Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the UConn Huskies (men's version).
There's the last minute loss to now #2 Kentucky. There's the W against #1 (at the time) Texas. They darn near beat Syracuse in the Dome last Wednesday. A close loss to top 10 Georgetown, which was schizophrenia personified. Up 19 in the first half, lead gone 10 minutes into the second half.
There's two losses to Cincinnati. A loss at Michigan. A bad loss at Louisville. A loss at Providence. A last second loss to Marquette - after Marquette's best player had fouled out.
And the latest installment, a win at #3 Villanova.
Connecticut was coming off a 60-48 loss to Cincinnati. The Huskies hit the 48-point mark less than 4 minutes into the second half.
Calhoun had called the loss to Cincinnati "embarrassing." This had to wipe some of that feeling away.
They've been a very frustrating team to watch this year. They have only one player who truly knows the game of basketball, and that's sixth man/sometime starter Gavin Edwards. Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson are very talented athletes, but Robinson seems unable to get his own shot, while Dyson seems to be able only to get his own shot. Point guard Kemba Walker has been erratic, often pushing the tempo when he shouldn't, forcing shots, and a spotty shooter at best. The three primary big men are terribly inexperienced, and it shows. Often. There's little depth at guard. There's no reliable outside shooter, one who will almost always hit a three when open. The two prize freshman recruits have played like freshmen. Two other recruits have contributed less.
And yet, the team has speed, athleticism, shot blocking intimidation, can defend and can score in bunches when they can run. They can look like worldbeaters at times, particularly when Walker is pushing the ball hard but making good decisions at the offensive end. Robinson produces a few simply dazzling plays every game. And Dyson gets end to end with the ball as quick as any 2 guard you'll see, and finishes with strength.
Then there's the whole Coach Calhoun mystery ailment/3 week hiatus. I think maybe he was dizzy trying to figure out which team he was coaching this year.
Win out their remaining Big East games, and the Huskies could be 10-8 in conference and 20-11 overall, with wins against Texas and Villanova on their resume. Avoid a first round Big East loss and they could be in the NCAA tournament.
On the other hand, a loss against any of their final five league opponents and it's likely curtains for this member of last year's Final Four.
