Alabama Post Game Thread

[HuskyInfinity]

Did anyone else get Deja Vu to this exact game last year when clingan got doubled in the paint and dropped it off to Castle for a dunk a la Sanogo to Andre vs. Miami ? That was a rush of serotonin I didn’t know I needed

 

[storrsroars]

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

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

Not sure if I posted in this or a different thread, but for season, Johnnies attempted slightly more FGA per game as 'Bama, 64.8 vs 64.5. Big difference is 'Bama takes 29.9 3s per game vs SJU's 21.1, and converts at a higher %.

Last night, Alabama took 58 shots. In the two games vs SJU, UConn held them to 52 shots each time. What SJU did that 'Bama didn't was get turnovers and put multiple players in foul trouble.

 

[AllHusky]

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?



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)

I thought Sears was a competitor that was pissed that he was about to lose, saw Hurley, knew who he was, fouled him and had something to say. Definitely a play with malice aforethought!! Great player notwithstanding, tough as nails.

 

[BugsyCT]

Some familiar faces in the house last night (just like last year).

 

[Waquoit]

Some familiar faces in the house last night (just like last year).

Besides being legends, our guys are just so photogenic!

 

[dennismenace]

After poking around the Bama sites for the past few days to see what they were saying, I can definitely say I’ve never seen a fanbase hope for injury (and even dirty plays to injure opposing player) NEARLY as much as them. I’ve probably seen 10-15 posters actively hoping for that and not one poster telling them to calm down. Seriously classless group online.

Extra credit to them for all piling on the Hurley hate with a coach that has effectively the same personality.

Football mentality at which they are legendary. It will take coach Oats a few seasons to civilize them but I have to admit I like the way there guys (and fans) have a lot of dog in them.

 

[dennismenace]

Some familiar faces in the house last night (just like last year).

I'm hoping Newton's cousins will be there Monday night. His final game as a Husky and he has been awarded the Cousy trophy :

Tristen Newton wins 2024 Bob Cousy Award.

 

[alexd]

I smiled at this one....

 

[ec33]

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.

Given that this is Samson's first year playing center and with the recognition that he needs to add strength and weight - a Hilton-like improvement isn't entirely out of the question.

UConn is definitely bringing in someone like Goldin, so it is a bit moot (on starting) - but it is possible to have two outstanding centers again next year.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Some familiar faces in the house last night (just like last year).

Fortuitous scheduling for Jordan with the Pelicans being in Phoenix to play the Suns today. He's got a rest day tomorrow so guessing he'll stick around.

 

[husky429]

Given that this is Samson's first year playing center and with the recognition that he needs to add strength and weight - a Hilton-like improvement isn't entirely out of the question.

UConn is definitely bringing in someone like Goldin, so it is a bit moot (on starting) - but it is possible to have two outstanding centers again next year.

I feel like I'm needing to defend a point instead of celebrating this win. Feels odd.

We had two outstanding centers last year. We do not have two outstanding centers next year. We have a generational talent starting, and a low-average bench center for a team of our caliber most nights.

 

[ec33]

I feel like I'm needing to defend a point instead of celebrating this win. Feels odd.

We had two outstanding centers last year. We do not have two outstanding centers next year. We have a generational talent starting, and a low-average bench center for a team of our caliber most nights.

You don't need to defend your point. I understand what you are saying - and as things stand you are correct. And in general expecting a Hilton-like improvement is folly.

All I am trying to say is that as Samson is new to the position (and obviously in the need of strength), the idea that there could be a rapid improvement is not as much of a long shot as would be normal.

Relying on that improvement would be foolish - and UConn clearly have no illusions regarding the reliability of their current centers.

 

[Dogdeacon]

remember the UConn vs Shaq game plan

Lyman!!

 

[Pmac923]

I couldn't believe all the missed traveling calls on them.

Nelson was shuffling the whole night

 

[TouchdownHusky]

How about he wanted to give Andrew a chance to score but didn’t realize it was only their 6th team foul

Maybe. Hadn't considered that. If so, then that was a nice gesture and I was too judgy.

 

[dennismenace]

Given that this is Samson's first year playing center and with the recognition that he needs to add strength and weight - a Hilton-like improvement isn't entirely out of the question.

UConn is definitely bringing in someone like Goldin, so it is a bit moot (on starting) - but it is possible to have two outstanding centers again next year.

Another "two headed monster". Like this year they would be complementary to one another.

 

[ctbro1999]

Just noticed that Newton's alley-oop slam to Castle late in the 2nd half.....it was a no look pass! Sad Newton (and Castle....and Clingan....and Spencer...and maybe Karaban) all only have 1 game left in their UConn careers.

