The UConn Huskies (10-3, 0-1) are playing their Big East home opener tonight at Gampel Pavilion against the DePaul Blue Demons (10-5, 1-1).
The Huskies are coming off of a tough overtime loss against Marquette, which featured one of the most bizarre reffing snafus, well, ever. At the start of OT, the teams were lined up at the wrong baskets, and when UConn scored first on a goaltend, the referees took back the basket and gave Marquette the ball under their own hoop. We hope that it will be the only officiating weirdness the Huskies see this season.
The highlight of the otherwise kick-in-the-gut game was the stellar performance of Shabazz Napier, who scored 29 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
Rebounding continues to be a problem for the Huskies, who only managed to snag 29 against Marquette. Tyler Olander has been plagued by poor play, only grabbing 3 rebounds in 26 minutes of play. Olander is going to have to step up his game against the bigger, tougher Big East opponents.
Notes:
- DePaul’s leading scorer and rebounder (and winner of Most Awesome Name) is Cleveland Melvin. The 6-8 junior forward is averaging 16.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
- The Huskies 25-8 all-time in conference home openers, including 21-5 in the last 26 years under Jim Calhoun. UConn had never lost a home opener at Gampell.
- DePaul has played excellent defense in its first two Big East games, forcing 44 turnovers. Tonight’s match-up could very well come down to which team plays tougher defense
- The Blue Demons are 1-1 in the Big East, losing at home to Seton hall and winning on the road at Providence.
- The Huskies are 8-1 all time against DePaul.
