HUSKIES DOWN SIX AT HALF

First things first, Scottie Reynolds is good. The Villanova freshman has 20 at halftime, helping the Wildcats to a 33-27 lead.
A.J. Price was a bright spot for UConn with five points, three assists and two steals with no turnovers, and Jeff Adrien has six points with seven rebounds.
It's now time for me to start focusing on my story for tomorrow. I'll try to check in again later, but if not look for something after the game.

JAY WRIGHT NEEDS A MOMENT

Villanova just called timeout with 2:00 left in the first half after UConn scored the last eight points. The run was capped by A.J. Price hitting a baseline pull-up after he set up Craig Austrie's 3-pointer.
Price is having another good game and it's about time we realized that although he may not be the same player as out of high school, he's still not bad.

FEELS LIKE SYRACUSE

We've arrived at the media timeout with 7:32 until halftime. The Huskies are down 18-17 after a questionable offensive foul on Curtis Kelly.
The game has the makings of a repeat of the Syracuse game here when UConn squeaked one out. The longer the Huskies stay close, the more I like their chances.

IT'S STANLEY, AGAIN

Stanley Robinson is back in with 9:45 until halftime. Credited with one minute played after first entering, he was 0-for-3 in that stretch, missing both his 3-pointers.

BLUE-WHITE MAN

UConn AD Jeff Hathaway just honored Blue-White Man in a ceremony during the last media timeout. Dale Nosel, a senior, was given a home white No. 1 jersey and free tickets to home football and men's and women's basketball games for next season.
In case you don't know who we're talking about, he's the guy in the student section always painted half white and half blue from head to toe.

CALHOUN ON GAGNE

Jim Calhoun wrapped up yesterday's media session by sharing a few thoughts on Marty Gagne. This was my favorite about the freshman walk-on
"He came here really skinny and then he bulked up," Calhoun said. "I accused him at one time of being on steroids. It was untrue. We had him tested."

STANLEY CHECKS IN

Stanley Robinson, who lost his starting job in the latest effort to get something out of the freshman forward, just entered the game with 15:05 left in the opening half after the first media timeout.
What he does with the playing time is anybody's guess.

BROWN IN THE HOUSE

Former Knicks and 76ers coach, among other positions, Larry Brown is here tonight. He's sitting baseline in front of the student section.

A SENIOR MOMENT

Marty Gagne is about 20 minutes away from being honored before the game as UConn's only senior. The former walk-on won't be starting, though, which I find unfair.
I'm not saying he needs to play a ton of minutes or even beyond the first whistle, but why not put him in the starting five? Who really gets hurt?
Villanova gave Ross Condon his first career start on Senior Day last week and his day finished with a season-high six minutes. Granted, the Wildcats were facing Rutgers and UConn needs this game and is probably an underdog despite the line, but I think Gagne deserves a moment of his own.
Hasn't he earned it?

CONFERENCE CALL FUN

If there’s a better weekly league teleconference than the Missouri Valley’s, I’d be hard-pressed to name one. You have a nice mix of the old-boys club — the beat writers from papers many of us have never heard of, but these guys have been covering the league forever — plus the national media, and the coaches are about as honest as they come.
Missouri State coach Barry Hinson has to take the award for best talker today, a title he likely receives on a weekly basis. Beginning one of his answers by proclaiming it was going to be his soap-box moment, Hinson is a huge supporter of his league and its programs.
I love how Hinson doesn’t hide his feelings. Point in case, when asked how long it took to get over last season’s NCAA tournament snub: “I’m still saddened by it every day.”

WRAPPING UP LOUISVILLE

It was another one of those days here at the Civic Center. UConn again had its chances and again a loss was the end result.
A.J. Price said afterward that there are no moral victories, meaning a seven-point loss to one of the country's hottest teams doesn't add up to much.
In my opinion, the Huskies could become like the Notre Dame team we see today. The Fighting Irish were in every game last season — granted, UConn has not consistently played teams as tight in the losses — and that experience has allowed for growth this season.

MY APOLOGIES

Sorry to those who noticed I disappeared from blogging during today’s game. The Internet here at the Civic Center was given some of us trouble and just kicked back in for me.
I’ll post again later with some final thoughts, but I’m off to the postgame press conference now.

JEROME SATYING AGGRESSIVE

Despite to early traveling calls against him, Jerome Dyson continues to be UConn’s offensive driving force. He’s got five points, including a 3-pointer, and has touched the ball on almost every possession.
Louisville is up 11-9.

A GOOD MISS

Stanley Robinson just missed on a 3-pointer from the wing, but it was a good shot. Those are the ones he has to take to be a threat.

