“Bleed blue”: Alex Karaban sends special message to UConn fans for game vs Providence

Alex Karaban made a rallying call for fans of the 11th-ranked UConn Huskies to show up in their numbers in the game over Providence on Sunday. He did so in a short video posted on UConn's Instagram page.

"What's up UConn nation, it's Alex Karaban here. We have a big-time game against Providence tomorrow. Remember to be there early, be loud and bleed blue. So wear blue tomorrow. Go Huskies!" Karaban said.

Alex Karaban and UConn erase 14-point deficit to beat Providence

After making the rallying video for UConn fans, Alex Karaban produced a quiet but stellar performance as UConn (12-3, 4-0 Big East) battled back from a 14-point deficit to pull off an 87-84 victory over Providence (7-8, 1-3) on Sunday. Karaban scored 13 points, with four rebounds and three assists, to help the Huskies stage a spectacular second-half comeback.

UConn played without freshman Liam McNeeley, who is sidelined by a high ankle sprain he sustained during Wednesday's win at DePaul. At first, it looked like the freshman's absence was going to cost the Huskies, who watched the Friars take a 12-point lead in the first half, their largest deficit of the season.

In the second half, Providence extended its lead to 14 points through Rich Barron's reverse layup and another shot from Samson Johnson's mistake, which left the sellout crowd at the Grampel Pavilion restless. Then, the magic moment came when Tarris Reed Jr. and Aidan Mahaney came off the bench to kickstart UConn's comeback.

Reed scored all 10 of his points in the second half, with six points in a 16-2 run that gave the Huskies a 64-60 lead. UConn also forced Providence to miss 10 of 11 shots, with the Friars missing 16 of their first 24 shots in the second half.

"We cheated death in this one," UConn coach Dan Hurley said. "We're going to have to win games in this type of manner."

"At times, it was really embarrassing, our one-on-one defense. The depth they were able to get off the dribble is very concerning. It brings us back to our low moments in November. We've got to find a way to be sturdier on the ball," he added.

Up next, UConn, which extended its home winning streak to 28 games, travels to face Villanova (10-5, 3-1) on Wednesday.