Creighton Post Game Thread

[KingAG]

It matters in the context of him being called one of the best players ever at UConn. I'm not even sure who I would say was the 5th best player on the '23 team but Sanogo, Clingan, Newton, Jackson, Hawkins were all better than him. Of course AK being the 5th and 6th best player on those teams showed the greatness of those teams. He was incredible in his role on those teams.

So if 5th best player means you aren't great. Which one of those guys in 23 weren't great. Be consistent. Stop arbitrarily changing the qualification.

You're proving my point. "He was the 5th best player" is so dumb without the context of who the other guys were. "5th best player" is not a disqualification. So why keep using it?

Calling Alex an all time great was never about talent. And you know that. Which is what makes this crusade odd. It's an unnecessary dig at a guy whose leaving this program WAY better than what he found it.

 

[mauconnfan]

It must be for Stewart or Ross, and we’ll have to ride the hot hand and live with it.

Ball gives us next to nothing defensively and the offense is too 3-pt happy when him and Mullins are in. Our poor rebounding leads to break outs. As Ant pointed out, the bench needs a boost and the starting lineup needs a longer wing defender. This is a good trade.

It’s no secret we played our best basketball with that minutes and lineup allocation in November and December. We arguably got worse when we jammed the 3-pt lineup as starters.

Win, lose. Stronger wing defender that can’t score? That puts it all on Braylon and Silas and our offense is already stagnant enough.

I get it but there’s nothing on that bench that changes the dynamic of this lineup enough to make that change. You’ll live or die with hoping Solo makes shots because the options just don’t work, at least for me but who am I.

Ross is an energy guy, I get there’s a huge love affair for him here but that’s who he is. Perfect for coming off the bench because he rarely plays 2 good games in a row. Stew has been MIA, for him I think it’s an extremely short rope suddenly that will take away any shot of rhythm.

I don’t know, watched it closely last night. We’re not very athletic, slow on the perimeter and have very few options who can take anyone off the dribble. McDermotts plan worked amazingly. Just take the ball to the hoop, there’s no rim protection and at least we wil get them in foul trouble. You will see it the rest of the year in BE play and beyond.

Might want to practice a little zone to take people out of their plan on occasion? Maybe even throw Reibe in with Reed to throw a little advantage down the other end.

Who knows? I do know watching them I will be absolutely thrilled to get to the 2nd weekend with this team!

 

[80shusky]

Hope that's our February WTF loss.
1999- 2/1 Cuse 59-Dogs 42!
1999- 2/20 Miami 73-Dogs 71
2004- 2/9 ND (finished 19-13) 80-Dogs 74
2011- February - Half the Big East W-Dogs L
2014- 2/23 SMU 64-Dogs 55
2023- 2/11 Creighton 56-Dogs 53
2024- Creighton 85-Dogs 66

If you just read this thread and didn't know you'd think we were 17-10.

 

[Deepster]

ah, the old "people close to the program". That ain't first hand knowledge, that's you just making up crap

I'm going to give Ruff the benefit of the doubt because I've been in his shoes before.

All I'll say is this. CT is a small state and it's not that difficult to know people that are close to the program and access to information others don't have. Personally, I have had relatives that work in the Athletic Development office or have personal/professional relationships with current/former coaches and players. Two of my close friend's kids have been student managers for both Calhoun and Hurley. Another of my friend's kids was roommates with a past player. My kid goes there and has had friends date players.

For example, I know first hand about certain players (who went onto the NBA) that appear like model guys on the outside and are horrible to deal with on charitable events. I also know of another player (also spent time in the NBA) who drove from the midwest to a Calhoun charity game because he didn't want to charge the charity for a flight.

I'm sure there are times where people might make up crap, but there's also times you know things from people you trust and can back it up with fact and you just can't share the details.

 

[Kemba15]

It matters in the context of him being called one of the best players ever at UConn. I'm not even sure who I would say was the 5th best player on the '23 team but Sanogo, Clingan, Newton, Jackson, Hawkins were all better than him. Of course AK being the 5th and 6th best player on those teams showed the greatness of those teams. He was incredible in his role on those teams.

