Florida post game thread

[ctbro1999]

I went out to watch the game with a friend, so was spared what must have been an annoying chat. Didn't post on this thread either.

It is pretty simple for me, you make shots or you don't. The team played good defense, more steals than usual, some key blocks and we were fantastic on the boards. Samson was excellent early on. On offense we missed wide open look after wide open look. That's on everybody. As a result we started trying to force feed Reed, which Florida knew was coming and completely shut down. Reed is a bigger black hole than Sanogo ever was, he has to learn how to pass out rather than taking terrible shots.

Even with all of that, Florida missed a ton of free throws and we should have won the game with better execution down the stretch. But the guys didn't have it, and Florida did. That's how it goes. If you told me we'd lose by 2, this game isn't what I would have expected. I'm not disappointed in losing to a 1 seed, I am disappointed in losing that particular game the way we did. But next year is a new season. Let's go.

We forced them to play at our tempo, we clearly had them rattled and on the ropes several times, but we could never deliver the finishing blow. We had some good looks from 3 we just didn't make, meanwhile they had Clayton making high-difficulty 3's and got a couple of offensive rebounds we should have gotten....that was the difference. They made clutch shots/plays in crunch time while we didn't.

Looking forward to next season though for sure.

 

[PNolanFan]

Yeah, anyone who thinks that's tough loss, I mean it sucks today, but you will be fine next week. The Hurley loss to New Mexico was way worse. They had a 1 seed on the ropes and loss. It wasn't a crushing loss, it wasn't a crazy loss.

That is nowhere near some of the brutal losses that have hit them. I actually don't count the final 4 loss to MSU as a bad loss. Got outplayed that game and you can't get upset as a final four participant. This was a good performance in this tournament considering the seed.

I would argue its one of the best losses in program history. We are coming off back to back national championships and had a disappointing season that ended with us losing a close game to potentially the best team in the country

 

[FreeKlaiber]

Clayton showed us the value of the high hedge. Without it he would have been bombing threes all game. Samson neutralized his effectiveness (driving and shooting) for a good part of this game. Liam, Alex and Solo were slow to neutralize the slip. That was the problem all season. But without the hedge teams would have killed us on drives to the basket or making open threes because this team was flawed defensively. The early part of the season demonstrated that. Tarris is ineffective with it but leaving him for drop coverage with this teams lack of foot speed would have been worse.

I don't understand the complaints about the high hedge this game when it was a major reason the game was close. I said to myself the second foul on Samson under a minute in the first half was going to haunt us. It did.

my complaint was using it with Reed (all season) to the point he is always in foul trouble hitting people 35 feet from hoop, not good at recovery and therefore not getting as much PT as his post offense appears to warrant.

I agree with your whole post, other than the last sentence of first paragraph. When he is in the game maybe play a less extending man, with more help principles, accepting your teams lack of foot speed? Mahaney wouldve thrived in that over being on an island trying to lockdown 35 ft from the hoop. But that gets away from our defensive identity. And there lies our season long defensive issue.Yesterday was the best it looked to be fair and was quite effective, but not with Tarris.

 

[navery12]

I see people bringing up a double flop Hurley apparently drew up but I didn't see that, anyone know?

It was on the inbounds play at 9.1 seconds, video should start right at that play here

 

[Deepster]

I'll tell you what. This one is not sitting well in my belly this morning. We outplayed them most of the game, Diarra and Hurley controlled the pace of the entire game and I am having a hard time swallowing the fact that if we hit just 2 more 3's, we win this game. 8 for 29 from 3 with a long distance heave from Hassan at the end of the 1st and a meaningless heave from Liam at the end.

And I fully believe that, had we gotten to the 2nd weekend, another site and had the momentum starting to roll....we would have had as good a chance at a threepeat as we ever could have hoped.

 

[Waquoit]

Yup, we let it get away from us. That's what's sticking in the craw.

