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UConn freshman Alex Oriakhi, right, battles William and Mary's Marcus Kitts for possession in the second half. At left is the Tribe's David Schneider. Oriakhi hit all four of his shots from the floor and finished with eight points and 10 rebounds in his college debut. (RICHARD MESSINA / HARTFORD COURANT / November 13, 2009) |
STORRS -
Jim Calhoun spent the better part of the game slapping chairs, clapping sarcastically, screaming at the top of his lungs and stomping onto the court for colorful face-to-face meetings with players.
The Huskies were flat and emotionless Friday night in their 2009-10 debut, and Calhoun showed his displeasure throughout. Then after a 75-66 victory over William & Mary at Gampel Pavilion, Calhoun had sharp criticism for everyone from Jerome Dyson, who led UConn with 27 points, to Donnell Beverly, who played just three minutes.
Gavin Edwards? Calhoun was critical of him, too, without even mentioning the senior forward's name. No one was spared. No one was praised.
"A win, and a lackluster performance by us," Calhoun said. "We won because we're more talented. And guess what? We're not [always] going to be more talented."
Coming off knee surgery that cut short his 2008-09 season and playing despite a nasty laceration on his right big toe, Dyson had the most complete performance for the Huskies, who started with great energy, led by 14 in the first half and struggled to finish off the Tribe. William & Mary made 13 of 34 three-pointers and took advantage of UConn's sloppiness.
Dyson also had eight assists and four steals. He made 9 of 17 shots, including two three-pointers in a 13-3 second-half run that helped UConn seal a victory that lacked zip and zeal.
"I think without Jerome Dyson — he just sort of took the game over at times," William & Mary coach Tony Shaver said. "We could have really gone down to the wire in this ballgame. We didn't shoot the ball as well as we're capable, but a lot of that has to do with the lights in a bright arena, a big crowd and some pretty good athletes flying at you."
The Tribe, despite lacking the size and athleticism of UConn, were even in rebounds (34-34). Quinn McDowell, continually getting free of Edwards, had 20 points. Danny Sumner and David Schneider each had 14.
About a half-hour after the game, Calhoun said, "That kid McDowell is still open, I think. We were very fortunate in many regards, because he was wide, wide open [and could have made more]. He's still open. If he's on the court now, he's probably free."
Stanley Robinson had 17 points and seven rebounds for UConn, which plays Colgate Monday at Gampel in the NIT Season Tip-Off. Walker had 12 points. Alex Oriakhi had eight points and 10 rebounds. UConn got just five points and 28 minutes from its bench players.
"They played better than us," Robinson said.
After the Tribe cut the deficit to four, Walker made a three-pointer to push the lead to 45-38 and Dyson followed with a layup off a nice pass from Robinson. After a three-pointer by Schneider, Dyson made a three-pointer, then fed Robinson for one of his many thunderous dunks.
Another came at a crucial point with four minutes left. Robinson followed his missed free throw for a slam that made it 68-58, and soon Dyson, who played a game-high 37 minutes, was finishing things off from the free-throw line.
"Jerome was awful and good, all at the same time, but we needed him tonight," Calhoun said. "One thing Jerome is not going to do is not stand up when he gets punched."
Still, it shouldn't have come down to riding Dyson. A double-digit lead shouldn't have become four. UConn had numerous chances to put William & Mary away — but almost let one get away instead.
"We weren't very tough," Calhoun said. "We'll find out more about ourselves as we go along. It's a young team and I know all that kind of stuff, but let's see, the minutes were: senior [Robinson], I guess senior [Edwards], freshman [Oriakhi], senior [Dyson], sophomore [Walker]. ... I'm very disappointed."
The Huskies were flat and emotionless Friday night in their 2009-10 debut, and Calhoun showed his displeasure throughout. Then after a 75-66 victory over William & Mary at Gampel Pavilion, Calhoun had sharp criticism for everyone from Jerome Dyson, who led UConn with 27 points, to Donnell Beverly, who played just three minutes.
Gavin Edwards? Calhoun was critical of him, too, without even mentioning the senior forward's name. No one was spared. No one was praised.
"A win, and a lackluster performance by us," Calhoun said. "We won because we're more talented. And guess what? We're not [always] going to be more talented."
Coming off knee surgery that cut short his 2008-09 season and playing despite a nasty laceration on his right big toe, Dyson had the most complete performance for the Huskies, who started with great energy, led by 14 in the first half and struggled to finish off the Tribe. William & Mary made 13 of 34 three-pointers and took advantage of UConn's sloppiness.
Dyson also had eight assists and four steals. He made 9 of 17 shots, including two three-pointers in a 13-3 second-half run that helped UConn seal a victory that lacked zip and zeal.
"I think without Jerome Dyson — he just sort of took the game over at times," William & Mary coach Tony Shaver said. "We could have really gone down to the wire in this ballgame. We didn't shoot the ball as well as we're capable, but a lot of that has to do with the lights in a bright arena, a big crowd and some pretty good athletes flying at you."
The Tribe, despite lacking the size and athleticism of UConn, were even in rebounds (34-34). Quinn McDowell, continually getting free of Edwards, had 20 points. Danny Sumner and David Schneider each had 14.
About a half-hour after the game, Calhoun said, "That kid McDowell is still open, I think. We were very fortunate in many regards, because he was wide, wide open [and could have made more]. He's still open. If he's on the court now, he's probably free."
Stanley Robinson had 17 points and seven rebounds for UConn, which plays Colgate Monday at Gampel in the NIT Season Tip-Off. Walker had 12 points. Alex Oriakhi had eight points and 10 rebounds. UConn got just five points and 28 minutes from its bench players.
"They played better than us," Robinson said.
After the Tribe cut the deficit to four, Walker made a three-pointer to push the lead to 45-38 and Dyson followed with a layup off a nice pass from Robinson. After a three-pointer by Schneider, Dyson made a three-pointer, then fed Robinson for one of his many thunderous dunks.
Another came at a crucial point with four minutes left. Robinson followed his missed free throw for a slam that made it 68-58, and soon Dyson, who played a game-high 37 minutes, was finishing things off from the free-throw line.
"Jerome was awful and good, all at the same time, but we needed him tonight," Calhoun said. "One thing Jerome is not going to do is not stand up when he gets punched."
Still, it shouldn't have come down to riding Dyson. A double-digit lead shouldn't have become four. UConn had numerous chances to put William & Mary away — but almost let one get away instead.
"We weren't very tough," Calhoun said. "We'll find out more about ourselves as we go along. It's a young team and I know all that kind of stuff, but let's see, the minutes were: senior [Robinson], I guess senior [Edwards], freshman [Oriakhi], senior [Dyson], sophomore [Walker]. ... I'm very disappointed."
When was the last time Coach __ " Crash Bang&Crash Em Up " was ever haapy with a first game win. When pertubes me is the sarcastic clapping and embaressing his players, the looking over towards his assistants in the kind of " see I told you type attitude. Jimbo I hope you have that same attitude when the NCAA knocks you down for a 2-3 year probationary period because of your altrustic attitude. Whers's the " Timster " when you need him. Come out and play " buddy " it's that time of year.
FrankieFiveFingers (11/14/2009, 10:17 PM )