A One Man Wolf Pack

Two weeks ago, the Connecticut basketball team was unranked, but after going 7-0 so far this season, they have become the number six team in the country and have gained the publicity that comes with it.

Some may ask, "Does UConn have the ability to make it to the top and fight with Pittsburgh (3), Ohio State (2), and Duke (1)?" And just to be honest with you, my answer would have to be no! Let me take a step back; I commend the UConn team for going undefeated thus far and having the success that they have, but this being said, I feel like they won't be able to stand up to the wrath of the Duke Blue Devils.

When you get down to the root of the Huskies success, it is and has been in the past that of a particular star player. He, whoever he may be, leads the team to victory practically alone, as a one man wolf pack. In 2009 when the Huskies made it to the Final Four, Hasheem Thabeet was leading the team with unbelievable statistics. This year, as the team continues to have a strangely stellar year, Kemba Walker is carrying the team. Walker is a team leader in points, rebounds, and assists. So, is it really that the team is having a good year or is it that they were lucky enough to have a player that could carry a team successfully? Now I know you're probably thinking that many teams go about achieving success this way, and who's to say it is a bad way when they jump up three rankings in one week? All I am saying is the chance of that success lasting when it sits on the shoulders of one player is much less likely.

The reason I feel as though the Huskies wouldn't be able to stand up the Duke is because Duke distributes their success among players, both veterans and newbies. Freshman guard, Kyrie Irving, has received much recognition for his outstanding playing so far this season but when you look at Duke's team leaders for points, assists, and rebounds, he is not the only guy contributing. Veterans Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith lead the way along side Irving, as well as sophomore Mason Plumlee. So you see, my friends, that is the advantage Duke has over UConn and until Connecticut starts growing more as a team, that is the way it will remain.