UConn ended their regular season in fine fashion on Sunday. The Huskies dispatched of Tacko Fall (and some other guys in similar jerseys) 67-46 in front of a sold-out Gampel Pavilion, bidding a fond farewell to the team’s seniors.
Nnamdi Amilo, the muscular super-genius, was the first to receive his pre-game plaque. As the game came to a close, he rattled home two free throws, putting the finishing touches on a day that was more of a celebration than a basketball game.
Fifth-year seniors Sterling Gibbs and Shonn Miller were also honored during introductions. Both played well in somewhat limited minutes. Gibbs scored 10 points and didn’t have a turnover. Miller scored eight and grabbed six rebounds in only 21 minutes. Both left the court to individual standing ovations.
The real stars of the day, however, were Omar Calhoun and Phil Nolan. Both starred in an emotional video prepared by UConn, and both were treated to raucous applause when introduced. Nolan even got a taste of his own medicine as the entire team crowded around him to crash the photo of him and Ollie.
[Ed. Note, we’ll have more on Nolan and Calhoun in tomorrow’s A Dime Blast — our weekly email newsletter. Sign up here.]
The game itself was a nondescript affair. Daniel Hamilton had a brutal first half, going 0-2 from the floor and committing three turnovers. Ollie decided to send Hamilton a message, benching him to start the second half.
It worked.
Hamilton scored 12 points after intermission and totaled a team-high seven rebounds in the game.
In total, ten players scored for the Huskies with only Gibbs and Hamilton in double-figures. It was the team defense that again sealed their victory. UCF committed 17 turnovers and shot only 34.8 percent in the game.
Apparently players other than Tacko Fall played for UCF but sources have yet to confirm.
Sunday’s win doesn’t move the needle much for UConn. They were expected to win easily and they did. A win over Cincinnati in the AAC Tournament would go a long way towards improving the Huskies’ chances at an at-large bid. So far this season the team has had a tough time maintaining momentum from their easy wins and carrying it over against tough opponents. To continue their season in a meaningful way, they’re going to have to start on Friday afternoon.
FRI is THE Game. We beat Cincy and we are in the Dance. We lose and its going to be another disappointing Sunday afternoon as they rattle off the at-large teams- and we aren’t one of them…