That is unless you think that Michigan will be able to go to Storrs and knock off the Huskies this Saturday. Otherwise, UConn seems a lock to stay at the top spot in the polls after thrashing Louisville 68-51.
Early it looked like it would be the slugfest expected for the two top ranked Big East teams. Both teams got out and in spurts were able to dictate the tempo on offense and disrupt the other team with their defense. Louisville got turnovers pressuring UConn, but the Cardinals could not find the bottom of the basket. UConn when not turning the ball over shot extremely well by getting the ball inside.
It was in the final five minutes of the first half, when it became all UConn. Not turning the ball over and completely shutting down Louisville The Cardinals did not score the rest of the half and it took over a minute into the second half before Louisville scored. The Huskies went into the half with a 12 point lead and never let the Cardinals get closer than 10 points.
Hasheem Thabeet completely intimidated Louisville from going inside. Instead, the Cardinals settled for jumpers and shooting outside. Earl Clark was absolutely horrible for Louisville. His 2-for-16 shooting completely offset Terrance Williams' 11-for-19 performance. Aside from Preston Knowles, the rest of the Louisville cast gave very little.
UConn was able to drive inside with ease. Louisville's preoccupation with Thabeet provided space for A.J. Price, Jeff Adrien and Jerome Dyson to attack the basket.
UConn's defense was the story, though. They turned Louisville into a jump-shooting team, unable and afraid to attack the basket. The Cardinals are not good enough shooters to have success with that approach on any predictable or consistent basis.
UConn Should Last More Than One Week as No. 1 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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