UConn will face their toughest test of the season on Thursday evening when they take on a talented Memphis team in hostile territory. #17 Memphis (12-3, 3-1) has lost only three games this season — one at home — all against good teams (including a two point loss to Florida). They lost to a good Oklahoma St. team on the road early in the season, only to beat them two weeks later in something called the Old Spice Classic in Orlando.
Considering how terrible they looked during their first two conference road games, UConn will have a lot to prove against the Tigers.
The Huskies are coming off an impressive win against UCF on Saturday night. Freshman center Amida Brimah stole the show, collecting career-highs in both points and rebounds (20 and eight, respectively). While encouraging, Memphis should provide a bit stiffer competition inside. Forward Shaq Goodwin is averaging 13.2 points and 7.1 boards per game. At 6’9” and 242 lbs, he should be able to bully DeAndre Daniels on the block, making Brimah’s help defense all the more important. UConn’s front-court will also need to stay, you know, on the court. Foul trouble has plagued each big man throughout the season, and they can’t afford to give away too many cheap ones against a physical Memphis team.
Luckily for UConn, senior Shabazz Napier appears to be fully recovered from the knee injury that slowed him during the Huskies’ last road trip. He played a very complete game against UCF, complete with an impressive defensive performance aided by Brimah’s presence in the paint.
Per usual, the Huskies will need Napier to be the best player on the floor for them to walk away from Memphis with a win.
Notes:
- As mentioned above, Shaq Goodwin is averaging 13.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Comparatively, the front-court trio of Amida Brimah, Phil Nolan and Tyler Olander is averaging a combined 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. Woof.
- Shabazz Napier is still leading the team in points, rebounds and assists per game. At this point, that’s not news but his lead in each category is actually widening as the season wears on. Crazy.
- It will be interesting to see who coach Kevin Ollie starts on Thursday. Niels Giffey outplayed Lasan Kromah on Saturday (albeit, not significantly) and Brimah clearly outshone starting center Olander.
- Brimah was named the AAC Rookie of the Week. Congrats to him.
Tip will be at 7pm and the game will be televised on ESPN.
