Yes, the Huskies suffered a let-down after their big win over Texas against a tough Big East opponent on the road on Wednesday, however, this baffling collapse can best be explained by a total breakdown of the interior defense in the second half. Providence out rebounded UCONN 53-38 and 24-12 off the offensive glass. In the post-game interview Associate head coach George Blaney observed that the Friar's plethora of three point shooters forced the Husky back court to pick them up behind the three point arc. This allowed the Providence guards to penetrate at will in the second half causing the Husky big men to come out early, leaving open lanes for the Friar front court to crash the boards for put backs. In my mind the Huskies inconsistency keeps coming back to something I said in my very first blog this year; we are three players short, a banger inside, a reliable three point shooter ( Dyson was 4-13 on treys) and a good back up guard. With Dyson playing poorly after Saturday's career best game, Blaney had no one to put in to pick things up. With Majok completely ineffective on Wednesday, again, Blaney was left a man short up front.
This game had a very strange rhythm; UCONN started off looking good and took a 29-19 lead 14 minutes into the first half. Providence started draining threes and left the court up 36-35 at the break. With 9:16 in the game the Huskies led 58-55 and looked like they were about to take control when Providence posted 14 unanswered parts as part of a 20-3 run to salt things away. During this stretch they just ate the Huskies alive off the offensive boards.
Mid-season road loss to a tough Big East opponent or an indication that the fundamental shortcomings of this team limit their upside? Let's hear some opinions.
"You Heard it Here First"
Steve
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3 comments:
Steve-
Losing to Providence after a gutsy win versus Texas is flat out bad. I think the most troubling trend I see now, that could hurt the Huskies on Selection Sunday, is that they are 1-8 on the road.
JW
nice point, John. Do you think .500 in the big East will not them get them in?
Stevey-D, you gotta keep plugging through think and thin. It's a rough season, but we need you.
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