On a day where UConn needed a win, Amida Brimah delivered it with a near-perfect performance. The sophomore center went 13-13 from the floor, with 11 dunks, and 14-16 from the free throw line on his way to a career-high 40 points in a resounding 106-85 victory over Coppin State.
UConn (4-3) ran all over Coppin State’s overmatched front court, scoring 58 points in the paint and out-rebounding the Eagles 45-24. Kentan Facey scored 15 points, and Daniel Hamilton recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists.
“We needed a win. Period,” said guard Ryan Boatright, who scored 22 points.
To get it, the Huskies rode Brimah’s hot hand and fed off his energy. “It picks up our energy level when he starts getting dunks like that,” said Hamilton. “It makes us want to defend more.”
Unfortunately for UConn, they were exposed on the defensive end, especially in the second half where they allowed Coppin State to shoot over 50 percent from the field. The Huskies struggled to contain the fast break, giving up 30 points in transition, and failed to close on the Eagles’ shooters who shot 15-32 (46.9%) from three-point range.
“That’s not UConn basketball letting a team like that score 85 points,” said Boatright.
Yet, as the Huskies look ahead to a Thursday matchup with #2 Duke, they are focused on the positives. “This was a good game for our confidence going into Duke,” said Hamilton.
Brimah’s jaw-dropping performance boosts that confidence. His 40 points were the most scored by a UConn player since Kemba Walker dropped 42 on Vermont in 2010. He also had 12 rebounds. While a repeat performance is unlikely, he will need to continue his hot streak for UConn to beat Duke.
According to Ryan Boatright, it should be must-see tv. “There’s no doubt in my mind that we can win that game,” declared UConn’s captain.
Notes:
- Rodney Purvis looked more like himself on Sunday. He scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds in 21 minutes.
- Purvis is the only UConn player with a history against Duke. He scored seven points in each of two games against the Blue Devils while a freshman at NC State in 2012-2013.
- Phil Nolan was held scoreless on Sunday. His fourth game this season without a point.
- UConn hit four of their eight three-point attempts in the second half. They’ll need to shoot consistently against Duke to have a chance.
- Omar Calhoun again did not play. It certainly feels like there’s more to this story…
- The XL Center hosted only 8,260 fans on Sunday. Something really needs to be done about these winter break games against bad teams.
Up Next:
Elton Brand will not be watching as UConn travels to New Jersey (ok?) to take on Duke on Thursday night. Tip will be at 8pm and can be seen on ESPN.
Amida Brimah was a perfect 13 for 13 from the field for UConn vs Coppin State today. The shots came from in-close pic.twitter.com/kkFPGqF0di
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 14, 2014
