Here's an inside look at the Tilton School, including current UConn targets like Nerlens Noel, Wayne Selden and Goodluck Okonoboh (Alex Oriakhi's cousin).
Tilton, of course, also produced Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, among others. Figured UConn fans might enjoy this.
Showing posts with label Jamal Coombs-McDaniel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jamal Coombs-McDaniel. Show all posts
Upon taking over as school president in June, Susan Herbst created a President’s Athletic Advisory Committee, comprised by some of the university’s most well-respected faculty members. The committee implemented a plan aimed to improve UConn’s APR in men’s basketball – and, indeed, for all sports – moving forward.
While it's obviously still very early to see the fruits of this plan, all signs point to UConn being on the right track. Nothing will be official until the spring, but we're told that the Huskies' APR for the 2010-11 team should be 975. Donnell Beverly and Charles Okwandu have both graduated, and while Kemba Walker hasn’t earned his degree yet, he left the program in good academic standing.
The only point UConn will likely loss will be for Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who didn’t have a high enough grade-point average before transferring to Hofstra, according to a source.
(UConn in the clear for this season's NCAA tourney)
Even with this improved APR, however, it won’t be enough to lift the Huskies’ four-year rolling average above 900. Don't forget: while adding the 975 score, UConn will lose a decent 946 APR from the 2006-07 team.
Here are the five aims of UConn's APR plan, and what UConn has already done (or not done) to make strides on each point:
* Ensure that student-athletes who leave to pursue professionally opportunities are academically eligible as they depart the University. (Kemba Walker left in good academic standing)
* Actively encourage former student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility to return to the Institution to complete their degree programs by utilizing the National Consortium for Academic and Sport Degree Completion program. (It doesn't appear any recent players have come back to complete their degree. That Scott Burrell finally earned his diploma a few years ago and Ray Allen has apparently talked about doing the same is something the university is happy about and wholeheartedly encourages -- and may even earn them some "bonus points" -- but doesn't have much if any effect on the APR)
* In order to make significant progress toward graduation, continuing student-athletes will be required to enroll in a minimum of nine credit hours during summer school.
* Provide enhanced academic support services (Study Skill techniques, Freshman Year Experience classes, etc.) in the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment and the fall semester of the student-athletes freshman year.
* Decrease the number of student-athletes who transfer from the institution with eligibility remaining. (Coombs-McDaniel still earned the program three out of four points)
While it's obviously still very early to see the fruits of this plan, all signs point to UConn being on the right track. Nothing will be official until the spring, but we're told that the Huskies' APR for the 2010-11 team should be 975. Donnell Beverly and Charles Okwandu have both graduated, and while Kemba Walker hasn’t earned his degree yet, he left the program in good academic standing.
The only point UConn will likely loss will be for Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who didn’t have a high enough grade-point average before transferring to Hofstra, according to a source.
(UConn in the clear for this season's NCAA tourney)
Even with this improved APR, however, it won’t be enough to lift the Huskies’ four-year rolling average above 900. Don't forget: while adding the 975 score, UConn will lose a decent 946 APR from the 2006-07 team.
Here are the five aims of UConn's APR plan, and what UConn has already done (or not done) to make strides on each point:
* Ensure that student-athletes who leave to pursue professionally opportunities are academically eligible as they depart the University. (Kemba Walker left in good academic standing)
* Actively encourage former student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility to return to the Institution to complete their degree programs by utilizing the National Consortium for Academic and Sport Degree Completion program. (It doesn't appear any recent players have come back to complete their degree. That Scott Burrell finally earned his diploma a few years ago and Ray Allen has apparently talked about doing the same is something the university is happy about and wholeheartedly encourages -- and may even earn them some "bonus points" -- but doesn't have much if any effect on the APR)
* In order to make significant progress toward graduation, continuing student-athletes will be required to enroll in a minimum of nine credit hours during summer school.
* Provide enhanced academic support services (Study Skill techniques, Freshman Year Experience classes, etc.) in the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment and the fall semester of the student-athletes freshman year.
* Decrease the number of student-athletes who transfer from the institution with eligibility remaining. (Coombs-McDaniel still earned the program three out of four points)
The Hofstra men's basketball team could start to look like mini-UConn pretty soon.
According to Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com, former UConn assistant coach Patrick Sellers is expected to be named one of Mo Cassara's assistants. And, the Dutchmen are one of the possible destinations for Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who has already made one unofficial visit to the Hofstra campus and is hoping to take another.
Either way, good to see Sellers land on his feet. He was let go by UConn in the wake of the Nate Miles recruiting violations, but since then his name has been cleared of all wrongdoing.
According to Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com, former UConn assistant coach Patrick Sellers is expected to be named one of Mo Cassara's assistants. And, the Dutchmen are one of the possible destinations for Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who has already made one unofficial visit to the Hofstra campus and is hoping to take another.
Either way, good to see Sellers land on his feet. He was let go by UConn in the wake of the Nate Miles recruiting violations, but since then his name has been cleared of all wrongdoing.
For anyone who thinks Jamal Coombs-McDaniel was pushed out of UConn after his arrest for marijuana possession, think again.
Coombs-McDaniel told me on Thursday that he had decided to transfer prior to his April 21 arrest on the UConn campus.
"Oh yeah, yeah, I had made up my mind before that," he said. "I was just looking for schools, and I found some schools, so I'm just going from there."
(Read my article in the Register here).
Coombs-McDaniel listed Hofstra, Miami (Fla.), Missouri and UC-Irvine as potential destinations. He's already made an unofficial visit to Hofstra, which is coached by longtime New England basketball guru Mo Cassara, and plans on visiting Miami next week and Missouri the week after that. Phil Pressey, Coombs-McDaniel's AAU teammate and good friend, plays at Mizzou.
As to the reason why he's transferring, Coombs-McDaniel said: "I just wanted to play more, finish up my career strong, personally, and basically be a main, focal player on a team at this point in my career ... My playing time was going up, going down, going up, and we have a lot of good kids coming back next year. I don't want to spend my junior year like that. I want to be happy throughout the year."
He added that he and coach Jim Calhoun were "cool."
"I respect him, I'm sure he respects me. It's just personal business. I have to look for a better situation for me."
Coombs-McDaniel said he'll return to UConn on June 1 to take a summer school session, then be on his way.
If there's one thing e-mailers have been asking me for more than anything else over the past month or so it's been recruiting updates.
Fact is, there aren't a whole lot to give right now, though I try my best in this story in the Register. Bottom line: UConn appears to be working under the assumption that it's got just one scholarship to give, and the Huskies need to make sure it's utilized well. The Huskies have been paying particular attention to some players who have recently de-committed from other programs.
As for Andre Drummond? Wouldn't count on it. I spoke to his coach at St. Thomas More, Jere Quinn, earlier today and he said that Drummond is absolutely returning next year for another year of prep school. Led by the efforts of Kevin Ollie, UConn may still be holding out hope for a change of mind from Drummond, but knows it's highly unlikely. Of course, he'll still top the Huskies' 2012 wish list.
(By the way, Quinn seems to think Drummond wouldn't be eligible for the 2012 NBA draft, since he'll still be 18. However, my understanding is that as long as Drummond turns 19 during the year of the draft -- which he will -- he'd be eligible. Either way, the point may be moot: Drummond's mother wants her son to go to college, according to Quinn).
UConn is very, very interested in a pair of current Tilton (N.H.) School products: Nerlens Noel, a 6-10 Class of 2013 center, and Wayne Selden, a 6-4 Class of '14 guard.
Oh, and as to Huskies' past: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel has some suitors in Hofstra, Miami and Missouri, I'm told. Hofstra seems to be making the biggest push, though it's still very early. And Missouri would appear to be a long-shot.
