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Entering Hornets’ Nest
You know how it is during the really big games at Freedom Hall, when everyone is into the game? Intensity among fans is through the roof. You can’t hear yourself think, much less talk. Even the gray-haired folks are going berserk. That’s how it’s going to be at the XL Center in Hartford tonight.
The U of L game is a huge one for UConn. Husky fans undoubtedly envision a rapid return to the glory days, eager to add to the NCAA basketball championships they earned in 1998 and 2004. UConn won Big East Tournament titles in 2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1996 and 1990. They’ve been there, they expect to return.
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As was obvious in the win over a 17-2 Indiana team, this UConn team takes defense seriously. They will be much more aggressive at home, count on it. The Huskies are also a very unselfish team, with five players hitting for double figures in the IU win. Craig Autrie led all scorers with 15 points, A. J. Price 14, and Hasheem Thabeet 12. Jeff Adrien and Stanley Robinson each tallied double-doubles with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Two players, including one starter, averaging 20 points between them, missed the IU game.
UConn Suspends Two
Nobody’s looking past St. John’s, no way. But right behind them is UConn on Monday evening.
A UConn blog is reporting that Coach Jim Calhoun has indefinitely suspend two players, including one starter, who are averaging a combined 20.9 points per game. They are Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins, according to the Husky Connection:
All that was said is that neither player was arrested and the suspensions had nothing to do with grades. Calhoun was obviously not happy about suspending the two guards, but he felt it was in the best interest of the team.
This will be a major blow to the Huskies for their upcoming game against the Indiana Hoosiers. Neither player made the trip to Bloomington. Dyson has started every game for the Huskies thus far and the two players average a combined 20.9 points per game. It was Jerome Dyson who led UConn’s late comeback to win at Cincinnati and finished the game with 20 points.
You just never know how long those “indefinite suspensions” will last. How about 65-35 on their return by Monday?
On Deck Circle
Seems like a long time ago, sweltering in the 90-degree heat at Jim Patterson Field, hanging on every pitch as the U of L baseball team literally clobbered its way into the NCAA’s College World Series last season. Brought back a lot of memories, going bonkers over the outcome of baseball games.
Current temperatures are currently hovering in the low teens but the Cards are well into preparations for a new season. Opening pitch will delivered on February 22 in a three-game series at home against Cleveland State.
The Cards will host their Leadoff Dinner at the Kentucky Exposition Center on Friday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $50 each, by calling 852-2015.
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Yankees vs. Bulls — Former U of L coach Lelo Prado will lead his South Florida baseball team against the New York Yankees on February 28 at Legends Field in Tampa, according to the College Baseball Blog. Exhibition game, of course.
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Back To Normal? – Jeremy Hazell, who couldn’t miss any of his 30- to 35-foot bombs and wound up with 29 points against U of L, hit three of four threes and managed nine points (thanks Mike) against Providence last night in Seton Hall’s 88-75 win. Anybody looking forward to seeing Hazell in Freedom Hall next season … or maybe the Big East tournament? How about the next three years?
South Florida To Play At South Bend
Word from Tampa is that South Florida has lined up a football game against Notre Dame in South Bend during the 2011 season. The Bulls will receive a check for $800,00 from the Irish. No return game is included, according to Greg Auman. But here’s the eye-opener:
Notre Dame has made a commitment to play three Big East teams each year starting in 2011 and had extended an open invitation to all eight conference programs to play in South Bend.
Open invitation to all eight conference programs? If that’s true, U of L’s Vice President for Athletics, Tom Jurich, has to already be involved in negotiations with the Irish. There’s no way you ignore an invitation to play at South Bend. Despite TJ’s assertions that he won’t schedule other 1A schools without a home game in return, Notre Dame would have to be an exception.
Could it be possible that Jurich could have something else even better in mind — like Notre Dame being the opening opponent in an expanded Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in 2010 or 2011? Total conjecture, but that would be the best possible scenario.
South Florida Mirage
Louisville fans can be forgiven if they relax against South Florida. The Bulls have been down so long it’s hard to remember if they were ever a serious basketball threat. USF is trudging along with 10-9 won-lost record and is mired in a five-game losing streak.
But Cardinal fanatics should know better by now. This team can’t let up against anyone, not at home, not on the road. This South Florida team was very much in the game at Seton Hall last Thursday before finally succumbing by 10 points. Highlights include a win over Florida State 68-67 at Tallahassee and a 23-point spanking of Rutgers at Tampa.
The Bulls are backed into a corner, trying to salvage their season. They view the U of L game as an opportunity to salvage their manhood, ala Seton Hall. USF has a balanced scoring attack, with four players averaging double figures. They are led by 6-foot-9 Kentrell Gransberry with 16.9 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Their rowdy fans have always hated anything U of L, often taunting coaches and players on the bench. This is not a team to be overlooked or pitied.
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Anyone else needing a college football fix? News from the Schnellenger Complex is that the Spring Scrimmage has been set for April 19th. By the way, football signing day is February 6th.
