No. 4 UConn will be without starting forward Nik Khamenia for at least 6-8 weeks after he injured his left foot against Wagner. The Duke transfer had emerged as a key replacement for Alex Karaban, giving the Huskies a productive scorer and strong perimeter shooter. Coach Dan Hurley may turn to freshman Colben Andrew while tightening the rotation as UConn enters a demanding stretch.

By the Numbers
  • Khamenia is averaging 10.7 points per game and shooting 54.5% from 3-point range.
  • He has made 6 3-pointers, second-most on the team.
  • Andrew is averaging 22.3 minutes per game and recorded 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists against Michigan.
  • UConn won 83-41 against Wagner.
Yes, But

Andrew offers versatility, but he isn’t the same caliber of perimeter shooter as Khamenia. Hurley has another option in his rotation, though the difficult schedule leaves little room to experiment.

State of Play
  • UConn’s next games are against Ohio State, No. 12 Arizona and No. 2 Duke.
  • Hurley has used a nine-player rotation but could scale back to eight during Khamenia’s absence.
  • This is the fourth straight season UConn has faced an extended absence for an important newcomer.
What's Next

UConn is expected to lean on Andrew and a shorter rotation as it faces Ohio State, Arizona and Duke. Khamenia’s recovery timeline puts his return no sooner than 6 weeks away.

Bottom Line

Khamenia’s injury removes a crucial scoring and shooting option just as UConn’s schedule intensifies. The Huskies’ ability to stay competitive will hinge on replacing his perimeter threat without disrupting their rotation.