An even longer shot (as in not happening)? Boston College, or any Boston-area school, for that matter.
Fact is, there aren't a whole lot to give right now, though I try my best in this story in the Register. Bottom line: UConn appears to be working under the assumption that it's got just one scholarship to give, and the Huskies need to make sure it's utilized well. The Huskies have been paying particular attention to some players who have recently de-committed from other programs.
As for Andre Drummond? Wouldn't count on it. I spoke to his coach at St. Thomas More, Jere Quinn, earlier today and he said that Drummond is absolutely returning next year for another year of prep school. Led by the efforts of Kevin Ollie, UConn may still be holding out hope for a change of mind from Drummond, but knows it's highly unlikely. Of course, he'll still top the Huskies' 2012 wish list.
(By the way, Quinn seems to think Drummond wouldn't be eligible for the 2012 NBA draft, since he'll still be 18. However, my understanding is that as long as Drummond turns 19 during the year of the draft -- which he will -- he'd be eligible. Either way, the point may be moot: Drummond's mother wants her son to go to college, according to Quinn).
UConn is very, very interested in a pair of current Tilton (N.H.) School products: Nerlens Noel, a 6-10 Class of 2013 center, and Wayne Selden, a 6-4 Class of '14 guard.
Oh, and as to Huskies' past: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel has some suitors in Hofstra, Miami and Missouri, I'm told. Hofstra seems to be making the biggest push, though it's still very early. And Missouri would appear to be a long-shot.
An even longer shot (as in not happening)? Boston College, or any Boston-area school, for that matter.
Jamal Coombs-McDaniel has been granted permission to speak to other schools and will be transferring from UConn.
Here's the story I wrote for the Register on Coombs-McDaniel's transfer. Apparently, his transcript was opened up for other interested schools a few days ago, and Missouri and Hofstra are said to be two of multiple schools interested in his services.
Coombs-McDaniel had told the Register during the Huskies' Final Four run that he had considered transferring earlier this season. Now, apparently, he has solidified his decision.
Jamal Coombs-McDaniel had his case for marijuana possession continued until May 19 this morning.
Coombs-McDaniel was at Rockville Superior Court this morning but didn't appear before a judge. He spoke briefly to reporters, but didn't want to talk about the case. He is apparently being represented by a relative from the Boston area.
We can report that his knee surgery last month went well and that he's currently working out on the stationary bike and doing other non-running exercises.
Oh, and the brand of cigars Coombs-McDaniel and two others were found to be in possession of, along with 5.6 grams of marijuana? Backwoods Mild 'n Wild.
Happy Cinqo de Mayo!
Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, a sophomore on the UConn men’s basketball team, was arrested on drug charges Thursday night, according to Mansfieldpatch.com.
The website cites an arrest report, which stated that UConn police responded to a narcotics complaint on campus Thursday night and found Coombs-McDaniel and two other individuals in possession of 5.6 grams of marijuana, a marijuana grinder and a package of cigars used to smoke marijuana.
The two other individuals identified, according to the report, were Shakwaan Ishmale Simpkins, 19, and Stanley Darnell Winn, 19, both of Boston.
Bail was set at $500 and Coombs-McDaniel is scheduled to appear in Tolland Superior Court in Rockville on May 5.
Spring Weekend festivities began Thursday night at UConn, and police reported making 11 arrests.
Coombs-McDaniel, a Dorchester, Mass native, averaged 5.6 points per game this season as a key swingman off the bench for the national-champion Huskies. He averaged 6.9 points per game in Big East play but was hobbled by knee injury through much of the NCAA tournament, where his production was limited.
Gotta admit, when we walked out of Gampel Pavilion on March 7, the day before the Big East tournament, I figured the only way I'd be back in the arena before summertime was if UConn had lost to DePaul in its BET opener and somehow had been relegated to the NIT. (And yes, I know, that wasn't going to happen).
Anyway, we were back this afternoon as the Huskies met with the media for a good 2 1/2 hours before their practice. They'll fly out tomorrow and land at Houston's Hobby Airport around 7 p.m. local time.
Here are some notes 'n quotes from earlier today:
KEMBA WALKER:
On recalling the first time he walked into Gampel as a recruit and saw the Huskies' "Wall of Fame" in the hallway.
"I told myself, ‘One day I want to be on that wall.’ And one day I will be on that wall.”
Will he even bother to watch the game tape of UConn's win over a very different Kentucky team in the Maui Invitational in November?
"Of course. We’ll definitely look at some of that. I played fairly well that game, so I’ll see what I did, what I was able to do against those guys. I’m pretty sure they’ll watch film of that game, also, and make some corrections."
On if he ever thinks about how things would be different at UConn had Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb decided to become Huskies, rather than Wildcats:
“No. Honestly, I definitely would have loved to have those two guys, but I’m fine with the guys I have, honestly. It really didn’t matter, to tell you the truth. I’m glad we got the guys we got. I don’t know how coachable those guys are – I’m not saying they’re not, but I don’t know. But the guys we have are very coachable, they listen to me, they listen to Donnell, and they always come willing to learn new things. I’m fine with the guys we have."
On the UConn women:
"Best team in the country, in my opinion. They work extremely hard, every day. There was a point where they didn’t lose, until they lost to Stanford, but you would have thought they had lost 80 games in a row the way they practice every day.
For us to have two teams in (the Final Four) again would be pretty impressive. Hopefully, we can both bring it back home."
On his favorite current course, Racism in Sports:
"We're reading a book right now called '$40 Million Slaves' by William C. Rhoden. It talks a lot about basketball players, LeBron James, the recruiting process -- a lot of different things over the years. It's a pretty good book. It's helping me realize the world I'm probably going to get into."
He’s definitely been pretty impressive to watch this tournament. You could just see the development he had throughout this season. He’s been a great leader for his team. Something like me, a little bit, because you can tell he wants to take the last shot. When he takes it, he’s taking it to make it, and that’s what he’s been doing so far.
ALEX ORIAKHI:
On playing against fellow Boston-area native Shabazz Napier back in the day:
"I remember seeing him in AAU tournaments in 6th, 7th grade. I've known since 8th, 9th grade. I played against him in some little tournament in Boston. He killed us, we lost. But he got every call. He got every call!"
GEORGE BLANEY
on John Calipari:
"You always had to ask coaches to do things for charities and different coaching events. You’d be surprised about who does things and who doesn’t do things. John would always do what we asked him to do."
JIM CALHOUN
On not getting Knight or Doron Lamb:
"I'm very happy with the guys we got. We didn't get Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb. Well, we got Jeremy Lamb, who's been real special already but is going to be very special, and we got Shabazz. he reminds me of that every day, actually."
On the Final Four two years ago in Detroit:
"It wasn't typical of a Final Four. When we were in San Antonio, we were riding boats on the canal. When we were in St. Petersburg, we went to see Sammy Sosa and the Cubs play. In Detroit, we went from the gym to the hotel. I think it's going to be a little different (in Houston), and that's no knock on Detroit whatsoever ... I’m for warm weather, it has nothing to do with Detroit. I wouldn’t want it in Hartford. We need warm weather – bad."
On if he's thought about perhaps riding off into the sunset after this run:
"If we win the national championship, standing at the podium would be a bad time to make any decision. And if things don’t go well, it would be a lousy time to make a decision. I mean, this has been fun."
JAMAL COOMBS-MCDANIEL
Said he had an MRI on his left knee yesterday that revealed "ligament issues." He may need surgery once the season is over, but until then he'll keep playing through the pain.
