Dan Hurley and his UConn Huskies are having their share of problems this season. The latest of them being Liam McNeeley’s injury during their 81-68 win over DePaul. McNeeley suffered an awkward fall while chasing a loose ball and collided with DePaul’s Layden Blocker. He left the court and later returned to the bench with his foot in a protective boot. Now UConn must figure out a way to continue without one of its best players.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley confirmed after the game that McNeeley would need an MRI scan to determine the severity of the injury. McNeeley has indeed been a key player for the Huskies. Still, Hurley sees this as an opportunity for other players to shine. “This gives every player a chance to step up,” Hurley said. “We can defend and rebound better and find ways to win as a team”. 

This implies that sophomores Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart will likely take on bigger roles. Ross can be crucial for UConn’s defense and Stewart has the size and shooting skills to make an impact. Notably, McNeeley was adding significantly to the scoreboard with an average of 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. His absence can prove a big loss for a team that was so far thriving at an 11-3 record and 3-0 star in the Big East play.

Hurley remains positive about the team’s future. The Huskies are carrying a seven-game win streak into the upcoming game and Hurley sees this as a chance to grow stronger. “When McNeeley returns, he’ll join a team that has become better in his absence,” Hurley added. Hurley has admitted that this injury can cost weeks and McNeeley will likely return by the end of January.

The Big East battles that await Hurley in the absence of McNeeley

McNeeley’s injury has happened at a crucial time in UConn’s journey this season. The Big East is well known for its highly competitive matchups and high-stakes games. The Huskies aim to continue their strong start and once again fight for a championship. UConn is currently aiming to regain the dominance of past seasons under Hurley’s coaching.

UConn’s upcoming schedule includes tough matchups against Villanova, Creighton, and Xavier. Also, the Huskies are looking at a tough battle against the Golden Eagles on the 1st of February. The team needs strong performances from all players to maintain their momentum during McNeeley’s recovery. The Huskies surely need strong performances from all players in McNeeleye’s absence if they want to maintain momentum.

As Hurley said, if players like Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart step up to the opportunity they can yet again be a worthy contender this season.