Nice pieces. At times, it makes for a beautiful team to watch.

Nov. 26 was one of those times. Taking on a New Hampshire team that had given Boston College fits just five days earlier, the Huskies shot 64 percent from the floor, had twice as many assists (22) as turnovers (11) and rung up a 110-58 blowout.

But those times haven't come often enough for Calhoun. The day before losing to Maryland, he noted the Huskies "played about eight good minutes of basketball" against George Washington. That was enough for an 84-76 victory, but it won't be enough when the Big East schedule begins Jan. 2 at Virginia Tech.

Between now and then, the Huskies play just four times. Two ought to be gimmes (Northeastern on Saturday and Quinnipiac on Dec. 21 ) and two could be prickly (Dec. 11 at Massachusetts, Dec. 28 against St. Bonaventure). Will that be enough to get this still-melding team into the same pot?

Here's a more intriguing question: How good will the Huskies be next season if Butler, a sophomore who turns 22 in March, puts off the NBA and returns to a team that ought to have back everyone but Selvie?

Game of the Week

Villanova vs. Temple Saturda at The Palestra A couple big-time Philly schools get together for their annual lovefest. Both teams could use a decent-looking win for March consideration. This is a good chance. Saint Joseph's at Penn; St. John's at Manhattan Saturday The big schools have to visit the little schools in these big-city matchups. An upset lurks in one of these games. Maybe two. The Hawks-Quakers encounter caps off a tripleheader at The Palestra (Drexel/La Salle tip things off before 'Nova-Temple). Duke at Michigan Saturday Duke Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski takes on his former player and chief assistant, Tommy Amaker, who is trying to rebuild a program that only a few years ago was on equal footing with the Blue Devils. North Carolina at Kentucky Saturday Like Duke-Michigan, this game could look a lot better on the marquee than it will on the floor.

Jackets: For better or worse
Last year Georgia Tech won more games than its talent dictated. This year the Jackets may do the opposite -- not that it would be coach Paul Hewitt's fault.

After energizing an older team to an unexpected NCAA Tournament bid in his first year at Tech, Hewitt has assembled a superior team athletically, thanks to immediate recruiting returns. But it's an unbelievably young team, and it makes young mistakes. Hewitt just hopes the Jackets learn from them, like their silly fouls and late turnovers that doomed their chances in an 83-77 loss Sunday at North Carolina. The loss dropped the Jackets to 3-4.

"It doesn't really help us," Hewitt said, "if we don't take this experience and build on it."

The building blocks are impressive. B.J. Elder (9.6 points in about 18 minutes per game), a 6-3 guard who seems bigger thanks to his NBA-ready body, is one of the best freshmen in the ACC. Isma'il Muhammad, another muscular freshman wing, has ridiculous ability and a decent shooting stroke. Freshmen Anthony McHenry and Ed Nelson are promising, sophomores Clarence Moore and Halston Lane are solid, and sophomore Marvin Lewis could be a prominent scorer in time.

But there's only one senior -- or junior, for that matter -- in the rotation. And for all his strengths (16.7 ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.3 rebs.), point guard Tony Akins plays out of control at times like a freshman. So the Jackets will try to find their way this season, more talented but possibly less successful than a year ago.

But next year, if point guard recruit Jarrett Jack is any good and forward Chris Bosh is as good as advertised? Watch out.

At least you've got your health ... never mind
It's not enough that Saint Joseph's lost its season opener, and its top-10 ranking, to Eastern Washington. On basically the first play of that mid-November game, an Eastern Washington player dived out of bounds for a loose ball and had his fall cushioned by Hawks coach Phil Martelli.

For two weeks Martelli coached with pain in his leg, then had enough. A trip to the doctor revealed a horde of problems -- a partially torn ACL, torn cartilage and an impact fracture in the lower leg.

"It throbs at night, and I can't sleep," Martelli said.

Surgery won't be necessary, though, and doctors have told Martelli the injuries should heal in about six weeks.

Around the East

Clemson has the look of an NIT challenger, and has beaten two teams an NIT challenger should beat (La Salle and Penn State) along with some creampuffs. The Tigers' other defeat was almost as encouraging as the Duke game, a 67-65 loss to veteran Miami, Fla.