A few thoughts as we wait for Yale-Hofstra and _ eventually _ UConn and Colgate.
– Actually, Yale and Hofstra are already underway. They’re playing before a crowd that looks like a few close family and friends.
– Colgate coach Emmett Davis has some ties to UConn and the Big East _ sort of.
A native of Gloversville, N.Y., Davis played for coach Paul Evans at St. Lawrence University. Evans went on to coach the University of Pittsburgh and face off with the likes of UConn and Jim Calhoun.
– Colgate will play three Big East teams this year. The Raiders have games coming up at the ‘Cuse and at the RAC.
– Looking ahead (we’re allowed to do that, I believe) UConn and Hofstra have only met once in their history, an NCAA Tournament game at the Providence Civic Center on March 13, 1976.
Hofstra was up by 13 at the half on coach Dee Rowe’s Huskies but the Huskies stormed back to win 80-78.
Joey Whelton had 23 for UConn.
It was Hoftra’s first-ever appearance in the tourney and UConn’s first in nine years.
– UConn and Yale (if we look ahead in that direction) last met in this same event. Emeka Okafor, Ben Gordon and company beat the Bulldogs 70-60 on Nov. 17, 2003.
Despite that scare (it wasn’t that scary, as I recall, though top-ranked UConn did trail 31-28 at the half) UConn has won 12 straight over Yale and 19 of the last 20.
- Neill
