We've Moved

We apologize for the lack of content since the Memphis game and appreciate those who have read our thoughts on UConn basketball.  The reason for the lack of content is that we are now writing for The UConn Blog. We're real pumped to be writing there as we're joining a great group of very talented writers, and hope you'll check it out. We'll still be on twitter @BleedBlueBlog and you can read our stuff at www.theuconnblog.com

Previewing the Opponent: Memphis Tigers

Memphis comes into this AAC game with a 12-3 record, 3-1 in the AAC.  Memphis is used to dominating conference play as they won 15 conference championships, whether it was for the regular season or the conference tournament while they were in the Conference-USA.  Memphis should not expect to do as absurdly well in this conference, as they are going to have to compete with UConn, Louisville (just this year), and Cincinnati.  While it is a different conference, the Tigers have still proven that they can go out and recruit and still compete at a national level.

2 of Memphis’s 3 losses have come against ranked opponents, while their other loss was to a conference opponent.  Early in the year, Memphis traveled to Oklahoma State, where Marcus Smart and the Cowboys throttled the Tigers, winning 101-80 behind Smart’s ridiculous 39 points.  When they met again a couple weeks later at a neutral site, the Tigers clearly adjusted, winning 73-68 behind Shaq Goodwin’s 17 points and 8 rebounds.  Memphis’s second loss came against Florida at MSG, a tough 77-75 loss against a very talented Florida team.  Their third loss came to Cincinnati at home which was not what Memphis fans expected.  Being used to rolling through conference play, the Tigers received a reality check, getting beat 69-53, with 16 turnovers and shooting 2-17 from 3.

Much of the talk coming into this year for Memphis was their recruiting class that was ranked 3^rd in the nation according to ESPNinsider.  They brought 5 ESPN100 commits to campus this year, including 1 five-star and 4 four-stars.  Although it is a very talented class, no one has really shown anything except for Austin Nichols, who has been the only freshman to consistently get playing time.  While Memphis has all these freshman, they also have 4 senior guards who they heavily rely on, along with sophomore big man Shaq Goodwin.  Memphis pretty much only plays a 6-7 man rotation.  They have 6 players who average over 20 minutes a game, 1 player who averages about 15 minutes a game, and then no one else averages more than 10 minutes.  Here’s a little background on the key players for Memphis, who also happen to be the only ones that play quality minutes:

Senior Guard Joe Jackson: The most talented of the guards.  Jackson leads the team in both points and assists, with 14.7 PPG and 3.9 APG, while also pulling down 3.3 RPG and recording 1.9 SPG.  He is also shooting an impressive 85% from the line.  Jackson has been the leading scorer in 6 of their first 15 games, and if he’s not the leading scorer, he’s usually 2^nd.

Sophomore Forward Shaq Goodwin: Very talented big man who will give the Huskies a ton of trouble down low and on the glass.  He is coming off being the AAC player of the week.  He is 2^nd on the team in points averaging 13.2 a game, and leads the team in rebounds with 7.1 a game.  Also, leads the team with 1.5 BPG.  Goodwin is shooting a very high percentage from the field at 64.9% which ranks 16^th nationally.  When Joe Jackson hasn’t been the leading scorer, Goodwin has.

Senior Guard Michael Dixon Jr.: Transfer from Missouri and 6^th man for Memphis.  3^rd on the team with 11.3 PPG while also averaging 2.3 APG and 1.4 SPG.  He is 2^nd on the team in 3 point attempts while shooting 33.3% from deep.  He is certainly not afraid to shoot and can get hot in a hurry.

Senior Guard Chris Crawford: Memphis’s best 3 point threat.  Averaging 9.0 PPG and also pulling down 4.3 RPG and 2.0 SPG.  Crawford leads the team in 3 points attempts, 3 points makes, and percentage, shooting 36.3% from 3.

Senior Guard Geron Johnson: 5^th on the team in PPG with 8.5 a game.  Also, averaging an impressive 5.5 RPG for a guard and 3.2 APG.  Not as talented as the other guards, but you still can’t sleep on him.

Freshman Forward Austin Nichols:  Like I said earlier, he has been the only Freshman to contribute quality minutes for the Tigers.  He is averaging 8.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 2^nd on the team with 1.3 BPG.