UPDATING STANLEY

Here at the first media timeout with 15:37 left in the first half, Stanley Robinson has two points, two rebounds and a turnover.
He gave the ball away on the opening possession, but added an offensive rebound and dunk for his only points. Robinson did get caught out of position when Louisville's Perrin Johnson hit a 3-pointer from the corner.
Let's see if Robinson gets subbed out here, which could be possible since Jim Calhoun hasn't changed the lineup yet. That doesn't look to be the case as Robinson walks back on with the starting five.

Also, Louisville big man David Padgett just picked up his second foul.

CALLING FOR STANLEY

Is this the day Stanley Robinson breaks out of his funk? I think it has to be.
I'll try to keep you up do date on his day via the blog.

MILES VISITS

Nate Miles, a junior who is verbally committed to UConn, attended Saturday's practice. He mande his intentions known in November.

In other news, the Huskies seem relatively confident as they prepare for Louisville, one of the hottest teams in the country. I'm sitting here watching LSU pull away from Florida, so that proves how anything is possible and I'm UConn's players will get word of this result.

THE HOME STRETCH

You can read more about this theory in tomorrow's Bulletin, but make no mistake about it — UConn can still reach the NCAA tournament.
The schedule sets up perfectly for the Huskies to get some much-needed quality wins down the stretch, starting Sunday with Louisville. Although 20 wins is no longer a number that always merits tournament selection, it should be close to enough for UConn coming out of the Big East. Twenty-one or even 22 would be more than enough in my opinion.

THE EMERGENCE OF CURTIS

Curtis Kelly is having one of his better games at UConn. He's got nine points with about five minutes left here at Rutgers, thanks to a pair of 3-point plays in the second half.
It's the most active I've seen him in some time as he's flashed some of that great potential.

ANOTHER THRILLER

Here at the timeout with 11:32 left in the first half, UConn is down 11-6. I can't believe how low scoring this games routinely turn out to be.

In other news, Jonathon Mandeldove is currently having his right akle being looked at and the Rutgers fans behind me were just discussing how this might finally be the year the Scarlet Knights beat UConn.

A.J. STARTING

Jim Calhoun hinted at it yesterday in practice and he made it official by moving A.J. Price to the starting lineup over Craig Austrie.
I like the move. Maybe I'm crazy, but I still Price can be effective and gves this team the best chance to win.

PLEASE BEHAVE

Part of the beauty of being a UConn beat writer is getting to experience all the ugliness that road fans provide when the Huskies come to town. Sometimes it’s a creative sign, other moments feature well-timed swear words directed at the coach.
I’m hoping we don’t see too much of that tonight only because I’ve got family coming to the game. Considering I’m responsible for my younger cousins being in attendance and possibly subjecting them to language a bit worse than the bus ride home.
I’m not overly confident, but if I get lucky, they crowd might hover around PG.

DYSON WORTH THE PRAISE

Jerome Dyson was today named Big East rookie of the week for a second time this season. He should end up being an all-rookie selection by season's end.
Early in the year, I was among those members of the media praising him and saying how good of a player he would be. Although Dyson's freshman season has come with some struggles, I think still we all know how good he is.
Maybe a year or two away from being a pro, Dyson will only grow as a shooter, and once he knows when and when not to drive to the basket, he might grow into a Big East Player of the Year candidate.

In other news, does anyone really think UConn is still going to the NCAA tournament? The way I see it, talks shouldn't even begin unless UConn wins at least three of its final four games and reaches the conference tournament semifinals.

Lastly, for those who enjoy blogs and would like to see the life of a mid-major beat writer — smaller cities, smaller venues, but still some really good basketball a lot of times that unfortunately is underappreciaited — check out Brian Moritz of the Press & Sun-Bulletin, my old paper in Binghamton, N.Y. -- http://www.pressconnects.com/blogs/bubasketball/bubasketball.html

PRESS PASS ISSUES

So I lost my press pass at some point before the game's opening tip today.
I noticed it was missing from belt loop as I began making my way to the court. At home games I wear my season crediential around my neck, but single-game passes on the road tend to only have a short string that you can tie to something.
The lesson here is that I think the whole need for passes is overrated. I didn't have any trouble getting anywhere.
I guess if you look the part and walk with other people doing the same you're all set.

NEW HIGH

Jerome Dyson just hit his fifth 3-pointer of the game, bringing him to 24 points on the day. It's a already a season high for any UConn player, one better than A.J. Price's total against Ole Miss.

DYSON KEEPS IT GOING

After scoring 20 of his career-high 22 points in the second half of Wednesday's game against Seton Hall, Jerome Dyson carried that play over to today.
He made five of nine 3-pointers and has 18 points at the break. Dyson had 12 of UConn's first 14 points.

