Depth is a luxury in college basketball. UConn knows that as well as anyone.It put the Huskies’ last two national championship teams over the edge.
They could demoralize opponents with a second unit almost as effective as their first, an extra spark that could be counted on every night. UConn’s roster, much younger and less experienced this year, hasn’t provided that luxury on a consistent basis.Outside of Tarris Reed Jr.
’s 15 points and six rebounds as he evenly split minutes with starter Samson Johnson in Sunday’s loss to St. John’s, UConn’s bench provided just two points on only three shot attempts. In a season that’s featured more injuries than the last two, the reserves haven’t been able to earn trust and a longer leash from coach Dan Hurley.
“Our quality is way off from where it’s been,” Hurley said Sunday, as he explained why the Huskies weren’t able to maintain the momentum that allowed a 22-point deficit to be cut to nine in the second half.UConn men’s basketball blown out by No. 10 St.
John’s at Madison Square Garden, 89-75UConn hasn’t been able to reach that next gear at all this season with its rotation largely limited to just six or seven players.“You put your best players on the court this time of year,” Hurley said on Feb. 14, a day before the stunning loss at Seton Hall.
“We’ve just got to get our best players on the court and make it work.”The problem is, UConn’s best players are playing upwards of 35 minutes each ni.
