Recap: UConn 105, Maine 60
December 23, 2007
Sophomore forward Stanley Robinson had a career-high 32 points with 11 rebounds and three blocks. He made 13 of 18 shots, including 10 of 13 in a first half in which he scored 24 points. He hit 3 of 5 three-pointers in the game.
Robinson's dunk to make it 50-24 late in the first half. With Troy Barnies closing in, Robinson double-pumped to avoid him and dunked while reaching forward. He was off-balance and briefly hung on the rim before falling on his back.
The Huskies had one of their more well-rounded games. Hasheem Thabeet (16 points, 10 rebounds, eight blocked shots), Jeff Adrien (19 points, 13 rebounds) and A.J. Price (17 points, nine assists) were strong. ... UConn had assists on its first 10 baskets and finished with 25 assists on 35 baskets. ... The Huskies shot 50 percent and held Maine to 34.3 percent. ... UConn made 8 of 19 threes; Maine was 4-for-16. ... The Huskies outrebounded the Black Bears 59-29 and had 22 offensive rebounds. ... Maine's leading scorer, Brian Andre (6 feet 9, 310 pounds), was held to one point. Why? "Hasheem Thabeet," Black Bears coach Ted Woodward said. "He tremendously changed the game in the interior."
Sophomore guard Jerome Dyson, hobbled by a right knee injury, was scoreless in the first half and finished with two points. He was 1-for-6 from the field and was pulled for good early in the second half. Coach Jim Calhoun is concerned about Dyson, who was limping much of the game. Dyson, who still leads UConn with a 14.1 scoring average, had scored in double figures in six consecutive games. "What I don't want to start hearing is MRI or anything like that. ... Yes, concerned is a good word," Calhoun said. Dyson missed two days of practice last week with a sore patella. Calhoun said it is a problem with tissue under the bone.
Thabeet made 6 of 7 free throws and is shooting 72.5 percent this season. He shot 51.3 percent last season and was 2-for-5 in the first two games this season. "If you practice something you will get better at it," Thabeet said. "Maybe soon Coach will want me to shoot a few technicals." ... The Huskies surpassed 100 points for the first time since a 106-55 victory over Texas Southern Dec. 3, 2006. ... Calhoun improved to 11-0 against his former UConn assistants. Woodward was with Calhoun for his first three seasons. ... The Huskies wore their gray alternate jerseys for the first time this season. ... The Huskies are off until Christmas night Tuesday, when they fly to Orlando, Fla., for Friday's game against Central Florida. The next practice is Wednesday. ... Adrien was 1-for-4 shooting in the first half, 6-for-7 in the second. ... Doug Wiggins shot 1-for-7 and is 7-for-29 in the last four games. ... Price had nine assists for the fourth time this season.
Stamford native Bobby Valentine, manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, sat in the front row. Valentine, the former Rangers and Mets manager, is home for two months. Valentine's name surfaces when major league jobs open, but he said he is content in Japan. Valentine was rumored to be a candidate for the Yankees job after Joe Torre's departure. "I've had some conversations but they were with people who know I have a job," Valentine said. Valentine is a UConn fan, but he was there mostly to see cheerleader Marissa Foglio of Shelton, the daughter of his friend Bill.
