Arizona Post Game Thread

[CardiacAndre7]

The thing for me about criticism or negativity, particularly for a game like last night where we were shorthanded against a really good team, is I'm just not sure what it achieves. I'm not saying it has to be all sunshine and roses but the process that annoys me is when people justify their opinion about this team not being good by using Dan Hurley quotes about defense or rebounding or effort. When Dan Hurley says it it has a tangible impact on the actual players, and can help avoid complacency. I promise that someone on the Boneyard taking a big picture view and saying we'll be fine in March will not hurt the team.

Only legit criticism from last night (in my opinion) is AK really needs to step up in games like this. He’s almost a 5th year at this point, he can’t only take 5 shots and only grab 2 boards. He needs to be more consistent in the big ones.

 

[HooperScooper]

Thankfully coach is more concerned about Reeds long term well being than just one game

According to Hurley it wasn't his call to hold Reed out of the game.

 

[RuffRuff]

When Mullins comes back, Stewart sits and is still in the rotation.

The key is Reed, because I don't think we would want 3 guards if Reibe and Karaban are the front court. But Demary, Ball, Mullins, Reed, Karaban is a fine lineup with Smith, Reibe, Stewart, Ross as the main bench rotation and only if another injury it would depend on whom, but Millender if a PG, Furphy if a SG, Koroma if a C or PF...that kinda 3rd man be ready approach. Hence Koroma came in for 12 min to spell Reibe as needed.

Though the silver lining last night:
1. 15 assists to their 9
2. 5 turnovers to their 10
3. 4 steals to their 3
4. 6 blocks to their 4
5. 32% 3PT shooting making 8 to their 20% making 2

Given Reibe had 4 boards, I cannot see how Reed would not have at least doubled that, and scored 18 while Reibe in 8-10 minutes would be 6 pts and 2 boards.

Still, missing 9 FTs and shooting 9-18 is crazy for us. Getting on Koroma for missing 4 would be easy but he's historically not a good FT shooter, and had Reed played, Koroma would not have. That means maybe +3 FTs made.

So losing by 4, so many little variable changes would heave meant we win. No shame in this one as it was stacked against us without Reed (and Mullins).

Reed would have made a massive difference. We don't appreciate how big a difference missing a high caliber player has on the pecking order. All of a sudden, players not nearly as good have to get major minutes, chemistry is off. We had to play Karomo for gods sake. Reed reflects almost ALL of our interior toughness. We are not getting that at all from AK, Stew & Reibe. Yesterday was a situation where you were hoping someone would have a career night, and it didn't happen. We kept that game close almost entirely off will.

As for AK, not sure why we expect more - he is what he is. This was not a game he was designed to show out in - lot's of great athletes on AZ and we could not free him up for open spot ups, which is pretty much his entire game. I was hoping Solo might break out, still not happening.

Reed & Mullins in there and we have almost an entirely different team. We can put the bench guys back on the bench.

 

[HW611]

Right - who stops working on their shot? Any chance muscling up may have contributed? He’s 10-49, 20%, so this is becoming a material sample size. The looks are no different - all good.

Actually not a bad thought about muscling up. A lot of shooters avoid weights for this reason (KD, don't think Steph is big on the weight room, etc.)

Wonder if the extra muscle threw it off some.

 

[auror]

 

[thekollieman]

Like what?

That’s like asking what numbers are there other than 1 and 2.

You know what you did with your “two camps”: pigeon-holed the general perspective that you disagree with and offered a measured version of your own perspective in an attempt to make them look silly and smart side-by-side. Or maybe you don’t know you did that, but it is what you did.

Anyway, if you were genuinely curious… one could list a few reasonable excuses while not acting like it won’t happen again and be frustrated that a winnable game slipped away and confident UConn is a national championship contender this year.

Make any combination or isolation of those clauses and we’re in double digit “camps”, not including the two you wrote down while still using your own limiting terms. Factor in general freethinking and we’re at literally infinity.

