A six-game gauntlet continues for Oregon, which remains severely short-handed entering the PKI, beginning tonight against No. 20 UConn.
The Ducks (2-2) have been without four scholarship players thus far, including projected starters Jermaine Couisnard and Brennan Rigsby, and guard Keeshawn Barthelemy injured his left foot during Sunday’s loss to Houston and his status for tonight’s game (5 p.m., ESPN2) at Moda Center and the rest of the weekend is unclear.
Fifth-year senior Will Richardson (10.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists) played all 40 minutes against Houston and might have to play close to 120 minutes over the next three games, beginning against the No. 20 Huskies (5-0).
“Just don’t have many guards,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said. “We’re a little bit guard short.”
Richardson hasn’t found his shooting stroke yet, in part due to UO having to play with a bigger lineup and because it has to rely on his to be a facilitator with fewer guards available. As a result, his shooting and offense are off to a slower start and his turnovers are much higher than usual.
Oregon has leaned heavily on center N’Faly Dante (14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds), who is having the best four-game stretch of his career thus far. He played a career-high 35 minutes against Houston and sustaining his level of play against premier competition over three games in four days will be a massive task.
“He’s played pretty hard and he’s a big man,” Altman said. “Right now it’s kind of a necessity. ... He’s played awfully hard, awfully well throughout the year. He’s practiced the best. It’s not even close.”
UConn is led by Adama Sanogo (21.4 points, 8.0 rebounds), one of four players averaging in double-figures.
No. 12 Michigan State and No. 18 Alabama meet in tonight’s other opening round game. The winners and losers will play Friday night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
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