According to a press release from the team, UConn (10-2 straight up, 7-5 against the spread) sophomore center Donovan Clingan will miss the next 3-4 weeks due to “an injury to a tendon in his right foot” that was sustained in Wednesday’s loss at Seton Hall.
The 7-foot-2 Clingan had an MRI on Friday morning. Before leaving the game early in the second half against the Pirates, he had already produced 14 points and seven rebounds.
Before Clingan’s extended absence was announced today, UConn fifth-year point guard Tristen Newton was preparing to play without him in tonight’s home game vs. St. John’s.
Newton told the Hartford Courant on Friday, “Donovan’s a force and we try to feed him down low a lot. I feel like we’re a good team with or without him, he’s a big part of our team obviously, but we’re just gonna have to be prepared to go. It’s a big adjustment but I’m sure coaches and us will figure it out.”
In 12 games this year, Clingan has averaged 13.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocked shots, 1.6 assists and 0.9 steals per game. He plays an average of only 20.8 minutes per game.
Clingan has made 63.2 percent of his field-goal attempts, but he’s struggled at the free-throw line (33-of-62 for 53.2%).
As a true freshman on last year’s national title team, Clingan played just 13.3 minutes per game off the bench. Nevertheless, he was a vital contributor who averaged 7.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game.
Before his hot start at Seton Hall, Clingan had 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots and one steal in last Friday’s 76-63 win over Gonzaga in Seattle.
Without Clingan, look for 6-foot-10 junior Samson Johnson to see increased minutes. The Huskies could also go small and move power forward Alex Karaban to the five. 6-foot-10 freshman Youssouf Singare has only appeared in six games, but he’s another big body that’s available.
Johnson has played in all 12 games, averaging 18.1 minutes per game. He’s averaging 5.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 BPG. Johnson has hit 30-of-41 FGAs (73.2%).
As of 3:00 p.m. Eastern, most books had UConn installed as an 11-point home favorite vs. The Red Storm. The total was 147.5 points, and Rick Pitino’s squad was +475 on the money line.