Huskies look impressive in open scrimmage
STORRS — Both baskets were sturdily anchored to the floor. A trio of referees were on-hand, along with about 500 students and season ticket-holders and about a dozen local media types.
For the first time this year, the UConn men’s basketball team was unveiled publicly, in a gamelike situation. For a little over two hours on Monday night at Gampel Pavilion, the Huskies ran drills, then played a series of three, 10-minute intrasquad scrimmages — a dress rehearsal for the regularseason opener that now looms just a week away.
“I think that little bit of feeling of eyes on you, anytime we can play in front of our fans, it’s awesome,” coach Dan Hurley said. “I think there were enough folks in here to deal with that element. It kind of allowed us to get everything done that we needed to get done in the preseason, to understand where we need to be.”
What did those 500 or so prying eyes learn about the 2021-22 Huskies? Perhaps a starting lineup? Starting for the Blue Team for all three of the scrimmages were R.J. Cole, Adama Sanogo, Isaiah Whaley, Tyrese Martin and freshman Jordan Hawkins. That would seem to be a likely starting five for the season-opener on Nov. 9 against Central Connecticut State, though Hurley wouldn’t go there.
“We just wanted to see different combinations of guys that we haven’t really seen,” the fourth-year Husky coach insisted. “I wouldn’t read too much into who was on either team (Monday).”
There were numerous things to be reminded of. Sanogo, though a bit “outof-sorts,” per Hurley, is still real good. Andre Jackson is still freakishly athletic. Martin still does a little of everything. Richie Springs is still on the roster.
There was plenty to be learned, as well, particular
ly from the Huskies’ quartet of freshmen, each of whom impressed in different ways.
Ultimately, the Gray Team beat the Blue Team 58-48 — a minor upset, if the Blue Team is the likely starting five for the opener.
“That goes to show that we’re a very talented team and it’s not always going to be the Blue Team beating the (Gray) Team,” said Cole. “As much as we should be beating them, they’re talented as well. It’s not gonna be a cakewalk.”
Here’s a breakdown of what each player showed on Monday night.
➜ Andre Jackson: Probably the best player on the floor, finishing with a game-high 16 points, including a phenomenal breakaway, windmill dunk off his own steal and, perhaps more importantly, a pair of 3-pointers.
“That’s a template for the way Andre needs to go out about playing,” said Hurley. “That version of Andre can have a really big impact.”
➜ Tyrese Martin: Senior forward was active, with 14 points on a variety of layups, dunks and slashes — perhaps never better than on a nifty one-touch pass from Isaiah Whaley.
➜ Isaiah Whaley: Senior forward didn’t score but had at least one crafty steal and that nice pass to Martin. Overall, a very quiet night for “The Wrench.
➜ R.J. Cole: Finished with five points and also had a rather quiet night.
“The older guys on the Blue Team didn’t have the same energy level,” Hurley noted. “Maybe they’re saving it for the opener, but that’s never a good approach. You’ve always got to be ready to go.”
➜ Tyler Polley: Sharpshooter knocked down a trio of 3-pointers but, perhaps more importantly for his opportunity for playing time, played some pesky defense, with at least one steal and another deflection. He could battle Hawkins for that fifth starting spot, if Hurley wants to ensure at least one knockdown shooter is in the starting lineup and prefers to bring Jackson off the bench.
➜ Jordan Hawkins: Hoisted up a bunch of shots and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the third scrimmage.
“He makes mistakes on the backboard, some defensive mistakes,” Hurley said. “But he is in attack mode ... we’re gonna need a lot from him.”
➜ Adama Sanogo: Scored 12 points, hit all four of his free throws but certainly struggled a bit in the paint with Akok Akok and Samson Johnson clogging things up. Still, that’s been an anomaly this preseason.
“He was dominant in our two (closed-door) scrimmages,” Hurley reported, “Up until tonight, has looked like a legitmate Player of the Year, first-team all-conference level guy.”
➜ Akok Akok: Knocked down a 3 and battled Sanogo pretty well inside the paint.
➜ Samson Johnson: Frosh showed flashes, blocking multiple shots emphatically, knocking down a 3pointer and scoring on a swooping reverse layup on which Hurley thought he resembled “a pterodactyl.”
“He has days when he looks like that,” the coach said. “He has days where he’s overwhelmed. But, he’s a special talent.”
➜ Richie Springs: Littleused redshirt sophomore scored four points, hitting both his free throws, and was generally active.
➜ Jalen Gaffney: Hit all five of his free throws for nine points, but didn’t particularly stand out most of the night.
➜ Corey Floyd Jr.: Freshman late signee was very active in the opening scrimmage, with some strong drives to the hoop. He finished with 10 points, though he’s unlikely to play much (if at all) this season.
➜ Rahsool Diggins: Sidelined by a knee injury for most of the preseason, the freshman saw his most live action of the fall and was impressive, scoring six points, including a pretty baseline floater.