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Unfortunately, my article discusses the 3-point line, which will be key as UConn gets into the meat of its schedule.

Looks like Kevin Ollie will have to settle for a blog post about Giffey.

Niels Giffey (AP)

The 6-foot-7 junior saw more action Sunday because of R.J. Evans’ absence, and he provided many of the same intangibles that Evans brings. Giffey, who posted career-highs in points (15) and rebounds (8), also can stretch the defense. He hit three of UConn’s 10 3-pointers Sunday.

“Niels Giffey was my MVP and he’s been my MVP this whole year,” Ollie said. “Not just playing time, but doing all the things that epitomize UConn basketball.”

“Every drill, there’s never any moaning, ‘Coach, practice is too long,’ never any of that stuff,” Ollie continued. “It’s ‘What do I need to do? Once I do it, what else you got for me, Coach? What assignments you got for me? Let me play the toughest offensive man.’”

*Shabazz Napier attempted just two shots in the first half (which should be expected by now). Kevin Ollie has no explanation for Napier’s Jeckyl and Hyde routine.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Ollie said.

Napier offered a reasonable explanation: He’s taking what the defense is giving him. And Stony Brook made a conscious effort to swarm Napier and Ryan Boatright. Together, they attempted just 15 shots.

“Boat and I are quick guards; we should be able to get inside the paint,” Napier said. “It’s what we do after: Are we going to make a silly decision and jump-pass the ball? We have great perimeter guys. We have great 4s. We don’t have one 5. All our guys are ready to shoot the ball.”

*According to ESPN, UConn entered the game ranked 319th in rebounding. The Huskies didn’t get pounded on the boards by Stony Brook, but they still came up on the minus-side, 33-32.

*Tyler Olander picked up two first half fouls, but bounced back nicely in the second. He finished with eight points and six rebounds. DeAndre Daniels, about the only guy who didn’t hit a 3-pointer, attempted a team-high 11 field goals, but only mustered eight points (My dad always says, if you take more shots than you score points, you had a bad game). Guess Daniels had a bad game.

*For those keeping track of the top Kevin Ollie sayings, here’s a new one: “We always say the three E’s — energy, effort and enthusiasm.” Eventually I’ll compile a top 10 list.

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UConn made 10 3-pointers—including a crucial 4-point play from Shabazz Napier—to fend off a feisty Stony Brook squad for a 73-62 victory Sunday afternoon at Gampel Pavilion.

The Huskies, playing without sixth man R.J. Evans, were lethargic throughout until the barrage of 3s began in the middle of the second half. UConn moves to 5-1.

STAR OF THE GAME: Niels Giffey replaced Evans as the sixth man, and came through with 15 points and eight rebounds. He hit some timely shots and also came up with loose balls that extended several UConn possessions.

KEY TO THE WIN: UConn canned seven 3-pointers  to open up an otherwise back-and-forth contest. Shabazz Napier hit the first, Niels Giffey buried another on the ensuing possession and Omar Calhoun followed up with back-to-back longballs to give the Huskies their first comfortable lead. Napier’s second 3-pointer—a spot-up in transition off a feed from Ryan Boatright—capped a 19-4 run, and his four-point play minutes later essentially shut the door on Stony Brook. The Huskies did not make a two-point basket in the final 11:39.

*Napier, quiet throughout the first half of most games this year, did not attempt a field goal until the 7:37. He had difficulty finding room in the halfcourt, as did Ryan Boatright (nine points, seven assists). Stony Brook swarmed the UConn guards, hedging every on-ball screen and offering help in the lane. Napier, who finished with 19 points, has led the Huskies in scoring all six games.

*UConn missed 12 of its first 13 shots and remained sluggish offensively, especially in the halfcourt. With the exception of their 3-point marksmanship, the Huskies’ halfcourt offense was stagnant throughout.

*Evans, sidelined with a sternalclavicular sprain, is expected to be Thursday’s game versus New Hampshire, but could return for the Dec. 4 tilt with N.C. State at Madison Square Garden.

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UConn missed 12 of its first 13 field goal attempts and headed to the locker room trailing visiting Stony Broo 31-26.

Shabazz Napier, quiet in the first half throughout the early part of this season, did not attempt a field goal until 7:37 remained. He has four points on 2-for-2 while backcourt counterpart Ryan Boatright missed five of his seven attempts.

Tyler Olander once again ran into foul trouble early, logging just eight minutes.

Stony Brook (4-1) went on a 8-0 run to close the half. Guard Dave Coley leads the Seawolves with seven points.

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Follow along with Kevin Duffy, who will be tweeting live updates as Stony Brook visits Gampel Pavilion to take on UConn. Tipoff is at 4 p.m.

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UConn, back from 11,000 miles of travel, takes on Stony Brook Sunday afternoon. For Kevin Ollie and Co., it’s only the second game played in the U.S. this season. For Steve Pikiell’s Seawolves, it caps a weekend double-header: Stony Brook (4-1) defeated Canisius Saturday.

The Huskies (4-1) are without their “rock,” as Kevin Ollie likes to say, in redshirt senior sixth man R.J. Evans (sternalclavicular sprain). It will be interesting to see how UConn fills his leadership and his 20 minutes of playing time. Expect more out of freshman shooting guard Omar Calhoun, who has quietly reached double-figures in three of UConn’s past four games.

Stony Brook at No. 21 UConn men