SHABAZZ NAPIER
On how Kentucky is different now than it was in Maui:
“Brandon Knight is a better point guard, Doron Lamb is a better shooter now. He knows his spots, where to shoot at. We’ve got to watch him, especially on transition, seeing that his favorite spot’s the corner. Harralson is tough now, you see how well he played against Jared Sullinger. Liggins, the veteran guys, they’re all stepping up now. It’s more of a team. Usually, before, it was just the freshmen doing something, and the older guys letting them do it. Now, it’s all of them combined, and that’s dangerous for us. Now, if you try to stop one person, they have four others, unlike (how) it was in Maui."
"We’re leaving that game behind us. I can tell you right now, it’s not going to be a 17-point game. We’re not going to win by 17, and hopefully we don’t lose by 17. It’s going to be a hard-fought game."
Anyway, we were back this afternoon as the Huskies met with the media for a good 2 1/2 hours before their practice. They'll fly out tomorrow and land at Houston's Hobby Airport around 7 p.m. local time.
Here are some notes 'n quotes from earlier today:
KEMBA WALKER:
On recalling the first time he walked into Gampel as a recruit and saw the Huskies' "Wall of Fame" in the hallway.
"I told myself, ‘One day I want to be on that wall.’ And one day I will be on that wall.”
Will he even bother to watch the game tape of UConn's win over a very different Kentucky team in the Maui Invitational in November?
"Of course. We’ll definitely look at some of that. I played fairly well that game, so I’ll see what I did, what I was able to do against those guys. I’m pretty sure they’ll watch film of that game, also, and make some corrections."
On if he ever thinks about how things would be different at UConn had Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb decided to become Huskies, rather than Wildcats:
“No. Honestly, I definitely would have loved to have those two guys, but I’m fine with the guys I have, honestly. It really didn’t matter, to tell you the truth. I’m glad we got the guys we got. I don’t know how coachable those guys are – I’m not saying they’re not, but I don’t know. But the guys we have are very coachable, they listen to me, they listen to Donnell, and they always come willing to learn new things. I’m fine with the guys we have."
On the UConn women:
"Best team in the country, in my opinion. They work extremely hard, every day. There was a point where they didn’t lose, until they lost to Stanford, but you would have thought they had lost 80 games in a row the way they practice every day.
For us to have two teams in (the Final Four) again would be pretty impressive. Hopefully, we can both bring it back home."
On his favorite current course, Racism in Sports:
"We're reading a book right now called '$40 Million Slaves' by William C. Rhoden. It talks a lot about basketball players, LeBron James, the recruiting process -- a lot of different things over the years. It's a pretty good book. It's helping me realize the world I'm probably going to get into."
He’s definitely been pretty impressive to watch this tournament. You could just see the development he had throughout this season. He’s been a great leader for his team. Something like me, a little bit, because you can tell he wants to take the last shot. When he takes it, he’s taking it to make it, and that’s what he’s been doing so far.
ALEX ORIAKHI:
On playing against fellow Boston-area native Shabazz Napier back in the day:
"I remember seeing him in AAU tournaments in 6th, 7th grade. I've known since 8th, 9th grade. I played against him in some little tournament in Boston. He killed us, we lost. But he got every call. He got every call!"
GEORGE BLANEY
on John Calipari:
"You always had to ask coaches to do things for charities and different coaching events. You’d be surprised about who does things and who doesn’t do things. John would always do what we asked him to do."
JIM CALHOUN
On not getting Knight or Doron Lamb:
"I'm very happy with the guys we got. We didn't get Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb. Well, we got Jeremy Lamb, who's been real special already but is going to be very special, and we got Shabazz. he reminds me of that every day, actually."
On the Final Four two years ago in Detroit:
"It wasn't typical of a Final Four. When we were in San Antonio, we were riding boats on the canal. When we were in St. Petersburg, we went to see Sammy Sosa and the Cubs play. In Detroit, we went from the gym to the hotel. I think it's going to be a little different (in Houston), and that's no knock on Detroit whatsoever ... I’m for warm weather, it has nothing to do with Detroit. I wouldn’t want it in Hartford. We need warm weather – bad."
On if he's thought about perhaps riding off into the sunset after this run:
"If we win the national championship, standing at the podium would be a bad time to make any decision. And if things don’t go well, it would be a lousy time to make a decision. I mean, this has been fun."
JAMAL COOMBS-MCDANIEL
Said he had an MRI on his left knee yesterday that revealed "ligament issues." He may need surgery once the season is over, but until then he'll keep playing through the pain.
SHABAZZ NAPIER
On how Kentucky is different now than it was in Maui:
“Brandon Knight is a better point guard, Doron Lamb is a better shooter now. He knows his spots, where to shoot at. We’ve got to watch him, especially on transition, seeing that his favorite spot’s the corner. Harralson is tough now, you see how well he played against Jared Sullinger. Liggins, the veteran guys, they’re all stepping up now. It’s more of a team. Usually, before, it was just the freshmen doing something, and the older guys letting them do it. Now, it’s all of them combined, and that’s dangerous for us. Now, if you try to stop one person, they have four others, unlike (how) it was in Maui."
"We’re leaving that game behind us. I can tell you right now, it’s not going to be a 17-point game. We’re not going to win by 17, and hopefully we don’t lose by 17. It’s going to be a hard-fought game."
For the first time in his career, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel got the podium treatment today. "Coombsie", as his coach often calls him, joined Jim Calhoun, Kemba Walker, Alex Oriakhi, Roscoe Smith and Jeremy Lamb at the podium for a presser before breaking off into seperate interview sessions.
Coombs-McDaniel didn't get any questions, but hey, he made the podium.
I caught up with the UConn sophomore later to ask him about his trying season. He admitted he seriously considered a transfter back in early January, but ultimately is glad he went through what he went through. Yeah, I know, another "disgruntled kid almost transfers" story. But in this case, I think Coombs-McDaniel was pretty serious.
Anyway, here's the story.
And here's a few additional quotes from Coombs-McDaniel and Alex Oriakhi that didn't make the story:
Coombs-McDaniel on considering a tranfer: “To be honest, yeah. I was thinking of it, when I wasn’t getting the playing time I thought I deserved. The assistant coaches just kept saying, ‘Stay with it, stay with it,’ knowing there’s going to be my day."
On Jim Calhoun: “He knows he’s a touch coach to play for. But overall, it’s been fun.”
On Calhoun referring to him as a "junkyard dog": “I’ve never been called that before, that was cool. I just try to do a little bit of everything.”
Oriakhi, on Coombs-McDaniel's frustrations: “When he didn’t agree with coming out, he would argue. I would tell him, ‘You’re fighting a losing battle. Coach is always right, like it or not.' That’s something he’s finally figured out. Now, when coach takes him out, he’s clapping, being a team player, and he goes right back in.”
On Calhoun: “You don’t argue with Coach, because you’re never going to win that battle.”
A Jim Calhoun quote:
"No matter how this season ends up, it's going to end up as a wonderful season. I guarantee that, it will ... I've enjoyed being around these kids. It's been a fun year."
So when did Calhoun utter these words? Last week, after UConn's miracle run through the Big East tourney? Saturday night, after its win over Cincinnati that put the Huskies into the Sweet 16 later this week in Anaheim?
Neither. Calhoun made this statement back on Feb. 9, the day before UConn's game against St. John's and on the heels of two losses in its prior three games.
The Huskies would, of course, get blown out by the Red Storm at the Garden the following night, as well. But you really get the sense that Calhoun meant those words then just as much as he did on Saturday night when he said the following:
“This has been an incredible journey with these kids, and I would have said this had things turned the other way. We can’t wait to get out to California and keep playing and keep being with this group. This is such a special team for me, certainly.”