Memphis is coached by Josh Pastner, who is in his 5^th year with team, compiling a 117-37 record.  Before becoming head coach for the Tigers, he was an assistant under John Calipari, and before that he was an assistant for the Arizona Wildcats.  Pastner was also a walk-on for the 1997 Arizona basketball team that won the National Championship.  Pastner is known for not being able to win against ranked teams as he was 0-13 against them before the Tigers knocked off the then #5 Oklahoma State Cowboys earlier in the year.

UConn vs. Memphis Preview

Stanley Robinson, Hasheem Thabeet look to contest Derrick Rose and Memphis in a losing effort from the 2007-2008 Season

UConn basketball returns tonight from a 5-day rest to take on the #17 Memphis Tigers at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN at 7:00 PM on ESPN. In the first of (possibly) many conference meetings between the two teams, Memphis comes in off one of their best weeks of the year with a 73-67 victory over #12 Louisville in the KFC Yum! Center and a 10 point come-from-behind win over a reeling Temple team, led by Forward Shaq Goodwin for a combined 39 points and 19 rebounds. UConn had a fine week of their own, too, with home victories over Harvard and UCF.

Last Meeting
In the one and only meeting in the history of these two storied programs, Memphis bested UConn 81-70 in the 2k Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden. Memphis, #3 in the country and eventual NCAA Runner-ups, were led by Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts in what was a roller coaster ride of a game. The Huskies went down 18-3 early, but showed resilience as they took a 41-40 halftime lead. The Tigers then simply outlasted the Huskies behind CDR's 28 and Rose's 24. It was an incredibly entertaining game, as expected by teams coached by Jim Calhoun and John Calipari. 

 Key Matchup
Joe Jackson vs. Shabazz Napier- These two players honestly seem like they have been on their respective teams for about 8 years (Drew Neitzel-style). The two point guards are 2 of the best seniors in the country- Both incredibly quick, high volume scorers that are unquestionably the teams' leaders. At nearly an identical stature (Jackson: 6-1, 174 lbs, Napier: 6-1, 180 lbs), both guards have an incredible ability to get into the paint and finish the basketball. Over the course of the game, it is likely that Ryan Boatright will have his turn on Jackson as a very capable defender with his own quickness, while Michael Dixon Jr., the strong Missouri transfer, will spend some time matching up with Napier. But the outcome of this game may certainly be determined by whichever senior guard has the better game.

What To Watch For
Amida Brimah's effectiveness- Amida Brimah is coming off a career day full of smiles and fist pumps as he put up 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks (and countless altered shots) in 20 minutes against UCF on Saturday. I believe he has the ability to have a similar impact in this game, as well. Memphis's front court is similar to UCF's in stature, with no starter taller than Shaq Goodwin's 6-9 (though they are significantly more talented). Brimah has shown when he avoids foul trouble, which may be a challenge against the young but very talented duo of Shaq Goodwin and Austin Nichols, UConn is at their best (+37 against UCF!!!!). If he can stay on the floor, there's no question UConn has a shot at the upset. 
The 3 Point-Line- On paper, this is UConn's most clear and significant edge over the Tigers. UConn is 8th in the country in 3 point shooting percentage at 41%, while the Tigers are shooting 29%, good for 326th in the nation (out 351). Obviously, UConn's major weakness is rebounding and Memphis will be able to exploit that with a deeper and more physical front line, but if the Huskies can hit their threes, that will take a lot more pressure off rebounding on the offensive end.  

 

Shaq Goodwin's hair- Lets hope he doesn't mop up rebounds the way his hair could mop the floor. 


Prediction
In the first game of the toughest two game stretch in the regular season, I believe UConn is capable of coming out of it 2-0, beginning with an upset of the #17 Memphis Tigers. In a conference where marquee wins aren't all that common, a road win against a really good Memphis team can pay dividends to our NCAA tournament hopes. I believe Brimah will put in extremely efficient minutes once again and Phil Nolan will continue to play with a fire we haven't really seen before to contain Memphis's front court while Shabazz and co. will outlast the stable of experienced Memphis guards. Give me a Napier step-back, FTW.

