MLK day started on a good note for the UCONN Huskies as they moved up to #8 in both National Polls (which come out with updated rankings every Monday)prior to taking on the Villanova Wildcats in an afternoon holiday tilt at Gampel Pavillion. The 'Cats came into today's contest 4-0 in the Big East and 16-1 overall; perhaps it was the unusual 3:30 afternoon game time that accounted for sluggish play and poor shooting in the first half which ended with Villanova up 22-21.
Things heated up in the second half as the pace and shooting percentages picked up and Nova held a 3 point lead with 7'30 seconds left to play as UCONN was turning up their defensive intensity and looking like some of the best Husky defensive teams in the Calhoun era. An old-fashioned "Husky run" culminated in a 5 point UCONN lead with several minutes left to play but the the "cats, led by Corey Fisher, scratched back to tie the game at 59 with 22 seconds on the clock. Although the Villanova trapping defense had forced Walker into 6-17 shooting up to this point in the game, he had scored five points in a row, including a trey to keep the game tied. It is becoming apparent that in the waning seconds of a close game you can throw out what Walker has done until then and you want the best clutch shooter in the country to take the last shot. Savvy Freshman point guard Shabazz Napier got the ball to Walker at the top of the key with about 10 seconds left. Walker, with his incredibly fast first step, blew past two defenders, fended off a third with his strength and put up a floater from 8 feet over the outstretched hands of a Nova big man. It was "nothing but net" with 2.5 seconds on the clock and a last second Nova desperation heave went wide as the Huskies upped their Big East record to 4-2.
This was a big time win and prompted a discussion on the post game show about whether the Huskies were a legitimated title contender in the Big Dance. In my opinion, still too early to tell but there is no question that this UCONN team is developing nicely and belongs in the top ten in the nation.
This was, far and away, Freshman Jeremy Lamb's best game as he scored 14 points on 6-9 shooting from the field, added 8 boards and held Nova's high scorer, Corey Stokes to 3 points. He is starting to look like the much needed third consistent scorer for UCONN. Alex Oriakhi had another strong double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds and Kemba led the scoring with 24. Napier, again was terrific in 20 minutes at the point and really triggered the 14-2 Husky run with his quickness on defense.
Husky fans, I can't help but admit that images of a trip to the Final Four are starting to dance in my head- you have to love the way Calhoun and Blaney are bringing this team along.
"You Heard it Here first"
Steve
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2 comments:
Walker is proving to be a real gamer (a bit reminiscient of cite follower Jem Sollinger's clutch play in New York's Young Urban Professional League, circa 1997). Any team that intends to go far at the Big Dance needs a guy that can knock down the buzzer beater. I know it's early but I like the Calhoun's chances of taking this squad to F4.
Andy
Great game. The emergence of Jeremy Lamb is encouraging - that was the second game in a row in which he was more assertive and showed some scoring touch. Oriakhi is getting his act together and Walker is incredible. The Big Beast is a crucible, so wins like this are huge.
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