NEW YORK – There are few feelings more frustrating for a coach than heading into a game against a top-level opponent with a team that's less than 100 percent healthy. All the smart game-planning in the world can't make up for a team that is sub-par physically.
That's the situation in which UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley finds himself as his No. 5 Huskies (7-1) challenge No. 9 North Carolina (7-1) in the Jimmy V Classic Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden (9 p.m., ESPN). Not one, not two, not three, but four of his five starters head into the game uncertain of their health status.
The most healthy of the four might actually be freshman Stephon Castle (Covington, Ga.), who played in UConn's first two games, but has missed the last six after having a minor medical procedure performed on his left knee.
"As long as he comes out of today and into tomorrow feeling good after finally getting a couple of practices under his belt, he'll be available, but with a minutes restriction," Hurley said. "It's a tough one to come back for, but I know he'd like to be out there."
As for the remainder of UConn's walking wounded, graduate guard Cam Spencer (Davidsonville, Md.) is nursing injuries to the big toe on each foot, one which he had heading into UConn's last game at Kansas, the other hurt during that game
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