Really? Would Calhoun, one of sports’ most tenacious competitors, really still have felt this way if UConn had, say, lost to Georgetown in the second round of the Big East tournament, then been knocked out of the first weekend of the Big Dance?
Honestly, I believe so. Oh, he'd be a grump for a day or two, but upon reflection, he'd truly treasure everything this team has brought him.
Because this is an extremely close-knit bunch of kids who are likeable and fun to be around. They truly seem to enjoy each other’s company, none of the egos or petty jealousies that may have fueled last year’s bitterly disappointing season. As much publicity as Kemba Walker has rightfully earned, his teammates don’t appear to begrudge him at all and, in fact, speak of him in the glowing terms reserved for players they idolize – or even greater influences.
“We’re going to go as far as God lets us,” freshman guard Shabazz Napier said Saturday night.
“God and Kemba,” a reporter quipped.
Napier had to pause for a moment and smile before admitting, “There’s God … and Kemba’s nowhere near God.”
Tell that to a UConn fan. But we digress ...
It's clear that this group has helped Calhoun through another trying season. Last month, the program was punished by the NCAA for violations in the recruitment of Nate Miles. Calhoun was suspended for the first three Big East games of next season, a sanction he clearly disagreed with but eventually opted not to appeal. A few days later, Calhoun’s sister-in-law passed away. He missed a game while attending the funeral and talked about how there are “more important things in life” than basketball.
But watching this group enjoy each other’s company, as well as improve on the basketball court, seems to be therapeutic to Calhoun. There’s really not a bad story in the group: the emergence of Walker as perhaps the very best player in the nation and Jeremy Lamb as a star on the rise; the improved inside play and toughness of Alex Oriakhi, the boundless athleticism of Roscoe Smith and the enthusiasm and leadership-beyond-his years of Napier; the steady leadership of senior Donnell Beverly and the surprising recent contributions from a senior (Charles Okwandu) and a freshman (Tyler Olander).
And there don’t seem to be any malcontents in this bunch. Sure, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel may pout a bit after getting a tongue-lashing from Calhoun and riding the pine for a while. But a half hour later, he’s the first off the bench to mob walk-on Benjamin Stewart for scoring his first-ever basket, and the next night he’s in for Smith 14 seconds into the game and scoring 10 first-half points against the Bearcats.
Calhoun’s perspective on this season is enough to make one wonder whether he’s pondering retirement whenever this run ends. With most of the key players back next season, UConn could be strong again. But with Walker almost certainly heading to the NBA, and with blue-chip recruit Andre Drummond likely to opt for another year of prep school, the Huskies probably won't be national championship contenders.
Whether UConn’s season ends at the hands of San Diego State on Thursday in Anaheim, Calif., or two days later against – be still CBS’s beating hearts – Duke, or if the Huskies complete their miracle mission and reach Calhoun’s fourth Final Four or, somehow, capture his third national championship, would it all be enough on which to ride off into the sunset?
It certainly all bears watching. But one thing is certain: this team and this season was as special to Jim Calhoun back in the middling days of early February as it is right now.
Bucknell junior Bryan Cohen is the two-time Patriot League defensive player of the year. As a 6-foot-5 guard, he’s got great size and length for his conference.
Cohen has drawn very challenging defensive assignments in non-conference play, as well: Wake Forest’s George Teague last year, Villanova’s Corey Fisher, Boston College’s Reggie Jackson and Marquette’s Jimmy Butler this season.
However …
“Clearly, his task (on Thursday) is the biggest one he’s faced,” Bucknell coach Dave Paulsen said.
That’s because Cohen’s assignment in the Bison’s NCAA tournament second-round bout with UConn will be Kemba Walker.
“We’ve played against some pretty good guards,” Paulsen noted. “But nobody quite the likes of Kemba Walker.”
Although Walker, the Big East tournament most valuable player and first-team USBA All-American, may be playing better than anyone in the country right now, Cohen is looking forward to the match-up.
“As a player, you always want to play against the best,” he said. “There’s no better stage than playing against one of the best players, on national TV.”
That’s the kind of attitude that has helped Cohen emerge as a defensive stopper.
“It’s my role on the team,” he said. “This year, coach really emphasized that I be the defensive stopper on the team … I think it’s just a mentality that you have, going every day in practice, being focused on trying to stop whoever you’re guarding. I really accept my role on the team.”
Added Paulsen: “We sat him down after his freshman year and one of the things we try to say: ‘Is there something you can do that you can be the best in our league at? And you could be the best defensive player in the league,’ and he’s embraced that and kind of relished it and he’s gained confidence from his teammates in doing that.”
A quick look at Cohen’s other tough defensive assignments, however, may bode for a long night for him. Fisher hit four 3-pointers and scored 24 points against the Bison and Jackson went for 22 on 8-for-10 shooting.
“No disrespect,” UConn freshman guard Shabazz Napier said, “but the Patriot League is not the Big East. It’s a different atmosphere when you’re out there. But, if he does well, he does well. He won’t know until he starts playing him. It’s tough for me to guard Kemba, and they say I’m a good defender.”
Napier then added, with a slight snicker: “Best of luck to him.”
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Roscoe Smith is a native of Baltimore, only about 45 minutes up the road, but he says he won’t have any more family and friends at tomorrow's game than he did at last week’s Big East tournament.
“I don’t really have a big entourage or anything,” he said.
Smith’s right eye is very red, with a sizeable bruise still underneath it. But he says the injury, from a Gary McGhee inadvertent elbow last Thursday, isn’t hampering him at all.
“Even though it doesn’t look good, it’s healing,” he said. “It was swollen more than this. I still have the eight stitches … but slowly but surely (it’s healing).”
Jamal Coombs-McDaniel had a large ice pack on his left knee due to a bout with tendonitis he’s been battling for a while now. He said he’s fine for tomorrow’s game.
Odds and Ends
*** With Donyell Marshall in attendance, UConn practiced at a high school outside the city Wednesday morning, then went to the Verizon Center to meet the press and for a 40-minute open practice that consisted mostly of drills.
*** Nothing’s official yet, but it appears there’s a good chance that, if the Huskies win tonight, they’ll play Saturday’s late game (9:40 p.m. start).
Cohen has drawn very challenging defensive assignments in non-conference play, as well: Wake Forest’s George Teague last year, Villanova’s Corey Fisher, Boston College’s Reggie Jackson and Marquette’s Jimmy Butler this season.
However …
“Clearly, his task (on Thursday) is the biggest one he’s faced,” Bucknell coach Dave Paulsen said.
That’s because Cohen’s assignment in the Bison’s NCAA tournament second-round bout with UConn will be Kemba Walker.
“We’ve played against some pretty good guards,” Paulsen noted. “But nobody quite the likes of Kemba Walker.”
Although Walker, the Big East tournament most valuable player and first-team USBA All-American, may be playing better than anyone in the country right now, Cohen is looking forward to the match-up.
“As a player, you always want to play against the best,” he said. “There’s no better stage than playing against one of the best players, on national TV.”
That’s the kind of attitude that has helped Cohen emerge as a defensive stopper.
“It’s my role on the team,” he said. “This year, coach really emphasized that I be the defensive stopper on the team … I think it’s just a mentality that you have, going every day in practice, being focused on trying to stop whoever you’re guarding. I really accept my role on the team.”
Added Paulsen: “We sat him down after his freshman year and one of the things we try to say: ‘Is there something you can do that you can be the best in our league at? And you could be the best defensive player in the league,’ and he’s embraced that and kind of relished it and he’s gained confidence from his teammates in doing that.”
