The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Huskies hope Larrier’s return helps cure road ills
ORLANDO — Along with myriad other issues, UConn has had plenty of trouble closing out road trips this season.
In their final game of the PK80 Invitational in November, the Huskies lost to Arkansas by 35 points — their worst loss in 40 years. In the second of a twogame road swing just before Christmas, UConn was drubbed at Auburn by 25.
And after picking up their first (and only) true road win of the season at Tulane on Jan. 13, the Huskies were drubbed in Memphis three days later by 24 points.
So when UConn faces UCF in its second road game in the span of three days on Wednesday (9 p.m., CBS Sports Network), there’s the possibility things could get ugly. The Huskies are 1-5 in true road games this season and 2-8 on the road or at neutral sites.
Of course, UConn (11-10, 4-4 American) had played pretty well in the games prior to Arkansas, Auburn and Memphis. This time around, the Huskies are coming off an embarrassing, 28-point loss at Temple.
“Maybe that’s a good omen,” Kevin Ollie said with what’s become a rare smile these days. “Maybe we’ll win this one, just because we didn’t play well on the first one. Anything that can give me a positive light, that’s what I’m gonna take.”
The Huskies could use something positive, what with losses in three of their last four games, coupled with an NCAA inquiry into the program. It looks like they’ll get some good news as second-leading scorer Terry Larrier is back after missing the past two games following surgery for a fractured sinus wall.
“I definitely can’t wait to get back out there,” Larrier said on Tuesday. “I’m feeling good since the surgery.”
Larrier said he’ll likely be a game-time decision, but trainer James Doran seemed more confident that Larrier, who did just about everything in practice the past two days, will play.
“I think he’s being modest,” Doran said.
Larrier, who averages 14.8 points per game, took an elbow to the face the last time UConn faced UCF, on Jan. 10 at Gampel Pavilion. He played against Tulane but was experiencing painful headaches and sat out the Memphis loss.
After one practice, Larrier had his head in his hands in pain. Doran realized something had to be done.
“It just became apparent we needed to do it,” the trainer noted.
Larrier played with a protective mask on his face in a Jan. 20 loss to No. 1 Villanova but never seemed comfortable, scoring just seven points. He had his surgery on Jan. 24.
Larrier will have to wear a mask the remainder of the season.
“I’ve got to get comfortable with it,” he reasoned. “I don’t have a choice.”
Added Doran: “There’s still a risk. Even with the mask, there’s a risk. But it’s a lot smaller with the mask on.”
Nothing can mask UConn’s overall struggles this season.
“All in all, we’ve got to do a better job,” said Ollie. “That’s me, that’s the players, that’s the coaching staff. We all take responsibility for that. Hopefully, we can correct that (Wednesday) night.”
RIM RATTLINGS
After undergoing surgery on his left shoulder out in Vail, Colorado on Friday, Alterique Gilbert was slated to have flown back to UConn on Tuesday evening.
Gilbert has already had physical therapy twice a day the past three days and had a post-op meeting with his surgeon, Dr. Matthew Provencher, earlier in the day on Tuesday.
“Al is really happy,” Doran reported.
Gilbert’s rehab timetable is about six months, and the Huskies will not rush him at all.
Ollie said that Eric Cobb is still on indefinite suspension, and his return is “still up in the air.”
“I’m still evaluating each and every day. He’s doing a lot of good things, but he’s not with the team now, not allowed in the team building. But he is doing some things on the academic front that I’m happy with. I’m just evaluating the situation as it goes.”