Kevin Ollie will tell you that UConn isn’t defending its National Championship this year. That shiny trophy is safe in KO’s office. This is a new year and a new team, and while they may have their sights set on another ring, the Huskies are doing it with different personnel.
“It’s different being out there with a new team,” said Ryan Boatright. “We got a great team; I see the potential in us. We just got to clean some things up on both ends of the floor.”
While you won’t be seeing step-backs from Bazz or three-pointers from Niels this season, you will see some sweet shooting from junior college transfer Sam Cassell Jr., vicious drives to the hoop from NC State transfer Rodney Purvis and just about everything from freshman Daniel Hamilton.
The new iteration of the UConn squad has two exhibition games under their belt, and the first game of the season, a match-up against Bryant College, on tap this Friday at Gampel.
So what do we know after games against Southern Connecticut State University and Assumption College?
First, we know Daniel Hamilton can play. He is long and athletic; he can shoot, he can penetrate, he can rebound and he can pass the ball. D-Ham started both games at the 3, but moved to the 4 several times when KO decided to go with a three-guard line-up.
“I just want to be versatile,” Hamilton said. “I don’t want to just be a one trick pony, where I can just shoot and spot up. I want to be able to handle it, rebound, defend. I want to be able to do it all, as much as I can to provide for the team.”
Against Assumption, D-Ham had 12 points, 12 rebounds and couple blocks. Oh, and six assists.
“He has a point guard mentality,” KO said, also citing D-Ham’s rebounding, effort and energy.
But the kid is still a freshman, and he’s does need to be more consistent on the defensive end, and, or course, he makes some freshmen mistakes. But KO isn’t concerned.
“He’s kind of obsessive about improvement,” he said.
The backcourt will have a new look this season, as well. Sam Cassell, Jr. didn’t start in either game, but if he keeps playing the way he did in those first two matches, he probably will.
Coach Ollie had some very positive things to say about the son of his former teammate, calling Cassell Jr. “crafty” and saying that he can “shoot with the best of them.”
“Sam can play,” KO said. “He’s going to be a spark for us.”
If you ever saw the original Sam Cassell (he of the Big Balls dance) then you have a pretty good idea of what you’re going to get from the Junior version: a great passer with no fear when it comes to shooting. “My whole life, I was just practicing shooting the ball,” Cassell Jr. said “[My father and KO] always tell me ‘It’s going to be easy to guard you if you really don’t shoot the ball if you’re a point guard.’” And shoot he can. He gets his feet set, and the ball out of his hand lightning quick. But he’s not just a shooter.
Cassell certainly brings a wealth of basketball knowledge, and not just from a lifetime of being an NBA star’s son. He’s a 22-year-old JuCo transfer, and he knows how to ball.
“He can make shots and spread the floor a lot,” Purvis said of his new teammate. “He’ll be able to do that all year for us. He knows the game. He’s got a lot of basketball under his belt.”
Purvis (the Ferrari, blah blah blah) didn’t have a great game against either team. Lots of good shots that just couldn’t find their way home. But there is good news, because Purv is an incredible athlete. He is so fast, and so strong. Purv played with great energy, and looked very good on the defensive end of the floor. He’s going to be a monster in the lane all season. He just needs to shake the rust off and get some confidence back.
“I felt great,” Purv said. “I think I let [finally playing in a UConn jersey] get the best of me too much. I’ll be back.”
This will take at least one more game, because the NCAA, in yet another asinine and Byzantine ruling, has suspended Purvis for one game for (wait for it) playing in one too many basketball leagues this summer. Suspended for playing too much basketball. That’s real.
While Boatright isn’t new to the team this year, his role certainly is. He’s the guy running the show, and I liked what I saw from him. He’s very vocal on the court, talking to his teammates, keeping them together when things aren’t going right, and trying to fire them up when they need energy.
“He’s always in everybody’s ear,” Cassell said. “He’s the vet. He knows everything, so you have to listen. If you don’t listen to Boat, you’re not going to listen to anybody. He won a national championship, so I have to listen to him.”
And one thing that won’t be different? Boat’s defense is still hellacious.
“Ryan Boatright has got to be one of the best on-ball defenders in the country,” SCSU Coach Michael Donnelly said. Word, Coach. Word.
Other things I noticed, in note form, because whoa this article got long.
- Phil Nolan has put on some weight, which should help him on defense. Actually getting the ball into the hoop remains elusive.
- Brimah is still having trouble staying on the floor. His offense is improved, but, dude, please, for the love of Jonathan, stop fouling people.
- Kentan Facey looks like a new man. He got 13 rebounds in 38 minutes of exhibition play, and only three fouls. Yay! “He’s very athletic,” Boat said. “I tell him all the time, he can do that for us every game.”
- Rakim Lubin is as large as expected, and is more athletic than I even hoped for. Still very raw, and not usually in the right place on defense, but he can bang bodies and get rebounds. Rock should basically become attached at the hip to K-Free in hopes that his coach’s skills transfer to him.
- Omar Calhoun hasn’t suited up yet due to a sprained knee. This is one huge X Factor.
- Terrence Samuel looked great in both outings. He’s still fast and he looks stronger than last season. Those moves to the lane are ending in made baskets.
- KO was giving us a few different looks with three guards. Depending on match-ups you could see this all season.
- And harkening back to Days of UConn Past, we also some saw full court press! With guards as fast as UConn has, we better see more of it. “We’re definitely fast,” Boat said. “We got a quick team. We can definitely get up and down the floor.” You know that’s right.
