After the win over Cinci, one of the themes from the losing side was that Cinci was closer than they had been but were still not there as a team putting things together. Unlike Pitt.
That theme repeats itself with UConn.
They are everything UConn isn’t right now. They are tough, physically and mentally. They are patient. They are specific in purpose. They are high energy and low panic. They play as a team. They are learning to finish what they start.
UConn has become an almost team.
Yet again the Huskies showed Wednesday that they’re almost good enough to win a tight game against a ranked team.
They’re almost talented enough to overcome their mistakes.
Almost isn’t good enough. Not in the fiercely competitive Big East Conference.
No. 15 UConn’s shortcomings sent it to a damaging 67-57 loss to No. 16 Pittsburgh at the XL Center. It was the Huskies’ first home defeat this season and third loss in five games overall.
“We aren’t putting the package together right now the way we should,” coach Jim Calhoun said. “Obviously, I have great concerns like any coach would. … Everybody is playing pretty well against us, it seems. We’re responding almost enough.
“Almost enough doesn’t get you anything.”
Seems to be the impact of a team that not only exceeds expectations but exposes what the other team isn’t doing.
“I have a problem with 40 and 35 … 40 full minutes and 35 seconds (of offense),” Calhoun said. “I’m not used to games coming down to an end and seeing the other team grab control the way Georgetown and Pittsburgh has these last two games. Very disappointing.”
Why this continues to be a problem for the Huskies almost halfway into the season not only has Calhoun scratching his head in wonder, but also apparently has him so frustrated that he can’t even explode. Maybe it would have been better if the coach had come into the post-game full of emotion, screaming that you’ll never see that type of lethargy from one of his teams again, and that practice was going to be a living hell.
But he didn’t. It’s almost as if he can’t believe what’s happening himself.
“It all goes back to executing our offense, even versus Harvard and some of those other teams, we didn’t execute our offense and make them play defense,” Calhoun said. “We haven’t done that except for maybe one or two games all season.”
I think the Connecticut media is just as befuddled. Calhoun has been — calm isn’t the right word — subdued after these losses. He is likely frustrated, but not actively sparring with the media, implying that the refs cost UConn.
He seems genuinely disappointed with his team, and dare I suggest that he is realizing that he has made some mistakes with the coaching and teaching.
The Huskies inability to adjust to anything other than playing up-tempo, transition game is making a lot of games tougher than they should and costing them against some of the better teams that either play slower or can change tempo.
So what’s wrong with the Huskies?
Just about everything.
Their half-court offense is predictable and ineffective.
Their rebounding is an ongoing issue.
Their free throw shooting is shaky (6-for-13 Wednesday).
Their defense is solid but suffers breakdowns at the worst time.
Their desire and toughness came into question against Pittsburgh.
Here’s an interesting quote from senior Stanley Robinson: “They basically out-toughed us and out-played us.”
That’s a bad sign.
And Brad Wanamaker said as much.
“That’s what the Big East is about, out-toughing the other team,” said Wanamaker. “In the second half, I think we did that.”
After being out-rebounded by four in the first half, the Panthers easily won the battle of the boards over the final 20 minutes, 26-13. Pitt (14-2, 4-0 Big East) finished with 19 offensive rebounds – 12 of them in the latter half – as it spoiled some strong UConn defensive stances with second-chance points.
“We’re not playing with a sense of toughness,” said UConn head coach Jim Calhoun. “At times, we stopped them stone, cold dead … and then we’d give them a second chance.”
The near misses has the fans and media wondering if UConn is more than simply a little overrated.
And has nothing to show for it. It all boils down to primarily one thing: horrible half-court offense. The Huskies simply have no idea how to score in the half-court set. It usually devolves into Jerome Dyson or Kemba Walker getting to the basket and then hoping. The same happened again Wednesday night.
It is so unlike Jim Calhoun’s teams that this one is almost unrecognizable. The only conclusion that can be made right now is that the Huskies aren’t that good. They are likely headed toward a major battle to make the NCAA tournament.
Overstatement? Not likely. The eyes don’t lie.
Media recapping will continue in a bit.
Note that there was no snide remark by Calhoun this year like the previous “now we can get back to playing basketball’ His team was just outplayed once again, pure & simple.
But right now, despite their obvious talent, Uconn is NOT a good team, especially by UConn standards. Maybe it’s his age or health concerns or his lowered expectations for this team, but Calhoun doesn’t seem like the fiery old hall of fame coach we’re used to seeing. And his team plays without any passion or purpose.
Big challenge for Pitt on Saturday when Pitino and company come to town. Pitt’s guards will be severly tested against the kind of pressure they bring. Robinson and Woodall will be key players, as they are used against full court pressure and so far they’ve been the weakest links. If they can eliminate a mistake or two each per game, Pitt will be an extremely tough out.