UConn pulls a perfect U-turn in beating Texas
Losing at Michigan was bad. Losing its coach was worse.
And then Connecticut found a way to reverse its spiral at the most critical time of its season.
The Huskies fell out of the national rankings a week ago after dropping consecutive games to Georgetown, Pittsburgh and unranked Michigan. Their leadership was questioned. So was their talent.
When Coach Jim Calhoun, who has missed games before because of health issues, took a temporary leave of absence for unspecified medical reasons, the questions grew louder.
Then Connecticut pulled an unexpected U-turn. Beating No. 1 Texas on Saturday -- their first victory over a ranked opponent in five tries this season -- the Huskies appear to have relocated their swagger and identity.
“Now you know you’re good, you know you can play,” associate head coach George Blaney, who is running the team while Calhoun is out, said after the 88-74 victory.
The Huskies scored 54 points in the second half against the top-ranked team in the nation. Most important, they found production from all their key players at the same time. Guard Jerome Dyson scored a career-high 32 points, Kemba Walker had 10 assists and forward Stanley Robinson added 17 points and 12 rebounds.
UConn’s upcoming schedule is beneficial since three of the next four opponents own losing records in Big East play. But playing at Providence and Louisville is never easy.
Manny being Manny
Michigan junior guard Manny Harris apologized for his unsportsmanlike conduct in practice that prompted Coach John Beilein to slap him with a one-game suspension and will be back on the court tonight when the Wolverines take on Big Ten leader Michigan State.
Harris and Beilein did not describe his conduct, but Harris said he regretted his actions.
The Wolverines lost to Purdue without Harris, who leads the conference in scoring, averaging 19.2 points per game.
Swish of the week
Kentucky. For the first time since 2003, the Wildcats are back on top at No. 1 as the only unbeaten team in the country. A unanimous pick among Associated Press voters, the Wildcats can’t be doubted now. Perhaps even better, the Wildcats hosted a “Hoops for Haiti” telethon that raised more than $1 million to help the earthquake victims.
Brick of the week
North Carolina. The defending national champion fell out of the Associated Press poll for the first time since January 2006. The Tar Heels’ three-game losing streak is their longest in Coach Roy Williams’ tenure. They aren’t just worried about NCAA tournament seeding; they are worried about getting into the tournament.
Game of the week
Wisconsin at Purdue, Thursday.
The Badgers ended Purdue’s 14-0 start to the season in early January in Madison, Wis. Now the Badgers have to play in the Mackey Arena, where Purdue has lost only once this season.