Spring Break
Ready for the 'Bull' fight
Huskies take the court for first time since Pittsburgh loss
Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Sports
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This year, the Huskies (24-2, 12-2 Big East) are looking to avoid such late-game drama when they host the Bulls (8-17, 3-10) Saturday at 2 p.m. at the XL Center.
"That game [last season] is in the past," said junior center Hasheem Thabeet. "We're a different team, a lot of guys know what they need to do on their part to get a win. We're just looking for a new challenge - outwork them, out-will them and come out with a win."
In order for the Huskies to do that, they'll have to contain South Florida sophomore guard Dominique Jones, who averages 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and four assists per game. At 6-foot-4, 210-pounds, Jones is a dynamic athlete who can score both inside and out. The only UConn player who can physically match up with Jones in terms of height and athleticism is Jerome Dyson - and after undergoing season-ending knee surgery on Monday, Dyson certainly won't be available to contain Jones. Dyson's absence doesn't concern Thabeet too much, however. He is still confident that the UConn guards can lock down Jones the same way they did last season, when Jones was held to 6-for-16 shooting from the field.
"We have good guards," Thabeet said. "Whoever ends up matching up with [Jones] will do a good job. The Big East is full of top programs, we're used to matching up against top players."
South Florida has won just three Big East games this year - two blowouts against DePaul, a team that is 0-13 in conference play, and a 57-56 shocker over then No. 8 Marquette.
"It's the Big East," Thabeet said. "We know there are a lot of great teams. You have to play your best game every time."
South Florida senior Jesus Verdejo is the team's only other player who averages double-figures. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound shooting guard averages 13.3 points per game, but was held scoreless in the Bulls' most recent game, a 65-40 loss to Georgetown.
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