In a game of wild momentum swings, UCONN managed to blow a 19 point lead and drop an important Big East encounter to the 12th ranked Georgetown Hoya's. The huskies were at their pressing, fast paced best in the first half and at the break held a 15 point 40-15 lead. Dyson ran the floor well and Robinson had 3 resounding dunks as Georgetown looked lethargic. Throughout the first half Dick Vitale (who I like,) continually praised Robinson and talked about he had arrived and would go high in the NBA draft. I just held my breath thinking, let's see what happens. While I lovd Vitale's enthusiasm, I feel that for the last few seasons he has gotten lazy in his game preparation and just hooks on to one or two ideas.
As the second half unfolded it became apparent early on that Robinson was having one of his classic disappearing acts. He looked tired, his shot selection was horrendous and Georgetown started a spectacular comeback. Inexpicably, Robinson took eight threes, making only two and his three point try practically from the locker room set up Georgetown's tieing the game with 5:21 to go. Vitale commented ignorantly that Calhoun would take Robinson shooting from there every time up court. The Hoya's Junior, Austin Freeman. the best game of his career and killed the Huskies with 33 points, many from downtown. I just cannot understand how the Huskies continually allowed a player who was on fire get free time after time.
While UCONN still led by one with 1:11 to play, a steal and another hoop led to a 72-69 Hoya win.
I continue to be disappointed in the sloppy point guard play of Kemba Walker; too many turnovers and very few really good passes and he continually gets out of control when he penetrates. Please do not try to tell me Stanley Robinson has arrived; once again when the chips were down he was just not home. Once again, the Huskies shot poorly from the line, only 52%. Bright spots were the improving play of Jamal McCoombs-McDaniel and the solid play of Oriakhi and Edwards.
News and Notes
Once again, with Huskies playing poorly Coach Calhoun has approached this reporter through our mutual friend Bill Mitchell. Under the guise of attending this Wednesday's game in the front row with Bill, I will stay after the game to meet with Calhoun at an undisclosed, underground location. Obviously, this reported will have to keep the contents of that meeting confidential since I will be functioning in my other role as a Psychologist.
I am the only person who has noticed the striking facial resemblance between John Thompson III, the current Hoya coach and blog site follower John Walker.
" You heard it Here First"
Steve
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3 comments:
Tough loss. I think you are a bit too harsh on Stanley Robinson, I don't think the entire thing goes on his shoulders and he made a big contribution overall even if he faded. In my book he has turned a big corner - though not yet ready to lead the team fully. He's been money from three this year, but didn't know when to quit shooting against G-town.
To me Dyson is also to blame, because he picked up his 4th foul - and a very dumb one - 2 minutes into the 2nd half. We missed his perimeter defense sorely as Freeman torched us from downtown - that damage was done while number 11 was on the bench early in the half.
Kemba Walker is not doing well. I don't get it. He doesn't look like a UCONN point guard. He has to protect the ball better.
The Jwalker - Tompson III point is well made. It's not so much that they look alike, but there is a definite facial expression that they share.
Small note for the author - it's Coombs-McDaniel, not McCoombs-McDaniel.
I gave a hard look in the mirror, and I could not find the similarity between JT3 and my mug. I never much liked his father. Probably b/c he never let a white man see the floor (or the bench) during his tenure. Always thought this was a wee bit of reverse discrimination. Just one man’s opinion.
But, JT3 and Jwalker do share a kinship due to our knowledge of the game. Having been mentored by Pete Carril, Thomson runs the Princeton-type offence where Thomson and I both agree to the concept of working the ball around in an half court, motion offence looking for the backdoor pass. When he brought this philosophy to Gtwon, they quickly become a force once again in the Big East.
I also must say that I place 100% of the blame on Calhoun for that Gtown loss. He is a very good recruiter, but very poor game coach. With a 19 point lead, you need to figure out a way to stop that comeback…..How about a timeout, change in defense, or just a mid-game change in something??!!
JW
Stevie- when you are at the game tonight, and if you have a chance to speak to Calhoun, can you please ask him why the heck he won’t recruit and/or teach his big men to effectively play with their back to the basket in the pivot? When is the last time (if ever) that Uconn had a true post player that could take the ball in the post and either make a strong move to the basket or effectively draw players and dish it to an open shooter? With no true inside presence, it is no surprise that they are the poorest 3 pt shooting team (# of shots and %) in the Big East.
JW- really some interestng comments. I agree completely on Calhoun being a poor game coach when adjustments are needed. As I have said many times in the past, he teaches the pressing defense and the runing game well, but UCONN has always been weak and uncreative in their half-court offense. I also dislike the way he yanks players in and out for one mistake; it interrupts the development of an offensive flow and makes certain players very tight.
Absolutely agree on the Georgetown loss. When someone is killing you from the outside, how about a box and one, as just one example.
John as for your resemblance to JT3, take another look in the mirror.
Steve
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