Must win. Not a term that coaches like to use especially with six games to go in the regular season, but most everyone associated with the UConn men’s basketball program consider tonight’s game against DePaul a must win. Sitting at two games under .500 (4-6) in the conference and with only 15 wins overall, the Huskies realistically need to finish 19-11 and 8-8 in the conference to stay off the proverbial NCAA tourney bubble and not have to go into Madison Square Garden needing wins in the Big East Tournament to secure an at-large bid.
Coming off a tough loss to Syracuse Saturday and getting blown off the court by Louisville a week ago, DePaul (11-13, 2-10 Big East) should be just what the doctor ordered. The Blue Demons come into Storrs having lost four straight and are led by a pair of sophomores, 2011 Big East All-Rookie selection Brandon Young (14.9 ppg, 4.7 apg) and 2011 unanimous Big East All-Rookie team selection Cleveland Melvin (18.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg). DePaul has struggled defensively allowing opponents to shoot just under 50% and come in giving up almost seven more rebounds per game then they pull down.
Speaking on the home stretch Interim Head Coach (Associate Head Coach) George Blaney said, “We need to come in here (Wednesday) and play the best game we’ve played all year. You’re looking at six games left, four home games and two away, so to me every game is really key, but (DePaul) is the one right in front of us. This is the one we need. ”
Despite their 15-9 record, which as it stands right now is only the 99th best record in all of college basketball, UConn would still be a lock for an at-large bid if the season were to end today. The Huskies are #1 in strength of schedule and rank 21st in the RPI. At this point going forward, UConn needs to win the equivalent of a best of seven to realistically secure a bid. Either by winning four of six down the stretch or by winning three coupled with an opening round win in the Big East Tournament. For now, UConn’s fate is in their own hands.
UConn’s surprise guest at practice
“We had a real treat (Monday) in that Ray Allen came up”, said Blaney, “Had played the night before and drove up (to Storrs) and called Kevin (Assistant Coach Kevin Ollie) and said ‘I want to come to practice’ and came and sat through and watched practice. We brought him into the locker room after practice and he spoke to the team for a good 20-25 minutes and it was vintage Ray Allen. It was vintage classic talk and that’s what Jim (Calhoun) has built here, the family atmosphere of great, great players that have done tremendous things for (UConn) and for the State of Connecticut and have gone on to do greater things in the NBA.”
Injury Update
UConn is contending with injuries to key players. Andre Drummond, who rolled his ankle in the Syracuse loss, and Jeremy Lamb, sprained right toe, should both be available for the DePaul game. Roscoe Smith was pulled from practice on Monday with a sore left Achilles and will probably be a game time decision.
UConn is still without Coach Jim Calhoun as he continues his treatment for Spinal Stenosis. He hasn’t been ruled out for the remainder of the season, but no timetable has been given for his return.
Said Blaney, “I talk to (Calhoun) every day. He’s still hurting. In fact, I thought it seemed like the pain was a little bit intensified again, but he’s still trying to sift through all the information and make some decisions.” Blaney added, “The players would like him back. The coaches would like him back. We’d all like him back as soon as possible.”
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