Double Trouble

Uconn’s next opponent is Gardner-Web and the second one after that? Yep, Gardner-Web. This little team that could took out a ranked team and did it convincingly, only trailing by 7 points, before taking out the Wild Cats, 84 to 68. They did it with a combination of three-point shooting, 8 for 17, rebounding 37 boards and free throw shooting, 24 for 31. They have a duo in Thomas Sanders, a 6-3 forward and a crafty guard in Grayson Flittner. They combined for 13-25 for 43 points, 13 of those from the line and 4-8 from three.

Uconn should have their way inside against Gardner’s smaller front court. Auryn McMillan, a 6-8 235 center, is not a threat to score but attacks the boards and makes free throws. The major task falls on the Robinson, the lone small forward on the team. He’ll have to stay with Sanders and keep near his shooting hand. That kid can light it up.

Gardner-Webb uses a three guard rotation with Flittner getting most of the time, while Linn and Siddle share the other spot. Uconn is using a much deeper bench with a four guard rotation and should have the upper hand.

Good things never happen when you play a team twice. That second go around usually falls in favor of the loser. They have seen their mistakes and know what to correct. Uconn needs to focus on the positives from the Buffalo game and come out confident. They have the superior talent and should leave with two victories instead of a meeting with a ranked Kentucky team.

Uconn is floating around 28th in the polls, an early Kentucky loss would have put them further back but with the slipping of Kentucky and USC, Uconn stands to sneak into the top 25. If they take care of business.