Hoops Preview - Connecticut

With the start of a long road stint, the Washington Huskies won’t have it easy this Saturday, flying across the country to play the Huskies of Connecticut in Hartford. The game will take place at 4:30 and be aired live on ESPN2 nationally.

Although Washington hasn’t had success against UConn in recent memory with loses in two Sweet 16 games, this Connecticut team isn’t considered in the same regard as teams from the past currently sporting a 9-2 record with loses to New Mexico and North Carolina State.

Despite their so, so start, UConn is not without talent. A three-year contributor, Shabazz Napier is finally the main guy for the Huskies and is averaging 16.8 points a game on 44 percent shooting. The 6-foot-1 junior is also contributing 3.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals.

Napier’s cohort in the backcourt, Ryan Boatright has played nearly just as well with 16.1 points on 49 percent shooting, while adding 4.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds. Defensively, the 6-foot sophomore has put up 1.5 steals a contest.

On the wing, freshman Omar Calhoun will be a guy to watch. Averaging 10.9 points a game, the 6-foot-5 Brooklyn native has put up 22 and 17 in his past two games.

Starting in the post, DeAndre Daniels is a name that will be familiar to many Washington fans for his interesting recruitment out of California. However, the 6-foot-8 sophomore is starting to make a name for himself with 10.1 points a game on 46 percent shooting with 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals.

UConn doesn’t have a great presence with the fifth spot, but junior Tyler Olander is averaging four rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game despite only 4.3 points a game.

At the helm of UConn is former alum and Seattle Sonic Kevin Ollie (came over in the Gary Payton-Ray Allen trade). A successful NBA player, Ollie replaces legendary coach Jim Calhoun.

Historically, UConn has a 3-0 advantage against Washington with all three wins coming on neutral courts in 1998, 1999 and 2006.