Hurley admitted post game that the Illinois comments were used as more fuel for the fire. Anything to keep the chip on our shoulder is a good thing. Everyone at the final 4 wants to win but if you can find any edge you have to take it.
Whatever helps UConn I’m good with. I don’t understand why people keep poking the bear, but whatever. Hurley’s “bulletproof” comment didn’t help Illinois much. I think talent generally wins unless teams are almost evenly matched. Then health and external factors like this or preparation make the difference. I like UConn’s chances against Alabama, especially with this staff having a week to prepare.
Agreed. I think it’s more of a benefit to the most talented player or team, though. Part of what made Jordan Jordan was his mental makeup and drive. He used those kinds of things to drive himself and never let off the gas. I think the Illinois thing drove Hurley and the staff to probably put in even more preparation. But the bulletproof comments didn’t prevent Illinois from getting blown out.
Yes, UConn does. We know this for a fact
I wrote "headline"Yeah, they basically ignored or trashed Clingan that whole article.
Can anyone score at the rim on Donovan Clingan and UConn? Clingan's performance -- especially defensively -- Saturday was otherworldly, one of the most dominant showings we've seen all season. It became evident very quickly that Illinois was going to struggle scoring in the paint. The Illini missed eight of their first 10 layups, with Clingan blocking three shots in the first half and altering several others. Illinois shot just 25% inside the arc. In Clingan's first 17 minutes on the floor, Illinois scored four points. Perhaps the Illini should have opted to shoot more jumpers instead of driving at Clingan so often, but Terrence Shannon Jr. struggled to make shots and Coleman Hawkins couldn't get going from the perimeter. Here's the stat of the night: Illinois went 0-for-19 on field goal attempts contested by Clingan, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
This was intentional. Trust me.
I don’t think UConn does, particularly on a neutral court. But if it’s offered UConn will take it and use it.
If they didn't need it, they wouldn't be trolling twitter for offensive tweets from fans.
There's a strange phenomenon among some fans, where they will root for any team in their conference over a non con team. I have a few big ten friends, (this may be different for SEC), who are so loyal to the Big Ten that they basically become a fan of every team out of that conference. I've seen Michigan fans rooting for msu, osu fans rooting for purdue and illinois... not just rooting casually but going all in.
Just put up a poster of Goodman's punchable face wearing an Alabama hat (which he did during the F68 vid the other day).
Who is trolling Twitter? What’s UConn’s record on neutral courts this year? What’s the average margin of victory been over the past 10 games in the tournament? You still really think they need it? Wow.
This is all on the record.
I root for Big East teams too, but I've heard that Carolina fans like us because we beat Duke.
I get that. But I’d your assertion that if UConn wasn’t doing that, instead of winning by 20-21 points average margin of victory, that they’d be losing? They need to do that to win?
Hurley also would also remind them in the huddles that the Illinois players were running their mouths about UConn duing their 30-0 run to keep them fired up. Every time Underwood would call a time out Hurley would remind them....
Ha. I root for big east too, but the way they root is different. Almost as if they are rooting for the team they really love. I'll root because it's good for our conference, but I didn't cry when Creighton or Marquette lost.
That's not what anyone is saying. But that chip on the shoulder attitude is what makes UConn great and keeps all the players motivated. Do they need it to win 2 more games and a championship? Probably not. But I certainly don't want to find out. I think they should keep looking for all the external motivation that got them here, it's what fuels Hurley and he's said as much publicly multiple times