UConn-Duke: A Matchup Worth Watching

Tonight the Connecticut Huskies will take on the Duke Blue Devils in the final of the NIT Season Tip-Off championship game at Madison Square Garden. It will feature the first matchup in history of two coaches who both have 800 wins to their names.

There is no doubt Jim Calhoun and Mike Krzyzewski are two of the best coaches of all-time. Calhoun, who has two national titles, and Krzyzewski, who has three, are the only active coaches, alongside Florida's Billy Donovan, who have multiple national championships at their respective schools.

The Huskies started out the season sluggish, to say the least. The intensity and drive wasn't present for a full 40 minutes. They would go through spurts of offensive inefficiency and lackluster rebounding.

Their first three games versus William and Mary, Cornell, and Hofstra were far from stellar. It drew Calhoun's criticism, and his players responded Wednesday in the Garden.

That was LSU, and this is Duke. A totally different scene, and although UConn has won the last four matchups against Duke, they have not met since the National Semifinal in 2004.

UConn is going to have to be active in defending the perimeter. Duke loves to shoot the ball from the outside, and it is something they do extremely well. Freshman Andre Dawkins has made 14 threes this season off the bench.

Guard Jon Scheyer has made 12 three-pointers early on this season. His senior leadership is going to be needed for Duke to be victorious in this early season battle.

The two players on whom UConn is going to have to play lockdown defense are Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith. Both juniors, these two have the experience and athleticism to take control of a close game. How UConn handles these two players could play a factor in the outcome.

What UConn must do to win this game is rebound. Early season struggles were how UConn played on the boards. Alex Oriakhi is going to have to remain playing strong down low. He is averaging 10.5 rebounds this season. The battle on the boards will be won only if Oriakhi can remain aggressive.

Also down low, Gavin Edwards is coming off one of his strongest games at UConn. Wednesday night he played a team-high 35 minutes, scored 15 points, and grabbed nine rebounds. He must play to another level against Miles Plumlee and Brian Zoubek.

UConn's biggest weapons are the players that have been in these big game situations. Stanley Robinson has continued to be a force on the glass, and in the lane. His leadership is imperative to how the Huskies play game after game.

The battle with the guards could be the difference maker. UConn will have Kemba Walker and Jerome Dyson to lead the way for the Huskies.

Walker could be one of the quickest players from coast to coast in America. His speed is an asset in transition and on defense. He is from the Bronx, and always has an extra spark when he is playing in the Big Apple.

Jerome Dyson is back and better than ever. He has the skills to go off at any point during a game. He is leading the team in scoring with 20 points per game; look for him to make huge contributions as the season moves on.

Just remember that the Huskies are playing without a key player in Ater Majok, who is ineligible until Dec. 22. Once UConn gets him back, that will solidify the rotation as he is highly considered to be a playmaker.

This will certainly be a stiff test for the Huskies. Even though it is early, this should give an indication of what competition the Huskies and Blue Devils both face down the road.

There is nothing like a Big East versus ACC battle for bragging rights. This is one game you don't want to miss.