NCAA Tournament Postgame Notes: UConn Over Colorado
Rodney Purvis scored 19 points and ninth-seeded UConn dominated the second half to beat No. 8 Colorado 74-67 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the West Region at Des Moines, Iowa.Daniel Hamilton added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Huskies, who are 0-2 against their likely third-round opponent Kansas.
Here’s a closer look at the good and the bad for the Huskies:
WHAT WENT WELL
1. DOWN AND DIRTY: How else do the Huskies bounce back in a game, but by relying on their defense. After letting CU hit 50 percent from the field in the first half, the Huskies allowed the Buffaloes to make just 40 percent in the second half and held them to 31 points. UConn scored 47 points after the break led by Purvis’ 15.
2. MONEY IN THE BANK: The Huskies came in the best foul shooting team in the field and that paid off in the victory. UConn finished the game 22-for-23 from the line – 95.7 percent the sixth highest in tourney history – andthat allowed them to close things out after Colorado rallied late to make it a game. UConn was 18-for-19 at the line in the second half.
WHAT NEEDS WORK
1. OFF THE MARK: That dreaded offensive funk that has plagued the Huskies all season resurfaced in the first half as UConn shot 33.3 percent from the field (10-for-30). They missed on the perimeter – 3-for-11 – but also blew numerous high-percentage shots as well.
2. FOUL TROUBLE: Purvis and Miller were both in first-half foul trouble to limit their effectiveness. Miller finished with six points and four rebounds in only 16 minutes before fouling out with 1:43 to play. Purvis had just four points at halftime. The Huskies need both guys on the floor if they are going to go places in the tourney.
3. UNDER PRESSURE: The Huskies had some issues breaking CU’s full-court press in the final minutes and committed three of their 10 turnovers there. Fortunately the Buffaloes were not opportunistic with the mistakes. A pet peeve of Ollie – UConn finished with eight assists to go with the turnovers, finishing at minus-2.
UP NEXT
Saturday, vs. No. 1 Kansas, TBA