Even if he is an overqualified, amazing role player and an underqualified star, who cares? Do you really disagree with the idea that he's given everything to this program, and his passing, cutting, and basketball IQ often don't show up in the box score but have contributed to countless wins? It's very bizarre you're tearing him into like this---he has been good this season!

 

[KingAG]

Even if he is an overqualified, amazing role player and an underqualified star, who cares? Do you really disagree with the idea that he's given everything to this program, and his passing, cutting, and basketball IQ often don't show up in the box score but have contributed to countless wins? It's very bizarre you're tearing him into like this---he has been good this season!

i think thats the point being missed. This is so unnecessary. Why does Alex getting praise bother any UConn fan? It's bizzare

 

[superjohn]

So if 5th best player means you aren't great. Which one of those guys in 23 weren't great. Be consistent. Stop arbitrarily changing the qualification.

You're proving my point. "He was the 5th best player" is so dumb without the context of who the other guys were. "5th best player" is not a disqualification. So why keep using it?

Calling Alex an all time great was never about talent. And you know that. Which is what makes this crusade odd. It's an unnecessary dig at a guy whose leaving this program WAY better than what he found it.

What?

They were all great, I've said this over and over. Those teams were great/special and '24 is the best team in the 64 team era. I haven't changed any qualifications. Since we won those championships I've always said AK was the 6th best player on the '23 team and the 5th best player on the '24 team. I've also always called him a great role player and the ultimate connector.

 

[KingAG]

What?

They were all great, I've said this over and over. Those teams were great/special and '24 is the best team in the 64 team era. I haven't changed any qualifications. Since we won those championships I've always said AK was the 6th best player on the '23 team and the 5th best player on the '24 team. I've also always called him a great role player and the ultimate connector.

So again why do you keep bringing up 5th and 6th best player as a dig? You're fighting a war with no one on the other side. Alex is very accurately represented. And the love and admiration he gets from UConn fans, players, and coaches is deserved. Full Stop.

His arrival marked the beginning of a return to dominance for this program. Hurley says he changed him as a coach. His teammates credit him as being vital to those titles. You can continue your cynicism and call them all liars. I won't. He was a special player for us. And his absence will be greatly missed.

 

[superjohn]

Even if he is an overqualified, amazing role player and an underqualified star, who cares? Do you really disagree with the idea that he's given everything to this program, and his passing, cutting, and basketball IQ often don't show up in the box score but have contributed to countless wins? It's very bizarre you're tearing him into like this---he has been good this season!

I'm not tearing into him, I'm saying he's a great role player and he was the 6th and 5th best player on the back to back championship teams. He's not one of the best UConn basketball players ever and he's not one of the best players in college basketball.

None of that is tearing into him or a slight to him as a player.

 

[PAHusky]

We can toss around all of the lineup changes we want on here, it doesn’t matter. This team has a hard ceiling and it’s not a championship.

Solo is lost. Karaban is a good kid but he’s disappeared and he’s not really much of a leader. Mullins is talented but a complete chucker who saves our offense as much as he kills it jacking up random shots.

Anyone thinking Ross is the answer is nuts. Nice kid again but will play well in small stretches and just when you tap him for a larger roll turns back into a pumpkin.

Reed going backwards. Reibe going backwards. Malachi going backwards. Still nothing really from Stew.

Sort of odd watching a UConn team that isn’t trending up towards the end of the season but here we are. Does anyone feel confident going into Nova/SJU/big east tournament?

 

[RuffRuff]

This is so dumb lmao.

1. if he's not the 4th best player on this team. He's at worst 3rd. Better than Solo and Taris.

2. Who was the 5th best player in 23? You have about about 3-4 options. You have to choose from this group of AJax, Hawk, Donovan, Tristen. And you would call non of them role players. This argument is full of . And built just to put down Alex

Uh, Adama?

You're too wrapped up in this. Is he a cousin? This is like 611 w/Ross. You take such offense to him being called a role player, when it's pretty darned clear to everyone he is.

I love AK - not the most exciting watch for 4 years, but a true gentleman and class rep of the program.

Much of his UConn legend may truly go down with this year, last year was a bust. Let's hope we go on a magical run. Right now, not winning this BE would be shame.

