Call me a homer all you want, but people tend to forget the Connecticut Huskies have already beaten Tournament overall number one Florida this year. The Huskies have as good a chance as anyone to win the NCAA Championship in this years tournament. Without a true favorite to win, any team who gets hot and has the proper credentials could make the six game run to a National Championship. Here are 7 reasons the Huskies could be that team.
Connecticut's magical run in the 2011 Tournament can serve as more than motivation for Kevin Ollie's squad. The 2014 Huskies boast 3 senior holdovers from the squad that made an improbable run to the Championship in 2011. Shabazz Napier and Niels Giffey play big minutes for this years Connecticut team, while the third championship holdover, Tyler Olander, provides spot help and rest for the younger bigs on the roster.
Poise
The backcourt leadership from Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright play a big role in the poise this years team continues to show. They've had their hiccups along the way, including embarrassing losses to Houston and Louisville, but more often than not they've stayed in games mentally even when down. Thursday night's comeback win over St. Joseph's offers a prime example of the Huskies ability to stick to playing fundamentally sound basketball when behind, rather than forcing shots and making critical mistakes on defense. Without poise, no team can make it through the grueling six-game tilt that is the Big Dance.
Taking Advantage at the Charity Stripe
Few teams in the NCAA shoot better than the Huskies do from the free throw line, at 76.4%. And if Thursday's comeback win, or NC State's utter collapse against St. Louis aren't evidence enough, Free Throw's can be absolutely vital to any Tournament run. Even team worst shooter Amida Brimah (shooting 57.1%) is making his shots, hitting three huge shots in last night's win. With Shabazz Napier leading the way at 85.9% the Huskies can put out a lineup to close out games where everyone on the floor is shooting better than 76.7% from the stripe.
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#5 Niels Giffey (Germany) boasts an unreal 52.5% from beyond the arc |
Deadly From 3-Point Range
UConn possesses three players who can consistently hit from beyond the arc in Napier, Boatright and DeAndre Daniels. Daniels' 43.5% mark from beyond the arc adds dangerous versatility to his offensive repertoire. And those three are before you even mention Senior Niels Giffey who is absolutely deadly with a 52.5% 3-Point Shooting Percentage, good for second in the NCAA. UConn's prowess with the three ball allows them to effectively spread the floor to work isolations on the wings, or inside with young big men Amida Brimah and Phillip Nolan.
Efficient Pressure Defense
The Huskies play an efficient brand of pressure defense that is predicated on quick switches and their guards putting pressure on opponents before they cross the centerline. This defense forces opponents to make crisp passes to the open man, and hit open shots when they present themselves, a difficult task in a high pressure, tournament environment. This brand of defense often results in turnovers and a high point-off-turnovers differential. If UConn takes care of the ball, they can heavily swing games in their favor.
Exceptional Backcourt Play
One of the most important characteristics of an NCAA Champion is to have, at the least, passable play from the guards. UConn is exceptional in the backcourt with Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright leading the way and Omar Calhoun and Lasan Kromah coming off the bench. All four offer great defensive pressure and speed, but what makes this group deadly is Napier and Boatright's ability to turn the corner and get to the rim. This ability was on display Thursday night, and helped to fuel Connecticut's second round comeback.
Mr. Clutch
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Napier (13) hits winning shot against Florida on December 2nd |
Perhaps the most compelling reason the Huskies are capable of anything is senior point guard Shabazz Napier. Already with AAC Player of the Year, Napier looks to end his career at UConn the way it started, with a National Championship. Napier has shown a tendency to be clutch in crunch time, and no stage has been too big. He hit the game winner at Florida early this year, after missing his first attempt and getting his own rebound no less. Napier has hit more clutch shots than perhaps any player in Connecticut Men's Basketball history. Yes, that is a history that includes the likes of Kemba Walker, Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Caron Butler, Ben Gordon and Chris Smith. And by the looks of it, Napier's clutch play is rubbing off on teammates, including Freshman Amida Brimah who's old-school three-point play helped send last nights game to Overtime.
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