This Is What Happens When You Ban Us

Sometimes, things happen in life that you later realize have changed your course forever. In the case of UCONN, that moment occurred when Shabazz Napier, who won a National Title with the Huskies his freshman year under Jim Calhoun, stuck to his word when he committed and stayed with the Huskies despite the unjustified, double punishment, postseason ban.

Storrs and the rest of the state of Connecticut will honor the rest of his teammates and coaches, especially fellow loyalists Niels Giffey and Tyler Olander, over the coming days and into the weekend.

I wrote back on December 2nd, after the emotional and electrifying buzzer beater to beat the Floida Gators at Gampel, the following:

"Shabazz's decision to stay in Storrs, especially after his mentor Jim Calhoun swiftly retired amid the NCAA sanctions, was the turning point to keeping this program afloat. The Kevin Ollie appointment no doubt will solidify things long after Shabazz leaves Storrs, but minus the Roxbury, MA native, Ollie may not have survived his seven month trial run given to him by athletic director Warde Manuel.

That is what makes Monday nights' event that much more spectacular. Shabazz, Niels Giffey and Tyler Olander could have easily turned their backs on the program following the NCAA's hammer given to the men's basketball program.

When all is said and done come year's end, UCONN can thank these seniors for sticking it out and honoring the commitment they made to state U. Senior day at Gampel is going to be special. UCONN fans should enjoy every moment from here on out, because during this Thanksgiving season, they have a lot to be thankful for."

The school rewarded Shabazz Tuesday by adding him to the 'Huskies of Honor,' a special group of UCONN players that made an impact not only on their respective teams, but the program and school as a whole. It marked only the second time since its' inception that a player was added immediately after his final game; Kemba Walker being the other in 2011.

It should come as no surprise that the school would give him this prestigious honor. After everything that transpired; the buzzer beaters, oh were there buzzer beaters, the pep talks, the Larry Bird esque calling out teammates in the media and quiet confidence that this team would get the job done.

What more important a time for this University than what we've witnessed the past few weeks. A school, who is underservedly on the outside looking in, in conference realignment, with the future of UCONN at stake, not only did UCONN fans come through in filling up Madison Square Garden, yet again, but the players put it all on the line and came through victorious time and time again.

UCONN fans, this school and this state will forever be indebted to Shabazz and all his teammates, for what they did during this championship run. Remember this well because we may never see the likes of it again. Thank you Huskies, thank you KO and a simple message to the NCAA, "THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BAN US!"