Huskies Keep Streak Alive

UCONN has survived another Big East opponent, with the latest being Syracuse, a team riddled by injuries and fatigue.

Connecticut narrowly escaped with a  63-61 win after a strong rally by the birthday boy, Johnny Flynn.

Flynn turned 18 today and finished with 20 points on 8-17 FG. Paul Harris led all Syracuse players with 24 points, while Jeff Adrien had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead his team to victory.

Hasheem Thabeet was a force in the paint all night, compiling six points, seven blocks and nine rebounds down in the post. Syracuse simply collapsed down the stretch in this one going on a 4:00+ drought midway through the second half. 

The game was neck and neck, as the Orange took the lead 34-31 at the break. The Huskies were persistent though and never quit on the game, taking a lead on Jeff Adrien's jumper with 7:57 left.

After the jumper, UCONN never trailed. The Huskies went on a 9-0 run to close out the game and get the win for coach Jim Calhoun. Syracuse however, did manage to make the game close by going on a 10-6 run in the final minutes of  regulation to make it 63-58 UCONN.

On the next Orange possession, Johnny Flynn sank a 3-pointer with 45 seconds left to make it 63-61. The Orangemen decided not to foul, and Connecticut guard Craig Ausrtie missed a 3-pointer, and Connecticut forward Stanley Robinson rebounded it to seemingly put a end to the game.

However, no game is complete without suspense, as Syracuse decided not to rush Robinson, but trap him and forced a tie-up with the possession arrow in their favor with 2.3 seconds left to go.

Johnny Flynn had a chance to win it, but his 3-pointer from 30+ feet away fell short. For the fifth game in a row, Johnny Flynn played all 40 minutes of a game. He became only the second player in Syracuse history to do so.

Flynn has played a total of 200 minutes in the last five games. UCONN has won six straight, and is hot during a crucial period of NCAA Basketball.

UCONN forward Jeff Adrien is starting to remind me of Jason Maxiell; not very tall for their position (both 6-7) but makes up for it in wingspan. Both are tough physical rebounders and solid defenders on the block and in the post.