UConn pregame thoughts

I know the game isn't until tomorrow but I don't know if I will be able to post tomorrow before the game as I won't be around much and then going out to watch the game!

This is a huge game for the 'Cuse and although I can't make it up to the dome tomorrow, it better be rocking! Only two home games left and the loud house has been anything but loud this year! UConn comes in fresh off their win at home against Seton Hall, in a game that they could easily have lost. Syracuse comes in riding a two game winning streak and in need of some victories to make the NCAA tourney.

In the last matchup between these two teams, it came down to rebounding and shooting (or lack there of for Syracuse). UConn is a great rebounding and shot blocking team and in the first meeting we were unable to make anything from behind the arc. This left us trying to force shots inside over Thabeet and company. If Syracuse cannot make threes tomorrow then they will be in for another long day.

On the defensive end of the court, Syracuse needs to keep switching the defenses. At the end of the first half of the USF game they were able to switch to man and played very well in the man-to-man, I feel they need to do this again. Come out in zone and make UConn beat us from the outside and not by their big men. Force them to slow the game down and not allow Dyson to get in the open court, as that is where he is dangerous.

This is going to be another highly competitive game between two legendary coaches and I see it being close until the last couple minutes when one team will pull away. With the dome crowd hopefully pushing this team forward and with Devo, Rautins, and D-Nic hitting some shots (unlike the last UConn game) I see the 'Cuse pulling this one out!

Player of the game: D-Nic will rebound nicely scoring around 20 points and won't force the issue like he hasn't been all year. Look for Rautins to hit around 3-4 threes back in the confines of the dome, and look for Devo to have his typical 12-15 points and 4 assists.

BUT, the player of the game in my opinion will be TRob. He is due for a big game and with Mookie stepping up last game, he knows he needs to do something. With the big men of UConn prone to foul trouble I see TRob scoring about 15 points and pulling down 10+ rebounds.

This is a game Syracuse needs badly as the last three are going to be dog fights as each team looks to get into the NCAA tourney. Hope the dome is rockin and I'll be watchin with a few cold ones in hand!

Prediction: Syracuse 73 Uconn 66

GO CUSE!!