UConn planning to go bigger

[bunck]

According to the beat writer for the Hartford Courant these are the probable starters.

G Kemba Walker 6-1 Jr. 36.5min 30ppg 7rpg 3Ast 2TO 81%FT (35.5m 14.6ppg 4.3r 5.1Ast 2.9TO last year)

G Jeremy Lamb 6-5 Fr. 26min 7.5ppg 6rpg 2Ast 2To

F Niels Giffey 6-7 Fr. 12.5min 1.0ppg 1.5 rpg

F-C Alex Oriakhi 6-9 So. 26min 11ppg 12.5rpg 3.5blk 57%FT (24.6min 5ppg 6.6rpg 1.6blk 54%FT last year)

C Charles Okwandu 7-0 Sr. 6.5min 1ppg 1.5rpg (6.9min 0.8ppg 1.5rpg in his 42 games at Connecticut)

Seems somewhat surprising to see Okwandu start since it seems like he barely plays let alone starts, he is taking the spot of 6-9 Fr. F Tyler Olander who only plays about 15 minutes a game himself. Okwandu is from the same city in Nigeria as Ehimen Orukpe, wouldn't mind seeing them go up against each other at some point.

[SHOXAAC]

Roscoe Smith (Fr., 6-8, 205) is much like how we have seen Durley played this year. Smith seems much more talented than Olander or Okwandu, but appears more comfortable coming off the bench. Smith averages 10.5 ppg/5 rpg/8-15 from field/3-4 3FG. Olander/Okwandu together avg. 5 ppg/5 rpg...non-factors.

[AndShock]

http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2010/10/niels-giffey-fitting-in-at-uco.html

Almost sounds like Hatch.

[wufan]

Match-ups:

PG - Murry vs Walker. Walker's talent more than makes up for the height difference. I like Rags here, but he hasn't shown that he can guard anyone. Murry will have to body up and play physical on Walker to be effective. I'm sure Murry will also see plenty of time at the wing guard/wing forward where he will be effective.

SG - Kyles vs Lamb. Should be a good match-up. Both are very talented players. Without much knowledge on Lamb and with Kyles inconsistent play it is difficult to know who has the upper hand.

SF - Hatch vs Giffey. I like this match-up. With Giffey not being overly athletic, Hatch should be able to out mature this hustle player. I'll say this...if this 6-7 SF was out hustling Hatch, he would be getting more than 12 minutes a game.

PF - Durley vs Oriakhi. Assuming Ellis doesn't start, this will be a good match-up. JTD will be a bit smaller, but it should be similar to going against Ellis/Blair in practice on a offensive/devensive basis. We need to run one forward after another out on UCONN and ware them out (although they have noticable depth at this position as well).

C - Stutz vs Okwandu. Advantage Stutz. This is just like practice. Okwandu seems to be similar in size and style to EO, although I'm betting he isn't as quick. If Stutz learned anything this summer/fall, he could have a big game.

Bench:

PG - Walker will play virtually the entire game. Ragland and Williams had better be ready to spill Murry.

SG - Beverly is a 6-4 senior. I see Murry and Kyles matching up well here. 6-1 freshman Napier is athletic and may see some time against Williams.

SF - Lamb and Cooms-McDaniel will play alot of SF. Murry matches up well against Lamb, but Murry can't play every position the entire game. Luckily, I see Smith doing good things backing up Hatch.

PF - Smith is a beast (or he will be before he is done at UConn) but he is slight of build. Olander is bigger, but not as skilled. Ellis and Blair should do well against here, but their bigs are not chump change.

C - Expect a lot of Oriakhi. He's large, athletic, and skilled. Stutz will have to muscle up but not to get into foul trouble. EO should provide good depth. I could see Durley trading alot of baskets with Oriakhi down low.

All-in-all, this is a great match-up on paper. UConn is big, but the Shockers are bigger (with the exception of SF). We should be able to match their athleticism, but we'll see. We have to play physical and execute or it could turn ugly fast. Great early test for the Shockers!!! Can't wait for 2:00!

