UConn president hopes fans will be at games this season

UConn president Thomas C. Katsouleas said that UConn men’s and women’s basketball games will likely be held without fans when (and if) their seasons begin in late-November.

But he believes that, at some point this season, fans will be able to attend UConn games.

“As I like to say, someday not too soon but before too long, we’ll again be able to cheer our Huskies to victory in person and all together,” Katsouleas said on Wednesday at a Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce virtual luncheon.

Last week, the NCAA announced that the college basketball season can begin on Nov. 25, though there are multiple hurdles to overcome to determine where and how the games can be held.

“We’re learning more all the time about strategies to allow players to compete and travel safely,” Katsouleas said. “It’s less clear about protecting fans, so the games may be on TV (only) at first.”

UConn’s full 2020-21 schedule won’t be released until after the Big East determines its league schedule, and that’s not expected to happen any time before late next week. While the MAAC released its entire league schedule earlier this week, that league features teams from only three states (Connecticut, New York and New Jersey). The Big East features teams from 11 dif

On top of that, Thomas was 16th in the league in scoring (15.5), third in rebounding (9.0) and first in steals (2.0).

Thomas’ injury figures to test the depth of the Sun’s frontcourt, which was already missing one of its best players in Jonquel Jones. Miller called for players to step up in Thomas’ absence, especially Beatrice Mompremier. The rookie played 20 minutes off the bench in Game 2, more than double her season average.

“Right now, we’re in a great place,” Miller said. “But when we get punched on Thursday, when we take a punch from Vegas, we’re going to need that leadership of everybody playing hard and not hanging their heads. We’ll take a couple punches, and

we’ve got to punch back. That’s where everybody’s got to step up because that’s where AT was such a big, big leader for us with her competitiveness on the court and with her energy on the court. Everybody fed off of that.”

If nothing else, the Sun have proved resilient under Miller. This season, they became just the third team in league history to rally from an 0-5 start and make the postseason.