The young pups from Storrs have finally emerged as big dogs in the Big East. The UConn men’s basketball team suffered one of its worst seasons in the Jim Calhoun era last year, and was off to another rough start. The Huskies had lost seven straight games against ranked opponents dating back to their stunning loss to George Mason in the NCAA tournament two years ago. Close, bitter losses against Gonzaga, Memphis, Notre Dame, and Georgetown this year led to a blowout loss against Providence. UConn was 11-5, and 2-3 in conference and faced with the reality that this still young team might not have the talent to get over the hump and back in the mix as an elite program.

That’s when everything changed. Apparently the light went on after the team bottomed out in the embarrassing home loss to the Friars. Fueled by the confidence gained in a dominating win over 13th ranked Marquette in their next game, UConn has reeled off ten straight wins. Following the route of the Golden Eagles, UConn went on the road and pulled off two major wins. First, in Cincinnati, the young pups played like men in a physical Big East battle. Trailing by 12 points with six minutes left, the Huskies went on a late game run fueled by six three-pointers from Jerome Dyson to rally for a thrilling 84-83 victory. Hasheem Thabeet had his best offensive game, scoring 22 points in the win.

The positive feelings gained from a modest two-game winning streak were dashed when Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins were suspended indefinitely before the nationally televised game at Indiana. The team fell behind 9-0 to start the game, and it appeared that losing two of their top players would return the team to its losing ways. Instead, the team was led by a balanced offensive attack and trademark Husky defense. They rallied for a 68-63 upset of the 7th ranked Hoosiers, ending Indiana’s home win streak at 29 games. Forgotten junior Craig Austrie led all players with 15 points.

The Huskies returned home to play Louisville, and this time they were led by the player they had been waiting for the past three years, A.J. Price. Price scored 20, and UConn held off the highflying Cardinals in a thrilling 69-67 win. Price led the team to another home win with 21 points against 18th ranked Pittsburgh. Defense was a big factor again in the 60-53 win.

The five-game win streak moved UConn into the top 25 rankings for the first time all year. Jeff Adrien scored 19 points to match the Huskies ranking of 19. ‘Yo’ Adrien added 12 rebounds to lead the team to their sixth straight win, this time over rival Syracuse. The Orangemen missed a three pointer at the buzzer, as the Huskies silenced the Carrier Dome crowd with a 63-61 victory.

The Huskies returned home to face an ACC rival, Georgia Tech. UConn had too much power down low for the rambling wreck. Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrien combined for 47 points and 26 rebounds to help the Huskies pull away for a hard fought 80-68 win.

UConn moved up the rankings to 17, and avenged an earlier loss to Notre Dame. Emerging as an All-America candidate, A.J. Price scored a career high 26 points in the 84-78 win over the 20th ranked Fighting Irish. Doug Wiggins, who has returned from suspension, added 10 points off the bench. Stanley ‘lean cuisine’ Robinson hit a huge three in the waning minutes of the game to help UConn pull away late.

Another strong effort was needed from A.J. Price in what turned out to be a tougher-than-imagined game at South Florida. Price scored 23, but it was the buzzer-beating runner in the lane by Craig Austrie that won the game. …and this time they were led by the player
they had been waiting for the past three years,
A.J. Price. Doug Wiggins, perhaps getting more comfortable since his return, also had a career high 20 points in the 74-73 victory.

Hasheem Thabeet bounced back from a few sub-par performances with a 16-point, 13 rebound, eight-blocked shot game against DePaul. The Huskies had to rally from a nine-point deficit in the final six minutes to get their tenth consecutive victory.

A.J Price has been the bigtime leader this team needed during the run. Price has settled into the role of play-making point guard. He has distinguished himself as a player who can get the team a big basket, proving to be deadly in the lane. Price, unlike many other players in this generation, has mastered the art of the mid-range jumpshot. Combining that with his quickness, ability to drive to the hoop, and his improving three-point shooting makes Price a top-flight point guard in the nation.

Also, the continued development of project Hasheem Thabeet has been a huge boost. Thabeet has suddenly found an offensive game. Thabeets footwork, and most importantly, his hands have turned him into a dominating low-post presence. His defense has been solid throughout his short collegiate career, and he his helping the Huskies to lead the nation in shot blocking for the sixth straight season.

Juniors Jeff Adrien and Craig Austrie are the only holdovers from UConn’s last run through the Big Dance. Adrien has become much more productive now that the rest of the team is developing around him. He no longer needs to lead the team in order for them to win, and that allows him to be a much stronger player. Austrie has filled in nicely for the suspended Jerome Dyson, much like he did two seasons ago when he started in place of suspended point guard Marcus Williams. The team is 34-5 in games that Austrie starts. Austrie is steady and solid, and as he proved in South Florida by taking the ball coast-to-coast in the final six seconds for the game winner, he is not afraid of taking the big shot.

Stanley ‘lean cuisine’ Robinson provides rebounding and solid defense on the wing. Robinson has made some big shots during the winning streak as well.

Jerome Dyson is set to end his suspension and return to the team for the final four games of the regular season. Dyson was the team’s second leading scorer, and will provide the team with a legitimate three-point threat.

The team has gone from wondering if they would be missing the NCAA Tournament for the second season in a row, to moving up the rankings fast. They are now ranked 13th and climbing. They are in position to win another Big East title, and are primed for the Madison Square Garden party, league championship tournament. Coach Calhoun has proven why he is a Hall Of Fame coach. The team is playing Husky defense, and getting more confident each game. The Huskies look like they are ready to bite, and there is not going to be a team out there that wants to face them in the Big Dance. Watch out, Husky Mania has returned.