When Will the Games Begin?
The Story: The start date and the schedule for the men’s basketball team has still not been set as a positive COVID-19 test has shut down the program for the time being.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Only two players — roommates — are allowed to practice and work out at a time. Dan Hurley said yesterday that the regular season could begin on Nov. 25 or Nov. 27 against either CCSU or Hartford. Contracts haven’t yet been signed, and the opponents and schedule, other than the Big East games, mostly remain fluid.
WHAT DID HURLEY SAY? “Missing two weeks takes weeks to recover from, so we’re very concerned about the welfare of our guys upon returning, how hard to push them in practice. Do we need to adjust our nonconference schedule based on where we are at right now? And I guess, just the emotional and mental well-being of guys who are in quarantine and are able to be with the group again. We’re a pretty close-knit tribe, so we’re trying to do the best we can to stay connected and keep the guys going.”
AKOK, POLLEY COMING ALONG: The stop in action has stopped the rehab of Akok Akok and Tyler Polley. Akok is coming off an Achilles tear last year but didn’t look like he had any issues while dunking on Josh Carlton. Polley should be recovered from a torn ACL shortly.
HURLEY ON RECRUITS: Hurley spoke for the first time on UConn’s Class of 2021 signees, Rahsool Diggins, Jordan Hawkins and Samson Johnson. He said Diggins has so much confidence that every time “he steps on the court he feels he’s the best player.” Hawkins is “the perfect type of wing prospect that’s going to be incredibly dynamic, a next-level prospect.” Johnson “projects to be not only a great player here, but potentially an NBA-level talent.”
Welcome To Bubbleville
The Story: Mohegan Sun will be the site of a college basketball bubble, which will feature 45 games from Nov. 25-Dec.5
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: It doesn’t look like fans will be allowed at the games, but Mohegan is the perfect bubble to have for men’s and women’s games over the Thanksgiving break. Both UConn hoops teams will be a part of the games at Mohegan Sun.
The men will play in the Legends Classic, facing Vanderbilt on Dec. 1 and BYU or USC on Dec. 3, and then will play NC State on Dec. 5. The women will play in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic against Quinnipiac on Nov. 28 and Mississippi State or Maine the next day. The Huskies will also play Louisville in the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 4.
Morning Reads
NO, UCONN DOESN’T GET THE BEST PLAYERS ALL THE TIME: Geno Auriemma has gotten the best two players in the nation two years in a row and watching Azzi Fudd is going to be a lot of fun. (Hartford Courant)
FUDD, BUECKERS ALREADY HAVE CHEMISTRY: Fudd and Paige Bueckers, the No. 1-ranked players the last two years, have become fast friends. (Journal Inquirer)