 

[uchusky32]

Eric with 4, AK and JS with 3 each. Rebounds. That trio has to double that based on the minutes the played.

 

[superjohn]

Only legit criticism from last night (in my opinion) is AK really needs to step up in games like this. He’s almost a 5th year at this point, he can’t only take 5 shots and only grab 2 boards. He needs to be more consistent in the big ones.

It was disappointing to see and I was hoping he was past this. Last season in a loss to Colorado- 6 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assists 1-8 shooting. Loss to Creighton- 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist 3-12 shooting. Loss to Xavier 9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 4-13 shooting. Loss to St. John's 3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1-6 shooting. Loss to Creighton 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3-10 shooting.

I know he's not meant to be a star but he's basically considered our best role player ever and one of the best winners ever in college basketball. He has too many games which don't live up to his hype as a player. Down our best player and down two starters it's a bit ridiculous for him to be a total no show in a game like that as a 4 year starter who came here early.

If he's having trouble getting open/he's getting held he needs to manufacture some points by getting himself to the line, cut hard to the rim, mix it up on the glass. He simply can't keep ghosting in big games.

 

[Excalibur]

Actually not a bad thought about muscling up. A lot of shooters avoid weights for this reason (KD, don't think Steph is big on the weight room, etc.)

Wonder if the extra muscle threw it off some.

This thinking is outdated by 20 years or more. And Curry is noted for being hyper-dedicated in the weight room.

 

[boog204]

Not saying we lost due to Reed and Mullins out but:

• Mullins is a plus free throw shooter and a deadly distance shooter and driver and good on D
• Reed would have gotten more points and rebounds

Lost by four and very well could have won it Reibe’s last one went in then he might have made the FT.

Anyway I see it we were at 60% and still made it a heck of a game.

I get the sentiment, but Mullins has yet to officially play a second for us. He’s a great prospect. But can we let him actually suit up before we start calling him deadly, a good defender, and plus anything? We’ve done this with far too many guys over the years.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Right - who stops working on their shot? Any chance muscling up may have contributed? He’s 10-49, 20%, so this is becoming a material sample size. The looks are no different - all good.

Actually, a large percentage of his looks have been forced, rushed, in very tight windows. Some it was clear he wasn’t even set, but thought he could hunt and draw a foul. Which none was called. If you shot-quality chart them, it wouldn’t surprise me if 20-30% of his 3s this year have been “tough”. His % make is suffering because of it.

 

[AllHusky]

I heard that Mullins is a quick healer. Maybe he's also a quick learner. So I was thinking 20 minutes .

6 7

 

[alexd]

I get the sentiment, but Mullins has yet to officially play a second for us. He’s a great prospect. But can we let him actually suit up before we start calling him deadly, a good defender, and plus anything? We’ve done this with far too many guys over the years.

IDK..... 12 pts and a couple of 3's in 17 minutes vs BC was a nice start....

 

[HW611]

This thinking is outdated by 20 years or more. And Curry is noted for being hyper-dedicated in the weight room.

Is he lifting for bulk or to cut though?

There's a difference between 3 250 reps to get stronger and 8 175 reps to stay lean.

Try going through an extreme lift session and then shooting a basketball afterward or the day after.

 

[Bomber36]

Someone probably already said this. But this loss stings a lot less than the Maui losses.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

"I don't lift heavy because I don't want to get too big by accident."

 

[Excalibur]

Is he lifting for bulk or to cut though?

There's a difference between 3 250 reps to get stronger and 8 175 reps to stay lean.

Try going through an extreme lift session and then shooting a basketball afterward or the day after.

Curry has said that he lifts heavy, though I'd guess probably not to failure. He's over 20 lbs heavier and carries noticeably more muscle mass than he did when he did in his first few years in the league.

 

[HW611]

One thing I appreciate about the growth of Solo’s game this year is that despite his shooting woes, he's still averaging more points a game than last year in getting to the FT more often.

Gives him a good base for when his shots aren't falling. He’ll be out of here once it starts picking back up again.

