Andre Drummond, Connecticut’s rapidly-improving freshman center, was asked about tonight’s pivotal Big East matchup with Seton Hall. Drummond, who is 3rd in the Big East in blocks per game, will likely be matched up against Seton Hall’s Herb Pope, who is the 4th leading scorer and 2nd leading rebounder in the conference.

“Who is Herb Pope?” UConn’s Andre Drummond asked, innocently, after practice on Monday. “I don’t even know who that is. … I don’t mean any disrespect. I haven’t seen any other team besides my own.”

Who is Herb Pope? I’ll be brief: Pope was a highly-acclaimed high school basketball player from the same hometown as Darrelle Revis. While at a party in 2007, Pope was shot four times, but survived. He kind of slipped off the national radar, but landed at New Mexico St. He got a DUI there as a freshman. Then, he transferred to Seton Hall. Then, he became a father. Then, he got ejected from a game for punching a Texas Tech player in the balls.

Now, Pope’s emerging as the dominant player people always thought he’d be, plus, he’s avoided trouble. But he couldn’t do anything against Syracuse, so why should anyone think he’ll be a factor against Connecticut, which has an equally-good frontline?

Watch the family jewels tonight, Andre. [Courant]