Tigers Crush Huskies

The Huskies came into the game against the highly favored Memphis Tigers with a lot of confidence. Riding a three game winning streak, the team came with the mindset that they could very well get their fourth.

Upon arriving in Memphis, the team unloaded at the hotel and then traveled to Memphis’ on campus practice facility. That evening, the team went to FedEx Forum to watch the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Phoenix Suns with newly acquired Jared Dudley, a former Boston College star and Bill Coen recruit.

The next day the Huskies went back to FedEx Forum, but this time to play. And they played in front of 17,164 fans, which was more than the Grizzlies and Suns played in front of the night before. For the first 10 minutes, the Huskies showed they could hang with the Tigers, leading 22-15 with 10:06 to play in the half. But it all went downhill from there. Manny Adako, who led the Huskies with 16 points, was unstoppable. Adako went 7-7 from the field. However, he was involved in an altercation with Robert Dozier and Tyreke Evans and received a technical foul, giving him his third foul in the first half.

With Adako out, a cold Matt Janning and a sick Chaisson Allen, the Tigers pounced on the Huskies. They ended the half with a run of 15-0, followed up by another run of 8-0, to take the lead 38-26. The combination of Adako and Nkem Ojougboh in foul trouble, and the Tigers shooting 35 free throws to the Huskies 12, spelled disaster for the Huskies who fell hard to the Tigers 80-48.

Once in the locker room, Coach Coen explained to the team that they cannot lose their cool. Their success has been built upon playing to their strengths and within themselves. They did not do that against Memphis. But Coen explained that now the real season starts, full fledged conference play.

It is much easier to play when you are not expected to win. For the past two seasons, the Huskies have been picked to finish last in the CAA. This year they are picked to finished second. The slogan being used in the athletics department is “Now Is The Time”, and that could not translate any more clearly to this team.