Olander Done For Year Too

The UConn men's basketball team has, as they say, hit a rough patch. First, point guard Shabazz Napier re-injured his right foot in the loss to Georgetown last week. Then, while Napier sat against Cincinnati last weekend, forward Niels Giffey suffered a fractured right index finger and he's done for the year. And finally, forward Tyler Olander fractured his left foot in the USF game on Wednesday, and like Giffey, his 2012-13 season is officially in the books.

Details on Olander and the rest of UConn's walking wounded via the university's sports information department:

Surgery is likely, but he will see a surgeon Monday to determine that for sure and when it would happen.  No practice Thursday, but Shabazz and Omar (Calhoun) both received treatment and remain day to day for Saturday. (Napier) did wear two sneakers for a time and did some light movement drills on the court. Omar rested his wrist. Niels' index finger remains fractured, so he is now month to month.

The Huskies are currently on a three-game losing streak, and have dropped four of their last six. The regular-season finale will be Saturday at Gampel Pavilion against Providence. Freshman big man Phil Nolan, who has shown glimpses of promise lately after a tentative start to his college career, will get the bulk of the work in the paint with Olander sidelined and Enosch Wolf still suspended after an arrest earlier this season.

If the Huskies beat the Friars, they will get to 20 wins on the year, something thought all but impossible back in November when rookie coach Kevin Ollie lost Jeremy Lamb, Andre Drummond, Roscoe Smith and Alex Oriakhi to the NBA or transfers, in addition to the NCAA sanctions that would keep UConn out of the conference and national postseason tournaments.

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