72-70, UConn

Oh My Amida

:D

I haven't stopped smiling since last night. Not only did UConn finally win their first conference game 84-61 over the University of Central Florida Knights, but they did it in relatively relaxing fashion, and we were introduced to a big man who gives the Huskies the opportunity to be a legitimate contender. UCF started out the game on a quick 6-0 run by pounding the ball inside and, quite frankly, taking advantage of Tyler Olander defending the hoop. Kevin Ollie responded with a quick timeout and promptly but Brimah in the game. The fun began soon after. Shabazz missed a jumper and Brimah gobbled up the offensive rebound and put it back for two. Then, on the ensuing possession, he blocked Knights' big man Eugene McCrory leading to a Ryan Boatright jumper which gave the Huskies their first lead of the game at 10-8 with 16 minutes left in the half. After the media timeout, he came back to get a dunk off a nice feed from Daniels, then had a block on the other end, and then a couple possessions later had another tip in, and then another. His 6 straight points gave UConn a 18-12 lead, and they were off and running.

Not only did Brimah help the team considerably on both ends of the court, but he brought the intangibles that sparked this team. His teammates were feeding off his energy and the team defense was taken to another level. UConn finished with a whopping 14 blocks as Brimah led the way with 5, but got considerable help all night from Daniels who had 4, and Giffey who had 2. UCF isn't a great shooting team, and their star player Isaiah Sykes loves to drive to the hoop often times looked hopeless doing so. When Brimah went off the court (to a louder and louder ovation each time) Phil Nolan came in and played his best ball of the season. He had 8 points and 5 rebounds going 3-3 from the floor and 2-2 from the line to extend his streak of consecutive free throws to 13. If he can be a servicable backup center like he was last night and provide quality minutes, it would be huge for the games that Brimah inevitably gets in foul trouble.

While UCF cut the UConn lead to 6 a couple of times in the 2nd half, the game never seemed in doubt. The Huskies were able to run away with this one at the end as Leon Tolksdorf, Tor Watts, and Pat Lenehan even got some action in garbage time. Shabazz finished with a double double of 14 points, and 11 assists to go along with 5 rebounds and 5 steals. He benefitted from the big men finally finishing his beautiful no look passes through the defense. The defense was great too with 8 steals and UConn held UCF to 31.3 % shooting from the field and 23.8% from beyond the arc. It was a win the Huskies had to have and they did it in style.

Player of the Game: Amida Brimah- 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks and +37(!) in 20 minutes.

Next up: At #24 Memphis in UConn's first major conference test.

Previewing the Opponent: University of Central Florida

UCF comes into this game fresh off their first American conference win, a 78-76 win over Temple, and have won 6 of 7, the one loss being a 90-65 beatdown against the defending champions, the Louisville Cardinals.  While their conference record stands at .500 (1-1), their overall record is 9-4, with their best win being a 63-58 win against a Miami team that just beat the most inconsistent (but still very talented) team in America, North Carolina.

The University of Central Florida Knights comes into this game ranked 50^th in the nation in points per game with 78.8, scoring over 80 points in 5 different games (all wins).  While the Knights like to push the tempo and put up points, their real advantage against UConn is their rebounding.  They rank 18^th overall in rebounds per game with 40.9, compared to UConn’s 34.9.  Not only are they a top 20 team in total rebounding, but they rank 20^th overall in offensive rebounds per game with 14.2, so expect them to crash 

the boards on every shot they put up, and expect for multiple shots per possession.

Now, to the players:  UCF has 4 different players who average in double figures, which is an impressive feat to accomplish, but makes sense with their high point totals.

Isaiah Sykes: Senior Guard.  “The walking triple double.”  Recorded 2 triple-doubles last year, making him 1 of 2 active players who have recording multiple triple-doubles (Shabazz Napier being the other player).  Coming off an impressive game in win over Temple with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists.  Averaging 15.0 PPG, 6.5 RBG, 3.5 APG, 1.6 SPG.  Easily the player who is going to provide the most matchup problems for UConn.

Calvin Newell: Senior Guard.  Second on the team in points per game, averaging 13.7.  Leads team with 3.3 assists per game.  Also leads team with an impressive 2.2 steals per game, which ranks 33^rd in the nation among steals per game.

Tristan Spurlock: Senior Forward.  Third on the team in points per game, averaging 12.4.  Tied with Sykes for rebounds per game, with 6.5.  Also, one of the team’s best rim protectors, averaging 0.8 blocks per game.

Kasey Wilson: Junior Forward.  The fourth player for the Knights who averages in double figures with 11.5 PPG.  Also, one of their key rebounders, averaging 5.8 a game.

