UConn coach Jim Calhoun just said that Memphis is the most athletic team in the country. Memphis coach John Calipari called the Tigers offense “Princeton on steroids”…they are always attacking the basket, always pushing the ball, lots of motion. The Huskies are going to have their hands full tonight.

1st half

• One minute into the game, and we’ve already seen 4-5 trips down the floor on each end – you can turn the shot clock off for this game. UConn takes a 30 second timeout at 18:37 to calm his troops down a bit, as they are down early 4-0.
• UConn has missed 5 shots from inside 4 feet already. They can’t buy a bucket right now.
• Memphis’s guards are easily penetrating into the key and kicking the ball back out for open threes. Memphis 10, UConn 0 at 17:30 of the half.
• After a made basket, Memphis comes out in a full court press and forces another Huskie turnover.
• UConn is 1-9 from the field with 3 turnovers in its first 12 possessions.
• TV timeout at 15:45 – Memphis 14, UConn 3. Memphis looks as athletic as advertised.
• Memphis’ Dozier just stuffed a dunk attempt which led to easy bucket. Memphis 18, UConn 3. Memphis is 8-13 from the field in the early going.
• Memphis’ front line is doing a great job at collapsing on the ball in the lane and helping out on defense. Their frontcourt is extremely long and athletic. When a UConn player tried a layup, 2-3 guys are always challenging the shot.
• Chris Douglas-Roberts is on fire for Memphis: 5-6 from the field and 12 points in the first 10 minutes.
• With all their blown layups and shots that have been blocked, UConn’s frontline guys are playing very tentative with their backs to the basket. It seems like they are all waiting for one of the Tigers to come out of nowhere and block their shot. Very tentative. Memphis up 22-10 with 10:48 to go.
• Memphis guard Andre Allen is super quick. He just blew by the UConn guards for an easy layup.
• Memphis’ Joey Dorsey is on the bench with two fouls, but they aren’t even phased. Memphis rotates in players by the dozen, it seems. Very deep team.
• Stanley Robinson just roofed the freshman phenom Rose on a drive to the basket. Welcome to the NCAAs Mr. Rose.
• UConn guard AJ Price is starting to assert himself into this game, which is good news for Huskies fans. Memphis up 31-20.
• Price with a pretty rainbow floater along the baseline. The kid can get a shot off from anywhere.
• Memphis 32, UConn 23 with 6:00 to go in the half.
• Rose just put up a couple of ridiculous circus shots. Ahhh…freshmen.
• After starting out 1 for its first 12 from the field, UConn has shot 9-13 since.
• Memphis34, UConn 27 with 3:49 left. Memphis is starting to force a few shots, and UConn is playing with more poise and control. If their 7′3″ center Hasheem Thabeet could finish around the basket, UConn could easily have the lead. He’s had numerous chances to dunk the ball, but isn’t strong enough to go up and finish.
• Calipari was whistled for a technical foul after contesting an offensive goaltending call. Let’s remember the new bench decorum policy, people…
• Memphis up 38-32 with 2:29 to go.
• Price drives into the lane again for an easy layup. Memphis is really missing Dorsey’s presence in the key, as he is still on the bench with his 2 fouls.
• Memphis’ Taggart gets whistled for a technical (which also counts as a personal foul) after slamming the ball on the floor. Decorum people…decorum.
• UConn has trimmed the lead to one with one minute to go. Stanley Robinson gets called for the charge trying to push the Huskies into the lead.
• UConn pulls the ball back to milk the clock a bit before taking their last shot. UConn takes a 41-40 lead on two foul shots. Rose can’t get a shot off, and UConn goes into the locker room with the lead. Unbelievable.

2nd half

• Rose has 12 points for Memphis, but is only 5-13 from the field. He is showing glimpses of brilliance, but is also taking some stupid shots. He needs to make better decisions, but that will come with time.
• Rose with two straight buckets to put Memphis back in front 47-46. Memphis has gone on a 9-2 run with AJ Price on the bench for UConn.
• Memphis up 51-46 with 16:07 to go, and Calhoun puts AJ Price back into the game for the Huskies.
• Price with another slicing layup in the lane – UConn needs him on the floor if they have any shot at winning this game.
• Memphis up 51-50 with 14:40 to go. Pace of play has slowed considerably.
• UConn is really good at reaching in on players driving in the lane and stripping the ball. The Huskies have stolen the ball on the last three possessions.
• UConn’s 6′3″ Jerome Dyson just went coast to coast and skied over 6′9″ Joey Dorsey to slam the ball home, which drew the first oohs and ahhs from Dick Vitale. Jam City baby! Up, up and away!
• Douglas-Roberts is still on fire for Memphis- 22 points on 10-14 shooting. Memphis up 58-57 with 10:57 to go.
• Memphis is having a tough time finishing around the hoop. They are missing easy layups and easy putbacks, and are committing some cheap fouls in the process.
• Rose with an awesome shake-and-bake drive to the hoop for the basket and one. Memphis up 5. It is moves like that which will bring Rose a lot of cash in the NBA. Rose with 21 points on 8-16 shooting thus far.
• Dozier with a solid put back for Memphis, putting the Tigers up by 6.
• Memphis has stretched the lead to 11, 74-63 with 4:52 to go. The Tiger guards are putting more pressure on the Huskie backcourt, and it is paying dividends.
• Douglas-Roberts now has 31 for Memphis – definitely the game MVP.
• UConn going to a half court trap to try and get back into the game. Memphis up 76-67 with 3:19 to go.
• Memphis is now milking the clock making the Huskies chase the ball around the perimeter.
• Memphis up 79-69 with 44.5 seconds left. I’m very surprised that UConn hasn’t started fouling Memphis, as they only shoot 58% from the line.  After Memphis broke the Huskies full court press, there was no effort to foul. I don’t get it. Interesting strategy by Calhoun.

Memphis is extremely athletic, but they play too much one-on-one for me. With that much athleticism and talent, there is no reason why they can’t run some very effective motion-offense sets with back picks and lots of ball movement. They rely too much on isolation plays, which will ultimately hurt them against good defensive squads.

After a down year last season, UConn could surprise a lot of folks this season. Price has a ton of talent, and Calhoun isn’t afraid to play 8-9 guys in a game. That depth will definitely help them in the Big East wars.

Post from: EveryJoe

UConn vs. Memphis…as it happens