Cole Bails Huskies Out vs. UMES
The Story: The No. 17-ranked men’s basketball team was on island time in its first game back home last night as it slogged to a 73-62 win over Maryland Eastern Shore. R.J. Cole led the short-handed Huskies with 25 points, his third 20-plus-point outing in four games.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: At least the Huskies (7-1) weren’t UC Davis, which lost a game to some art school earlier this week. UConn was unimpressive in a game it should have dominated. The defensive intensity and general joy of playing weren’t there as the Huskies were a step behind all night.
• UMES has had only one winning season since 1995 and was picked to finish last in the MEAC. It was as unimpressive a game that we have seen at the XL Center since a Hartford Hellcats game at the XL Center.
COLE TO THE RESCUE:: Thank goodness for Cole. He was the only UConn player to play a complete game and scored his 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting. He also had four rebounds and five assists with only one turnover. He played 38 minutes, which are way too many (where’s Rahsool Diggins?), and made the big plays when the Huskies’ offense gummed up.
MARTIN ON THE SHELF: Tyrese Martin looked like a mummy in the Bahamas with bandages all over his left arm and wrist. They need healing, and not only did he miss the game, he could be out a few more, according to Dan Hurley. Jordan Hawkins replaced Martin in the starting lineup and had five points. He looks like a terrific scorer and shooter, but we really don’t want to see Hawkins dribble anymore until he gets in the gym.
• Martin’s injury is troublesome. He is in a cast and is out two to four weeks. Two we can deal with, but it’s looking like December might be a loss for UConn’s starting shooting guard.
SANOGO INJURED: Adama Sanogo had eight points but pulled an abdominal muscle in the second half and didn’t return. Hurley had options with Akok Akok and freshman Samson Johnson on the bench but went small with Isaiah Whaley at the five and Tyler Polley at the four.
• Whaley’s defense and activity helped change the game defensively in the final 10 minutes and Polley finished with 14 points, making him the player in addition to Cole to reach double figures in scoring.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Want a measure of UConn’s defensive intensity? The Huskies allowed UMES to shoot 47.4 percent. UConn, on the other hand, needed 14 second-half points from Cole and didn’t make a field goal in the final five minutes. The Huskies shot only 30.8 percent in the second half but made 15 free throws to hold off UMES.
NEXT UP:: The Huskies host Grambling State on Saturday.
Morning Reads
• Football coach Jim Mora is heading to high school games, making offers to in-state players and transfers and building the coaching staff with the hiring of Preston Pehrson as general manager. We have no idea what a GM does in college football but hope it is important. (Hartford Courant)
• What did we learn about the women’s basketball team in the Bahamas? Many things, but here are the top four. (Hartford Courant)
• Let’s review the men’s soccer team’s season, including UConn alum Andre Blake starring in MLS. (The UConn Blog)
