In a Sunday evening contest at Gampel Pavillion, the UCONN Huskies parlayed a well played second half into a 75-57 route over the Providence Friars. UCONN led 33-30 after a hard fought first half but switched into high gear in the second period to win by 18. Jamaal Combs-McDaniel led the Huskies with 25 points, his career high, Walker added 22 on 7-10 shooting from the field and Charles Okwandu had 11 boards and 4 blocked shots. Since Providence is 13th in the Big East right now it is hard to read too much significance into this win. The Huskies will be sorely tested this week as they take on Georgetown on Wed.night at the Civic Centre then play Louisville away on Friday night.
Kemba Walker returned to form on 7-10 shooting largely due to letting the game come to him more instead of forcing shots. As a result, he took fewer but better shots and gave up trying to drive the lane when he is triple teamed. He also made several beautiful passes to open men underneath. As the Huskies go down the stretch they only have three players who are performing consistently; Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lamb, and Shabazz Napier. You never know what you will get from Oriakhi, Smith, Okwondu and Combs Mcdaniel. So Combs-McDaniel has a career high 25 on Sunday but might just as well score 2 points against Georgetown.
The win coupled with UCONN's loss last Thursday to St. Johns dropped down to #13 in the AP Poll. A big week coming up.
"You Heard it Here First"
Steve
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3 comments:
I think it was an important game because of what Coombs-McD was able to do. I think Calhoun has his key three: Walker, Lamb, and Oriakhi. And he has a reliable spark from Nappier.
He has been waiting to see who else can emerge and now, perhaps, Coombs-McD has stepped up as a guy that can help the Huskies break the matchup zone that 'Cuse used to frustrate them, and that they have now faced each week as a result.
My hope is that Okwandu can be another big contributor, although so far he can't make anything other than a lay-up or put back. He has grown in confidence defensively though. I have not watched G-town play yet, but judging by their big east record it is going to be a big test.
I love your optimism. I'm betting that Combs-McDaniel is a bust against Georgetown. I saw an interview with him at the post-game press conference and the man has a serious confidence problem. don't forget 25 was against a weak team that was barely defending in the second half. He got a lot of easy lay-ups that he will not get against a very disciplined Hoya team. They play the old Princeton offense (Thompson was an assistant to Pete Carrill at Princeton) with a lot of back door cuts.
Here's an interesting perspective that Calhoun gave at a post-game press conference. He was asked about JCM's breakout and said their relationship has been stormy. He said about a month he said to JCM maybe this is not right program for you and you are free to leave. Calhoun said to him "you have two choices; leave or try harder," Calhoun said that JCM started absolutely busting in practice for the last several weeks leading Calhoun to give him more time on the floor.
Calhoun also likened him to Rashad Anderson, who he said never met a shot he didn't like. Both Kemba and Oriakhi (who has played with JCM since middle school) talked about his uncanny ability to get open against any defense. This "nose for the ball" is an instinct that cannot be taught and while this type of player can at times appear selfish, they are of great value, have a unique gift and for the Huskies this is just what they need.
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