UConn Huskies Focused on Winning in Madison Square Garden in 2011

The UConn Huskies have had quite a remarkable season to date.

Many people were expecting the Huskies to struggle this season, as they were predicted to finish 10th in the Big East. Guard Kemba Walker made it clear that prediction had motivated this team.

Did it ever. UConn stands at 18-4 and 6-4 in the Big East Conference. They now face a crucial stretch that will determine where they finish in the standings.

It will come full circle on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Huskies have struggled in recent years.

Last year, St. John's mopped the floor against a talented but underachieving UConn team. The loss was part of a huge letdown toward the end of January and February.

They also played a talented Kentucky team tough in December of 2009, but eventual No. 1 pick John Wall and coach John Calipari prevailed.

Who could forget the six-overtime thriller against Syracuse in March of 2009? The game looked as if it would never end, but it finally ended with UConn on the losing side. That UConn team did manage to go to the Final Four, but it wasn't able to advance in the Big East Tournament.

In 2008, UConn lost its opening game in the Big East Tournament to West Virginia. The Huskies then went on to be upset by San Diego in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

In 2007, the Huskies lost to Syracuse once again, and although they played them tough, UConn was rebuilding that year.

In 2006, UConn lost two games the entire regular season but lost a stunning game in overtime to, guess who, Syracuse! Gerry McNamara and company went on a historic run to the Big East title and defeated Rudy Gay, Marcus Williams and others who were part of a team that was predicted to win the national championship.

George Mason had something to say about that and proved it when it defeated UConn in the Elite Eight.

In 2005, the Huskies did defeat Georgetown in the Big East Tournament but lost in the following round to Syracuse.

One of the most famous arenas in all of sports has not been kind to coach Jim Calhoun and the Huskies. That has to change eventually, right? This year is the year the Huskies go down to New York City and bring another Big East championship back to Storrs.