A quick look at Cohen’s other tough defensive assignments, however, may bode for a long night for him. Fisher hit four 3-pointers and scored 24 points against the Bison and Jackson went for 22 on 8-for-10 shooting.
“No disrespect,” UConn freshman guard Shabazz Napier said, “but the Patriot League is not the Big East. It’s a different atmosphere when you’re out there. But, if he does well, he does well. He won’t know until he starts playing him. It’s tough for me to guard Kemba, and they say I’m a good defender.”
Napier then added, with a slight snicker: “Best of luck to him.”
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Roscoe Smith is a native of Baltimore, only about 45 minutes up the road, but he says he won’t have any more family and friends at tomorrow's game than he did at last week’s Big East tournament.
“I don’t really have a big entourage or anything,” he said.
Smith’s right eye is very red, with a sizeable bruise still underneath it. But he says the injury, from a Gary McGhee inadvertent elbow last Thursday, isn’t hampering him at all.
“Even though it doesn’t look good, it’s healing,” he said. “It was swollen more than this. I still have the eight stitches … but slowly but surely (it’s healing).”
Jamal Coombs-McDaniel had a large ice pack on his left knee due to a bout with tendonitis he’s been battling for a while now. He said he’s fine for tomorrow’s game.
Odds and Ends
*** With Donyell Marshall in attendance, UConn practiced at a high school outside the city Wednesday morning, then went to the Verizon Center to meet the press and for a 40-minute open practice that consisted mostly of drills.
*** Nothing’s official yet, but it appears there’s a good chance that, if the Huskies win tonight, they’ll play Saturday’s late game (9:40 p.m. start).
Alex Oriakhi says the Huskies have a motto.
"'Maui in Manhattan,'" he said after Friday night's overtime win over Syracuse. "We're all having fun. It feels like Maui again."
Minus a few degrees on the thermometer, it certainly must. At the Maui Invitational back just before Thanksgiving, the Huskies won three games in three days to cop the title. They beat some good teams, too: Wichita State, Michigan State and Kentucky.
Now, UConn has one-upped that performance with four wins in four days at the Big East tournament. OK, DePaul stinks, but Georgetown, Pittsburgh and now the 'Cuse are all NCAA tourney teams.
So what is it about this team in game-a-day, tournament play? Heck if they know.
"I don't know," Kemba Walker shrugged. "I guess you could say, the bright lights are on, it's our time to shine. Everybody said we couldn't do this, and we're shocking the world."
"I don't know what's going on right now," Alex Oriakhi added, "but we're all just playing together. We all were unhappy with the way we played in the past, losing four out of five. But we're not looking back. Everybody's playing together and helping Kemba out."
There's no reason for the Huskies to stop and think why they play so well in this type of format, but here's my theory: they have a great player in Walker, who can (and has) put the team on his back while it gains momentum through a tournament, builds confidence with each win and gets other players to start believing in themselves.
Look no further than Tyler Olander tonight. Just about every player on UConn's roster has had a highlight game somewhere along the line this season: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel has had a few, Niels Giffey, Charles Okwandu, even Donnell Beverly. Not Olander ... until Friday night.
He scored seven points (matching his season-high), grabbed six rebounds and doled out a pair of assists in 27 minutes of action. He was aggressive, taking nine shots and really crashing the boards, and even managed to commit only one two fouls (a frequent bugaboo of his).
"This feels great, just because we've all been working hard all year, we've all had our struggles," Olander said. "To come into this game (and contribute), it's crazy."
The Mansfield resident admits he doubted himself at times this season when the minutes weren't there and, when they were, the production wasn't.
"A little bit, because at the beginning I struggled a lot, things weren't going right, I was missing easy shots. For this game to (come) on this night, it's pretty special."
His teammates were happy for him, too.
"I was so happy for him," said Oriakhi. "I know how he felt, not playing sometimes, not even playing good sometimes. I told him I know exactly what you're going through. But I told him, you never know when your number's called, and he performed tonight."
Added Walker: "I was extremely happy. He was confident, he came in, hit a big jump shot. He showed poise out there. It's good to see him gain some confidence, because he's a really good player and he doesn't know it."
*** Oh yeah, Walker: 33 points, 12 rebounds (!), six steals, five assists. He'll be the tourney MVP, even if UConn loses Saturday night. He's the national player of the year in my book, as I stated yesterday. What more can you say at this point?
*** A pair of apparent goaltending calls against both teams weren't called, essentially nullifying each other. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel appeared to swipe a Syracuse shot right off the rim with under three minutes left in regulation. It certainly appeared to be basket inteference.
"You think?" Jim Boeheim asked, rhetorically, afterwards.
"What do you think?" Boeheim was asked.
"Nothing. No comment."
WIth less than a minute left in OT, however, it appeared Jeremy Lamb's shot was goaltended by Syracuse's C.J. Fair. Again, no call.
"'Maui in Manhattan,'" he said after Friday night's overtime win over Syracuse. "We're all having fun. It feels like Maui again."
Minus a few degrees on the thermometer, it certainly must. At the Maui Invitational back just before Thanksgiving, the Huskies won three games in three days to cop the title. They beat some good teams, too: Wichita State, Michigan State and Kentucky.
Now, UConn has one-upped that performance with four wins in four days at the Big East tournament. OK, DePaul stinks, but Georgetown, Pittsburgh and now the 'Cuse are all NCAA tourney teams.
So what is it about this team in game-a-day, tournament play? Heck if they know.
"I don't know," Kemba Walker shrugged. "I guess you could say, the bright lights are on, it's our time to shine. Everybody said we couldn't do this, and we're shocking the world."
"I don't know what's going on right now," Alex Oriakhi added, "but we're all just playing together. We all were unhappy with the way we played in the past, losing four out of five. But we're not looking back. Everybody's playing together and helping Kemba out."
There's no reason for the Huskies to stop and think why they play so well in this type of format, but here's my theory: they have a great player in Walker, who can (and has) put the team on his back while it gains momentum through a tournament, builds confidence with each win and gets other players to start believing in themselves.
Look no further than Tyler Olander tonight. Just about every player on UConn's roster has had a highlight game somewhere along the line this season: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel has had a few, Niels Giffey, Charles Okwandu, even Donnell Beverly. Not Olander ... until Friday night.
He scored seven points (matching his season-high), grabbed six rebounds and doled out a pair of assists in 27 minutes of action. He was aggressive, taking nine shots and really crashing the boards, and even managed to commit only one two fouls (a frequent bugaboo of his).
"This feels great, just because we've all been working hard all year, we've all had our struggles," Olander said. "To come into this game (and contribute), it's crazy."
The Mansfield resident admits he doubted himself at times this season when the minutes weren't there and, when they were, the production wasn't.
"A little bit, because at the beginning I struggled a lot, things weren't going right, I was missing easy shots. For this game to (come) on this night, it's pretty special."
His teammates were happy for him, too.
"I was so happy for him," said Oriakhi. "I know how he felt, not playing sometimes, not even playing good sometimes. I told him I know exactly what you're going through. But I told him, you never know when your number's called, and he performed tonight."
Added Walker: "I was extremely happy. He was confident, he came in, hit a big jump shot. He showed poise out there. It's good to see him gain some confidence, because he's a really good player and he doesn't know it."
*** Oh yeah, Walker: 33 points, 12 rebounds (!), six steals, five assists. He'll be the tourney MVP, even if UConn loses Saturday night. He's the national player of the year in my book, as I stated yesterday. What more can you say at this point?
*** A pair of apparent goaltending calls against both teams weren't called, essentially nullifying each other. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel appeared to swipe a Syracuse shot right off the rim with under three minutes left in regulation. It certainly appeared to be basket inteference.