 

[superjohn]

So again why do you keep bringing up 5th and 6th best player as a dig? You're fighting a war with no one on the other side. Alex is very accurately represented. And the love and admiration he gets from UConn fans, players, and coaches is deserved. Full Stop.

Wow.

How many times do I have to tell you it's not a slight or a dig.

I don't think calling him one of the best UConn players ever and one of the best college basketball players is an accurate representation of him as a basketball player. That's not a slight or a dig, neither is calling him the 5th and 6th best players on the back to back teams.

 

[KingAG]

Uh, Adama?

You're too wrapped up in this. Is he a cousin? This is like 611 w/Ross. You take such offense to him being called a role player, when it's pretty darned clear to everyone he is.

I love AK - not the most exciting watch for 4 years, but a true gentleman and class rep of the program.

Much of his UConn legend may truly go down with this year, last year was a bust. Let's hope we go on a magical run. Right now, not winning this BE would be shame.

Im a 30 yo black guy. Highly doubt we are related.

Like always you continuously strawman and miss the point.

 

[KingAG]

Wow.

How many times do I have to tell you it's not a slight or a dig.

I don't think calling him one of the best UConn players ever and one of the best college basketball players is an accurate representation of him as a basketball player. That's not a slight or a dig, neither is calling him the 5th and 6th best players on the back to back teams.

How many players have played at the University of CT? If he's arguably top 20 he's one of the greatest ever. Simple math.

He can end this season:

Winningest payer ever
Most 3 pointers made
Top 10 in scoring

Framing that career the way you are is a dig imo

 

[RuffRuff]

We can toss around all of the lineup changes we want on here, it doesn’t matter. This team has a hard ceiling and it’s not a championship.

Solo is lost. Karaban is a good kid but he’s disappeared and he’s not really much of a leader. Mullins is talented but a complete chucker who saves our offense as much as he kills it jacking up random shots.

Anyone thinking Ross is the answer is nuts. Nice kid again but will play well in small stretches and just when you tap him for a larger roll turns back into a pumpkin.

Reed going backwards. Reibe going backwards. Malachi going backwards. Still nothing really from Stew.

Sort of odd watching a UConn team that isn’t trending up towards the end of the season but here we are. Does anyone feel confident going into Nova/SJU/big east tournament?

I'm going to be really curious to what the coaches can do with this group. With 4 games to go in the reg season and this team bottoming out last night, looking confused and a mess, it'll be intriguing to see what they can muster. It's going to take a minor miracle to round this team into any kind of NC contender. This team just doesn't have enough collective IQ in my book to figure things out this quickly.

How many players have played at the University of CT? If he's arguably top 20 he's one of the greatest ever. Simple math.

He's not even close to top 20. There were 15-20 better players than him in the 2000-2010 alone.

Alex's equivalent in all-time great would be that similar to a Jake Voskuhl.

 

[KingAG]

I'm going to be really curious to what the coaches can do with this group. This year is a real challenge to

He's not even close to top 20. There were 20 better players than him in the 2000-2010 alone.

Name em. And were talking UConn careers. Don't conveniently leave out stats and accolades lmao

 

[KingAG]

Uh, Adama?

You're too wrapped up in this. Is he a cousin? This is like 611 w/Ross. You take such offense to him being called a role player, when it's pretty darned clear to everyone he is.

I love AK - not the most exciting watch for 4 years, but a true gentleman and class rep of the program.

Much of his UConn legend may truly go down with this year, last year was a bust. Let's hope we go on a magical run. Right now, not winning this BE would be shame.

And calling Adama the 5th best player in 23 should disqualify you from any further UConn discussions

 

[lateralous]

It’s no secret we played our best basketball with that minutes and lineup allocation in November and December. We arguably got worse when we jammed the 3-pt lineup as starters.

Separating Braylon and Solo may be the fix.

Been saying this for months. Toss Ross out at the 3, amp up your D & size, skim back on all the hoisting. There is no balance with Ball & Mullins out there, and we know who the better player is.

This is where I'm at as well. When Ball and Mullins are out there together, it's like a race to see who can jack up a three first because they both know if it goes to the other guy first, they aren't getting it back.

