UConn Basketball: What's Wrong With the Huskies' Kemba Walker?

For the first two months of the college basketball season, Kemba Walker was looked at as the premier player in the nation. Austin Burton of Dimemag.com wrote the article that expressed what many thought: "I Said It: Kemba Walker is the Best Player in the Country."

Something has happened as 2010 turned to 2011...As the Huskies went from their pre-conference schedule to their Big East schedule.

Kemba Walker became human.

He started playing like a good player that is still helping his team win games - UConn is currently 17-2 overall, 5-2 in the Big East - instead of an incredible player that was a lock for first team All-American. He may still be selected for that honor.

But right now, he's experiencing what other big-time players are walking through - a mid-season malaise, a case of the "January Junk."

Lets make a rapid review of what's going on with Kemba Walker in the first month of the year:  

 

1. Scoring Drop-Off

Nick Laham/Getty Images

NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies is fouled by Quincy Roberts #10 of the St. John's Red Storm on January 15, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

For the months of November and December, Walker was scoring 24.6 points per game. Depending on the day of the week, he was either leading the nation in scoring or was in second place behind BYU's Jimmer Fredette.

Since New Year's, Kemba Walker is scoring exactly four points less per game (20.6).

Putting up more than 20 per game is nothing to sneeze at. Most players in the country would love to have a single 20 point night.

But after you've had a five game stretch early in the season where you averaged over 32 ppg,, when you are "only" scoring 20, it seems a little unexceptional. 

2. Cold Shooting

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 28: (L-R) Guard Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies goes up for a shot against forwards Leo Lyons #5 and DeMarre Carroll #1 of the Missouri Tigers in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the U

Kemba Walker shot 104 for 214 (48.5 percent) from the floor in the first 12 games of the season.

A nice percentage that helped his team open the season 11-1.

The Huskies are still winning (6-1) in the month of January, but Walker's shooting touch is MIA.

In the first seven games of 2011, Walker is shooting 50-133 (37.5 percent).

He's shooting one more shot per game but making 11 percent less baskets.

3. Cold Shooting From Three-Point Range

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 27: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies pulls up for a three against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Petersen Events Center on December 27, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Kemba Walker, in the first two months of the season, shot 28-for-73 (38.3 percent) from beyond the arc.

Starting with the Huskies January 4th loss at Notre Dame, Walker is shooting 10-for-36 (27.7 percent) in their last seven games.

He has pulled the trigger from three once less per game in this stretch, but he is making over 10 percent less shots from downtown.

How Serious Is This?

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 01: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals on February 1, 2010 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

How serious is this?

Somewhat.

While there is a ton of basketball left to play just in the regular season, if you are a Huskies fan, you want to see Walker return to the exceptional level that he began the season.

Just like I wrote recently about Kyle Singler's slump, there's a good chance that Walker will play his way through this and continue to help UConn contend for the Big East title and then make a deep run in the tournament.

The question is....will he?