Shabazz Napier...

[huskiesnyc]

is by far the best player and leader on this team. Even on a night when he is clearly off his game, he tears down 8 rebounds and leads us to a tough win. Whether it's making spectacular assists, nailing 3's, playing tenacious D, or drawing fouls this guy gets us the WIN. I know we all love Bazz, but he deserves some extra credit for his loyalty and results on the court. He is definitely a real man unlike the cowards that transferred. I couldn't be happier with the players we have even if we don't have a big time center.

 

[mauconnfan]

Shabazz made some real bad decisions in what can be considered crucial points of the game........cut the mustard or penetrated too far a couple/few times he shouldn't have, it was a bad gane on his part as a leader on offense........he had one coming, he's been great so that's okay as long as he learns and gets back to the basics of running the team as I'm sure he will..........having said that as you pointed out he was real good on D yesterday, maybe his best game this year and the 8 rebounds are super, sticking his nose in is crucial as well as Boat, in order to win or compete in the rebounding battle.........he is a very good player and our W's from here on in league play will co-exist with his smart and solid play.........tough kid!!

 

[ctchamps]

is by far the best player and leader on this team. Even on a night when he is clearly off his game, he tears down 8 rebounds and leads us to a tough win. Whether it's making spectacular assists, nailing 3's, playing tenacious D, or drawing fouls this guy gets us the WIN. I know we all love Bazz, but he deserves some extra credit for his loyalty and results on the court. He is definitely a real man unlike the cowards that transferred. I couldn't be happier with the players we have even if we don't have a big time center.

I didn't see this thread, started a new one saying the same thing. His defense was outstanding. He blanketed his players, his hands were quick and disruptive as always and most of all he was the reason UConn did not get crushed by Wash. on the boards. Not only did he get the 8 rebounds but he tipped out a bunch more. The thing is he overplayed on defense and I felt he became tired, causing him to make mistakes on offense.

This wouldn't have been a problem if RB played decently. He still scored well but he really seemed to be a step off. I'm with you, kudos to SN.

 

[Edward Sargent]

I was going to start a thread (one of a very few) but wanted to ask whether anyone else feels we are seeing the benefit of Ricky Moore's coaching defense? Neither guard played particularly well offensively, we didn't shoot a high percentage from behind the arc, we missed a higher than usual percentage of foul shots and as usual were outrebounded, but we won relatively easily. Defense was damn good.
Happy New Year all

 

[GlastonTim]

Ricky is Asst. Director of basketball operations. He does not coach the players.

 

[jleves]

Ricky is Asst. Director of basketball operations. He does not coach the players.

While I realize he isn't allowed to coach - does anyone know what the rules are for just working out with the team? Obviously Ray and Kemba, etc. aren't coaches but you read stuff particularly in the off season about them balling with the team. So if Ricky needs to burn off some steam and decides to head to the gym and work out a little, does that mean the kids on the team can't be on the court at the same time? What if they both end up at a playground in Willimantic? How do you stop him from telling Boat or Napier some bit of knowledge? I just have no idea what is actually allowed or not and certainly how can it be enforced.

 

[Huskies4ever]

I was going to start a thread (one of a very few) but wanted to ask whether anyone else feels we are seeing the benefit of Ricky Moore's coaching defense? Neither guard played particularly well offensively, we didn't shoot a high percentage from behind the arc, we missed a higher than usual percentage of foul shots and as usual were outrebounded, but we won relatively easily. Defense was damn good.
Happy New Year all

Agreed, accept we did outrebound them (surprisingly)!

 

[baldinghusky]

I didn't really have a problem with the over-penetration later in the game -- Washington had a bunch of foul trouble, and I think Napier was trying to draw some more fouls. The concerning play was what appeared to be mishandling of the press a couple of times at the end of the game: the pass back to DeAndre (and subsequent desertion) was a head-scratcher, and I kept wondering why he was standing there on other inbounds without pushing the ball up the floor, waiting for the foul and making it extremely easy to guard him. Maybe he was just tired.

 

[huskyniner]

I think our best overall player is Boatright, but Napier is my favorite player. I think in a few years when UConn is in a safe conference and enjoying major success under Ollie, we will look at Napier as the player who led the charge through this difficult transition and time in program history. And he will deserve to be a Husky of Honor for that alone.

 

[huskyniner]

By the way, I got my 4 year old nephew his first piece of UConn gear for Christmas. He's been refusing to take it off ever since.

 

[mauconnfan]

Nice job inner....hopefully that bottle of White Zin in the background wasn't in his stocking?!!

 

[huskyniner]

Nice job inner....hopefully that bottle of White Zin in the background wasn't in his stocking?!!

Hey, conference realignment is a tough time for all of us.