This is a pretty big one. If the Orange can grab a win at home from the Huskies they'll be in pretty good shape headed down the tough stretch they've got left. UConn is on a roll, possibly one of the best rolls in the country. In their five game winning streak they've spanked Marquette (why are they still ranked 16? Last couple times i've watched them they've gotten absolutely housed), gotten a huge road win at Indiana (then ranked 8), and defeated very good teams Louisville and Pittsburgh.
In the meantime, the Orange have pulled off three wins in a row, two being on the road, and they've actually looked more and more impressive each game. Arguably, they are playing their best basketball of the season so far.
Having said all that, I personally like this match up. Syracuse looks like one team that shouldn't be outmuscled by UConn's size and physical play. Arguably, the Orange are a stronger team overall. AO matches up well with Thabeet. Greene can shoot over anybody Calhoun puts him up against. Flynn, in my mind, is just as good as A.J. Price. Kris O. is as Scrappy as Jeff Adrien, though not as athletic. And there isn't a guard in the country that is as strong as Paul Harris. I think SU is the best match up for UConn in all of the Big East.
UConn is not a great 3-point shooting team, so look for the game to game improving zone pretty much all night. They are, a great rebounding and defensive team, however. Also, the Huskies are a well balanced scoring team, with five players averaging double figures. On one last note, the Orange average 80 pts per... UConn, 79.
I'm taking the Orange in this one. With the home crowd and an across-the-board even matchup, I think the Orange get it done with a score like 85-77.
BIG KEYS:
(As always) Limit the turnovers
Stay out of foul trouble
Keep Thabeet off the boards
Jump out early... get the crowd into it
Utilize Donte Greene... UConn has no one that can really guard him
Finally, read this if you care a lot more about this than Dookie/The Carolina that cares about basketball.. Husky Manifesto
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