Notes & Quotes: UConn Topples Tulane at Home
Full Kevin Ollie Press Conference (Members Only)
HARTFORD, Conn. - Shonn Miller scored 18 points and UConn shut down the Tulane offense in a 60-42 victory in front of 9,516 fans Tuesday night in American Athletic Conference action at the XL Center.
Here’s a look at the good and the bad from the UConn (13-5, 4-2) win over Tulane (8-12, 1-6):
WHAT WENT RIGHT
1. STAND AND DEFEND: The Huskies had some offensive issues again (see below), but their defense was terrific in holding Tulane to 25.9 percent shooting (14-for-54). UConn went on a 23-4 run in the first half to open the game up and then held Tulane without a point for about seven minutes during a 15-0 second-half run. It was the fewest points UConn has allowed all season and it also scored 16 points on 16 turnovers.
UCONN COACH KEVIN OLLIE’S TAKE: “The defense was outstanding again. I really appreciate our guys coming out with defensive focus, we just have to keep moving the basketball, and hopefully, turn around our shooting percentage.”
2. MILLER’S THE MAN: With Rodney Purvis and Daniel Hamilton continuing to search for their offense, the fifth-year senior from Cornell scored in double figures for his 13th straight game on 7-for-16 shooting. Miller scored 10 points in the Huskies’ first-half run and had 12 at the break.
MILLER’S TAKE: “I don’t think it’s really about me, I take whatever. My teammates find me and I take my open shots or whatever. But I still try to find them and we play together.”
3. FINDING HIS NICHE: Omar Calhoun has become a strong presence off the bench for the Huskies, and not just by scoring 12 points tonight. The senior guard had five rebounds and a steal while playing with energy and passion in 20 minutes. UConn’s bench outscored Tulane 27-10, including 16-4 in the second half.
OLLIE’S TAKE: “Oh man he was wonderful. I mean he sees minutes. He’s playing hard, attacking the rim. He and Shonn gave us effort.”
WHAT NEEDS WORK
1. SHAKING OFF THE SLUMPS: The Huskies didn’t need a ton of offense against Tulane, but junior Rodney Purvis (2-for-8 shooting) and sophomore Daniel Hamilton (3-for-7) continue to struggle. Hamilton had a team-high six turnovers – UConn finished with eight – and just looked off most of the night. In the last six games, Hamilton is shooting 25 percent and Purvis 33 percent.
MILLER’S TAKE: “We all know one through 12 we can go out and score. As long as we play together we feel everybody can score and play off each other.”
2. BANGING THE BOARDS: UConn finished with a slight edge on the glass, 39-38, to win the rebound battle for the second straight game. The Huskies have been outrebounded in four of their last six contests.
MILLER’S TAKE: “I have to get more (rebounds). We all have to keep our man off the glass.”
UNSUNG HERO
Senior Phil Nolan did a solid job inside with two points and four rebounds along with two steals. While he won’t make people forget about Amida Brimah, his energy is something Kevin Ollie loves.
NOTES: For the second straight game Ollie went with the starting lineup of Miller, Gibbs, Hamilton, Jalen Adams and Nolan. … Tulane was the first of three straight home games for the Huskies at the XL Center, where UConn is 4-1 this season. … UConn recruit Zack Brown, a 7-foot-1 center in the Class of 2017, attended the game on an unofficial visit. He is expected to make his decision soon with favorable reports towards UConn... Brimah missed his ninth game in a row, but the Huskies received news on his recovery from a broken finger. Trainer James Doran said Brimah had a good visit with the doctor earlier Tuesday and is on track to return in early February. … UConn is 7-2 without Brimah, who has missed eight games with the finger injury after missing UMass Lowell due to a testicular contusion.
UP NEXT
Saturday, vs. Georgetown, noon at XL Center in Hartford.