UConn freshman reserve Jamal Coombs-McDaniel is doubtful for Saturday's game at Rutgers.Coombs-McDaniel sprained his left ankle in practice Wednesday. He wasn't expected to practice today.

Coombs-McDaniel sprained his left ankle in practice Wednesday. He wasn't expected to practice today."It doesn't look good right now," coach Jim Calhoun said Thursday. "It's kind of a shame in many, many ways."

"It doesn't look good right now," coach Jim Calhoun said Thursday. "It's kind of a shame in many, many ways."It's a tough break for Coombs-McDaniel who busted out of a prolonged slump in Monday's upset of No. 3 Villanova, scoring eight points. He had scored nine points in the previous 10 games.

It's a tough break for Coombs-McDaniel who busted out of a prolonged slump in Monday's upset of No. 3 Villanova, scoring eight points. He had scored nine points in the previous 10 games.Calhoun said that freshman Jamaal Trice, a 6-5 swingman, will get some work Thursday in practice. Trice hasn't played in 15 games, last seeing action Dec. 27 against Iona.

Calhoun said that freshman Jamaal Trice, a 6-5 swingman, will get some work Thursday in practice. Trice hasn't played in 15 games, last seeing action Dec. 27 against Iona."He's a great kid," Calhoun said. "He works his butt off. He's not as good a shooter as Coombs has been. ... He's certainly a good enough shooter to make shots and he's a good defender. Hopefully, we will use him to try to keep us a little bit fresher." 

"He's a great kid," Calhoun said. "He works his butt off. He's not as good a shooter as Coombs has been. ... He's certainly a good enough shooter to make shots and he's a good defender. Hopefully, we will use him to try to keep us a little bit fresher." In other news, Calhoun plans to start Charles Okwandu at center for the second straight game. Freshman Alex Oriakhi, who started the first 25 games, will come off the bench.

In other news, Calhoun plans to start Charles Okwandu at center for the second straight game. Freshman Alex Oriakhi, who started the first 25 games, will come off the bench.

 In his new role, Oriakhi thrived, scoring 10 points against Villanova.

In his new role, Oriakhi thrived, scoring 10 points against Villanova.

 "It worked well," Calhoun said. "You very rarely ever see me change after coming off arguably the best win."

"It worked well," Calhoun said. "You very rarely ever see me change after coming off arguably the best win."

 Calhoun was pleased with the way Okwandu set screens and provided a physical presence.

Calhoun was pleased with the way Okwandu set screens and provided a physical presence.

 "I was actually happy as I broke the tape down with the small things Charles did," Calhoun said.

"I was actually happy as I broke the tape down with the small things Charles did," Calhoun said.[naviga:font face="Nimrod MT"] [/naviga:font]

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