Good evening from the XL Center in Hartford, where there is a palpable energy in the air. The student section will be wide awake – we made sure of that by hand-delivering coffee as they waited in line – as they cheer their UConn Huskies against #6 Syracuse.
This could be the last time for a long time that these two historic rivals face each other. Syracuse will flee the Big East after this season to join all of the other teams who couldn’t beat UConn in the ACC. They are making the most out of their final season in the conference by compiling a 20-3 record (8-2 in conference). The Orange are lead by Brandon Triche and Michael Carter-Williams in their backcourt, and have enough strength and athleticism to give UConn fits down low.
Making matters worse for the Huskies, they will be without backup center Enosch Wolf, who was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning and charged with several serious crimes stemming from an alleged altercation with his girlfriend. Earlier today, a Rockville court awarded the victim a partial protective order, placing restrictions on Wolf’s contact with her until he returns to court on March 20th.
Center Tyler Olander and the seldom-seen Phil Nolan will be counted on to pick up the slack on both ends of the court, but this game will be won or lost based on guard play. Junior Shabazz Napier was again named to the Big East Honor Roll this week after his late game heroics vs. Seton Hall.
Napier’s guard partner Ryan Boatright will need to step up his game today as well. He has been inefficient recently, and struggled to find a rhythm for much of the conference season. It’s hard to envision a scenario where UConn wins if Napier and Boatright do not play well together.
Notes:
- Syracuse is just terrible. I will miss hating them.
- Syracuse holds the all-time edge over UConn 37-32, so we’ll call tonight “winner take all.”
- This is the first of three straight games the Huskies will play in Hartford. A fact I am sure won’t be lost on the fans who fought incredible traffic to get to the area tonight.
- Read The UConn Blog’s takedown of Syracuse. Well worth your time.
Wonderful conquer! I will novice as well just like you amend your website, how could my spouse and i join for your website internet site? Your bank account aided me a appropriate bargain. For a nice and slightly familiarised of this your own transmit presented brilliant translucent idea