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DETROIT- Not many natives of Husky Nation left in Detroit. The UConn Huskies flew home at 1 today after last night's disappointing 82-73 loss to Michigan State in the Final Four. I would imagine most of the fans have flown the coop with only the real basketball diehards hanging around for the Spartans and North Carolina tomorrow night for the National Championship.
Michigan State outplayed UConn for most of the 40 minutes. The Spartans were a much better, much faster team than I imagined. They were strong, deep and talented. Kalin Lucas, who I wouldn't have known from a hole in the head before Friday, is terrific. His matchup with Ty Lawson on Monday will be memorable. Although I am sure it will be Travis Walton who will get the defensive assignment. Walton was good against A.J. Price on Saturday but had help, lots of help. Some of it from A.J. who continued to penetrate into the lane, where he got converged on by the Spartans big men.
Michigan State's bench was also critical,scoring 33 points with three seperate subs taking turns putting up points in bunches. And the Spartans bigs helped force Hasheem Thabeet to a sub 50% shooting game, Please do not interpret that as Hash having a poor game, or that he can't play in the big games. That is MORONIC.
Last night was a night when the Huskies really missed Jerome Dyson, not just for his skills but for the fact that he would have given UConnn one more body to bring off the bench.
So what's next. Thabeet must make his decision whether to turn pro or comeback for his senior year. I am guessing he has played his last game in the National Flag Blue and White. Hash stands to be a lottery pick.
Price, Jeff Adrien and Craig Austrie have played their final games for UConn. Every Huskies fan should thank them for their contributions.
Jim Calhoun will make up his mind whether to come back for a 24th year. I think the Hall of Fame coach will come back. The cupboard will not be bare. Dyson, Stanley Robinson (brilliant in the post season), Kemba Walker and Gavin Edwards will be joined by a bunch of talented newcomers. They won't be a pre season top 25 pick, neither were the 1990 Huskies.
Thanks to the coachs and staff for their help and cooperation, making our jobs soooo much easier. A special thanks to Kyle Muncy, UConn's Assistant AD/Communications for Men's Basketball. I am totally prejudiced but there is not a better SID than Munce. Not a one.
Now, on to Detroit. The people were nice, and helpful. But everything else, from the venue, to the setup, to the transportation was awful, One veteran Boston writer said it best when he called it the worst Final Four he had ever covered. He's been to a lot more than I have, but he hit the nail on the head.
Finally, thanks to the Mayor, Wayne Norman, the best broadcast partner on the planet. To our on-site producer Eric (EB) Davis who was terrific and our studio producer Joey Bourgoin who is also great.
Onto Spring Football, and the Rock Cats. I am really looking forward to it!
And of course, good luck to Geno and the women's basketball team in their pursuit of the title.
Thanks for listening....and reading allseason long.
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