So much for that "two round bye" rust the Panthers were supposed to have coming into this game. They didn't have to play during the first two days of the 2011 Big East Tournament, but you wouldn't know that from watching the beginning of their third-round game against UConn. The Panthers lead the Huskies 30-19 with 7:20 left in the first half.
Ashton Gibbs has come out firing, and has 13 points on 5-6 shooting from the field, including two three pointers. Nasir Robinson scored the first points of the game and has seven points so far.
UConn is relying, not surprisingly, on Kemba Walker. He only has six points so far but he has taken a team-leading five field goal attempts. If I can say anything positive about the Huskies, and believe me I'll try, it is that they haven't fallen behind because of lack of effort. They aren't playing particularly poorly, it just isn't easy to keep up with a team that started off as hot from the field as Pittsburgh did.
I would imagine that Pittsburgh has to cool down at some point. And Kemba Walker will certainly make his imprint on the game known. But as of right now, Pittsburgh is in control early.