Creighton Post Game Thread

[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.

 

[Hurlees4hed]

Cannot fathom the amount of handwringing going on about Alex Karaban of all players.

Say what you will about him as a player - star or role player - his achievements cannot be denied.

He has a highly decorated resume... among the best in the history of college basketball, let alone the UConn program. He should always have a place here. He chose UConn time and time again. And it's worked out pretty well. Winningest player in program history counts for an awful lot, even if he wasn't "the guy" during the biggest moments. Deserves to be celebrated.

He is not the problem with this team.

 

[navery12]

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

 

[UCTitleTown]

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.

Like Craig Carton on WFAN. Calls LeBron a compiler. LeBron is a Top 5, Top 10 All-Time player at worst.🙄

 

[KingAG]

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.

This is a reasonable take. I couldn't argue confidently against that list. I can just confidently say he deserves to be mentioned. I wasnt there to watch Chris Smith and Scott Burrell so thats why they werent on my personal list. But they are definitely legends

 

[KingAG]

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.

Those teams had the privilege of having Alex Karaban

 

[RuffRuff]

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.

1. Rip (Hamilton)
2. Emeka (Okafor)
3. Ray (Allen)
4. Kemba (Walker)
5. Shabazz (Napier)
6. Donyell (Marshall)
7. Caron (Butler)
8. Gordon (Hayward)
9. Donovan Clingan
10. Hasheem (Thabeet)
11. Tristen (Newton)
12. Khalid El-Amin
13. Adama Sanogo
14. Andre Jackson
15. Jordan Hawkins
16. Jeff Adrien
17. A.J. Price
18. Rudy Gay
19. Cam (Spencer)
20. Stephon Castle
21. Smitty (Smith)
22. Ryan Boatright
23. Jeremy Lamb
24. Scott Burrell

Group 2​

1. Josh Boone
2. Marcus Williams
3. Cliff Robinson
4. Doron Sheffer
5. Charlie Villanueva
6. DeAndre Daniels

Pretty good list. I can probably find 5-10 more. 2009 team? Oriakhi?

 

[RuffRuff]

Those teams had the privilege of having Alex Karaban

Put Charlie Villanueva on those teams, better or worse? Who is the "greater" Uconn player?

 

[Marat]

Cannot fathom the amount of handwringing going on about Alex Karaban of all players.

Say what you will about him as a player - star or role player - his achievements cannot be denied.

He has a highly decorated resume... among the best in the history of college basketball, let alone the UConn program. He should always have a place here. He chose UConn time and time again. And it's worked out pretty well. Winningest player in program history counts for an awful lot, even if he wasn't "the guy" during the biggest moments. Deserves to be celebrated.

He is not the problem with this team.

Thank you.

 

[RuffRuff]

Like Craig Carton on WFAN. Calls LeBron a compiler. LeBron is a Top 5, Top 10 All-Time player at worst.🙄

Talk about apples to oranges.

 

[KingAG]

Put Charlie Villanueva on those teams, better or worse? Who the "greater" Uconn player?

Are you aware of the teams Charlie Villanueva played on? Lmao.

2004?

Taliek Brown
Ben Gordon
Charlie V
Josh Boone
Emeka Okafor
Hilton Armstong
Rashad Anderson
Denham Brown
(F) Marcus Williams

Stacked. Maybe better than 24


And who knows. You love fantasy land bs.

If you swap AK and Charlie V, and put AK on 2004 and Charlie on 2024 they both still win championships.