STORRS – The offense needs some work.
UConn coach Kevin Ollie and his retooled Huskies could all agree on that after a struggle to defeat Division II Southern Connecticut 70-62 in the season’s first exhibition game Tuesday night at Gampel Pavilion. The Owls, ranked No. 2 nationally in three preseason polls, made nine of the 36 three-point shots they launched and ran their offensive system to borderline perfection as they kept the pressure on the defending national champions almost to the end of the contest.
The Huskies, with newcomers Daniel Hamilton and Rodney Purvis in the starting lineup, shot 36.9 percent from the field, 29.4 percent from three-point range, and 58.6 percent (17 of 29) from the free throw line. But the most telling statistic for the Huskies might have been the 21 turnovers, including five by big man Phillip Nolan in just 19 minutes. UConn recorded just 10 assists on 24 baskets.
Sam Cassell Jr. (17 points on 6-for-10 shooting) provided the offensive highlight. After foul trouble in the first half, center Amida Brimah finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
“I’m always glad to get a win,” said senior guard Ryan Boatright, who led the Huskies 19 points in 32 minutes. “But it was a grind. It was ugly. It was definitely an ugly win. We’re a young team. Everybody was a little nervous – jitters and stuff like that. I’m just happy we grinded.”
The score was tied seven times and there were seven lead changes. Southern led by five in the first half and was ahead 32-29 at halftime. The Huskies scored just seven fastbreak points – compared to 10 for Southern. The Huskies want to use the full court and speed past their opponents.
UConn never moved into the fast lane.
“They were making their shots so we couldn’t get out and run,” Boatright said.
In the long run, this kind of struggle could help the Huskies. There was a consensus that the thought of losing pushed them and that winning this type of exhibition game will teach UConn a lesson or two.
“We’ve got to do a better job on the offensive end, but I thought our defense was pretty good and our rebounding was pretty good,” Ollie said. “I’m going to take the positive from those two aspects.
“We forced a lot of shots but that’s why they call it an exhibition. We’ll get better from it and make sure we come out and play a little harder against Assumption [Sunday at Hartford’s XL Center]. We got the first one out of the way and we’ll just keep building forward. That’s what life’s all about. That’s what basketball is all about and we’ll get better from it.”
Desmond Williams, a junior guard from Torrington, led the Owls with 19 points off the bench. Luke Houston had 14 points and Deshawn Murphy and Michael Mallory each had 11.
Southern coach Mike Donnelly admitted the thought of actually winning at Gampel crossed his mind on the floor.
“There was [a point] – even at halftime,” Donnelly said. “I kind of forgot we were playing on this stage, to be honest with you. Even though it’s preseason, you get into game mode. You’re up by three at the half and we were hanging right in there. We took the lead on them [48-45 with 12:26 to play]. To me, it felt like we were just competing in another Division II game, to be honest. Obviously nothing against UConn but that’s how you are wired. You are wired to compete.”
One of the biggest shots of the game came on a 16-foot jumper from Brimah. It gave UConn a 62-54 lead.
“I’m still going to get most of my points from rebounds and put-backs,’ Brimah said. “But I’ve been working on my jump shot.”
Brimah was asked if Ollie is OK with that shot.
“As long as I make it,” Brimah replied.
Purvis, who scored seven points, was rusty after sitting out last season as a transfer from North Carolina State. He was 2-for-12 from the field, finished with three rebounds and two turnovers.
“I was amped up too much,” he said. “I’ll be fine.”
Purvis admitted he wants to drive to the basket more than he did. There weren’t many opportunities for him to attack the rim.
“We’re not worrying about anybody’s shots right now,” Ollie said. “The only thing we’re worrying about is bringing energy. Some of the players didn’t have the energy that we want. We will correct that.”
Said Boatright, who replaces Shabazz Napier at point guard with this team: “We can be a great team. We just have to clean up a lot of stuff.”
NOTES: Omar Calhoun was in street clothes and did not play. He is still expected to be ready for UConn’s season opener against Bryant on Nov. 14 . . . Announced attendance was 7,129, a pretty big disappointment for the defending national champions. . . . Boatright has been named a candidate for the 2015 Bob Cousy Award, which goes to the nation’s top point guard and was won by Napier last season. . . . Former UConn coach Jim Calhoun was in attendance early. He said he just completed two days of seminars at ESPN, where he will serve as an analyst this season. “It’s too bad he doesn’t have any opinions,” joked ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla, who also attended the game.
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