Creighton Post Game Thread

[RuffRuff]

That’s fair. Depends how you look at it. We have top 10 aspirations with a healthy Liam. Top 20-25 without. I guess that’s how I look at it.

I would have zero confidence this team has an upside beyond first round without him. The kid is our best player and emotional leader with Hass. I love AK and all his contributions but man his body language is that of a mailman.

If we go into the tourney as a 5/6 seed that 12/11 seed is gonna come out hair on fire playing us.

 

[uconngb]

Stop being blind, that foul on Diarra is a shooting foul 100 out of 100 times.

Apparently it’s 99/100

 

[TheHorde]

If only UConn could get the kind of officiating the Kansas City Chiefs get

 

[Dove]

A mere 18 haiku today. The mojo is weak. It is what it it is.

 

[BugsyCT]

Me too. I am not into blaming the refs either and very rarely do it. But riddle me this, how does Creighton only have 5 fouls total in the game after 39.5 minutes of game time? WTF?!

Seems ridiculous, but they don't commit fouls. McDermott coaches them not to. In recent years they've been among the tops in the nation of fewest team fouls per game, including this year. We can argue individual calls all we want but stats are stats.

NCAA Basketball Stats - NCAA BB Team Personal Fouls per Game | TeamRankings.com

NCAA Basketball personal fouls per game, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

 

[3rdbass]

This is a really bad loss. Karaban needs to figure it out, fast. Diarra is the only guy who played well.

Yeah, If Karban isn't scoring and we aren't getting much from our Center positions we are in trouble. Our guards both Diarra and Ball played great. Diarra 7 assists and 0 turnovers and great D. Also, we got robbed on his 3 point shot at the end of regulation. That was a foul while in motion. Still we have to play better. Stewart played pretty well on offense but his D was suspect at times. A horrible loss. We ar going to get in but I just don't see this team as they are right now make a big run to win it all in March.

 

[WiseWillie]

Tough loss. I thought it was nice to see Stewart really step up. And honestly, I'm tired of the complaining about the refs. UCONN is far and away the jewel of the big east. If they really wanted to do something about it, they would throw their weight around and get it solved.

Ageee 100%. If UConn wanted to do something about the officiating they would. They obviously don't so no use complaining about the BE refs. But bad calls or no calls don't lose a game. There's a lot bigger problems than the calls we get to don't get right now that need to be corrected asap and every player and coach knows it.

 

[gsmooth]

Seems ridiculous, but they don't commit fouls. McDermott coaches them not to. In recent years they've been among the tops in the nation of fewest team fouls per game, including this year. We can argue individual calls all we want but stats are stats.

NCAA Basketball Stats - NCAA BB Team Personal Fouls per Game | TeamRankings.com

NCAA Basketball personal fouls per game, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

I know they foul the least or close to it year after year. But even with that 5 fouls the entire game with 1 minute left is still absurd.
Having said that UConn didn't play all that bad, but they made too many losing plays.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Hurley and the staff are excellent at what they do for sure. But your last statement hit the nail on the head that I wish UConn would get more of, high level athleticism without of course sacrificing basketball skill. I want UConn to get more shot creators because that's what's needed when the play breaks down and plays break down enough.

Yep. Too many players from the same mold.

 

[mauconnfan]

Seems ridiculous, but they don't commit fouls. McDermott coaches them not to. In recent years they've been among the tops in the nation of fewest team fouls per game, including this year. We can argue individual calls all we want but stats are stats.

NCAA Basketball Stats - NCAA BB Team Personal Fouls per Game | TeamRankings.com

NCAA Basketball personal fouls per game, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

The point is they do and the refs read it like you do I’m guessing.

By no means why we lost the game though I would like to be clear on that.

 

[Smp7598]

Things it pains me to say:
1. We're not that good
2. I hope Danny coaches UConn for decades to come, but as long as he's our coach, we will have to play every game 5 on 8
3. Last year's team was the smartest basketball team I've ever seen. This year? Not so much
4. I really like Solo and Jaylin, but they are among the worst one-on-one defenders we've ever had
5. Alex is, sadly, playing himself right out of the first round of the draft

Can’t argue with any of these points!

 

[uconngb]

I’ll ride with our guys and hope we can get hot at the right time - but the alarm bells are ringing watching us play. When we had our swoon two years ago, there was still a sense of how high our ceiling was based on our out of conference. This year, I’m not sure there’s anyone I would consider All-Big East on our team. We don’t have many places to get a bucket - and those we have we sometimes can’t get them the good shots we need against good defensive schemes. Felt like Creighton had the 3 best players on the floor tonight (Hass and Stew would be fourth and fifth). We also have some big flaws - defending the 3 and getting to the foul line - that are bad flaws for a one and done format. And we have 7 games coming up (two vs. SJU, two vs. Marquette, at Creighton, at X with Freemantle and at PC), where I’m not necessarily feeling confident. At PC, I’d like to think - but if they have Hopkins back by then - or just play harder than us, that could be a tough one too. They had us down 12 at our place.

