SB Nation Boston - UConn 73, Villanova 70 (OT): Shabazz Napier Gives Huskies Win At The Buzzerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2012-02-20T23:35:14-05:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25768952012-02-20T23:35:14-05:002012-02-20T23:35:14-05:00UConn's Jim Calhoun Returns Saturday
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<p>Jim Calhoun's medical leave of absence will only last 25 days, as the head coach of the Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team will reportedly return to the sidelines for Saturday's game against the No. 2 ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a>.</p>
<p>Calhoun took his leave on Feb. 3 to deal with worsening spinal stenosis back, an issue that has plagued him before. If the reports, which came from the <a href="http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/022012aab.html" target="_blank">Associated Press via UConn's athletics website</a>, are true, Calhoun will have missed six total games. During his absence, the Huskies posted a 3-2 record. At the time of his departure, UConn had lost four straight.</p>
<p>UConn's latest victory came against Villanova on Monday night. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123385/shabazz-napier">Shabazz Napier</a> made a 29-foot prayer with 0.6 left in overtime, leading the Huskies to a 73-70 victory in overtime. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123382/jeremy-lamb">Jeremy Lamb</a> finished with a career-high 32 points.</p>
<p><i>For more UConn Basketball coverage, visit <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/connecticut-huskies" target="_blank">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.theuconnblog.com/" target="_blank">The UConn Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/connecticut-huskies/2012/2/20/2813388/jim-calhoun-returns-uconn-mens-basketball-big-east-newsGethin Coolbaugh2012-02-20T23:10:01-05:002012-02-20T23:10:01-05:00VIDEO: Shabazz Napier Drains 3-Pointer To Beat Villanova In Overtime
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<p>Monday night's game between two hard-on-their luck Big East squads produced one of the better finishes of the season. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/connecticut-huskies">Connecticut Huskies</a> entered the game as losers of seven of their previous nine games. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/villanova-wildcats">Villanova Wildcats</a> are muddling their way through a 11-16 season. They played one another extremely tight at The Pavilion, however, leading to a finish that have you to see.</p>
<p>Check out the video after the jump:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wA64eJEwyts" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>(Via <a href="http://www.ballinisahabit.net/" target="_blank">Ballin' Is A Habit</a>).</p>
<p>The two teams were tied at halftime and at the end of regulation, and were on their way to a second overtime before <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123385/shabazz-napier">Shabazz Napier</a> took a loooooong 3-point attempt for the win. The shot kept UConn's dimming NCAA Tournament hopes alive for the time being. As for Nova, they continue to suffer through what could be their worst season in 14 years.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Huskies, check out <a href="http://www.theuconnblog.com" target="_blank">The UConn Blog</a>. For more on the Wildcats, head over to <a href="http://www.thenovablog.com" target="_blank">The Nova Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/connecticut-huskies/2012/2/20/2813333/video-shabazz-napiers-3-pointer-uconn-vs-villanova-overtimeLouis Bien2012-02-20T21:48:38-05:002012-02-20T21:48:38-05:00UConn Vs. Villanova Final Score: Shabazz Napier Hits Buzzer Beater In Overtime For Win
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<p>Tyrone Johnson went most of the length the court off of a missed <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123382/jeremy-lamb" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeremy Lamb</a> free throw to tie the game at 70 apiece with just four second left in overtime. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123385/shabazz-napier" class="sbn-auto-link">Shabazz Napier</a> was not to be outdone, however, bombing a long 3-pointer to put the Connecticut Huskies up 73-70 over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/villanova-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Villanova Wildcats</a> with 0.6 seconds left. The win was the Huskies' third in their last 10 games.</p>
<p>The game was tied at halftime and at the end of regulation, and appeared to be headed for a second overtime prior to Napier's buzzer beater. The Huskies could have given themselves an easier go of things but went just 10-for-21 from the free throw line, giving up seven points to the Wildcats at the charity stripe.</p>
<p>The Wildcats, meanwhile, struggled to get around the lengthy Huskies. UConn blocked 10 shots on the night, including five for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/144204/andre-drummond" class="sbn-auto-link">Andre Drummond</a> who also pitched in 11 rebounds. The freshman center was technically the Huskies second leading scorer on the night, though he had just eight points. His output was dwarfed by Lamb, who had 32 on 11-for-21 shooting from the field.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100056/dominic-cheek" class="sbn-auto-link">Dominic Cheek</a> led the Wildcats with 23 points, but also committed six turnovers to just three assists. He scored 10 points in the first 13 minutes of the game to push the Wildcats out to a 28-12 lead. He scored just once more in the half, however, allowing the Huskies to crawl back and tie the game at 30-30 going into the locker room.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/88170">Final - 2.20.2012 </a> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/connecticut-huskies">Connecticut Huskies</a> </span></td>
<td>30</td>
<td>30</td>
<td class="highlight">73</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/villanova-wildcats">Villanova Wildcats</a> </span></td>
<td>30</td>
<td>30</td>
<td class="highlight">70</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/88170">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
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<p><i>For more coverage of UConn basketball, visit <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/connecticut-huskies" target="_blank">our team page</a> or our blog <a href="http://www.theuconnblog.com/" target="_blank">The UConn Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/connecticut-huskies/2012/2/20/2813167/uconn-vs-villanova-final-score-game-recapLouis Bien2012-02-20T18:27:19-05:002012-02-20T18:27:19-05:00UConn Vs. Villanova: Huskies Try To Return To Winning Ways On The Road
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<p>UConn plays Villanova at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 in a Big East matchup.</p> <p>The Connecticut Huskies travel to play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/villanova-wildcats">Villanova Wildcats</a> in a Big East matchup on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN. The two teams have not yet met this season.</p>
<p>The Huskies are just 6-8 in Big East play and have lost seven of their last nine games. Villanova is 4-10 in Big East play and have won just once in their last six outings. Villanova could be without injured starters <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124613/james-bell">James Bell</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100054/maalik-wayns">Maalik Wayns</a> for the game tonight. Wayns leads the Wildcats with 17.8 points per game. James Bell scores 7.5 points per game.</p>
<p>The Huskies are running out of time to pick up Big East wins before the conference tournament. Including the Villanova game tonight, there are only four games remaining in the regular season for UConn, which is 16-10 overall.</p>
<p><i>For more coverage of UConn basketball, visit <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/connecticut-huskies" target="_blank">our team page</a> or our blog <a href="http://www.theuconnblog.com/" target="_blank">The UConn Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/connecticut-huskies/2012/2/20/2812823/uconn-basketball-vs-villanova-preview-james-bell-maalik-wayns-big-eastPat Johnston