"You think?" Jim Boeheim asked, rhetorically, afterwards.
"What do you think?" Boeheim was asked.
"Nothing. No comment."
WIth less than a minute left in OT, however, it appeared Jeremy Lamb's shot was goaltended by Syracuse's C.J. Fair. Again, no call.
Jim Calhoun describes Pitt's success over recent years this way: "Pitt doesn't do it by magic, they do it by tough, focused, hard-nosed discipline and they did that when they had one of their best players (Ashton Gibbs) out for some time."
But there is another secret to the Panther's success over the years: they are consistently a veteran, senior-laden group. They recruit players who may not be McDonald's All-Americans and may not having long NBA careers, but who'll stick with the program for four (sometimes five) years and develop as players.
Look no further than this year's roster. Pitt starts three seniors (one of them a fifth-year senior) and two juniors. Gilbert Brown is 23 years old, Gary McGhee 22, Nasir Robinson turns 22 next week and Brad Wanamaker and Ashton Gibbs are both 21.
Now look at the starting five UConn sent out against Georgetown on Wednesday: two freshmen, a sophomore, a junior and a senior. Jeremy Lamb is just 18, Roscoe Smith 19, Alex Oriakhi and Kemba Walker both 20. OK, 24-year-old Charles Okwandu throws it all out of whack, but he's hardly as integral a player as, say, Shabazz Napier (19) or even Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (21) off the bench.
UConn's youth was never more evident than back on Dec. 27, when six different freshmen were thrust into their Big East debuts at the rowdy Petersen Events Center. But that was 2 ½ months ago.
"The freshmen have seen the whole Big East, they know what it takes, they know how it is," Oriakhi said. "There are no excuses this time around."
"When we first played them, that was the most physical team we had played, (we played) five, six freshmen," added Coombs-McDaniel. "Throughout the year we've played better, we've matured, and we're definitely ready for Pitt right now."
Here's the game story of UConn's win over Georgetown: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2011/03/09/sports/doc4d77d2b35589b068914975.txt?viewmode=fullstory
But there is another secret to the Panther's success over the years: they are consistently a veteran, senior-laden group. They recruit players who may not be McDonald's All-Americans and may not having long NBA careers, but who'll stick with the program for four (sometimes five) years and develop as players.
Look no further than this year's roster. Pitt starts three seniors (one of them a fifth-year senior) and two juniors. Gilbert Brown is 23 years old, Gary McGhee 22, Nasir Robinson turns 22 next week and Brad Wanamaker and Ashton Gibbs are both 21.
Now look at the starting five UConn sent out against Georgetown on Wednesday: two freshmen, a sophomore, a junior and a senior. Jeremy Lamb is just 18, Roscoe Smith 19, Alex Oriakhi and Kemba Walker both 20. OK, 24-year-old Charles Okwandu throws it all out of whack, but he's hardly as integral a player as, say, Shabazz Napier (19) or even Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (21) off the bench.
UConn's youth was never more evident than back on Dec. 27, when six different freshmen were thrust into their Big East debuts at the rowdy Petersen Events Center. But that was 2 ½ months ago.
"The freshmen have seen the whole Big East, they know what it takes, they know how it is," Oriakhi said. "There are no excuses this time around."
"When we first played them, that was the most physical team we had played, (we played) five, six freshmen," added Coombs-McDaniel. "Throughout the year we've played better, we've matured, and we're definitely ready for Pitt right now."
Here's the game story of UConn's win over Georgetown: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2011/03/09/sports/doc4d77d2b35589b068914975.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Is UConn jelling at just the right time? It certainly appears that way.
Maybe it's too much to say coming off wins over awful DePaul and a slumping Georgetown team that's now lost four straight without its second-best player. But there were some very positive signs for the Huskies in today's win over the Hoyas.
What stuck out the most to me was their ball movement and general cohesiveness on offense, particularly in the first half. Even when Georgetown went zone -- a frequent bane to the Huskies' existence -- UConn didn't resort to "windshield wiping" (passing the ball from one side to the other on the perimeter). Rather, they swung it to the open man, hit players at the high and low post and really looked like a solid unit offensively.
Kemba Walker was absolutely brilliant with 28 points on an array of drives to the hoops, scoop shots, even an acrobatic, windmill reverse layup. But there was more to the story. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel hit a couple of 3-pointers and followed Walker in the scoring column with 12, and Jeremy Lamb added 11.
Freshman guard Shabazz Napier had his usual array of nifty passes and layups, including a terrific 3-point play on a transition drive with 11:34 remaining. And 7-foot center Charles Okwandu chipped in with six points and a nifty, one-touch pass to Coombs-McDaniel for a layup late in the opening half.
"We just want to be a great team, that's it," said Walker. "Whoever scores, scores, it doesn't matter. We just want to play basketball and stay together."
Niels Giffey (five points) and Roscoe Smith (three) didn't do much offensively, but helped hold Georgetown star Austin Freeman (20 points on 7-for-20 shooting) relatively in check.
A few other tidbits:
*** UConn has won back-to-back games in the Big East tourney for the first time since 2004, when they won the championship.
*** The last three times the Huskies have faced Pitt in the Big East tourney have come in the finals in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
*** UConn is the first No. 9 seed to win its first two games of the tourney sinice it went to a 16-team format two years ago.
*** Seen in the MSG crowd during the game: Jeff Adrien, Craig Austrie, Miami Heat GM (future coach?) Pat Riley, John Thompson II and Lou Carnesecca (the latter two sat several rows apart, and didn't appear to exchange any ugly sweaters).
Maybe it's too much to say coming off wins over awful DePaul and a slumping Georgetown team that's now lost four straight without its second-best player. But there were some very positive signs for the Huskies in today's win over the Hoyas.
What stuck out the most to me was their ball movement and general cohesiveness on offense, particularly in the first half. Even when Georgetown went zone -- a frequent bane to the Huskies' existence -- UConn didn't resort to "windshield wiping" (passing the ball from one side to the other on the perimeter). Rather, they swung it to the open man, hit players at the high and low post and really looked like a solid unit offensively.
Kemba Walker was absolutely brilliant with 28 points on an array of drives to the hoops, scoop shots, even an acrobatic, windmill reverse layup. But there was more to the story. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel hit a couple of 3-pointers and followed Walker in the scoring column with 12, and Jeremy Lamb added 11.
Freshman guard Shabazz Napier had his usual array of nifty passes and layups, including a terrific 3-point play on a transition drive with 11:34 remaining. And 7-foot center Charles Okwandu chipped in with six points and a nifty, one-touch pass to Coombs-McDaniel for a layup late in the opening half.
"We just want to be a great team, that's it," said Walker. "Whoever scores, scores, it doesn't matter. We just want to play basketball and stay together."
Niels Giffey (five points) and Roscoe Smith (three) didn't do much offensively, but helped hold Georgetown star Austin Freeman (20 points on 7-for-20 shooting) relatively in check.
A few other tidbits:
*** UConn has won back-to-back games in the Big East tourney for the first time since 2004, when they won the championship.
*** The last three times the Huskies have faced Pitt in the Big East tourney have come in the finals in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
*** UConn is the first No. 9 seed to win its first two games of the tourney sinice it went to a 16-team format two years ago.
*** Seen in the MSG crowd during the game: Jeff Adrien, Craig Austrie, Miami Heat GM (future coach?) Pat Riley, John Thompson II and Lou Carnesecca (the latter two sat several rows apart, and didn't appear to exchange any ugly sweaters).
The long, national nightmare is over: UConn has won a Big East tournament game for the first time since 2005.
