UConn defeated Furman on Saturday in what was essentially a final tune up before a trip to the Bahamas where the team’s true challenges will begin.
Due to the bizarre near-overlap with a crucial (and far more interesting) football game, coupled with Thanksgiving break, the Huskies played in a two-thirds full Gampel Pavilion in front of some sleepy fans who did their best to liven up the student section despite the noon start.
The game itself was a nondescript affair. Coach Kevin Ollie employed the same 11-man rotation that he’s run out during the Huskies’ first three games of the season. Each of those players scored, with grad student forward Shonn Miller leading the way with 18 points.
Freshman Jalen Adams had his best game in a UConn uniform with 14 points and six assists in 22 minutes.
The rest of the roster put on a laudable ensemble performance with only Rodney Purvis joining Miller and Adams in double-figures.
For their part, Furman made things interesting by challenging UConn with a zone defense, forcing UConn into 30 three-point attempts — a total that irked Ollie. Not to be outdone, the Paladins (Furman’s actual team name, feel free to fact-check) launched 36 three-pointers. Because you’re curious, the record for most three-pointers attempted in a game against the Huskies is 38 (shout to Tim Fontenault for looking that stat up).
Unfortunately for the Fur Men (unofficial auxiliary team name), the Huskies were more talented at every position and took advantage of the zone defense to the tune of 83 points on 46.4 percent shooting (53.1 percent in the second half).
UConn will now head down to the Bahamas to begin the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday evening. They’ll face a talented but flawed Michigan team that was just run out of their home gym by Xavier on Friday, 86-70. The Huskies will hope that the first three games on their schedule have prepared them for contests with opponents with more equivalent talent levels.
Following Saturday’s game, Miller, Adams and Purvis were all confident. To them, their fierce intra-squad practices have provided the additional preparation they deem necessary to run with college basketball’s elite.
And they’ll have their chance. If UConn can beat Michigan on Wednesday, a grudge match with Syracuse and a battle with No. 10 Gonzaga could come after. This is where it gets fun.
The Good:
- Purvis led the team with 31 minutes and earned effusive praise from Ollie after the game for his defense. Purvis, and Gibbs for that matter, essentially eliminated guard penetration for Furman. The Fur Men had only one two-point field goal in the first half.
- Purvis also recorded seven assists and had only one turnover. He also was 3-6 from three-point range, continuing his hot shooting from deep. Basically, he had a great game.
- Miller caught a quick hook three and a half minutes into the game because Ollie was unhappy with his effort on the defensive glass. He checked back in and proceeded to lead the team in scoring and rebounding. That’s some quality motivational work by Ollie.
- As a team, UConn had 20 assists and only five turnovers.
- Sam Cassell Jr. and Omar Calhoun each hit a pair of three-pointers. Both guys have to knock down shots to be effective. Perhaps seeing the ball go through the net a few times will spur some confidence as they move forward.
- Our podcast producer Alex played drums with the Pep Band and thoroughly kicked ass.
The Bad:
- UConn allowed Furman to shoot 46.7 percent in the second half — a half in which UConn only outscored Furman by five points. That’s not good.
- Sterling Gibbs and Amida Brimah had relatively quiet outings following impressive performances against New Hampshire on Tuesday. Not a cause for concern by any means, but notable.
- Daniel Hamilton got into a bit of foul trouble. Can you tell that we’re reaching for bullets for this section?
- A surprising stat: Furman recorded more blocked shots (2) than UConn (1).
Up Next: Odds are that you do not have access to AXS TV, the network showing the UConn/Michigan game on Wednesday. Our official advice is to abandon your family and find a bar. Tip is around 9:30 p.m.
