AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

By Paul Casey Gotham

And then there were seven

Northwestern fell to St. John’s. Pitt defeated UConn. As if it matters, that leaves Cincinnati, Duke, Kansas, Ohio State, San Diego State, Syracuse and UCF without a blemish. Any guesses as to which team will avoid defeat the longest?

Point guard paradox

Once was a time when a point guard’s role could be described as getting the ball into the hands of teammates who can score, where they can score.  Sounds simple, right? Somewhere along the line, scoring became more of the focus for the primary ball-handler, and the combo guard found its way into basketball parlance.

Like anything else, something new can seem easier until one tries it.

Take for instance the Kansas State Wildcats. Long before the suspensions of Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly, K-State had its problems, and they all started at point. With Denis Clemente handling the ball last year, the Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight. Had it not been for an overtime thriller with Xavier that left them drained, the Wildcats might have made it to the Final Four.

Clemente graduated, and the problems began. Frank Martin made Pullen his point guard. It seems logical. Pullen is 6′. He handles the ball well (unless he is playing against Kyrie Irving). He sees the floor well. All the necessary characteristics of a successful point guard. Here’s the problem. The Wildcats need Pullen to carry a majority of the burden for scoring. An average team playing together can neutralize an offense like this. The problem manifested itself against Florida. The Gators threw the kitchen sink at K-State – man to man traps, zone traps, zones that morphed into man after an entry pass, and a little run and jump to round it off. K-State managed 44 points and worked up a whole heap of frustration. Florida knew they didn’t need to protect the perimeter. They loaded up in the paint and squeezed Pullen leaving the All-American very few alternatives. The shooting guard turned point guard found baskets more than difficult to come by.

Speaking of Florida, the Gators have their own problems at point – a little surprising considering head coach Billy Donovan’s success in the past.    The Gators deploy Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker at guard. The two share ball-handling responsibilities. It seems like it should work. Right? Two guys with a handle  should make for twice the amount of success. After Florida muddled its way through a pair of sub 60-point performances with less than 12 assists and 40 percent shooting, Donovan pointed to the selfishness of his guards. Opponents knew Boynton and Walker were only passing as a last resort instead of playmaking as their primary focus.

Maybe this combo guard thing isn’t so easy after all.

Tu Holloway and Xavier also learned this lesson. Holloway scored 28 in a win over Iowa and 31 versus Seton Hall. Old Dominion went zone. Holloway scored 14, and Xavier lost. It looks the Muskies have figured it out. Against Wake Forest, Holloway dished out 14 assists (he had a combined 12 hand outs in the three games above) and scored 14 points – five of those points did not come until the games final moments with the Demon Deacon defense spread out trying to defend the entire team.

Kemba Walker and the UConn Huskies will also need to consider this. Walker leads the nation scoring nearly 27 points a game. Last night, as the Huskies opened Big East play, Walker dropped 31. His teammates combined for 32 as Pitt won 78-63. Not one of Walker’s teammates scored in double figures. It’s not going to get any better against the top half of the Big East.

All in the family

In the past, I have noted father and son duos that have made their mark in college basketball. There’s Rhode Island head coach, Jim Baron and his sons Jimmy and Billy.  ESPN did a piece on Duke’s Nolan Smith and the memory of his late father, Derek. There are others. Duke’s transfer, Seth Curry, keeps the family lineage started by his dad, Dell. Tim Hardaway Jr. keeps his father’s tradition. Indiana’s Jeremiah Rivers follows in the footsteps of his dad, current Boston Celtics coach and former Marquette star, Doc Rivers.

But it was a teammate of Rivers that gave me reason to pause the other day. Freshman, Will Sheehey stepped to the line, and I looked at his name and at his face and wondered. No sooner did the thought enter my mind then Steve Lappas confirmed that Will Sheehey is the nephew of Tom Sheehey from Rochester, New York.  The mention sent me back in time to the Rochester City-Catholic League circa 1982-83. What a great time. We knew that we were watching good basketball, and the players went on to prove it. The elder Sheehey eventually played at Virginia – was a three-year starter and eventually taken in the fourth round by the Boston Celtics.