Eugene McCrory: Junior Forward.  Transfer from College of Central Florida, where he led them to the NJCAA National Championship.  Finally got his first start in win against Temple, where he showed off the potential he has for this team by recording his first double-double scoring 18 points and pulling in 10 rebounds, both season highs.

While UCF does score the basketball and can rebound well, they, like most teams, have an Achilles heel.  Free throw shooting.  When I came across this stat, I really couldn’t believe it.  They shoot a less than stellar 59.2% from the line which ranks 346 out of 351 division 1 teams.  That is terrible.  If this game turns into a free throw shooting contest, which hopefully it shouldn’t, then UCF will have a very very difficult time winning this game.

UCF is coached by Donnie Jones (not to be confused with the current Philadelphia Eagles Punter), who is in his 4^th year with the team.  He is accumulated a 42-34 record while being coach, including back-to-back 20-win seasons in the last two years, going 22-11 and 20-11.  Before UCF, Jones coached Marshall University for 3 years after he was an assistant for Billy Donovan at Florida, where he was a part of the 2006 and 2007 national championship teams.

UCF Game Preview

Shabazz, DeAndre, Lasan and the Huskies look for AAC win #1 tonight vs. the UCF Knights.

Tonight at 6:00 PM UConn (12-3(0-2)) is back in action at Gampel Pavilion to take on the UCF Knights (9-4(1-1)). UCF comes in winners of 6 of their last 7, but really have not beaten anybody notable in that stretch. The toughest team they faced recently was Louisville who came to Orlando and vanquished the Knights 90-65 in a beating that was as ugly as the Knights home court. UCF most recently is coming off a 78-76 win over the 5-7 Temple Owls. They were led by a 23 point, 15 rebound, 6 assist performance by star player Isaiah Sykes. The game will be televised on ESPNU, and announced by Adam Amin and Brook Weisbrod.

Last Meeting
The last meeting between these two teams was one to forget as the Knights knocked off the Huskies in the semi-finals of the 2011 Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament. Marcus Jordan, son of Michael, led the way for UCF with 20 points and 7 rebounds. For UConn, Jeremy Lamb was the leading scorer with 15 points while playing all 40 minutes, but shot only 5-16 (2-9 from three). Shabazz Napier had a tough game as well with only 4 points in 31 minutes, and a whopping 7 turnovers. UConn leads the all time series 3-1.

Key Matchups
Lasan Kromah vs. Isaiah Sykes- The more games UConn plays, the more we see Kromah matched up with the opposing teams best player. This is because of his great energy, his ability to get into passing lanes, and prevent penetration due to his combination of length and quickness. We saw this in the victory over Harvard in the second half when Kevin Ollie put him on Crimson point guard Siyani Chambers who was having his way with the Husky defense. Kromah brought out the "Lasan Lasso" (patent pending), roped him up, locked him down, and forced him to defer to Brandyn Curry who responded by throwing up bricks. The Huskies need to take Sykes out of his game because of his ability to facilitate, as well as score, and Kromah is the guy to do it.

DeAndre Daniels vs. Tristan Spurlock- Spurlock, the 6'7 small forward for the Knights is a dynamic player who comes in averaging 12.4/6.5/1.4 and is the best foul shooter on the team at 75.7 percent. He is 10th in the AAC in rebounding, and is also shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. Daniels will be matched up with him, and in order to gain the upper hand in this matchup will need to play like he did in the second half last game where he visibly wants the ball, is looking to score, and is getting great position on the boards. If he can put up stats as good or better than his 11 and 8 against Harvard, which Kevin Ollie said "should be his minimum", the Huskies should be in good shape.

What to Watch For
Centers- One of the more interesting match ups tonight, for very different reasons, will be the battle at the center position. The Knights have started 4 different centers this season while UConn has started 3. For the Knights, it looks like it will be Eugene McCrory the JuCo transfer from the College of Central Florida who stands at 6'8 and is coming of a performance of 18 points and 10 rebounds against Temple, which were both career highs. It will be interesting to see if that game was an anomaly or real development from the big man. For the Huskies, my guess is that we'll see Amida Brimah back in the low post. He didn't score against Harvard, but he had 4 rebounds and 3 blocks in 15 minutes before fouling out. While he was in, he made a real difference for the Huskies, and looked like he was making some strides as a productive player on this team. As we know, this is a huge deal for this team because if he can stay out of foul trouble, and effect the game on the glass and on the defensive end, the Huskies  potential in March grows exponentially.

