If you had told preseason-Peter before the season on that UConn would make it to the Elite 8, knocked out by preseason #2 Michigan State, preseason-Peter would have been thrilled.
Well, preseason-Peter is a loser, and I don’t respect him.
Make no mistake, this has been a great season, and barring an embarrassing blowout loss today, I’ll remember it fondly. But Kevin Ollie, Shabazz Napier, and company will tell you that you don’t get to play in the Elite 8 if you’re satisfied by playing in the Elite 8.
So here it is: our chance to firmly reestablish ourselves as among college basketball’s top-flight programs. Win today, and reopen the eyes of the top conferences, the media, and casual basketball fans.
I harbor no illusions about this game. The United States government is on record stating that we’ll lose. Michigan State boasts a versatile and athletic frontcourt, featuring walking matchup nightmare Adreian Payne. Containing Payne and forward Branden Dawson is going to be the key to this game, but it’s unclear which Huskies are best-suited for the assignment. Said Ollie on Saturday, “You can’t let them establish low-post position.” It will be interesting to see how Ollie adjusts to MSU’s heavy advantage up front, perhaps giving more minutes to senior Tyler Olander or freshman Kentan Facet.
UConn, as usual, will rely on its advantage in the backcourt, though Gary Harris and Keith Appling are as good a guard pairing as UConn has faced this year. The UConn duo will have to be at their best to keep the Huskies in the game.
If the jump shots are falling, Napier, Boatright, and DeAndre Daniels could propel UConn to its first post-Calhoun Final Four. If not, it could be a long day.
Godspeed, gentlemen. We believe in you.
