Alabama Post Game Thread

[husky429]

Samson is not starting material without an improvement great than the one we saw from Hilton. C'mon guys. He simply cannot rebound or defend well enough or close to it.

He had a good game. Let's not forget what he's done the last 39 games. Just enjoy the ride and get this W.

 

[Leebo]

Thought castle made the first two 3s we took, and then we missed our next 8 or something like that

Castle missed one on the first possession and then made one on the second possession.

 

[JonnyRI]

You’re still ignoring the rest of the comment. Our returning guys aren’t on the level of kemba/lamb/smith/oriakhi or bazz/boat/giffey/daniels. for Samson to be a starter he needs to be surrounded by 4 stars and we have one currently in Karaban.

Not ignoring it. To win a title you might be right, but I still think Johnson will be much better than just a middling big, he will be a high level starter.

I have a bit lower expectations for next year though than expecting us to be a top 3 team. But if shows some growth, Johnson is 100 percent a starter on the majority of top 25 teams, and probably even would have been this year. I think a lot of UConn fans are still sleeping on him a bit (insert Springs joke here).

 

[temery]

I know Anthony won it all. What about the other three?

 

[freescooter]

I didn’t think UConn played great in the first half. Kind of got lulled into playing Alabama‘s game, and let the Tide get some rebounds. But here’s the thing with this team. If they are not hitting you better grab a lead. Because if they aren’t playing well and still have a lead, you are in trouble. Plus I have not seen a team play team defense like this one doe in a very long time.

I thought the game was similar to Marquette game in that we were a little off and they stayed around but eventually we turned up the defense and started making plays. once that happened, Alabama, like Marquette, couldn’t hang with us.

 

[BugsyCT]

Alabama’s unreal shooting performance and tenacity around the rim up until 27 minutes in would have defeated just about every other team in the tournament - except us. They just couldn’t hang when 3 ball opportunities were taken away, and for the first time this season, couldn’t run their fast break.

While I congratulate Alabama for this performance, their message boards show this is the first time in FF 4.

Never seen such a group of whiners about the officiating and announcers. Didn’t expect to read this drivel on their boards…. Maybe a few post of course but they literally started off main thread with comments on stripes.

With their coach, I would not be surprised to see them back in FF 4, but hope by then, their fans mature a little bit too

Boo-hoo. They'll be long over it by next weekend when Bama has 55-60k at their spring game.

 

[Dove]

I was confident that UConn would win last night. But when Clingan blocked Bama's first layup...yeah...I knew the win was happening.

 

[bendm]

I have a bit lower expectations for next year

Expectations will be set Depending on who we get in the Portal

 

[UCan3]

Expectations will be set Depending on who we get in the Portal

Am I missing something. If we lose starting 6 w Diarra, aren’t we essentially starting over. I was thinking we‘d be a couple of year aways from making a serious run in tourney.

 

[uconnfan68]

Alabama’s unreal shooting performance and tenacity around the rim up until 27 minutes in would have defeated just about every other team in the tournament - except us. They just couldn’t hang when 3 ball opportunities were taken away, and for the first time this season, couldn’t run their fast break.

While I congratulate Alabama for this performance, their message boards show this is the first time in FF 4.

Never seen such a group of whiners about the officiating and announcers. Didn’t expect to read this drivel on their boards…. Maybe a few post of course but they literally started off main thread with comments on stripes.

With their coach, I would not be surprised to see them back in FF 4, but hope by then, their fans mature a little bit too

They seem to have a lots of bags of cash around.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I know Anthony won it all. What about the other three?

Melo and Bibby won. Rose lost in the final. Banchero lost in the semi.

 

[1999GoodSon]

After all the angst UConn went 10-25 for 40% from three. If they do that for 1 more game I like their chances on Monday.

Agreed, but the only reason anyone will remember our 3 point shooting percentages is because everyone keeps talking about it.

We've won 5 games by +125 points, I think that's the story of these amazing Huskies!

 

[CTBasketball]

My head is pounding.

But we have a business meeting on Monday night.

 

[tzznandrew]

I know Anthony won it all. What about the other three?

