New York — Coach Kevin Ollie is fond of talking about planting seeds for the future.

The Huskies started to lay the groundwork for this season's success as early as Ollie's first game as a head coach on Nov. 9, 2012.

Playing Michigan State in Germany, UConn pulled off a 66-62 upset victory in the season opener.

Now the same two teams will meet in today's East Regional final at Madison Square Garden (2:20 p.m., Ch. 3), with the winner heading to the Final Four next weekend in Dallas.

The Huskies have really sprouted as a program since planting those seeds in 2012. Ollie also has experienced a growth spurt as a head coach since his impressive debut. He started his career as an interim coach and made a statement by shocking then-14th-ranked Michigan State.

After that game in Germany, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo suggested that Ollie deserved a long-term contract. Ollie eventually received a five-year deal in late December that year.

Izzo heard from a good friend that Ollie, who spent two years as an assistant on Jim Calhoun's staff, would make a great head coach someday.

That good friend is Calhoun.

"I was on one recruiting trip, I think we were in Indianapolis when I first met Kevin, and it was through Jim," Izzo said Saturday. "Jim told me what an incredible coach he was going to be and what a great guy he is.

"I talked to some of my NBA players that have played with him or against him and the same words always came up: Hard-working, classy, good guy. I think he's been every bit of that. He's going to have a phenomenal career here and keep that tradition that Jim built so well as UConn."

Izzo understands the pressures that come with following a successful head coach. He went from being a Michigan State assistant to replacing Jud Heathcote in 1995.

Much like Izzo has at Michigan State, Ollie is taking advantage of the opportunity.

"The opportunity that I have to coach my alma mater, to come back, I mean it's a dream come true for me," Ollie said.

Rebounding machine

Here's something that you probably thought you'd never see: 6-foot-7 senior Niels Giffey is UConn's top rebounder in the NCAA tournament, averaging 7.3 in three games.

That's nearly double his season average of 3.7.

"I'm just trying to do whatever it takes to win," Giffey said. "We've been going small in a couple of games where me and DeAndre play the four and five. I took it on for myself to take that job and be one of the main rebounders.

"Throughout last season and this season, it's always been one of our main focal points."

The Huskies face a real physical challenge on the boards today. The Spartans outrebound opponents by 5.1 per game. They've won the rebounding in 14 of the last 15 games.

"It is our identity," Michigan State senior Adreian Payne said. "That's something we've been good at for years."

Feeling right at home

Freshman guard Terrence Samuel is thriving in his first NCAA tournament, averaging seven points, two assists and no turnovers in three NCAA games.

"Last year, I watched this on TV," he said.

"To be a part of it is definitely a blessing."

Samuel made a huge contribution off the bench in Friday's win over Iowa State, finishing with 10 points.

It was a dream-come-true moment for a Brooklyn kid to be playing a postseason game in Madison Square Garden. He's had two straight double figure scoring games after not having one during the regular season.

"It is definitely a great feeling," Samuel said. "I'm out there playing before my mom and my family and high school coach."

News and notes

LeBron James tweeted his support of Ollie, his former NBA teammate. "Wanna send out a HUGE S/O to my former teammate Kevin Ollie and UCONN on advancing to the Elite 8. Keep it going K.O." … The Huskies are 60-for-70 (85.7 percent) from the foul line in three NCAA games. … Both teams practiced at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. … Napier Watch: He'll play in school record-setting 141st career game today, breaking a tie with Kevin Freeman, now the director of basketball administration. ... The Big Ten is flexing its muscle in the NCAA tournament, with more teams than any conference in the Elite Eight. Michigan State, Michigan and Wisconsin all reached this stage.

g.keefe@theday.com