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Message: [QUOTE="HuskyHawk, post: 3177542, member: 1414"] From the New Haven Register: "Now, Hurley is [URL='https://www.nhregister.com/uconn/article/UConn-men-s-basketball-13654081.php']labeling Alterique Gilbert as “the leader of the program.”[/URL] No doubt, Gilbert is a Hurley-type player. He’s a natural-born winner and leader, [URL='https://www.nhregister.com/uconn/article/Alterique-Gilbert-continues-to-show-the-it-13659661.php']never afraid to take the big shot[/URL]. He’s got a little Kemba in him. Calling Gilbert the face of the program could be considered a bit of a jab at Adams. It also may be a poke at Vital, a junior who by experience and production would be the logical successor to that title after Adams got hurt. Instead, after starting 45 straight games, Vital has started the last three on the bench. After playing at least 31 minutes in 14 straight games, Vital has played 26, 24 and 23 in the last three. It’s clear that aspects of Vital’s game and/or personality irk Hurley. The coach was incensed at Vital’s defense — or lack thereof — [URL='https://www.nhregister.com/uconn/article/UConn-men-s-basketball-13654081.php']at the end of the Wichita State game[/URL], allowing Samajae Haynes-Jones to hit a buzzer-beating (though, to be fair, tough) game-winnin shot. He’s frustrated by Vital’s ill-advised 3-pointers, his 1-on-4 drives to the basket, his defensive breakdowns and mental mistakes. Look no further than Sunday, when Vital inexplicably fouled Collins with 28.9 seconds left on the opposite end of the floor, two seconds after UConn had taken a three-point lead. It was an effort play, but not a very smart one." [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach