UConn coach Kevin Ollie is happy. But he’s also upset. But mostly happy — aside from being upset. The post-game press conference was about as up-and-down as the play on the court following #13 UConn’s win over Loyola (Md.) on Tuesday night. “I’m very proud of them for being 7-0,” said Ollie. “I’m disappointed with the inconsistency.”
That about sums it up. In what’s becoming a trend for these Huskies, they ran all over Loyola (4-1) — at one point boosting their lead to 15 points. However, as UConn’s intensity level sagged, Loyola found their way right back in the game, dwindling the lead to as few as three before relenting.
Per usual, rebounding was UConn’s achilles heel. Here’s Loyola head coach G.G. Smith, “we won the rebounding battle for the first time this year.” Did that sink in yet? Loyola did not out-rebound Binghamton. Or Cornell. Or Fairfield. Or UMBC (I think I’ve torn that ligament). But they did out-rebound the number 13 team in the nation. Kind of a problem.
As you may suspect, the front-court troika of Phil Nolan, Amida Brimah and Tyler Olander did not rebound particularly well (5 boards between them), but DeAndre Daniels more than held his own. His four offensive rebounds were a testament to his effort on the glass, and really came at some important moments in the game. Daniels and Ryan Boatright led the team with eight rebounds each. Shabazz Napier (still the team’s leading rebounder) finished with seven.
Daniels’s impressive play extended to the points column as well. After a rough game against Indiana, Daniels recovered for 21 points on Tuesday. It was his third 20+ point effort in the last four games.
“I told DeAndre he has to play with effort,” said Ollie. “I got right in his face. And he played outstanding.” UConn will hope the hot streak continues for Daniels, whose enigmatic play early in the season undermined the potential he showed at the close of last year.
While Daniels filled up the stat sheet, it was 5th-year senior Lasan Kromah who provided the biggest lift for the Huskies. Relieving Napier early, Kromah was tasked with guarding Loyola’s best player — guard Dylon Cormier, who came in averaging nearly 30 points per game.
Kromah’s defense was phenomenal. Said Ollie, “he’s just phenomenal.” Phenomenal.
“He can really play the one, two, three very, very good. He’s always getting a hand on the ball. He gives us so much versatility.”
Kromah hassled Cormier into a 9-22 shooting performance — his 23 points don’t accurately illustrate his struggles. Meanwhile, on the offensive end, Kromah contributed a UConn-career-high in points with 12 — his first double-digit scoring game since his last game at George Washington last March.
In the end, the Huskies would walk away with a 76-66 victory that was too close for comfort. This team’s flaws continue to be exposed, but they keep winning. Maybe rebounds really don’t matter. Every coach has lied to you! More likely, the Huskies simply couldn’t maintain the intensity needed for a 40-minute game. They will have to come out prepared and fired up when they face a tough Florida team at Gampel Pavilion on Monday night.
For now, they will have to embrace the happy and the sad of a somewhat disappointing victory that is still a victory. “We grind out games and we know how to win,” said Ollie. At 7-0 heading into Thanksgiving, he may be right.
Notes:
- Niels Giffey continued his hot shooting, going 4-5 from the field for 11 points. He’s certainly been a revelation this season, even as teams are beginning to target him on the offensive end.
- UConn had four players in double-figures: Daniels, Boatright, Giffey and Kromah. Go figure.
- Shabazz Napier didn’t have a great night scoring the ball (4 points on 2-7 shooting), but he continued his assault on the stat sheet. He finished with seven assists, seven rebounds, three blocks, three steals and only two turnovers.
- Amida Brimah’s warts are beginning to show in a way that should absolutely be expected of a gigantic, raw freshman. He again ran into foul trouble on Tuesday — the victim of his own inexperience more than anything. Smaller players were getting a step on him in the post and drawing him into awkward defensive positions that will always incur a whistle. He’ll figure it out eventually, but the growing pains are a little tough to watch.
- Have a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for writing for a website that doesn’t have print deadlines….and the readers, I guess.
Up Next:
Big matchup with #15 Florida at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs. As of tip-off Tuesday, there were single seat tickets available. The student section will be nuts — assuming the tryptophan has worn off by then. Game time is 7pm and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
