UConn head coach Jim Calhoun spoke with the media Monday afternoon as Connecticut prepared for Tuesday evenings match up with Sacred Heart. Calhoun discussed the state of the teams progress, the starting lineup, Denham Brown's two game slump, and an injury to Josh Boone, among other things.

Boone On The Mend

Josh Boone sliced his right thumb on Sunday requiring a trip to the UConn medical center for stitches. Boone sat out practice on Monday and likely will not play tonight against Sacred Heart.

Perimeter Defense

Calhoun feels the team has some improving to do on the defensive end even though the Huskies are holding teams to 34.4% shooting.

"Some of our defense is coming just because of our pure size," said Calhoun.

The coach says he would like to see the Huskies play sharper defense on the perimeter and in transition where he feels the team is giving up too many easy points.

Gay Emerges/Brown Struggles

Calhoun will continue to start freshman Rudy Gay at the small forward position. While Gay is emerging for the Huskies, it may be at the expense of Denham Brown's productivity.

"It's helping Rudy and it appears to be hurting Denham," said Calhoun who had a long talk with Brown. Brown has shot a combined 1-13 over the last two games coming off the bench for a total of 4 points.

"I went to practice early and he happened to be in there shooting," said Calhoun. "We just talked at length about (not starting), that there isn't any need for him to get down. He's a very good player...he played the most minutes last game (28). He needs to realize that we're trying to get Rudy up to the level of the other guys and I think he's got to, hopefully, see that. I think there is a direct correlation with him not starting and not playing well."

Calhoun also likes the size advantage that the 6-foot-9 Gay brings starting at the small forward position, as it improves an already huge UConn front court.

"That's one of the great advantages we have," said Calhoun. "Being so big up front."

But Calhoun has not dismissed the notion of putting Brown back in the starting lineup if he can't otherwise break out of his slump.

"I'm certainly thinking about it," said Calhoun. "If that's the only way we can shake him out of it."

Villanueva Gaining Confidence

Calhoun will continue to start Charlie Villanueva at power forward. After a slow start to the season, Villanueva scored 20 points on 9-15 shooting in UConn's last game against Central Connecticut on Wednesday, December 22nd.

Villanueva, says Calhoun, came back from Christmas break with much more self-belief.

"He came back much more confident," said Calhoun. "No question about it. And he's had a couple of good days at practice. He feels good about himself and he's more excited. I think that's important. He's legitimately a good kid. For all the big time talk about him going to the NBA and all that stuff, he's never not been a good teammate and I have a great deal of respect for him."

Calhoun still has plenty of confidence in Villanueva and knows what he is capable of.

"I'm going to stick with Charlie as long as he continues to work hard and defend," said Calhoun. "I'm going to stick with him because he's one of the few guys that have an ok game and get 20 points, easy, against almost anybody...When he plays (in practice) with confidence he can score over anybody on our team, and we're pretty good shot blockers."

Perimeter Rotation

Calhoun admits that he is still tinkering with his rotation at the guard and wing positions. The coach feels the team can push the ball and take better advantage of the fast break with two ball handlers in the game, but with so many talented guards and wings the coach has some tough decisions to make.

"We always had two guys at once who could ignite the fastbreak," said Calhoun. "Right now we depend on Marcus to do almost all of that, or Antonio when he's in the game."

Calhoun would like to get Kellogg playing more minutes in the backcourt along side Marcus Williams. But with Anderson averaging 16.6 points per game at the shooting guard position that leaves the coach with some tough decisions.

"We're trying to put the pieces together right now," said Calhoun. "It's tough to take Rashad out of the game."

Okafor Shines In NBA

Calhoun reflected on Emeka Okafor's 15th straight double/double Sunday evening, tying Shaquille O'Neil's rookie record. The former UConn All-American Center called Jim Calhoun on Christmas.

"I'm really proud of him," said Calhoun. "Consistency is something that he's really starting to demonstrate, particularly offensively. He feels he's getting better because he's getting to know the (NBA) game. There's no harder worker out there."

Okafor would go on to break O'Neil's rookie record, tallying his 16th straight double/double on Monday night as he scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 106-87 loss to the Washington Wizards. Okafor is averaging 15.3 points and 11.6 rebounds (first in the Eastern Conference).

Improving Offense

Calhoun says he likes what he saw in UConn's last outing against Central Connecticut and hopes to keep the momentum going.

"It's the first game (this season) that we shot over 50%," said Calhoun. "I was happy that we got good shots. We took good shots and I hope we're going to have a repeat of that (against Sacred Heart)."

UConn will play Sacred Heart Tuesday at 7:00 pm at the Hartford Civic Center in the only non-televised game of the season.

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