Rebounding- Same old, same old. The subject is beaten to death but it is worth mentioning again because this UCF team can rebound with the best of them. They out-rebounded Temple 41-27, and rank 18th in the nation in rebounds per game. It is not just the big men, as guard Isaiah Sykes, and small forward Tristan Spurlock are tied for the team lead at 6.5 a game. The Huskies will have to get a body on someone on every shot, as the Knights are known for crashing the boards relentlessly. If UConn can stay close to even in the rebounding battle, they will be able to get out in transition and get some easy buckets which is when this team is one of the most dangerous in the country.

Prediction
It is near impossible for me to bet against the Huskies in Gampel. While this could be seen as a trap game with Louisville and Memphis looming on the schedule, I think the home cooking, and the swagger the Huskies got back with their win over the Crimson gets them to finally play close to a full 40 minutes of "UConn basketball" and gets the program their 1,600 win of all time. It also doesn't hurt that UCF is shooting 59.2 percent from the free throw line as a team, and star player Isaiah Sykes is shooting 44.6 percent from the charity stripe. Yes, those are both real stats.

UConn 84 - UCF 72

What on Earth has Happened to Omar Calhoun?

The once 38^th overall recruit in the class of 2012 has fallen off the map.  Big time. And I miss him.  After only playing 5 minutes and not even recording a shot attempt in last night’s 61-56 win over Harvard, it is clear that something is wrong.  It could be injury that no one really knows about, or it could be because he has been anything but the player from last year.  Using the word “slump” doesn't even really fully describe Calhoun’s play, since all UConn fans know the potential he has and showed in his Freshman year.  

Before, every game, I have said that “Omar Calhoun is going to have a breakout game today.”  He hasn't but I’m still going to say it, because I want him to succeed and you can tell that he wants it so bad and that goes a long way for me. 

Last year, Calhoun averaged 11.1 points and 3.9 rebounds a game, but towards the end of the year, he was consistently pulling down 5+ rebounds.  Currently, he is averaging 7.1 points and just 2.1 rebounds.  We've needed him to contribute to rebounding, since obviously we never rebound, and he just hasn't, only recording more than 5 rebounds once, against Eastern Washington.  But, forget about the points and rebounds from last year, the kid from Brooklyn really played like he was from Brooklyn.  He was tough and he was determined to succeed.  He wanted the team to do well and he wanted to be a major part of them doing so.  I’m sure he still wants that, but it’s tough to have those strong of feelings when you start to play sparingly.

I’m not going to lie, when Calhoun first started to play for UConn, I hated him.  I was thinking, who is this Freshman just coming in jacking up shots?  He seemed like the typical Freshman who doesn't buy into the offense and plays like he’s still a Senior in high school.  But, then the Louisville game happened on January 14,2013.  20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks.  I remember no one else really stepping up and playing that well, and Omar just kept getting to the hoop or knocking down a big shot to keep us in it.  And his defense.  He played tough New York defense.  And from then on, I was sold on Omar Calhoun.  He then fought through his wrist injury, playing 38 minutes in a win against Cincinnati last year, even though he couldn't shoot because of his injury.  Ollie kept him in because of his rebounding, defense, and will to win.  Then, of course, there was the Georgetown shot to send it into overtime.  He also pulled in 7 rebounds that game.

Now, it is just so different.  He didn't even pull off his warmups at any point in the 2^nd half last night.  He is buried on the bench, playing 7, 14, and 5 minutes in the past 3 games.  Last year, he didn't play under 20 minutes once last year.  This year, he has already played under 20 minutes 6 times.  I understand that there are fewer minutes to have, with a much improved Neils Giffey, and Lasan Kromah, who has deserved to take all the minutes that Omar Calhoun once had.  He hasn't even come close to deserving 20 minutes with the way he is playing, and it is very unfortunate because this team could be in a very different place if he was playing the way he played last year. 

Unless, there is a serious injury, I have no answer for why Calhoun is at where he's at.  But, even if it is an injury, we already know that he is a tough enough kid to play through it.

This is the Omar I want back.  Calling for the ball down 3 with time running out.  And then draining it.