No Chief, sorry. This is not if Hurley were just smarter. They fight like junkyard dogs on putbacks and make them. They have several players that can create 2 point jump shots. They also have in your face defense. Yes they made 3’s today but how do our guards compare athletically to them?
Yes the 8 point play was crazy but it’s not the reason we lost. They are better up and down. And I hate saying it.
Correct. He doesn't only need to be smarter but also a better in game coach with match-ups, rotations and a host of other things. He won't be lucky to have every 7"2" home body decide to stay home, or have a Cam Spencer sneak in,
This game was purely men vs boys. UConn looked smaller, slower, less prepared and scared. St Johns played with confidence speed and above all - maturity. I am not at all a Pitino fan but he severely outcoached UConn's staff today. Building depth is important but UConn can't seem to get at least 3 players who produce good results any 1 game.
I am not sure that St Johns will make a ton of noise in the tournament - no idea how they will react to a one and done situation and if they meet up with a mature team who knows how to protect the glass and work it, who can play tough perimeter D - they are going to be in trouble. I can see them becoming very haphazard when pressured. But again, it all depends on the draw.
This season has been an eye opener for sure. The luster has quickly started to loose it's glow. Pitino will come back next year with another carefully pieced together pieces solely from the portal of upper classmen who are hungry to win and doing so in NYC makes it that much more attractive.
Hoping UConn gets into the dance and will if it doesn't implode. If they implode DH can look for that 3peat with the Gold Cup tournament.
Final note - I feel for Alex but there was a time during the 1st half when he couldn't catch the ball, defend or score. Yeah DH sat him down but not until SJs were up by double figures. We have seen this before when a returning upper class player comes back after championship years and has been anointed the next AA. Josh Boone and Albert M come to mind, only to realize he may have been the weakest overall of the starters the previous year. I was glad to see him shooting better in the 2nd half and if he could hit the 3's at 40% plus and drive to the hoop this changes the dynamic of this team.
On to the next foe......................
