Creighton Post game thread

[yungdowork]

His perimeter shooting has abandoned him. Since that inferno in Omaha, he has been shooting 25% from 3. And some of these misses in the last few games are wiiiiide open looks and he isn't knocking them down.

I thought he should have pulled up and shot the 8-10 footer with just enough space between him and Kalkbrenner (shooting over Kalk when he standing in front is tough). I would rather he shoot an uncontested 8-10 footer than shoot a heavily contested shot 2-3 footer with Kalkbrenner in his face.

In basically all of his best games, he's taken 10+ free throws. When he's not getting those calls, like versus Kalkbrenner who never gets fouls called on him, he's definitely had some inefficient shooting nights. I think it's especially hard because we definitely ask him to take a lot of tough shots because we don't have a ton of guys who can create their own offense.

 

[gsmooth]

In basically all of his best games, he's taken 10+ free throws. When he's not getting those calls, like versus Kalkbrenner who never gets fouls called on him, he's definitely had some inefficient shooting nights. I think it's especially hard because we definitely ask him to take a lot of tough shots because we don't have a ton of guys who can create their own offense.

That's the #1 thing I want from the transfer portal this year is a big PG that can run the offense and another big wing that can create their own offense.

 

[3rdbass]

Correct answer AK and Liam were awful on D, and terribly inefficient on O. The net impact: losing basketball.

AK wasn't awful on D. He actually moved his feet well except for the spin move the Creighton big guy did on him at the end of the game when we needed a stop. He was actually pretty good guarding Neal after being switched on him. I do agree McNeeley was awful on D.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Of course you can be a phony and a good coach. I think McDermott is a great guy and an excellent coach.

I like people everywhere but I've lived in the Midwest for just over 20 years now and I prefer the people out here to people on the east coast overall but I would never judge anyone based on where they're from or where they live.

My experience is the exact opposite of yours. I completely disagree with your stereotype and I don't undertand your takeaway at all with McDermott. Neal did the dunk with 1 second left as the coaches were shaking hands. Hurley and McDermott were cool with each other, they like each other. Luke had something to say, I don't know what it was and McDermott said something about how they didn't appreciate the 2 ring thing in Omaha. That was pretty clear because Neal did the same thing after the dunk. McDermott admonished Neal for the dunk and Neal apologized and gave respect to the UConn program. It's all a bunch of nothing and some of our fans sound like babies.

Hurley talks tons of crap, threatened to beat up a Creighton fan and was telling their fans he has two rings, told a ref not to turn his back on him because he's the best coach in the sport. I wouldn't stereotype eastcoasters as arrogant and fake tough guys because of Hurley's actions.

I wrote a long response to this post. Then deleted it. Of course I understand stereo typing is not a great way to think as it is just not something as a society we accept.

But I will offer this. I prefer when people have an issue with you they come to you and let you know. You know give respect get respect.

I prefer the east coast you talking to me approach. I prefer authentic to trying to avoid confrontation at any cost.

My experience after 20 years of living in Chicago and being successful in business that telling people what you really think rather than telling them what they want to hear is a better approach. I found that to be the exception not the norm with people I worked with or knew in Chicago.

Also if you think there is no difference on how people deal with societal issues/encounters does not vary from region to region of our country that would be an incredibly naive take.

 

[alphasigko]

We will probably be able to shop early in the Portal this year as compared to the last two years.

 

[storrsroars]

Thought McNeeley played outside of himself, and didn't do the little things. But this team can't win with AK is off like that.

Ashworth and Kalk were minimized. Didn't stop other guys on Creighton from stepping up and far exceeding their career averages. Where were our guys doing that outside Hass (whom I think actually should've shot more often until he went cold)?

AK's shot was off again, but he was still doing a lot of little things winners do.

Liam was a ball hog. 20 shots, 0 assists. Basically a black hole.

Seven assists on 26 makes attests somewhat to Creighton's D, but also to effort on our end trying to get open and improvising.

 

[Dove]

Ashworth and Kalk were minimized. Didn't stop other guys on Creighton from stepping up and far exceeding their career averages. Where were our guys doing that outside Hass (whom I think actually should've shot more often until he went cold)?

AK's shot was off again, but he was still doing a lot of little things winners do.

Liam was a ball hog. 20 shots, 0 assists. Basically a black hole.

Seven assists on 26 makes attests somewhat to Creighton's D, but also to effort on our end trying to get open and improvising.

Kalk was minimized? In the 1st half, absolutely. He was a wrecking ball in the 2nd.

 

[huskyjawz]

We will probably be able to shop early in the Portal this year as compared to the last two years.

Ouch. Sad but true.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Go to ESPN put on the Florida v. Alabama game. If you don’t see how much better these teams are then us this year after watching for five minutes, then you are just an unrealistic homer.

Just the overall speed of the game is way different than what we saw last night.

Last years team was an anomaly, we had below average athleticism at several positions but we had a generational rim protector, a nba rookie of the year and perhaps the smartest college basketball player this side of Jokic in Cam. Add in a winner a big point guard who could score Tristen and a great role player Alex. Mix it all together it became one of the best college teams of the last fifty years.

