Charles Okwandu Comes Through for UConn Huskies

Charles Okwandu had scored eight points all season.  His minutes had diminished significantly since Atar Majok entered the lineup.

In fact, Okwandu made one appearance in the last four games and had become comfortable with sitting on the bench. 

That all changed yesterday when Majok picked up his second foul in four minutes.

Coach Calhoun never hesitated to called Okwandu into the game and he responded in a way that nobody saw coming.

There's no doubt this kid can play basketball, he stands at a towering 7 feet tall.  His size and ability to score down low was something that UConn was in search for.

Early on in the season Okwandu was plagued with poor handling of the ball and consistently picking up stupid fouls.  It was almost as if he was lost in the game. For whatever reason this changed yesterday when he was called upon.

Okwandu played fourteen minutes and scored ten points on a perfect five for five shooting. After making a layup down low it was clear that he had found confidence in his potential to be a difference maker in the frontcourt.

Who knows if this was a one game fluke or something that Big East opponents should come to fear.  Okwandu also grabbed five rebounds and his time on the floor kept Majok on the bench and also gave Oriahki a breather.

If anything this should motivate Majok to realize no matter how could you perform in practice that talent needs to transition to the game.  If not, it's quite obvious that Calhoun is not afraid to go to his bench early and often.

The bench is an important part of any team, but even more so in a conference that is as competitive as the Big East.

When UConn was in desperate need of answer in the beginning of yesterday's 82-70 victory over Notre Dame Charles Okwandu answered the call.  He got the crowd into it, and proved that he adds another dimension to this team.

If this team expects to compete with the best teams in the conference, Okwandu and Majok are going to have to be able to produce some scoring and rebounding.

The deeper frontcourt a team has the better chance it has of being productive and winning the battles on the boards.

It's yet to be scene if Okwandu can continue to his play, but it's certainly a step in the right direction.

Each and every game in the Big East is a battle and no team top to bottom is safe on any given night.