There is a lot of excitement in UConn territory following today’s announcement of a 5 year contract extension for head coach Kevin Ollie. The team won’t have much time to celebrate, however, as they will face the Huskies of Washington tonight at the XL Center.
Washington comes into tonight’s matchup on a four game winning streak. They are 8-4 overall this season. The fake Huskies are led by junior guard C.J. Wilcox, a sharpshooting swingman who averages 19.6 points per game and is shooting over 40% from three. His size (6’5”) makes him a tough matchup for UConn’s starting backcourt of Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright.
While Wilcox presents a matchup problem, so does the rest of Washington’s starting five. UConn will be severely undersized in this game – a dangerous position to find yourself in when you can’t rebound. Center Aziz N’Diaye is seven feet tall and averaging close to a double-double on the season. Tyler Olander will bear the bulk of the responsibility in keeping him off the boards, but if UConn is going to hold their own on the glass, it will have to be a collective effort.
The real Huskies of UConn haven’t played since before Christmas when they stormed off to a gigantic first half lead, and then nearly squandering it against an outmatched Fordham squad. Ryan Boatright was the star – scoring 26 points and adding 9 assists – and his backcourt mates, Napier and freshman Omar Calhoun, pitched in with ferocious defense that helped UConn escape with a win.
To be successful tonight, UConn will have to continue to maximize their speed advantage on both ends of the court. They are at such a size disadvantage, it would not be surprising to see UConn abandon match-ups and employ a four guard lineup – forcing Washington to play small.
Notes:
- Tyler Olander is expected to return to the starting lineup tonight, replacing Enosch Wolf who has been struggling lately.
- The game will be on ESPN2. UConn is 147-89 all time in games on the worldwide leader.
- UConn now has four players averaging double-figure scoring: Napier, Boatright, Calhoun and DeAndre Daniels.
- Calhoun was named the Big East Rookie of the Week this past week after averaging 19.5 points per game.
- Cool stat from UConn, in the last 10 minutes of games plus overtime, the Huskies are shooting 87.9% from the free throw line. Somewhere, Andre Drummond weeps.
Tip-off will be just after 7:30pm and you can see the game on ESPN2 or the Watch ESPN app.
“We take the Husky hunting and we shoot the eagle! Then the Husky goes and gets it and brings it back!”