2010–11 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team
Encyclopedia
The 2010–11 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut
in the 2010–2011 NCAA Division I basketball season. The Huskies were coached by Jim Calhoun
and played their home games at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut
, and on campus at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion
in Storrs, Connecticut
. The Huskies are a member of the Big East Conference
.
The Huskies entered the year unranked and picked to finish tenth in the Big East. In November, they won the Maui Invitational Tournament
for the second time. They finished the Big East regular season in a tie for ninth place at 9–9. Led by Kemba Walker
who scored a tournament record 130 points, they became the first school to win five conference tournament games in as many days in claiming their seventh Big East Tournament title
. By winning the tournament, they were awarded an automatic berth into the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
. They advanced to their fourth Final Four with a 65–63 victory over Arizona
and advanced to their third National Championship game with a 56–55 victory over Kentucky and beat Butler 53–41 for their first championship since 2004 and third since 1999.
season in which they failed to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament
for the second time in four years, and amidst an NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations involving Nate Miles. As a result of the investigation, assistant coaches Patrick Sellers and Beau Archibald resigned from their positions. Later that summer, Kevin Ollie
was hired to take Sellers' role as assistant coach, and Glen Miller was brought on as Director of Basketball Operations, replacing Archibald. Both men have previous links with Jim Calhoun. Ollie played for the Huskies under Calhoun from 1991–95, while Miller was an assistant coach under Calhoun from 1986 until 1992.
In addition to the coaching changes, the Huskies also needed to replace three graduating starters: Jerome Dyson, Stanley Robinson
and Gavin Edwards. Reserve forward Ater Majok
also left the school before the season began.
Prior to the start of the season, the Huskies were picked by both the Big East coaches and writers to finish tenth in the conference. The team was not ranked in the top 25 in any major national poll, although they did receive votes in the Preseason AP Poll
.
With regards to individual honors, Kemba Walker
was selected to the Preseason All Big East first team, and was named to both the Wooden
and Naismith
award preseason watchlists.
teams, Stony Brook
and Vermont
. In the win against Vermont, Kemba Walker tied a UConn XL Center record by scoring 42 points.
The team next travelled to Hawaii to play in the 2010 Maui Invitational Tournament
. They last participated in the tournament in 2005, when they won the championship. To open the current tournament, they played Wichita State
. Walker scored 29 of his 31 points in the second in the 83–79 win. The victory meant they would match up with Michigan State
, who was ranked #2 in the AP poll at the time. Walker scored 30 points, the third straight game that he eclipsed the 30 point mark, as the Huskies won 70–67. In the championship game, the Huskies outscored Kentucky
21–2 at the end of the first half, and defeated the Wildcats, 84–67. Walker, who scored 29 points in the final, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. His 90 points was just three points short of the Maui Invitational record. Alex Oriakhi was also named to the all-tournament team.
as the #9 seed, just missing the cut to earn a First Round bye. UConn went on to win five games in five consecutive days to earn the Tournament Championship, and an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament
. In the Big East Tournament, UConn defeated four teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
UConn received a #3 seed in the NCAA Tournament's West Region. They continued their winning streak all the way to the National Championship, finishing the season with eleven consecutive wins.
The Huskies came close to being banned from post-season play outright. As the NCAA finished their investigation of UConn's prior recruiting violations, banning UConn from post-season play was considered, but ultimately not adopted.
!colspan=8| Regular Season
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!colspan=9| 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
|-
!colspan=10| 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
in the 2010–2011 NCAA Division I basketball season. The Huskies were coached by Jim Calhoun
Jim Calhoun
James A. Calhoun is the head coach of the University of Connecticut's men's basketball team. His teams have won three national championships , played in four Final Fours , won the 1988 NIT championship, and have won seven Big East tournament championships...
and played their home games at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, and on campus at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion
Harry A. Gampel Pavilion
Harry A. Gampel Pavilion is a 10,167-seat multi-purpose arena in Storrs, Connecticut, United States. The arena opened on January 21, 1990, and is the largest on campus arena in New England. It was named after Harry A. Gampel, who donated one million dollars for the construction of the arena...
in Storrs, Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut
Storrs is a census-designated place and part of the town of Mansfield, Connecticut located in eastern Tolland County. The population was 10,996 at the 2000 census...
