NEW YORK, NY — UConn’s redshirt senior guard Malachi Smith, out of the Bronx, NY, ended Friday afternoon’s SentinelOne Showdown at Madison Square Garden in a New York Minute.
As the No. 13 ranked Illinois Fighting Illini drew its deficit down to seven against the No. 5 ranked Huskies with 2:11 remaining in regulation—66-59—Smith, transferring over to Connecticut after four years at Dayton, with ice in his veins, the shot clock expiring and getting fouled on the shot, banked an unreal three-pointer from the MSG logo a few feet short of half-court.
A circus-like bucket which soon after became a four-point dagger upon review, giving UConn a 70-59 lead, as “The World’s Famous Arena” went into a frenzy with 16,154 on their feet.
“I didn’t know the shot clock was going off, so I just looked at the sideline, everybody told me to shoot it,” said Smith of the ridiculous make following his performance of 14 points and nine assists off the bench, a game-high in UConn’s 74-61 win.
“He (Illinois forward Jake Davis) fouled me. So I just tried to concentrate just a little bit, at least hit the rim. It went in. I’m glad we got the review and it counted.”
Malachi Smith, a product of St. Raymond High School for Boys in the Bronx, pumped up following his impressive three-point make Friday afternoon at Madison Square Garden vs. Illinois which became a four-point dagger – Image Credit: UConn Men’s Basketball
Along with Smith, fellow redshirt senior forward Alex Karaban tacked on 12 points and five assists while junior guard Solo Ball led the Huskies in scoring with 15 points overall (13 coming in the first half).
“He (Smith) is a huge spark off the bench for us,” a laughing Karaban said, suggesting it was “Mali’s World Today” to media members in the postgame press conference.
“Just the energy he has on and off the court and just how unselfish he was today, he really changed the game for us.”
Two-time national championship-winning head coach at UConn in 2023 and 2024, Dan Hurley, quickly chimed in on Karaban’s continued “Mali’s World” remarks, jokingly stating, “He (Smith) was being an a**hole in practice two days ago so he actually didn’t deserve to play.”
Alex Karaban (L), Dan Hurley (M) and Malachi Smith (R) were all smiles and jokes in Friday afternoon’s postgame press conference at MSG – Image Credit: Hector Beauchamp/Latino Sports
Some friendly banter and laughs carried on until Hurley told both Huskies to hit the showers, so he could go forward to field questions from the press.
With that, the key takeaway from the 52 year old, now in his eighth season at the helm of UConn, was going in depth on the significance of the team’s play at the point guard position as well as the return of senior center Tarris Reed Jr. (two points and five rebounds) who was on a 15-minute restriction vs. Illinois after missing the last two games due to an ankle injury.
“It’s important, I still think point guard play is so critical. It looked tonight kind of like the guard play looked in ’23 and ’24. Malachi made a huge difference off the bench with 14 and 9, and obviously making that crazy three there to get it back to doubles when we were wavering. He’s the story of the game. And Tarris Reed’s courage. Tarris is probably a week ahead of when he should play, but that guy was a total warrior today, getting on the board.”
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
