Well, the Huskies certainly let this one slip away. Ball, up three, under a minute to play…you gotta close the deal. Jerome Dyson turned it over on consecutive possessions, and the Hokies took the lead 64-63. I feel horrible for the kid, who’s taken plenty of heat during the late season swoon which caused the Huskies to miss their second NCAA Tournament in four seasons. Rather than get on Dyson for the turnovers, why not question why he had possession? Kemba Walker, who was electric all night (18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals), was having little trouble dissecting the Virginia Tech defense, and is far less of a turnover risk in that situation. Questionable strategy…
On what was essentially UConn’s final possession, down 64-63, Walker did have possession, and he made what should have been the game winning play. With 5 seconds remaining Walker had his jumper blocked, he gathered the ball, drove to the hoop and dished to a wide open Gavin Edwards who missed the bunny with 1 second remaining…heartbreak…and a heck of a way for the senior Edwards to end his UConn career. If the Huskies ran the same play 10 times, Edwards would make it 9 times. He must be sick right now…I feel for him, and Dyson. It was a season of ups and downs, and we’ve all been frustrated, lashed out, been angry…but we should always remember these guys were Huskies. They chose to be here.
This team certainly underachieved, there’s no doubt, but they were flawed…especially late, in close games. 8 of UConn’s 16 losses came by 5 points or less. Never the less, the Huskies played hard for 40 minutes in this one, and certainly did not lose this one for lack of effort. They fought and clawed…but came up short. Let’s credit Va Tech’s Dorenzo Hudson, who was out of his mind in the second half. Kid scored 17 of his game high 27 in the second half, including the game winner with 14 seconds left.
Some farewell numbers : Stanley Robinson scored 9 points and grabbed 8 boards in his final game as a Husky. Stanley’s career will probably always be remembered for what could have been, but it was his dominant play in last year’s tournament which helped the Huskies reach the Final Four. Well done Stanley…let’s hope he get’s a chance to play in the league.
Gavin Edwards scored 10 points and pulled down 6 boards. Edwards waited patiently for three seasons behind the likes of Jeff Adrien and Hasheem Thabeet, and he did so against the advice of his father. Gavin averaged 10.6 points and 6.5 rebounds this year, and shot a team high .592 from the floor.
And then there’s Jerome…15 points in his final game which was good, and 6 turnovers, which was bad. Jerome averaged a team high 17.2 points this season, coming off surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Jerome Dyson was a tough gritty Husky, who was never afraid to draw contact to get to the rim. No doubt he slumped late in the season, which hurt the Huskies chances, but there was more wrong with this team than Dyson’s late season slump.
So that closes the book on the tumultuous 2009-2010 season, one filled with what ifs and could have beens. It’s disappointing, of course, but as I’ve mentioned before…don’t lose perspective Husky fans. It’s a down year, and nothing more. We are just one year removed from a Final Four appearance…Jim Calhoun’s competitive fire is burning bright…we’ll be back.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
You would have thought the Great Myth of Jerome Dyson would have been completely shattered and irreparable at this point, but that, apparently, is not the case.
The author writes: “And then there’s Jerome…15 points in his final game which was good,”
What? That’s like asking a lawyer like me, how have you done in your criminal law cases so far?
I reply – “Oh, I’ve had 50 wins.” Wow you think, that’s more than most guys with his experience. But wait. How many losses have I had? 100. Whoops. Maybe you don’t want me as your lawyer when you get sent to the clicky clank.
This game was a perfect end to the worst Calhoun season ever. It had all the necessary components – 10 point lead blown. Other team hits 3 at 1st half buzzer. We can’t get the big shot at the end. Tough call goes against us down the wire. And? OH YES! AND Jerome Dyson goes 4 for 17, 2 for 11 from 2, and, with a 3 point lead and a minute to play, turns the ball over, then, up 1 with under a minute, TURNS THE BALL OVER AGAIN!!
What could better symbolize the season than Jerome with the ball and a 3 point lead under a minute turning it over and costing us the game? Hah! Poor Jim Calhoun. He’s like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. No matter what, he’s going to be gulled into taking another chance with Jerome. No matter how many times Jerome killed this team, he still gets given the reins with 1 minute left????? Ahahahahahahahahaaaahahahahahaha. Ahahahahahaha. Seriously? 5 Turnovers, 2 in the last minute? Ahahahah. Think Calhoun would bring him back for a 5th year if he could?
The question for next year is, “where are we going to find 5 or 6 turnovers a game to fill in the void left by Jerome’s departure?”
Jerome set his facebook status on this right after the game – “almost time to make that money!” What a d–k. No remorse. They say true shooters have no remorse when they shoot poorly. Apparently poor shooters who are self-centered also don’t have remorse.
Another nail in the coffin of the myth of Jerome Dyson. Go make that money Jerome. You are, with regard to basketball, a loser, and you are the worst player to ever come through UConn in terms of your net negative impact on the team. You got your 1 post season win – against Northeastern at Gampel – in a nail biter. Savor it. Xmectopera, or whatever eastern European team you play for, won’t put up with your sloppy play.
BTW – Kemba was 7 of 15 with 4 assists and 3 TOs. Clearly it would have been a mistake to have the ball in his hands with a minute left. Ahahahahah. It’s so sad it’s hilarious.
Frank you clearly took my quote out of context, the next line reads “and 6 turnovers, which was bad.”. Jerome’s post game quote is sad, I agree.
I didn’t feel the need to attack Jerome Dyson Frank, it’s a meaningless NIT game and the kids time here is over…we have to turn the page. Kemba should have had the ball on those two possessions, that’s obvious…Calhoun flubbed this one late, no doubt, although if Edwards makes the bunny, it’s a all a moot point.
18-16, yup…awful year… We need to pull in two contributing players in the final month of recruiting, because I don’t believe what’s remaining on the roster, and the three recruits we have, are going to be enough to launch us into the top 5-6 in the Big East, let alone challenge for a BE title…
Frank, in regard to the Facebook Post, where did you see or read about that. Sad if true.
FYI, Dyson put that post up right BEFORE the game. he still sucks tho…
Jenn, did you actually see it? Is it still up?