Clockwork Orange

With both teams playing with a shortened bench, Syracuse and Connecticut played another tough nosed Big East classic. Syracuse’s guards, Harris and Flynn, were outstanding, shooting 16 for 32 and 44 points. But they were no match for UConn’s superior front line. Thabeet and Adrien protected the paint and made Syracuse a one dimensional team.

Shouldering most of the offensive load, Price took 17 shots. He was able to use screens to free himself for floaters and jumpers in the lane. He played solid defense and had only 1 turnover to his 6 assists. Austrie shot well, 2 of 6 from three and hit a clutch floater down the stretch. Though UConn misses Dyson’s offense, they have created a better half court offense with Austrie’s proficient outside shooting and ball handling skills. Wiggins has lost his game since suffering the suspension. He only played 6 minutes and took only one shot. He made some freshman like turnovers and forced the action rather then getting into the flow of the game.

Robinson didn’t have a great shooting night, 3 for 10, but he kept himself active on the boards, pulling down 9. That’s exactly what Calhoun wants from him. He is playing great defense, though he has a tendency of leaving his feet on pump fakes. The zone has given him problems and he hasn’t found a way to get to the basket. He is at his best in transition and playing against a man to man defense.

Adrien was monstrous. He hit the elbow jumper, finished around the rim, grabbed 12 boards and only had 1 turnover. Price is the fuel to this team but Adrien is the torch. What is amazing about Adrien is that he is so active, especially late in the game while he played every minute. Thabeet did his job protecting the paint and rebounding. Grabbing 8 rebounds for Hasheem is fantastic which should be his normal numbers for a man his size. His hands aren’t there yet, bobbling easy passes, but he is such a luxury to have protecting the paint.

Mandeldove, now the first big man off the bench, played well. He was even assertive on the offense side of the ball. Edwards made some bad plays and some costly turnovers. He did take the open 15-footer but clanked them both. Beverly had his worst game so far. He dribbled into trouble and looked like a freshman out there. He did stick with a busted play and scored, but he needs to stay under control. Kelly was a non-factor in the ball game.

Who would have thought that after losing horribly to Providence at home that this team, minus Dyson, would go on the run that they are on now. Its great to see, but I hope they aren’t peaking at the wrong time. They need to stay at this level of play and not let up. They can’t start playing crazy and shoot outside shots or return to their lazy perimeter defense. You are what you are and Uconn is a team that attacks the rim, makes free throws (not today), and plays great defense. If they play within themselves, like they have for the past six games, then they should be a force in the Big Dance.

Next up is Georgia Tech. They are a high scoring offense but lack defense. The Huskies need to stay with Anthony Morrow, a deadly outside shooter. Jeremis Smith is great rebounder with 7 a game. But UConn should be able to have an advantage with size. They just need to protect the outside shot.