Well,
I like Connecticut! (surprise)
There is little comparison in talent here.....BUT ....Linehan took Taliek Brown to school last year in Prov.as the Friars won by 13..Linehan had 5 steals and forced the rook into 8 turnovers...Times have changed!
Calhoun adjusted and CT has won the last 2 by dd.
Coach took Brown off the ball depending on who Linehan guarded. They also took who he guarded and ran them off screens with much greater success....NOW they have 2 other Very capable point men in Tony Robinson (from RI and he's ready for this one) and Ben Gordon.....Linehan (who lit up St Johns in last) should be neutralized somewhat!
Ct is playing its best ball now and is improving each game!
Again, if Emeka Okafor stays out of foul trouble Prov better be ready to live by the 3.
Statwise....Ct. shoots better 50% to 41% (even road 46%) They rebound better....but have been poor on the boards of late on the road.....Oklahoma cleaned house on the offensive boards. CT is deeper and can go to some real thoroghbreds...in Gordon, Hazelton etc......Ct should block more shots and turnovers have been reduced dramatically in recent play... perimeter defense is also much improved in last 3.....That has NOT been strong in recent years. Overall CT leads most categories and is accorded the edge ,,even on the road!
Providence just had a big home W over St Johns and they will be pumped for the Huskies.....but CT was embarrassed there last year and have not forgotten....Prov also has some quality losses to S car by 19...home to GW by 6...Vill by 19...Texas by 20, home to Cuse by 7 and to Brown.
Hey....prov. got it done at home last year and is 2-1 at home in last 3 of this series. CT was hampered at Vill by early foul trouble and still had control start to finish.....I think they will be tough in this spot and should cover.
bear
I like Connecticut! (surprise)
There is little comparison in talent here.....BUT ....Linehan took Taliek Brown to school last year in Prov.as the Friars won by 13..Linehan had 5 steals and forced the rook into 8 turnovers...Times have changed!
Calhoun adjusted and CT has won the last 2 by dd.
Coach took Brown off the ball depending on who Linehan guarded. They also took who he guarded and ran them off screens with much greater success....NOW they have 2 other Very capable point men in Tony Robinson (from RI and he's ready for this one) and Ben Gordon.....Linehan (who lit up St Johns in last) should be neutralized somewhat!
Ct is playing its best ball now and is improving each game!
Again, if Emeka Okafor stays out of foul trouble Prov better be ready to live by the 3.
Statwise....Ct. shoots better 50% to 41% (even road 46%) They rebound better....but have been poor on the boards of late on the road.....Oklahoma cleaned house on the offensive boards. CT is deeper and can go to some real thoroghbreds...in Gordon, Hazelton etc......Ct should block more shots and turnovers have been reduced dramatically in recent play... perimeter defense is also much improved in last 3.....That has NOT been strong in recent years. Overall CT leads most categories and is accorded the edge ,,even on the road!
Providence just had a big home W over St Johns and they will be pumped for the Huskies.....but CT was embarrassed there last year and have not forgotten....Prov also has some quality losses to S car by 19...home to GW by 6...Vill by 19...Texas by 20, home to Cuse by 7 and to Brown.
Hey....prov. got it done at home last year and is 2-1 at home in last 3 of this series. CT was hampered at Vill by early foul trouble and still had control start to finish.....I think they will be tough in this spot and should cover.
bear
