“We didn’t play with toughness.” That quote from guard Shabazz Napier sums up what was a tough game for UConn, as they fell to Villanova Saturday afternoon at the XL Center in Hartford.
The Huskies were outrebounded by a 41-25 margin that included a staggering 20 offensive boards for Villanova. “We couldn’t get in transition because of their offensive rebounding,” said coach Kevin Ollie. “I’m disappointed.”
The lack of fast-break opportunities was a factor in neutralizing UConn’s star guards Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright. Napier was plagued by foul trouble in the first half. He picked up his second foul with 16:49 to play and was forced to watch from the bench as Boatright struggled to lead the offense.
Seeing enough, Ollie reinserted Napier. Immediately, UConn’s offense was ignited. With Napier running the point, the team finished the half shooting 52% from the field. Napier had 6 assists, despite both he and Boatright being held scoreless, and the Huskies went to the locker room with a three point lead.
It felt like the momentum was in UConn’s favor and Napier and Boatright would find their rhythm after intermission. Villanova coach Jay Wright was having flashbacks to last year’s match-up that had a similar feel. “Last year [Napier] and Boatright killed us in the 2nd half,” said Wright. “We said ‘wow, we’re down three and these guys haven’t gotten it going yet.’”
It turns out Wright had little reason to worry. Napier scored 28 seconds into the second half. He would not score again. Boatright waited until there was 51 seconds left in the game to score his first bucket. Together, the two star players combined for an unthinkable six points and ten turnovers as Villanova outworked and outclassed UConn down the stretch en route to a relatively easy victory.
“Offensively, we weren’t there today,” said Napier. “It’s hard when you’re not scoring. I was getting frustrated.”
Equally frustrated were the fans – the largest crowd UConn has drawn this year – who sarcastically cheered when Boatright finally dropped in his first basket of the game.
After the game, the word most used was “toughness.” UConn didn’t have enough of it. Villanova used it to bully UConn into an embarrassing defeat. “We didn’t play with the toughness we should have,” said Napier. “It came down to toughness,” added DeAndre Daniels.
“I wish we had it today,” said Niels Giffey. “It’s hard to find that focus. Focus leads to toughness.”
There was an omnipresent feeling following the loss that UConn might have lost their chance at a regular season Big East championship following the loss, but coach Kevin Ollie isn’t ready to give up. “I’m disappointed,” he said “but we’re still there. I’m very confident in our team. We’re going to be there.”
With only six games left in the season, every game is now a must-win for UConn if they have any chance at meeting their lofty goal.
Notes:
- Freshman Omar Calhoun is emerging as a legitimate star. He led the team in scoring (16) and rebounding (6), and was the most aggressive player in a Husky uniform – going 9-9 from the FT line.
- Many UConn fans will need to be treated for whiplash after watching Ryan Boatright destroy Syracuse on Wednesday and then completely disappear against Villanova.
- UConn had 19 turnovers in the game. They were outrebounded by 16. Napier and Boatright combined for six points. And they still only lost by nine. That’s amazing.
- Niels Giffey seems to miss his big German friend. “We missed Enosch out there,” he said. “He changes shots.”
- Kemba Walker was in the crowd tonight and received a standing ovation. Now if only they could’ve slipped him into uniform…
Up Next:
UConn will play their final game at the XL Center of the year (yay!), as they take on Cincinatti on Thursday night, February 21st. Tip will be at 7pm and the game will be on ESPN2.
