Writing

UConn very well could have won this game, but there’s no one who can reasonably say they played well enough to deserve to. That’s something not often said about a team that had the lead for over 33 minutes of game time, but the Huskies simply made too many mistakes down the stretch to expect a win. | Originally published January 19, 2021

It was UConn’s first game experiencing life without James Bouknight — who didn’t play after injuring his arm a few days ago against Marquette — so the Huskies needed someone else to step up and provide the scoring. | Originally published January 9, 2021

Heading into Sunday’s game, redshirt-junior R.J. Cole was a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. Through the first 39 minutes and 48 seconds of the game against Creighton, he added another six makes on six attempts. Winning by two, with 11 seconds left in regulation, Cole found himself standing at the line once again with a chance to ice the game. | Originally published December 21, 2020

The only thing louder than the Gampel Pavilion speakers was the referee’s whistle every time UConn committed a foul. Usually dampened by the roar of the crowd, the ref’s whistle pierced through a practically empty arena every time UConn committed a foul — 24 times to be exact. Even though the Huskies won 69-57, it’s clear there’s a lot of work to be done. | Originally published November 28, 2020

Kobe Bryant. Shaquille O’Neal. Phil Jackson. The Los Angeles Lakers of the late 1990s and early 2000s were a collection of some of the most volatile teams of all-time. But that didn’t matter. Throughout all the arguments, fighting and drama that went down both publicly and privately, they found a way to win three-straight titles just one year removed from Phil’s second three-peat with the Bulls. Somehow, it worked. Until it didn’t. | Originally published September 16, 2020