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Halfway through the season, it’s no stretch to say that Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright have comprised one of the nation’s most impressive backcourts.

Shabazz Napier (AP)

On this one particular night, they just weren’t as impressive as Louisville’s Russ Smith and Peyton Siva, a duo that has the Cards ranked No. 1 in the regular season for the first time in program history.

Perhaps next year, if both Napier and Boatright return, UConn can make a deep title run of its own. And that raises the big question: What are the odds both return? Right now, I’m not sure that either is a first round pick, so to me, that would make the odds pretty high.

Shabazz Napier has had the better overall season, for sure, but is he the better pro prospect? I caught up with NBADraft.net’s Aran Smith and a pro scout for opinions. You can place your vote/comment below.

Aran Smith, NBADraft.Net: “Napier. Boatright’s lack of strength really impacts what he does well and that’s get into the lane with his speed. He looks really weak physically at the Nations event. I like Napier’s body and skillset a little better and although he’s caught tons on flack for his attitude, scouts have raved about his talent level. I think it’s Shabazz but not by a ton.”

NBA Scout: “Boatright’s got great end-to-end speed and quickness. He’s got good strength given his frame and I think he’s made some progress offensively — he’s shooting it with a little more consistency. You look at Napier, you love his skill level. He’s a a little undersized too, and he’s not going to beat you athletically.”

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UConn coach Kevin Ollie is participating in the Inifiti Coaches’ Charity Challenge, a contest that awards $100,000 to the charity of the winner.

Ollie is attempting to raise the money for The Tolland Fund, which promotes athletics for people with disabilities. You can vote for Ollie here.

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Louisville’s star shooting guard shook off the Russ of a 4-for-24 shooting stretch (ehhhhhh, I know, bad one) in an utterly dominant 23-point performance Monday night.

Athletically, it’s hard to prepare for someone like Russ Smith, a truly elite athletic specimen. Shabazz Napier, normally long-winded in his responses, broke it down pretty simple terms.

“Russ — he’s good,” Napier said. “He’s so fast.”

UConn was overmatched in the frontcourt, and it needed a big-time performance from its two guards to compensate.  That’s not what happened. Instead, Smith and Siva got the best of ‘Bazz and Boat.

Other notes/quotes from Monday at the XL Center:

*Omar Calhoun, who entered scoring just 5.6 points per game on 27 percent shooting in Big East play, came alive with 20. He did, however, commit six turnovers.

“(Calhoun) played with the passion and purpose I want all our players to have,” said UConn coach Kevin Ollie. “His play at the end of the first half — everybody seemed to stop playing, but he didn’t.”

*There was praise to go around: Ollie called Smith and Siva “amazing” and “damn good.” Rick Pitino, in turn, had some kind words for Ollie.

“I’ve said this many times: I think Kevin Ollie — I’ll be long dead — but he’s going to be an unbelievable coach,” Pitino said.

*Believe it or not, Louisville, recently crowned No. 1, had never been atop a regular season poll before Monday. If the Cardinals want to extend their stay, they’ll have to take down No. 6 Syracuse Saturday.

*Shabazz Napier scored 10 points before the first media timeout, but was held in check the rest of the way. He sported a large icepack on his shoulder after the game and said it was the result of a hard foul — Peyton Siva’s second — with 16:13 remaining in the first half.

*Louisville has now won six of its last seven games against UConn. The lone exception, of course, is the 2011 Big East title game.