Connecticut Huskies vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Preview and Pick

UConn is still undefeated this year both SU and ATS, but this is the first legitimate road game of the season. The Huskies have played fantastic defense this year, allowing opponents to shoot just 36.5 percent from the field, good enough for No. 9 in the nation. Offensively, things revolve around Kemba Walker, who is going to be fighting for the scoring title all season long against some of the best competition in the country. Right now, he is at 26.5 points per game, and he is leading the team in assists with 40 and steals with 21 in just ten games. He is shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from beyond the arc, and there is no doubt that this little sparkplug is going to be a force to be reckoned with in this game. Don’t forget about Alex Oriakhi, though. He is averaging 11.3 points and 9.9 boards per game, and he also has 22 blocked shots. The big man is going to be the key for a team that isn’t all that deep, but is certainly strong in the post.

The only loss to Pittsburgh’s credit this year was against the Tennessee Volunteers, who have since absolutely fallen off the face of the earth. Winning games against the Texas Longhorns, Maryland Terrapins, etc. were great for preparation for Big East play, but there is nothing like getting down and dirty when all the cards are really on the table. The threesome to watch out for in blue and gold includes Ashton Gibbs, Brad Wanamaker, and Gilbert Brown. Brown is the sneakiest of the three, as he is really starting to get his shooting touch together. Head Coach Jamie Dixon knows that this is probably his most lethal option, as he is a big man that can shoot from all over the court, and is one that can take Oriakhi away from the paint. Brown is averaging 11.2 points per game this year, which is third on the team. Wanamaker is the do it all of the three, as he is the top assist man and steal man on the club, and he is third in rebounding to boot. Averaging 12.9 points per game is great, but the assassin that is going to have to try to keep up with Walker is going to be Gibbs. He’s averaging 16.5 points per game, and there are times that he is just asked to do nothing but shoot the rock.

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The Panthers are probably going to win this game, and we don’t want you to think otherwise. However, this is Big East basketball, and this is where the stars really come to shine. For as much as we love Gibbs, Wanamaker, and Brown, this game and this season belong to Walker. Don’t be surprised if the little man goes off for 30 or even 35 points in this one, and he’ll single handedly keep the Huskies in it the whole way.