Bibby: won title
Rose: team choked title away by missing an ungodly amount of FT and Chalmers hit an iconic last second shot
Banchero: lost in FF.

 

[Waquoit]

You’re still ignoring the rest of the comment. Our returning guys aren’t on the level of kemba/lamb/smith/oriakhi or bazz/boat/giffey/daniels. for Samson to be a starter he needs to be surrounded by 4 stars and we have one currently in Karaban.

We get it. You don't like Samson. Give it a rest.

 

[DRBackup]

What about Rip vs Washington?

Great win, tight game, but not as significant, ultimately

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Am I missing something. If we lose starting 6 w Diarra, aren’t we essentially starting over. I was thinking we‘d be a couple of year aways from making a serious run in the tourney.

We will make the tournament next year even with the loss of Newton, Spencer, Clingan and Castle, and once in we can always do damage. I expect Karaban to stay, and I think Diarra. Stewart can play at this level but has work to do over the summer to improve his handle and be more reliable shooting the ball from 3. Johnson is what he is which is an extremely springy 5 with great hands and timing. There aren't that many bulky yet talented centers to push him around. Ball will make the sophomore step up - I expect him to start. He was actually quite impressive when Castle was out early. Just needs to stay with the program physically and mentally, get his head straight. That's a pretty darn good core 5. You've got a very athletic center who's been on (hopefully) 2 NC teams, shooters in Karaban, Ball and Stewart, a point guard with experience in Diarra, all of whom know the system and what it takes to win.

Nowell and Abraham are players - Abraham looked great in yesterday's game vs. Monteverde. Ross and Roumoglou will have a chance to earn PT if they can buy into the defense - Ross for athleticism and Roumoglou is a remarkable shooter at 6'8". Would love for Ross to turn himself into a defensive stopper like Castle this year. Singare is a project, but is athletic so there's something there to work with. And transfers will only improve that base. I'd like to see deadeye shooting guard with size come in, and a more established 5 to team with Johnson.

Will we be at this level? No, that would be impossible. But this year's level is out of this world.

 

[DRBackup]

Well, maybe. The problem is that you're probably not gameplanning to stop the shooting, The first gameplan is Edey.

Or is it? We'll see I guess. That's the chess match Purdue opponents have struggled with all year.

Will be interesting to see how they go at him. NC State turned him over a lot with active hands in the lane, which we do extremely well.

 

[UCan3]

Samson can be a starter for us. This is really his first year of playing (ie game time) college ball.

Think of the growth last year to this year.

If anything close to the same size jump next year he is much better than just a serviceable center (ie Tyler or Phil).

If there’s one thing I hope Samson learns… When the dude came in to dunk of Cling Kong, he did not foul and actually moved aside and said “go get em big boy” Have your moment.…Shuggs his shoulders like “hey that was a nice dunk”

No foul and while Bama got dazed by play we went on 8-0 run….

Samson next year, no need to foul when you don’t have to, take the game as it comes to you.

 

[bendm]

We get it. You don't like Samson. Give it a rest.

Never said I don’t like Samson. He plays an indispensable role on this squad.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Sears with the classless foul.

In the moment, I was totally wtf.

Then, I wondered if he did it to put Andrew on the line to (A) let him score, or (B) challenge Danny to tell Andrew to not score and command his own kid miss a FT; (C) challenge Andrew to defy his father and make the shot, so that he wouldn't look bad by missing; or some other ridiculousness.

Then it turned out that UConn wasn't in the bonus,which circled back to wtf?

Castle made himself a lot of money tonight.

Sure did earn it.

It's like Somebody said, "Oh, you think that spin & dunk move on Illinois was enough to show you've got some offensive game?"

Most mature-playing young freshman I can recall seeing at UConn. I suppose Okafor would be my previous choice.

Seems like the other such greats took til sophomore year for the maturity piece, even if their skills flashed in varying degrees and timing during their freshman year.

"Gosh, imagine how much more improved he'd be if he just stayed another year (or two)."
Amiright?

