Silas Demary Jr. Battles a Halftime Misstep, Still Shines in UConn’s Win Over DePaul
Silas Demary Jr. was a major reason Georgia basketball returned to March Madness last season for the first time in over a decade. His physicality, poise, and ability to impact both ends of the floor made him a cornerstone for the Bulldogs. But after a standout year in Athens, Demary made the decision to hit the transfer portal, landing at UConn with an eye on bigger opportunities - and possibly, a championship run.
So far, the move is paying off. Demary has been a steady contributor for the Huskies early this season. But during Sunday’s matchup against DePaul, the sophomore guard had a moment he probably didn’t envision when he made the leap to Storrs.
Just seconds into the second half, Demary abruptly sprinted off the court with his hand over his mouth. It didn’t take long for the broadcast to confirm what many had already guessed - he had gotten sick at the end of the play. A brief stoppage followed as the officials paused the game to clean up the court.
It was an awkward moment, no doubt. The kind of thing that lives forever in the age of social media clips and instant replays. But if there’s one thing Demary proved, it’s that a little mid-game adversity isn’t going to throw him off for long.
Despite the incident, Demary bounced back in a big way. He finished the game with 13 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists - a stat line that speaks to his versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways. UConn cruised to a 72-54 win over DePaul, and Demary played a key role in keeping the Huskies’ momentum rolling.
After the game, head coach Dan Hurley offered some clarity on what exactly happened. Turns out, Demary wasn’t dealing with an illness - just an ill-advised halftime hydration strategy.
“I just spoke to Silas on the plane… He’s feeling great now,” Hurley said. “The problem on the court was that he mixed an electrolyte drink with pickle juice at halftime. That was obviously a mistake.”
Pickle juice has long been a quirky go-to for athletes trying to prevent cramps, but pairing it with other drinks? That’s a chemistry experiment best left in the lab. Still, it’s a lesson learned - and one Demary can laugh about now, especially with the W in hand.
Looking ahead, both of Demary’s recent teams are trending in the right direction. Georgia has cracked the Top 25 for the first time this season, building off the momentum they started with Demary last year. Meanwhile, UConn continues to look like one of the most complete teams in the country, with depth, defense, and the kind of guard play that wins in March.
It’s not out of the question that Georgia and UConn could cross paths down the line - and if they do, Demary will be a central figure in that storyline. For now, though, he’s proving that his game travels - even if his stomach doesn’t always cooperate.