It was Monday, January 17th, and the day couldn't have been scripted any better for Ben Gordon. As the game clock ran down at Madison Square Garden, Gordon exploded down the right side of the lane and floated up a tough one-handed 10-foot runner. The shot seemed to float over the New York City skyline before falling back to earth smoothly through the net...swish. In front of nearly 50 friends and family, Gordon, from nearby Mt. Vernon New York, took down the New York Knicks with his buzzer beating acrobatics and 13-point fourth quarter explosion. The last second victory extended Chicago's win streak to seven, and ran the Bulls record to 15-5 over their last 20 games.

For Gordon, big games at the world's most famous arena are nothing new. While at Connecticut, Gordon won two Big East Tournament Championships at Madison Square Garden. In 2004 Gordon broke Allen Iverson's Big East Tournament scoring record dropping 81 points in three games on his way to the Big East Tournament MVP award. And on this night against the New York Knicks, "Madison Square Gordon" was back.

"It kind of made me feel like I was back in the Big East," said Gordon as he reflected on the moment while the Bulls prepared to play the Boston Celtics at the Fleet Center two days later.

Gordon topped off his memorable day at Madison Square Garden by attending the UConn - Seton Hall game in New Jersey just hours after his fourth quarter dismantling of the Knicks.

"I planned it a couple of days in advance," said Gordon of his field trip to watch the Huskies. "I got permission from the (Bulls) to go and watch the game."

Gordon sat behind the UConn bench and flashed a rare smile as he enjoyed the Huskies 77-68 victory over Seton Hall and reflected on his day. After Connecticut's victory Gordon caught up with the Huskies and addressed his former teammates at the request of UConn coach Jim Calhoun.

"Coach (Calhoun) just wanted me to talk to them about how much they should appreciate being in college," said Gordon. "There's no other experience like it, so while they're there they should just try to soak it all in. I just told them as much as I love playing in the NBA I definitely miss college, it's not all about business in college, it's more about school spirit and stuff like that. So I just told them to cherish those moments, because they're going to be some of the best moments of their lives."

Although Gordon misses many aspects of college life, he knew it was time for him to move on after his junior year at Connecticut. He admitted that winning a national championship in 2004 made it a little bit easier to leave school and declare for the NBA draft, where he was taken with the third pick by the Bulls. But Gordon still keeps in touch with his former teammates on a regular basis.

"I'm always talking to those guys through e-mail or on the phone or whatever," said Gordon. "Just seeing how they're doing and what their progress is like."

Gordon has also been trying to help UConn wing Rashad Anderson through a shooting slump.

"I've been talking to him just trying to give him help, some pointers whenever he may need them because he's in a similar situation I was in last year," said Gordon. "All the attention is on him, teams know he's a terrific shooter. It's tough, this is his first time as a starter (at shooting guard), so he's got to get used to his role, I think once he does he'll be fine."

As Gordon has gotten used to his role in Chicago, he's done quite fine himself. The Bulls first year guard is the second leading scorer among NBA rookies at 13 points per game, behind only his former college roommate, Emeka Okafor (15.4). Gordon is also 10th in the NBA in 3-point shooting (43%) and second in the league in fourth quarter scoring. And you can be sure that Gordon appreciates everything he learned under coach Jim Calhoun at Connecticut. The former first team All-Big East player reflected on how well the UConn system prepared him for the NBA.

"The way coach Calhoun ran the system, a lot of the sets we ran were pro sets," said Gordon. "I didn't understand that coming in, when he used to say that. But now that I got up to this level I see exactly what he was doing. The way everything was handled and the way the program is run."

Gordon still tries to keep in touch with the UConn coaching staff as he plays a hectic NBA schedule.

"I try to call the coaches at least like once a month to see how they're doing," said Gordon.

And although Gordon doesn't have much time right now to keep in touch with his fellow UConn alumni, he did find the time this month to drop 31 points on Kevin Ollie and the Sixers and 27 points on Rip Hamilton and the Detroit Pistons. Gordon has also found the time keep up with his former college roommate, Emeka Okafor.

"I talk to Mek on a regular basis and see how he's doing and how he's been playing," said Gordon. "I also watch him on NBA TV anytime I get a chance."

Gordon, like Okafor, bleeds Husky blue and white. And even though the Huskies have lost a few winnable games this season, Gordon still has plenty of confidence in his old teammates and coaches.

"I think they're pretty good this year," said Gordon. "They've got a couple of losses early but coach Calhoun does a great job of coaching his guys to get better throughout the season, so I don't think they're at their best yet."

So does Gordon have any final message for his former UConn teammates?

"Just keep winning," said Gordon. "You know I just talked to them a couple of days ago, so hopefully that will help them a little bit. They'll be fine."

Be sure to check out this past week's issue of Inside Connecticut Sports online magazine for our full feature on Ben Gordon, including exclusive pictures from the Celtics - Bulls game in Boston.

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