The "Holy Shit This Game Is Still Close I Better Get Some Scotch And Make This a Live Blog" Live Blog

10:40: 44-41
Tyler Olander beasts it (strong from all that cow tipping, a Mansfield pastime!) to take a 5 pt lead. I realized something about Olander earlier in this game, which I will get to after this rushed live blog.

10:06, 46-41
Roscoe Smith with a vicious swat into the 10th (ish) section. Crowd going crazy, perhaps I just effectively reverse jinxed UConn by starting this blog...

9:50, 46-41
A terrible charge call on Beverly draws the ire of Calhoun. I used to get sad when Beverly got taken out, but now it means Shabazz Napier Time!!!!

9:20
UNH makes a corner 3. Pesky (catamounts, black bears...what are kind of northern mascot are you people??) UNH makes it 46-45

8:51, 49-45
Napier with the And-1 to widen the UConn lead. Great defense on the way back, as well. I love this kid! 8 pts on the night

8:24, 49-48
STOP MAKING THREES!

8:05
Unless, of course, you are Shabazz Napier! A fearless three extends the UConn lead to 52-48. Napier is earning the italics I wrote his name in upon entering the game. 11 for him, 22 for Kemba, 19 for the rest of these mopes...

7:30, 52-48
Napier turns the ball over but had a UNH defender jumping at his pump fake from 25 feet. Get used to seeing a lot of that. This kid has some Rashad Anderson Fish Fry (TM) in him.

7:18
Hard foul on a Giffey breakaway. Camera flashes to first shot I've ever seen of German flag in the Student Section or any section of a UConn game for that matter. I'm speechless. Giffey goes 1-2, 53-48

5:18
End of Love Fest...TERRIBLE clear out three at the end of shotclock by Napier. Calhoun better get him the fuck outta there.

4:53
Really, Jimmy? Leaving him in here, ey? I guess this move speaks to how well Napier defends cause the way he ran that set was inexcusable. Somewhere Curtis Kelley is yelling at the TV (and probably Frank Martin as well) asking how Napier didn't get pulled. And somewhere else Scotty Harrelson and his amputated legs/knee replacements/tendonitis are screaming the same thing.

4:42
Two clanked free throws by UNH, after Napier's three started the fastbreak for them, leads to Kemba weaving through the lane for a layup and a 7 point lead. THANK GOD FOR KEMBA WALKER.

3:05
Two free throws by Kemba makes it 57-48. I know it's only UNH, but is there anyone in the nation who is going to be able to defend Kemba's speed/handle? I don't think so

2:17, 57-50
Kemba steals the postgame award for "Best Way to Kill a Crucial Possession" from Napier. Take that, Freshman! Meanwhile, Napier is writhing in pain after crashing into the bench while chasing Kemba's long rebound. Great...

1:05
He's more than just the Best Point Guard in College Basketball, he's also a teacher...Kemba yells at Roscoe Smith before the UNH inbounds "think, think, use your head!"

1:00, 58-53
UNH makes a long three just as the game looks in hand. Of course they do..

0:43
UConn is 19-24 from the line. They are winning games this year because of how well they are shooting from the line. More on this later in the week...

0:28
Kemba strokes in another FT for his 30th point of the night.

Final: UConn 62, UNH 55
Good night and god bless

I'm on a Boat, motherfucker!

UConn recruit Ryan Boatright puts up a fancy 55-10-10 over the holiday weekend.

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/13MuCfpMEd-XkQAcxJSkrA/uconn-bound-ryan-boatright-scores-55,-duke-signee-austin-rivers-goes-for-46.htm

(via Mike Anthony, courant.com)

I know what you're thinking...Todd didn't really do anything here because he simply took the link from Mike Anthony's blog. However, I did do something which Anthony cannot...I got to make an enjoyable play on Boatwright's name in my Headline and include the word 'motherfucker.'

Early Impressions

What I think of a few UConn players so far this year...

Neils Giffey -
Woah, woah, woah..he's white? I guess just cause his last name sounded like Ken Griffey's I figured he was black. I should have given a little more weight to Giffey being from Germany. Anyway, he's no star but he's shown he is a scraper and if he gets his shot down he could be a real threat. Expect Giffey to go by "The CT Nowitzki" in no time. OR he could be Ben Eaves 2.0...

Tyler Olander -
While were on the topic of goofy white fellas, let's get to The Pride of Storrs, CT...Tyler Olander. Sure I'm startled by his initials being T.O., but I like him and moreover no kid from Storrs has gotten as much playing time as Olander since the Jeff Calhoun era. Think he's getting TV time now? Just wait til he starts doing ProActiv commercials...

Shabazz Napier -
Did I spell that right? Anyway, I look forward to a lot of this kid. He has star quality and probably also has every pussy in the greater Mansfield area just dripping wet. Good for you, Shabazz...

Kenna Walker -
I'm sorry, who are you and where did this fellow who has taken over your body come from??

Jeremy Lamb -
"I Love Lamb!" t-shirts with the face of Brick Tamland coming soon. Pre-order at uconn77duke74@gmail.com.

Roscoe Smith -
Thus far you are a disappointment to me. Ever notice Jimmy C's best players aren't his McDonalds All-Americans? The Okafors, Butlers, and Gordons of the world weren't hotly recruited but Jimmy made them, and many others, into top NBA draft picks. Roscoe...you sir, have work to do.

Alex Oriakhi - He is one of a few things... 1) Kevin Freeman with more size/athleticism. 2) a literate Johnnie Selvie. 3) Jeff Adrien with coordination.

I am rooting for #1, however, none of those are an insult.