Don’t care about any bias rankings, last years team was in the top 5.

 

[bendm]

I still think we can do damage in the NCAA Tournament. We historically underperform in the Big East Tournament. No one remembers years later who won the Big East Tournament.

We’re tied for the most BET chips ever with Gtown at 8 (and most regular season chips ever with Nova at 11)

On the one hand it’s Hard to say we’ve underachieved given we’re tied for the most ever but on the other hand it’s also kinda crazy we only have 2 more BET chips than nattys, but on the third hand Winning the BET used to be harder than winning the natty

 

[superjohn]

I wrote a long response to this post. Then deleted it. Of course I understand stereo typing is not a great way to think as it is just not something as a society we accept.

But I will offer this. I prefer when people have an issue with you they come to you and let you know. You know give respect get respect.

I prefer the east coast you talking to me approach. I prefer authentic to trying to avoid confrontation at any cost.

My experience after 20 years of living in Chicago and being successful in business that telling people what you really think rather than telling them what they want to hear is a better approach. I found that to be the exception not the norm with people I worked with or knew in Chicago.

Also if you think there is no difference on how people deal with societal issues/encounters does not vary from region to region of our country that would be an incredibly naive take.

Yeah, people in Chicago don't tell it like it is. Lolz. In my experience living on the East coast and living in the Midwest. There's a lot less fake tough guys and posers out here. People are typically more friendly, and it's easier to meet people and make new friends.

What does any of this have to do with McDermott and Hurley?

I love Hurley but I don't think many people think it's cool or tough yelling at a fan he'll knock him out. That's poser behavior and Hurley isn't a poser.

How is McDermott a phony? He was telling the national audience his players are tough and his program is built on toughness. His team was tougher than we were last night. Luke said something to him and McDermott did the 2 ring thing. None of it's a big deal.

He admonished Neal for the dunk and he got Neal to apologize for doing it. McDermott and Neal both complimented UConn.

 

[UCfor3]

You have any video of this? Any articles referencing this? I watched every game we played them in Omaha and never saw this. Haven't seen any video of this and haven't seen any reference to it. I saw Hurley chants, Hurley threatening to knock a fan out if he stepped over the barrier and the two rings thing.

Hurley in an interview. No idea wherr

You have any video of this? Any articles referencing this? I watched every game we played them in Omaha and never saw this. Haven't seen any video of this and haven't seen any reference to it. I saw Hurley chants, Hurley threatening to knock a fan out if he stepped over the barrier and the two rings thing.

Hurley said it I believe in a tv interview. Can't remember where. I did see it but don't jave a link or anything.

 

[Greg]

Get us out of this league

Be careful what you wish for. Big East powers thar went elsewhere are withering on the vine. Of course there may be no choice as football will need to join a good conference and Noone is taking UCONN without hoops

 

[UCTitleTown]

Sadly THIS.....

I thought AK was back until yesterday's performance. Too inconsistent.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I’m gonna drop a positive post about the Creighton game as some good NCAA Tourney Mojo…

Mahaney continued to give us overall positive minutes, which we need to win a game or two in the dance

Ross played very good overall defense and shot (and made!) a 3 with no hesitation & with confidence. We need that to help us win in the dance

Solo’s midrange game continues to get better & better. Needed.

Samson and/or Tarris at the 5 will bet a net positive vs any team we will play

Stewart will give us good tourney minutes.

Let’s win the next game!

 

[Spaceman213J]

AK wasn't awful on D. He actually moved his feet well except for the spin move the Creighton big guy did on him at the end of the game when we needed a stop. He was actually pretty good guarding Neal after being switched on him. I do agree McNeeley was awful on D.

AK wasn't bad on D like you said. One of the things that has happened frequently is UConn guys pick up the wrong guy on D in transition.
Yes, you have to stop the ball, and not let guys stand wide open or cut to the hoop unguarded, but too many times UConn looks confused as to who they're supposed to pick up.
This team is also awful at closing out on 3 point shooters. Watched some of the St. Johns game and their opponents may get wide open three, but they don't typically let you catch a pass and just shoot. They fly out at you and make you take at least one dribble and reset your feet. They don't let you get comfortable at the arc. That's kind of how UConn played the last few years. I'm tired of the soft closeouts, but is this a byproduct of not being able to keep their man in front of them?

 

[Deleted at users request]

He has actually commented on giving his players to play off script offensively, don’t just run the offense if you see an opening take it. Problem is we really don’t have many players who can play off script and create. Last year we had Cam, Tristen and Castle to some extent. But Cam and Tristen got us many baskets when the offense sets got clunky.

Guys have spent years since becoming D1 athletes practicing this offense and not going off script creating for themselves.

Is it surprising that they are not good at it currently? Tristan and Cam developed that elsewhere and then came here. But we haven’t taught guys to have that ability.

