UConn 88, Texas 74: A Sign of Things to Come

Today, the UConn Huskies finally defeated a ranked team and in convincing fashion. They beat current No. 1 Texas 88-74.  

Jerome Dyson had a career-high 32 points, while Kemba Walker and Stanley 'Stix' Robinson also had big impacts, with 19 points with 10 assists and 17 points with 12 boards, respectively.  Gavin Edwards scored 11 off the bench and 22-year-old freshman Ater Majok had a big impact as a role player, despite scoring just five points along with six rebounds. 

For the 'Horns, potential All-American Damion James scored 23 points along with seven rebounds, while freshman Avery Bradley had 15.  The Huskies turned the ball over 16 times in the first half and looked pretty bad.  

However, in the second half, the tides turned.  Dyson and the Huskies forced plenty of turnovers in the second period and scored off them many a time.  

UConn looked absolutely dominant in the second half.  Dyson finally hit a few three's, and Walker had some acrobatic plays, all leading to a big UConn victory. 

UConn is now 1-4 on the season against ranked teams.  

Does this matter?  Seemingly not.

If they continue to play as they did in the second half of this game, there is no doubt they will go deep in the tournament come March.  

But will they be able to?  Today, they needed a win badly and played with a purpose. The Huskies finally came down with a signature win, after losing to four formidable teams and two, well, decent teams.

If you look at all these games, you really have to believe the Huskies aren't that bad. They nearly beat No. 1 to-be Kentucky, held a large lead over Georgetown for much of that game, lost to Duke, and then lost to a very tough-to-beat Pittsburgh team.  They lost tough ones to Cincinnati and Michigan.  

UConn has been right in the middle of every game this season.  Now, here against Texas, they finally get a win. 

While some may overlook this win because Texas shouldn't actually be ranked No. 1 after losing to Kansas State earlier in the week, it would be a big mistake to overlook it. Just because they lost to a very, very good K-State team, does not mean they're bad; they're just not the No. 1 team.  They may very well stay in the top five.  

Regardless, it's still a great team that UConn beat.  Do not count them out despite seven early losses.  

They still have Robinson to compliment one of the better backcourts in the nation.  

I hear that guy Dyson isn't too bad—ditto for Walker.  

Dyson is making a strong bid for Big East POY, with great company like Scottie Reynolds, Wesley Johnson, Luke Harangody, and Jeremy Hazell.  

Then there are Coombs-McDaniel, Oriahki, Majok, and Gavin Edwards, all big, big role players, who can put up big numbers at times, especially the senior of the group, Edwards.  

I'm not trying to say the Huskies have punched their ticket to Indianapolis—not even close. But the way they played in the second half today, it certainly looks like they wouldn't surprise people if they ended up getting there.  

Who knows?  In this conference, a few wins can rocket you up in the standings, especially with top five competition like Villanova and Syracuse.  

This is one good team.  Do not overlook the Huskies.