Joe Arlauckas

Sheehey played against the likes of Rob Rose (Cardinal Mooney), Joe Arlauckas (Jefferson), Tim Harvey (Monroe), Chris Schiano (Aquinas) and Joe Binion (Madison).  All of these guys moved on to division one basketball. Rose went to George Mason where he earned All-Colonial Athletic honors. He played two games with Los Angeles Clippers before spending more than ten seasons in the Australian National Basketball League. Twice, Rose won the league MVP. Arlauckas suited up at Niagara and was part of  a Purple Eagle squad that upset then number one ranked St. John’s coached by hall-of-famer Lou Carnesecca. The Sacramento Kings took Arlauckas in the fourth round. He laced them up for just a few games before going to Spain and playing ten seasons. He was part of two Euroleague champions and also won a league MVP. Harvey wore the Blue and Gold at Canisius but did not get any professional chances. Schiano played at Manhattan and chose law over a professional basketball career. Binion was 2-3 years older than the rest of these guys. He earned a scholarship to North Carolina A&T. The Spurs took him in the 1984 draft. Binion eventually played one season with the Trail Blazers.

Joe Binion

Despite all the talent, the best team in the City-Catholic League at the time was probably the Charlotte High Lakesiders. Charlotte more than held their own against these teams and went on to win two New York State Class C titles. The guys on Charlotte were just as talented as those that went on to successful college and professional careers from McQuaid, Cardinal Mooney, Jefferson, Monroe and Madison. The difference? While Sheehey, Rose, Arlauckas, Harvey and Binion were well-known to college coaches, Chris Tuck, “Press” Murphy and other Lakesiders were well-known on the local police blotters.

What’s in a game

Earlier this month, Xavier knocked off Butler 51-49. Since that game Butler has averaged 79 a game winning five in a row. Xavier is 2-1 with a 64-54 loss at Gonzaga.

Last year, the Bulldogs beat the Muskies at Hinkle 69-68. Most people treated that game as two “cute” little programs battling it out. Few took either team serious.  Then Butler came within a Gordon Hayward heave of winning the national title. Xavier advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the third consecutive time (only Michigan State has also made the last three Sweet Sixteens).

After struggling early in the season, Butler took care of Florida State and Washington State – the latter by 16 – in the last week.  Butler is starting to find itself. Xavier lost to Gonzaga, but they held the Bulldogs to 13 points under their team average.

By the end of last season, Butler’s victory over Xavier was viewed differently. Instead of looking at the game as a pair of pretenders fighting for relevance, fans eventually realized the Bulldogs and Musketeers were contenders. Does that carry over to this year? For example, Butler beat Florida State. Is that perceived as a team from the ACC  losing to a team from the Horizon League? Or is that game viewed as the Seminoles losing to the reigning national runner-up? If and when Butler and/or Xavier lose in their conference, is that seen as the strength of the conference? Or is it seen as a weakness for the Bulldogs and Musketeers?

Rebounds and Putbacks

Renardo Sidney continues making news for all the wrong reasons. Mike DeCourcy takes a look at the cautionary tale of the Mississippi State Bulldog.  Props to the Presbyterian Blue Hose out of the Big South Conference. The Blue Hose are not eligible for the NCAA Tournament. But as Dana O’Neill writes, opponents might not want to overlook Presbyterian. Gary Parrish has an interesting twist on the Kansas State suspensions. Looking for a list of early-season pretenders and contenders? Luke Winn has a read for you.   Add Seth Davis to the “ACC is the most disappointing league” contingent. Interesting that Davis ranks North Carolina at 20th, UCF at 23rd and Texas A&M at 24th. Rush the Court has some love and some hate. YOu will want to read it.

1st Team All-Casey

PG Kemba Walker – UConn

SG Jimmer Fredette – BYU

SF Kyle Singler – Duke

PF Marcus Morris – Kansas

C Jared Sullinger – Ohio State

2nd Team All Casey

PG Tu Holloway – Xavier

SG E’Twaun Moore – Purdue

SF Kahwi Leonard – San Diego State

PF  Matt Howard – Butler

C Keith Benson – Oakland

Got any college basketball splinters? Share them here.

Walker drives by past Josh Harrellson. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)

By Paul Casey Gotham

It is that time again. Let’s hear from you readers. We had another week of stellar performances. Pick the ONE (1), UNE, UNO that stands out to you, and tell us a story.

