What's Left to Say — UConn v. Villanova Preview

Hmmm...

A "Big Monday" matchup pitting UConn against Villanova. I suppose that was a good idea when the TV people were making up the schedules, but now it seems a bit mean.

By tip-off, Villanova, coming off a huge win at West Virginia and a solid home win over PC, should be ranked No. 3 in the ESPN poll. Un-ranked UConn is coming off a heartbreaking loss at Syracuse, followed up with a home loss to Cincinnati. That game qualifies as one of their single worst Big East efforts in at least 20 years. Coach Calhoun used the "embarrassed" in his post-game interview at least a dozen times.

Connecticut gave every appearance of being unmotivated and uninterested on Saturday. This despite the lift they should have received from the return of coach Jim Calhoun...despite the opportunity a avenge an earlier loss against a team that has no business beating them in the first place.

UConn has some well documented problems this season. They start slow...almost as if they are spotting their opponents a dozen points to make it a fair fight. They don't shoot the ball well from the perimeter or the free throw line. They struggle with patience issues in the half-court. There is no consistent low-post scoring option.

On the other hand, they have one of the most talented set of perimeter players in the college game. The combination of seniors Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson, along with sophomore PG Kemba Walker was supposed to give them an opportunity to win every game with their insane athleticism, pressure defense, and transition game.

Things have not gone according to plan. The Huskies enter the Villanova game with a 14-11 (4-8) record, a two game losing streak, and virtually no hope of going dancing.

Villanova is led by the dynamic duo of guards Corey Fisher and the painfully under appreciated Scottie Reynolds. After Syracuse's loss Sunday to Louisville, Villanova sits alone atop the Big East standings. They are a Final Four caliber team who has won 13 of their last 14 games. Clearly poised for a stretch run, I seriously doubt Villanova will be looking past UConn.

The Wildcats are a perimeter oriented team that plays a lot of man-to-man. This is the type of team that UConn can beat, but...

I go into every UConn basketball game believing that the Huskies can and should win. I will do the same on Monday night, but if I were advising a betting man, I'd suggest taking the Wildcats on this one. At this point, the Huskies are playing for almost nothing but pride. It would take a miracle finish to change the course of their season.

What do you say, Huskies? Any pride in those hearts? Anyone giving the Huskies a shot besides me?

[Yes, I think they will pull off the upset.]