Comments

|

E-mail

|

Print

In its final year of existence, the Big East secured eight NCAA berths (and it would have been nine if UConn was eligible).

Here’s my outlook for all eight schools:

FINAL FOUR

Louisville (No. 1, Midwest) — That Big East title game against Syracuse was simply amazing.

Gorgui Dieng (AP)

The Cardinals have all three elements of a national champion: a good point guard (Peyton Siva), an imposing big man (Gorgui Dieng) and a big-time scorer (Russ Smith). Problem is, Smith and Siva have been erratic. You wonder if they’ll hit a scoring drought, thus bouncing Louisville before it reaches Atlanta. It’s possible, but I’m sticking with the Cards to the Final Four.

ELITE EIGHT

Syracuse (No. 4, East) – I like N.C. State over the top-seeded Indiana in the second round, which opens the door for Syracuse to make an Elite Eight run. The Orange must be crushed after the debacle in the Big East title game, but the fact remains: ‘Cuse has the personnel to play with any team in the nation. Its extreme length on defense should cause some problems, especially against non-league foes that aren’t so familiar with the ‘Cuse zone.

SWEET SIXTEEN

Georgetown (No. 2, South) — History doesn’t bode well for the Hoyas, who have lost to a double-digit seed in their past four tournament appearances. Good thing history doesn’t count for much.

Georgetown has a bonafide stud in Otto Porter, perhaps the best wing in the country. The Hoyas have a fairly difficult path to the Final Four, though. I say their run ends against high-scoring Florida in the Sweet Sixteen.

SECOND ROUND

Marquette (No. 3 , East) – The committee rewarded the Golden Eagles with a No. 3 seed (seems a little high) for its 14-4 Big East regular season record. Marquette is solid, but to me, it’s the weakest of any top four seed in this field. I like Butler over the Golden Eagles in Round Two.

ONE AND DONE

Pittsburgh (No. 8, West) – Everyone is looking to bounce Gonzaga early. Pitt, which could draw the top-seeded Zags in the second round, will be a popular Sweet 16 pick. I’m sticking with Wichita State over Pitt in Round One, though. The Shockers are a veteran group — three seniors and a junior comprise their top four scorers — that has the size to bang with the Panthers up front. Pitt doesn’t have enough offensively (it lacks a go-to scorer) for a deep NCAA run.

Villanova (No. 9, South) – Despite wins over Louisville, Syracuse, Georgetown and UConn, I’m not crazy about the Wildcats. They get a tough draw in the first round with North Carolina, a talented team that is peaking at the right time. The ‘Heels have too many offensive weapons for ‘Nova.

Notre Dame (No. 7, West) – The Irish generally struggle in the Big Dance, and this year should be no different. Even if Notre Dame gets by Iowa State in the opening round, it’s difficult to envision this group knocking off Ohio State to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

Cincinnati (No. 10, Midwest) – Sorry, but I’m not a fan. The Bearcats looked totally undisciplined late in the season, dropping seven of their past 11 games. Their two leading scorers — Sean Kilpatrick and Cashmere Wright — shoot less than 40 percent from the field. A polished Creighton squad awaits in Friday afternoon’s opener.

Comments

|

E-mail

|

Print

As the year progressed, Kevin Ollie spoke of “the story” that UConn was in the process of writing.

Like any great story, this season had it all: drama, adversity, new characters (Ollie himself in the lead role) and the perfect narrative.

Shabazz Napier (AP)

It all started when Ryan Boatright stripped Michigan State’s Keith Appling 20 seconds into the season and took the ball the other way for UConn’s first field goal. Its final basket of the year, at least from the field, came from Boatright again, this one a circus fallaway that arched 20 feet in the air and dropped — somehow — to sink Providence in the season finale.

Here’s a look at everything in between.

THE GAME — UConn’s 79-78 double-overtime loss to Georgetown was hands down the best game in this wild season. Up seven with 2:03 remaining in the second OT, the Huskies surrendered a pair of 3-pointers and, eventually, an Otto Porter transition layup with 9.5 ticks on the Gampel clock. It was an epic finish, and a true showcase for Porter and UConn’s DeAndre Daniels.

Runner-ups — The double-overtime win versus Quinnipiac at the Paradise Jam was a classic, as well. Shabazz Napier scored 23 points in the final 3:24 of regulation and both overtimes to save the Huskies’ from an early in-state loss…Of course, the series finale versus Syracuse — a 66-58 UConn victory — deserves mention. With Jim Calhoun watching from the baseline, Ollie recorded his first victory over a top 10 opponent.

Shabazz Napier and Tyler Olander (AP)

TEAM AWARDS – Napier was among the valuable leaders in the nation. If it weren’t for Porter, he’d be the pick for Big East Player of the Year. Three other players showed marked improvement: Daniels, Omar Calhoun and Phil Nolan. Daniels gets the nod for most improved, though. He looked the part of a top 10 recruit in the final weeks of the season. If he comes back next year — there are rumors of an early entry to the NBA Draft — he could be one of the top stretch-fours in America.

