Suspensions Mar Recent Success

By: Dan Olender

Posted: 1/31/08

In the last 11 days we have seen just about everything that the men's basketball team could possibly throw at us. This time span has been thrilling, heart-pounding and rewarding at times, but it's also been disappointing and upsetting.

The play on the court has been a far cry from the troubles we saw last season and the team knocked off two teams that were ranked in the top 15 during its four-game win streak.

However exciting this time has been, it's like the old saying goes, "There's always a but."

That but, of course, is the suspensions of two players. On Friday, Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins were suspended indefinitely by Jim Calhoun for violating team rules. Then we learned that the suspensions were a result of the two possessing alcohol as minors. Wiggins was also driving with a suspended license. All of a sudden things look a lot worse for the two then when we knew they just violated team rules.

We really don't know any details about what happened that night, so I don't want to sit here and speculate about what took place. Guessing only leads to nasty rumors and that doesn't do any good for anyone.

We can say these two messed up big-time and they disappointed their teammates and coaches. They have also embarrassed a basketball program that is finally getting past the laptop situation that involved former Husky Marcus Williams and current point guard A.J. Price.

It's hard to believe that Wiggins would do anything that might land him in Calhoun's dog-house once again this season, but apparently he wasn't so concerned with that possibility. He was barred from the locker room for a month earlier this season, but recently things had seemed to be OK as he got minutes off the bench and provided the team with a nice spark.

Wiggins hasn't shown a lot of maturity here and certainly that will weigh heavily on Calhoun's mind when he and the athletic department decide what punishment to hand down.

While this situation isn't good for Dyson, Wiggins or the program, just remember, there's always a but.

The remaining players will be playing without two contributors, but, they will be fine.

They've proven that with an extremely impressive win at Indiana and a gutsy, hard-fought win over Louisville. This team has finally turned the corner and the guys that aren't in trouble seem intent on keeping them on a winning track.

Would they be better with Dyson and Wiggins on the court? Yes, and we've seen that as the perimeter defense has struggled in the last two games, leaving many Hoosiers and Cardinals with wide-open looks for 3. The players are playing extended minutes and fatigue clearly set in during the Louisville game, which is something that will only get worse without Dyson and Wiggins.

I imagine that fans and the players share the same view on this situation. Both are probably saying, "You two are nice players, but if you want to act stupid and almost mess things up for this team right when things are finally going good, then fine, stay away from the team, we don't need you."

It's easy to feel that way because this team has been trying so desperately for a year and a half now to win big games, and that passion has been evident on the court. Now that the team is winning, no one wants to see them revert back to old form, which is why fans and players alike should only want guys who are focused on improving and winning.

The guys that are currently playing are great players to rally around and really root for. Many of them have come very far over the past season and have gained the respect of many because of it.

Think about Hasheem Thabeet. He thought about going pro, but he enjoyed being here and knew he could improve here, so he passed up the money and stayed. His play on the court compared to last season demonstrates his work ethic and desire to improve so this team can win.

He's now shooting 70 percent at the free-throw line - an unbelievable increase from last year's mark of 51 percent. He's also been able to contribute fairly well on the offensive end. Thabeet is the kind of player that is impossible to root against.

We also have to respect the transformation that Price has undergone. His mistake two years ago was bad, and has been well documented, but I'm a firm believer in giving people second chances. Price was given that second chance, and he's made the most of it.

After spending last season getting used to playing basketball again, Price has emerged as the player Calhoun thought he could become. He has stayed out of trouble and has worked very hard to earn back the respect he. He is the leader of this team and his play on the court has them in position to be a serious threat in the Big East.

If Dyson and Wiggins are fortunate enough to earn a second chance from the athletic department (or a third chance in the case of Wiggins), they have a good teammate to look at to learn how to turn things around.

What should have been a very positive week for the Huskies was marred by the actions of two players and it has dampened the excitement about a Renaissance-like week for the men's basketball program.

But (there's that word again) going forward we need to embrace the players who are contributing and make sure they aren't deprived of the recognition they deserve just because two people grabbed the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Dan Olender's column runs

periodically. He can be reached

at Daniel.Olender@UConn.edu.