Cincinnati 60 UConn 48

The headline on ESPN's game recap is "Cincy embarrasses UConn in Calhoun's return from leave of absence." I would disagree. It should read something like "UConn embarrasses themselves."

This game was U-G-L-Y. It was the worst I've seen UConn play in 10 years. I am about as big a homer for UConn as you will find, but I want the two hours I spent watching that game back.

Some numbers for the Huskies: 34% FG shooting (18-52); 50% FT shooting (9-18); 16 Turnovers; Out-Rebounded 41-29.

Another significant number would be zero. That is how many FG UConn had in the first 10:30 of the second half, allowing Cincy to break the 22-22 halftime tie with a 14-3 run. This after opening the game with no field goals for over five minutes.

If not for a frantic surge by UConn with around three minutes to play, they would have broken the program record for fewest points scored in a Big East game (42 in 1999 against Syracuse). As it was, the Huskies scored only three more points than the UConn football team scored in their loss to Cincinnati this year (47-45).

In the opening I said that UConn should get most of the "credit" for this loss. Why? Cincinnati hit on just 37% of their FG attempts, was only 60% from the free throw line, and had 14 turnovers of their own. This was truly an ugly game to watch, no matter who you were backing. The difference for Cincinnati was effort, as proved by their work on the glass. Watching Cincy get 17 offensive rebounds made it clear that there was only one team on the floor with any interest in winning this game.

This is what was most disgusting about the UConn performance...they simply looked disinterested, especially in the second half. The shots weren't falling. There was a complete inability to score in the low-post. Okay...these things happen. Getting beat to every loose ball? Getting dominated on the glass? Allowing Cincy to get second and third chances to score throughout the second half? Appalling.