Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun still can't understand why Richard Hamilton didn't make the preseason all-Big East team. Boston College coach Al Skinner thinks there's bigger things in store for the Huskies' sophomore forward.
"I think he's proven he's the player of the year in the league so far," Skinner said Sunday after Hamilton scored a career-high 38 points to lead No. 10 Connecticut to an 80-68 victory over Boston College."It speaks for itself," Skinner said. "He was having a great game."
Hamilton was 4-of-6 from 3-point range and had seven rebounds for the Huskies (14-2, 4-1). He also scored 10 straight points for the Huskies as they took the lead for good and beat the Eagles (8-8, 1-5) for the 19th consecutive time.
"We don't like to put a lot of pressure on him. But when he's going like that, I think we've got to find a way to get him the ball," Huskies guard Monquencio Hardnett said. "When he's on, I don't think there's anyone in the country that can stop him."
The last time the Eagles beat UConn was Feb. 23, 1988. Both senior center Mickey Curley, who did not play because of a sprained ankle, and his older brother Billy, who came to BC in 1990 and is now with the Minnesota Timberwolves, matriculated and graduated from BC without seeing the Eagles beat the Huskies.
Kevin Freeman had 18 points and nine rebounds as the Huskies bounced back from a loss at Miami.
Duane Woodward scored 21 points with eight rebounds and Antonio Granger added 20 points as the Eagles lost their fourth consecutive game. The Eagles shot 59 percent from the field and opened a 12-point lead in the first half, but had just two offensive rebounds and was outrebounded overall 31-18.
"We definitely wore down," Skinner said. "We're putting forth the effort, but if we're going to go this far, let's try to win these things."
"We fought so hard to make up the deficit, and we didn't want to give up the lead," Hamilton said. "I just feel like I've got to go out and prove a point. I feel confident every game."
CINCINNATI 68, NO. 23 MARQUETTE 51: The Bearcats (11-2, 3-0 Conference USA) won their seventh straight behind the 17 points and 10 rebounds of Kenyon Martin. Cincinnati led 28-18 at halftime after holding Marquette (10-2, 1-2) to 4-of-23 shooting and outrebounding it 26-15.