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UConn and Kemba Walker snap out of their slump to beat Georgetown

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Slump no more.

On Wednesday night, Kemba Walker put his name right back into player of the year consideration, playing arguably his best game of the year in UConn’s 78-70 win over Georgetown.

Walker finished with 31 points, 10 assists, and seven boards, turning the ball over just twice and going 13-23 from the floor. That came on the Heels of a 22 point, six rebound, seven assist performance against Providence where Walker was 7-10 from the floor. Kemba had shot better than 50% from the field just once since December 8th.

The difference, it seems, is that Kemba made the decision to attack the basket. No one on Georgetown was able to keep Walker out of the paint. Few around the country can. But when help came, he wasn’t forcing the tough jumpers or step back threes that he had been. Instead, he was finding his teammates, and tonight’s beneficiary was Jamal Coombs-McDaniel.

As a freshman, Coombs-McDaniel had some hype, but he never was able to break the rotation or get out of Calhoun’s doghouse. He has the past two games. He had 23 points and six boards against Georgetown, following up a 25 point, eight rebound performance against Providence.

Its been a constant theme for the Huskies this season. Kemba is at his best when he has a second scorer on the floor with him. That role has been fluid all season long -- Alex Oriakhi, Shabazz Napier, Jeremy Lamb, and now Jamal Coombs-McWhereInTheHellDidThisComeFrom all have scored at least 18 points in a game this season -- but when that role is filled and Kemba played like he did tonight, the Huskies are a tough team to beat.

Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @ballinisahabit.