UConn’s Kemba Walker grabs my POTW.

Walker led the Huskies to the Maui Invitational title with a trio of other-worldly performances. He hit 8-16 from the field and 14-15 from the free throw line for 31 points as UConn opened the tourney with a 83-79 triumph over Wichita State. One night later, Walker dropped 30 on the Michigan State Spartans.  The junior went 10-19 from the field and 6-7 at the charity stripe. For good measure, Walker lit up Kentucky with 29 in an 84-67 win in the championship round. Walker connected on 10-17 field goals including 3-4 from behind the arc and a perfect 6-6 from the line.

Who gets your POTW?

By Paul Gotham

The hits just keep coming for the Golden Arches. It was bad enough when Morgan Spurlock released his documentary exposing the ills of fast food. Like any of us needed a movie to prove that a steady diet of Big Macs, fries, and Coke would lead to poor health. Did Spurlock really need to put himself through 30 days of three meals a day from McDonald’s? Wouldn’t fifteen have sufficed? Has anybody heard from Spurlock since the 2004 release? What kind of detox did he have to endure?

Back to the subject.

Yeah, we knew McDonald’s food was suspect, but now it looks like McDonald’s All-Americans are not all they are cracked up to be.

Once was a time when McDonald’s All-American on a resume meant a freshman was ready to contribute. Of recent years, if a program was honored enough to keep a McDonald’s All-American for a sophomore or junior season, it meant multiple wins in the NCAA Tournament. After this season’s results, a few teams might modify their recruiting channels.

A quartet of McDonald’s nominees couldn’t keep the long running Arizona Wildcat streak intact. The last time Arizona didn’t get an invite to The Dance, Ronald Reagan ruled the Oval Office. The Wildcats were to the NCAA Tournament what The Guiding Light was to day time television. Not that I am trying to compare the Wildcats to a soap opera. Or, am I? After all, there was that whole escapade with Lute Olson and Kevin O’Neill. Then came Olson’s recruiting gaffe.

Sean Miller walked into a tough situation in the desert. Maybe that’s why he could only get McDonald’s nominees Jamelle Horne, Lamont Jones, Kevin Parron, and D.J. Shumpert. Maybe that’s why Arizona finished 16-15 and 10-8 in the Pac 10 and out of the NCAA Tournament.

A coaching change and McDonald’s All-Americans nominees might not be the best example.

The UConn Huskies had their own share of problems this season. Health issues caused Coach Jim Calhoun to take a leave of absence. Upon his return, the Huskies looked ready to make a run. UConn bonked, and Kemba Walker and Alex Oriakhi could not do enough to merit their high school status. Jonathan Mandeldove is still getting a scholarship at Connecticut. That’s about it.UConn finished 17-15 and 7-11 in the Big East.

Is UConn going to the NIT?

UCLA and the NCAA Tournament go together like hamburger and cheese. Along with that comes the Bruins pick of the west coast crop – guys like Malcolm Lee, Jerime Anderson, and James Keefe. UCLA went 14-18 and 8-10. UCLA did not receive a mercy at-large bid like they did last year.

Arizona, UConn, and UCLA all pale in comparison to another school that has a stable of McDonald’s All-Americans.

North Carolina’s roster is loaded down with not one, not two, not three, four, five, or six. No, seven, count them seven Tar Heels have Ronald McDonald’s on the resume.

Ed Davis, Larry Drew II, John Henson, Dexter Strickland, David Wear, Travis Wear, and Tyler Zeller could not save the Heels from a 16-16 ledger.

Common logic says fast food lacks nutrition. Maybe it is time to consider that student-athletes who achieve early success aren’t necessarily ready to compete at a high level.

AP Photo/Nick Wass

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Hot times tonight in the Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center when Jim Calhoun and his Connecticut Huskies (17-12/ 7-9) come a calling for a Big East battle with Mike Brey’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish (19-10/ 8-8).

Plot: A first round bye is at stake. The Irish possess eighth place and the final bye for the upcoming conference tournament. UConn is lurking in tenth.

Sub-plot: Notre Dame continues to play and win without former Big East player-of-the year, Luke Harangody. UConn recently experienced a resurgence when their long-time coach returned from a medical leave of absence.

