UConn-Memphis

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

The line is UConn -1. So UConn is the slightest possible favorite. I think this game will play differently, with Brimah back protecting the rim against the assaults Memphis successfully made in the first game. If those buckets were taken away, Memphis struggled a lot on offense. They are not a good outside shooting team- they are a full 3 points below league average in 3 point shooting. However they seem to always be able to play UConn tough, and defensively they are very good.

Memphis is coming off a 12 point loss at SMU and at 13-8, 4-4 in the AAC, their NCAA tournament hopes are rapidly fading. They need this game desperately as a .500 record in AAC play just isn't going to cut it.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Guys, I find it shocking to read this, but due to ESPN cost cutting measures, TV announcers Len Elmore and Mike Patrick will not be in the building where the game is being played. Instead they will be announcing from some remote location instead of courtside. This is what you call cheapass broadcasting! How is the fan supposed to enjoy a TV game being announced by guys who are't even there?????

http://www.nhregister.com/article/NH/20160203/SPORTS/160209825

"If it seems like Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Len Elmore (analyst) aren’t even in the building during ESPN2’s telecast, it’s because ... well ... they won’t be. As part of ESPN’s cost-cutting measures, broadcasters will call several games this season from remote locations. And Thursday night’s is one of them."

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Do you guys think Len Elmore and Mike Patrick will come clean and tell their viewers they are not at the game, or will ESPN make them pretend to be there?

Would ESPN do this if Duke was playing at home?

 

[CaNOLEE]

I wonder if John Thompson will complain that we have 15 team fouls to their 5 at the half?

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

UConn allowed 48% FGs to Memphis 1st half, and Memphis will not shoot that well second half. The ease with which they were getting inside scoring ops very similar to the first game, but Enoch came in and played some very solid minutes. He looks like he is getting better to me.

It's also encouraging that Hamilton, who had the worst first 7 games of league play imaginable, is playing some better ball.

I don't think Memphis will shoot as well in the second half. UConn has to step up the D and stop these forays to the hole and O-boards.

 

[mcgoo369]

Or get a better foul ratio.. since we can't breathe on them

 

[mcgoo369]

These refs blow

 

[CaNOLEE]

Shaq Goodwin gets more calls than the real Shaq. Cassell may have to play Center with 5 minutes left.

 

[mcgoo369]

SHAQUILLE O'GOODWIN at least in the refs eyes.

 

[CaNOLEE]

If this game was in the park and they were calling their own fouls we'd be up 15.

If we gave them Purvis, it would be a 30 point lead.

 

[CaNOLEE]

Can we see Cassell take some of calhouns minutes?

 

[Ozzie3178]

This is UCONN BASKETBALL!!

Blow them out the rest of the way is a great sign for better things to come down the road

 

[mcgoo369]

Smartest game of the year with 7 minutes left don't get stupid the rest of the way

 

[CaNOLEE]

36-11 FT disparity seems normal.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

UConn had more transition baskets than any game I can remember this year. The 20 point loss Memphis took on its home court was Memphis's worst loss of this season, by a lot. Previously they lost by 12 at SMU.

UConn did not really shoot the ball that well, around 20% from 3 point land and just over 40% FGs overall, but the rebounding and assists were really good and I though the halfcourt offense looked better. UConn would have won by 30-40 points if they shot better. Memphis kind of sucked in the second half. They have a thin bench and do not have very good guard play from what I can see. Their guards were terrible.

 

[the Blades]

Some sloppy moments in the first half and love that KO pulled D-ham after he jacked up that 25 ft rushed prayer.in the 1st...he came out on a mission after that. Looked like a different team in the second half despite the 29-14 Adv. in fouls the refs gave Memphis for the game.....+ again it's a different half court O with the movement that Jalen can create.....

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

After shooting 48% FGs 1st half Memphis ended at 39% FGs for the game, a testament to how badly they sucked in the 2nd half. Memphis had 36 FTAs to 11 by UConn, but UConn had 71 FGAs to only 41 by Memphis. Memphis obviously was playing short but they still took a various serious second half beating.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

One other thing I was wondering about is why can't UConn get more open looks for Gibbs? I thought taking him off the ball would result in him getting more open looks for 3s, especially against a zone defense like what was being played tonight. He should be getting open looks and hitting 3s which will stretch the defense out and make everyone else better.

 

[the Blades]

Box Score

 

[Silk31]

Wow what a 2nd half performance from our boys. Despite the zebras best efforts our D was amazing in the 2nd frame. With DHam back to form and Brimah working back into the mix, we are coming together at the right time.

 

[dbaum_]

This was the best win of the season hands down. I did not recognize this team at all the way they played; they were in complete control of the game in the second half and just made play after play. Daniel Hamilton saved the day with almost getting a triple double and we looked completely in sync. Everyone contributed in some fashion and we took advantage of every opportunity we got. Memphis is not a bad team they missed free throws throughout the course of the game but they just got flat out outplayed. Getting out in transition and attacking the basket is something we need to do more often because once we are out and running on top of sharing the basketball, we are very hard to guard. I am very happy with the effort our guys showed tonight and this can be the starting point of building confidence moving forward. If we play like this on a consistent basis, we can really make some noise for the remainder of the season. GO HUSKIES!

 

[anon_65nwv98c2idwc]

These refs blow

They were pretty bad. Guys were getting trucked in the lane on both ends and nothing. Then barely a touch on the other end and its a foul. Made for a very strange game flow wise. But man was that a complete effort on D. They just clamped down in the second half and would not allow UM to do anything. And with the running we did, that is UCONN basketball at its finest.

 

[CaNOLEE]

Another +10 rebounding effort is the most encouraging sign. Securing the carem is the last defensive responsibility and we are finally finishing the job.

There is still a lot to clean up but it just goes to show you the upside of this team. It has all the pieces and they are finally coming together.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

If you look at the box score the only thing you can really complain about is the 4-19 on 3s. A lot of those were wide open looks against a zone defense. Against much better teams those 3s have to be made. I also don't understand why UConn, with Adams on the floor, can't get Gibbs isolated opportunities to shoot 3s. It seems like they were able to work the ball to Adams for open 3s in the corner on a few occasions (and Calhoun as well), and they missed, except the 3 Calhoun nailed at the end of the half which was nice but a lot of work to have an average 3 point shooter take a shot as time is running out? Those are not the two guys for whom UConn should be working the ball around in order to get a shot. It should be Gibbs and Purvis and Hamilton if he is left open, in that order.

But other than that if you look at the boxscore there is really not a lot to be unhappy about. On to the game against East Carolina Sunday. 3 of the next 4 at home, with the road game at Temple. UConn needs to turn it up and make some noise in this stretch.