Adams’ Last Stand? Gilbert Out
The Story: UConn will begin play in the AAC tournament today against USF in what could be the final game in the career of Jalen Adams. (1 p.m., ESPNU)
FEELING BETTER: The one thing we like about the Huskies heading into today is their demeanor. UConn has played better as of late and is loose and saying the right things. The Huskies hit rock bottom when Adams was out with a sprained knee and lost seven of eight games. Adams returned on Sunday for a win over ECU and the Huskies have Josh Carlton playing the best and most consistent basketball of his career. If the Huskies were ever going to make a run, they are set up for it here with USF, which has limped to the finish.
ALTERIQUE OUT: Alterique Gilbert didn’t make the trip to Memphis for the tournament and we would assume his season is over. The hit that Gilbert took to the eye against Temple was violent, and he began a concussion recovery protocol and needs time for the eye to heal. Considering Gilbert’s injury history, and the fact he missed games because of his balky shoulder earlier in the year, discretion over valor is the proper course. We know he is tough and he is the soul of the team for next season.
USF ON THE DECLINE: The Bulls were one of the surprises in the American and for much of the year were in the top half of the league and considered a fringe bubble team. That collapsed in February as the Bulls have lost six of their last eight games. The Huskies are a one-point favorite today and will have to contend with David Collins‘ 15.6 points per game and a physical and relentless Bulls frontline. The Huskies split the two games the teams played this year, winning 60-58 in Storrs on March 3.
REBOUND THAT BALL: UConn has been crushed on the boards in both games by USF, which is lead by Alexis Yenta, the conference’s rookie of the year and leading rebounder with 9.6 per game. Yenta is a 6-foot-8 forward from Paris by way of Putnam Science Academy. We have no idea how he is not in a UConn uniformhow he is not in a UConn uniform, but USF is the beneficiary. In the two meetings, the Huskies have been crushed on the boards both times. In the Jan. 2 conference opener, USF held a 47-32 advantage on the glass and then a 46-33 edge in the loss two weeks ago. In two games, USF has 35 offensive rebounds on the Huskies.
WHAT WE WANT TO SEE: The Huskies scored 82 points against USF the first time and looked like they were very happy to get up and down the floor on the fastbreak. We would like to see the Huskies get back to that uptempo game and take USF out of its element. Dan Hurley toned down the pressing and full-court style this season due to depth and scoring concerns, but we would like to see a faster tempo against USF and get Adams on the move penetrating and creating before the defense is set up.
WHAT DID HURLEY SAY? “This time of year, if you’re not filled with energy, excitement, you shouldn’t be playing. … This is win or die here. I’ve always tried to get my teams to empty the tank in November. Now, this is a different level you have to take it to, in terms of urgency. You can’t take a dribble or a possession off. This is like, win or it ends. As up and down and difficult as it has been at times this year, the thing is you don’t ever get to coach this group of players or play with these teammates ever again once you lose. So you better win or be willing to die trying.”
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO WIN? Yes. Of course you do, but the winner gets Houston at noon on Friday, so there isn’t much turnaround to play the top seed in the tournament. Houston is 29-2 and headed to a top-four seed in the NCAA tournament when the brackets are announced on Sunday.
Morning Reads
COMING TOGETHER: The loss of Katie Lou Samuelson for the AAC tournament was a positive for the women’s basketball team, which learned how to play a more complete game. (Hartford Courant)
A DELICATE BALANCE: Assistant coach Shea Ralph has learned how difficult it is to be a mother and an assistant coach at the same time. (Hartford Courant)
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Georgetown’s James Akinjo, who decomitted from UConn a year ago next week after Kevin Ollie as fired, was named the Big East Freshman of the Year. (Washington Post)
EL-MIR TO BOSTON…: Left wing Karl El-Mir will join the Boston Bruins’ AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, for the rest of the season. (Mark Divver on Twitter)
…GENDRON HEADS NORTH: Defenseman Miles Gendron has signed with the Ottawa Senators’ ECHL affiliate, the Brampton Beast, until the end of the season. (Quinte News)
ONE IN THE BOOKS: The women’s lacrosse team (1-5) won its first game of the season yesterday by holding on to a six-goal lead early in the second half to beat Albany 10-9 at home. (UConnHuskies.com)
