SLIP SLIDIN' AWAY
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SUNDAY AM- It would appear that this 09-10 season is slip slidin' away from the UConn men after a disheartening 70-68 XL Center loss to Marquette. More painful than the loss at Providence because it comes at home and because UConn actually led the game with 54 seconds to play.
But then things unraveled in this fashion
A)- Jerome Dyson bites on an upfake and fouls Darius Johnson-Odom on a three point attempt and Johnson-Odom, a 52% free throw shooter in Big East play hits all three to tie the game with 41 seconds to go.
B)- Kemba Walker drives the lane too soon and throws up an airball with 21 seconds left. The "thumbs down" play was a good call, Walker and Dyson had been getting any shot they wanted against the Marquette guards. But Walker went way too soon (15 seconds left on the shot clock) saying he miscommunicated with assistant coach Andre LaFleur (he thought 'Dre was saying "go, LaFleur was saying "No". For Red Sox fans, reminiscent of Game 6 of the 75 World Series when Denny Doyle thought Don Zimmer said go on a short flyball to left in the ninth and got thrown out at the plate. Of course, that set the stage for Carlton Fisk's heorics so maybe that was a good thing). Anyway, going too soon was a minor mistake compared to not getting iron on the shot. UConn killed Marquette off the glass so if the shot had caught rim, the Huskies could have had a shot at the offensive rebound.
C)- Jimmy Butler drove off a broken play and threw in a running one hander with 2.8 to play to give Marquette the win. I thought Butler made a good play, Gavin Edwards says he could have cut him off quicker. I give Butler credit.
I don't think the final turnover was a factor because when I watched the play on the highlights, it's didn't look like anyone was open.
So two straight XL Center losses, five losses in the last seven games and the question continues, why does this team wait sooooo long to get into games. It's mind boggling and you know it is driving the coaching staff crazy. Everyone after the game (George Blaney, Edwards, Walker and Dyson) were all baffled by it,
Now the Huskies face a torturous February. At Louisville,Syracuse, Villanova, Rutgers (ask Notre Dame if its an easy place to play). Home to De Paul, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Louisville. At 13 and 8 and 3 and in the Big East, there is no wiggle room.
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