UConn Bests Florida, Forty Minutes From Number Four

In the latest twist in an improbable, if not miraculous, season, the 7-seed UConn Huskies bounced the top-ranked Florida Gators from the Final Four on Saturday evening 63-53. At times this season, when losing to Houston, or being run off the court by Louisville, a chance to play for a national championship seemed an impossibility for the Huskies. Yet, as they continue their march through the NCAA Tournament — and through other powerhouse opponents — Kevin Ollie’s team has found their niché, and found ways to win.

On Monday night, in front of more than 80,000 people in Jerry Jones’ memorial to himself in Dallas, UConn will face either Wisconsin or Kentucky in hopes of securing their fourth national championship. They earned that opportunity by beating Florida (36-3) for the second time this season.

DeAndre Daniels was the offensive star for the Huskies. He led the team with 20 points and 10 rebounds. It was his second double-double of the tournament, pretty amazing considering he only had three double-doubles during the regular season and conference tournament. Florida couldn’t handle his versatility. He buried two three pointers when left alone on the perimeter, posted up smaller defenders, and found himself open under the hoop for lobs when UConn’s guards drew attention up top.

While Daniels carried the weight on offense, it was UConn’s defense that won them the game. Guards Ryan Boatright, Shabazz Napier and Terrence Samuel hounded Florida’s backcourt. Scottie Wilkebin, Florida’s starting point guard, finished with only four points, one assist and three turnovers. Throughout the tournament, UConn has embraced tough on-ball defense as their calling card, and it has guided them within 40 minutes of immortality.

While Daniels has emerged as a dangerous offensive weapon, Boatright has transformed his game into one of lockdown defense and clutch shots, and Napier continues to both lead the team and receive headlines, no one’s stock has risen higher than Ollie’s thus far.

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In the last two games, Ollie and his team have executed brilliant game plans that sent legendary coaches, Tom Izzo and Billy Donovan, back to the golf course. He has found ways to mask UConn’s most glaring deficiencies — size and strength — and force his opponents into adjusting for the Huskies’ speed and spacing. All while managing a rotation that hits free throws better than any UConn team in recent memory.

Given the success that Ollie has manufactured in his professional life, none of this should be too surprising, but the speed at which he has elevated himself to the coaching elite is staggering. On Monday night, he will have an opportunity to take it a step further, hopefully while climbing a ladder to cut down the nets.

Notes:

• Napier had an interesting night. He wasn’t the center of attention that we’re accustomed to, but he played a very solid and complete game with 12 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals.
• Niels Giffey was 0-2 from three on Saturday. It’s been a week since he hit a three, pretty amazing for a 50% shooter.
• Terrence Samuel continues to impress. The word that immediately comes to mind to define his play is “fearless.” He seems completely comfortable with the bright lights, and certainly doesn’t shy away from attacking the rim on offense. He also played tight, stifling defense in his 18 minutes on Saturday.
• While much of the talk preceding the game centered on UConn’s buzzer-beating upset over Florida on December 2nd, this game was also vindication for UConn’s overtime defeat to Florida in the 1994 Sweet Sixteen. At the time, it may have been the biggest game in UConn history, and the memory of the loss still haunts Husky fans who harbor a grudge against Donyell Marshall for missing some key free throws. Hopefully tonight’s win — if not the four previous Final Four appearances and three national championships — finally helps those people move on.

Up Next:

Number four.