 

[lateralous]

Everyone was of the same opinion after Solo’s sophomore year that he needed to focus on completing plays driving to the basket and also taking mid range short range shots.
Obviously he did that. And in doing it appears he must have cut back on working on his three point shot.

That’s my opinion. Do you have an answer as to why through five regular season games and two exhibition games his three point shooting has been horrendous for the first time since he’s been at UConn? His shot was too pure the last two years for him to have a cold shooting spell for seven games straight without their being a reason behind it.

It seems like part of his focus when shooting 3 pointers this year is geared toward drawing a foul. In doing so it apparently has affected his focus on actually knocking down the shot. The good news is that seems easily correctable.

I will say though, last night seemed like a missed opportunity for him to take the game over and will this team to a win like he did last year at Marquette

 

[HW611]

Curry has said that he lifts heavy, though I'd guess probably not to failure. He's over 20 lbs heavier and carries noticeably more muscle mass than he did when he did in his first few years in the league.

I'd have to see more info on it. I think KD talked about it in the Netflix starting 5 series about how how he avoids heavy lifting to not affect his jumper.

 

[HW611]

Here’s the article for Steph. Seems like he recognized the theory and says he found a way to balance both. ESPN+ to read the whole thing.

Curry's signature skill and weightlifting have long been considered uncomfortable bedfellows -- an impossibly delicate balance to find of building strength and muscle while maintaining the type of mobility, flexibility and feel that have fueled the best shooters in NBA history.

Yet multiple NBA athletic training sources say that Curry, the game's most prolific 3-point marksman, is the best example yet to show how strength training not only doesn't hinder the most valuable skill in the game but amplifies it.

"I never gave that any credence because there is a plan for how you can balance both," Curry told ESPN. "You've got to maintain your flexibility and all that type of stuff while you get stronger. That's something I guess I figured out."

The secret strength that fuels Stephen Curry and the Warriors

The two-time MVP has built his Hall of Fame résumé on his game-changing shooting. And his behind-the-scenes strength training does more than amplify it -- it sets the tone for the entire franchise.

www.espn.com

 

[HW611]

"I don't lift heavy because I don't want to get too big by accident."

BigErn commenting on something he doesn't know about to put himself in position to look stupid never fails.

Never picked up a ball or did a basketball training session in his life but wants to make comments like this and laugh at the experience of someone who did lol

Next time a law issue comes up that you speak on I'll be there to mock it.

 

[Deepster]

That’s like asking what numbers are there other than 1 and 2.

You know what you did with your “two camps”: pigeon-holed the general perspective that you disagree with and offered a measured version of your own perspective in an attempt to make them look silly and smart side-by-side. Or maybe you don’t know you did that, but it is what you did.

Anyway, if you were genuinely curious… one could list a few reasonable excuses while not acting like it won’t happen again and be frustrated that a winnable game slipped away and confident UConn is a national championship contender this year.

Make any combination or isolation of those clauses and we’re in double digit “camps”, not including the two you wrote down while still using your own limiting terms. Factor in general freethinking and we’re at literally infinity.

That's a word salad.

What's your point?

 

[BGesus4]

How does anyone come away from last night’s game whining about where we are?

Literally everything we hoped would happen in the offseason has happened.

• Reed is one of the best bigs in the sport
• Ross and Stewart are regularly impacting winning
• Demary is the pg we were hoping for
• Ball expanded his offensive game and will definitely be one of the best players in the league
• The team’s defense has been light years better than last year
• we beat a top 10 team last week and this week took one of the best teams down to the wire without two starters including our most important player and with most of our team not playing great

I get it that miserable people will always complain but Reed and Mullins injuries will be in the rear view mirror come Feb and March. Who are you taking over UConn when UConn is at full strength? What more could you ask for? I guess an undefeated season apparently

 

[UConn2SF]

Peat and Krivas had more rebounds than we did as a team.
Getting outrebounded by 20 should never ever happen. 28 minutes and 4 rebounds for our 7-footer.