Creighton post game thread

[DogMania]

And I thought the Marquette win with all those turnovers was a "how the h*ll did we win that game?" If you take Liam's line out of the box, you'd think we got blown out! He had more than half our total points.

Two of the most unlikely wins not only in the same season, but within the last 3 games.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Up one spot to 33 in KenPom. Defense is inside 100. At 99.

 

[huskyharry]

How do you solve a problem like Karaban?

Next game he needs to take shots from just on the three point line to 1-2 feet inside the line…see a few go in and get the rhythm back and then go back to threes

 

[Mike Honcho]

Everything has already been said about Liam, but wow.

We won without a PG and, for all intents and purposes, without a C. Our two centers combined for 26 mostly empty minutes (a combined 2 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 fouls).

It was very impressive how we defended the post in their absence... we did it by committee but I can remember one possession where AK just fought for position with Kalkbrenner and held his own. And I thought Lappas was absolutely correct -- our offense ran a lot smoother when we operated without a center because our wings would pull Kalk out of the lane, where he would otherwise camp out.

A few other thoughts:

• As brutal as AK was from behind the arc, he was 5/7 from two point range, and most of those were floaters. He had a layup rim out with a minute left but he hustled and won possession.
• The fact that Nowell couldn't get off the bench when we had zero PGs is not a great sign. Maybe he's still not 100% physically.
• After committing 10,000 turnovers in the past two games, we had just SIX in this one. We're lucky that Creighton doesn't have the personnel to pressure, but also... Liam is so steady with the ball.
• Liam's foul with 6.8 seconds left was so heady.
• I was shocked when Tarris stood Kalk up while being completely vertical. If he could only channel that energy more often..

 

[TheHorde]

Do you think they need to special order extra large shorts to fit Liam’s giant freaking balls?

So….Big Balls?

 

[Kolumbo]

Wow. Great road win. I just want to go to the bluejay underground and tell them all to SUCK IT!

 

[F101Voodoo]

The chat and these threads are so vastly different. It’s hilarious. Obviously in game is gonna be different than a post game, but man we should all just love every team individually. The team has a chance.

Yes there is a chance at a good but SOLO needs to come back and shoot well and a few ore baskets from AK. mahaney near something into what he was at STMary’s

 

[Hurleyman216]

If I’m Hurley I give Diarra the next 2 games off and bring him back at MSG for St. John’s if possible. We shouldn’t need him against Seton Hall and we should be able to beat Nova without him as well. He’s gotta get healthy or no way we make a run

 

[navery12]

Matchup dependent obviously, but liking that small ball lineup we ran out there. Prevents teams from sagging off our center and bogging down our offense.

At this point I'm not even sure if I'd say it's matchup dependent. Kalkbrenner is probably the biggest mismatch we'll face and it was extremely effective. I'd like to see it used more now

 

[80shusky]

Fantastic win! I knew Diarra has been playing really hurt. I’m shocked the Huskies won there basically without him.

They needed that one badly. Two of the best shooters have terrible games, on the road against Creighton, point guards are injured and barely play, bigs in foul trouble in the first half and still win. Great game.

 

[GHSWolverines]

How do you solve a problem like Karaban?

While I liked his floaters, he has no confidence in his shot. But he made it up for his defense.

 

[husky8273]

How do you solve a problem like Karaban?

How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

 

[UCFan1513]

so Karaban is like actually washed huh

Wouldn’t go that far. Just a month ago he was shooting 40%+ from three, and he had some other big plays. Tough to watch right now, but he’s streaky. Let’s hope this is his one slump for the year

 

[gsmooth]

McNeeley is special, wow. Knew he was good, but not quite that good. Recruit more Monteverdi kids

Funny enough - last huge game for a UConn player was Bouk with 40 vs Creighton in 2021

And UConn would have won that game if RJ Cole didn't choke and brick 2 FTs with 11 seconds left that would have increased the lead to 4 pts.

 

[superjohn]

That was Creighton vs. McNeeley and McNeeley won.

Nothing else needs to be said.

 

[kobebeanbryant]

Season is too far gone to continue trying to “get Mahaney going”. stop trying to make fetch happen.

 

[gsmooth]

Everything has already been said about Liam, but wow.

We won without a PG and, for all intents and purposes, without a C. Our two centers combined for 26 mostly empty minutes (a combined 2 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 fouls).

It was very impressive how we defended the post in their absence... we did it by committee but I can remember one possession where AK just fought for position with him and held his own. And I thought Lappas was absolutely correct -- our offense ran a lot smoother when we operated without a center because our wings would pull Kalk out of the lane, where he would camp out.

A few other thoughts:

• As brutal as AK was from behind the arc, he was 5/7 from two point range, and most of those were floaters. He had a layup rim out with a minute left but he hustled and won possession.
• The fact that Nowell couldn't get off the bench when we had zero PGs is not a great sign. Maybe he's still not 100% physically.
• After committing 10,000 turnovers in the past two games, we had just SIX in this one. We're lucky that Creighton doesn't have the personnel to pressure, but also... Liam is so steady with the ball.
• Liam's foul with 6.8 seconds left was so heady.
• I was shocked when Tarris stood Kalk up while being completely vertical. If he could only channel that energy more often..

That's what Tarris has to learn. Most of his fouls are easily avoidable and just self inflicted bad decisions.

 

[todbo]

As good as Liam was, man, Creighton was horrible on offense in the 2nd half. How do you not get it to Kalkbrenner when both bigs are on the bench with 4 fouls??

It was Alex at the 5. He did a great job on Kalk.

 

[drayenob]

 

[Hurleyman216]

K

Up one spot to 33 in KenPom. Defense is inside 100. At 99.

Feel bad for Alex, but I'm glad it was Liam at the end of the game on the line.

KenPom is kind of a joke…that may be one of the toughest 2 or 3 places in the country to win a game, and we moved up 1 spot…nice

 

[F101Voodoo]

Glad I am retired so I can stay up and listen to post game on radio.

 

[SaeHusky]

How do you solve a problem like Karaban?

Film room. He needs to watch his makes and his misses on his 3 ball and figured it out. This is a guy who was the best 3 point shooter at the NBA combine. It’s mental or more likely a small mechanical thing

 

[Icehawk]

I hope Liam's back doesn't hurt too bad tomorrow from carrying Husky Nation on his back. What a STUD.

So happy to beat McD/Creighton at home finally too!

 

[nelsonmuntz]

1) McNeeley had a huge game, but there was a bit too much heat check in it. Efficiency matters.

2) McDermott made a bunch of mistakes tonight. He made no adjustments for McNeeley, and he let Creighton waste a bunch of offensive possessions at the beginning of the 2nd half. Then he tried a bad missed free throw attempt that had almost no chance of success.

3) Karaban's shot is a mess. It looks off from the wind up. He needs to spend a lot of time working on it.

4) UConn had Marquette on the road, St. Johns at home, and Creighton on the road, and took 2 of 3. Nice work.

 

[superjohn]

I’m fine with Hass resting the next 2 games. We need him as healthy as possible as we head to March.

Let Liam, Solo, & Alex initiate the offense. It worked just fine tonight.

Needs to happen.