RATING KILLER

I can't imagine this was what the folks at ABC were hoping for when they scheduled today's game.
UConn and Syracuse is one of the Big East's best rivalries and usually provides a good game, but a lot of that has to do with something usually being at stake. That's again the case this time, except they're trying to improve seeding in the Big East tournament and sneak in the NCAA tournament instead of fighting for the conference title

WINTER WONDERLAND

The snow is piled all too high for my taste here in Syracuse.
I got in last night, forced to drive around 30 over the final 90 minutes as the snow was sticking to the highway and trucks were flying by me and obstructing the view. But it did feel good to get in and know the drive was over, albeit that came at nearly 1 a.m.
We’re set to meet Jim Calhoun and the players in a few hours at the team hotel, assuming their flight wasn’t delayed by the weather. I’m not looking forward to driving over there, but hopefully the roads have been cleaned up.

DOUG FOR MARCUS

Doug Wiggins was among the second half's starting five for UConn, replacing Marcus Jonhson.

JEROME STRUGGLING

Jerome Dyson just picked up his second foul, subbing out for Doug Wiggins with 5:25 to play in the first.
Despite doing a variety of little things and contributing plenty of hustle plays, Dyson is 0-for-8 from the field and has just two points.

HASHEEEM BACK IN

Hasheem Thabeet just checked in with 12:08 left in the first half and tocuhed the ball for the first time when he went up for an offensive rebound, keeping the ball alive before Jerome Dyson spiked it off a Seton Hall player to keep the possession with UConn.
Thabeet subbed out with 15:23 remaining after going without an offensive touch on the Huskies' first six trips down the court. Considering Seton Hall doesn't have anyone taller than 6-foot-9 and Jim Calhoun told us yesterday the plan was get his big man more touches, the early stretch has to be an disappointment.
UConn is up 9-6 coming out of the under 12 media timeout with 11:42 left.

NEW STARTER

Marcus Johnson replaced Stanley Robinson in tonight's starting lineup.
Johnson lost his spot nine games ago, but did start as at guard five games earlier at DePaul.

In other news, Jim Calhoun was presented with a basketball for his 500th win at UConn from athletic director Jeff Hathaway before the game.

SNOWED OUT

Last time we were at Gampel for a game it was White Out night against Syracuse. Tonight may as well be Snowed Out night.
About 45 minutes to tip there was almost no one in the stands save for the student section, which was only really filled at the bottom level behind the visiting basket. Judging by my own experience on the roads and the terrible weather throughout the day, there doesn’t figure to be a great crowd.

QUESTIONS WITH BASICALLY NO ANSWERS

I'm sitting here on the NCAA men's basketball committee conference call, which features chair Gary Walters. I hope this doesn't end up a waste of time, but it sort of feels that way.
Not that I'm surprised, but Walters' answers have been very roundabout and don't lend much insight into anything. The fact remains, we don't know anything about Selection Sunday until it the bracket comes out.

WATCH OUT

One of my biggest fears was realized three seats to my right. Neill Ostrout of the Connecticut Post was just knocked to the floor after Georgia Tech's Jeremis Smith went over press row going for a loose ball.
Both were down for a minute, but each appears to be OK. Check out tomorrow's Atlanta Journal-Constitution because Neill was interviewed for what will likely be part of a notebook.

UGLY STUFF

So much for good offense, it's only 33-25 Georgia Tech at the half.
UConn had only seven field goals in the 20 minutes and didn't look comfortable one bit in the half-court offense.

OH ATLANTA

First of all, this whole Hotlanta thing is kind of overrated. It was freezing last night as temperatures dipped into the 30s.
We started at a bar called The Lodge, where our waitress had an apparent problem with her arm. I’ve never met a server who was more comfortable from the introduction as she sat down to get our drink order, complaining about her pain consistently.
We eventually asked her for advice on where to go next and the recommendation was Makos, a bar featuring unique outfits for both the men and women working there. I’ll put it this way, I’ve never been to a place quite like this is.

As for the game, we’re sitting in the media room having lunch now. The set up here is very nice, although I’d imagine the space will be significantly different when the Final Four comes here.
I’m anticipating a good game today, especially because a lot is on the line for both teams. Like Jim Calhoun told us yesterday, the winner can really benefit.

WANTING MORE WINS

Jim Calhoun held a Thursday teleconference to talk about a variety of things, including an update on his team. One of the more interesting subjects was Stanley Robinson.
A talented freshman who has struggled of late, Robinson was the recipient of repeated tongue-lashings from Calhoun during the Syracuse game. The two met to talk after and part of the conversation included Robinson saying how there's been some frustration because he thought UConn would be undefeated at this point.
It's a claim Robinson has shared more than once with the media, although Calhoun said he was dumbfounded by the notion. It's a good example of the transition many freshmen go through, especially those used to consistently winning and also seeing UConn be so good for so long.