Tyler Olander, meanwhile, was the lone Husky who had a disappointing individual season. Outside of a career-high 16 points against Notre Dame, Olander was hardly effective on offense or on the boards, where UConn most needed him.

SHOULD THEY STAY OR SHOULD THEY GO? – I won’t pretend to understand the financial/academic situations of Boatright, Napier and Daniels. But from a basketball standpoint, it does not make sense for either Boatright or Daniels to bolt for the NBA Draft. I highly doubt Boatright would be drafted. Daniels would, but he could greatly elevate his stock — and become more prepared to contribute at the NBA level — with another year at UConn. I’ve felt Napier’s stock is near its peak, so I can’t blame him for leaving (if that’s the route he chooses).

“THE ROCK” — R.J. Evans, the lone scholarship senior, was once called “the rock” of the team by Ollie. From everything I saw and heard, Evans is a high-character leader, someone worth retaining on the coaching staff — perhaps in a grad assistant position — if both sides are interested.

OLLIE’S RECOGNITION– Injuries probably cost the Huskies a few wins, but Kevin Ollie still deserves Big East Coach of the Year. No coach has succeeded in the face of such unique obstacles: a seven-month contract, filling the shoes of a Hall of Famer, motivating a team with no postseason, etc. The award will be announced Tuesday, and it looks like John Thompson III of Georgetown is the favorite.

OLLIE’S ISMS – Who doesn’t love a good Ollie-ism? Here are my top five from the year:

1. “As I embark on this journey, I want to say we’re going to take the stairs and not the escalator. The escalator’s for cowards. We’re going to take the stairs, and it’s going to be one….step…at a time.” — Sept. 13

2. “I always talk about time, seed and harvest. The seed goes first. Then you have the time. Then you have a harvest. (Tyler Olander) is not finished yet, but I really enjoyed his harvest today.” — Jan. 12

3. “I tell the kids –  ‘Go the second mile. There’s less traffic on the second mile than the first.’  — Jan. 31

4. “Ten toes in, not five” — Nov. 9

5. “They can ban us from the postseason, they can ban us from the Big East tournament. But they can’t ban us from loving each other.” — Feb. 13

Comments(5)

|

E-mail

|

Print

One of the most unique seasons in college basketball history is in the books.

Kevin Ollie (AP)

A postseason ban, the retirement of a Hall of Fame coach, the seven-month contract for a rookie coach and the mass defections in the frontcourt all contributed to the story written by the Huskies in 2012-13.

It ended, fittingly, in overtime. Shabazz Napier and UConn needed five extra minutes to put away Providence, 63-59. Afterwards, Kevin Ollie addressed the entire season.

“That Quinnipiac game I knew we had something special,” Ollie said. “Because we had a double overtime and then we came back and played that championship game and had a chance to beat New Mexico. I was like, ‘Man, this team is going to be special.’”

Some notes, quotes and links from Saturday’s season finale:

*My column: The next few months could be as suspenseful as the season. Will Shabazz Napier, DeAndre Daniels or Ryan Boatright go pro? If they don’t, UConn will have loaded roster next season.

*Ollie on 20 wins: “Getting 20 wins was one of our goals. Winning the Big East was one of our goals, and we didn’t accomplish that. But those are superficial goals. The goal I really want to talk about was the goal of being the best attitude team in America. They were the best attitude team in America.”

*Ollie on the season: “I couldn’t be happier for this group. Hopefully they stay together because the future is so bright.”

*Providence coach Ed Cooley wasn’t a fan of the foul call on Ryan Boatright’s game-winning play with 19 seconds remaining in overtime.

“We played hard and we played together,” Cooley said. “They got the right call at the right time. And really, that’s the game. Point. Period. That can go either way.”

*R.J. Evans locked down Providence guard Bryce Cotton, holding the Big East’s leading scorer to single digits (nine points) for the second time this season.

“You know coach Ollie told me earlier that he needed me to shut them down and I just took my pride and said, ‘I’m going to help us win this game,’” Evans said.

Evans, the only player UConn will lose to graduation, addressed the team in the locker room before the game. Ollie said many of the players were in tears.

“It was from the heart,” Ollie said.

*Shabazz Napier (sprained right foot) said he decided to play about 35 minutes before the game.

“In the first half, (the foot) was probably 75-80 percent and the second half it was up-down just like 55-60.”

Comments

|

E-mail

|

Print

A prayer of a fallaway—and the ensuing free throw— dropped for Ryan Boatright, giving UConn a three-point lead with 19 seconds remaining in overtime and propelling the Huskies to a 63-59 victory over Providence in their season finale.

UConn needed three shots to get to win No. 20, and this group— ravaged by injury— did it in fitting fashion. It was UConn’s seventh overtime game of the year, a new school record.

