Huskies go as Williams goes

WORCESTER, Mass. - Marcus Williams' job entering the NCAA Tournament was hard enough.

But as the No. 2 seeded Huskies etch closer and closer to their first round matchup with No. 15 seed Central Florida at the DCU Center today, things are not getting any easier for Williams to be the player the Huskies need him to be.

His significance to the Huskies' success can't be overstated.

"There's no question he's very important," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said.

No one is more vital to the Huskies success than Williams. He makes the UConn offense a well oiled machine and makes others around him better. He is the catalyst for the Huskies and as he goes, so does the team. Yet, it seems like things just aren't going his way as of late.

First, there was Williams' - and the Huskies as whole - disappointing play at the Big East Tournament that got them bounced early in the semifinals. Next came the suspension of backup Antonio Kellogg earlier this week, leaving Williams as the Huskies' only scholarship point guard.

Then there was the shoulder injury Williams suffered at practice Thursday. Williams jammed his shoulder during the Huskies' mid-afternoon practice. It was heavily iced afterward and in all likelihood he'll be stiff tomorrow and may not have full range of motion But Calhoun stressed he believed Williams will be good to go.

"He iced it and he should be okay," Calhoun said. "But regardless, it will be a little bit stiff. He hit it pretty good."

That's where Ryan Thompson will step in.

The oft-used reserve will serve as the backup point guard. Williams - who plays an average of 30 minutes per game - will figure to play nearly the whole game, but Thompson will be ready to spell Williams when called on.

Thompson played in 14 games this season - mostly when Rashad Anderson was out recovering from an infected skin abscess - is a forward, but Calhoun feels confident enough to trust him with the ball for stretches.

"[Thompson will] be important for us," Calhoun said. "He's had great practice sessions. He's a great kid. I think he can do the job great. He's not going to be Marcus, but he will give them some size problems at 6-foot-6. He handles the ball well and he's a really smart basketball player."

Size will figure heavily as the Huskies will have to contend with a much smaller Central Florida team that, nonetheless, scares Calhoun.

"I do get scared by 3-point shooting teams," Calhoun said.

Central Florida (24-8) is one of the better 3-point shooting teams in the nation, making nearly nine threes per game. Central Florida hoists up well over 20 3-pointer per game and is making 37 percent of them on the season.

"They shoot very well from the outside, particularly 3-point range," Josh Boone said. "They also have a good inside game. We're going to have to contain their outside shooters and be ready to play."

The Huskies hope to be able to wear down Central Florida with their size, but should expect to see some zone looks from the Golden Knights who will have a decided height disadvantage - especially underneath the basket.

Still, Calhoun is cautious and weary.

"One of the great neutralizers of size - and we have great size - is 3-point shooting," Calhoun said.

At all costs, the Huskies (22-7) want to avoid letting one of the Golden Knights heat up from behind the arc - like 6-foot-2 point guard Gary Johnson, Central Florida's second leading scorer. The Huskies will have to be cognizant of Johnson at all times and Central Florida will need all they can get out of him for an upset bid to become a reality.

"He's got to play great defense for us," Central Florida coach Kirk Speraw said. "He's got to take care of the basketball for us and try not to have turnovers to let UConn get into their running game. He's going to have a big game shooting the basketball."

"We have to capitalize on what we do best which is defense," Johnson said. "If we get back on fast breaks and contain the basketball everything should go according to plan.

Part of the Huskies' plan is to exude confidence as they begin defense of their national championship with the knowledge that they are the better team.

"Of course you want to feel as though you are the better team," Boone said. "This is what you've worked for to get to this point. So if we come out and play hard, we can shot that we are the better team.

Calhoun's assessment is much simpler.

"You're champions, I expect you to play like it," Calhoun said.