Will It Be 40 Minutes Of Heaven or Hell For Connecticut Against Mizzou?

Let’s move on to this afternoon’s match up before I further alienate the Missouri supporters who happens to come across my last article.

It’s obvious that I consider UCONN/MIZZOU the unlikeliest of the Elite 8 match-ups. Because I’m stubborn, I once again will give the edge to UCONN.

I actually think after seeing Missouri pick apart what I believed to have been an impenetrable Memphis defense, the Tigers could match up well with UCONN in the back court.

If Tiller can put up similar numbers from the outside, and receive help from Zaire Taylor and Freshman Marcus Denmon, UCONN may have its hands full.

Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if Missouri’s tenacious defense would affects decision-making of UCONN’s young point guard Kemba Walker, as stoic as the Harlemite has appeared this season.

Yet, UCONN comes into this match-up with far more experience and a chip on its shoulder. Many, including myself and our president, felt Memphis was a shoe-in for the Final Four. But Connecticut has answered its critics, and them some.

Many questioned the team’s heart after choking in the past few tournaments, and doubted they could maintain their focus amid a recruiting scandal.

One could argue that the Huskies have played the most efficient basketball of any team in the tournament, dominating the opposition in their first three wins like no other team.

Louisville struggled in the first half against No. 16 Morehead State; Pitt struggled against Oklahoma State, an 8 seed; UNC struggled against what I believe was the strongest 8 seed this decade, LSU. UCONN is for real.

As impressive as First-Team Big 12 player DeMarre Carroll and 6’9’’ forward Leo Lyons looked on Thursday, they haven’t faced anyone like the 7’3’’ Tanzanian: Hasheem Thabeet.

While this contest may be competitive throughout much of the first half, I just don’t see Missouri achieving the success they did on Thursday.

UCONN saw what was done to Memphis, and I can assure you that Calhoun and his troops won’t take this ballclub lightly. You won't see any half-court shots made by the Tigers today.

Missouri played by far its best basketball of the season against Memphis on Thursday. There’s no doubt about that. They did not match up well on paper with the Tigers of C-USA, but still managed to pick them apart.

I just don’t see Missouri duplicating that effort later this afternoon. I doubted Missouri going into their Sweet 16 match-up, and I doubt them again coming into this one. 83-71, UCONN.

But maybe Mizzou fans should be happy…I’ve been wrong about these results more than in previous years.

Oh, the Madness of it all!

Enjoy the games.