Flashback: UConn downed Notre Dame, 82-70 earlier this season. Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker both had double-doubles in the victory. Dyson scored 20 to go with 10 assists. Walker also dished out 10 assists and scored 11. Stanley Robinson led the way with 22. After taking the last four head-to-head match-ups,  UConn leads the series 16-6. Notre Dame has won five of nine at South Bend.

Notre Dame has made 29 appearances in the NCAA Tournament – five under Mike Brey. Likewise, UConn has danced 29 times, including a pair of national titles in 1999 and 2004.

Foreshadowing: Forty-nine Fightin’ Irish have graduated to the N.B.A., including current players Matt Carroll, Troy Murphy and  Chris Quinn. Twenty-nine Huskies have laced them up in the Association with the current list including: Ray Allen, Hilton Armstrong, Josh Boone, Caron Butler, Rudy Gay, Ben Gordon, Richard Hamilton, Emeka Okafor, Kevin Ollie, A.J. Price, Hasheem Thabeet, Charlie Villanueva, and Marcus Williams.

Conflict: Notre Dame is coming off a week where they won two games over ranked opponents shooting just under 50 percent (51-104) from the field. UConn limits opponents to 38.7 percent. UConn’s recipe is not a new one. The Huskies have held opponents under 40 percent since the 1995-96 campaign. Once again, UConn is near the top of blocked shots in the nation at 7.9. UConn’s bigs have led the nation eight years running.

The Irish will need to pick their spots carefully. Notre Dame has decreased their number of shots the last two games. This indicates plenty of ball movement and switching sides of the floor. The Irish will need to continue this pattern. Trying to penetrate into the teeth of UConn’s defense without any ball reversal will serve as an exercise of frustration.

Ben Hansbrough and Tory Jackson combine for an assist to turnover ratio of 2.7:1. Jackson gets into the paint from the top of the key. Hansbrough drives the baseline well and sees the floor for kick outs. The two average over 20 points together. Hansbrough hit three threes in ND’s recent win over Georgetown. A similar result tonight would open up the Husky defense and create lanes.

Tim Abromaitis is third in the nation from long range hitting over 47 percent from behind the arc. The junior struggled against Georgetown (1-9). Returning to familiar confines should help his cause.

Tyrone Nash and Carleton Scott grab just under 10 rebounds a game. They will be called on to do that and then some. The Irish front court will need to stay active on the glass. With the Huskies swatting everything that flies in the paint, Nash and Scott will need to gather what opportunities they can to put points on the board.

Jonathan Peoples and Jack Cooley give the Irish valuable minutes off the bench.

Jerome Dyson leads four Huskies in double figures with 18 and a half. Dyson can hurt an opponent in a variety of ways. He is not afraid to shoot from long range hitting 30 percent (37-122). He does the bulk of his damage inside the arc driving to the basket and getting contact and finishing.

Stanley Robinson averages over 15 points and slightly less than eight rebounds. Robinson is the heart and soul of the Husky lineup.

As a team, the Huskies have made 754 trips to the free throw line. In comparison, the Irish have only taken 642 from the charity stripe. The Huskies thrive on contact and Kemba Walker leads the way making 141 free throws. Walker averages over five assists and almost 15 points.

Gavin Edwards and Alex Oriakhi add 16 points and almost 14 boards. The two combine for four blocks a contest.

Resolution: After getting a boost from Calhoun’s return, UConn came back to reality losing at home against Louisville. Notre Dame shot well in their last two games, but the Irish also out-rebounded  Pitt (31-21) and Georgetown (26-15). This trend will need to continue if ND wants to be successful. UConn will not make it easy though. The Huskies have a rebound margin of +3.4.

Notre Dame is at home which bodes well for their outside shooting. Their best defense will be their offense tonight as the Irish play ball control and minimize UConn’s chances. Notre Dame makes it three in a row over Big East rivals.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

Continuing a new series here on Pickin’ Splinters. This feature is designed to help readers get familiar with teams around the country. After considering all the facts, make your guess as to the team being described. Please try and not look up the answer.

