The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
MEN’S BASKETBALL GAMEDAY
PROVIDENCE at UCONN
When: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Gampel Pavilion
Records: Providence 11-10 (7-8 Big East), UConn 9-5 (6-5 Big East)
TV: Fox Sports 1
Radio: UConn Sports Network (97.9 FMESPN Hartford, WAVZ 1300 AM, WICC 600 AM, WINE 940 AM, WGCH 1490 AM, WILI 1400 AM)
KEEP AN EYE ON
Cole is hot: Dan Hurley labeled R.J. Cole’s 24-point, seven-assist effort against Xavier on Saturday “probably as good a game that a point guard has played in the Big East this year. And that’s saying something, because there’s some great ones.”
It was the second straight game Cole has come off the bench. He had a team-high 14 points in a Feb. 10 loss at Providence. So, does Hurley continue to bring him off the bench, where he’s excelled, or reward him by moving him back to the starting lineup over Jalen Gaffney, who’s struggled the past two games?
“He wasn’t giving us everything he had,” Hurley said of Cole. “That’s why I moved him. He was giving us what he wanted to give us, but not the grit and determination and leadership. We’re starting to get that, along with his sterling play. So, we’ll see.”
Big Nate, Pt. II: Nate Watson, PC’s 6foot-10 senior center, hurt the Huskies with 17 points inside six days ago. Junior guard David Duke also scored 17 and was named the Big East’s player of the week in part thanks to that effort. Freshman Adama Sanogo was charged with guarding Watson in the first meeting and did have five blocks, but perhaps Isaiah Whaley or Akok Akok will see more time against him on Tuesday.