Napier, Bench Fuel UConn Win Over Villanova After Early Deficit

With 12:09 left in the first half of Saturday's third round matchup with Villanova, UConn's tournament hopes looked to be fading fast. Senior point guard Shabazz Napier had just picked up his second foul of the night, one that would cause head coach Kevin Ollie to pull him for the remainder of the half, and the Huskies found themselves in a 16-9 deficit. That deficit quickly became ten points when Villanova junior guard Darrun Hillard hit a 3-point jumper at the 11:30 mark. But that's when things began to click for a Connecticut squad appearing in their first NCAA Tournament under new head coach Kevin Ollie. Tough defense off the bench from freshman center Amida Brimah, combined with an offensive outburst from reserves Lasan Kromah and fresman Terrence Samuel helped the Huskies build a five point lead over Jay Wright's Wildcats. The Huskies would enter halftime with a 25-24 advantage, achieved with Napier on the bench. 

Heading into the half, Coach Kevin Ollie spoke of his
squad's heart claiming "We're going to win this game"

Entering the second half with a one point lead, the Huskies never looked back. Senior guard Shabazz Napier put on a show, hitting a pair of back to back deep 3 pointers to extend UConn's lead to eleven with 9:00 left in the contest, and another step-back three with 5 seconds on the shot clock at the six minute mark. The dribble-drive penetration by starting guards Ryan Boatright and Napier allowed Connecticut to pick apart the defensive pressure that Villanova employed for much of the second period. In a game where senior sharpshooter Neils Giffey went 1-3 from the field and failed to hit a three pointer the Huskies went a combined 9-20 from beyond the arc. Villanova's cold streak from downtown continued as they went 11-31 as a team, and tied an NCAA Tournament record low for two-point field goals made with seven. Connecticut's bench outscored Villanova's 26-5.

Trainer's work on Napier late in second half

After reaggravating a calf/ankle injury sustained on an un-called foul in the early minutes, Napier left the game inside of four minutes. The senior would later return, only to add to his "Mr. Clutch" MO with a driving windmill-layup to put the Huskies up nine with 2:17 to go. The time off will be beneficial for Napier's recovery. The Huskies will face the winner of the Iowa State - North Carolina at Madison Square Gardens on Friday March 28. (See limited highlights and analysis of the game here.)