 

[jdb50]

With us having the 4 point lead multiple times in the second half I was waiting for just one of our shooters to break the game open and none could do it. Its a shame because as a team we had put ourselves in position to win. Players had their chances for us and Clayton took over for Florida.

 

[ctbro1999]

With us having the 4 point lead multiple times in the second half I was waiting for just one of our shooters to break the game open and none could do it. Its a shame because as a team we had put ourselves in position to win. Players had their chances for us and Clayton took over for Florida.

That one sequence where Diarra got a steal and had the chance to drive to the hoop for a layup attempt (and probably good chance of drawing a foul), but decided to pass it to Ball who also had a chance to launch a catch and shoot 3.....but didn't, then fumbled the ball out of bounds....that was a killer. Think Florida scored on their next possession too.

We also had multiple opportunities when we were up 38-32 to really put the screws to Florida, but Ball missed a 3, then later Reed missed a contested lay-up attempt. Soooo many opportunities where we could have pushed the lead to 8 or 9 but just couldn't convert.

There was another sequence we were up 40-34, McNeeley got a steal but missed a layup, then Florida drilled a 3 a few moments later. Just killer.

 

[mauconnfan]

They played damn hard, not always smart but always hard. Pretty easy to summarize, missed too many wide open looks as well as once again missing some key box out assignments especially on FTs. And they had Clayton and we didn’t, kid can fill it and in the clutch. It was ours to win and just couldn’t finish but very happy with the effort and the fact Florida had to sweat it out.

Another crap thing was my numbers for $250 were “7-2” in our square pool. Did McNeeley really need to finally make one?!?!

 

[Travelman6]

It was on the inbounds play at 9.1 seconds, video should start right at that play here

I see, I admit I had walked away at that point but seeing it now, it was not as others had explained it IMO, but just trying to see if they could draw the charge somehow, not as cheap as non UConn fans made it out to be, not really at all in my opinion.

Tough game, played hard, just a play or two away from victory.

 

[JB75]

Ummm 2006 final 4 against George Mason, 2009 final 4 against MSU…Those teams had legit championship aspirations. This is getting a tad ridiculous. This L doesn’t even register. We should be nothing but proud of the fight the team just showed after a tough season. No regrets. And yeah thankfully CSU didn’t hang on.

Just because u don’t have legit championship aspirations doesn’t mean this one didn’t sting. Tourney magic for two straight years so I dunno how u could not think of even this game we wouldn’t not have a decent chance in our region to reach final 4. and we completely fell apart in the last three minutes of the game. We’re leading the entire second half— now if Florida blew the door‘s off us or worked us in the second half and we lost by 10 -fine is what it is But they had the game and to end that way I don’t know how you can walk away and shrug your shoulders. Lotta people I saw at work today were sick to their stomach with that loss slipping away. Would have cleared a path to final 4 for us too. Just a brutal ending. And because of all that this loss is definitely worse than the Michigan State loss. To me everything was magnified because we had the game makes it much much worse.

 

[ctbro1999]

I see, I admit I had walked away at that point but seeing it now, it was not as others had explained it IMO, but just trying to see if they could draw the charge somehow, not as cheap as non UConn fans made it out to be, not really at all in my opinion.

Tough game, played hard, just a play or two away from victory.

At the worst, they managed to foul without any time coming off the clock. Lol But live I was like "wait, WTF just happened??".

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Another crap thing was my numbers for $250 were “7-2” in our square pool. Did McNeeley really need to finally make one?!?!

It could have been worse. Imagine if Liam's shot at the end of the game was a two pointer.

I was texting with my son throughout most of the game. With about nine minutes left I told him if we could hold a two possession lead until under two minutes, the press on Florida will crush them. Unfortunately they caught up far too quickly.

We went out like champions should.

 

[ctchamps]

my complaint was using it with Reed (all season) to the point he is always in foul trouble hitting people 35 feet from hoop, not good at recovery and therefore not getting as much PT as his post offense appears to warrant.

