2010 Connecticut Huskies Basketball: UConn vs Providence

If the Connecticut Huskies felt they had regained their winning ways after last Saturday's defeat of Texas, they felt wrong.

In one game, a band of basketball brothers failed to sustain the emotion and energy that served them so well just four days earlier. As a result, a UConn crew came down to earth and showed that the absence of Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun will need to be processed over time.

This 15-point defeat at the hands of Providence shattered a few perceptions surrounding a team led by interim coach and longtime Calhoun assistant George Blaney. The first perception to disappear at the Dunkin' Donuts Center was the idea that UConn could capture a rally-round-the-flag spirit and ride it for the remainder of the season. When the students from Storrs trounced Texas on Jan. 23 at Gampel Pavilion, it was possible to think that the previously slumbering Huskies had been roused from their drowsiness. It was reasonable to surmise that a "win one for Coach Calhoun" mantra had been inspired to play hard on each and every possession. The Big East subdued UConn through the Huskies' first six league games, but after the lashing of the lauded Longhorns on national television, this college basketball brand name had a chance to re-establish itself as a prime mover in its conference.

This gravely disappointing setback will put that talk to rest.

UConn got comprehensively clobbered in the second part of the second half, as a 58-55 lead with 9:36 remaining in regulation turned into a decisive defeat. The Huskies allowed the homestanding Friars to post 45 points after halftime, a most discouraging sign for a team that beat Texas on the strength of relentless halfcourt defense which in turn created easy transition baskets.

In this game, it was Providence's defense which led to offense, as coach Keno Davis's kids outworked Connecticut down the stretch. Providence outrebounded UConn, 46-35, and used its prowess on the defensive glass to initiate run-outs following Husky misses. In this contest's decisive phase, the Friars didn't just prevent the Huskies from hitting a single field goal over a seven-minute stretch from 9:36 left in regulation to the 2:27 mark of the second half. In addition to that strong dose of lock-down defense, Providence also pushed the pace and ran Connecticut ragged in transition. Baskets by Providence's Jamine Peterson (5:52 left) and Sharaud Curry (5:23 left) both occurred less than 10 seconds after the Friars grabbed a defensive rebound and began their fast break. There was simply no question about who was the hungrier team in this contest.

Evidently, Jim Calhoun's absence could motivate and invigorate a casual collection of Connecticut players for only so many minutes.

Now, the Huskies will have to re-establish themselves in order to feel fully comfortable about their prospects on Selection Sunday.

Connecticut Huskies vs Providence Friars Basketball Recap