. The Huskies are a member of the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
.
The Huskies entered the year unranked and picked to finish tenth in the Big East. In November, they won the Maui Invitational Tournament
Maui Invitational Tournament
The Maui Invitational Tournament is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place Thanksgiving Week in Lahaina, Hawaii at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. It is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, which participates yearly along with a field of seven...
for the second time. They finished the Big East regular season in a tie for ninth place at 9–9. Led by Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker
Kemba Hudley Walker is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Bobcats. Walker grew up in The Bronx, New York and graduated from Rice High School in 2008. With the Huskies basketball team at Connecticut, Walker was the 2nd leading college basketball scorer in the United States...
who scored a tournament record 130 points, they became the first school to win five conference tournament games in as many days in claiming their seventh Big East Tournament title
Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
The Big East Men's Basketball Tournament is the conference championship tournament in men's basketball for the Big East Conference. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. Since 1983, the tournament has been held in Madison Square...
. By winning the tournament, they were awarded an automatic berth into the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The following sites were selected to host each round of the 2011 tournament:First Four*March 15 and 16**University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, OhioSecond and third rounds*March 17 and 19**Verizon Center, Washington, D.C....
. They advanced to their fourth Final Four with a 65–63 victory over Arizona
2010–11 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team represented the University of Arizona during the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Wildcats, led by second year head coach Sean Miller, played their home games at the McKale Center and are members of the Pacific-10 Conference....
and advanced to their third National Championship game with a 56–55 victory over Kentucky and beat Butler 53–41 for their first championship since 2004 and third since 1999.
Before the season
The Huskies were coming off of a tumultuous 2009–102009–10 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team
The 2009–10 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2009–2010 NCAA Division I basketball season. The Huskies were coached by Jim Calhoun and played their home games at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and on campus at the Harry A. Gampel...
season in which they failed to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament
2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:*March 18 / 20*March 25 / 27*March 26 / 28Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four, held on April 3 and 5 in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted by the Horizon League and Butler University, as per the NCAA's...
for the second time in four years, and amidst an NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations involving Nate Miles. As a result of the investigation, assistant coaches Patrick Sellers and Beau Archibald resigned from their positions. Later that summer, Kevin Ollie
Kevin Ollie
Kevin Jermaine Ollie is an American former professional basketball player. He played for eleven National Basketball Association franchises in thirteen seasons...
was hired to take Sellers' role as assistant coach, and Glen Miller was brought on as Director of Basketball Operations, replacing Archibald. Both men have previous links with Jim Calhoun. Ollie played for the Huskies under Calhoun from 1991–95, while Miller was an assistant coach under Calhoun from 1986 until 1992.
In addition to the coaching changes, the Huskies also needed to replace three graduating starters: Jerome Dyson, Stanley Robinson
Stanley Robinson
Stanley Robinson is an American basketball player with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League. Robinson was drafted by the Orlando Magic with a disappointing 59th overall pick at the 2010 NBA Draft...
and Gavin Edwards. Reserve forward Ater Majok
Ater Majok
Ater Majok is an Australian professional basketball player who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2011 NBA Draft with the 58th overall pick in the 2nd round.-High School / College:...
also left the school before the season began.
Prior to the start of the season, the Huskies were picked by both the Big East coaches and writers to finish tenth in the conference. The team was not ranked in the top 25 in any major national poll, although they did receive votes in the Preseason AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
.
With regards to individual honors, Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker
Kemba Hudley Walker is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Bobcats. Walker grew up in The Bronx, New York and graduated from Rice High School in 2008. With the Huskies basketball team at Connecticut, Walker was the 2nd leading college basketball scorer in the United States...
was selected to the Preseason All Big East first team, and was named to both the Wooden
John R. Wooden Award
The John R. Wooden Award is an award given annually to the most outstanding men's and women's college basketball players. The program consists of the men's and women's Player of the Year awards, the Legends of Coaching award and recognizes the All–America Teams.The awards, given by the Los...
and Naismith
Naismith College Player of the Year
The Naismith College Player of the Year is an annual basketball award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the top men's and women's collegiate basketball players. It is named in honor of the inventor of basketball , Dr. James Naismith....
award preseason watchlists.
