If it is possible to play a "critical" game in January UConn's 74-67 comeback win over West Virginia was it. The Huskies were coming off two very bad road losses to Seton Hall and Rutgers, were 2-2 in the Big East and (as I predicted) dropped to 17th in the AP Poll; even during UConn's mediocre 9-9 Big East season last year before the improbable run to the NCAA championship the Huskies never lost three games in a row. Add to that 36 straight home wins and a loss last night would have been a very bad omen. Instead, stellar play by Jeremy Lamb (who finished with 25 pts.) and Alex Drummond (who finished with 20) helped the Huskies wipe out a 10 point second half deficit and win by 7.
The first half looked like a continuation of the Huskies lackluster play in the prior two games. The Huskies turned the ball over too often (8), the defense was porous and they gave the Mountaineers too many second shots( UWV ended up with 20 offensive rebounds)particularly to the impressive Kevin Jones. Drummond continued to be a bright spot on 4-4 shooting in the first half including a mid-court steal, solo dribbling to the hoop and a thunderous dunk. The Huskies went into the locker room down 33-28.
UConn continued to get outplayed for the first nine minutes of the Second Half when UWV extended their lead to 10 before Calhoun was called for a (I believe calculated) technical. It had the desired effect and triggered a 17-3 Husky run. Lamb took over on offense and scored 17 points after the break, while Drummond added 20 as the huskies won going away 74-67.
I think that Calhoun is beginning to redefine the distribution of minutes in the frontcourt. Oriakhi, who I believe will be a key to how far UConn can go, played more aggressively, was 4-5 from the field and was on the court for 28 minutes. Drummond is improving every game and will evolve into the Huskies second leading score as he sees more and more floor time. Olander will play 15-20 pts a game and when he is in provides the half court offense with a unique look. The first pass often goes to him, he faces the basket looking for (and often making) point producing interior passes. The playing time of Giffey, Smith and Daniels will be minimized. While Giffey has skills, he just doesn't look for his shot enough to be a major contributor on offense.
As the season progress, the Huskies have to cut down on the turnovers and solve their puzzling tendency to give up offensive rebounds if they intend to make a run in the Big Dance.
"You Heard it Here First"
Steve
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