UConn Pay Back Houston

Payback

It didn’t take long for UConn to put Houston away.  In just about five minutes of basketball, they used their combination of stifling defense, transition offense, and deadly outside shooting to build a double-digit lead and never looked back.  Despite not having Daniels, the offense looked fluid all game, even when Houston tried to use the zone.  The front court was effective, using offensive put-backs and second chance points to build on their lead and the rebounding was terrific, out rebounding Houston by fifteen and it looked even more lopsided than that.  This was probably the best overall game that they have played so far this year.  Even though they were at home, to score so easily and to hold a team to just 43 points is amazing, especially in conference play.

Napier usually takes the first half to get others involved but with Daniels out, he was in attack mode from the get go.  Hitting his first couple of jumpers, his confidence soared and he began playing a more north-south game which allowed him to get to the line.  Only 4 of his 13 shots were from deep which is perfect.  He is still getting a bit fancy with his passing and tends to lay off his man on defense, but his rebounding and transition game was outstanding.

Boatright had a bounce back game.  His jumper was working, hitting 2 of 4 from deep, and he was taking much better care of the basketball.  His only turnover was on a travel.  He gambled a lot on defense and gave up a couple of open looks but also had 2 steals.  Overall it was a solid night for him and one of his better games in awhile.

Giffey had one of his better games in awhile.  Maybe it was because Daniels was out but he didn’t hesitate to shoot the ball and he couldn’t miss.  He had an nice put-back, hit two 3-pointers, played solid defense, and had an amazing dunk on another put-back.  This should’ve been the comeback game for Calhoun but he continues to struggle in mysterious ways.  He missed a wide open lay-up, fouled on defense, and had a sloppy turnover.  He did do a good job rebounding the basketball but it wasn’t the confidence builder he needed.  Kromah had a hot start, knocking down 2 3-pointers and getting a steal, but disappeared down the stretch.  Samuel got some much needed playing time.  While he struggled with his jumper, he got to the line, rebounded, and had a few pretty assists.  He needs to play a bit more controlled though.

UConn looked early to establish a paint presence and it paid off.  While Brimah only made 2 of 7 from the field, he was active in the paint.  He had a nice hook shot drop for him and had an offensive rebound that led to a dunk.  Nolan had great game and had 2 lay-ups, 2 offense rebounds & put-backs, and added a sweet hook shot.  He also rebounded the basketball much better and ended his night with 5 offensive rebounds.  Olander struggled blocking out but had a nice hook shot and an offense rebound.  Facey continues to make plays when given the opportunity.  In just 16 minutes of play, he hit 3 of 6 from the floor and had 7 boards with 3 of those offense rebounds.  While this unit will not become a truly finished project this season, their upside is tremendous.

Tolksdorf continues to play horse when he gets the ball, Watts does show a more controlled game, and Lenehan looks like your shy younger brother thrown a the YMCA.

UConn needed this type of performance because they are heading into a huge match-up against Cincinnati, who are play their best basketball of the season right now.  They’ll need a front court contribution like they had today to even be in that game and a game like this one will give them some confidence heading in.  This team is slowly coming together and with a performance like this one, it gives fans a glimpse at the potential of this team, but they haven’t been able sustain it at a consistent level.  Hopefully they will be able to at just the right time because this team does have the pieces to be truly special.

UConn Looking For Payback Versus Houston

Kevin Ollie On Playing Houston

UConn 0 for Texas

On the Canvas

It was bound to happen with the way UConn flirted with every team.  Eventually one of them would come out of the gates scorching and Houston was unstoppable.  Everything that they jacked up went through and UConn tried to answer jumper for jumper.  They found themselves down ten, fifteen, nineteen, and then twenty-one points.  They gave up lay-ups on made field-goals, let shooters get their own misses, and they were sloppy in their halfcourt sets.  After a first half thrashing, UConn came out with the energy and defensive intensity that they should’ve started the game with.  With a flurry of UConn jumpers and transition points, the large Houston lead quickly erased in the first five minutes, but the Cougars responded and both teams traded buckets down the stretch. UConn couldn’t maintain consistent energy to pull away and began settling again for bad shots and Houston took advantage.  Give them credit, they answered each blow in the closing minutes and won this game.

Napier was no where to be seen in the first half of this game and like the rest of the team, he settled for jumpers instead of attacking.  He came out aggressive in the second half and his jumpers began to fall.  He knocked down three 3-pointers, three jumpers, a tip-in, and got fouled twice on pump fakes.  Unfortunately it was too little too late and his inability to make an impact in the first half created too big of a hole to climb out of.

Boatright carried the team throughout that dismal first half and had a steal & dunk, two lay-ups, and a jumper.  His second half wasn’t as impressive and had a banked in 3-pointer, a dunk, and a lay-up.  He did play solid defense in the second half, but this team needed him to get to the line more, especially since they were in the bonus for much of both halves.  He ended up with only one free throw.

There is no other way to describe Daniels performance other then disappointing.  He had two early travel calls and struggled in the post.  He did get to the line on two drives to the basket and hit a 3-pointer, but his lackluster defensive effort in the first half cost his team dearly.  His energy in the second half wasn’t much better and other than a 3-pointer and getting to the line, he was a no show.  This team needs more from him in the paint and he couldn’t provide that.

Giffey once again got the start and showed some hustle, blocking shots, getting deflections, and diving out of bounds for loose balls, but he is struggling to find his shot now that defenders are riding his shooting hand.  He needs to curl off screens more and use his quick release for mid-ranged shots.  Just when you think that it can’t get any worse for Calhoun, he comes out with this performance.  He played only seven minutes and missed a wide open jumper, had an air-ball, and traveled.  Kromah had a poor defensive first half and struggled securing the ball.  He missed two free throws in the second half but provided a lay-up & one.  Samuel got to see some action and was fouled on a drive but only saw 3 minutes of action.  The back-up guards struggled and didn’t even record an assist in this game.

Brimah got the start but like in every game he has played so far the referees are calling him for touch fouls.  He ended up only playing 4 minutes.  Nolan missed shoot around with flu-like symptoms and also only played 4 minutes.  Olander showed the best effort out of this group and had a lay-up, played solid defense,  and hustled.  Overall this unit took a major step back and couldn’t control the paint and were pushed around for much of the night.  They ended up with 2 points and 5 boards in  24 minutes.  Not good.

It felt like UConn was going through the motions in this game and expected to just let their talent win out against a depleted Houston squad in a sparse home crowd.  They then took a haymaker to the jaw and found themselves on the canvas.  They did pick themselves up, but that mistake cost them the game and hopefully this is a learning experience for them because they need to bounce back and play again in a few days.

Know Your Enemy: Houston Cougars