While Dyson's absence in the Seton Hall game was overshadowed by Hasheem Thabeet's absolute dominance, it clearly affected UConn. UConn averages 76.9 pts/g while Seton Hall typically allows 72.2 pts/g. So why did UConn only score 62 points? Austrie and Walker played a combined 65 minutes, yet only contributed 14 pts on 4-15 shooting to go along with 5 assists. These are the numbers that should be expected of the two if they are merely giving the team points off the bench. However, they are now feature players on this team and must put up better numbers. A.J. Price, who is usually good for 12.1 pts/g, also seemed to be affected by the loss of Dyson as he only scored 6 pts on 2-10 shooting.
Key match-up:
Pitt's DeJuan Blair vs UConn's Thabeet
Blair, who weighs in at 6'7" 265, will be giving up some serious inches against the mostrous Thabeet (7'3" 263). But Blair uses his size well and has a large wingspan of 7'3". If Seton Hall's 6'9" F/C John Garcia was able to put up 22 points on Thabeet, I see no reason why we shouldn't expect Blair to meet his average of 15.4 pts against UConn. If Blair is able to neutralize Thabeet, then UConn doesn't have a chance in this game. The reason being is that the other match-ups are in Pitt's favor.
Other match-ups:
Pitt's Sam Young vs. UConn's Jeff Adrien
At 6'7", Adrien averages a double-double with 14 pts and 10.1 rebounds. Young (6'6") averages 17.9 pts and 5.8 boards. Both players are their respective teams' scoring leaders. Both are exceptional players and senior leaders. However, Adrien needs to increase his scoring output to combat the loss of Dyson. This will be a good match-up, but the two more or less cancel each other out.
Pitt's Backcourt vs UConn's Backcourt
Here is the difference in this game. Levance Fields is perhaps the best true point guard in the country (Ty Lawson is pretty good too). Fields averages 11.1 pts and 7.6 assists per game. He has an amazing 4.15 assist/turnover ratio. In his past 5 games, Fields is averaging 13.2 pts and 11.2 assists. UConn will have their hands full trying to slow him down. Pitt's 2 guard is Jermaine Dixon (9 pts, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals) who is very capable of big game scoring (19 pts at Louisville, 16 pts against ND). The Panthers then have guards Brad Wanamaker (6 pts, 2.2 assists, 3.2 boards) and Gilbert Brown (5.7 pts, 3.3 boards) coming off the bench for solid minutes.
UConn's guards are solid, but after the loss of Dyson, their depth took a huge hit. A.J. Price averages 12.1 pts, 4.4 assists, and 3.4 boards while hitting 40.7% of his 3's. We can expect Austrie to get the start again in Dyson's place, but he will need to improve upon his 7.9 points. Walker will also need to step up and score more than his 8.7 pts/g. After these three players, UConn really has no other viable option at guard, and staying out of foul trouble is a must. It will also be interesting to see how Austrie does in his first start against a quality opponent, seeing as he struggled against Seton Hall.
Prediction:
Even if Thabeet has a big game, Blair will be productive and the Panthers will win this game on the road. Fields will give the Huskies problems all game long, and perhaps get one of UConn's guards in foul trouble. UConn realizes that their once very promising season is not looking so good anymore.
68-59 Panthers
Duke Loses...Again
Is there anything more satisfying than a Duke loss? #5 Duke lost to BC 80-74 yesterday and have now dropped 4 of their last 6 games. Oh the sweet sight of Duke collapsing down the stretch. I think it has something to do with Kyle Singler's Vitamin D deficiency.
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