In the clinching game of the The Big East/SEC Jimmy V Classic the UConn Huskies provided the deciding win for the Big East in an efficient, well played 75-62 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks this afternoon at the Hartford Civic Center. Freshman Ryan Boatright, playing in only his second game for UConn, was mesmerizing as he led the Huskies with 23 pts on 8-12 two point fg attempts, 2-3 treys, 6 assists and five rebounds. This reporter was left wondering whether Boatright may be the best of UConn's sensational back court trio which also includes Napier and Lamb. Lamb added 14 points in limited playing time due to foul trouble and Tyler Olander put in another outstanding effort as he ended with 12 pts.(6-8 from the floor) 7 rebounds and his usual intelligent floor game.
The Huskies looked very sharp today; the intensity level was high after a slow start, ball movement was outstanding, and the defense ferocious (11 blocked shots) With both Boatright and Napier pushing the ball up court the Huskies famed transitional game was on full display.
Another bright spot today was Niels Giffey's best showing since he came to UConn; he is starting to look like a different more confident player. He had some nice aggressive moves to the hoop, his passing was outstanding and he was active and aggressive on defense. I think Giffey is going to develop into a nice back up for Jeremy Lamb. Alex Oriakhi also came alive today with 9 pts, 8 rebounds and much assertive play.
Calhoun is left with some thorny but good issues about line-up and playing time. I think that when match-ups allow he might go with a three guard offense with both Napier and Boatright giving defenses fits with their great penetrating ability. Against bigger teams, Orkiakhi, Drummond, and Daniels and Smith will probably get more playing time than we saw today. fortuneately, the Huskies still have three more games before conference play starts.
Expect to see a slight move up in the polls on the strength of a very strong Husky showing today.
"You Heard it Here First"
Steve
nice post Steve. I was doing some West Coast scouting today, watching UCLA play Texas live, so I missed UCONN and will watch later on tape.
ReplyDeleteI can say definitively that we have nothing to worry about from UCLA this year. They have two tall twins - the Wear brothers - who bang well inside, however the team is poorly coached, has no transition game, poor outside shooting, and slack perimeter defense. Texas blew their doors off.
Texas looked very solid, however UCLA was so weak it was hard to tell much.
Pete, thanks for the excellent scouting report. West Coast teams have not done much of late.
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