The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Huskies hosting Houston in AAC opener
Leading scorer Adams still in concussion protocol
STORRS >> As if UConn’s roster isn’t depleted enough, the Huskies may have to go without their best player and leading scorer on Wednesday.
Jalen Adams, the sophomore guard averaging 16.6 points per game, is still going through concussion protocol after suffering a concussion in Friday’s overtime loss to Auburn. Adams, who didn’t participate in practice on Tuesday, will be a game-time decision for the Huskies’ bout with Houston (3 p.m., ESPN2) at the XL Center, according to head coach Kevin Ollie.
“It is what it is,” Ollie said after practice, “we’re gonna make the best of it.”
If Adams doesn’t play, UConn (5-6) will be left with just two scholarship guards — fifth-year senior Rodney Purvis and freshman Christian Vital — for its American Athletic Conference opener. Alterique Gilbert (shoulder) and Terry Larrier (knee) are out for the season with injuries. Adams left the game with 13:13 remaining against Auburn, and when Vital fouled out early in overtime, Purvis was the last true guard left. “It’s not gonna destroy our
belief system,” said Ollie. “We’re gonna go out and play with the six guys (if necessary). We played without Jalen for the last 14 minutes and overtime. We’ve got to get through 40 minutes now, and everybody’s got to step up.”
Adams suffered his injury after colliding with Auburn’s Danjel Purifoy for a loose ball, then banging his head on the hardwood. Purvis was worried for his teammate after seeing him in the locker room after the game, but thought Adams looked much better on Tuesday.
“He’s a tough kid, so I’m not really worried about him,” Purvis said. “Of course it was a scary play, but I think he’ll be back ... He’s definitely doing a lot better.”
Purvis, by nature a shooting guard, will have to handle more point guard duties if Adams can’t play.
“I’ve been accustomed to handling the ball all my life,” he said. “That’s nothing new for me, I’ve just got to run the team and get guys shots. So, I’ll be ready for that.”
There might not be a worse league opponent to go up against while being shorthanded at guard than Houston. The Cougars (93) are keyed by a strong triumvirate of guards, led by Damyean Dotson, who is one of the AAC’s top scorers and rebounders. Rob Gray, Jr. is a shooter averaing more than 20 points per game, and sophomore Galen Robinson, Jr. leads the league in assists.
Houston owns a nice win earlier this season against Rhode Island, but is coming off a home loss to Harvard. The Cougars have always played the Huskies tough in their three years as conference mates, splitting the six games.
“They’re just experienced, more wise,” said Ollie. “Gray and Dotson are shooting the ball exceptionally well. We’ve got to make sure we find them in transition, and we’ve got to make sure we keep them off the boards.”