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UMass-Lowell's Marcus Johnson, left, and UConn's Jerome Dyson, go for a loose ball during the second half of an exhibition game at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs. UConn beat UMass-Lowell 88-50. (BETTINA HANSEN / HARTFORD COURANT / November 8, 2009) |
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STORRS -
Jerome Dyson has always been a player of blood, bandages and braces, a shooting guard of reckless abandon.
He has been hurt going to the basket. He has been hurt diving for loose balls. He has been hurt in collisions with opponents and teammates alike.
And now, he has been hurt simply trying to get into the building. Arriving at Gampel Pavilion to play his first game in nine months Sunday, Dyson swung open a door, clipped his big toe and tore off the nail. For a while, it was unclear if he would play against Division II UMass-Lowell, but, boy, did he ever.
After having the nail stitched back on, an injection to numb the pain and several layers of bandage applied, Dyson dominated UConn's 88-50 exhibition victory, scoring 32 points.
"I told [trainers and doctors] they had to do whatever they could, just so I could get out there and play," Dyson said.
It had been a while. Dyson sustained a torn meniscus Feb. 11 against Syracuse at Gampel and missed the final 12 games of 2008-09. Set to return Wednesday against American International, Dyson was forced to sit out as documents pertaining to his eligibility were reviewed by the school.
He wasn't nervous Sunday. It didn't feel weird to be back. And if his performance is any indication, he's primed to make major contributions to a UConn team relying on him more than ever.
Dyson made 12 of 17 shots and was 5-for-5 on three-pointers. Bleeding, he changed his socks at halftime. By that point, he already had 20 points. He dunked, drove to the basket, pulled up, even ran the point for a while — a little bit of everything in 27 minutes. He had six assists.
"It was ugly," coach Jim Calhoun said of Dyson's toe. "It was bleeding like crazy and so on. So they didn't know if he was going to play. I said he has to play because he's not really that hurt. He shot the heck out of the ball and took good shots. He just played great. He played absolutely terrific."
The No.12 Huskies have played with the pace Calhoun desires and, even while they're thin up front, Calhoun likes what he sees overall. Kemba Walker had 15 points and seven assists. Stanley Robinson, Gavin Edwards, Darius Smith and Alex Oriakhi each had nine points. Oriakhi had 14 rebounds and now has 30 in two exhibition games.
If there's a concern, it's up front. While Oriakhi has been spectacular, Charles Okwandu (four points, two rebounds) has faltered. With Ater Majok not eligible until Dec. 20, there's little help for Oriakhi. Okwandu had four fouls and played just 10 minutes, forcing Calhoun to move Robinson from the wing to power forward much more than he would like.
UConn's main strengths, its speed and open court flexibility, appear to be clicking. The Huskies had 32 fastbreak points and held UMass-Lowell to two. Dyson was the catalyst. With UConn leading just 19-17, he scored 12 consecutive points to push the lead to 14. The lead grew to 42.
"UConn is very, very fast, very, very athletic," said UMass-Lowell coach Greg Herenda, a former assistant at Seton Hall. "I was in the Big East back when Ray Allen, Travis Knight were here. This is as fast, as quick a team. They're an excellent basketball team defensively, and in transition probably as good as I've seen in a long time, much better than they were last year."
Calhoun has several times contended that UConn could have won the national championship had Dyson not been injured last season. Dyson averaged 13.2 points in 24 games. Sunday's game was a reminder that he can get a bunch in a hurry.
"He can just go off," Calhoun said.
Dyson hasn't played a full season since his freshman year of 2006-07. He missed part of 2007-08 to a suspension, and the last third of 2008-09 to injury. He has also missed a lot of practice time with minor injuries this preseason, a result of the way he plays — relentless, even reckless at times.
But he's tough, and that's enough for Calhoun to love and trust him as player. No word if the coach will open the door for him when the Huskies return to Gampel for the season opener.
