Durzblog

Uconn erase late 12 point deficit and hold on 84-83

AJ Price got himself in some early foul trouble limiting his first half minutes last night and the Huskies struggled mightily in his absence turning over the ball 12 times in the first stanza. He would return for an epic second half where the Huskies only coughed the ball up twice, they would need every last possession, with the Bearcat's Deonta Vaughn filling it up for 34 points. Price's 13 points and 5 assists (in 28 minutes) are not the most staggering stat line, but his presence and moxie are becoming key ingredients to any success this club has had and more importantly will have this year and beyond. He is the man for Uconn.

Fifth Third Arena was going bananas throughout and perhaps at its loudest after Vaughn landed another dagger to put Cinci up 12 with under 6 to play, a shot that would have taken the wind out of most teams sails and had me thinking NIT. After a gut check timeout, Connecticut who forced 8 steals (3 each for Wiggins and Dyson and 2 from Price) on the night, would turn to a full court press and got a couple of deep bombs from Jerome Dyson (20 pts) and hit every key foul shot down the stretch (32-37 on the night) to barely secure a highly unlikely comeback victory. A win that kind of reminded you of old Huskies clubs that would go on the road and win games they really shouldn't. Make no mistake, however it happened, it was a big win over a tough and gritty opponent in a difficult environment.

Hasheem Thabeet, in his best performance to date, led Uconn with 22 points and seven rebounds. Connecticut (13-5, 4-3 Big East) remains on the road for a CBS battle against # 7 Indiana in Bloomington on Saturday -- after the win last night you kind of feel like the club is playing with house money.

Calhoun after the game in no mood for understatements said, "As fine a win as we've had in quite some time. It seemed like we never won a big game, ever. That's a big game. That's why [you have] emotion and passion as a coach." An equally elated Craig Austrie summed it up, "I'm from Connecticut. I grew up watching UConn basketball. That's the type of win any UConn team would have had."

If 11-7 is the league mark needed, 4-3 with two road wins, actually has the Huskies in decent shape. A far cry from the emotions a week ago today after a brutal effort to Providence -- evidence of how quickly things can change. The next three games (Indiana, Louisville, Pitt) will really speak volumes...

Lastly, I must give a tip of the cap to Doug Wiggins, a guy who I have blasted repeatedly since his arrival in Storrs. He is bringing some spark to the table and last night his defense late in the first half was they key to keeping Uconn in the game.

recap from the New London Day

Notes:

• Baylor beat Texas A&M, 116-110, in a Big 12-record 5 overtimes last night. The Aggies missed 23 foul shots (on 59 attempts) including 10 freebies in the first four overtimes, ESPN
  

• Nova stunned at the RAC, Rutgers hangs on for first conference win behind 23 a piece from backcourt mates Farmer and Coburn, Philly Daily News