Recruiting class
Roster
Regular season
After a pair of exhibition games, the Huskies began the regular season with non-conference wins over America EastAmerica East Conference
The America East Conference is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose members are located mainly in the northeastern United States. The conference was known as the ECAC North from 1979 to 1988 and the North Atlantic Conference from the fall semester of 1988 to the end of the spring...
teams, Stony Brook
2010–11 Stony Brook Seawolves men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Stony Brook Seawolves men's basketball team represents Stony Brook University in the America East Conference. They are coached by Steve Pikiell, who is currently on his sixth year as a coach for Stony Brook. Stony Brook entered the year as the defending America East regular season...
and Vermont
2010–11 Vermont Catamounts men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Vermont Catamounts men's basketball team represents the University of Vermont in the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Catamounts won their third consecutive America East Conference regular season Championship but lost in the semifinals of the conference tournament to...
. In the win against Vermont, Kemba Walker tied a UConn XL Center record by scoring 42 points.
The team next travelled to Hawaii to play in the 2010 Maui Invitational Tournament
Maui Invitational Tournament
The Maui Invitational Tournament is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place Thanksgiving Week in Lahaina, Hawaii at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. It is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, which participates yearly along with a field of seven...
. They last participated in the tournament in 2005, when they won the championship. To open the current tournament, they played Wichita State
2010–11 Wichita State Shockers men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Wichita State Shockers men's basketball team represents Wichita State University in the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team, which plays in the Missouri Valley Conference , is led by fourth-year head coach Gregg Marshall. The Shockers play their home games at...
. Walker scored 29 of his 31 points in the second in the 83–79 win. The victory meant they would match up with Michigan State
2010–11 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Tom Izzo who was in his 16th year at Michigan State. The team played their home games at the Breslin Center in East Lansing,...
, who was ranked #2 in the AP poll at the time. Walker scored 30 points, the third straight game that he eclipsed the 30 point mark, as the Huskies won 70–67. In the championship game, the Huskies outscored Kentucky
2010–11 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represented the University of Kentucky in the college basketball season of 2010–2011. The team's head coach is John Calipari, who entered his second season after posting a 35–3 record in his inaugural season....
21–2 at the end of the first half, and defeated the Wildcats, 84–67. Walker, who scored 29 points in the final, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. His 90 points was just three points short of the Maui Invitational record. Alex Oriakhi was also named to the all-tournament team.
Post-season
The Huskies entered the Big East Tournament2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
-Championship Game:* Denotes Overtime Game-Rutgers–St. John's controversy:The second round St. John's-Rutgers game was criticized for poor officiating on the part of veteran officials Jim Burr, Tim Higgins, and Earl Walton. In the final play of the game, Justin Brownlee of St. John's stole an...
as the #9 seed, just missing the cut to earn a First Round bye. UConn went on to win five games in five consecutive days to earn the Tournament Championship, and an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament
2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The following sites were selected to host each round of the 2011 tournament:First Four*March 15 and 16**University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, OhioSecond and third rounds*March 17 and 19**Verizon Center, Washington, D.C....
. In the Big East Tournament, UConn defeated four teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
UConn received a #3 seed in the NCAA Tournament's West Region. They continued their winning streak all the way to the National Championship, finishing the season with eleven consecutive wins.
The Huskies came close to being banned from post-season play outright. As the NCAA finished their investigation of UConn's prior recruiting violations, banning UConn from post-season play was considered, but ultimately not adopted.
Schedule
|-!colspan=8| Regular Season
|-
!colspan=9| 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
-Championship Game:* Denotes Overtime Game-Rutgers–St. John's controversy:The second round St. John's-Rutgers game was criticized for poor officiating on the part of veteran officials Jim Burr, Tim Higgins, and Earl Walton. In the final play of the game, Justin Brownlee of St. John's stole an...
|-
!colspan=10| 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The following sites were selected to host each round of the 2011 tournament:First Four*March 15 and 16**University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, OhioSecond and third rounds*March 17 and 19**Verizon Center, Washington, D.C....