"Jerome is always hurt," Walker said. "He's like Allen Iverson. But if he can play through it, he's going to play."
•Next for UConn: vs. William & Mary, Gampel Pavilion, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Ch. 59, SNY
He has been hurt going to the basket. He has been hurt diving for loose balls. He has been hurt in collisions with opponents and teammates alike.
And now, he has been hurt simply trying to get into the building. Arriving at Gampel Pavilion to play his first game in nine months Sunday, Dyson swung open a door, clipped his big toe and tore off the nail. For a while, it was unclear if he would play against Division II UMass-Lowell, but, boy, did he ever.
After having the nail stitched back on, an injection to numb the pain and several layers of bandage applied, Dyson dominated UConn's 88-50 exhibition victory, scoring 32 points.
"I told [trainers and doctors] they had to do whatever they could, just so I could get out there and play," Dyson said.
It had been a while. Dyson sustained a torn meniscus Feb. 11 against Syracuse at Gampel and missed the final 12 games of 2008-09. Set to return Wednesday against American International, Dyson was forced to sit out as documents pertaining to his eligibility were reviewed by the school.
He wasn't nervous Sunday. It didn't feel weird to be back. And if his performance is any indication, he's primed to make major contributions to a UConn team relying on him more than ever.
Dyson made 12 of 17 shots and was 5-for-5 on three-pointers. Bleeding, he changed his socks at halftime. By that point, he already had 20 points. He dunked, drove to the basket, pulled up, even ran the point for a while — a little bit of everything in 27 minutes. He had six assists.
"It was ugly," coach Jim Calhoun said of Dyson's toe. "It was bleeding like crazy and so on. So they didn't know if he was going to play. I said he has to play because he's not really that hurt. He shot the heck out of the ball and took good shots. He just played great. He played absolutely terrific."
The No.12 Huskies have played with the pace Calhoun desires and, even while they're thin up front, Calhoun likes what he sees overall. Kemba Walker had 15 points and seven assists. Stanley Robinson, Gavin Edwards, Darius Smith and Alex Oriakhi each had nine points. Oriakhi had 14 rebounds and now has 30 in two exhibition games.
If there's a concern, it's up front. While Oriakhi has been spectacular, Charles Okwandu (four points, two rebounds) has faltered. With Ater Majok not eligible until Dec. 20, there's little help for Oriakhi. Okwandu had four fouls and played just 10 minutes, forcing Calhoun to move Robinson from the wing to power forward much more than he would like.
UConn's main strengths, its speed and open court flexibility, appear to be clicking. The Huskies had 32 fastbreak points and held UMass-Lowell to two. Dyson was the catalyst. With UConn leading just 19-17, he scored 12 consecutive points to push the lead to 14. The lead grew to 42.
"UConn is very, very fast, very, very athletic," said UMass-Lowell coach Greg Herenda, a former assistant at Seton Hall. "I was in the Big East back when Ray Allen, Travis Knight were here. This is as fast, as quick a team. They're an excellent basketball team defensively, and in transition probably as good as I've seen in a long time, much better than they were last year."
Calhoun has several times contended that UConn could have won the national championship had Dyson not been injured last season. Dyson averaged 13.2 points in 24 games. Sunday's game was a reminder that he can get a bunch in a hurry.
"He can just go off," Calhoun said.
Dyson hasn't played a full season since his freshman year of 2006-07. He missed part of 2007-08 to a suspension, and the last third of 2008-09 to injury. He has also missed a lot of practice time with minor injuries this preseason, a result of the way he plays — relentless, even reckless at times.
But he's tough, and that's enough for Calhoun to love and trust him as player. No word if the coach will open the door for him when the Huskies return to Gampel for the season opener.
"Jerome is always hurt," Walker said. "He's like Allen Iverson. But if he can play through it, he's going to play."
•Next for UConn: vs. William & Mary, Gampel Pavilion, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Ch. 59, SNY