Connecticut Huskies
2016-17 record: 1-2
Last season: 25-11 overall, 11-7 American (lost to Kansas in NCAA Tournament Round of 32)
KenPom.com rating: 67
Location: Storrs, Connecticut
Coach: Kevin Ollie (fifth season, 98-46)
Strength: Interior defense
While UConn has posted a series of eyebrow-raising results this season — consecutive losses to Wagner and Northeastern and a close win at Loyola Marymount — it has not been because of the Huskies’ defense.
Connecticut has not allowed more than 67 points in a game and is tough inside the arc.
Opponents have shot just 41 percent on 2-point attempts this season, a stat that puts UConn in the top 50 nationally. (Both Wagner and Northeastern shot less than 40 percent on 2-point shots and still beat UConn). The Huskies also block 18 percent of opposing shot attempts, which ranks 17th, per KenPom.com.
Oklahoma State enters Monday’s game shooting an elite 62.6 percent on 2s.
That starts with 7-footer Amida Brimah, who has 13 blocked shots in three games. Alterique Gilbert, a freshman guard who may or may not play Monday after dislocating his shoulder against Loyola Marymount, has been a plus defender, too.
Weakness: Making shots
It is going to be hard for Connecticut to win if it does not start shooting better. The Huskies are well below average at the free-throw line (60.8 percent) and on 2-point field goals (45.5 percent).
They’ve been downright dreadful from 3 (27 percent).
UConn needs to get more from senior Rodney Purvis, who averaged 18 points per game in the NCAA Tournament last year. So far, he is shooting 12.5 percent (2-of-16) from deep.
The Huskies also need to hope Gilbert, one of their most talented players, can return quickly.
Follow
Dom Amore @AmoreCourant
Kevin Ollie says Alterique Gilbert is "feeling great." Will be examined 2day and will be "game time decision." So there is optimism there.
Player to watch: F Terry Larrier (16.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG)
A transfer from VCU, Larrier is leading Connecticut in scoring in his first three games with the team.
If Gilbert is out Monday, he’ll be even more of a focal point.
The 6-foot-8, 192-pound sophomore has done a bit of everything, shooting 55.6 percent inside the arc and making four 3s.
He’s one of the Huskies’ most versatile players with his size, so it will be interesting to see how OSU defends him.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 77, UConn 72
Mark Cooper
918-581-8387
mark.cooper@tulsaworld.com
Twitter: @mark_cooperjr
2016-17 record: 1-2
Last season: 25-11 overall, 11-7 American (lost to Kansas in NCAA Tournament Round of 32)
KenPom.com rating: 67
Location: Storrs, Connecticut
Coach: Kevin Ollie (fifth season, 98-46)
Strength: Interior defense
While UConn has posted a series of eyebrow-raising results this season — consecutive losses to Wagner and Northeastern and a close win at Loyola Marymount — it has not been because of the Huskies’ defense.
Connecticut has not allowed more than 67 points in a game and is tough inside the arc.
Opponents have shot just 41 percent on 2-point attempts this season, a stat that puts UConn in the top 50 nationally. (Both Wagner and Northeastern shot less than 40 percent on 2-point shots and still beat UConn). The Huskies also block 18 percent of opposing shot attempts, which ranks 17th, per KenPom.com.
Oklahoma State enters Monday’s game shooting an elite 62.6 percent on 2s.
That starts with 7-footer Amida Brimah, who has 13 blocked shots in three games. Alterique Gilbert, a freshman guard who may or may not play Monday after dislocating his shoulder against Loyola Marymount, has been a plus defender, too.
Weakness: Making shots
It is going to be hard for Connecticut to win if it does not start shooting better. The Huskies are well below average at the free-throw line (60.8 percent) and on 2-point field goals (45.5 percent).
They’ve been downright dreadful from 3 (27 percent).
UConn needs to get more from senior Rodney Purvis, who averaged 18 points per game in the NCAA Tournament last year. So far, he is shooting 12.5 percent (2-of-16) from deep.
The Huskies also need to hope Gilbert, one of their most talented players, can return quickly.
Follow
Dom Amore @AmoreCourantKevin Ollie says Alterique Gilbert is "feeling great." Will be examined 2day and will be "game time decision." So there is optimism there.
Player to watch: F Terry Larrier (16.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG)
A transfer from VCU, Larrier is leading Connecticut in scoring in his first three games with the team.
If Gilbert is out Monday, he’ll be even more of a focal point.
The 6-foot-8, 192-pound sophomore has done a bit of everything, shooting 55.6 percent inside the arc and making four 3s.
He’s one of the Huskies’ most versatile players with his size, so it will be interesting to see how OSU defends him.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 77, UConn 72
Mark Cooper
918-581-8387
mark.cooper@tulsaworld.com
Twitter: @mark_cooperjr
