UConn's Hawkins battled through illness in national semifinal win

Apr. 3—HOUSTON — Jordan Hawkins must have felt as he was having a bad dream Friday.

The UConn sophomore guard was in the final stages of his preparation for the Huskies' national semifinal against Miami the next night when he started experiencing stomach issues.

He felt so bad he missed UConn's practice and media obligations Friday afternoon, and questions quickly arose about if he'd be able to play Saturday.

"I was like 'Ahh, reach the Final Four then this happens to me,'" Hawkins said. "God works in mysterious ways. He had this in store for me. I just came out here and gave it my all for my team."

Hawkins played through his illness, and he had another strong NCAA Tournament outing for the Huskies. He finished with 13 points, including 10 in the second half, as the Huskies went on to earn a 72-59 win over the Hurricanes at NRG Stadium.

The Gaithersburg, Maryland native has scored in double figures in the second half of all five of UConn's tournament games.

"I knew I had to be out there for my guys," Hawkins said. "They're my guys, it's the Final Four. One game left in the season. So, I was absolutely going to play this game no matter what."

Hawkins began not feeling well following dinner Thursday.

"I had steak, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, calamari," Hawkins said with a smile when asked what he ate. "I actually think it was the calamari. It had to be. I love calamari too, but I don't think I'm ever eating it again. Never again."

Joking aside, Hawkins said he's still not sure if he got food poisoning or picked up a stomach bug.

Part of his initial dismay when he started feeling ill stemmed from the end of last season. Hawkins missed UConn's last four games a year ago — including both postseason games — due to a concussion.

"I was kind of thinking that," Hawkins said. "I knew I was going to play but it did suck I was sick."

The team isolated Hawkins and the doctors traveling with the Huskies began treating him immediately.

"A lot of IVs, a lot of liquids," he said. "Pretzels, crackers."

UConn announced Saturday afternoon that Hawkins would not only play that night, he'd maintain his spot in the starting lineup.

But that doesn't mean Hawkins was feeling 100 percent.

"I felt absolutely terrible, I'm not even going to lie to you," he said. "I felt bad. But I knew I had to suck it up for my guys. It was a Final Four game, I had to play in it no matter what."

Hawkins looked like his normal self when he buried a three-pointer 14 seconds into the game to open the scoring and begin a 9-0 run for UConn (30-8).

"I mean absolutely," Hawkins said on if the shot made him feel a little bitter. "It felt good and let me know I still had my legs for my jump shot. Definitely a confidence booster for the rest of the game."

Hawkins didn't make another shot in the first half, though. He finished 1-for-3 from the floor in 14 minutes .

"When I'm not playing my best, we've got guys that can pick it up for sure," Hawkins said. "Donovan (Clingan) played great today, AK (Alex Karaban) played great today, Tristen (Newton) did his thing. We just have some guys that come into the game and make an immediate impact. Nahiem (Alleyne) was really great today scoring the ball."

Hawkins found a more consistent scoring touch in the second half. He went 2-for-5 from the floor and 4-for-5 from the foul line.

He finished the game with three rebounds and a block in 25 minutes.

But it wasn't even about Hawkins' stats Saturday.

"Just being out there, he automatically contributes," teammate Andre Jackson said. "He makes the defense have to guard us in a certain way. He changed the game a lot with his shooting. He came in and gave us a lot on a day where he didn't feel the best. He sacrificed himself and gave his all for us. We respect that, and that's why we love him. He's going to show up even if he doesn't feel the best. That's the sign of a really good player and teammate."

Following the game, Hawkins was asked how he felt.

"I feel great," he said with a grin. "I feel great."

Though his answer had a hint of sarcasm, knowing that his team will be playing San Diego State for the national championship tonight (9:20 p.m., CBS) likely provided some relief.

"It's an amazing feeling," Hawkins said. "Not everybody gets to do that. We're just so locked in. We know we've got one more game left. So, we're just going to leave it all on the floor."

During Sunday's press conference, Hawkins was asked if he was feeling better.

His answer will surely have UConn fans excited: "Yes, sir. I will be 100 percent on Monday."

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.