That said, there are some bright spots - Stewart’s emergence as a more consistent threat and Ball adding some mid range to his game off curls are promising developments. That’s being offset by Liam being out, Mahaney not turning the corner, and Reed regressing a bit (plus AK being less than reliable). I don’t know if Liam’s return will be the cure all. He might not be the same guy coming back after missing a month and dealing with an ankle that might feel stiff. That push off on a three-point shot mechanically could be difficult to overcome.

But if we don’t have the right recipe to win it this year, hell, the last two years were magic and hard to complain after where we were pre COVID. Just hope we can play well enough to give a three peat our best shot. Nobody else has a chance at it.

Good perspective……but it still SUCKS

 

[uconngb]

Geez. They held them way under their average despite fouling late. Abysmal?

You thought that was a GOOD defensive effort? The first half was awful. We gave up yet another career high to a guy averaging less than 10 points a game and got 3d to death. Just cuz we made it close at the end does not offset how awful that first half was

 

[boog204]

Ashworth just had a kid.
Kalk got married..

Thank god this is the last year of COVID guys

The Kalk has been here forever thing is so overblown. Hassan is a year older than him. Samson is just a few months younger. Tristen and Cam were both older than Kalk. Get over it.

 

[August_West]

We beat Villanova and Creighton with Liam. Top 5 in the country if he’s healthy. Now, what, 18-20? And a lot of pressure to not drop any more home games or “bad” losses. For instance, at Xavier wouldn’t be a bad loss normally, now it’s a critical game.

Buckle up. The next 4 weeks are going to (more likely than not ) contain a pretty decent share of lumps. Hopefully we fight through it and grow through it and don’t get confidence shattered.

 

[cellocgg]

We're probably not a Top 10 team with Liam. We're definitely not a Top 10 team without him.

we are fringe T25 with Liam

 

[jibsey]

we are fringe T25 with Liam

I can’t buy that until I see Liam back a couple games. I think we are top 20 with him which is why I don’t want to be negative after this loss without him.

 

[cellocgg]

I can’t buy that until I see Liam back a couple games. I think we are top 20 with him which is why I don’t want to be negative after this loss without him.

I mean with 5 losses where 3 are pretty bad we don't really deserve to be ranked

 

[dalydosehoops]

UConn’s toughness a concern as Huskies battle, but drop hard-fought game to Creighton

Although his UConn team remains near top of Big East, Dan Hurley is increasingly concerned with UConn’s toughness and tenacity, problems tha...

dalydoseofhoops.blogspot.com

 

[BugsyCT]

The point is they do and the refs read it like you do I’m guessing.

By no means why we lost the game though I would like to be clear on that.

Just stating the stats, not saying I'm in agreement with the refs. I thought the foul on Diarra's 3 attempt was in the act and a crap call.

 

[BEFAN]

Hey, I'll chime in as a Creighton fan. You guys need to chill. I doubt you guys lose at home again. You'll get Liam back in a couple weeks. You'll be at least a 4/5 seed and, while I don't think you'll threepeat, you will be a very tough out and it will take a serious contender to do it (e.g., an Auburn or Duke).

Regarding the game, Mac seems to get no credit for his defensive game-planning. He made Karaban take runners and (for the most part) kept Ball in check. Made the other guys try to beat us. With Liam, that calculation gets much harder. I did think that was a shooting foul on Ashworth. Bad call at a critical time in the game. But I don't think it necessarily decided the game. Diara still has to make all three free throws under a lot of pressure. And if he makes all three, Creighton still has 7.5 seconds to possibly win the game. Maybe Creighton makes a shot or the refs (hating Hurley as much as they do) give Creighton a "make-up" call. Or the game goes to OT. Lots of what-ifs. Anyway, tough, gritty, Big East game. Looking forward to the rematch in Omaha when you have a healthy roster.

 

[housekeys]

If people can block out making subconscious comparisons to last year's team, they will realize UConn has a pretty good team. I think they do.

 

[Waquoit]

You thought that was a GOOD defensive effort?

It's either good or abysmal? Those are my only two choices?

 

[Deepster]

A mere 18 haiku today. The mojo is weak. It is what it it is.

Shut up, Dove.

 

[Leebo]

we are fringe T25 with Liam

Do you aim to make at least one exceedingly negative comment you'll later want to walk back after every game, or is it just recently.

 

[That Guy]

Love AK, truly do. He's an absolute Husky legend, but he is probably a 3rd option on a legit national championship contending team. He has huge games, but also quite a few stinkers in there as well.

 

[RuffRuff]

Hurley and the staff are excellent at what they do for sure. But your last statement hit the nail on the head that I wish UConn would get more of, high level athleticism without of course sacrificing basketball skill. I want UConn to get more shot creators because that's what's needed when the play breaks down and plays break down enough.

Staff seems to be indexing hard on “shooters”, between Mahaney and the incoming class. We’ve all heard Hurley talk about their shift post the NMS loss. While it’s certainly nice to have a bunch of guys that can drain jumpers, you do see the downside on the opposite side of the court and in team personality. This group feels like they spend their spare time lighting altar candles at Sunday Mass.

I’d be onboard with getting some dudes and dogs blended in. Give me a couple Hassan’s out of Queens, Calhoun type kids in the mix.

 

[UCan3]

Got ran off the 3point line and were afraid of Kalkbrenner down low. Took way too many contested floaters.

Team has no cohesiveness on the defensive end, it’s going to limit our ability to go far.

When you say cohesiveness - I agree. And also playing smart. Don’t foul and double team

Hey, I'll chime in as a Creighton fan. You guys need to chill. I doubt you guys lose at home again. You'll get Liam back in a couple weeks. You'll be at least a 4/5 seed and, while I don't think you'll threepeat, you will be a very tough out and it will take a serious contender to do it (e.g., an Auburn or Duke).

Regarding the game, Mac seems to get no credit for his defensive game-planning. He made Karaban take runners and (for the most part) kept Ball in check. Made the other guys try to beat us. With Liam, that calculation gets much harder. I did think that was a shooting foul on Ashworth. Bad call at a critical time in the game. But I don't think it necessarily decided the game. Diara still has to make all three free throws under a lot of pressure. And if he makes all three, Creighton still has 7.5 seconds to possibly win the game. Maybe Creighton makes a shot or the refs (hating Hurley as much as they do) give Creighton a "make-up" call. Or the game goes to OT. Lots of what-ifs. Anyway, tough, gritty, Big East game. Looking forward to the rematch in Omaha when you have a healthy roster.

Fair take and it as I‘ve said before that was high quality basketball game.

I don’t think anyone that I’ve read is taking anything away from Creighton… you guys shot the lights out.

 

[Gurleyman]

During the NBA draft process the NBA people told Karaban he had to work on hitting threes off movement and the dribble and score off the bounce going to the basket. I think he's been pretty good at the former but he's been terrible at the latter. I wonder if he's trying too hard to show he can get to the basket and it's just not his game. He either loses the ball because his handle isn't great, gets his shot blocked (which seems to happen a lot) or misses the shot. Or commits an offensive foul like today, which I don't remember happening before but figured add it to the bad after today's game. He doesn't seem to draw a foul on those drives although he did against Nova (which was a debatable foul).

I wonder what his percentage scoring is when he goes to the basket? Is he trying too hard to do that to the detriment of the team?

He’s been good at that little mid range push shot. I remember a couple key ones late in Final Four. Miami.

Hey, I'll chime in as a Creighton fan. You guys need to chill. I doubt you guys lose at home again. You'll get Liam back in a couple weeks. You'll be at least a 4/5 seed and, while I don't think you'll threepeat, you will be a very tough out and it will take a serious contender to do it (e.g., an Auburn or Duke).

Regarding the game, Mac seems to get no credit for his defensive game-planning. He made Karaban take runners and (for the most part) kept Ball in check. Made the other guys try to beat us. With Liam, that calculation gets much harder. I did think that was a shooting foul on Ashworth. Bad call at a critical time in the game. But I don't think it necessarily decided the game. Diara still has to make all three free throws under a lot of pressure. And if he makes all three, Creighton still has 7.5 seconds to possibly win the game. Maybe Creighton makes a shot or the refs (hating Hurley as much as they do) give Creighton a "make-up" call. Or the game goes to OT. Lots of what-ifs. Anyway, tough, gritty, Big East game. Looking forward to the rematch in Omaha when you have a healthy roster.

thanks for the chime in. Ashworth took a while to get going for you guys last year right? I remember some “bust” talk - then he busted us from deep in Omaha. Trying to hope a couple of ours guys flip that kind of switch.

 

[storrsroars]

Staff seems to be indexing hard on “shooters”, between Mahaney and the incoming class. We’ve all heard Hurley talk about their shift post the NMS loss. While it’s certainly nice to have a bunch of guys that can drain jumpers, you do see the downside on the opposite side of the court and in team personality. This group feels like they spend their spare time lighting altar candles at Sunday Mass.

I’d be onboard with getting some dudes and dogs blended in. Give me a couple Hassan’s out of Queens, Calhoun type kids in the mix.

Dan Hurley had been so good at recruiting and identifying portal guys that I thought he was damn near automatic at it. Especially the portal - RJ, Tyrese, Nahiem, Joey C, Tristen, Cam... seemed he couldn't miss and kept getting better.

21-22 was a good team. 22-23 was a great team. 23-24 was about as close to a perfect team that there's been this century.

Now I'm wondering if there's hubris to deal with.

It's a sketchy analogy, but as a Pirates fan, I feel a bit like I did in the 2015 off-season when our GM, coming off three straight wild card appearances and averaging 94 wins a season mostly due to superb pitching and pen work from reclamation projects, wouldn't meet JA Happ's (rather reasonable) salary demands, stating, "Pitchers should pay us to pitch here." Granted, the Pirates haven't seen the post-season since and Danny is still winning, thus the analogy is imprecise, but the emotions are pretty close.