Do you think UConn is better suited for the NCAA tournament?

[Husky Alien]

Saw this article and thought it would be interesting to see what others thought.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/dan-hurley-big-east-ncaa-tournament-march-madness-20223289.php?cmpid=fbsocialflow&sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawJDouBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfS6U8xf3QHXKxefFX3NcVLHn6iPqnSKkrO8gBNtgnrrhIEC_MJEdRybqg_aem_NvnvmsNRBnZ-wzypp8F5Rw

 

[UCFan1513]

2023: Yes
2024: Didn’t matter
2025: No. We are who we are

 

[gwhuskyfan]

I do think there’s something to how the non BE games are officiated. 7-0 in non conf after Maui gives me hope

 

[yungdowork]

McNeeley in particular should benefit from different reffing since he creates a lot of contact when he drives. The team hasn’t exactly stepped up in big time moments this season though so we’ll have to see if that factors in.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I'm not sure if better suited is the correct description, but we will have some advantages in the new environment. There won't be a lot of familiarity with our offense, there's a strong likelhood that our opponents won't be as physical (nor be allowed to be as physical) as BE opponents and I imagine that there will be a bit less subjectivity in calls.

That said, this is far from a team built to withstand anything that we could face (bulletproof as Dan Hurley said multiple times last season). There are flaws, some that we may be able to overcome, some that we may not.

 

[TheHorde]

If the grabbing and hand checking on our guys gets called when we are on offense in the halfcourt, then yes.

 

[Kitaman]

This does not appear to be a confident team and confidence suits UConn Tournament teams. Just saying we won a couple of Tourneys primarily on confidence when outmatched by talent.

I look for it this time of year and I'm not seeing it.

 

[ColchVEGAS]

I'm not sure if better suited is the correct description, but we will have some advantages in the new environment. There won't be a lot of familiarity with our offense, there's a strong likelhood that our opponents won't be as physical (nor be allowed to be as physical) as BE opponents and I imagine that there will be a bit less subjectivity in calls.

That said, this is far from a team built to withstand anything that we could face (bulletproof as Dan Hurley said multiple times last season). There are flaws, some that we may be able to overcome, some that we may not.

100%. Maybe not better suited because we can lose to just about anybody on a given night, but the lack of familiarity with our offense coupled with one day to prep does give us an advantage.

 

[RuffRuff]

Yes. Do the results not speak for themselves based on OOC and tourney last two years?

 

[Jaydumo20]

Yes. 100%
The consistency of the last 2 team's margin of victories tells me there is something different about March.
Too coincidental for that to be the results two years in a row with 2 different teams.

 

[upstater]

We've seen this to be true over and over again. I'm not saying they are going to win, but 2011, 2014, the BE style did not suit them. Entirely different coaching now for sure but in the BE, a lot of the more talented players get neutralized.

I remember Kemba, in particular, struggling a lot in the BE in 2011.

 

[shizzle787]

Yes. We almost always overperform in the tournament. Doomed!

 

[UCFan1513]

This does not appear to be a confident team and confidence suits UConn Tournament teams. Just saying we won a couple of Tourneys primarily on confidence when outmatched by talent.

I look for it this time of year and I'm not seeing it.

Good point. I miss Shabazz (and Boat) so much. I hope we can get another guard with that kind of swagger and confidence

 

[bendm]

Don’t think it’ll matter enough to matter unless we get Duke sans Flagg in the second round

 

[uconnfan68]

Yes. We almost always overperform in the tournament. Doomed!

We’re just incredibly lucky. Always get the weakest draws. /s

 

[woodchuck68]

Better freedom of movement and a kinder whistle will help. But the fatal error with this team is less the point guard play and the fact that McNeeley (as talented as he is) has not been able to consistently play within the flow of the offence.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Our defense has been terrible from the exhibition games to the Big East tournament.

Is it possible that now is when they suddenly find the ability and desire to string stops together?

Maybe. I wouldn't bet on it though.

 

[Umami Zen]

Freedom of movement/style of play-Yes. Fair refs-Yes. Breaks from NCAA Committee re: brackets/seedings-Not likely

 

[BPT2Storrs]

Have we played a complete game all year? I would say one, maybe two at most. I’ve said all season long if this team can all click at the same time we can play with anyone, however, I’m not sure how likely that is.

Seems like when Karaban came out of the slump, McNeeley went into one. When Johnson is off, Reed is on. When Diarra had the knee issues, Mahaney was no where to be found. When Ball is hot on offense, he sometimes turns into a liability on D.

Get everyone on playing well and I think the ceiling is very high. A lot will be determined on how the games are officiated. A wait and see approach I guess.

 

[NJHusky]

If the grabbing and hand checking on our guys gets called when we are on offense in the halfcourt, then yes.

^^this!

 

[Alum86]

Yes. Our Matador D will benefit from teams trying to chuck 3s all game.

 

[willie99]

We foul less, our opponent fouls more. The whistles even out

It's a March phenomenon

Bizarre, I know, but it is what it is

 

[uconnblueinky]

Yes but only if they put the orange ball into the cylinder with the net consistently

 

[uconnblueinky]

Don’t think it’ll matter enough to matter unless we get Duke sans Flagg in the second round

Looks like Flagg is playing

 

[RuffRuff]

Looks like Flagg is playing

Got to hope he's a little rusty and the ankle isn't 100%.