1/14/10
No Signature, Pitt 67 Connecticut 57
Uconn entered the XL Center last night looking for a marquee victory against a ranked opponent for the first time this season. The Huskies left still looking and now under .500 in the league (11-5, 2-3). The Pitt Panthers held it together down the stretch and prevailed 67-57 in front of 15,300 in Hartford. Connecticut is not hitting the panic button yet -- but the fans seem to be. Kemba Walker is struggling and there does not seem to be a go to guy other than Jerome Dyson (seemingly forcing shots) on the entire team. Small spurts and good play from some younger players (Oriakhi, Majok, JCMD) provide a glimmer of some hope, but things need to start clicking quickly before Connecticut plays themselves into NCAA tournament danger.
Brad Wanamaker and Ashton Gibbs each scored 19 points and the Panthers, while the Huskies were paced by Stanley Robinson's 19 points. Uconn travels to Ann Arbor, Michigan on Sunday for an OOC game against the Wolverines.
Notes:
- This was the 10th time in the last 11 games between the two teams that both were ranked
- Stanley Robinson scored his 1,000 point, becoming the 44th Husky to reach that mark
- The Huskies have lost five straight vs. ranked opponents