UConn basketball: 5 questions for showdown with Villanova

After a disastrous performance earlier in the week, the Huskies have a shot to beat the No. 1 team in the country. Here are five questions about the game on Saturday.

1. Will Terry Larrier play?

This is the million dollar question for UConn because when healthy he’s a matchup nightmare at the small/power forward spot. He’s been out lately with concussion/headaches which in reality doesn’t have an exact timetable. He could come back Saturday, or even miss a month. For a team whose offense is near the bottom in the country, the 15 ppg is sorely missed.

2. Can Josh Carlton continue his solid play?

His season totals aren’t much, but the freshman has posted his first two double-digit scoring efforts in the past couple of games, including a 15 point and nine rebound performance against Memphis. Before then, the Huskies had literally nothing from the frontcourt players on the team (Larrier the exception). He seriously might have to go for 20 in this one.

3. Can Jalen Adams put up 32 points against Villanova?

As bad as the team’s offense is, Adams might seriously be the best player not named Landry Shamet in the AAC. He’s averaging 18.5 ppg and has scored in double-figures in every game this season. His season-high is 31 points in overtime with Monmouth, and he might need to do more against the Wildcats.

4. Which is more important for Christian Vital to do, score or play defense?

Obviously, the answer is both, but there are some games and matchups that can allow you to focus on one end to win the game. With Villanova, they have two guards in Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges (Vital’s likely opponent) that each score over 17 ppg. Vital’s offense is sorely needed, but if Bridges goes off himself, it’s pretty much over.

5. What can Butler teach UConn?

The Bulldogs are the only team to beat Villanova, 101-93 in regulation. They shot 60% from the field and went 15/22 from deep. Problem is, the Huskies need two games at this point to get 100 points.

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But Villanova can sometimes be a soft defensive team, and if UConn can get a lead and hit some shots, there’s a possibility to make things interesting. But if the Wildcats get the early lead, this could get ugly.