UConn-Florida Rematch Set; Napier’s Stock is Rising

By JOSH NEWMAN
Special to ZAGSBLOG

NEW YORK – It’s been quite a long time since the University of Florida lost a game. To be specific, it’s been 118 days since the Gators last tasted defeat at the hands of the University of Connecticut on Dec. 2.

Twenty-nine games after Huskies senior guard Shabazz Napier beat the Gators at the buzzer, 65-64, with a fade-away foul-line jumper at a sold out Gampel Pavilion, the two sides will meet again. This time, it will be at the Final Four after the Huskies came from nine down in the second half to defeat Michigan St., 60-54, in Sunday’s East Regional final at Madison Square Garden.

Napier was named East Regional Most Outstanding Player after scoring 25 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists against the Spartans. In four NCAA Tournament games, the Roxbury, Mass. native has scored 93 points for an average of 23.3 points per outing.

Shabazz is Shabazz, Kemba is Kemba, Let’s Stop Comparing Them

NEW YORK — Jim Calhoun coached Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier to a national championship in 2011.

Now that Napier has led the Kevin Ollie-coached Huskies back to another Final Four in Texas, the inevitable Kemba/Shabazz comparisons have resurfaced.

And we’re likely to get another week’s worth as UConn heads to North Texas to meet Florida in the Final Four on Saturday.

But Calhoun says it’s time to settle down on the comparisons between the two diminutive guards.

“There’s no comparison, they’re both great players,” Calhoun said in the middle of the Madison Square Garden floor after the No. 7 Huskies completed a 60-54 victory over No. 4 Michigan State in the East Regional final thanks largely to Napier’s 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists that helped garner him Most Outstanding Player honors.