In a concerning development for the UConn Huskies, star freshman forward Liam McNeeley suffered a right ankle injury during the team’s 81-68 victory over DePaul on Wednesday night. The extent of the injury remains unknown, with an MRI scheduled for Thursday to determine the severity.
McNeeley, a highly-touted recruit out of Texas, has been a revelation for the two-time defending national champions this season. Averaging an impressive 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, the 6-foot-7 forward has quickly emerged as a integral piece of UConn’s quest for a three-peat.
Injury Strikes in Second Half
The worrisome scene unfolded in the second half against DePaul, as McNeeley collided with Blue Demons guard Layden Blocker while pursuing a deflected pass. The freshman phenom immediately went down, requiring assistance to leave the court.
Hopefully it’s just a sprain. We don’t know much.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley
Despite the injury occurring with UConn comfortably ahead, the Huskies had to withstand a late rally from the feisty Blue Demons. Clutch three-pointers from Alex Karaban and Solo Ball helped the Huskies slam the door and secure the victory.
Next Man Up Mentality
While losing a talent like McNeeley for any period of time would be a huge blow, his teammates remain confident in their ability to step up in his potential absence. As Solo Ball stated after the game:
Little bit of a mishap, but it’s just the next man up mentality. We know all the work that we put in in practice that everyone is prepared.
Solo Ball, UConn Guard
The Huskies’ depth will certainly be tested if McNeeley misses extended time. Upcoming matchups against Big East rivals Providence, Villanova, and Georgetown suddenly look more daunting without the freshman starter.
Waiting Game Begins
For now, the UConn faithful will anxiously await word on McNeeley’s MRI results. The promising young player has already drawn buzz as a future NBA lottery pick, with his unique combination of size, skill, and athleticism.
The best-case scenario would be a mild ankle sprain and a brief absence. But given the apparent severity of the injury when it occurred, Huskies fans may need to brace for a longer timeline.
Regardless of the outcome, this UConn squad has already shown tremendous resilience in the face of adversity. If any program is built to weather the storm of losing a key contributor, it’s the battle-tested Huskies.
The road ahead just got a bit tougher for UConn’s three-peat aspirations. But don’t count out Dan Hurley’s group just yet. With or without Liam McNeeley, the Huskies remain a championship-caliber team. The next man will be ready to step up.
