UConn vs. South Florida: Napier Out of Lineup Again. Checking In From The Sun Dome

TAMPA, Fla. – Checking in from the Sun Dome. … Shabazz Napier is out of UConn’s starting lineup for the second game in a row.

The Huskies listed R.J. Evans in their starting five at guard about an hour before the game at South Florida, so they did not wait even as long as they did at Cincinnati last Saturday. Napier was out on the court during the Huskies’ noon-time shoot-around on Wednesday, but did not do anything with the team. He worked with trainer James Doran, but though his injured right foot benefited some from the two days off this week, Napier could not go.

Evans, DeAndre Daniels, Tyler Olander, Ryan Boatright and Omar Calhoun were in the Huskies lineup.

I asked George Blaney, 73, is this Saturday’s game against Providence would be his last, but he would not reveal any retirement plans. “I’m still on a day to day contract,” he said.

South Florida was expecting a pretty big crowd for its Senior Night. A lot of UConn fans were expected at the newly – and beautifully – refurbished Sun Dome.

UConn recruits Kentan Facey and Terrence Samuel were named this week to the “home” squad for the Jordan Brand Regional All-Star Game, which will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 13.

It’s possible Napier could be gearing to play against Providence, in what figures to be a sold-out season finale at Gampel. The UConn medical staff say there is “low risk” of his doing any serious damage to the foot by playing. Napier had surgery on the foot last summer.

UConn added a new walk-on to the roster, 6-foot-3 junior Javon Williams of East Hartford. He was given jersey No. 14.