Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMBB UConn | McNamara picks his spots, hits second big shot in two days
By Ethan Ramsey
Posted: 3/9/06, 11:43 PM EST Section: Sports
Once UConn threatened to win and McNamara buried his 3, Syracuse took control right back with a 7-0 run in overtime. Even then, the game wasn't decided until UConn's Marcus Williams missed a jumper in the lane as time expired.
"We caught Connecticut a little down and got out," Boeheim said. "But when they caught us, we kept going. We'd get going. They caught us three or four times. Usually, when that happens, you kind of go away a little bit, but these guys wouldn't go away."
Though the Huskies tied the score at 65-65 with 5:09 remaining following a 9-0 run, they didn't take their first lead until Anderson hit a 3-pointer 32.1 seconds remaining. After a failed runner by SU's Josh Wright, UConn's Denham Brown made two free throws for a 74-71 advantage.
During the following timeout, Boeheim designed a play for McNamara to kick out to someone else. The coach didn't think the Huskies would allow McNamara, who scored a team-high-tying 17 points, to pick his spot.
"They're not going to let you shoot it," Boeheim told him. "But if they do, shoot it."
McNamara said he thought he was so open because Anderson didn't think he would shoot that early or from NBA range. The senior risked taking the bomb despite his injury, which he addressed for the first time on Thursday.
"Well, I had an injury earlier this season," McNamara said, not specifying nor making a statement regarding future games. "It kind of lingered with the groin. But it's been easier for me to play during the regular season because of breaks."
His injury may have been a blessing in disguise for SU's offense. UConn has long played McNamara the toughest throughout his career - witness a 16-for-75 mark from downtown entering the game - and his limited abilities forced him to become a feeder. The senior finished with 13 assists, 10 of which came in the first half.
"They've played great on me," said McNamara, whose woes continued with a 3-of-14 mark from the field. "They've been there on every catch, they hedge me on ball screens. I've had a difficult time. In the first half I just tried to get everyone involved and it worked."
"We caught Connecticut a little down and got out," Boeheim said. "But when they caught us, we kept going. We'd get going. They caught us three or four times. Usually, when that happens, you kind of go away a little bit, but these guys wouldn't go away."
Though the Huskies tied the score at 65-65 with 5:09 remaining following a 9-0 run, they didn't take their first lead until Anderson hit a 3-pointer 32.1 seconds remaining. After a failed runner by SU's Josh Wright, UConn's Denham Brown made two free throws for a 74-71 advantage.
During the following timeout, Boeheim designed a play for McNamara to kick out to someone else. The coach didn't think the Huskies would allow McNamara, who scored a team-high-tying 17 points, to pick his spot.
"They're not going to let you shoot it," Boeheim told him. "But if they do, shoot it."
McNamara said he thought he was so open because Anderson didn't think he would shoot that early or from NBA range. The senior risked taking the bomb despite his injury, which he addressed for the first time on Thursday.
"Well, I had an injury earlier this season," McNamara said, not specifying nor making a statement regarding future games. "It kind of lingered with the groin. But it's been easier for me to play during the regular season because of breaks."
His injury may have been a blessing in disguise for SU's offense. UConn has long played McNamara the toughest throughout his career - witness a 16-for-75 mark from downtown entering the game - and his limited abilities forced him to become a feeder. The senior finished with 13 assists, 10 of which came in the first half.
"They've played great on me," said McNamara, whose woes continued with a 3-of-14 mark from the field. "They've been there on every catch, they hedge me on ball screens. I've had a difficult time. In the first half I just tried to get everyone involved and it worked."
