Hey, what can you do?
If UConn plays that well against any other opponent in the Big East, it likely comes away with a victory. But Syracuse, the No. 2 team in the nation, happened to turn in its best offensive performance (perhaps overall performance) against these slumping Huskies.
Dion Waiters (AP)
The Orange converted 59 percent of its field goal attempts and canned 10-of-16 longballs as it thwarted UConn’s comeback attempts time and time again.
You’ve heard the story before: The underdog kept climbing the hill and it almost got there on several occasions. In the end, the heavyweight was too overwhelming.
It’s a familiar script, just a funny scenario. The underdog, in this case, is the defending national champion, a team that was ranked No. 4 in the country to start the season.
That goes to show you how talented Syracuse is.
There’s not much more the Huskies could have done. Maybe if an extra shot goes down, or Syracuse misses one of the 3-pointers it hit, or Andre Drummond doesn’t turn his ankle.
Can’t live by ‘What if’s,’ though.
Here’s the reality: UConn is 5-7 in the Big East and fighting for its tournament life.
* Andre Drummond wasn’t ready to look ahead to 2013, when UConn might not be allowed to fight for its tournament life.
““I don’t know,” Drummond said. “I’m focused on this season. I’m not going to worry about next year.”
* Not much new to report on Jim Calhoun’s health. He has seen doctors from New York, Boston and UConn, said associate head coach George Blaney, and is looking to find a resolution fast.
“The problem with backs is that there are all different types of supposed solutions,” Blaney said. “You have to pick the right one at the right time. And that’s what he’s trying to decide.”
* Shabazz Napier (11 points, seven assists) played his best game a 27-point effort against Cincinnati. He entered the game having made just six of his last 40 shots, and was an efficient 4-for-6 Saturday. Jeremy Lamb, who scored a team-high 18 points, continued a horrific outside shooting slump. In his past four games, Lamb is just 7-for-33 from 3-point range.
* The 85 points surrendered by UConn is the most its given up in regulation since Marquette hung 94 on the Huskies in the 2005-06 Big East opener. Of course, there was this 127-117 game that happened a few years ago…
But that one took six overtimes.
