UConn males’s basketball seems to be like the favourite heading into this weekend’s Closing 4 in Houston. Not solely are the Huskies the very best seed remaining of the quartet, they’ve seemed dominant in each March Insanity recreation. Seems UConn’s 15-point second-round victory over St. Mary’s was its closest margin of victory to this point in an NCAA Match filled with upsets and shut video games. Dan Hurley’s squad gained its different three event video games by a mixed 75 factors, together with a 28-point blowout of Gonzaga within the Elite Eight.

Because the nationwide championship recreation is just 40 minutes away, with Miami standing in UConn’s manner, one underrated a part of basketball may come into play for a trio of Huskies, as Saturday falls inside the 30-day window of Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic calendar noticed as a interval of fasting and prayer, amongst different issues. These observing Ramadan aren’t allowed to eat from dawn to sundown with some who partake within the festivities consuming as early as 3 a.m. to not miss breakfast. Adama Sanogo, Hassan Diarra, and Samson Johnson all rejoice Ramadan and are following these dietary pointers, which have been in full impact for the Candy 16 and Elite Eight, because it began on March 22.

Dawn is slated for 7:11 a.m. on Saturday in Houston, greater than 12 hours earlier than tipoff towards the Hurricanes. Sundown is scheduled for 7:40 p.m., 9 minutes earlier than tipoff. Earlier than the sport towards Gonzaga, UConn’s help employees had meals and drinks prepared for the three to eat. Saturday will possible be extra of a Joey Chestnut-style scarf-down throughout pregame introductions. And I’m certain few nutritionists consider fasting for half a day earlier than a serious athletic occasion is the best way to go. On the similar time, it’s nice to see the Huskies’ trio not sacrificing their beliefs to win a trophy.

The UConn trio aren’t the one ones of Muslim religion nonetheless taking part in school basketball this season who’re fasting. North Texas’ Moulaye Sissoko and Rasheed Browne are additionally collaborating within the vacation, because the Imply Inexperienced gained their NIT semifinal on Tuesday night time towards Wisconsin. A number of different high-profile athletes have gone by way of related fasting, but competing, eventualities. Enes Kanter Freedom did it for years within the NBA, WWE’s Mustafa Ali additionally competed with out consuming for a number of hours earlier than, as did skilled boxer Amir Khan.