Shabazz Napier is Playing; Checking In from UConn-Providence at Gampel

By On 2013/03/09 · 4 Comments

STORRS – Checking in from Gampel:

The dramatic, Willis Reed-like entrance came about 30 minutes before the game. Shabazz Napier, who had not been seen on the court with his teammates earlier, jogged out, dressed for action, and took his place in the layup line.

After a few minutes, it was decided Napier would start. DeAndre Daniels, Ryan Boatright, R.J. Evans and Phil Nolan figured to be the other starters, but that was tentative.

Omar Calhoun, his sprained right wrist getting worse in recent days, was a different story. He was in civilian clothes, along with Niels Giffey and Tyler Olander.

Olander, who is out with a broken left foot, said he had been playing with a stress fracture for several weeks, and it finally gave out against South Florida. He will have surgery “as soon as possible,” he said, and then need six to eight weeks of rehab. He hopes to be ready for his normal summer activity.

Seniors, including R.J. Evans, Trey James, Keifer Lammi and Dave Vandal, were honored before the game. Senior manager Ben Rennert, a five-year member of the program, was also honored.

Fans are asked to stay in their seats after the game. The team will come out for a postgame ceremony, so  if you are among those who want to stand and cheer for the team following the final buzzer, that will be your chance.

 Jim Burr, Rob Riley, Jeff Clark are your officials.

Game time in about 10 minutes. Follow me at @AmoreCourant for all the action.

 

 
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4 Responses to Shabazz Napier is Playing; Checking In from UConn-Providence at Gampel

  1. Mike McManus says:
    2013/03/09 at 2:30 pm

    Another great game in which all of the guys played with heart unlike against South Florida. Obviously the difference was Napier’s presence on the court. I was so aggravated with Boatright’s over-dribbling which caused last-second shots and shot clock violations, but then he makes a circus shot in OT and completes the 3-point play which made the difference in the final score. Evans effort was outstanding, getting rebounds against taller players…if he could only shoot free throws! When you looked over at the bench and saw Calhoun, Olander, and Giffey in street clothes, you could only say “no way should these guys win,” but they did. Congrats to KO and the entire team for an exciting season…that was the sweetest 20th win that I can remember.

  2. Rev Kevin R Loughran says:
    2013/03/09 at 2:45 pm

    What a win – Understand I was standing and standing and standing for the guys just as I did after the South Florida game –

    I’ve seen Olander play live half a dozen times and was shocked by what I saw Weds – he is what he is but normally he hustles and is in position on defense – He was two steps slow even while the Huskies were staying int he game the first half – the stress fracture makes sense to me – He should be a solid 10 to 12 minute contributer on next season’s team regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench.

  3. Fairfield County Fan says:
    2013/03/09 at 2:50 pm

    Full of Husky Pride right now! Great game – great effort!
    Ollie HAS to be Big East Coach of Year.

  4. Hip Hop Hood says:
    2013/03/09 at 5:40 pm

    Why the celebration against a terrible PC team? A loss by KO should have meant an immediate termination letter placed into his hands.