Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Slip Kid


Don't worry, folks, Jerome Dyson is fine.

Yes, we've heard that before: after he left the Syracuse game last year, we were told there was no structural damage to his right knee. Turns out, he had torn his lateral meniscus and was out for the season.

But this time he's obviously fine, as evidenced by the fact that Dyson returned to the game about 3 1/2 minutes after leaving with what turned out to be a slight groin strain and wound up scoring seven of his 22 points the rest of the way.

He'll probably be sore and won't be able to practice for the next couple of days, but otherwise, nothing to see here. Not that he didn't scare a few people when he slipped on the floor while trying to drive by an opponent out on the perimeter a minute into the latter half of UConn's 92-64 win over BU. Dyson lay motionless, grimacing in apparent pain for several moments before being helped off the floor by trainer James Doran and walk-on Kyle Bailey.

"It was frightening, no question," Jim Calhoun admitted. "It ended up being nothing. He's so strong, that actually saved him. He slipped, did a split and thought he pulled a groin, but said he felt nothing snap."

Added Gavin Edwards: "I was kind of scared, I'm not going to lie. I was just hoping that everything would be alright, and it (was). I just hope Jerome will make a full recovery from anything that's bothering him and be ready to go on Sunday."

Dyson just can't seem to avoid getting banged up. He's missed numerous practices over the years with dings and bruises, and had even left Wednesday's game with 2 1/2 minutes left in the first half after twisting his right ankle.

***Dyson's 22 points led UConn. Stanley Robinson added 16 points and nine rebounds, Kemba Walker had 15 points and 10 assists and Edwards and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel netted 12 apiece. Edwards and freshman center Alex Oriakhi each hauled in nine boards, as well.

Walker's 10 assists were a career-best, topping his previous high of nine set on Friday in the loss to Duke. Still, Calhoun thought it could have been more.

"I think Kemba could have clearly had 15, 16 assists if our big guys hadn't dropped the ball," said the coach.

Coombs-McDaniel, a freshman, added seven rebounds to go with his 12 points – both career bests.

Charles Okwandu, on the other hand, managed to foul out in six minutes of play. Wow.

***The Huskies, who shot a miserable 15-for-28 from the foul line in Friday night's 68-59 loss to No. 6 Duke, hit 30 of 35 from the charity stripe on Wednesday. They also outrebounded the Terriers by a 54-29 margin, by far their most impressive effort off the boards this season, and held BU to 30-percent shooting.

"In the final analysis," Calhoun said, "the stat sheet started to look a little more normal for us, at least."

On the negative side, UConn did commit 17 turnovers -- six of them by Dyson.

***The Huskies didn't commit their first foul of the second half until 13:03 had elapsed.

***Who sang "Slip Kid"?

***UConn took a 52-34 lead into halftime thanks to an odd sequence. Walker was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Apparently assuming time had expired, BU players left the court for the locker room. However, after a video review, the officials determined there were 0.2 seconds left on the clock for Walker's three free throws.

The Terriers were called back onto the court to a chorus of boos, and Walker hit all three freebies.

***BU (2-6) was playing without starters Corey Lowe (right foot inflammation) and Valdas Sirutis (left ankle sprain). Scott Brittain, a starter last season, has yet to play this season after suffering a sixth concussion.

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2 Comments:

Anonymous Ian said...

The Who sang it off The Who By Numbers lp. Great song, great band. Also they will be performing at halftime of the Super Bowl which should be awesome.

December 3, 2009 at 7:56 AM 
Blogger David Borges said...

One of their best. And for the first time in years, I'm actually looking forward to the Super Bowl this year. Not because of the game, but because of the halftime show.

December 3, 2009 at 9:24 AM 

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