Gardner Webb at Connecticut

This game wasn't supposed to happen as Gardner Webb sprung the surprise at Rupp Arena knocking out the Wildcats. The Huskies have everyone back from a disappointing team last year with hopes to reclaiming their Big East dominance. So what to make of Gardner Webb? Caught Kentucky off guard? Had one of those everything-goes-right days? Lucky or good? This is a team picked in most places to finish ninth in the lowly Atlantic Sun. I'm sorry but those teams don't go to Kentucky and win. This is a completely different team than what anyone expected. Just two starters return from a 9-21 team, so what can you expect? Surprise! Let's start with Grayson Flittner. He was a bench player last season contributing 4.8 points per game and shooting just 37%. He works his tail off, comes back and is now the leading scorer at 18-ppg, shooting 55%. They did not have a player like that last season. Tom Sanders is the top returning starter. His numbers last year were 11-ppg, and seven boards. This season he is at 18-ppg and 11.7-rpg. Then there is FR. Aaron Linn (ranked No. 79 small forward in the country) and he has stepped in with 15.7-ppg. There is also Nate Blank another FR. at 8.7-ppg. Then there is Auryn McMillan. He barely saw the court last year and is at 7.7-ppg, and seven boards. The other returning starter, Takayo Siddle, is sixth on the team at 6.7-ppg. This team is better at all five spots on the floor, as well as on the bench than last season. It was no fluke. Connecticut brings everyone back from a year ago. Not sure if that is good or bad, because last year was a nightmare for coach Calhoun as he got no consistency from anyone and the same thing is happening again. They struggled in an exhibition game against Assumption College, who had no one on the floor over 6'-5". They trailed most of the second half before barely coming away with a win. They struggled in their opener against an awful Morgan State team, before winning by four. Sophomore Stanley Robinson was disappointing last season and was held scoreless against Morgan State with just two rebounds and committed five turnovers. Hasheem Thabeet, who could not score a year ago, was said to have made big strides offensively, after time with Emeka Okafor this summer. His contribution? Three points, six rebounds on only two shots taken which means the defense, like last year, has five players to guard four. The net result is a lot more of the same. The Huskies committed 36 turnovers against two teams much slower and much less talented. The Huskies stand at -4 after two cupcake teams in the turnover department. It must also be made clear that these two games were played on UCONN'S home court and this game will be at Madison Square Garden where the underdog is going to have the crowd in their pocket. They have already won at Rupp, so they certainly will not be intimidated. Gardner Webb may win this game, but certainly will get the cover.