Defense and rebounding are two trademarks of this team. Blocking shots is a way of life at this school. Like last year, this squad leads the nation in block shots per game – 8.9.  They are actually one block per game ahead of last year’s average. This team is also 10th in field goal percentage defense at 37.5 percent. Last year they finished at 37.7 – top ten in the country. Sure, they have already lost more games than last year, but they are still ranked in the AP, ESPN and RPI, and their strength of schedule is ranked number one. They know a thing or two about participating in a marathon. Thirteen former players from this program have roster spots in the N.B.A.

Name that team.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: The corner of 7th Avenue and 32nd Street will be hopping this evening when the Duke Blue Devils (5-0) take on the University of Connecticut Huskies (4-0) in the finals of the NIT Season Tip-Off.

Plot: For the first time in NCAA history coaches with 800 or more victories do battle when Mike Krzyzewski (838) and Jim Calhoun (809) square off.

Flashback: The teams have split 4-4 all time with UConn taking the last four. When these two teams get together, there is usually quite a bit at stake. Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beater was the difference when Duke advanced in the 1990 East Regional. Khalid El-Amin and the Huskies “shocked the world” when they downed the Blue Devils in 1999 NCAA Finals. Last meeting, UConn beat Duke, 79-78 in the 2004 National Semi-Finals. Duke has won the NIT Tip Off in 1985, 2000, and 2005.

Sub-plots: UConn has led the nation in blocked shots for the last eight years. This year is no different. The Huskies have blocked 10.3 shots per game. On the other hand, Duke has made the transition on offense from a dribble penetration team to perimeter motion. Duke will need to convert outside the paint to neutralize UConn’s inside talents.

Conflict: Kyle Singler vs. Stanley Robinson.   or Finesse vs. Brawn.  Singler is a versatile offensive player. He can score inside and outside. Singler can knock down a three pointer one possession and on the next trip take his man in the post and play with his back to the basket.  Singler has done all that and more but not against a player like Robinson. The Husky forward knows no fear and does not seek style points. At 6’9″, Robinson has defended bigger forwards and smaller guards.

Characters: Jon Scheyer has committed just two turnovers while dishing out 27 assists in 171 minutes played this year. 18-year-old Andre Dawkins leads the Devils in 3pt. efficiency – 48.3% (14 of 29). Can these guys continue this success against UConn’s pressure. Nolan Smith moved from point guard to shooting guard and has averaged 19.3 over his last three games.

Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker provide UConn’s offensive punch from the outside. Dyson averages 20 ppg thus far including 6 of 20 from long range. Walker is scoring 16 ppg adding 6 of 11 from the three-point arc. Alex Oriakhi pulls down over 10 rebounds per game.

Resolution: If Duke is to win, the Blue Devils will need to hit over 50% from the field. The Huskies will give the Devils few, if any, second-chance opportunities. Many of Duke’s offensive rebounds will contribute to UConn’s staggering amount of blocked shots. UConn will need to take care of the ball and not give Duke easy buckets off steals.

1st Team All-Casey

PG – Sherron Collins/Kansas

SG – Elliot Williams / Memphis

SF – Wesley Johnson/Syracuse

PF – Jason Love / Xavier

C – Larry Sanders / VCU

‘08 – ’09 Results: 31 – 5 (15 -3 Big East) Lost in the Final Four to Michigan State, 82 – 73.

Coach: Jim Calhoun  557 – 205 (23 years at UConn) 805 – 342 overall (37 seasons)

Key Returners:

Gavin Edwards – 3.8ppg, 3.0rpg

Stanley Robinson – 8.5ppg, 5.9rpg

Jerome Dyson – 13.2ppg, 4.1rpg

Kemba Walker – 8.9ppg, 3.5rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 12/9 vs. Kentucky, 12/30 at Cincinnati, 1/17 at Michigan, 1/23 vs. Texas

Stat of Identity: 37.7% field goal percentage – third in the nation.

By Paul Gotham

The more things change; the more things stay the same. Sounds complicated, but in Storrs, Connecticut, it’s a way of life. The names on the backs of the jerseys may change every so often, but the way the Huskies play basketball remains the same – rebounding, playing defense, and making the opponent work for everything they get. That is how Jim Calhoun-coached teams play.

