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CBB FREEBIE: 3* NEVADA
After a shaky opener, top-ranked Connecticut can advance to the semifinals of the Preseason NIT tonight when it meets Nevada in a second-round encounter at Gampel Pavilion.
Connecticut (1-0) gave Coach Jim Calhoun his 400th career victory in Monday's 70-60 triumph over Yale. The Huskies went into halftime facing a 31-28 deficit before roaring back to advance.
Preseason national Player of the Year Emeka Okafor collected 29 points and 13 rebounds for his 29th career double-double. Denham Brown added 15 points and Ben Gordon chipped in 13.
The Huskies were without heralded freshman Charlie Villanueva, who is being held out pending an NCAA investigation about his eligibility. Calhoun is hoping the issue is resolved by the end of the week.
Forward Josh Boone became the 12th freshman in Calhoun's tenure at UCONN to start the opener. Boone had six points and four rebounds.
Nevada (1-0) advanced with an easy 69-49 victory over Vermont on Monday. Kirk Snyder, the preseason Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, scored 17 points to lead the Wolf Pack. Snyder could pose problems for the smaller Huskies backcourt as the guard stands at 6-6.
The Pack has absolutely nothing to lose tonight and can go balls out looking for the upset.
www.ashtonsports.com
After a shaky opener, top-ranked Connecticut can advance to the semifinals of the Preseason NIT tonight when it meets Nevada in a second-round encounter at Gampel Pavilion.
Connecticut (1-0) gave Coach Jim Calhoun his 400th career victory in Monday's 70-60 triumph over Yale. The Huskies went into halftime facing a 31-28 deficit before roaring back to advance.
Preseason national Player of the Year Emeka Okafor collected 29 points and 13 rebounds for his 29th career double-double. Denham Brown added 15 points and Ben Gordon chipped in 13.
The Huskies were without heralded freshman Charlie Villanueva, who is being held out pending an NCAA investigation about his eligibility. Calhoun is hoping the issue is resolved by the end of the week.
Forward Josh Boone became the 12th freshman in Calhoun's tenure at UCONN to start the opener. Boone had six points and four rebounds.
Nevada (1-0) advanced with an easy 69-49 victory over Vermont on Monday. Kirk Snyder, the preseason Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, scored 17 points to lead the Wolf Pack. Snyder could pose problems for the smaller Huskies backcourt as the guard stands at 6-6.
The Pack has absolutely nothing to lose tonight and can go balls out looking for the upset.
www.ashtonsports.com