ROBERTS’ SENSE OF HUMOR

Kudos to Terrence Roberts and the bit of fun he had in tonight’s loss. The Syracuse senior fouled out with 6:07 left and his team tied at 57 after Jeff Adrien sank two free throws, but still showed off his sense of humor.
As is the case at UConn games and many others across the country, when a visiting player fouls out, the crowd chants left or right — depending on whichever foot was the last to move. Once he reached the bench and walked toward a team huddle, Roberts reveled in the tradition, doing a little dance as each step was acknowledged and later moving the same foot over and over to change up the sound.
The chant ends with “Sit Down” yelled after the player finally hits his chair, but Roberts stopped just short of the cushion to stand back up briefly, taking joy in faking out the student section. He was rewarded with a boisterous round of applause from a packed Gampel Pavilion.

WHAT A SHOW

I just became a huge fan of Syracuse’s Terrence Roberts after he fouled out.
Details to follow postgame.

HASHEEM’S IMPACT

Hasheem Thabeet has three fouls and no points here at a Syracuse timeout with 12:21 left in the game. But the big man just had his second block of the game, which resulted in two easy points for the Huskies.
Almost every basket at both ends has been a struggle so far. In game’s like this, even without points Thabeet can make an impact by using defense to create easy offense.

A.J. IS BACK

A.J. Price, who has been battling a sore groin, has a little spring is his step tonight.
That was hampered when he went to the bench for about two minutes to have his right ankle taped because he landed awkwardly after a runner in the lane. But he’s connected on consecutive 3-pointers since coming back in, helping UConn close to within 16-15 here at the media timeout with 7:26 left in the first half.

FIRED UP

The students are going nuts already. Their noise level started to rise by the end of the National Anthem and they’re all fired up as Syracuse is just being announced.
This is what I’ve been told Gampel always used to be like. The energy and history surrounding this game makes you think UConn has a real chance.

MARSHALL IN THE HOUSE

UConn alum and NBA veteran Donyell Marshall is attending tonight’s game and just wrapped up a pregame interview session with the media. He is the program’s only pro representative who was able to make the “Huskies of Honor” ceremony.
It figures to be a nice halftime moment when the UConn greats are celebrated. Time will tell if the presence of so much history factors into how the Huskies play.
The atmosphere at Gampel figures to be good as students were camped out in advance of the Big Monday showdown with Syracuse. The building is a sea of white thanks to T-shirts left on each seat, a similar look to what we saw last month at LSU.

CALHOUN HUMOR

Jim Calhoun was relatively chipper in his postgame comments yesterday. It was a stark contrast to his on-court behavior as UConn squeezed out an overtime win against Rutgers.
"I did a little yelling and screaming," he said. "You would have, too."
That line followed his repeating mantra that he's not giving up on this team and plans to do whatever he can to keep this season going. Wins — in any shape or form — certainly make the process a bit easier and this was definitely needed.
The victory allowed Calhoun to relax a bit more with us afterward, evidenced by some of the quotes you may have read in different papers across the state.
The players, to my surprise, were not as animated, but that could've been part of the shock involving an extra five minutes players because of the Scarlet Knights' 3-pointer to tie at the buzzer.
Either way, there is a little momentum heading into Storrs for tomorrow's visit from Syracuse, another important game — as they all will be until whenever the season ends.

RUTGERS HURTING

JR Inman, the Scarlet Knights' leading scorer and rebounded, is out of today's game because he is attending his grandmother's funeral.

TOUGHTS ON CHICAGO

I could definitely live in this city. That’s the impression I got from my first experience in Chicago.
The one downside of our trip was that by staying near the airport — DePaul plays just outside O’Hare — we were around 45 minutes by train, known as the L there, from downtown. Still, it was worth the short journey.
Myself and another writer met up with a friend of mine the first night and spent time on Rush Street, which has a bar and restaurant culture similar to New York. The bars were a little less crowded — granted, it was a Tuesday — and also slightly cheaper than its East Coast counterpart.
The weather was another issue. The nickname of Windy City is very appropriate and the chill cuts right through you.
I spent the afternoon of game day in the city as well, walking around the Magnificent Mile for a little before stopping off for a late lunch. Fulfilling one of my wishes before the trip, I got to eat at the original Pizzeria Uno. I definitely recommend it.
The waiter said a deep dish pizza would take about 45 minutes, but I’d say the wait was probably only about a half hour. Either way, enjoy it if you’re there.

IT’S ANOTHER BIG ONE

Like Jim Calhoun said to the media today, a month ago who’d have thought this game would be so important?
But that’s the case when Rutgers pays a visit tomorrow — the first of two games between the schools in three weeks. And as much as the players and even Calhoun don’t want to make any game more important, this is again one of those supposed must wins, especially considering Rutgers is a weaker opponent.
UConn can move back into the Big East’s top 12 with a win and being on the right side of the cutoff point no matter how much time is left is also a good thing.