Sorry for no in-game blogging tonight. Wireless at the old Freedom Hall wasn’t working and my thumbs hurt when I type on the old I-phone.
Anyway, while I have a moment of internet ability, let me share some words from the aftermath of Louisville’s 82-69 win over UConn Monday:
– That’s three straight losses for UConn. And six of the last eight.
“We have to figure something out,” forward Gavin Edwards said. “This is really just getting out of hand right now.”
– The Huskies allowed a season-high in points. Providence got 81.
– UConn is 0-5 on the road and 1-7 away from home in total. It’s only win outside the state of Connecticut was over a seemingly bad LSU team.
– Add 18 turnovers to the pile. That’s 71 in the last four games.
– After trailing by 19 midway through the second half UConn cut that deficit all the way down to seven. Jerome Dyson, mostly showing off his 1-on-1 ability, was the catalyst.
But then the Huskies went nearly six minutes without a single point. And they scored only three in the final 9:22.
Can’t win that way, obviously.
“At times we’re out there looking our best and there’s not much the other team can do with us,” Dyson said. “And five minutes later, we’re back to the team that is giving up 3-pointers, layups and turning the ball over.”
– Louisville hit six 3-pointers in the first half. And those were by six different players.
Dribble penetration and passes to salivating jump shooters planted in the corners were the main problems.
“They really gave us trouble with the flare screen and certainly (Edgar) Sosa and (Jerry) Smith with their penetration and the kick-outs to the corner,” acting head coach George Blaney said.
– Edwards played with his right thumb heavily taped, the result of an injury he suffered in the Marquette game.
“It was pretty sore yesterday (Sunday) but it doesn’t feel too bad today (Monday),” Edwards said.
“There were a couple times when it got hit and it really hurt,” Edwards said. “But I really didn’t notice it during the game.”
Those sitting courtside noticed it. It was obviously bothering Edwards early. He did seem to adjust later in the game, though.
– UConn’s bench was pressed into service because of foul trouble all over the place. It did not respond well.
Take out Edwards, he’s really a starter, and UConn’s four reserves (Ater Majok, Donnell Beverly, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel and Charles Okwandu) scored ONE point. And that was in a combined 47 minutes.
Coombs-McDaniel played 19 minutes and didn’t score a single point.
“Literally we got one point from the bench. That can’t be,” Blaney said. “We have to get some more help from the bench.”
Louisville, meanwhile, got a nice lift from its bench. Jared Swopshire was the key reserve, contributing nine points and nine rebounds.
Even the seldom-used Stephan Van Treese gave coach Rick Pitino six pretty solid minutes.
So what did Pitino say to Van Treese when he sent him into the game?
“I didn’t say anything to him,” Pitino said. “I was just nauseous.”
– 45 fouls. (Just thought I should write that….What’s that? Bob Donato just called a charge on me for that line? ….OK then. 46 fouls.)
- Neill
