Moving On

Even though Gardner-Webb played their butts off, Uconn had the talent. They both traded jabs early on but when Thabeet’s blocks transitioned into easy fast break points, the Huskies laid a haymaker that sent Gardner-Webb to the canvas. It didn’t help Gardner-Webb that the referees played the game tight in the first half. The Runnin’ Bulldogs had to go so deep down their bench that they had to wake up a bleached haired kid, Matt French, and to send him in and he played well.

The Huskies offense looked a bit erratic at times but they limited their bad passing. They moved the ball around, dumped it into the post, kicked it back out and looked for the open man. Gardner-Webb doubled on any post player and the guards needed to make them pay and they did. Thabeet put his stamp on the game defensively and grabbed 10 boards but wasn’t aggressive offensively only attempting one shot, and making 4 for 6 from the line is a great sign.

Stanley Robinson is the key to this team and with the departure of Marcus a lot falls on his shoulders. His outside shot wasn’t going early, so he worked inside grabbing boards, finishing with 10, 5 offensive and found points that way. He never shied away from his shot though and eventually made a couple to sustain a run. He needs to make his free throws going 0 for 3, missing key one and one situations.

The most impressive player so far this season is Curtis Kelly. He looks slender, quicker and in shape. He didn’t light it up in his starting debut only scoring 1 point but he has all the tangibles to be a great player.

The guards played well and Wiggins had a great game. He needs to be our gunner, the next Rashad Anderson, and he took a step forward tonight going 4 for 8 and 13 points. He shot the three well and stretched the defense. But the line of the night goes to A.J. Price, 6 for 11, 18 points, and 6 boards Dyson’s night didn’t go as well but just when you think he’s disappeared, he finishes a break with a thunderous slam, slamming the door shut and turning out the lights. Austrie filled in reserve well and wasn’t looking for his shot.

Thabeet had an average game, considering that he was doubled every time he touched it in the post. Gardner-Webb fronted Thabeet and the guards didn’t attempt the risky pass to the 7 foot 3 big man. He did what he does best and that is to rebound and put back, intimidate in the paint and make free throws. He needs to move more when the ball is in the air, sliding into position for the rebound.

Overall Uconn played well, giving up a little defensively down the stretch but offensively put up points and limited turnovers. Time to put this game behind them and move on to Memphis.