Might As Well Take Their Lunch Money Too

One could look at this game two ways that Uconn has turned the corner and the big men are dominating and the guards are pushing the tempo or Gardner-Webb was a very tired, worn out and over matched team. The answer lays somewhere in the middle of both. Gardner-Webb’s legs were tired and it affected their jump shooting, which is their only attack against the Huskies. Uconn didn’t rest on their laurels though and played Uconn basketball for 40 minutes. Their half court game flourished, they finished fast breaks and the big men took advantage down low.

Thabeet had his break out game and for the first time all year, he put himself in great position to receive an entry pass. Gardner-Webb fronted the big men and the guards finally grew confident enough to pass over them to get the ball in Thabeet’s hands. He finished off plays, battled on the boards and made free throws. This is a great sign but will this carry over to a team that has legitimate size? We’ll wait and see.

The fast break looked fantastic. They pushed the tempo and were rewarded with easy buckets. They limited costly turnovers and finished plays around the basket. The guards deserve credit for the effort they displayed on the court. The four guard rotation is beginning to form a rhythm.

Even against this team, Uconn still showed some of its warts. They aren’t a good team from the outside and the free throw shooting still looks below par. It will cost them against superior talent. But for now, Uconn fans must be happy that the team looks better, plays the game with speed and is running consistent half-court offense. But take this game for what it was, a team far superior against another that was undermanned and worn out.