Can Kemba Walker Take UConn to The Dance?

Has Kemba Walker finally developed into the type of point guard that the Huskies need? Does he know "get it" and understand what it takes to lead a team at this level?

I have no idea. No one but Kemba would know that.

What I do know is that the kid we saw in last night's stunning victory over No. 3 Villanova was the PG that Coach Calhoun recruited. Kemba had the game of his career at a time when the Huskies were most desperate. His stat-line was obviously impressive: 29 points, 3-7 on three pointers, 14-16 at the free-throw line, nine rebounds, three assists, and just one turnover.

More impressive was his demeanor. Kemba was confident and patient, keeping his nasty habit of over-penetration in check most of the game. He seemed to know when to push and when to pull it back...when to shoot and when to pass. Real point guard stuff.

Most impressive? That smile of his. Kemba's natural inclination is to smile, and smile big. It is easy to smile when you are winning...pretty difficult in hard times, but much more important.

There was a telling play last night, with the game still very much undecided, when Kemba dove to the floor and corralled a loose ball. A Villanova player dove headlong on top of Walker, smashing him into the floor. After a brief tussle for the ball, Kemba was able to get the timeout (should have been a foul on 'Nova). Walker jumped up holding the ball like a fullback, flashed a mega-watt smile, and started whoopin'. My first excited thought was "he is starting to remind me of Khalid."

You remember Khalid El-Amin, don't you? Khalid with the 100 watt smile and the big motor led UConn to the 1999 national championship. He too was often maddeningly out of control at times in his first year at the point. We saw what he did in his second year.

No one disputes Kemba Walker's energy, heart, of joyous approach to the game. Also beyond debate are his skills and quickness. Oh man, is he quick. We need to remember that this is Kemba's first season at the point. Some criticisms have accused him of a sophomore slump, but they seem to forget that A.J. Price had the ball in his hands at all crucial times in a game. Kemba's role was speed and energy. This year he is learning on the job, and he may have just figured it out.

The big questions on Kemba has been his confidence, patience, and leadership. Those qualities were in full effect against Villanova. They were also contagious, as nearly every Huskies player had a solid game...there was player movement on offense, good rotations on defense, and very little of the 1-on-5 mentality on display — and that's the point.

Can Kemba lead the Huskies into the NCAA tournament? Yes, absolutely. He doesn't need to get a career high in points every night either. He simply needs to display the qualities of a real point guard — patience, confidence and leadership.

One thing is for sure. Saturday's game against Rutgers will provide all the answers we need for the "is Kemba a true point guard?" Villanova played primarily man-to-man defense against the Huskies. If Kemba can solve the multiple zone defenses that Rutgers will throw at UConn and their attempts to slow down the pace of the game, then we will know that we found "the one."