The Huskies, banned from postseason play, will not take part in next week’s Big East tournament.

STAR OF THE GAME: DeAndre Daniels continued his late-season tear, tallying 19 points and eight rebounds. A Daniels reverse layup tied it, 50-50, at the five-minute mark. Although Daniels carried UConn for the much of the afternoon, the offense ran through Napier and Boatright late.

KEY TO THE WIN: Ryan Boatright came up with a huge rebound in overtime and, of course, broke the 59-59 tie with his circus and-one shot. He finished with a game-high 23 poiints.

*With the game tied at the 1:03 mark of regulation, Phil Nolan was whistled for a foul on Providence’s Kadeem Batts, who buried the two free throws to give the Friars a 55-53 edge. Boatright, fouled by Providence guard Kris Dunn on the other end, tied it at the line with 32 seconds left.

*After sitting the past two games with a sprained right foot, Shabazz Napier gave it a go. The 6-foot-1 junior stuffed the stat sheet — 16 points, 8 rebounds, four assists and four steals — and provided a calming presence on offense. He drilled a wide-open 3-pointer at the top of the key to give the Huskies a 53-50 lead with 3:20 remaining, and also scored the first basket of the overtime session.

*A Kris Dunn steal and fastbreak dunk gave Providence a 48-47 lead with 7:31 remaining. Dunn, a New London native, scored nine of his 11 points in the second half. Six of them came during a 10-2 Friars run to start the final period. The 6-foot-3 freshman fouled out with 3:16 remaining in overtime.

*Omar Calhoun (sprained right wrist), Tyler Olander (fractured left foot) and Niels Giffey (fractured right index finger) sat out. The Huskies had just two scholarship players—Leon Tolksdorf and former walk-on Brendan Allen—on the bench.

*In the first meeting between Providence and UConn, the Friars punished the Huskies on the boards, tying a Big East record with a 31-rebound margin. On Saturday, the undermanned Huskies held a 39-38 advantage.

Comments

|

E-mail

|

Print

In search of its 20th win, UConn received a boost from Shabazz Napier, who had missed the past two games with a sprained right foot, and took a 32-26 lead over Providence into halftime Saturday.

Napier had five points, four rebounds and two assists. DeAndre Daniels continued his recent scoring tear, going for 12 in the opening half.

He sunk a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 5:35 remaining, extending UConn’s lead to 27-17. The 6-foot-8 sophomore later hit a reverse layup to end a 7-0 Friars run.

After getting pounded on the glass in its first meeting with Providence, the undermanned Huskies held even, 17-17, in the first half.

Omar Calhoun (sprained wrist), Tyler Olander (fractured left foot) and Niels Giffey (fractured right index finger) are out of the lineup.

Comments

|

E-mail

|

Print

On the eve of UConn’s season finale, first-year coach Kevin Ollie addressed the harsh injury bug that has hit his Huskies in the past week.

Kevin Ollie and Shabazz Napier (AP)

Niels Giffey (fractured right index finger) and Tyler Olander (fractured left foot) are out for Saturday’s game against Providence. Shabazz Napier (sprained right foot) and Omar Calhoun (sprained right wrist) could join them.

If that’s the case, UConn may roll out a starting lineup of Ryan Boatright, R.J. Evans, DeAndre Daniels, Leon Tolksdorf and Phil Nolan. Former walk-on Brendan Allen would be the only scholarship player on the bench.

*Ollie said Calhoun’s wrist was “still hurting real bad.” He added that Napier is “feeling better. I don’t know if he’s available.”

“If you’re healthy, you should go out there and play. You never know if this is your opportunity to step out onto the court,” Ollie said. “I wouldn’t be inclined to sitting anybody. I’m going to play the healthy guys to finish on a high note. I won’t be inclined to sitting anybody down.”

*Ollie on Omar Calhoun: “He’s been showing his toughness, fighting through it. But he was lacking that shooting. But we still need him on the defensive end, where we broke down in the second half (against USF), and that doesn’t have anything to do with shooting or his wrist or the make-up of our team. I thought we put down our guard on the defensive end on that run they had and that kind of got the game out of hand. We have to do a better job playing defense”

*Ollie on the anticlimactic end to the season: “I’m proud of this team and these last games aren’t putting a damper on our parade. Other people can write that, but we’re not writing that in this locker room. Of course, things happen in life, but we’re making our own meaning out of them. I’m so proud of this group. It’ll be my favorite group forever – how they battled, played with each other, nobody expected anything but the guys in this locker room. If we get beat by 50 tomorrow, that’s not going to change any sentiments in my heart that I have for these guys.”

*Ollie on Tyler Olander: “He did a wonderful job in practice and in the games. He tried hard — stats wise, shots weren’t going in. I imagine he wanted to be a better rebounder, and we thought he would be. But hopefully he comes in next year and provides us that spark and gives us the rebounds we know he can get. I know he believes in himself, in his heart, that he can get them. He’s going to have a great senior year.”