Best in show at the Final Four

[HooperScooper]

Another ESPN article.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...the-players-lead-their-teams-final-four-glory

We all know Bazz has been damn good this year. But after reading this I think maybe we take him for granted.

The superstar
NapierShabazz Napier (UConn): Well, every NCAA tourney needs a superstar. A captivating character. Enter Shabazz Napier. The Connecticut point guard is the David Blaine of college basketball. You don't know what he's going to pull out of that hat. But you know it's going to be something special. So don't blink. His significance? His sheer brilliance in his 6-1, 180-pound frame. He scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half of UConn's Elite Eight victory over Michigan State. He hit big free throws down the stretch. He was unstoppable. "His will to win -- you could just see it," Michigan State's Gary Harris told reporters after the game. "He wasn't going to let his team lose." Napier has been the most impactful player in the tournament to date. The Huskies finished three games behind American Athletic Conference co-champions Louisville and Cincinnati. They've had their struggles. But Napier has put together an epic run. His tourney numbers are ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. He's averaging 23.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game in the Big Dance.

This tournament hasn't made a lot of sense. It rarely does. But Connecticut's rise to this stage a year after it was ineligible due to academic issues isn't some inexplicable fairy tale. Kevin Ollie has the best player in Arlington. That helps. He's been the best player since the Big Dance began two weeks ago. And he's carried the Huskies to surprising heights. This UConn team already has a win over Florida, although the Gators weren't at 100 percent then. But the Huskies won that game because Napier was clutch in the final seconds. He's even better now. Anything seems possible for UConn with the senior guard on the floor.

 

[J-dog]

Bazz has been amazing… His stock has never been higher. Was awesome to witness this in person at the Garden on Sunday.

 

[RichZ]

I don't believe there has ever been a player in college basketball who has gotten more out of coming back for his senior season than 'Bazz has. His draft stock has gone up exponentially, and he's become a genuine folk hero in CT.

 

[amory]

It's as interesting to watch people react to and talk about Bazz this year as it was with Kemba in 2011.

I think seeing him play every game, we kind of take him for granted a little. We know what he can do. Doesn't make it any less awesome, but we've come to expect it.

So while he continues to do his thing, we've been able to turn our attention elsewhere and appreciate the development of Daniels, and Boatright, and Giffey, and even Brimah into pretty great players themselves. Then we get frustrated because the focus of the media and other teams' fans is all on Bazz, so much so that many of them say he's the only reason we're in the Final Four.

You can't really blame them. He possesses more of that "it" factor than anyone in college basketball, probably the most since Kemba. He outshines everyone on the court even when his shots aren't falling.

But everyone who has watched this team knows how ridiculous it is to say he's the only reason we're here. No one player can bring you through this tournament, even if their name is Kemba Walker or Shabazz Napier.

 

[Huskybass]

Bazz has come so far in his 4 years, it truly is remarkable. He showed up as a skinny kid, with a rat tail (remember that). The first time I saw him in person in the summer of 2010 I was not at all impressed with his game. He has gotten better in so many ways and is now an all time great Husky. He is at a minimum Kemba light.

 

[BoatShow]

LOLOL the Rat tail. Topic of much discussion amongst friends and myself.

 

[uconnfan68]

Another ESPN article.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...the-players-lead-their-teams-final-four-glory

We all know Bazz has been damn good this year. But after reading this I think maybe we take him for granted.

The superstar
NapierShabazz Napier (UConn): Well, every NCAA tourney needs a superstar. A captivating character. Enter Shabazz Napier. The Connecticut point guard is the David Blaine of college basketball. You don't know what he's going to pull out of that hat. But you know it's going to be something special. So don't blink. His significance? His sheer brilliance in his 6-1, 180-pound frame. He scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half of UConn's Elite Eight victory over Michigan State. He hit big free throws down the stretch. He was unstoppable. "His will to win -- you could just see it," Michigan State's Gary Harris told reporters after the game. "He wasn't going to let his team lose." Napier has been the most impactful player in the tournament to date. The Huskies finished three games behind American Athletic Conference co-champions Louisville and Cincinnati. They've had their struggles. But Napier has put together an epic run. His tourney numbers are ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. He's averaging 23.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game in the Big Dance.

This tournament hasn't made a lot of sense. It rarely does. But Connecticut's rise to this stage a year after it was ineligible due to academic issues isn't some inexplicable fairy tale. Kevin Ollie has the best player in Arlington. That helps. He's been the best player since the Big Dance began two weeks ago. And he's carried the Huskies to surprising heights. This UConn team already has a win over Florida, although the Gators weren't at 100 percent then. But the Huskies won that game because Napier was clutch in the final seconds. He's even better now. Anything seems possible for UConn with the senior guard on the floor.

Let's not forget the state of Phil Nolan and Amida Brimah back in December, or TSam. Not like we got much from them at that point either. It really is 2 different teams now.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Let's not forget the state of Phil Nolan and Amida Brimah back in December, or TSam. Not like we got much from them at that point either. It really is 2 different teams now.

This is a point I have been thinking about lately as well. All 3 of those players have made significant gains and are playing at a different level. It reminded me of how Chuck Okwandu came on and started playing much smarter, more consistent basketball in the latter part of the 2011 season. He ended up being a key contributor to the NC that year. I could see Nolan and Brimah each playing a big role if they can keep their focus. Nolan was very good against MSU and I could see both making contributions against Florida. Tsam has been a big surprise. I hope he can make a solid contribution on Saturday as well.

I'm concerned that UF will try to take Bazz out of the game with double-teams by long players. I think that Boat will need to do a lot of ball handling and maybe Samuel can help if he can stay calm enough. I really, really hope that we come out and punch them in the mouth right at the start and not end up being on the defensive.