Throughout yesterday’s UCONN basketball game against the USF Baby Bulls, I couldn’t help but repeatedly turn to my friends and say “this  USF Men’s Basketball team really sucks”. That aside, now I know why they only scored only 40 points in their last game. They’re blind as bats (Shot a disgusting 32.3 % from the field and only 5 for 24 from 3 point range) and they, like us, are very hard to watch. Well, at least the bettors, who by now must be taking my expert advice, had a good day and because my prediction couldn’t have been any more accurate. I said to take USF, with the points and for reasons that all proved true.  Even better, I said that UCONN would win this one, at best, by 15. The  final margin was actually 14, (64 to 50) and the only reason it wasn’t closer, was USF. They had no inside game, played lousy defense (UCONN had what must have been a season low 6 turnovers) and shot more ugly outside bombs than I cared to count. Thabeet stayed out of early foul trouble and so he was able to totally dominate another smaller foe. His 21 points led the Huskies lackluster offense and his 9 rebounds, coupled with Jeff Adrien’s game high 15, helped give UCONN a much needed 40 - 31 edge, in the rebounding department. A.J. Price had 11 points yet, again shot poorly (4 for 11 from the field) for the game. That said, he still was a big factor by scoring 7 straight points, late in the second half and after USF unbelieveably pulled within 6.  Stanley “Sticks” Robinson added 10 points and 6 rebounds yet, before you get too excited, you have to consider the opposition and the fact that he benefited immensely due to the attention USF had to give Thabeet and Adrien. The Huskies were only 1 of 7 from 3 point range and sadly, a lack of production, from long range, is becoming the norm.

Looking forward this week a tough Marquette team is next and on the road. My friends and I couldn’t help but discuss that game, during yesterday’s stinker and here’s what we came up with. Marquette we think will be favored  most likely by 1 to 2 1/2 points. One guy thought it could be a pick-em, but if it is, anyone with even half a brain will pound the home squad. I’ll get back to you Wednesday with my final pick but, just like Pitt. I’m seriously leaning toward laying the points and betting UCONN loses this one. The reason is simple, this is a quality opponent and they can shoot the ball.  Yesterday, in their 78 to 72 win against Georgetown, they were 29 of 60 from the floor and that was accomplished despite Dominic James shooting only 2 for 9. Even scarier was the fact that they were a respectable 8 for 22 from 3 point range.

On a closing note, let me quickly say something about that so called sports reporter, Krayeske, who hassled “Jimbo” Calhoun about his salary, during yesterday’s post game coach’s interview. What a Jackass!  First of all, why go there after a win and on the eve of Calhoun’s 800th victory? Moreover, there is a time and a place for everything and that wasn’t the place to do what he did. He doesn’t give a rats ____ about UCONN Sports or the state budget deficit. It’s  all about getting publicity and for all the wrong reasons. The Courant should have spent less time writing about him and more time letting everyone know how good I’m getting at predicting the outcome of these games. What do you think? Give me a shout..

I’m out of here!  Sic Rick