Baring Their Fangs

Yeah, the Huskies should have won by ten. They held off the scrappy UCF team and again a player put together a career day against UConn. Taylor and O’Donnell combined for 10 for 23 from three point range. After a few days at the beach, the young pups found themselves in a scrum and they came out bloody but on top. Sure the Maine game was impressive, but a win like this builds more for a team.

The back court put together a great outside shooting night, going 8 for 14 from three. During the first half Dyson was jogging and trailing his defender but in the second half he turned his game up a notch and ran the break well and drove to the basket. He has the knack for getting to the line and hitting 11 for 13 is fantastic. On the other hand A.J. clanked his only two shots that would have sealed the game. That’s when Austrie told Calhoun to send him in and put the ball in his hands . He got to the line and sank them. Clutch. It is the only thing missing from A.J.’s game. He’s scored points, dished the ball and played solid defense but he hasn’t carried the team over the finish line.

UConn has yet to rebound well against three point shooting teams. Out of all the starters for UCF, the player second to last in rebounds was the center, Stanley Billings. With the long ball, the big men are letting the ball bounce over them and get into the clutches of the guards and small forwards. Either Uconn’s smalls are retreating to soon or they are getting beat to the ball. A.J. and Austrie combined for only 1 rebound.

In the second half the referees tried to even out the discrepancy in the free throws and not foul out the whole starting lineup for UCF. Several blatant calls, the shoe tackle and Dyson’s fast break bump, were missed and lighter fouls called on the other end. In the end it was Uconn’s free throw shooting that won this game. 27 for 38 is a huge improvement. A combination of strength and free throw shooting will win ball games.

There is more parody within The Big East then in prior years. Teams like Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Marquette and West Virginia all have solid clubs but still have their weaknesses. Uconn could put things together and be competitive with these top tier teams.

This game let the pups sharpen their teeth and sneak out of their first hostile environment, against a good team, with a victory. Its not a statement game but a boost of confidence before heading into conference play. Now they must get ready for a very talented back court in Seton Hall. The smalls are going to have their hands full.