Husson and Maine eye life after the upset

The day after carried the residual devastation and celebration resulting from the biggest upset in men’s basketball in recent Maine history: Husson’s 73-72 upset of Maine.

Depending on whose office you were sitting in, the atmosphere Wednesday was either like a holiday party or a wake. But for victorious Husson coach Warren Caruso and downcast Maine coach John Giannini, the day after pointed their programs on a new course.

Giannini learned he should not overestimate the talent he has inherited as first-year coach. Nor should he second-guess himself in evaluating his first Division I team.

Caruso learned the powerful impact a game against Maine can have in the Husson community.

“I am more disappointed in myself than anyone,” Giannini said. “This was the first time this year that I thought we lost a game because I did not have our team playing the best that we could. We have lot of limitations as a Division I team. I thought we had the best personnel. When the best personnel doesn’t win the game, the coach has to wonder why his team doesn’t win.”

Giannini said Maine, now 1-5, has had success using zones and matchup defenses and trouble using a man-to-man defense. Giannini said because he felt Maine had a stronger team, he went with man-to-man and, as a result, the Bears gave up more layups, committed fouls and gave up more free throws than they did against Syracuse, Liberty or Arizona State.

What remains unclear to Giannini is why Maine committed so many turnovers and why it continues to commit turnovers at critical points.

“When we have a four-point lead with less than a minute left and a turnover that leads to a breakaway layup for the other team, it’s just crushing,” Giannini said. “We do things that lose basketball games. Whenever it seems like the game is on the line, we end up committing self-destructive mistakes.”

Giannini said he longs for the day when he will have a team and schedule of his choosing, but for now will work on short-term success with the talent he has.

“It was an extremely disappointing loss for numerous reasons. But I still believe we have players capable of winning this year. I have to work hard at getting the most out of them.”

Meanwhile, Caruso did not take the excitement revolving around the win lightly. Starting this year, the Braves will become a non-scholarship program. Any boost to recruiting for Caruso is invaluable. And the win sets the Braves up to head into conference play today knowing they can compete at a high level.

“It’s a great win for the Husson community,” Caruso said. “I hope we have the opportunity to play them in the future. There is more local and community interest.”

Caruso said the Braves were lucky in the timing of the game. Maine had just returned from three days of play in Anchorage, Alaska, plus the Bears were battered.

But the win also proved that his team had the composure to stay close to the Bears and take advantage of Maine mistakes late in the game.

Down the crucial stretch when Husson depleted Maine’s seven-point lead with 3:22 left, the Braves capitalized while the Bears crumbled. Husson had 15 turnovers, Maine had 25.

“The margin for error was slim,” Caruso said. “In the second half, we had three turnovers. We narrowed the margin for error. We had luck, but our play was a factor.”

The win also sets up Husson for the future. With three sophomore starters, Caruso said the win boosts the younger players’ confidence and will help in recruiting. Caruso added that regardless whether Husson defeated Maine, playing against a Division-I team attracts athletes who want to excel.

“Having a team like Maine on the schedule helps,” Caruso said. “We have eight non-conference games against national-caliber teams, that’s why student athletes come here.”