Arizona Post Game Thread | Page 13 | The Boneyard
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Arizona Post Game Thread

HW611 said:
If they didn't win it they weren't best team. In 2014 we played the overall 1 seed in Florida.

2004 we beat Duke. Again in 1999.

Can't be afraid to play anyone on the way to a championship. The expectation is when you get there, you're playing the best.
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We played UCLA in the elite 8 in 96, they ended up winning it all. Had we been in a different bracket, we could have been in the final. Matchups and seeding matter, perhaps even if it’s just to get as deep as possible. Final 4s matter too.

It’s not about not being afraid to play someone.
 
First, congrats to Arizona.They played the hand that was given and did everything they were supposed to do to win. It is not easy to win at Gampel to a top 5 team (undermanned or not). They deserved the win under the circumstances.

Second, the only circumstances under our control is FT shooting. This is why we lost this game. For every UConn if, should-of and could-of, Arizona can easily counter. Refs are always poor - consistency is what we all want. Got that for the most part.

Third, moral victories are for fans (some fans). Players take a loss and move on.

The most important take away is this. Going into this game, probably the number one strategy to beat UConn was to get Reed in foul trouble and sit on the bench. We saw the result of this tonight, due to injury. But, given what we saw from Reibe, and assuming improvement, that strategy is questionable and should be crossed off the list by opposing coaches. It will likely not work in March/April.

Happy for the effort and proud of them before, during and after the game.
 
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Gurleyman said:
Watched him off the ball for some possessions - and there were times he didn’t cut with any purpose at all. Just this lazy movement where he didn’t want the ball - or didn’t think he’d get open so didn’t bother trying. And there were times the screens he got were pretty bad. Reibe has some work to do there. It was shooting slump AK from last year - and I hated when he played like that because if you cut hard and look like you want to be a threat, it opens up other things. Even if you are a decoy, you have to treat being a decoy as the most important job on the floor and do it with the same intensity as you do when you think a shot is coming your way. Because then you make the defense think about you. There’s a big contrast with Solo - he cuts hard (granted he’s smaller and quicker), but he always moves with a purpose. AK seems better as a flare option playing off misdirection off of someone else’s cut, which is where Mullins and Solo both being out there can maybe help.
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He was also being grabbed relentlessly. That was my one officiating complaint tonight. Arizona obviously scouted him well and had the type of guys that he struggles with anyway, but they treated him like my son used to when I would drop him at day care, and he only got the call once.

My son (now 17) pointed out to me late in the first half that one of the officials told Alex to tuck his shirt in. Alex just looked at him like this guy

IMG_4107.jpeg
 
FightOnCT said:
It’s one of those games like Florida where I still can’t get over it because the loss was very avoidable. Just shoot our free throws, get some boards.

Just simple things like that and we win. Missing two starters wasn’t why we lost here.
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So we still lose if we have Reed and Mullins? Because that is the natural extension of what you are saying here.
 
EricLA said:
Well what a hell of a game. Fought and battled to the end. Down TWO starters. Up 1 late, Solo misses a dagger 3, then Silas turns it over on the next possession... I honestly thought anything better than a 10 point loss was a moral victory. These guys will be DANGEROUS when healthy.

Really great game and experience for Reibe. This will pay dividends in BE play and come March/April... But come on - 50% from the FT line??? I get it was mostly our 2 centers, so something to work on...

Never like to lose, but if there was one game that I think we can pretty much all stomach, this was it.
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Yup. Two absolutely horrible possessions late. Terrible shot by Solo and the possession where Silas turned it over was doomed before his turnover. Disappointed but feeling really good about this team. We`ve got a solid back up at the 5 who can make an impact and with Tarris and Mullins back and healthy this team can beat anyone.
 
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Being out rebounded by 20 is the worst disparity in Hurley coached UConn team.

Casey Jacobsen thinks Arizona is second most physical team behind Houston. Peet was obviously a load tonight.
 
Silas was too passive until the team got in a hole. This can’t happen, especially down key starters. He needs to start being a little bit more selfish and aggressive. Didn't draw many fouls, but I liked his mid range game in the second half. It’s early and that pulse on the offense will get better.

Idk what kind of shaman/exorcist we need to get Solo’s shooting back but I’m in to try anything lol.
 
Vowelguy said:
I saw the “punked” and “dominated” headline and thought UConn lost by 25. Not a game where UConn led by 2 with 2:16 left.
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Yep. As far as losses go, this one in mid November down two starters to a top 5 Arizona team when we had a lead with 2 minutes to go doesn't bother me all that much. We showed heart and talent, and Reibe grew up.
 
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RuffRuff said:
My original point is that AZ is a great team, to LongJohns dismay. That they will only get better because they’re young, and kids like Burries haven’t clicked yet.

Burries was high on all early mocks because of his HS ranking in this class. These things move around by the week based on how a kid is playing, others are playing. Mullins hasn’t moved off his HS ranking because he hasn’t played. But you two eagle eyed scouts, true bird dogs, are saying a kid ranked higher than Mullins is worse than Mullins based on 4 games he played and zero games Mullins has played, Now that is hysterical.
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Because some UConn fans are not objective and how dare we saying anything not positive.
Excalibur said:
I can always spot the posters who have accomplished little in their own lives or are unhappy about their unfulfilled potential.
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Sounds like you, you spot it you got it
 
uconn_jack said:
Not dumb. My point is they weren't playing so they didnt affect whether we won or lost. We regardless had a good chance to win, and would have if we shot better than 50% FTs.
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Or had 5 more rebounds, or their 46% foul shooter doesn’t make everything, or ir we actually shot better. I guess it was a moral victory for some. As soon as I heard Reed wasn’t playing I figured we’d get blown out. Reibe showed some improvement, but everyone else seemed to take a step back. Hoping Mullins can shoot.
 
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Just got back from my 3 hour drive home from Gampel and am exhausted so only 2 thoughts for now.

Atmosphere was unbelievable the whole night, the fans were into it and ready to explode the whole night but until the last 5 minutes or so we could never get a stop after a basket.

We absolutely win that game with Reed, and very easily could have won without him. This is one of the best teams in the country
 
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