UConn vs. DePaul: Checking in from Gampel

STORRS – Checking in from Gampel, the start of UConn-DePaul is about 30 minutes away.

UConn is sticking with the same starting lineup as at Marquette – Tyler Olander, DeAndre Daniels, Omar Calhoun, Ryan Boatright, Shabazz Napier.

Enosch Wolf comes off the bench, as he has effectively in the last couple of games. Niels Giffey and R. J. Evans will be waiting in the wings. At practice Monday, Kevin Ollie hinted he will have a quicker hook if he senses players getting pushed around inside. “If you don’t rebound, you’re coming out,” he said.

Ollie talks about getting Phil Nolan out there more. He got into quick foul trouble in Milwaukee.

No injury issues so far as we can tell.

Leon Tolksdorf is nearly always out early, working on his shot, from the foul line and the three-pointer.

UConn has not lost two in a row to start the Big East season since 1989-90 – yes, that was The Dream Season. But the Huskies still want to avoid that.

Dave Corzine, 56, who played at DePaul in the 1970s and later in the NBA, is a special assistant to the AD and still gets out on the court, moving his 6-foot-11 frame to help out current players in the drills. And he still looks like a man to be feared out there.

The Conn. Sun’s Kara Lawson will be working with Bob Picozzi on the SNY telecast tonight.

Update, 6:50 p.m.: DePaul is without two starters, Charles McKinney and Donnavan Kirk are not in the lineup. Words is they are suspended for breaking team rules. Kirk averages 6.1 ppg, and McKinney 5.3. Kirk is the Demons’ best shot-blocker.

Bottom line on tonight’s game: If there is a “must-win” game in a season with no postseason at stake, this would be it. If UConn’s goal is to win a respectable number of Big East games, then DePaul at home is  one they have to get.