As UConn gears up for a shot at their ninth Big East championship, they'll have to navigate the tournament without a key contributor from their bench. Junior forward Jaylin Stewart is sidelined due to a knee injury, missing out on the action at Madison Square Garden. The Huskies, boasting a 27-4 record, are set to face either Xavier or Marquette on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Stewart's absence has been felt over the past three games. Initially, Coach Dan Hurley was optimistic about Stewart's return for the game against Marquette.
However, Stewart's appearance on crutches at the practice facility and his absence from the Milwaukee trip dashed those hopes. Hurley remains hopeful that Stewart will be ready for the NCAA Tournament, aiming for a return by the second weekend.
"It's a big loss," Hurley acknowledged, highlighting the impact on Alex Karaban, whose minutes have soared. Karaban played the entire game in the upset loss to Marquette, ending without a field goal for the first time in his 143-game college career.
"We thought Jaylin would be available," Hurley explained, "so now we have more time to adjust our lineups." The team might see backup point guard Malachi Smith stepping up, and the possibility of playing big men Tarris Reed Jr. and Eric Reibe together for the first time this season.
Stewart's early season was marked by starting the first 10 games, averaging 6.4 points and 4 rebounds, especially with freshman standout Braylon Mullins out. Since Mullins' return, Stewart's role shifted primarily to the bench, with averages of 4.5 points and 2.8 rebounds.
But Stewart's influence extends beyond the stats. "Having Stew, he's so selfless on the court," said center Tarris Reed Jr.
"He makes plays that help us win. It's really about the next man up.
We need him back for the NCAA Tournament."
Karaban added, "Everyone's got to elevate their play. Starters and bench guys alike need to step up.
Stewie's impact isn't always on the stat sheet, but he's crucial to our team. Without him, we need to fill those gaps."
As UConn navigates the challenges ahead, the team knows the importance of rallying together and adapting to Stewart's absence, aiming to stay strong as they push for glory in the Big East and beyond.