[Snapshot9]

Will Murry be 'quick' enough to guard Walker? I like the 6'5" to 6'1" matchup, but will Toure be quick (not fast) enough. We have some players that are fast, but they are not what I would call quick. Joe Ragland might be the only exception to that. Quick involves having fast inside moves, being able to turn on a dime and react.

[wsushox1]

Why does this feel like an NCAA Tournament game?

I just have that same feeling from 2006, this game is just that important I guess.

However, a loss will not break our season, nor will a win make our season.

[ShockerEngr]

All-in-all, this is a great match-up on paper. UConn is big, but the Shockers are bigger (with the exception of SF).

Man, it's nice to be able to say that!

[wufan]

Will Murry be 'quick' enough to guard Walker? I like the 6'5" to 6'1" matchup, but will Toure be quick (not fast) enough. We have some players that are fast, but they are not what I would call quick. Joe Ragland might be the only exception to that. Quick involves having fast inside moves, being able to turn on a dime and react.

Murry will not be quick enough to guard Kimba. He will have to be physical with him, and he has to do it without fouling. I like Murry alot more at the SG for this defensive match-up.

Ragland is plenty quick enough to "limit" Kimba, but he hasn't shown the ability to guard worth a poop in the exibition or the first regular season game.

[Snapshot9]

Yes, it is. SF is about the only position where an opponent would be bigger.
And something I like, you know EO is pretty fast for a 7' guy.

[shocker22]

Put Kyles on Kemba, he is quick and long. Tell Kyles his only job is to D up on Kemba and let him focus on just D ing him up. Honestly I also see EO getting a good amount of minutes in this game for defense. Walker won't want to go in the lane and Uconn's bigs arent scorers. If we contain Walker we win the game.

[griswald13]

Will Murry be 'quick' enough to guard Walker? I like the 6'5" to 6'1" matchup, but will Toure be quick (not fast) enough. We have some players that are fast, but they are not what I would call quick. Joe Ragland might be the only exception to that. Quick involves having fast inside moves, being able to turn on a dime and react.

I think it will be Kyles on Kemba. Kemba's speed needs to be contained before anything, because if we can't catch him then we can't stop him.

[wufan]

Put Kyles on Kemba, he is quick and long. Tell Kyles his only job is to D up on Kemba and let him focus on just D ing him up. Honestly I also see EO getting a good amount of minutes in this game for defense. Walker won't want to go in the lane and Uconn's bigs arent scorers. If we contain Walker we win the game.

Smith and Oriakhi are scorers. HS AA type scorers. I think the 6-9, 225 freshman, Tyler Olander, is a scorer too, but as a freshman, he hasn't done so yet. Oriakhi is NOT a scorer. Kemba is still the big threat. Kyles might be able to D him up, but it might require a committee to keep him under control. Napier, Lamb, and Coobs-McDaniel can all contribute points too. They can all drive and they are better from three point range than their percentage indicates. This team is deep, and if they get hot...watch out.

If we D up HARD and execute on offense we will win this game, but it is going to be a challenge. I'm excited to see my Shocks!

[wufan]

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-men/hc-men-uconn-wichita-state-advance-1120101121,0,4352811.story

From the Hartford Courant. You can tell that Crawfish Calhoun thinks his team can be really good, but that they haven't shown it yet. He is relishing in playing the underdog against WSU today.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Stats:

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2010-2011/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND

Roster:

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/conn-m-baskbl-mtt.html

[Kung Wu]

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-men/hc-men-uconn-wichita-state-advance-1120101121,0,4352811.story

From the Hartford Courant. You can tell that Crawfish Calhoun thinks his team can be really good, but that they haven't shown it yet. He is relishing in playing the underdog against WSU today.

I like that HC3GM doesn't try to give himself excuses prior to the game, in case things go wrong. He has a veteran squad, and he expects them to do well. If they don't, no excuses.

Kind of refreshing to see a coach take that approach these days.