In Solo's case, the addition of Mullins also seems to have changed how he is playing. He was missing his open 3 point looks early in the season but he was generally driving the ball to the hoop, was hitting almost automatic jumpers from the top of the key and his 3 point attempts were all generally good looks taken within the design of the offense. Even last week when he was BE player of the week, I felt like he regressed to the '24-'25 one dimensional version of himself.

A more balanced lineup of Ross w/ Mullins to start and Stewart w/ Ball off the bench feels like the one way we could actually improve on the success this team had in Nov and Dec.

 

[navery12]

He's not even close to top 20. There were 20 better players than him in the 2000-2010 alone

Better maybe, but you're ignoring his accomplishments. For a fanbase that talks a lot about championships being all that matters, winning suddenly doesn't seem to matter all that much

 

[KingAG]

Better maybe, but you're ignoring his accomplishments. For a fanbase that talks a lot about championships being all that matters, winning suddenly doesn't seem to matter all that much

It's disingenuous. It only doesn't matter when it comes to AK because he has to fit this box they want him in. Call him a role player all you want, how many role players are in the top 10 in scoring, top 4 in 3 point shooting, and have the most wins in program history at blue blood level schools.

Oh yeah and he amassed to championships while doing so.

 

[RuffRuff]

Even if he is an overqualified, amazing role player and an underqualified star, who cares? Do you really disagree with the idea that he's given everything to this program, and his passing, cutting, and basketball IQ often don't show up in the box score but have contributed to countless wins? It's very bizarre you're tearing him into like this---he has been good this season!

He's a fabulous long time contributor to the program. For that he should be applauded.

He's just not even close to an all time great. All time greats do something more than being a 5th man. They win BIG POY's, get drafted highly and go onto great NBA careers, are AA's. They're usually at least the best 1-2 players on great UConn teams. If he takes this team on a run, I might rethink things. If they flame out early, he's firmly a great role player.

And calling Adama the 5th best player in 23 should disqualify you from any further UConn discussions

What? You asked who he was behind on the 23 list and missed Adama.

 

[Donyell 360]

If Baylor Scheirman went 30th in that 2024 draft, I think AK could have easily gone around him. Johnny Furphy dropped into early second. It was a super weak draft. Zachary Rissacher went 1 - he's already considered a bust.

Last year there was no point in leaving, as he got a bigger NIL bag coming back. He's being paid well from what I know.

My sense is Hurley needs to rethink some of his recruiting strategy. I think there is a lot of merit to him abandoning what worked for the profiles he's recruited the last couple years.

Scheirman is doing well with the C's. Kalkbrenner has also done well, speaking of Creighton guys in a similar draft spot. Had Karaban been drafted around either of them, I would be surprised if he was thriving like they are. He made the right decision IMO.

I'm curious what you mean about rethinking recruiting strategy. Can you elaborate? I am concerned that Hurley's loyalty to Stewart and Ross will prevent him from recruiting over them next year, which means we will probably take a step back in our wing talent.

 

[RuffRuff]

Better maybe, but you're ignoring his accomplishments. For a fanbase that talks a lot about championships being all that matters, winning suddenly doesn't seem to matter all that much

Define accomplishments? If they are longevity based, that is a very different category.

 

[KingAG]

He's a fabulous long time contributor to the program. For that he should be applauded.

He's just not even close to an all time great. All time greats do something more than being a 5th man. They win BIG POY's, get drafted highly and go onto great NBA careers, are AA's. They're usually at least the best 1-2 players on great UConn teams. If he takes this team on a run, I might rethink things. If they flame out early, he's firmly a great role player.

What? You asked who he was behind on the 23 list and missed Adama.

That's your criteria, and its arbitrary. It's not any more correct than anyone elses.

Which again begs the question, why the crusade?

And thats not what I asked

 

[KingAG]

Define accomplishments? If they are longevity based, that is a very different category.

No its not. If we talking UConn greats, longevity should be a feather in the cap. Especially when as you so eloquently stated, he couldve left and been drafted. He didn't stay because he sucked lmao.

People use this same argument against LeBron, and its dumb.

 

[RuffRuff]

Scheirman is doing well with the C's. Kalkbrenner has also done well, speaking of Creighton guys in a similar draft spot. Had Karaban been drafted around either of them, I would be surprised if he was thriving like they are. He made the right decision IMO.

