G L I D E H O Y A S: The "One Game at A Time" Hoyas glide to Storrs take on Huskies in Big East matchup

VS.

Gotta Get That Boom Boom Boom Hoyas!

Black Eyed Peas

As we all know it too well the Big East is a basketball conference like no other. You better know when you're watching or attending a Big East game you'd better buckle up and enjoy the ride. We also know that ride will be a bumpy or roller coaster ride. Would you say like a heavyweight or would say you would compare the Big East conference to the NFL? I would because the Big East is a rugged road to travel and the #9 Hoyas (20-5 9-4) will continue travel on that bumpy road to Storrs, Connecticut to take on the #15 Connecticut Huskies (19-5 7-5) Wednesday night. The game will be shown live at 7 on ESPN.

The Hoyas have been playing great tough team basketball for the last eight games. I think this is all due to their focus as a team to play as a unit. Their focus is not on a streak, roll, or tear. Their focus is on "ONE GAME AT TIME!" Thinking this way does so many great things for a team. It really means you don't have to worry about looking too far ahead and it keeps you focused on the one game you're about to play. Sometimes when you're thinking ahead takes your focus off of what's next and also can make you exhausted thinking we have to play this and that team. Why do that? The only focus is on "who's next." I think it's all mental, and so far the Hoyas have done a great job passing the mentality test. I think they will continue to pass this test due to the brillant minds of our Hoya coaching staff.

The Hoyas eighth win came against Marquette 69-60. The Hoyas came out a little flat shooting a lot of 3 pointers, but they manage to hang around to keep the score close in the first half. In the second half, the Hoyas continued to search unsuccessfully for their shooting touch. So they turned to a different way to win. They outrebounded the Golden Eagles, 19-16, in the final 20 minutes, came up with four of their five steals and produced another strong defensive effort, holding their normally efficient opponent to only 31.8 percent shooting in the half.

Hollis "Hollywood" Thompson provided the Hoyas with a career's best 13 rebounds in a winning effort. "They were getting every loose ball in the first half, they were making the hustle plays in the first half," Thompson said. "But in the second half I feel we did."

The Huskies are coming off of a big win at home against Providence and are continuing to look for new life now in their younger players especially sophomore Jamal Coombs-McDaniel. Jamal broke through for a career-high of 25 points against Providence. "If the victory is a bridge, and I will start Jamal Coombs against Georgetown, for some of those young kids to get over that and get that second wind, that's a good win," Calhoun said. "They needed a bridge and some of the older guys stepped up and gave it to them.

The Huskies have suffered some recent losses, and with each loss of late, players had been noticeably deflated. Walker asked teammates where the energy had gone. Calhoun asked players where the smiles and jokes had gone. Well, to say the least the energy, smiles and jokes are back and UConn is looking to put a holt to cool of the Hoyas in Storrs. Hopefully, for my mighty. Hoyas that will not be the case.

The Hoyas will not take this game lightly and haven't taken any games lightly this season. Focus, poise, tough and smart play will get the Hoyas over the rough terrain in Storrs. As long as they continue to play as a unit our Hoyas should be fine.

Here's a couple of keeper's for you Hoynation and friends:

Allen Iverson scores 26 pts., 8 stls., G'Town vs UConn Ray Allen 96