This has been a complicated expedition, a thorny path through the mediocrity of 2006-07, the triumphs and tribulations of 2007-08 and all this season has entailed -- dominance, injury, setbacks, resilience and, most recently, potential distractions.
But
Coach
But from Kemba Walker's brilliance off the bench Saturday, to Stanley Robinson's emergence over the last month, to the poise of A.J. Price, to the grit that enabled the Huskies to make 26 of 32 free throws ... indeed, the Huskies found a way.
"This team worked very hard to get to this point and we deserve everything we've gotten so far," said Price, who had 80 points in four games and was named the regional's most outstanding player. "By no means is our journey over. We're going to push to continue this ride."
Ladders were brought out, but UConn did not cut down the nets.
"Bigger fish," Calhoun said. "We'd love to have the opportunity at Ford Field."
Walker led UConn (31-4) with 23 points, tying the freshman's season high. His zigzagging bursts of speed helped the Huskies through relentless full-court pressure, and his ability to finish spoke to his gumption on the big stage. Price had 18 points. Robinson had 13 points and four blocks. Jeff Adrien had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Huskies had a 26-6 edge at the free-throw line and shot 50.9 percent from the field, including 70.4 percent in the first half. For the third game in a row, UConn came out on fire and led, 13-2. It was 44-38 at halftime after Price blew by Zaire Taylor for a driving layup as time expired.
The Huskies would be tested in the second half. Missouri, Team Caffeine, had eight players play at least 13 minutes and nearly blitzed its way to its first Final Four. Leo Lyons and Matt Lawrence each had 13 points.
It was 50-50, then 54-54. Mizzou (31-7) never led but UConn was not in the clear until late. Walker went at the teeth of the defense for an arcing layup with 5:39 left that made it 63-59. Next,
Missouri, which forced 17 UConn turnovers and committed just six, got back to 68-65 with a 6-2 run that ended with a put-back by Justin Safford, but Walker followed with a difficult bank shot while smothered in the lane. Safford scored again. Price then made a turnaround jumper that gave UConn a 72-67 lead with 1:35 left.
"They are an outstanding team," said Mizzou coach