Creighton Post Game Thread

[KingAG]

Not arguing the teams. I’m just saying Giffey had to do things on that roster in a way I don’t think Karaban had to in 23 and 24.

The guy was shooting almost 50% from 3 (remember the Karaban notorious slumps?) while also playing small ball 5 at times. Tough on the boards, being a legitimate good defender and not just someone the team had to get by with.

People thinking it’s disrespectful to compare Karaban to senior year Giffey is exactly the problem. And try to put him in a conversation with our absolute legends who were the best players in the country.

No he’s just objectively better.

 

[superjohn]

Nope. They aren’t here this year. 24-3.

What changed?

We have a pg.

And if you’re arguing it takes more than one good player to make a dominant team. Then …..duh.

AK was the 6th best player on the '23 team and the 5th best player on the '24 team.

 

[HW611]

No he doesn’t. His legacy here is cemented. He helped bring you ungrateful degenerates 2 championships.

Giffey also brought us two championships but you don’t want to give him the same credit??

 

[superjohn]

One of the best isn’t “the best”. It’s a subjective statement anyway. And if your criteria or context is winning then it makes a ton of sense.

And it’s absolutely on the borderline of hating. Some blasphemous stuff being uttered here.

One of "the best." Where would you rank AK on a list of best players ever at UConn?

 

[RuffRuff]

One of the best isn’t “the best”. It’s a subjective statement anyway. And if your criteria or context is winning then it makes a ton of sense.

And it’s absolutely on the borderline of hating. Some blasphemous stuff being uttered here.

What’s blasphemous? AK was a role player on two NCAA title teams. We’d all agree he was the 6th and 5th most important players on those teams. If I found those players on most title teams few people would even remember them. In many cases they’re not core to why that team won. It’s hard to quantify their contribution to the outcome over a replacement. Given those two teams smashed through the tourney I’d say it’s safe to say it’s possible. Anyone remember Flo Thamba on that dominant Baylor team?

 

[FightOnCT]

Giffey also brought us two championships but you don’t want to give him the same credit??

He is not the winningest player of all time, which was a part of the original argument

 

[KingAG]

One of "the best." Where would you rank AK on a list of best players ever at UConn?

My list? I feel like we’ve done this exercise before. And I forget the number but he came in around boatright/deandre Daniels range.

If I remember correctly it’s hard to get to 20 guys before AK

 

[KingAG]

What’s blasphemous? AK was a role player on two NCAA title teams. We’d all agree he was the 6th and 5th most important players on those teams. If I found those players on most title teams few people would even remember them. In many cases they’re not core to why that team won. It’s hard to quantify their contribution to the outcome over a replacement. Given those two teams smashed through the tourney I’d say it’s safe to say it’s possible. Anyone remember Flo Thamba on that dominant Baylor team?

Saying he’s Niels Giffey is blasphemy. Being upset he has the nickname “captain america” is blasphemy. There’s been a lot of blasphemous statements

 

[KingAG]

Giffey also brought us two championships but you don’t want to give him the same credit??

No didn’t. He barely played on the first one. AK started as a freshman. Neither of them singularly “brought” us anything. And that isn’t what I said.

 

[RuffRuff]

So? They all get credit for being on those teams . They were all right place, right time.

I’d say in most cases the 5th player on a dominant NC team could have easily been replaced, yes. Those teams usually win because they have 2-3 special players. Alex was a supporting actor.

 

[KingAG]

I’d say in most cases the 5th player on a dominant NC team could have easily been replaced, yes. Those teams usually win because they have 2-3 special players. Alex was a supporting actor.

They were the most dominant because their 5th player was so good. AK wasn’t a normal 5th or 6th best player

 

[HW611]

No didn’t. He barely played on the first one. AK started as a freshman. Neither of them singularly “brought” us anything. And that isn’t what I said.

Giffey started 10 games and played 24 minutes in the championship.

But that’s the point. Neither of them were super vital in bringing us anything. Giffey played a great role his senior year. Similar role to Karaban.

But they weren’t the engines to either championship and people talk say things about Karaban like he was the engine.

 

[KingAG]

Giffey started 10 games and played 24 minutes in the championship.

But that’s the point. Neither of them were super vital in bringing us anything. Giffey played a great role his senior year. Similar role to Karaban.

But they weren’t the engines to either championship and people talk say things about Karaban like he was the engine.

So Giffey played as big a role as a freshman that Karaban did? You’re lying.

Senior Giffey is more comparable to freshman Karaban. And that says a lot.

 

[RuffRuff]

One of "the best." Where would you rank AK on a list of best players ever at UConn?

He’s literally the 8th best off the two NC teams if we are talking quality of basketball player. If we want to talk cumulative stats due to longevity, that’s a different type of list.

Clingan
Adama
AJx
Hawkins
Spencer
Newton
Castle

All better than AK

So in UConn lore, maybe he registers in the 50s? There have been reels of better basketball players than AK. If you wanted to call him decorated student athlete/winner, fine.

