Huskies-Yellow Jackets: UConn Swats Georgia Tech

Hasheem Thabeet has been known primarily as a defensive stopper, a shot blocker, an eraser, and a force in the paint.

But today, he was much more than that.

Thabeet had 24 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks to lead Connecticut to a win 80-68 against Big East rival Georgia Tech.

Thabeet led all Huskies players in rebounding and scoring.

In another great UConn effort, F Jeff Adrien slapped together a double-double, with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Anthony Marrow led his Georgia Tech team in scoring, and Jeremis Smith also contributed 14.

The story of this game was runs and interior defense. The game opened up in orderly fashion before Hasheem Thabeet got into a altercation at 10:32 in the first half.

Thabeet received the ball down low in the post and missed a soft layup that rolled off the rim. Thabeet then rebounded the ball and was seemingly strangled by Yellow Jackets' F Zach Peacock.

Thabeet angrily turned around and attempted to fire the ball at a Georgia Tech player, and had to be restrained by teammates. That was the turning point, as after that incident he seemed motivated, focused, and in a whole another dimension.

Later in the half, Anthony Marrow nailed a three-pointer that capped off a 10-3 run, which pushed the Jackets' lead to nine, 32-23.

UConn responded with a run of their own, outscoring their opponent 8-3—led by Thabeet who pitched in five points during that streak. Hasheem had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks by halftime, but his team trailed 35-31.

At the start of the second half, Connecticut came out pumped up, going on a 12-5 spree to tie it up at 47. But on the next Yellow Jackets' possession, Anthony Marrow answered with a three-pointer from the side to recapture the lead for his team.

The contest later found itself tied at 58 with 7:30 remaining. UConn then took the lead on a Hasheem Thabeet layup. D'Andre Bell responded by knocking down a jumper at the other end to tie it back up.

After that, the Huskies' began to pull away. Craig Austrie missed a three-pointer, but newly reinstated G Doug Wiggins flew in for the offensive rebound. A.J. Price capitalized by sinking a three to put Connecticut up for good. Jim Calhoun's team went on a 14-2 run to close out the game.

With the win, the Huskies' go to 18-5 overall and continue their 17-game winning streak. With the way Thabeet is playing it might be wise for him to enter the NBA Draft. He would most likely be projected as a first-rounder.

Thabeet could be a big help for any team. Let's say Thabeet went to the Magic. With Dwight Howard and Thabeet, a new twin towers would be formed and they would surely have one of the best defenses in the league.