said of the losses.

The Huskies haven't lost three straight conference road games since they lost their first five American Athletic Conference games away from home during the 2019-20 season.

Hawkins feels that the recent run of tough road challenges has only helped the team though.

"Coming into a hostile environment, it just gets you ready for what's going on later in the season," Hawkins said. "You have those tough games where everybody is cheering against you sometimes, even the refs. But you just have to play your game."

Hawkins has played his game, turning himself into one of UConn's top scoring options this season in the process.

In 15 games, he's averaging 14.8 points — second on the team behind Adama Sanogo (17.9) — while adding 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 27.1 minutes. He's shooting 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Hawkins exited the Huskies' opener early before missing the next two games after entering concussion protocol.

"I know I'm going to get pressed up all night," Hawkins said. "They're going to try to run me off the line, off those pins. They're going to play me aggressive. It's been counter after counter. That's why you work on your game."

Last year, Hawkins averaged 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game.

He said that the key to dealing with increased defensive pressure from the opposition this season has been keeping things simple.

"Just take what the defense gives me. That's the biggest thing," Hawkins added. "If they only take away the pin, there's a million different things I can do off the pin."

Playing for Hurley has also helped with those adjustments.

"That's why I came here. The passion he coaches with is the passion I try to play with," Hawkins said. "That's the passion I've been playing with my whole life. The way my dad taught me to play basketball is the same way he teaches us to play basketball. I just love the passion he brings. I wouldn't want to be coached by anybody else."

Marquette (13-4, 5-1) extended its winning streak to four games with a 95-73 win over Georgetown Saturday. Kam Jones finished with a team-leading 17 points and added five rebounds while teammate Tyler Kolek had seven points and 15 assists.

The Golden Eagles are 9-1 at home this season. Their lone loss came Dec. 3 when they fell to Wisconsin 80-77.

Hurley expects another tough game tonight.

"Since I've been here, we've gotten everyone's best shot just because of the brand," he said. "Now we have the brand and that small number next to our name. So you're a chance now for people not just to get the brand win but to get a résumé win that makes teams tournament teams. It's crazy how things have changed here for us."

For coverage of UConn football and men's basketball as well as area high school and local youth sports, follow Adam Betz on Twitter: @AdBetz1, Facebook: Adam Betz — Sports Writer, and Instagram: @AdBetzJI.