The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Could UConn steal an NCAA bid?
Jalen Adams is back. Josh Carlton is playing as well as ever. Maybe — maybe — Alterique Gilbert could return, as well.
Can we expect a fourwins-in-four-days from UConn at the American Athletic Conference championship tournament this week in Memphis? Pump the brakes.
But it’s hardly out of the realm that the No. 9-seeded Huskies can be quite competitive this week. They’ll face eighth-seeded South Florida on Thursday at noon in the tourney’s lidlifer at FedExForum. The teams split their season series. USF rallied back from a 13-point first-half deficit for a 76-68 win in both team’s AAC openers back on Jan. 2 in Tampa. UConn got a measure of revenge with an ugly, 60-58 win on March 3, without Adams in the lineup.
UConn went 1-7 since Adams suffered a sprained MCL against Temple on Feb. 6. He returned on Sunday for UConn’s 82-73 win at ECU and looked good, dishing out a careerhigh-matching 12 assists to go with 13 points in his first double-double of the season. Gilbert suffered a concussion and eye injury against Temple on March 7 and didn’t make the trip to ECU. Hurley was asked about Gilbert’s possible availability for Thursday and beyond.
“Not really sure,” Hurley said. “Obviously, he didn’t travel. It’s not just one thing, it’s the concussion and the eye. So, maybe as we get closer to game time we’ll have a further update.”
Here’s a quick breakdown of the AAC tourney.
THEY’RE IN
⏩ Houston (29-2, 16-2): Cougars finish regular season ranked No. 11 in the nation, following a convincing, 85-69 romp at Cincin-
nati on Sunday. They’re Final Four-good, though it remains to be seen if they have enough true “dudes” to compete against some of the Power Five big boys. Houston, which will face the UConn-USF winner on Friday at noon, is currently likely a No. 3 seed for the Big Dance, but maybe moves up to the two-line with a big showing this week.
⏩ Cincinnati (25-6, 14-4):
Bearcats almost overachieved this season after losing three program stalwarts from last year’s team. But Sunday’s loss only reinforced the notion that Cincinnati too often comes up small in the big games. Probably a No. 6 or 7 seed.
⏩ UCF (23-7, 13-5):
Though the Knights lost at Temple on Sunday and are the fourth seed for the league tourney, they’ll be dancing. Probably a No. 8 or 9 seed.
THEY’RE PROBABLY IN
⏩ Temple (23-8, 13-5): Owls seem to be in the Big Dance right now, though it might behoove them to win at least a game — against Thursday’s Wichita StateECU winner — to feel a lot more comfortable on Selection Sunday.
BID-STEALERS?
⏩ Memphis (19-12, 11-7): Penny Hardaway has reignited excitement in the fan base, and he’ll have the home fans behind him this week. The fifth-seeded Tigers have played better lately, winning six of their last eight games. They’re also 15-2 at home this season. With Jeremiah Martin playing at an all-world level, a run to the tourney title is hardrly out of the realm.
⏩ Wichita State (17-13, 10-8): After a horrible start to the season that included a 20-point loss at UConn, the Shockers have played as well as anyone lately, winning nine of their last 11 games. Any team with Greg Marshall on the sidelines and Markis McDuffie in the paint can’t be taken lightly.
⏩ UConn (15-16, 6-12): If Adams and Gilbert are in the backcourt and feeling healthy, no team will relish facing the Huskies.
BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR
⏩ USF (19-12, 8-10): Great turnaround season by Brian Gregory & Co., but Bulls best bet is an NIT bid.
⏩ Tulsa (18-13, 8-10):
Golden Hurricane always seem to overachieve, but lacks the horses for four wins in four days.
⏩ SMU (14-16, 6-12): Injuries and depth issues have once again harpooned the Mustangs’ season.
⏩ ECU (10-20, 3-15): Joe Dooley’s rebuild is going to take a while.
⏩ Tulane (4-26, 0-18):
Green Wave went winless in league play, and aren’t about to break through against home team Memphis on Thursday.
RIM RATTLINGS
Adams earned third team all-AAC honors on Monday. It’s the third season Adams has made an all-AAC team. He may have been a first- or second-team selection if not for the injury that cost him seven games.