/s (just in case)

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I don’t get the worry with Purdue. EDEY is gonna have to move a lot more than he ever does defensively, or they will have to play zone. Either way, bad for them. Yesterday most of their 3’s were totally uncontested. That will not happen tomorrow. And Castle is going to zero out their PG. This game won’t be close.

 

[freshler40]

We will make the tournament next year even with the loss of Newton, Spencer, Clingan and Castle, and once in we can always do damage. I expect Karaban to stay, and I think Diarra. Stewart can play at this level but has work to do over the summer to improve his handle and be more reliable shooting the ball from 3. Johnson is what he is which is an extremely springy 5 with great hands and timing. There aren't that many bulky yet talented centers to push him around. Ball will make the sophomore step up - I expect him to start. He was actually quite impressive when Castle was out early. Just needs to stay with the program physically and mentally, get his head straight. That's a pretty darn good core 5. You've got a very athletic center who's been on (hopefully) 2 NC teams, shooters in Karaban, Ball and Stewart, a point guard with experience in Diarra, all of whom know the system and what it takes to win.

Nowell and Abraham are players - Abraham looked great in yesterday's game vs. Monteverde. Ross and Roumoglou will have a chance to earn PT if they can buy into the defense - Ross for athleticism and Roumoglou is a remarkable shooter at 6'8". Would love for Ross to turn himself into a defensive stopper like Castle this year. Singare is a project, but is athletic so there's something there to work with. And transfers will only improve that base. I'd like to see deadeye shooting guard with size come in, and a more established 5 to team with Johnson.

Will we be at this level? No, that would be impossible. But this year's level is out of this world.

Great summary of our future but first there is tomorrow, Nite.

We match up well. Edey hasn't played against another size center like DC who has one national championship under his belt. We also go 6-8 deep with quality at every position. Our coaches add another dimension not many teams can match. WOW! Each starter has and might, on any occasion score 20+.

 

[UCan3]

Deny Purdy the ball, when he takes it low, take the ball, guard for kick outs and easy 3’s.

Push tempo.

Engage elite defense and use Samson/Clingon to wear out Edey. Tie game until 65 and win by 12 that is my hope!!!

 

[alphasigko]

They were hanging around based on hitting 3s off of broken plays and weird bounces. It wasn't sustainable.

There was an analysis of this in The Athletic this morning. They said it was in Hurley's game plan to reduce the overall number of 'Bama's 3 Pt shots. They obviously succeeded.

 

[bendm]

That's a pretty darn good core 5.

Besides the legendary status of going back to back a big Part of why I want to win so bad is that Hurley said it’s going to be a long time until were going to be this good again, if ever. Just have to be thankful for this season and accept we’ll prob never see anything as beautiful again.

I love the core 5 plus Nowell but I’d also like to supplement it with a shooter like McNeeley and a Center like Goldin. We aren’t going anywhere with an 8 man rotation like that.

 

[alphasigko]

UConn 1.37 points per possession tonight.

Purdue: 0.98 points per possession tonight.

Purdue only scored 63 pts against a much less talented team in NC State. I think that bodes well for us on Monday.

 

[BrysonDeMan]

Well, maybe. The problem is that you're probably not gameplanning to stop the shooting, The first gameplan is Edey.

Or is it? We'll see I guess. That's the chess match Purdue opponents have struggled with all year.

remember the UConn vs Shaq game plan

 

[ninety-nine]

Besides the legendary status of going back to back a big Part of why I want to win so bad is that Hurley said it’s going to be a long time until were going to be this good again, if ever. Just have to be thankful for this season and accept we’ll prob never see anything as beautiful again.

I love the core 5 plus Nowell but I’d also like to supplement it with a shooter like McNeeley and a Center like Goldin. We aren’t going anywhere with an 8 man rotation like that.

As a Seahawks fan who watched her team excruciatingly toss away the one chance it's likely ever going to get to win back-to-back Super Bowls, I can attest to feeling the most pressure since '99 for tomorrow night's game. These chances to repeat never come along for most programs/teams, and not capitalizing on one when it improbably develops will sting for a long time.

 

[Johnny Mac]

Alabama was competitive for 27 minutes, then got outscored 30-14. Congratulations, Alabama.

Honestly, St. John's played us tougher. Twice.