I agree with your whole post, other than the last sentence of first paragraph. When he is in the game maybe play a less extending man, with more help principles, accepting your teams lack of foot speed? Mahaney wouldve thrived in that over being on an island trying to lockdown 35 ft from the hoop. But that gets away from our defensive identity. And there lies our season long defensive issue.Yesterday was the best it looked to be fair and was quite effective, but not with Tarris.

No disagreement that Reed was so bad at the high hedge he should not have been asked to do it. The point I was making is the team outside of Hassan was so bad as perimeter defenders that without the high hedge our bigs were sitting ducks for athletic guards driving to the basket. Reeds second foul in this game was just such a foul when Liam failed to guard his player. So I believe the team would not have been better off with Mahaney being in employing your scenario. In that game where Reed had that huge offensive game he gave back more on not contesting defensive drives to the basket because he played your scenario.

Next season, we better have much better perimeter defense to limit uncontested drives to the basket or Reed will quickly be in foul trouble. Or Reed better became better at the high hedge.

 

[mauconnfan]

No disagreement that Reed was so bad at the high hedge he should not have been asked to do it. The point I was making is the team outside of Hassan was so bad as perimeter defenders that without the high hedge our bigs were sitting ducks for athletic guards driving to the basket. Reeds second foul in this game was just such a foul when Liam failed to guard his player. So I believe the team would not have been better off with Mahaney being in employing your scenario. In that game where Reed had that huge offensive game he gave back more on not contesting defensive drives to the basket because he played your scenario.

Next season, we better have much better perimeter defense to limit uncontested drives to the basket or Reed will quickly be in foul trouble. Or Reed better became better at the high hedge.

Actually I’m just disappointed we high hedged so far and so often with 2 guys who live in foul trouble. Stay home keep them off the bench, leave space occasionally and let people go under the screen to make up for lack of foot speed. This team needed to have a different approach all year, but it is what it is.

 

[upstater]

With us having the 4 point lead multiple times in the second half I was waiting for just one of our shooters to break the game open and none could do it. Its a shame because as a team we had put ourselves in position to win. Players had their chances for us and Clayton took over for Florida.

5 point lead as well, maybe 6

 

[FreeKlaiber]

No disagreement that Reed was so bad at the high hedge he should not have been asked to do it. The point I was making is the team outside of Hassan was so bad as perimeter defenders that without the high hedge our bigs were sitting ducks for athletic guards driving to the basket. Reeds second foul in this game was just such a foul when Liam failed to guard his player. So I believe the team would not have been better off with Mahaney being in employing your scenario. In that game where Reed had that huge offensive game he gave back more on not contesting defensive drives to the basket because he played your scenario.

Next season, we better have much better perimeter defense to limit uncontested drives to the basket or Reed will quickly be in foul trouble. Or Reed better became better at the high hedge.

Once again I agree, other than the concept that Mahaney would be worse off in a less extended man. Mahaney went from 2 time all league, to unplayable defensively because of system. In my "Reed drop" scenario they wouldnt be as overextended, but rather Mahaney would be giving a step or 3, holding at the 3 pt line. Not in full "shell drill" deny, but more of a 23 matchup, foot in the paint/2 passes away coaching concept. Would it have worked, who knows, but it wouldve kept Reed on floor more (& I love Samson). Danny really loves that stifling man mindset, that most of our lineup werent suited for being either slow footed, and for the IQ lapses on rotations. Which makes their defensive effort yesterday impressive.

 

[ctbro1999]

5 point lead as well, maybe 6

We were up 38-32, 40-34, and 52-46 with ball in hand, but each time could not make a bucket to push the margin up more. We had at least 4 chances to get the lead to 8 or 9 with ball in hand, but just couldn't score.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Once again I agree, other than the concept that Mahaney would be worse off in a less extended man. Mahaney went from 2 time all league, to unplayable defensively because of system. In my "Reed drop" scenario they wouldnt be as overextended, but rather Mahaney would be giving a step or 3, holding at the 3 pt line. Not in full "shell drill" deny, but more of a 23 matchup, foot in the paint/2 passes away coaching concept. Would it have worked, who knows, but it wouldve kept Reed on floor more (& I love Samson). Danny really loves that stifling man mindset, that most of our lineup werent suited for being either slow footed, and for the IQ lapses on rotations. Which makes their defensive effort yesterday impressive.

