Article by Art Benedict
So now that we’ve talked about the UConn men’s and women’s roster, primarily the rookies that have graced us with their presence and even individual games and the like, it’s time to take a look at what happened so far and what lies ahead for both the men and women Huskies before we get into the AAC tournament and possibly beyond.
First let’s take a look at the men’s basketball team. Coming off a season in which no one (including this sports broadcaster) thought that the UConn Huskies would be crowned National Champions for the 2013-2014 basketball season, this year’s team returned one of the main cogs in the wheel and that was Ryan Boatright. Boatright has done everything he possibly can to keep this boat upright (I know, that’s bad). But you get what I am trying to say. He is averaging 16.5 ppg, and has a .427 FG percentage and a .814 FT percentage. The only other Husky averaging in double figures in points is Amidah Brimah with 10.4 ppg. Everyone else is averaging in single digit scoring.
They began
the season with (3) straight wins (Bryant, College of Charleston, and Dayton),
but then followed that up with (3) straight losses, (West Virginia, ranked
Texas, and then Yale). They had a hard fought loss against then #2 Duke 66-56,
but it still goes in the books as an “L”. Since then they have gone 7-3 with
the latest winning streak at (2) games against the two Florida teams (USF &
UCF). So right now the Huskies stand at
11-7 overall and 4-2 in the conference. Not an overly impressive record for the
defending National Champs, but there is still time to salvage the season and
possibly make the NCAA tournament in March. Here’s what has to happen. After
beating Cincinnati back on Jan. 10th 62-56 the Huskies have to play them again
on Thursday in Cincinnati. This is a huge game for the Huskies if they can
sweep the season series from the Bearcats. Boatright will have to be his Boat
Show self and he will have to get good contributions from his supporting cast.
The rest of their schedule (11) games are
all in the AAC with three of the teams (SMU, Memphis and Tulane) all
with winning records and having to play them both twice After a road game in
Cincy, (6) of the remaining (11) games will be on the road. So it will be an uphill battle for the men’s
basketball team to get back to the NCAA tournament in March, and you can bet Coach
Kevin Ollie will keep his eye on the prize.
Grade: B-
It seems like the UConn women on the other hand are
in cruise control. After an early 88-83 OT loss to Stanford, the lady Huskies
have rattled off 17 victories in a row including a surprisingly lopsided 76-58
victory over arch rival Notre Dame back on Dec. 6th. Breanna Stewart remains
the center point of the Huskies offense even though she has been up and down
offensively. Stewy has started all 20 games and averages just over 27 minutes
per game. Kalena Mosqueda-Lewis is as dynamic a 3 point shooter as you will see
and recently became the all-time 3 point leader in UConn history surpassing
Diana Turasi. And as recently as last night’s 87-32 rout of East Carolina, Kiah
Stokes recorded a triple double. (10
points, 10 rebounds and a school record 11 blocked shots) and is a major part
of why the Huskies hold their opponents to less than 50% shooting. And Mariah
Jefferson seems to be all over the court at the same time. Not to mention the
inside game of the now healthy Morgan Tuck. The Husky women have (10) games
left and the way they are destroying opponents it will be hard pressed to
believe that they will not win the AAC Tournament and gain a #1 seed in the
upcoming NCAA playoffs in March. If things keep playing out the way they are,
all eyes will be on February 9th at Gampel Pavilion when the top ranked South
Carolina Gamecocks come to town. I will be business as usual for head coach
Geno Auriemma until then.
Grade: ANext week: The coaches.
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