UCONN at MARQUETTE
When: Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
Records: UConn 9-3, Marquette 8-4
TV: FS1
Radio: UConn Sports Network, 97.9 FM-ESPN Hartford, Sirius-137, XM-206, SXM App-965, WAVZ-New Haven (1300 AM), WGCH- Greenwich (1490 AM), WATR-Waterbury (1320 AM), WILI-Willimantic (WILI 1400 AM)
KEEP AN EYE ON
Smart Ball: First-year Marquette coach Shaka Smart, who led VCU to a surprise Final Four run in 2011 and guided Texas to 109 wins the past six years, has brought his pressure-filled, havoc style of ball to Milwaukee. UConn has struggled against such styles, particularly against VCU in its final game in the Battle 4 Atlantis last month, as well as at West Virginia on Dec. 8. The Huskies’ lack trustworthy ballhandlers besides point guard R.J. Cole and, perhaps, backup Jalen Gaffney. Freshman point guard Rahsool Diggins has seen scant playing time, much to the chagrin of a vocal portion of UConn fandom, and would seem to be someone who could help in that department. But it’s unlikely Dan Hurley gives significant (if any) minutes on Tuesday to Diggins, who hasn’t played in nearly three weeks.
A mighty Morsell of defense: UConn is quite familiar with Marquette grad guard Darryl Morsell, who was the Big 10’s Defensive Player of the Year last season at Maryland. Morsell helped the Terrapins beat the Huskies in a first-round NCAA tournament game last March in Indiana, helping to hold James Bouknight to 6for-16 shooting. Morsell transferred to Marquette and has upped his offensive production this season, averaging 13.8 points per game (second on the team) and