The Morning Dish – Tuesday, January 18th
UConn’s Kids Down the Hall: Connecticut’s young trio of Josh Boone,
Charlie Villanueva and Rudy Gay combined for 54 points and 27 rebounds in a
77-68 victory against Seton Hall last night in East Rutherford, N.J. The
Huskies were 0-of-6 from long range, but the inside game was clicking all
night on both ends of the floor. UConn out-rebounded the Pirates 42-27 and
collected 10 blocks. Andre Sweet had 22 points off the bench to lead Seton
Hall, which is off to its worst conference start (0-4) since going 0-7 to
start the 1985-86 Big East season.
Horns Slow Pokes: Freshman point guard Daniel Gibson scored 27
points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Texas to a 75-61 victory against
visiting Oklahoma State last night, snapping a four-game losing streak to
the Cowboys. Gibson’s dazzling performance was a positive sign for Texas,
which will find out soon whether sophomore P.J. Tucker will be academically
eligibe for the spring semester that starts today. Tucker finished with 15
points, including 9-of-9 from the charity stripe, where Texas shot
25-of-28 as a team. Oklahoma State was hampered by foul trouble, with Joey
Graham and Terrence Crawford heading into halftime with three apiece.
Crawford Returns: One week after he left the Kentucky basketball
team with the intention to transfer, freshman guard Joe Crawford was
welcomed back by coach Tubby Smith and practiced with the Wildcats
Monday. Smith indicated that Crawford, who was averaging 13.3 minutes per
game off the bench, will face some sanctions for leaving the team but did
not indicate what those sanctions will be or whether Crawford will play in
Wednesday’s game at Mississippi.
Demetris Faces Charges: Pittsburgh guard Yuri Demetris, who was
suspended indefinitely Sunday by coach Jamie Dixon, faces burglary and
simple assault charges after allegedly entering a former girlfriend’s
apartment through a bedroom window twice early Sunday morning and hitting
her. Demetris will have a preliminary hearing Thursday
and will not practice while serving the suspension.
Granger Could Return Saturday: New Mexico forward Danny Granger, who
underwent knee surgery last Monday to repair a torn lateral meniscus, is
scheduled to have his knee re-examined Wednesday. The 6-foot-8 senior, who
was averaging 19.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, could return to the
lineup for the Lobos’ road game against Utah Saturday.
Coach John Not on the Sidelines: Oregon State coach Jay John, who was
hospitalized during halftime of Saturday’s loss at Washington after
complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath, will not coach the
Beavers against Arizona State Thursday and could miss Saturday’s game
against Arizona, too. Doctors advised John, who was released Sunday,
to get five or six days of rest.
Tonight’s Menu:
• Wake Forest travels to Florida State looking to avoid a letdown after the Demon Deacons’ huge win against North Carolina last weekend.
• Michigan State hosts Purdue looking to shake off Sunday’s loss at
Wisconsin.
• Georgetown visits Syracuse with a chance to pick up a quality road
win.
• Mississippi State travels to Alabama for an SEC showdown.