Only the Huskies could overcome the loss of Jerome Dyson for the last twelve games of the 2008-09 season. Many programs would have faltered when losing a player of Dyson’s ability. Instead, the Huskies regrouped and made a run to the Final Four.

Last year’s recipe was a familiar one: making it hard for teams to score – 37.7% from the field. UConn accomplished this playing in the deepest conference in the land. UConn also ranked third in rebound margin (8.9) and number one in blocked shots (7.8).

Gone are Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Adrien, and A.J. Price, but don’t count out the Huskies. If you go back through the years, the Huskies always get it done the same way.

When Dyson went down, Kemba Walker took his spot. Walker responded with a 23-point performance against Missouri in the Elite Eight. Walker and Dyson will have to make up for the loss of Price’s three-point shooting.

Alex Oriakhi and Gavin Edwards may not block as many shots as Thabeet, but combined the two will swat more than their fair share. Stanley Robinson made a name for himself in last year’s tournament averaging 17ppg and 9rpg over the Huskies final six contests. With a full season, Robinson could establish himself as one of the top ten players in the country.

Seven footer, Charles Okwandu will come off the bench along with four freshmen: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, Ater Majok, Darius Smith, and Jamal Trice.

Twelve former Huskies earn paychecks in the NBA. UConn ranks third with North Carolina in this category.

The College Football Belt

by Paul Casey Gotham

Sixty-one games later and here we have it – four teams.  Actually, it’s far more than 61 if you count all the single elimination conference tournaments played for an automatic bid.

To many, making the Final Four is akin to a championship.  A team wins four games from one Region and earns the honor of cutting down the nets. Thus now on this final stage in Motown stands the Huskies of Connecticut, Spartans of Michigan State, Wildcats of Villanova, and Tar Heels of North Carolina with the opportunity to grab the most prized title – NCAA Champion.

The paths these four have taken not only converge at Ford Field but in the ability to present an immovable object, a resistance to the force applied.  To one degree or another the Huskies, Heels, Spartans, and Wildcats have all proved their mettle on the defensive end of the floor, and that has been the difference.

Making a claim that the Huskies get it done on defense might be one of the more obvious statements I can make.  While much of Jim Calhoun’s energy off the court has been spent defending his recruiting practices and salary, his team has continued the Husky pride in playing defense on the court.

 Hasheem Thabeet averages over four blocks per game, and UConn as a team knocks away 7.8 per game to rank no. 1 in the nation.  Couple that with a 9.2 rebound margin (3rd in the country) and a stingy field goal percentage defense of 37.6% (no. 2 in the land) including 30.4% from the arc (18th), and the Huskies have their recipe.

UConn topped Purdue in the Regional Semi-Final 72-60.  At quick glance someone could suggest that holding any Big 10 team to 60 points is less than impressive.  But consider that the Boliermakers’ leading scorer was Robbie Hummel with 17, and to get there the Purdue sophomore needed 17 shots.  Translation – UConn made the Boilermakers invest too many possessions to come away with too few points.  UConn held the Boilermakers to 26% (6-23) from long range.

Against Missouri in the Regional finals the Huskies withstood a gamey Tiger squad, 82-75.  Again, at first this could be an unimpressive number until one considers that in a combined 7:00 stretch of the second half Missouri managed three points (on field goal in four minutes and one free throw for three minutes).  The Huskies used their defense to pull away from Mike Anderson’s club.

Suggesting that the North Carolina Tar Heels proved their worth on the defensive end might raise a few eyebrows. After all UNC has shown an acute case of ‘Charmin Tissue play’ on the perimeter – ‘being squeezably soft.’  And why not?  They are no. 2 in the nation in scoring (90 ppg), no. 2 in assists (18per game), leading to no. 1 in scoring margin (18).  Why should they play defense?  They have proven the ability to outscore weaker teams.

But Roy Williams and his Heels stepped it up when they needed.  Gonzaga came into the Regional semis averaging 40% from behind the arc.  Against UNC the Zags went 7-23 (or just under 30%).   In the Regional finals Blake Griffin was like Ringo Starr looking to get by with “A Little Help From His Friends.”  Unfortunately for the player of the year his Paul, John, George… and Stu (had to come up with a fourth – Beatle fans can appreciate) managed 16 points for the first 35:00 of play.  Carolina’s defense schemed to take away the rest of the lineup and succeeded.

