Not even Walt "Clyde" Frazier could string together enough alliterative adjectives to describe the sensational play of Kemba Walker in Tonight's 76-71 Overtime win over Syracuse tonight at in the Big East Tourney Semi-Finals. Walker, in far and away, his best game of the season had all his awesome skills on display as he led the Huskies in scoring (33 pts),rebounding(12) and assists with 6. Walker has the straight ahead speed of a sprinter, the lateral quickness of a great halfback a la Barry Sanders and the ball and shooting skills of the great Bill Sharman of the Boston Celtics. Countless times tonight Walker beat everyone on the floor to go coast to coast and score on twisting, slicing drives. When he drove the lane his ability to move laterally away from defenders and either pull up or go all the way to the hoop was amazing. In addition, he had 12 timely rebounds including the last one in a crowd with 13 seconds left to seal the game.
Not only was this Walker's best game of the year but it was also the young Huskies most impressive win. Unable to beat 2-3 match up zones all year, tonight they beat the best. Finally, Calhoun changed the way they attacked the zone. From the opening whistle there was virtually no dribbling in the half court sets by Walker and Napier and and either Lamb, Oriakhi, JCM or Troy Olander (in a break out game) moved to the foul line took a pass from one of the guards and either turned and shot or passed down low or kicked out to an open guard. All night they were poised, had very good ball movement and got open shots against the Orange zone. Olander was particularly impressive, confident and continually made good passes to break the zone. Oriakhi, when in the middle hit several 15 foot jumpers and was ferocious off the boards and Lamb darted in and out of the middle either popping from the outside or hitting his trademark floaters. It was Lamb who put the Huskies up by three with time waning in overtime with a spectacular running floater.
This was a tough, exciting well played Big East contest. Neither team shot particularly well in the first half and the Huskies went to the locker room with a one point advantage. Walker and crew were drawing fouls while on defense they committed very few so ultimately the difference was in the Huskies 16 point advantage from the free throw stripe. With only 58 seconds left in regulation play, the Huskies led by 5 and it was impressive to see how calm the oft criticized Jim Boeheim remained as he started to effectively using trapping zones and the game was forced into OT. Incredibly Walker and Lamb seemed stronger in the OT than the Orange despite playing their fourth game in four nights. In addition to Walker's 33 points, Oriakhi added 15 and Lamb had 11. Olander added 7 and if he can continue this level of play in the big dance the huskies have finally found a versatile, good passer who can also score up front.
The Huskies will play the winner of Notre Dame-Louisville tomorrow night for the Big East Championship. Just five days ago this reporter was despondent and convinced the Huskies had come as far as they could and would go out early in both the Big East and Big Dance. Whether or not the Huskies pull off a miracle tomorrow night and win their fifth Big East game in five nights, they are entering the NCAA Tournament a different and a hot team. Remember my truism. Hot teams down the stretch go far in the Big Dance; lest you fear that if the Huskies win again tomorrow night they can't possibly keep it up in the NCAA's remember that in the two UCONN National championship years they also won the Big east Tournament.
On a humorous note, early in the season follower Pete Eliot posted a comment that Neils Giffey had made a very bad mistake when he told the broadcasters that the correct pronunciation of his name was Gif 'fay not Giffey. Pete predicted that this would be his downfall and in fact he has played poorly since then. Amazingly Bill Raftery and Jay Bilas had a five minute conversation about the correction of pronumciation and Raftery opined that Giffey was playing better before the change.
Well batten down the hatches for tomorrow night and the Big Dance. If Olander, JCM and Oriakhi play at a high level (we know that Lamb and Napier will) there is now no telling how far the red hot Huskies can go.
"you heard it here first"
Steve
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4 comments:
Steve, in the waning minutes of the last few games I was forming the following comment to you, "I don't need this". The last thing I wanted was another team to root for that disappointed in the closing minutes of a game, a la sitting through the Giants - Eagles debacle. Alas that has not been the case. It has been a great run to be a part of as a fan. No matter what tonight brings the Big Dance spark has been lit. Are there any upgrade tickets available at the Steephill Arena. I was hoping that Coaches Corner or early round seating might be available. Please advise. Great work. Lefty
Congrats to all you Husky fans. Unfortunately I was unable to watch since I was driving home from Lewisburg Pa after watching Bucknell punch their ticket live & in person. Now I'll watch the taped ESPN telecasts of both games. Hot is right Steve. But the Huskies have only won 2 in a row, the Bison have won 10 & 23 of last 25. Now that's hot. Maybe we'll see a #4 or 5 Husky play a #12 or 13 Bison in DC, I'll drive & you pay for the hotel!! Deal??
The Mighty Crimson are locked in battle with Princeton in New Haven for what would be their first trip to the dance since 1946 and second ever. If they can win this game, a match up with The Huskies is entirely possible.
Mike, UCONN has won 4 in a row in 4 nights. Adam, root em' in.
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