Vital not giving up on NCAA dream
UConn senior plays final game tonight at Gampel Pavilion
Storrs — On his first day on campus, Christian Vital set a lofty goal of helping the UConn basketball program raise a fifth national championship banner.
Adversity hit the program just about that time, sending the Huskies on a downward spiral that resulted in three straight losing seasons.
Now the program is starting to rise from the ashes. UConn (17-12) will finish with a winning record.
But barring a stunning run in the next few weeks, the Huskies will come up far short of accomplishing Vital's goal.
Yet Vital hasn't given up on his quest.
"Until my eligibility is all used up, that's going to stay my goal," he said.
UConn will honor Vital, redshirt junior Alterique Gilbert, walk-on Temi Aiyegbusi, student assistant coach Mamadou Diarra and graduate head managers Justin Eaddy and Paul Wettemann during Senior Night festivities before today's American Ath
letic Conference game against No. 21 Houston at Gampel Pavilion (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
The Cougars (22-7, 12-4) were tied for first in the AAC entering Wednesday. They won the first meeting by four points on Jan. 23.
"They've been the class of the league," coach Dan Hurley. "A legitimate top 25 program in the country. We have to play incredibly well to beat a team of this caliber. The first game we played well enough to win but just not well enough down the stretch."
Playing a conference leader in his final regular season home game, Vital wouldn't want it any other way.
"I'm glad we've got a good team coming in," Vital said. "I didn't want to play a bottom league team. I'm glad we got a top 25 team coming in."
Vital is enjoying an all-conference type season, ranking fourth in the league in scoring (15.6), ninth in rebounds (6.4) and first in steals (2.6). He's also making his mark on the AAC all-time record books, ranking fifth in points (1,681), third in steals (211) and first in 3-pointers made (260). He's 11th on UConn's all-time scoring list.
Just don't ask him about those accomplishments. All he cares about is winning. You'd be hard-pressed to find any Husky who's ever consistently played harder or had a bigger competitive heart than the fiery Vital. He's also severely tested the patience of his coaches at times with his decision-making and on-court antics.
"He should get the most credit of anyone involved with the program for the team showing up the way it has and things starting to change," Hurley said. "His will, competitiveness and determination has had a profound impact on the culture and the character of the team. He's got a lot of admirable qualities."
Vital and Gilbert are the only two members of a highly-regarded recruiting class still playing at UConn. Knee issues forced Diarra to prematurely end his career and move into a student coaching position. Steven Enoch (Louisville) and Juwan Durham (Notre Dame) transferred.
Hurley considers Vital and Gilbert important players in the program's rebuilding process.
"When we look back down the line here and we're accomplishing great things, these guys laid the foundation," Hurley said.
It's been a hard-luck career for Gilbert. A McDonald's All-American in high school, he's been derailed by shoulder injuries. Now healthy, he's been relegated to supporting role off the bench after starting the first 19 games. He's considered a game time decision on Thursday due to back spasms but says he's feeling much better.
"It's part of the journey," Gilbert said of the adversity. "Just me being able to play is a blessing."
While on track to graduate this spring, Gilbert is unsure what's next. He has a decision to make whether to return as a graduate player next season or do something else.
A win on Senior Night would be a terrific send-off and a big resume builder for the Huskies. Vital hasn't given up hope on his NCAA tournament dreams.
"It would mean everything," Vital said. "I haven't played there, school hasn't been there, since I've been here. That's the way I want to play back for my time, help the young guys get into the tournament because I know what it's like not to be in it."
"... We've been battling all year. And we're still battling because our season is far from over."
UConn will have anywhere from six to eight scholarship players available. Hurley hasn't decided if redshirt sophomore Sid Wilson, who was suspended indefinitely last week due to a violation of team rules, will play or not. Wilson has returned to practice. g.keefe@theday.com