Many wondered throughout the season if the Big Ten played solid defense as a whole, or if it was simply a case of poor offensive play.

Tom Izzo’s Spartans proved last weekend that their conference can get it done when it matters most.  Kansas came into the Regional semis averaging over 76 per game.  The Spartans held them to 62 points including 3-12 shooting behind the arc.  Eager to prove themselves as not a fluke MSU beat Louisville 64-52 – holding the Cardinals to 23 points under their average.  MSU’s best defense might have been their offense…or at least their press offense.  The Spartans refused to give into the Cardinal press.  Subsequently, Louisville was forced to run half-court offense on a consistent basis, and MSU frustrated Louisville players time after time.

Trying to measure Villanova’s defense could be tricky.  Sure the Wildcats held Duke to 26% (16/60) from the field and Pittsburgh to 28% (5/18) from long range.  But defensive conversion might be Villanova’s most impressive trait.  The Wildcats possess the ability to take away opportunities and take opponents out of their comfort zone.

Blue Devil shooters looked annoyed having to play every possession with a Wildcat in their grill.  But more than that Duke did not get any easy lay ups.  Why?  Because Villanova did not allow any such chances.  Same went for the bigger Pittsburgh Panthers.  Sure the Panthers managed 76 points, but too often DeJuan Blair was forced into shots he’d rather not have taken.

And so it comes down to force versus object.  Which will succeed?  Time for a little Motown Rebound.  :)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

by Doug Potter

Big, manly, giant, defensive monster, shot-blocking machine, human eraser. Those are some of the adjectives many people choose to describe the seven-foot-three 263 pound center for the University of Connecticut Huskies, and rightfully so. Let’s take a look, however, at Hasheem Thabeet Manka on a deeper level.

The 22 year old deep-voiced Tazmanian was born in Dar Es Salaam, Tarzania and didn’t even think about the sport of basketball until he was 15 years old when he would watch the pickup games in the local parks in Tarzania. It was during this time that Hasheem lost his father due to complications from diabetes. When his father passed, Thabeet lost his last name of “Manka” and took his middle name as his last because “once my dad passed, then I’ve got to make a new person,” Thabeet said.

Thank God he chose basketball, because this “new person” had been looking ever so desperately for a job and money to help support his family. So desperately that it led him to become a model at the tender age of 14 bringing in $300 a night and take on the role of a bouncer at a local club to “look scary,” which came easily.

Then there was basketball. Hasheem was not oblivious to his height (6-foot by the age of 10) and knew he had to explore the world of American basketball. He proceeded to purchase 4 hours of internet time in his town library and used that time wisely. Long story short, thank you internet for bringing the Muslim manchild to the states and convert him into a force on the basketball court all in just five years time.

As a freshman at UConn, Thabeet averaged just 24 minutes, 6 PPG and 6 RPG. Being only his fourth year even handling a basketball, I guess you could say he was a little raw. His Sophomore numbers were a little more similar to what a seven-footer should be accustomed to (10.5 PPG, nearly 8 RPG and 5 BPG).

This past season he finally put it all together; defense, offensive efficiency (65% from the field), rebounding (10.9 RPG), shot-blocking (4.3 BPG), and a much improved offensive repertoire (13.5 PPG). His vast improvements earned him the honors of Defensive Player of the Year and Co-Player of the Year in the Big East. The fast-growing game of Thabeet could possibly find its way into the NBA this season as he’s a lottery pick in waiting. His gaudy wingspan and ability to stay on his feet to block shots has NBA scouts drooling. The scouts are also intrigued by how much improvement is still left to be done for “Hash” as his head coach, Jim Calhoun, calls him.

So that brings us to the present. Our boy Hash is right in the middle of one of the greatest sporting events in the world: The Final Four. Not only is he involved, but he is in prime position to lead his team to its third National Championship title in school history (1999 and 2004). First up, he will take on Goran Suton and the Michigan State Spartans in the national semi-final. A victory could set up a very intriguing matchup with First-Team All-American big man, Tyler Hansbrough in the National Championship. So with most of your brackets already in the trash, there’s only one thing left to do: sit back and watch the magic of the Final Four. Enjoy.