 

[FightOnCT]

This conversation needs to stop. A Wednesday night loss somehow ballooned into an existential debate on Alex Karaban’s legacy

 

[RuffRuff]

This conversation needs to stop. A Wednesday night loss somehow ballooned into an existential debate on Alex Karaban’s legacy

Join the fun

 

[KingAG]

He’s literally the 8th best off the two NC teams if we are talking quality of basketball player. If we want to talk cumulative stats due to longevity, that’s a different type of list.

Clingan
Adama
AJx
Hawkins
Spencer
Newton
Castle

All better than AK

So in UConn lore, maybe he registers in the 50s? There have been reels of better basketball players than AK. If you wanted to call him decorated student athlete/winner, fine.

Again, subjective. You are talking pure talent. I’m taking everything into account including their career here. Records , titles, stats. He has to be higher than that. He has a chance to leave the winningest player, the 3 point king, and top 10 in scoring. Such a bum that guy is.

 

[Candyman]

Our defense tonight was Maui-esque. I actually think our D was better in Maui. I mean it wasn’t as many open layups but they were able to get past the first guy pretty easily and when we helped dish to corner for open three.

Curious how we respond at Nova. Teams are going at Solo and Mullins and they know Reed is foul prone on the help at the basket.

 

[Sea Goat]

AK a no show. Hurley rode with Tarris who was the most empty 15 11 ever. This team has so little fight. It’s pathetic

Other than Mullins, the team is devoid of stone cold killers. In 23 and 24, we had them and one or another would light the fire. We are soft as puppy dung right now, but this is why Hurley makes the big bucks!

 

[RuffRuff]

Again, subjective. You are talking pure talent. I’m taking everything into account including their career here. Records , titles, stats. He has to be higher than that. He has a chance to leave the winningest player, the 3 point king, and top 10 in scoring. Such a bum that guy is.

So you’re talking cumulative stats, and wanting to reward him for longevity. Kicker there is most great players leave before 4 years so it’s not all that fair. Steph was so much more fun to watch, will represent UConn in the NBA and helped win us a title.

What would AK be if he left after 2024 like he likely should have?

I kind of think of great as having key impact to titles, or immense talent you wanted to watch.

He’s not an all time great, sorry to break it to you. He is a compiler. He got to okay 12 extra games his first two years. Decorated is an appropriate term.

 

[KingAG]

So you’re talking cumulative stats, and wanting to reward him for longevity. Kicker there is most great players leave before 4 years so it’s not all that fair. Steph was so much more fun to watch, will represent UConn in the NBA and helped win us a title.

What would AK be if he left after 2024 like he likely should have?

I kind of think of great as having key impact to titles, or immense talent you wanted to watch.

He’s not an all time great, sorry to break it to you.

You’re not breaking anything to me. You’re just wrong. Go take a look at the top 10 scoring list. WHEN AK gets there try justify not calling him one of our greatest players.

Idc who was more “fun” to watch. AK objectively had a better UConn career than most guys. Yes when judging greatness of UConn players longevity goes into it. That matters. He stayed here. He won. A lot.

It’s gone make yall sick when they put him on that wall.

 

[RuffRuff]

You’re not breaking anything to me. You’re just wrong. Go take a look at the top 10 scoring list. WHEN AK gets there try justify not calling him one of our greatest players

Uh - yeah, he’s a compiler. Not an all time great. That would be a smack in the face to the all time great Huskies.

Decorated, historic, winner - all due. Great, no.

 

[KingAG]

Uh - yeah, he’s a compiler. Not an all time great. That would be a smack in the face to the all time great Huskies.

Decorated, historic, winner - all due. Great, no.

Okay guy. A “ compiler “ lmfao. Trying real hard to hate. Good lord. Good night man.

 

[superjohn]

Again, subjective. You are talking pure talent. I’m taking everything into account including their career here. Records , titles, stats. He has to be higher than that. He has a chance to leave the winningest player, the 3 point king, and top 10 in scoring. Such a bum that guy is.

Why does he have to be higher than that? All those players are clearly better than him. That's in no way a slight to him. We all know Karaban has played the most years, the most games, and has won the most games.

You’re not breaking anything to me. You’re just wrong. Go take a look at the top 10 scoring list. WHEN AK gets there try justify not calling him one of our greatest players.

Idc who was more “fun” to watch. AK objectively had a better UConn career than most guys. Yes when judging greatness of UConn players longevity goes into it. That matters. He stayed here. He won. A lot.

It’s gone make yall sick when they put him on that wall.

Rip, Emeka, Ray, Kemba, Shabazz, Donyell, Caron, Gordon, Clingan, Hasheem, Tristen, El-Amin, Sanogo, Jackson, Hawkins, Adrien, AJ Price, Rudy Gay, Cam, Castle

You think he's better than any of them?

 

[RuffRuff]

Okay guy. A “ compiler “ lmfao. Trying real hard to hate. Good lord. Good night man.

An all time great has to at minimum be on an all American team, or a first team BE team.

You think a BE fan of another school looks at Karaban and says, that’s one of the all time great Huskies? I think not. They’ll say nice player, been around a long time, won a couple titles as a role player.

We’ve had lots of them.