I'm curious what you mean about rethinking recruiting strategy. Can you elaborate? I am concerned that Hurley's loyalty to Stewart and Ross will prevent him from recruiting over them next year, which means we will probably take a step back in our wing talent.

Lot's of loyalty is part of the issue, holding onto to carryovers, over-indexing on shooters, fully lacking the type of athletes that won B2B. Thinking he could teach defense. This current collection, beyond being rather undynamic, is a bit of a boring brand of basketball. Jump shooting half court teams that rely on positional defense, with low verticality, aren't must watch TV. They don't play very smart either. So there is very little ooh's and ah's with this team. Feels like Hurley is moving away from what got him there, holding on to throw backs. Granted they are 24-3, so cannot nit pick too much. It's been a weird year.

That's your criteria, and its arbitrary. It's not any more correct than anyone elses.

Which again begs the question, why the crusade?

And thats not what I asked

Not on a crusade. I can drop this here. I don't even find there to be much of a discussion on this one, feels more like you're vouching for the kid in some way that is hard to understand. I haven't gotten a reasonable argument as to why he's an all time great other than he is.

 

[yungdowork]

He's a fabulous long time contributor to the program. For that he should be applauded.

He's just not even close to an all time great. All time greats do something more than being a 5th man. They win BIG POY's, get drafted highly and go onto great NBA careers, are AA's. They're usually at least the best 1-2 players on great UConn teams. If he takes this team on a run, I might rethink things. If they flame out early, he's firmly a great role player.

What? You asked who he was behind on the 23 list and missed Adama.

Karaban has averaged 13/5 every year since his freshman year and is top 10 in school history in defensive win shares despite average athleticism. Top 10 in program history in field goals, will likely have the most made 3s in program history, the list goes on.

This is a guy that some scouts (24/7) had ranked outside the top 100 recruits in his class. If you want to argue he has a lower ceiling than other guys, I get that, but he is undoubtedly an all-time great.

 

[KingAG]

Lot's of loyalty is part of the issue, holding onto to carryovers, over-indexing on shooters, fully lacking the type of athletes that won B2B. Thinking he could teach defense. This current collection, beyond being rather undynamic, is a bit of a boring brand of basketball. Jump shooting half court teams that rely on positional defense, with low verticality, aren't must watch TV.

Not on a crusade. I can drop this here. I don't even find there to be much of a discussion on this one, feels more like you're vouching for the kid in some way that is hard to understand. I haven't gotten a reasonable argument as to why he's an all time great other than he is.

You have, you're just not reasonable. Its not hard to understand. His accolades make him an all time great. It's very simple. He a top 20-25 Husky of all time. Argue with your dog

 

[superjohn]

Name em. And were talking UConn careers. Don't conveniently leave out stats and accolades lmao

I disagree with RuffRuff like I normally do, lolz. AK is close to top 20. I feel like i'm being a bit generous but it's what feels right considering the incredible team accomplishments since he's been here and how many games AK has started here.

I consider Rip, Emeka, Ray, Kemba, Shabazz, Donyell, Caron, Gordon, Clingan, Hasheem, Tristen, El-Amin, Sanogo, Jackson, Hawkins, Adrien, AJ Price, Rudy Gay, Cam, Castle, Smitty, Boat, Lamb, Burrell better than him.

Then there's Josh Boone, Marcus Williams, Cliff Robinson, Doron Sheffer, Charlie V, DeAndre Daniels. I'm giving the nod to AK over them and we know how good all those dudes were.

 

[RuffRuff]

Karaban has averaged 13/5 every year since his freshman year and is top 10 in school history in defensive win shares despite average athleticism. Top 10 in program history in field goals, will likely have the most made 3s in program history, the list goes on.

This is a guy that some scouts (24/7) had ranked outside the top 100 recruits in his class. If you want to argue he has a lower ceiling than other guys, I get that, but he is undoubtedly an all-time great.

Reasonable argument. Great story, lot's of longevity numbers. Again, he had the privelage of playing on 2 teams that won 12 additional games.

If I'm making rosters of all time UConn greats to win, I'm not putting him high on the list.