 

[uconnfan68]

Just noticed that Newton's alley-oop slam to Castle late in the 2nd half.....it was a no look pass! Sad Newton (and Castle....and Clingan....and Spencer...and maybe Karaban) all only have 1 game left in their UConn careers.

They showed it from in back of TN, and he knew exactly what Steph was doing and when he’d get there.

 

[SL Husky]

Some familiar faces in the house last night (just like last year).

I'd take that group against all comers in an alumni championship game. Maybe wouldn't hurt to see if we could get a little more ball handling in Ricky, Kemba, Bazz, or Boat.

 

[caw]

Conveniently, most teams don't have a monstar to match Purdue's monstar.

Karaban's check--I'm forgetting his name--isn't very good. I expect we have some idea for how to try some double-teams.

Respectfully, disagree on Renn or Gillis being not very good. Both are very solid for what they are asked to do. Renn is a decent to good post player and Gillis is a lights out open shooter. Renn does a great job of doing little things off the ball also and Gillis is perhaps Purdue's best post entry passer IMO and a decent cutter off the ball. I wouldn't want either over Karaban but they are better than a lot of a PF's out there.

That said they aren't dynamic like Nelson, or Hawkins. Nor are they big bodied athletic freaks like KJ Adams which Alex often has trouble with. If they hurt UConn offensively it will be Gillis getting open shots, or Renn with his jumphook. They do tend to feast when the other team uses their PF to double Edey.

 

[KembaSlice]

Maybe. Hadn't considered that. If so, then that was a nice gesture and I was too judgy.

I don’t think this was the case. If you watch DC is on his feet saying something that looks like “it’s f$@&&g over” with an agitated face and he’s pulled back

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I feel like I'm needing to defend a point instead of celebrating this win. Feels odd.

We had two outstanding centers last year. We do not have two outstanding centers next year. We have a generational talent starting, and a low-average bench center for a team of our caliber most nights.

I think it’s nuts that you described Samson’s season as “a disaster” in the chat. Flat out nuts. I think you kill this kid relentlessly. Just my opinion. You’re the coach, not me.

 

[tzznandrew]

I think it’s nuts that you described Samson’s season as “a disaster” in the chat. Flat out nuts. I think you kill this kid relentlessly. Just my opinion. You’re the coach, not me.

We went undefeated with Samson starting at center this year. In the Big East, not against cupcakes.

He is not a great rebounder. His defense has improved. Other coaches go out of their way to compliment how good he is. Painter did that yesterday.

Samson is good! He's an exceptional backup center and after his first healthy season, you might imagine a healthy offseason leads to him giving us 11 and 7 with some blocks if he was a starter putting in 25 minutes.

 

[Mr. Hand]

a low-average bench center for a team of our caliber most nights.

We're going to have to disagree here. I think you're being blinded by a personal bias, but my expertise is psychology not basketball.

 

[Waquoit]

“Low-average bench center” are the words of a moran.

 

[tzznandrew]

“Low-average bench center” are the words of a moran.

He's not a moron, but it's a bad take. He's been much better recently, and there's a whole lot of things he does well. Aside from my eyes and Painter's words, pretty much everyone else watching basketball consistently talks about how good Samson is as a reserve. He's probably the best backup center in college basketball, and he can certainly be the starting center on a Top 25 team.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Unreal game, tho he was quiet offensively in the 2nd half.

They decided to guard him in the 2nd half. That's why Cam and AK found better looks.

 

[ctbro1999]

Another key to the game that I think sorta got lost in the already established narrative is the fact UConn only let 'bama attempt 23 3's. Yeah, they shot 48% from 3, but they were 7 3's short of their season average for attempts. UConn's game plan was to limit not only their 3's made, but 3's attempted too, and force them to take contested 2-pointers (they were 15-35 from 2). Mission accomplished.

Even their ridiculous 73% shooting from 3 in the first half....it was only on 11 attempts.

 

[giddyup]

He's not a moron, but it's a bad take. He's been much better recently, and there's a whole lot of things he does well. Aside from my eyes and Painter's words, pretty much everyone else watching basketball consistently talks about how good Samson is as a reserve. He's probably the best backup center in college basketball, and he can certainly be the starting center on a Top 25 team.

He isn’t going to position the team as having a dominant force in the paint. He has some hops and length that can be put to selective good use. He can’t rebound effectively, is not an offensive threat other than the occasional slip screen lob, and his D in the paint is average. He’s got a lot of work to do. He does contribute and that shouldn’t be lost.

 

[RedStickHusky]

That game still gives me agita.


That game still haunts me, as evidence that the basketball Gods are looking down at us, letting us know they can make us suffer indefinitely if they so choose.

E8 is always the pucker factor game...