Each week, we’ll offer a preview of what to expect from each member of the four-time National Champion UConn Huskies roster.
Rodney Purvis
RS-Junior G
6-4, 205
Background:
When Rodney Purvis is not acting as unofficial ambassador of UConn athletics, he can be found manning the Huskies’ backcourt.
Purvis came to Storrs as a transfer from NC State, where he played one season and averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He was a McDonald’s All-American who chose the Wolfpack over UConn, before realizing the error in his ways and moving north.
In 2013-14, the year he sat out, coach Kevin Ollie compared Purvis to a Ferrari that he had to keep in his garage — a prized possession that NCAA transfer rules forbade him from showing the world. When Purvis was finally allowed to play, his work ethic and personality immediately endeared him to Husky fans. After a strong first season with UConn, he has the chance to become one of the top guards in the American.
Last year:
As would be expected from a transfer who had to sit out a year, it took a little while for Purvis to shake off the rust. But those brief flashes of brilliance that we saw early on became more prominent as the season continued. He scored in double figures in each of the Huskies’ last six games, including all four AAC Tournament games and UConn’s NIT loss to Arizona State. He shot 48 percent from the field in that span and played all but six minutes over the Huskies’ final two contests as Ryan Boatright was hampered by injury.
Overall, Purvis seemed to have no problem carrying the team when needed. His coming out party came at Tulane, where he scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half to give the UConn offense a much-needed spark. Though he struggled early on in that game, he hit a three to start a 16-2 run that turned a five-point UConn deficit into a commanding lead on the road. He followed that game with another 17-point performance five days later at home in a 25-point rout of Tulsa — one of UConn’s most impressive games of the season. Though he was far from perfect, it was clear that when Purvis was playing well, the Huskies were a much better team in 2014-15.
What to expect:
The expectation this year will be for Purvis to pick up where he left off and to build on it. Sterling Gibbs will get the nod as the starting point guard and freshman Jalen Adams will be in the mix, but Purvis should start at the 2. Daniel Hamilton will be the top scoring option, but Purvis shouldn’t be counted out. He will team up with Hamilton as a duel threat on the wing, and when you factor in Amida Brimah down low, Gibbs will have no shortage of options to distribute to.
Purvis may see some time at the point as well, but ball handling was a concern for him last year, and with Gibbs and Adams now in town, his time running the offense should be limited. Look for Purvis to improve his foul shooting; he shot just 53.8 percent from the line last year, where he proved to be incredibly streaky.
Guess at stats:
| 29.2 MPG | 43.1 FG% | 38.8% 3P | 2.9 REB | 2.0 AST | 12.4 PTS |
Follow Rodney Purvis on Twitter: @rpurvis44
