Husky Frosh "Meet the Big East": Pitt 78-UCONN 63

The UCONN Freshman five experienced their first Big East road game against a deep, talented, very well coached Pitt Panther five and took a 78-63 pounding at the Petersen Events Center last night. At the Events center Pitt is 8-0 against top ten teams that come into "their house" and 142-11 overall; it is considered one of the toughest road venues in the Big East. Like all of Pitt coach Jamie Dixon's teams this group plays hard nosed, stifling man to man defense and a beautiful, disciplined motion offense with very balanced scoring. Pitt had four players in double figures led by smooth shooting two guard Austin Gibb's 19 points. Defensively, the Panthers forced the Huskies into a 32% FG shooting night and their big men continually limited UCONN to one shot offensively.
Pitt controlled the game from start to finish and after the first three minutes the UCONN Frosh looked like they were in shock. Calhoun changed to a half court trapping defense and this slowed the Panthers down some. From 3 minutes into the first half, to about 7 minutes left in the game the Huskies kept the deficit between 6-10 points despite poor shooting from Kemba Walker and no scoring support from the rest of the team. Walker started the contest looking tight and trying to do too much and went 3-12 in the first half. He loosened up in the second half and finished with 31 points but had to hoist up 27 shots to get there. No other Husky scored in double figures; Jeremy Lamb had 9 and Alex Oriakhi a disappointing 8 points.
What significance can we read into UCONN's first loss of the season. First, it is not panic time; even the best of Calhoun's Husky squads have only amassed a 1-5 record on the road against Pitt who were heavily favored last night. I think most knowledgeable UCONN fans felt the #4 ranking was a bit high, but I still see this as a very good UCONN team with potentially a big upside.
There were, however, some concerning trends in last night's loss. In my opinion, in addition to Walker only Lamb and Napier (possibly Olander) seemed up to the task last night. Clearly, UCONN's scoring has to be better distributed if they expect to compete atop the Big East. Napier is the real deal and I liked his confidence and ability to run the offense when Walker was moved to two guard. Jeremy Lamb looks increasingly confident at both ends, but his outside shooting is suspect. Roscoe Smith's development continues to be very slow offensively and his shooting has been abysmal. Giffey has made no progress since the beginning of the year and looked eager to get the ball to Walker as quickly as he could last night. I think Olander is competing well but commits some senseless fouls, reducing his playing time; He hits the boards hard and has a nice little shooting touch. To me of most concern has been the increasngly poor play of Alex Oriakhi since his outstanding performance at the Maui Classic. He looks discouraged, is getting beat off the boards and has disappeared on offense. Calhoun, not shy about critisizing players in the press was quoted after last night's game as saying"I don't know if he (Oriakhi) was better sitting or playing. He's not the player right now I think he can be." ouch!but on target.
While it is far too early in the season to ascertain where this team will end up, I think Napier and Lamb will continue to improve and contribute but Smith and Giffey may not be significant factors this year. Oriakhi is a big question mark. He can play much better than he is right now and he is not getting much help up front so this is also a factor, however, he has to turn things around for the Huskies to a major force in March. A typical early season Big East road loss against a tough well coached opponent or a harbinger of things to come? Too early to tell.
"You Heard it here first"
Steve

Huskies move up to #4 in both National Polls

On the strength of a decisive win over fairleigh Dickinson and PItt's loss to Tennessee, the UCONN Huskies were ranked fourth in both major polls on Monday. As you may know both the polls and NCAA Committee places a lot of weight in the RPi ratings. This is a ranking system which includes both a teams record and their strength of schedule. The fact the the Huskies are 6th in the RPI ratings and moved ahead of Syracuse probably explains why they also moved a head of the Orange in the polls.

The air is getting rare up there at #4 so we will see if the Huskies are this good when Big East starts on Dec.27 at Pitt after two tune ups against Coppin State and Harvard.
"YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST"
Steve

ps- I was wondering if the Walker brothers still follow college ball or they have joined a local polo club and have lost interest in
B-Ball

Huskies enter exam break 8-0, 6th in both major polls

Since the win at the Maui Invitational Tournament the UCONN Huskies have added three wins in the cupcake part of their schedule. A 62-55 outcome over a stubborn and well coached New Hampshite squad was followed by blowouts of Maryland-Baltimore
County (94-61) and Fairleigh Dickinson ( 78-64). A breakdown of the individual scoring in these three games gives some insight into the answers and the issues I said were important to look for before the start of the tough Big East Schedule on Dec. 27 against Pitt.
Knowing that not even Kemba Walker will average close to 30ppg in the Big East, Calhoun has been trying to get his "diaper dandies" to start showing more on offense. Against UNH, somewhat let down after the Maui win and surprised by UNH's tenacity, the Huskies fell back on Walker and he produced another 30 point game. Shabazz Napier, the impressive Freshman point guard was the only other Husky in double figures. However, against Maryland-Baltimore County, Walker scored 24 and UCONN had 5 other players in double figures including Lamb, Smith, Oriakhi, Giffey and Sophomore enigma Jamal Coombs-McDaniel. Against FDU, Walker scored 21 and Lamb, Smith and Napier had 12, 10 and 10 respectively.
I feel that Shabazz Napier is the Freshman who is furthest along in his development. He has great point guard instincts and is ready to relieve Walker at the point and contribute about 10ppg in the Big East. Lamb, a slashing two guard is starting to show some life on offense as he had 11 and 12 points in the last two games including some treys. Giffey, a 6'7" German import is coming along slowly but nicely. I think as the season progresses he will be a steady contributor with some big games as he finds his stroke. Roscoe Smith, UCONN's most highly touted recruit at an athletic 6'8" tall is a bit hard to read at this point and has raised some questions in my mind. Although he has produced back to back double figures the flashes of his athleticism have come on defense with some eye opening blocked shots. He has struggled offensively and I am concerned that he is a not a good jump shooter, particularly from 15 ft. out, critical for someone of his size. I think his jump shot will improve, but how much that is true this season is an important an open question.
The Huskies resume play on Dec. 20 against Coppin State, Harvard on the 22nd, then the BiG East schedule starts on Dec.27 in an away game against Pitt.
At this point, I can say unequivocably that this year's Huskies are an exciting, hustling bunch who will make the Big Dance.(If they go .500 in conference play they are in.) The development of the Freshmen is critical to how far this team can go. Napier is ready for prime time but the others are works in progress. Let's also not forget the somewhat puzzling 6'7" Sophomore, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel. He has a solid all around game but came to Storrs with the reputation of a lights out three point shooter, which he has yet to show. My hope is that he will develop into a streak shooter, a la Rashad Anderson, and add some needed points in bunches.
Right now, Calhoun seems to be leaning to a starting five of Walker and Lamb in the backcourt with Oriakhi, Olander( a solid if unspectacular Freshman banger) and Smith up front. The rotation is pretty deep with 10 players that Calhoun has been using including, Napier, Coombs-Mcdaniel, an improving Senior Guard Donnell Beverley, Oakwandu and Giffey off the bench.
Enjoy the break and then let's get ready to rumble
"You Heard it here First"
Steve