UConn presents measuring stick in Puerto Rico Tip-Off

After West Virginia’s excursion to San Juan produced two wins and several developmental moments, now comes the payoff Bob Huggins wanted: A tournament matchup against defending national champion Connecticut.

Sunday’s title game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off against the No. 17 Huskies could carry long-term ramifications for West Virginia, whose nonconference schedule won’t offer a better chance to make a lasting impression.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” said Huggins, who was 2-5 against UConn when the schools coexisted in the Big East days. In fact, the Mountaineers’ final game in that conference was a 71-67 overtime loss to the Huskies in the 2012 Big East tournament.

“We have had some great games against them over the years,” Huggins said. “I hope Sunday is just as good as some of the others, but with us winning it.”

Though UConn (3-0) lost Shabazz Napier and two other starters from last year’s amazing NCAA tournament run, point guard Ryan Boatright and 7-footer Amida Brimah return. N.C. State transfer Rodney Purvis and freshman forward Daniel Hamilton are top-shelf newcomers who make the Huskies dangerous once again.

On the other side, West Virginia (4-0) is blending elite point guard Juwan Staten with its own cast of newcomers. Two of those, Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles, poured energy and buckets into a 70-66 comeback win over Boston College on Friday.

“They’re going to get shots because Wannie draws so much attention,” Huggins said. “We’ve just got to continue to work on getting it out of his hands at the right time to the right people.”

While Carter scored 15 points and Miles 10 against Boston College, sophomore Devin Williams contributed 15 points on the interior, though he failed to extend his streak of three straight double-doubles. Staten also generated 15 points but watched his teammates hold the rope in the final four minutes once he fouled out.

“These guys have some substance, and these guys they want to win,” Huggins said. “They want to do the right things, it’s just that sometimes they don’t know what the right thing is.

“They’ll learn, though. And it’s great to be able to learn from it and still go get the win.”

Matchup: No. 17 UConn (3-0) vs. West Virginia (4-0)

Tipoff: 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2

Coaches: Kevin Ollie (55-18) is in his third season at UConn, a fast-riser thanks to last spring’s national title. “We know that it’s going to be a physical battle, so we want to make sure we play hard, play aggressive,” he said. “West Virginia is a pressing team on both makes and misses, so we have to take care of the basketball.” … Huggins is 704-302 overall and 154-91 at West Virginia.

Players to ponder: Boatright (21 points, 6.3 rebounds) committed to the Mountaineers in October 2010 only to decommit upon learning that WVU had accepted a commitment from another point guard Jabarie Hinds. While Huggins wasn’t up for reliving the events of Boatright’s recruitment, he was talked plenty about Brimah’s defensive presence. The Ghana native swatted five shots in Friday’s 75-64 win over Dayton, including three straight on one possession. “That guy blocks some shots. Wow, does he block some shots,” Huggins said. “But we’re not going to beat them shooting jumpshots, so we’re going to keep attacking.”

Williams (15.3 points, 9.8 rebounds) and Staten (14.5 points, 4.5 assists) pace West Virginia, while Jonathan Holton (11 points, 8.5 rebounds) needs to avoid foul trouble. … Carter is pitching in 7.5 points, two assists and two steals per game. … West Virginia is making only 28 percent of its 3-point tries and 37 percent overall, however it ha forced 89 turnovers while committing 46.

Prediction: UConn 70-63





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