Some statistical analysis after the UConn-Texas Southern game

10 NUMBERS TO LOOK AT:

1. Hasheem Thabeet – 10 blocks/UConn – 10 blocks
Against Texas Southern, the freshman ties the school’s single-game record with Emeka Okafor and Donyell Marshall. He has been very high (Quinnipiac, Fairfield) or very low (Mississippi, Albany, Sacred Heart). Look for a happy medium as the season continues.

2. Opponent’s field-goal percentage through seven games – 32.6 percent
A Calhoun staple over the past few years. The trend does not seem like it will stop this year.

3. Perimeter defense – opponents from three-point range – 27.1 percent
An aspect of UConn’s defense that Calhoun touted in the early season. With four quality guards who are always somewhat defensive minded, the trend was spotted early.

4. Turnovers
UConn 15.4/opponents 17.7
This differential should be wider. Turnovers tend to decrease as the season wears on. With guards taking better care of the ball, the turnovers on the perimeter should decrease, but the double teams in the post will not. Teams will eventually collapse on players like Thabeet, forcing the 7-footer to make more decisions. The same applies with other post players. They will need to adapt.

5. In all but one game (Quinnipiac), UConn has shot at least 50 percent from the floor
Quality shots. Consistent shots. Only a positive seven games in.

6. Thabeet has not pulled down more than 10 rebounds since the Huskies’ opening-night victory over Quinnipiac
Blocks are consistent. Scoring and rebounding are not. Thabeet said Sunday that by game 18 or 20, he wants to be a complete player.

7. Only two players (A.J. Price, twice, and Jerome Dyson) have registered 20-point games
Dyson said after the Sacred Heart game that someone does not have to be a star every night. With a number of offensive options, this seems to be a reality and a season-long trend.

8. Marcus Johnson’s field-goal percentage – 51.1 percent
Calhoun said his sophomore is best utilized on the break. Johnson has not found his stroke from the outside. Beyond 10 feet, that percentage is cut in half. One positive in his game – he is shooting 70 percent from the line.

9. All four guards have at least 1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio
Craig Austrie’s five-turnover outing against Albany is in the past. Price is now up to 34:14. Dyson is 17:9. Wiggins, who was erratic a few weeks ago, is 16:13. Austrie is 10:10.

10. Games in which Thabeet has picked up four fouls – 0
This will become a huge factor and will test UConn’s frontcourt depth as the season continues. He has only picked up three fouls once (Mississippi) in perhaps his least-productive outing. Thabeet stays grounded and has picked up fouls while leaving his feet only twice this season.