Mahaney didn't turn the ball over against physical pressure b/c of drop coverage on defense.

Kid wasn't physically prepared for the combo of strength & quickness of major conference guards. I hope he comes back after intensive offseason ramp up proverbial 15lbs of muscle and yet quicker!

 

[3rdbass]

Do you think if an NBA GM drafts him first round, that he must also be part of McNeeley’s family? Because it’s probably where he’s going to get drafted after playing less than a full year as a freshman. And if not, I’d love to have him back.

I never said he wasn't going to get drafted. I just said I don't think he lived up to expectations of being a great shooter and someone who could create off the dribble at UConn. I know he won Freshmen of the year but besides Sober at G-Town who else played well as first year player in the Big East? I like the kid and wish him well but I won't remember him fondly like other players we had. Maybe if he could of played a Karaban role he would of been better but that also means he wasn't an elite player. I don't wish any ill will on the kid. We all enjoy certain players more than others. I'm more of a fan of Diarra and Johnson than McNeeley.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Yes! Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing! This isn’t 6th grade intramural for Pete’s sake. This was a game we led for about 37 minutes and lost because of a few dumb plays. Was it a tough loss? Of course. But we had opportunity after opportunity to get a bigger lead and we missed shots, turned the ball over, let rebounds go off our hands. We played good enough to lose.

I hate this middle school crap. We’re proud of our team we are we are Whether we’ve orcwhether we lose. We went there to win. We didn’t. It sucks.

What difference could it possibly make how other fans process this loss and their posts about that on the boneyard?
If your philosophy is to use a failure as motivation and it works for you, great! If others have different ways of coping that should not offend you.
I don't think UConn needs higher fan expectations to motivate and create better outcomes.

 

[Excalibur]

Clayton showed us the value of the high hedge. Without it he would have been bombing threes all game. Samson neutralized his effectiveness (driving and shooting) for a good part of this game. Liam, Alex and Solo were slow to neutralize the slip. That was the problem all season. But without the hedge teams would have killed us on drives to the basket or making open threes because this team was flawed defensively. The early part of the season demonstrated that. Tarris is ineffective with it but leaving him for drop coverage with this teams lack of foot speed would have been worse.

I don't understand the complaints about the high hedge this game when it was a major reason the game was close. I said to myself the second foul on Samson under a minute in the first half was going to haunt us. It did.

Florida made a good adjustment against it in the last eight minutes. But it was very disruptive to their offense for most of the game.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I see, I admit I had walked away at that point but seeing it now, it was not as others had explained it IMO, but just trying to see if they could draw the charge somehow, not as cheap as non UConn fans made it out to be, not really at all in my opinion.

Tough game, played hard, just a play or two away from victory.

Yeah there’s nothing wrong with trying to be smart or crafty. I said in chat that I respected the move from Diarra. Trying to do two at the same time may be a bit much for the refs to buy though lol

 

[3rdbass]

Mahaney didn't turn the ball over against physical pressure b/c of drop coverage on defense.

Kid wasn't physically prepared for the combo of strength & quickness of major conference guards. I hope he comes back after intensive offseason ramp up proverbial 15lbs of muscle and yet quicker!

I doubt we see him next year at UConn. We need bigger and quicker guards who can compete at this level.

 

[3rdbass]

Thanks f

It was on the inbounds play at 9.1 seconds, video should start right at that play here

Thanks for posting that. i got to see the final 43.8 seconds as i had turned off the TV then due being frustrated. LOL!