Checking In From Pittsburgh; Looking Like Shabazz Napier Will Play for UConn

PITTSBURGH – Checking in from the Petersen Center, about an hour before game time. The Pitt students are filing into their court-side seats. (Hint?) And they’re already tossing verbal barbs as the Huskies warm  up.

Okay, important news for UConn: Looks like Shabazz Napier is going to play through his shoulder injury. He was out in the shooting drills and his range of motion seemed to be normal. Of course, that’s not game speed.

The word I’m getting: The Docs don’t think he would risk a long-term injury by playing. He could aggravate the injury, by reaching the wrong way or falling on the shoulder, and that would be a short-term set-back in his recovery. But with a week off after this game, he will eventually be okay for the rest of the season. So, bottom line, he’s going to give it a try. Napier has had a lot of injuries, but never missed a game.

With Napier starting, it will be the usual lineup for UConn – Tyler Olander, DeAndre Daniels, Omar Calhoun, Ryan Boatright and Napier.

The Huskies have won only once in six games since this beautiful building was opened. They won here in February 2005. This will be the Huskies last conference game here, with Pitt leaving the Big East.

Always a neat thing to see Mr. Dick Groat, who does commentary on Pitt Panther broadcasts. Groat, 82, was the Pirates shortstop when they played at Forbes Field, a few blocks from here, and helped beat the Yankees in the 1960 World Series. He was the NL’s MVP that year. In 1964, he was traded to the Cardinals and helped them beat the Yankees in that World Series. He looks like he could still take most of us out at second base, too.