UConn Alone on Top

It was about as ugly as it gets. But someone had to come out on top in last night's 2011 NCAA Men's College Basketball National Championship, and the UConn Huskies rose to the occasion, knocking off the Butler Bulldogs.  It was the third championship for coach Jim Calhoun, just the fifth coach to do so. He joined the elite company of John Wooden, Adolph Rupp, Mike Krzyzewski, and Bob Knight.  At 68, Calhoun is the oldest coach to ever win a national championship.

Butler certainly had the heart, hustle and defense required to win the final game, but they simply could not make shots. Brad Stevens' team shot a championship record-low 18.8% from the field in the 53-41 loss. They made only three, yes, three two-point field goals in the whole entire game. For the night they shot a miserable 12-64, including 9-33 from beyond the arc. Some of Butler's shooting woes should certainly be credited to the stifling defense from the Huskies, but it was also just an off night. Butler center Andrew Smith repeatedly missed easy layups, as well as star and future pro guard Shelvin Mack. Matt Howard could not find his stroke either, shooting just 1-13, the only make coming from beyond.

Coming in, Butler supposedly had the edge on the bench. However, the reserve unit had all of two points on the night, courtesy of two made free throws from former starter Ronald Nored. Aside from the shooting, though, Butler really did not play that awfully. They only turned the ball over six times and forced eleven. However, a key point in the game would be the rebounding battle, which was won by UConn, 51-40. Butler played exceptional defense until the end neared, when they switched into the zone for one of the first ever times. This was them basically holding up the white flag, and was an attempt to speed up the game as a desperation attempt.

Kemba Walker by no means played his best game on the biggest stage, but what he did was enough. He went without an assist on the night, but scored sixteen and pulled down nine boards. Jeremy Lamb was the X-factor for UConn, being able to shoot over the shorter Butler D using his long frame, and frequently contest Butler shot attempts. The freshman finished with twelve points. Big man Alex Oriakhi outplayed Matt Howard, recording the only double-double for either side, with eleven points and eleven boards.

Going into halftime Butler appeared to have most of the momentum after a tough three at the buzzer for Shelvin Mack. Though they led just 22-19, they looked in great shape heading into the second half. Supposedly the six field goals they had scored was just a fluke, and in the second half both teams would come out more sure-handed. But it was not to be. Butler would have a streak of 13:26 with only one made field goal, and again have just six for the second half as well. Their woeful shooting doomed them in their chance at redemption, coming oh-so-close (a bounce on a Gordon Hayward time-expiring shot, in fact) just a year ago. While Connecticut rejoices, Brad Stevens and Butler ponder what could have been, while aspiring for yet another opportunity to pull down the net this coming season.

No Stopping Duke

There is one main question about the Duke Blue Devils basketball team after last night's 82-68 win over No. 4 Kansas State. Are the Blue Devils beatable? Featuring some NBA-level talent, and a legendary Coach in Mike Kryzewski, whose win yesterday was his 800th at Duke, the Devils seem unstoppable. A repeat championship run seems more likely as the days go by. While this team's talent is clearly greater than last season's, it is still not entirely known whether they are a better team than the one that defeated Butler to win it all last year. But like that team, they have the teamwork, experience, and leadership skills to repeat. The undefeated season is also being thrown out there, which might be setting the bar too high, but there's a chance.

The bottom line is this: the Blue Devils are one of the, if not the top team in college basketball this season, and seeing how they dismantled Jacob Pullen and Kansas St. only proves this point. Let's take a look at each of their main players.

G Kyrie Irving: Irving is establishing himself as one of the top guards in college basketball, and compares well to Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose. He has breathtaking speed, blowing by Kansas St.'s All-American Jacob Pullen countless times. He sometimes loses control on the break and can turn the ball over a few too many times, but this will improve with experience. An NBA future is a guarantee for him, and this might be his only season playing for Duke before a bolt to the NBA draft. The Cameron Crazies will love this hyped freshman. Stats thru 11/24 (five games): 14.2 ppg, 6.6 apg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 spg

G Nolan Smith: Nolan increased his ppg by 9 from sophomore to junior seasons, largely because of the departure of Gerald Henderson. Averaging 17.4 ppg  last year, he was a key reason for Duke championship run last season. Smith has a decent touch from beyond the arc, shooting close to 40% from three. He has good speed for a guard, as well as what is becoming his trademark floater. He's a leader of this year's team, along with fellow senior Kyle Singler. He will be an NBA player next year if he continues to show his skill.
Stats thru 11/24 (five games): 16.6 ppg, 5.8 apg, 5 rpg, 1 spg

F Kyle Singler: Making an immediate impact upon his arrival to Duke, Singler has developed into a star and a candidate for the player of the year this season. Along with Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith, (the three Ss) he starred for last year's championship team. Singler is a very complete player, not outstanding at any one skill, but above average at all for the college level.  However, he seems to have regressed a bit since last season, and through five games his numbers have shown that. It is questionable whether he will transition to the NBA level smoothly, and some scouts say that he should have left after last year. But the fact that he is still playing for Duke only makes the Blue Devils a much more challenging matchup.
Stats thru 11/24 (five games): 13.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 0.8 apg, 1.6 spg


F Mason Plumlee: Never really getting to show off his skills last year, partially because of a wrist injury, the sophomore Plumlee is starting to emerge this year. The more talented of the two brothers on the team (a third Plumlee has been recruited for next year, said to be the best of the three), Plumlee broke out against Marquette, scoring a career high 25 points, showing what he's capable of against a formidable Big East opponent.
Stats thru 11/24 (five games): 11.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.8 apg



G Seth Curry: Referred to as "Stephen's Little Brother," (because of former Davidson star and now Golden State Warriors starting guard Stephen), Seth led all college freshman in scoring, averaging over 20 ppg playing for Liberty. Now transferred to Duke, he will have a diminished role, no longer being the go-to option. But the sharpshooter will still make some noise with the Blue Devils, but don't expect him to reach his full potential this season.
Stats thru 11/24 (five games): 10.2 ppg, 1.8 apg, 1.6 rpg, 1.8 spg


G Andre Dawkins: Dawkins is beginning to find himself this year, after an up-and-down freshman season in which he went in and out of rotation. He came to Duke this season as a much improved player, being able to do more than just shoot from beyond. He is becoming able to create his own shot, as well as defend on-ball better than before. Could break out next year with departure of Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler, as could Seth Curry.
Stats thru 11/24 (five games): 11.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, .545 3PT %

Duke's balanced attack also includes Ryan Kelly, who is a starter, but plays limited minutes, and Miles Plumlee, who gets minutes off the bench, both of whom average close to 5 ppg this year. The outright skill of the Blue Devils can be seen by the fact that Andre Dawkins, Miles Plumlee, and Seth Curry come off the bench, all of whom would start on almost any other team, and be a star almost anywhere else. But for the good of the team, every player on this team submits to a role best suited for the team, which makes the Blue Devils the early favorite to go all the way.