Hurley’s freshmen facing ‘learning curve’

Kevin Ollie recruits. The task will be to bring the freshmen into important roles as they are ready.

“They all elevate the overall level of play,” Hurley said. “It’s the learning curve. How much can they absorb and learn without making tons of mistakes? They can all make plays. They’re all super athletic, but a lot of winning comes down to who makes the least mistakes.”

This was among Hurley’s messages Saturday on the first day of practice. The help he promised has arrived, yes, but they will need time. E.C. Matthews, probably his most heralded recruit at URI, didn’t start until several games into his freshman season, Hurley noted.

“We’re asking them to play defense at a level they’ve never had to play it,” Hurley said. “We’re asking them to be fundamentally sound, catch the ball with two hands, all the little details that are going to be the difference between winning and losing. I understand this process. I know how they’re going to be coming in here and how to bring them along. … Older guys have to take pressure off them.”

Pursuing big guard, big man

Hurley has two scholarships sure to open after this season, with Christian Vital graduating and the program regaining the one it gave up in self-imposed sanctions. UConn’s autumn recruiting goals are a big guard, in the 6-foot-5 range, and a center/power forward type.

At the moment, eyes are on Andre Jackson, a 6-6 guard from Albany Academy who visited UConn Sept. 20-22. At the time of his visit, Jackson, who averaged better than 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as a high school junior, was considered by analysts as all but certain to go to Syracuse. Since his visit to Storrs, he canceled his scheduled trip to Iowa and is drilling down on a decision that appears to be between Syracuse and UConn. UCLA and Maryland, as well as Iowa, have also been in contention.

Meanwhile, Niels Lane, a 6-5 guard from New Jersey, called off his visit to UConn this past weekend, fueling speculation, and only speculation, that the Huskies were closing in on Jackson.

Brian Fruscio, the Albany Academy coach, told Adam Zagoria that Jackson and his family are considering options now and a decision could come by the end of this week. Jackson told Zagoria he has talked to some of the top big men about playing together, such as Isaiah Jackson, who has visited Syracuse, and Cliff Omoruyi, 6-11, of Roselle Catholic in New Jersey, whovisited UConnin August.

If UConn could land a Jackson-Omoruyi tandem, it would fill its needs at a high level. But Omoruyi still lists 13 schools as his finalists and doesn’t appear close to a decision.

Conference calls

UConn’s three-year series with Villanova concludes with a game in Philadelphia on Jan. 18, or 2 1/2 weeks after the start of American Athletic Conference play. In the future, Hurley, who inherited this series, plans to keep conference and nonconference games compartmentalized.

“I don’t like throwing a nonconference game in a [time of the] season when you’re supposed to be locked in on winning a regular season conference championship,” he said. “’Oh, wait, we’re going to step away from that and go play Villanova.’ When you get into conference play, for me, you’re so focused on conference play, just to throw in a nonconference game, I would never do it.”

With UConn joining the Big East, there will not be as much need for scheduling up in nonconference play, so it shouldn’t be an issue. … Josh Carlton shared the AAC’s most improved player award last season, but Hurley continues to make clear he wants more from the Huskies’ junior center. “I’ve tried to pound that into his mindset,” Hurley said. “There are high expectations. He established himself last year, He had really good numbers the second half of the year. Now, you’ve got to take the next step because that’s the expectation. If he were to repeat last year’s performance, that would be disappointing.” … Richie Springs turned 18 on Saturday, his first official practice as a Husky.

Dom Amore can be reached at damore@courant.com