Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Originally posted by: techfuzz
Being the rabbid GT sports fan (and student) and not finding another similar thread, I figured I'd get us started on one so we can discuss the big game tonight. Of course there's the poll as well, who's gonna win tonight after all is said and done?
I'd like to throw a couple items out there for discussion. GT beat UConn earlier in the season in the NIT preseason tournament held up in NY at MSG. Why do you suppose nobody feels like that earlier win has any relevance to tonight's game?
GT plays at a frantic pace to try and break down the opposing teams defense. I believe we're actually playing at a faster pace now than earlier in the season when we played UConn previously. What kind of impact will this pace have on UConn and will they be able to manage such a pace in this game?
And lastly, what effect will Emeka have on the game? Will GT defend him in such a way that he's going to become a non-factor in this game?
techfuzz
Games played in November have little bearing on games in April. Everyone is a full season more experienced and teams change and adapt. At the time of the first meeting Okafor was hurt and ineffective and UConn didn't know how to win without him. He was their go-to guy and nobody else was willing to step up. The Big East Tournament taught the team that others could lead. With Okafor hurt it was Gordon and Anderson who took over the team and they did just fine. Also, at the time of the first game Charlie Villanueva was not academically eligible, now he's averaging nearly 10 points and 5 boards a game.
The first game was a bit of a fluke as UConn had their worst shooting night of the season. They were 10-30 from the foul line and 1-10 from 3-pt range. Don't expect that to happen again. They might be wearing the same uniforms, but the teams that take the floor tonight won't be the same teams that played in the NITs.
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