 

[Kolumbo]

For our visitors from Omaha, since UConn joined the New Big East 5 years ago:

UConn
2 National Championships
1 Big East Tournament Championship
1 Big East Regular Season Championship

Creighton

 

[Mike Honcho]

For our visitors from Omaha, since UConn joined the New Big East 5 years ago:

UConn
2 National Championships
1 Big East Tournament Championship
1 Big East Regular Season Championship

Creighton

A couple 12 year old Creighton fans started barking at me last night in the concourse before the game started (and as I was getting in line for my first drink of the evening). It was so bizarre.... Felt like a physical manifestation of the Boneyard

 

[mauconnfan]

Ashworth and Kalk were minimized. Didn't stop other guys on Creighton from stepping up and far exceeding their career averages. Where were our guys doing that outside Hass (whom I think actually should've shot more often until he went cold)?

AK's shot was off again, but he was still doing a lot of little things winners do.

Liam was a ball hog. 20 shots, 0 assists. Basically a black hole.

Seven assists on 26 makes attests somewhat to Creighton's D, but also to effort on our end trying to get open and improvising.

AKs inability to box out Green was a huge play in this loss as was his inability to guard that same guy who averaged 4 pts a game prior to this one. He did a few little things but he wasn’t good at all. We thought he was fully back but he took a couple steps back. 1 rebound is dreadful for him, the fight wasn’t there.

 

[Mr. French]

What’s this complex offense you speak of? I think the staff has already simplified dramatically if you know what you’re watching. It’s just constant DHO for McNeeley, Ball, and Karaban. With a few wrinkles(slips, back screens, etc). What would you suggest they run instead with no one who can break a guy down one on one? The roster is just flawed.

Dude has no clue what he’s watching.

 

[connVA]

Yeah, people in Chicago don't tell it like it is. Lolz. In my experience living on the East coast and living in the Midwest. There's a lot less fake tough guys and posers out here. People are typically more friendly, and it's easier to meet people and make new friends.

What does any of this have to do with McDermott and Hurley?

I love Hurley but I don't think many people think it's cool or tough yelling at a fan he'll knock him out. That's poser behavior and Hurley isn't a poser.

How is McDermott a phony? He was telling the national audience his players are tough and his program is built on toughness. His team was tougher than we were last night. Luke said something to him and McDermott did the 2 ring thing. None of it's a big deal.

He admonished Neal for the dunk and he got Neal to apologize for doing it. McDermott and Neal both complimented UConn.

If we're doing the regional stereotyping thing, Midwesterners are probably the most authentic and definitely the nicest people I've met. If you're looking for authenticity, don't move to the South (having gone to school / lived / worked down there and I wasn't even in the deep South). Anyway, McDermott comes across as a genuinely good guy to me.

 

[SubbaBub]

For 32 minutes they played well enough to beat anyone, they lost because 32 minutes isn't enough against the teams you need to beat to win championships, even teams as soft as Creighton.

What I liked:
Hassan and Mahaney putting a priority on getting the ball to the scorers, even if they are given the lane.
Mahaney looking like he belonged. Passed the eye test like we haven't seen before. Big key during the comeback run on both ends.
Samson and Reed staying out of foul trouble and defending Kalk about as well as can be done.
Reed in the post. He can be trusted with getting the ball more than his has been getting it.
Ball mixing in the midrange game, another guy who needs more shots.
McNeeley taking charge on the floor and in the huddle
The team taking it to the opponent with AK on the bench in (dubious) foul trouble.
The defense in the 2nd half.

What I didn't like:
75% in the first half. None gets that hot if you are playing defense.
McNeeley not kicking it out 3 or 4 times to get a better shot.
AK and Johnson's rebounding, he should be getting more if he's going to play 20 minutes a game.
AK's fouls, thought half of them were soft calls. Also 0 for 3 from deep and 0 for 0 from the FT line
Not getting to the foul line enough in general.
The two blown out of bounds calls that let Crieghton off the mat. It was at least a 6 point swing.
Hurley not adjusting to defend Green soon enough.
Hurley not going inside to Reed soon enough or often enough to relieve their pressure outside.

 

[brihman]

Coach Hurley was loyal to our “Six Man of the Year”, backup point guard and our backup center.He made them starters after they contributed to the winning of back 2 back championships. That move made the bench weaker and created a drop off in our starting 5. Given what Samson went through in the beginning of his career and what the Diarra brothers mean to the program, I think our Coach did an honorable thing that most coaches ( Pitino, etc.) wouldn’t even consider. That’s what happened this season. Our Coach was loyal.

Great take. You have to respect that. A miss the portal and some development delays in our Sophs and here we are.

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Huh??? UConn's offensive scheme is aweful.

Huh? It's a top 15 offense in the country. That is with a simplified approach because we do not have the correct players to run the full system. Defense is and has been the issue this year. McNeeley was getting cooked by Neal to start the game. Really on Creighton recognized that and went to a Neal ISO for a few straight possessions. We will need the defense to step up the intensity and the 5 man switch scheme has worked better recently. We need to finish at the rim and hit open shots, they offensive system is what is providing those looks, we just did not capitalize.