Big East recap 11/21/08

UConn holds off La Salle 89-81

The UConn Huskies moved to 3-0 on the year defeating the La Salle Explorers (1-2), 89-81. UConn got a double-double from forward Jeff Adrien who scored 22 points on 8-16 shooting and grabbed 14 rebounds. Center Hasheem Thabeet had nine points, seven rebounds and five blocks, while Kemba Walker came off the bench and was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points. He also added three rebounds four assists and two steals. Guards Jerome Dyson chipped in 17 and AJ Price added 12, including two threes.

La Salle got their best effort out of guard Rodney Green who scored 25 points on 11-21 shooting from the field. The Explorers stayed stride for stride with the Huskies only going into the half down six and closing it to one with about eight and a half minutes left.

The Huskies will continue to ease into their schedule taking on Bryant University, while the Explorers will look to rebound when they take on Bucknell.

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#6 Pitt gets the job done on the boards and at the line taking down Akron

The No. 6 Pittsburgh Panthers defeated the Akron Zips Friday night 86-67 and led in all statistical categories. The Panthers got 20 of their 37 total rebounds on the offensive side, only committed seven turnovers, and got to the free throw line 37 times, converting on 27, for 73%. Sam Young led all scorers with 26 points, DeJuan Blair picked up a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards, and senior guard Levance Fields had 19 points (12-14 FT), seven assists and only one turnover.

Brett Knight of the Zips poured in 23 off the bench, but in a game like this where Pittsburgh dominated in every asset, it’s hard to overcome that kind of margin.

Pirates suffer first defeat falling to Tigers

Seton Hall may have put all of their early season attention leading to the upset of the Trojans from USC in their last contest, which may explain their defeat to last year’s NCAA runner-up in John Calipari’s Memphis Tigers. The effort, however, was not overlooked by the Pirates. They got 32 points out of Jeremy Hazell, 21 points five assists and five rebounds from Eugene Harvey and a double-double from Center John Garcia with 10 points and 12 boards.

Over a third of Memphis’s points came from the foul line and when Seton Hall turns the ball over 18 times, it’s hard to overcome that type of play when playing a nationally ranked team inside the Top 15.

Balanced effort lifts ‘Cuse over Oakland

Five players, including four starters scored in double digits as the Syracuse Orange defeated the Oakland Golden Grizzles, 86-66 on Friday night. The Orange nearly double Oakland’s efforts in rebounding (44-25) and in trips to the free throw line (32-17).

Syracuse only shot 7-24 from the land of three, but it was their 28-56 shooting on field goals that left the final margin at 20.

Oakland got 16 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals from guard Johnathon Jones, while teammate Erik Kangas added 15 points and five rebounds of his own.

The Orange won’t have a lot of time to prepare as they travel to Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators November 24 th, in what could be a very important non-conference game come March.

Rutgers starts season 3-0 for third time since 2001-02

The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers defeated Robert Morris 69-55 to begin the start to their season 3-0 for only the third time since the 2001-02 season. Coming off the bench, Mike Rosario poured in 27 points on 10-18 shooting including five threes to lead all scorers. Hamady N’Diayne filled the stat sheet with two points, ten rebounds, and eight blocks, in a “Ben Wallace” defensive effort.

The Colonials of Robert Morris got 60% of their points off the bench (33 of 55). Contributing to that effort were Bateko Francisco with 13 points, Josiah Whitehead with 10, Rob Robinson with seven and Gary Wallace were three.

Rutgers will look to extend their season opening winning streak to four when they take on St. Bonaventure, November 23 rd.

#9 Irish get another big game from All-American Harangody

The No. 9 Notre Dame Irish knocked down Loyola-Marymount 65-54 on Friday night to go to 2-0 on the early season. Struggling from the foul and three point line, Notre Dame kept this game closer than many experts thought, but when in doubt, all teams turn it over to their star player, and for Notre Dame, we know who that is.

Luke Harangody totaled game highs in 27 points on 9-17 shooting and 14 rebounds, while guard Tory Jackson added 16 points and eight assists.

The Lions from Loyola-Marymount had solid bench performances from Jarred DuBois who scored 16 points and Corey Counts adding nine, all from three point land.

By Al Buzzelli
BigEast-fans.com Staff Writer

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