CONNECTICUT
HUSKIES
Coach: Jim Calhoun | Record: 27-3
Overview:
Sure, losing in the first round of your
conference tournament is something you'd just as
soon avoid. But for UConn, there are still much
bigger fish to fry, and at the outset of the Big
Dance, this team is still on the short-short-short
list of favorites. This is a talented group of
athletes who can score (81.2 ppg, 10th in the
nation), keep the other team from scoring (37% on
field goal percentage defense, second only to
Kansas), rebound (UConn 10.6 per game rebound margin
leads the nation) and block shots (9.5 a contest,
another figure that leads the nation). Basically,
the Huskies are a number cruncher's dream.
Possible Difference Maker: En route to the
2004 National Championship, Ben Gordon stepped up
his game immensely for UConn. His athleticism and
nose for the basket were the boost that team needed
to get over the top. Denham Brown is a player that
can assume the same role for the Huskies in this
tournament that Gordon did for the 2004 title team.
On Offense: They want to pound the ball
inside where they have the best and biggest
frontline in the country. They also want to draw
help, so that they can crash the glass. They will
give Marcus Williams freedom at the point to make
plays and Rahsad Anderson will be their goto guy
when they need a 3-point shot.
On Defense: Their guards have the luxury of
being aggressive on the perimeter, because they have
such great shot-blockers behind them.
Strength: Their interior defense makes it
difficult to score around the basket and they can
just destroy you on the boards. They are the most
talented team in the country.
Weakness: They do not have depth at the point
guard position and they can be inconsistent
offensively.
Keys to Success: Keep Williams out of foul
trouble and get good perimeter shooting from Denham
Brown and Rashad Anderson.
How to Beat Them: You have to rebound the
ball and not get intimidated by their size. If you
can control Williams or get him out of the game,
they can be beaten.
