The final buzzer sounded and UConn head coach Kevin Ollie stood at mid-court giving a postgame interview. Every member of his team stood behind him. It was fitting symbolism for a Husky team that has bought in to their new coach’s “ten toes in” philosophy and reached peaks in this lost season that few thought possible.
UConn (17-6, 7-4) soundly defeated #6 Syracuse on Wednesday night in front of a raucus – although not sold-out – XL Center crowd. It was the last scheduled match between the two historic rivals and, although both schools admitted a desire to schedule future non-conference games, the game that felt like the nail in the coffin for the Big East.
“They got to leave with the taste of UConn in their mouth,” said freshman Omar Calhoun, whose clutch long-range shooting helped seal the victory. Indeed, popular sentiment among UConn players after the game was that this game was their title game. After being robbed of the ability to play in postseason play, this game was their opportunity to prove that they belong – to prove to the nation what this team is all about.
Guard Ryan Boatright scored a team-high 17 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. It was Boatright whose fire ignited the crowd and his teammates – capped by a phenomenal gravity-defying dunk on an alley-oop pass by Shabazz Napier.
Despite Boatright and Calhoun’s heroics, this win was the veritable definition of a team win. Outmatched down low – exasperated by the absence of Enosch Wolf – Tyler Olander scored UConn’s first four points. When he was forced to sit with foul trouble, freshman Phil Nolan picked up the slack – fighting for rebounds and playing defense with tenacity. DeAndre Daniels and Niels Giffey combined for 17 points and 13 rebounds.
“We are the purest team in basketball,” said a very proud Ollie. “We play for the love of UConn and a love of each other.”
That team effort is starting to be noticed. Ollie’s name is being floated as a frontrunner for Big East Coach of the Year – and, suddenly, UConn is only one game back of first place in the conference. What would a regular season championship mean for this team who has been fighting all year?
“It would mean everything,” said Boatright. “They tried to take everything from us. They tried to bury us. If we win the regular season title, they can’t take that away from UConn.”
Said Shabazz Napier – who is garnering some buzz of his own for conference Player of the Year, “we think we’re as good as any team in the country.” Unfortunately – criminally – UConn won’t have the chance to prove that on the court.
But they can leave the NCAA and the Big East with the taste of UConn in their mouths.
Notes:
- By now you’ve probably read about Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim’s spat with ESPN’s Andy Katz. Having missed out on Jim Calhoun press conference in person – predates the birth of this site – it was kind of cool to see a real, live awkward moment in front of the cameras.
“I’ll answer anybody’s question but yours because you’re an idiot and a disloyal person.” Boeheim to Katz.
— A Dime Back (@ADimeBack) February 14, 2013
- Both Boatright and Napier were really dwelling on the losses that UConn suffered earlier in the conference season. “We should be in first,” said Boatright. Both mentioned the St. John’s and Marquette games as remaining a sore spot.
- While UConn is technically one game back of first place, there is a bit of a traffic jam ahead of them. Syracuse, Georgetown and Marquette each have only three conference losses. Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, and Louisville each have four – along with UConn. The Georgetown game (Gampel, Feb. 27th) is shaping up to be exciting.
- Niels Giffey played phenomenally. He was forced to play power forward in an inexplicable lineup that also featured DeAndre Daniels at center. Asked if he enjoyed it, he said he likes to be able to use his speed and annoy the opposing post players.
- Asked if his annoyance led to a lot of trash talk, Giffey said when opponents start trash talking, he talks in German – saying pretty much whatever he wants without fear of a technical foul. Sneaky.
- UConn won the rebounding battle. How amazing is that?
- Jim Boeheim on Ollie: “Kevin’s done an unbelievable job. His team plays hard and they have played together all year.”
Up Next:
The Huskies will take on Villanova on Saturday, February 16th at noon at the XL Center in Hartford. The game will be shown on ESPN2.