Sure, it came against DePaul, which would struggle to win games in the MAAC as presently constituted. Sure, the Blue Demons were somehow within seven (68-61) with less than nine minutes remaining. But a win is a win, and there were certainly plenty of positives for UConn, which faces Georgetown Wednesday at noon.
*** Alex Oriakhi started the game on the bench for just the second time this season. It may have inspired him, as he notched a double-double with 13 points and 19 rebounds -- the latter the most by a UConn player in a Big East tourney game since Travis Knight had 19 against Seton Hall on March 7, 1996.
"He's been struggling," said Jim Calhoun, "and basically I told him it's simple, 'Go get the basketball.' Today, he went and got the basketball a lot and made us an entirely different team."
"He needed this game," Kemba Walker said of Oriakhi.
Oriakhi got the hint he probably wouldn't be starting at practice on Monday, but didn't let it get him down.
"I took it as a challenge," he said. "I said, 'the way you're playing, you don't deserve to start. Go out there, start rebounding, and show Coach you should start.'"
Calhoun insisted that holding Oriakhi out of the starting lineup had little to do with lighting a fire underneath him.
"I wouldn't punish a guy like Alex, because he wants it badly," he said. "Coming off the bench, (I thought) he would feel better, and he responded well."
So does this mean Oriakhi comes off the bench again against Georgetown on Wednesday?
"It doesn't matter to me if I start or not," he said, "as long as I finish the game."
*** Jeremy Lamb scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half showed no ill effects from the sprained MCL he suffered three days earlier in a loss to Notre Dame. He hit his first four shots from the floor, including a 3-pointer, and had 17 points by the break on 6-for-8 shooting.
Afterwards, Lamb reported that his knee was still bothering him at times.
"Jumping is not a problem," he said. "Running is not too much of a problem. But when it comes to cutting and stopping, stuff like that, that's where it hurts."
In the latter half, Lamb passed the baton to Walker, who netted 10 of his team's first 12 points and 15 of its first 23.
*** Jamal Coombs-McDaniel and Shabazz Napier each added 11 points as the Huskies had five players hit double figures, and Napier also had eight assists and four steals.
*** UConn shot 60 percent from the floor, outrebounded the Blue Demons 46-22 and outscored them 50-20 in the paint and 26-2 on fast breaks. The Huskies did, however, commit 20 turnovers.
*** Oriakhi's 19 rebounds are the seventh-most in a Big East tournament game and most since Syracuse's Paul Harris ripped down 22 in the famous six-overtime win over UConn on March 12, 2009.
*** Walker moved into sixth place on UConn's single-season scoring chart with 720.
*** Oriakhi's only other non-start came on Jan. 4 at Notre Dame. Tyler Olander started in place of Oriakhi on Tuesday and went scoreless in six minutes.
*** Looking ahead to today's bout with Georgetown: the Hoyas (like UConn) dropped four of their last five regular-season games. Unlike UConn, their slump can largely be traced to the broken hand injury suffered by second-leading scorer and third team all-Big East guard Chris Wright on Feb. 23 against Cincinnati. Georgetown lost that game, as well as its next two. Wright, who scored a team-high 19 in the Hoyas' loss at UConn on Feb. 16, is sorely missed.
"I think they're a little more conservative, because they don't feel as confident in their bench," said Calhoun. "Beyond that, that doesn't necessarily help us because they may play more zone because of that."
Plenty of blame to go around in this loss.
Kemba Walker tried to do too much down the stretch, and while he wound up doing a lot of good (27 points, his usual array of special plays) he did plenty of bad over the final two minutes of regulation and overtime. Walker took some ill-advised shots, had some ugly turnovers and dribbled the ball into double teams a few too many times.
"I (made) two big turnovers at the end of the game," the always accountable Walker said. "They doubled me, and I was careless with the ball ... I think I was trying to force the issue a little too much."
Of course, it would have helped if his teammates had provided some help for him and presented themselves to him while he was being trapped.
Said Jeremy Lamb: "(Kemba) still made a lot of big plays. I feel like I let the team down. I didn't hit shots I usually hit."
George Blaney also could have drawn up some more imaginative offensive sets. And, by his own admission, could have allocated his minutes better.
"I probably ran everybody too many minutes," Blaney confessed. "We needed to get a little bit more production, but some of the guys that came in and didn't get it done when they were asked to do it, so we stayed with the guys that were doing it."
Where was Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who made his second start of the season, down the stretch? On the bench, given his inability to guard Jimmy Butler. Niels Giffey (9 points) did a decent job in his stead, but it was surprising how little run Coombs got in the latter part of the game.
Oh, and the 17 turnovers didn't help either. Neither did teh 36-percent shooting -- a remarkable number, considering UConn grabbed 28 offensive rebound and, ostensibely, had many point-blank shot attempts.
"I don't know if I've ever seen that before, to be honest with you," Blaney said.
Oh, and what exactly was Roscoe Smith thinking, putting up a long jumper off a rebound with 3 1/2 minutes left in OT?
Anyway, here's the game story: http://nhregister.com/articles/2011/02/24/sports/doc4d671631b2bd9969606032.txt
So if I'm a UConn fan, I'm a bit worried right now. But should you give up all hope? Nah, not with a group led by Walker and Jim Calhoun. It won't be easy the rest of the way -- the Huskies play at Cincinnati, at West Virginia and host Notre Dame in their regular-season finale.
They could easily lose all three games. But would it completely shock you if they won all three, or at least two of them? Not in this crazy season.
Kemba Walker tried to do too much down the stretch, and while he wound up doing a lot of good (27 points, his usual array of special plays) he did plenty of bad over the final two minutes of regulation and overtime. Walker took some ill-advised shots, had some ugly turnovers and dribbled the ball into double teams a few too many times.
"I (made) two big turnovers at the end of the game," the always accountable Walker said. "They doubled me, and I was careless with the ball ... I think I was trying to force the issue a little too much."
Of course, it would have helped if his teammates had provided some help for him and presented themselves to him while he was being trapped.
Said Jeremy Lamb: "(Kemba) still made a lot of big plays. I feel like I let the team down. I didn't hit shots I usually hit."
George Blaney also could have drawn up some more imaginative offensive sets. And, by his own admission, could have allocated his minutes better.
"I probably ran everybody too many minutes," Blaney confessed. "We needed to get a little bit more production, but some of the guys that came in and didn't get it done when they were asked to do it, so we stayed with the guys that were doing it."
Where was Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who made his second start of the season, down the stretch? On the bench, given his inability to guard Jimmy Butler. Niels Giffey (9 points) did a decent job in his stead, but it was surprising how little run Coombs got in the latter part of the game.
Oh, and the 17 turnovers didn't help either. Neither did teh 36-percent shooting -- a remarkable number, considering UConn grabbed 28 offensive rebound and, ostensibely, had many point-blank shot attempts.
"I don't know if I've ever seen that before, to be honest with you," Blaney said.
Oh, and what exactly was Roscoe Smith thinking, putting up a long jumper off a rebound with 3 1/2 minutes left in OT?
Anyway, here's the game story: http://nhregister.com/articles/2011/02/24/sports/doc4d671631b2bd9969606032.txt
So if I'm a UConn fan, I'm a bit worried right now. But should you give up all hope? Nah, not with a group led by Walker and Jim Calhoun. It won't be easy the rest of the way -- the Huskies play at Cincinnati, at West Virginia and host Notre Dame in their regular-season finale.
They could easily lose all three games. But would it completely shock you if they won all three, or at least two of them? Not in this crazy season.
Kemba Walker has had some remarkable performances this season.
