Allow me to preface this article by stating that I’m the most unbiased UConn homer that you’ll ever “meet.” Having said that, don’t sleep on the Huskies. Last night, unranked UConnembarrassed #9 Kentucky 84 – 67 to win the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Coming into this tournament, many had the Huskies pegged to lose their opening round matchup against Wichita State. They were also 
predicted to finish 10th in the Big East this year after losing both Stanley Robinson and Jerome Dyson. However, there was just one problem. Someone forgot to inform them of this.
The Maui Invitational is always special as it annually provides early season matchups between powerhouse programs. This year was no different as UConn was joined by the likes of Kentucky, Michigan State and Oklahoma to name a few. The Huskies handled Wichita State 83 – 79 in the opening round as they were led by Junior Guard, Kemba Walker and his 31 points. This came just 5 days after he dropped 42 on Vermont before the Maui invitational kicked off. Next up for UConn was #2 Michigan State. Kemba gave the Spartans 30 as the Huskies shocked Tom Izzo and company 70 – 67.
This led to the matchup that I was hoping we would get when the tournament began: UConn vs. Kentucky. This was a rematch from last year’s SEC/Big East Invitational where Kentucky beat UConn at Madison Square Garden behind John Wall’s 25 points. Kemba Walker was up for the challenge again as he had 29 more points last night. Kemba just barely missed scoring 30+ points in 4 straight games and would’ve been the first Husky to do so in 50 years. Instead, he’s the 3rd Husky in 50 years to score 30+ points in 3 straight games, with the last being Ben Gordon. Walker, the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, was taken out with a few minutes left so that he could receive a well deserved standing ovation, but easily could’ve topped 30 again. When you think of all the players that have come out of Storrs, Connecticut, such as Tate George, Donyell Marshall, Ray Allen, Khalid El-Amin, Richard Hamilton, Caron Butler, Rudy Gay, Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor to name a few, it’s remarkable that he almost did something that none of them did. This is why it’s inarguable that he’s playing like the best player in the country right now.
It’s obvious that Kemba, who flirted with leaving for the NBA Draft last year, worked on his game this summer. His shot is much improved and he’s unguardable 1 on 1. Just ask Kentucky’s Brandon Knight. Brandon had a terrible night and Kemba didn’t help. He was able to do whatever he wanted against the freshman. Knight looked lost and confused the entire game and couldn’t see Kemba even if he had a telescope. I’m sure Kentucky faithful are used to seeing their PG grab the rebound and start the one man fast break since they were spoiled by John Wall last year, but Knight is a different player. By his own admission, Knight told The Hoop Doctors that Wall is more of a “push it type Point Guard” than he is. He wasn’t lying. While Knight can generate an uptempo transition game, it isn’t quite like what Wall brought to the table. In Knight’s defense, he is averaging more than 18ppg this year, but he’ll need to do better than 2.3 assists per game.
However, there were some bright spots for Kentucky last night. Correction: bright spot. Terrence Jones, who had 24 points, might as well declare himself eligible for the NBA Draft right now. He should pack his belongings from his dorm in Lexington, head straight to New York and just hang out until late June. If it means missing Thanksgiving dinner, then so be it. This young man is nothing short of a monster. He can shoot the 3, put the ball on the floor and bang around the basket. Oh yeah, he’s a lefty too which makes him even tougher to defend. So far, he’s one of the best Wildcats I’ve seen in the last handful of years (that includes Jodie Meeks who is/was an underrated Wildcat). Kentucky looked vulnerable and missed Enes Kanter who surely would’ve altered some of Kemba’s countless layups.
The unranked Huskies are now 5 – 0 and are sure to crack the Top 25 after beating two Top 10 teams in as many days. Up next on the schedule for UConn is New Hampshire, UMBC, Farleigh Dickinson, Coppin State, and Harvard before they open their Big East schedule against Pitt two days after Christmas. I don’t know how long this hot streak will last for the Huskies but heading into that game against Pittsburgh, they should have one of the best records in the country.
I’ve stated on a few occasions that I think coaching in sports can sometimes be overrated to a degree. Let me clarify: I feel this way regarding professional sports, not college. Coaching is crucial in college basketball and Jim Calhoun deserves some credit for this start. He is always able to squeeze every ounce of potential out of his players. Who else do you know has the ability to make Hilton Armstrong look so good that he would be taken in the lottery of the NBA Draft?
If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook
