Creighton Post Game Thread

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

DH 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.

 

[Chin Diesel]

This year's team is starting to resemble 2016-2018 when it comes to finishing at the rim.

And that's not a compliment.

 

[RuffRuff]

DH 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.

First congrats on Paul Skenes as ROY. Kid is must watch.

You’re onto something here. Hurley’s Midas touch lead to overconfidence he could reclaim anyone that could process the system. He confidence is not subtle.

The Mahaney selection makes so little sense the deeper we go. You can’t teach size, speed, quickness and toughness on a team that lacks all of that in the backcourt. A reach to find Cam 2.0, as well as he worked. I can rattle off 20-25 kids that were better fits. A kid like Poplar comes to mind.

 

[gtcam]

you don't lose a game like that on your home court
UConn can't afford another home court loss
Now they need to beat one of Creighton, Marquette or St Johns on the road

 

[uconnbill]

I like AK a lot but he is not the alpha of this team. He is important cog but not the Alpha. Liam might be it, but he is out. Right now the team best player was last years 6th man.

 

[AllHusky]

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.

This is a pretty level headed statement. Expectations can eat you alive. They are killing Karaban and have played a major factor in the mindset of this years team. Somehow need a reset where team throws off the weight of those expectations and just plays hoop with energy and enthusiasm. Is against the world, bring on the world!

 

[Kembacity]

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.

When the refs clearly decide the game and there is no defending the call, it’s dumber to say don’t mention the refs than to mention them.

 

[Kembacity]

The announcers said at end of the game “this is the benefit of not fouling” at the end of the game for Creighton.

I was yelling at the TV “No this is the benefit of not getting called for fouls for the entire game.”

Somehow, during the loose balls, they can WWF on our players with no fouls being called, but when we reach to grab a ball, it’s suddenly a foul.

Hate to say it, but karaban did kind of hurt us today… those three or four miss lay ups and miss defensive assignments came back to bite us from the end. And that last shot was just not good enough.

It was a very high-level basketball game and Creighton was playing out of their minds, so it is what it is.

Once again, I love the way that Stewart played and Hassan a true champion. Johnson got called for some Phantom fall, but he played well.

Mahaney just has to be so much better than he is right now, if we want to compete at the highest level levels.

And the moment creighton touched the ball it’s a jump ball. Kalkbrenner is slower than molasses in the paint, we get our hands all over the ball but it’s a foul every time. He should be called for 3 seconds basically every time he had the ball in the post.

I think you could find 15 miserable calls or non called that went their way.

We didn’t play well, but that doesn’t mean the refs should be able to ensure we don’t win by making biased calls. Creighton wasn’t great either save for one guy going off and Ashworth hitting a few shots from mars

 

[huskyblooz]

It was a great atmosphere. The crowd was electric! But ...
Creighton deserved to win. Period.