UConn freshman Liam McNeeley is nearing his return from a high ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined for the past month.
Huskies head coach Dan Hurley said on Saturday that he expects McNeeley to be ready to play on Friday when UConn hosts No. 15 St. John’s.
“Liam will be at full strength as long as there are no setbacks,” Hurley said after UConn’s 77-69 win at No. 9 Marquette.
McNeeley, who averages 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, last played on January 1.
UConn (16-6, 8-3 Big East) has gone 5-3 without the 6-foot-7 forward. The Huskies, two-time defending national champions, earned one of their biggest wins of the season on Saturday, with Solo Ball contributing 25 points and 10 rebounds. UConn shot 59.5% from the field and made 12 of 19 three-pointers, despite committing a season-high 25 turnovers.
McNeeley isn’t the only UConn player dealing with injuries.
Reserve guard Ahmad Nowell has missed two games due to an ankle issue. Hassan Diarra played through a leg injury on Saturday, contributing five points and seven assists in nearly 25 minutes of action.
“We can’t afford to have him hobbling around like that,” Hurley said about Diarra’s injury.
The Huskies are hoping that the break in their schedule before Friday’s game against St. John’s will give them time to get closer to full strength.
“I think we’re going to come into the next game looking a lot healthier,” Hurley said.