He scored 42 points against Vermont. He averaged 30 a game in three wins in Maui over Wichita State, Michigan State and Kentucky. He had a triple-double against UMBC. He scored 31 against DePaul, 30 against New Hampshire, 22 with seven assists on Sunday against Providence. He's hit huge, game-winning shots against Texas and Villanova.
But I think Wednesday's effort against Georgetown -- 31 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, one remarkable drive to the hole after another, one of the wildest plays you'll ever see in a game -- tops them all.
Granted, I wasn't at Maui, or Texas, or DePaul. But watching Walker almost singlehandedly take over Wednesday's game, scoring on fallaways, reverse layups, scoop shots and that incredible putback of his own (purposely) missed shot was something to behold.
And like the Providence game, he was efficient. Granted, he took 23 shots, but he hit 13 of them. He also doled out those 10 assists -- most of them to Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (more on him later). Walker really didn't force anything, just took what the Hoyas gave him and found his teammates when nothing was there.
Jim Calhoun was asked afterwards if this was Walker's best game of the season, given the level of competition, the importance of the game, the all-around stat line, etc.
Calhoun paused.
"He did some things in Maui I haven't seen before," he finally said. "I'm sure it was fun to watch. It was fun to coach, I know that."
It was also Walker's best game in a season full of great ones.
Here's my game story: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2011/02/16/sports/doc4d5c82fdabc1b246262766.txt
He scored 42 points against Vermont. He averaged 30 a game in three wins in Maui over Wichita State, Michigan State and Kentucky. He had a triple-double against UMBC. He scored 31 against DePaul, 30 against New Hampshire, 22 with seven assists on Sunday against Providence. He's hit huge, game-winning shots against Texas and Villanova.
But I think Wednesday's effort against Georgetown -- 31 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, one remarkable drive to the hole after another, one of the wildest plays you'll ever see in a game -- tops them all.
Granted, I wasn't at Maui, or Texas, or DePaul. But watching Walker almost singlehandedly take over Wednesday's game, scoring on fallaways, reverse layups, scoop shots and that incredible putback of his own (purposely) missed shot was something to behold.
And like the Providence game, he was efficient. Granted, he took 23 shots, but he hit 13 of them. He also doled out those 10 assists -- most of them to Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (more on him later). Walker really didn't force anything, just took what the Hoyas gave him and found his teammates when nothing was there.
Jim Calhoun was asked afterwards if this was Walker's best game of the season, given the level of competition, the importance of the game, the all-around stat line, etc.
Calhoun paused.
"He did some things in Maui I haven't seen before," he finally said. "I'm sure it was fun to watch. It was fun to coach, I know that."
It was also Walker's best game in a season full of great ones.
Here's my game story: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2011/02/16/sports/doc4d5c82fdabc1b246262766.txt
First off, let's talk about 'The Play' -- the one you'll be seeing on highlight shows for years to come.
Of all of Kemba Walker's 31 points on Wednesday night -- of all the remarkable drives to the hoop for scoop shots and reverse layups, sprinkled in with the occasional fallaway 'J' -- none were more remarkable than the two he scored on a play he apparently perfected on the playgrounds of the Bronx but never had the guts to attempt in a real game.
Just over three minutes into the latter half, Walker, guarded tightly by Georgetown's Henry Sims up near the top of the key, and with the shot clock winding down, leapt forward, threw the ball off the backboard, caught it in mid-air and sank a six-footer.
Jim Calhoun said he may not have ever seen such a play before, though he thought he recalled a West Virginia player trying it -- and missing -- many years ago.
Personally, I think I recall Isiah Thomas do something similar a long time ago. If memory serves me correct, Isiah -- the former Piston, not the current Washington Husky -- threw a ball off the backboard from about 12 feet out and either dunked it or laid it in. It was more for show than anything else.
Walker's, however, was more impressive, considering its importance (in the midst of a 9-0 UConn run in which they'd regain the lead) and the distance from where he tossed the ball up.
"I thought he was throwing it too hard," said Jamal Coombs-McDaniel. "I had no idea what he was doing. It was a great play by a great player. He's playing out of his mind right now. When he's playing like that, we're tough to beat."
Here's what Kemba had to say about it:
"I had an 'iso' with Sims. I stepped back, it was just me and the rim. I just threw it off the backboard and got it back on the way down."
"He was on my side, and it was just me and the basket. That was the only play he gave me."
"I did it a lot in pick-up, never had the courage to do it in a game. But it was there. I'm just happy I made it …"
"It was the only play available. At the time, there was nobody in the middle, everybody was on the outside of the paint, he was on my side and that's what I saw."
Not solely because of that play but because of his tremendous all-around game -- 31 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds -- as well as his terrific effort a few days earlier in a win over Providence, Walker is right back in the player of the year debate.
As in national player of the year, not just Big East.
"I keep hearing, 'Well, he couldn't be the Big East player of the year,'" Calhoun said. "No, you're probably right. He might be the national player of the year."
He might be. And while I've never really heard anyone suggest Walker couldn't be the conference player of the year, there's no doubt guys like Notre Dame's Ben Hansborough and G'town's Austin Freeman had entered the conversation in recent weeks.
Right now, I'm not sure how Walker couldn't win that award. And he's right on Jimmer's and Sullinger's heels again for national POY, IMO.
There's one play, in my mind, that best summarizes UConn's 75-57 romp over PC on Sunday night.
With 4:41 left the Friars still in it (trailing 63-55), Kemba Walker got the ball near the top of the key with the shot clock running down. He took a couple of dribbles and seemed primed to hurl up a 3-pointer.
Walker leapt in the air like he was taking a jumper, but instead fired a bullet down low to a wide-open Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who it a reverse layup with about a second left on the shot clock. That kicked off a 12-0 Husky run that shut the door and gave them the victory.
It also represented everything that was right for the Huskies on Sunday. Walker, rather than forcing up a tough shot, distributed the ball beautifully. He did it all night, racking up seven assists while taking just 10 shots -- a season-low. He hit seven of them (including a trio of 3-pointers), to snap out of a seven-game shooting slump (during which he was 38-for-123, 31 percent overall).
And, of course, Coombs-McDaniel had by far his best night as a Husky, with career highs in points (25), rebounds (eight), minutes (31), praises from Jim Calhoun (who labeled his relationship with the player as "stormy") and postgame questions from the media.
"I'd love to ask him, 'Do you think, in the midst of playing six minutes, say, in Hawaii, did you really think you'd come here and score 25 in a game?'" Calhoun said. "He'd say yes, by the way. His ego would say. But I really wondered that. And yet, in the last couple of games, the one thing he does is comes in and plays hard."
Has Calhoun seen frustration from Coombs-McDaniel?
"I did last year. I don't think I saw frustration. The thing he is, he's probably 15, 20 pounds heavier, worked like crazy on weights. Roscoe (Smith) comes in, Niels (Giffey) was great, and then he kind of got stuck. When you win 11, 12 games in a row and you're 17-2, you're not going to make too many changes. But during his struggle, every time we put him in, he gives us a spark. He did that against Seton Hall, as a matter of fact."
Said Coombs: "It's definitely been tough, but I'm just trying to stick with it. Last year, I would sulk and stuff, and that's not doing me any good. I'm just trying to continue to play hard, get better and earn some minutes on the court."
Fittingly, that 12-0 UConn run was also capped by a pass from Walker out on the perimeter to Coombs-McDaniel, who buried a 3-pointer.
Charles Okwandu (six points, career-high 11 rebounds, four loud blocks) played terrific, and Donnell Beverly (five assists) was as steady as ever. But this game was all about Kemba Walker getting back to being Kemba Walker and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (who'll be in the starting lineup Wednesday against Georgetown) having a breakout game.
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