We did have the power outage, which cut off the blog coverage with about three minutes left in the contest. We apologize.
IU ended up falling to the Huskies 68-63. Sampson characterized his team's performance by saying there was a lack of effort which was "disgusting" to him. Bassett led the way for the Hoosiers with 18 points on 6-7 shooting from beyond the three point arc.
Stemler scores off a rebound and the place goes nuts. UConn goes down and gets fouled. This game could come down to how the Huskies fare at the line.
UConn leads 56-50 @ 2:58
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The teams trade baskets putting the score at 56-48 for UConn.
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Stemler hits a three from the corner, cutting the UConn lead to 8 points. The three pointer has been IU's only friend this game, as the Hoosiers have connected on 7-13 from beyond the arc.
UConn leads 52-44 @ 5:28
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Thabeet with a big dunk is followed up by a Hoosier inbounding mistake. Ellis tries to hit Bassett streaking down the floor but overthrows it, giving UConn the ball under the IU basket.
UConn leads 46-39 @ 9:09.
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Crawford hits two big threes, cutting the score to 42-37 in favor of UConn.
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IU does not look like a Top-10 team this afternoon. UConn is maintaining a 8-9 point lead. IU is shooting less than 25 % and is being out-rebounded by 12. Perhaps the schedule has been too weak for the Hoosiers.
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Gordon gets to the line after taking the ball aggressively to the basket. EJ connects on 2-2, cutting the UConn lead to 36-31.
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Big three from Bassett gets the crowd back into the game
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Poor time management leaves IU without a chance to score on the final possession of the half. UConn leads 29-24 at the half. White leads the Hoosiers with 9 points and Gordon has chipped in with 6 points. The team has shoot poorly and will need to improve in that area to overcome UConn.
A Bassett three breaks a shooting slump for the Hoosiers who are currently 7-25 from the floor. UConn responds on the other end with a basket and the foul, leading into the under 4-minute TO.
UConn leads 26-22 @ 2:09
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Back to back baskets gives UConn the 24-19 lead and forces Sampson to call a timeout @ 3:39
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Gordon hits one of two free throws to tie the game.
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Dre is melting down. On two straight possessions he missed two shots, having one reject away with authority from Thabeet.
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UConn takes the lead with a three-pointer following another poor Hoosier shot. IU is not being patient on the offensive side of the court.
UConn leads 17-16 @ 7:27
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D.J. has gotten up for this game. I think he is relishing the challenge of going against the 7ft 3in Thabeet. DJ already has 6 points and 5 rebounds, hitting a nice jumper and baby hook over Thabeet. DJ will have his hands full on the defensive end as Thabeet has shown an improved offensive attack.
IU leads 15-9 @ 10:43
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Crawford in for Ellis, Dre in for Mike White.
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Offensive rebound from Mike White. He passes it to DJ who gets fouled while going to the basket. DJ hits 2-2, giving IU the 11-3 lead.
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A couple of tough calls from the refs draws the bullshit chant from the student section. The calls are close, but UConn is getting all of them. The Huskies finally get on the board with a free throw from Stanley Robinson.
IU leads 9-1 @ 15:53
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A three from Ellis makes the game 6-0 in favor of the Hoosiers. UConn calls a timeout.
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After a defensive stop, Gordon hits a long three to get the game started for the Hoosiers. Then he picks up a silly foul on the premieter. Tough now as good as previous UConn teams, there is still "Connecticut" on the front of the jersey and the fans know it. There is a big game atmosphere here in the hall.
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Starters for IU: Gordon, Ellis, Bassett, Mike White, D.J. White
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As Mike posted earlier, we may lose power sometime during the game. Until then, I will be giving updates as usual.
The forecast called for a White-Out today in Assembly Hall, but the Alumni must have missed the message. The students did a better job, but as usual have yet to arrive in large numbers five minutes before tip-off.
