The stakes were lower. The crowd more subdued. Even the jerseys were different, a reversible Nike ensemble belonging to the practice court — albeit with the classic “Connecticut” across the chest. Yet the 7,000+ fans who watched their favorite UConn legends play in the Jim Calhoun Charity All-Star Game at Mohegan Sun on Friday night were also witness to a famous truth; the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Some examples were small: nineties stars like Donyell Marshall, Chris Smith and Scott Burrell wearing the blue and white uniforms that made them legends and vaulted a fledgling UConn program into the national spotlight.
Some were reassuring: Tony Robertson and Taliek Brown, both guards for powerhouse UConn teams over a decade ago, appear not to have aged a day since leaving campus. On the court, Brown threw flashy passes while his former teammates Rashad Anderson and Charlie Villanueva launched up three-pointers every time they touched the ball.
The most apt reflection of UConn past, however, came in the final moments of the game. While most of the exhibition affair had been filled with outrageous alley-oop attempts (some successful) and wild three-pointers, as the clock ticked down, the blue team holding a single-digit lead, the most successful Huskies to ever wear the uniform just couldn’t help themselves.
With under 30 seconds on the clock, Ray Allen dribbled at the top of the key. He ducked under the arc and hit Kemba Walker in the left corner for a three-pointer that put the white team up by one. Two possessions later, Walker would hit two free throws to extend the lead to three.
Not to be outdone by his former teammate, Jeremy Lamb stared down rap star Ed Nelson before rising over him and burying a three-pointer to tie the game.
Unfortunately for Lamb and his blue team cohorts, there were seven seconds left on the clock — an eternity for a white team lineup featuring NBA stars Allen, Walker and Andre Drummond, and 2014 National Champion DeAndre Daniels — though none would get a chance to touch the ball.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Khalid El-Amin, no stranger to big shots, and a National Champion in his own right, took the ball to the right sideline. The 35 year old point guard took off, leading Taliek Brown left and down to the foul line. El-Amin stopped, pulled up and hit a 15-foot fadeaway over Brown with .7 seconds on the clock.
Although the heroics were similar, the reactions to Saturday’s buzzer-beater were demonstrably different than during El-Amin’s collegiate days. The jump on the scorer’s table replaced by hugs and handshakes. Angry fans at Stanford or Pittsburgh replaced with the adoring Husky faithful thankful for the chance to relive the glory days.
It was a spectacular end to an evening that was a success before the ball was tipped.
“One thing I really try to explain to them is what this weekend’s about,” said Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun. “This weekend ends up being about the cardiology center at the UConn Health Center. We’re doing something really positive.”
After making an estimated $15,000 the first year of the charity game, the event — held biannually since 2002 — has now amassed donations in the millions going to treatment and research at the aptly-named Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center.
While charity is the mission of the game, the pageantry is a celebration of an incredible quarter-century that has brought UConn four national championships and created a brotherhood that extends from the stars to the last man on the bench. Said Calhoun, “it’s amazing to me still that players are that loyal to each other and the program — to a man. There’s a loyalty at UConn.”
“This is the best program in the country,” said Walker. “This is home for a lot of us.”
“When they won (in 2014), it felt like I won,” added Rudy Gay. “I think that’s how we all felt.”
“Every time the program wins, it makes our championship a little more special,” said Ben Gordon, who helped lead UConn to its second national championship in 2004. “Coach Calhoun laid that groundwork and Kevin Ollie is following in his footsteps. It makes you proud.”
Jeff Adrien, a workhorse forward who has found a home in the NBA, echoed the sentiment. “We’re everywhere. It’s like a brotherhood — a family.”
UConn’s family of stars grows every year. While Shabazz Napier, Richard Hamilton, Caron Butler and Hasheem Thabeet were unable to attend the game, current Huskies Ryan Boatright, Kentan Facey and Amida Brimah sat behind the white team’s bench, taking in the action and catching a glimpse of their futures.
But Friday’s event was all about celebrating the past, taking a small step away from reality and appreciating the incredible success that has come about for the UConn program.
“I’m so envious of the fans,” said Allen. “The people of Connecticut have seen my era, and now the generation of the last 10 years has seen three more championships.”
As UConn looks ahead to another season as the defending national champions, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
For more pictures and videos, follow A Dime Back on instagram
