Golden Iggle ThoughtZ™

[RichZ]

This is a tough report to write.

1. UConn started out chucking threes at an abominable rate of success.
2. Other than Demary and Reed, they shot horribly from long range, mid-range and short range. And it got worse in the 2nd half.
3. We rebounded well. But the fact that we had more offensive than defensive rebounds tells us is that our guys were missing shots at an alarming rate. Heck at the half, we had more offensve rebounds than the opponent had total rebounds. Not sure I've ever seen that happen before.
4. Stats at the half - FG, 3pt, FT % UConn 39,10,100, Marquette 55,30,60. RB, Dimes, TO ,STL, BLK - UConn 23,11,8,6,1 -- them 9,7,8,5,0.
5. And now we get to the 2nd half. Details? The wheels fell comletely off.
6. But at least we followed our worst FT shooting game of the year with our best FT shooting game of the season. Sure wish the same could be said of our efforts from the floor, which were even more dismal than the first half. In the 2nd half, our shooting percentage from the floor went down to 30%, while our 3 pt percentage went up. A little. As in 2 percent higher. Still miserable, but marginally less so.
7. Sorry, I just can't bring myself to go deeper into out miserable stats from this game.
8. But just to put the icing on the bad cake, Coach got himself T'd up at game's end.

 

[LStudfellow]

Unfortunately, as much as I love Alex for everything he has brought to the table in his 4 years here (and it has been immense... he richly deserved the honor of being inducted into the Huskies of Honor last Saturday), but he has not proven to be a great leader. As events unfolded in the 2nd half yesterday, that whole group was in desperate need of someone stepping up, yelling at guys (including himself) to stop chucking it up from 3 and figure out ways to get the ball to and run the offense through Tarris, as they did against St. John's.

Unfortunately, it never happened. That is the biggest indictment of this year's team, and looks like it will lead us into empty trips both to The Garden next week and the NCAA's beyond (obviously I hope I am wrong, but that is what we have seen with alarming regularity throughout the conference portion of our schedule). In our championship years we have had someone step up when we get onto shaky ground and pull us through with both strong words and bold play. But no one on this team does it, not even Alex.

That was probably the most disappointing loss of the entire Hurley era. It is going to be interesting to see how (or even if) we are able to recover.

 

[temery]

That was probably the most disappointing loss of the entire Hurley era.

Drama queen.

 

[UConniki]

Unfortunately, as much as I love Alex for everything he has brought to the table in his 4 years here (and it has been immense... he richly deserved the honor of being inducted into the Huskies of Honor last Saturday), but he has not proven to be a great leader. As events unfolded in the 2nd half yesterday, that whole group was in desperate need of someone stepping up, yelling at guys (including himself) to stop chucking it up from 3 and figure out ways to get the ball to and run the offense through Tarris, as they did against St. John's.

Unfortunately, it never happened. That is the biggest indictment of this year's team, and looks like it will lead us into empty trips both to The Garden next week and the NCAA's beyond (obviously I hope I am wrong, but that is what we have seen with alarming regularity throughout the conference portion of our schedule). In our championship years we have had someone step up when we get onto shaky ground and pull us through with both strong words and bold play. But no one on this team does it, not even Alex.

That was probably the most disappointing loss of the entire Hurley era. It is going to be interesting to see how (or even if) we are able to recover.

If you’re taking into account that we lost a share of the conference title with St John’s and probably a chance at a 1 seed in the NCAA TOURNAMENT ( after having a whole week to prepare to play the last place team in the league ). I would be inclined to agree with you. Sooo much at stake, and we play arguably our worst game of the season. ( and the coaches were asleep at the wheel not getting Reed the ball more and taking the pressure off of our star FRESHMAN who’s been a gift all season long, who was feeling the pressure of his misses and the feeling that he was letting the team down. Probably the worst coached game in Dan Hurley UConn’s tenure. Call a damn time out and remind them to pass the ball to Reed who was having an easy time with their center Gold who also had 2 fouls in the first half and most likely would’ve fouled out trying to cover Reed. I could’ve coached a better game “ get the damn ball to our center and maybe use Mullins as a decoy and instead of shooting 13 threes could’ve passed the ball back into Reed once in a while when the defense was focused on stopping Mullins from getting open. JMHO

 

[UConniki]

Against St John’s we went to Reed who was pitted against the Big East pre-season player of the year and got him into foul trouble and blew them away. Against Marquette and a lesser center Gold we stopped going to Reed and I believe that Reed only scores 4 second half points and Gold was still playing at the final buzzer. Coaching Malpractice.

 

[jibsey]

Against St John’s we went to Reed who was pitted against the Big East pre-season player of the year and got him into foul trouble and blew them away. Against Marquette and a lesser center Gold we stopped going to Reed and I believe that Reed only scores 4 second half points and Gold was still playing at the final buzzer. Coaching Malpractice.

16 turnovers and them blocking Reed from getting the ball, so we can’t turn it over and we can’t shoot 13% from 3. Let’s not forget that these BE teams know everything that we are doing on offense by now. I think (and hope) we will look better out of conference

 

[LStudfellow]

Drama queen.

Seriously? Ok Tom. Counter with a worse loss. I'm all ears. You won't find one because there isn't one.

 

[Kemba15]

Seriously? Ok Tom. Counter with a worse loss. I'm all ears. You won't find one because there isn't one.

It wasn’t even close because they’re still a top 10 team in the country who has everything in front of them. This was a worse loss than losing to NM State in a 4/13 do or die game? Lol you can’t seriously believe that

 

[Jaydumo20]

It wasn’t even close because they’re still a top 10 team in the country who has everything in front of them. This was a worse loss than losing to NM State in a 4/13 do or die game? Lol you can’t seriously believe that

If he means this year it's the worst.
But in the Hurley days, not imo.
You're right about NMst.... and the Maui games last year. I haven't felt that low in a long time. This game bothers me but this team can do big things in the tourney. Im fine

 

[Kemba15]

If he means this year it's the worst.
But in the Hurley days, not imo.
You're right about NMst.... and the Maui games last year. I haven't felt that low in a long time. This game bothers me but this team can do big things in the tourney. Im fine

He said entire Hurley era

 

[UC Billy]

Unfortunately, as much as I love Alex for everything he has brought to the table in his 4 years here (and it has been immense... he richly deserved the honor of being inducted into the Huskies of Honor last Saturday), but he has not proven to be a great leader. As events unfolded in the 2nd half yesterday, that whole group was in desperate need of someone stepping up, yelling at guys (including himself) to stop chucking it up from 3 and figure out ways to get the ball to and run the offense through Tarris, as they did against St. John's.

Unfortunately, it never happened. That is the biggest indictment of this year's team, and looks like it will lead us into empty trips both to The Garden next week and the NCAA's beyond (obviously I hope I am wrong, but that is what we have seen with alarming regularity throughout the conference portion of our schedule). In our championship years we have had someone step up when we get onto shaky ground and pull us through with both strong words and bold play. But no one on this team does it, not even Alex.

That was probably the most disappointing loss of the entire Hurley era. It is going to be interesting to see how (or even if) we are able to recover.

This team doesn't have a Kemba, Khalid, or Cam as a vocal leader. You need a leader, such as the ones mentioned, and this team just doesn't have one. This very possibly could be the demise of this team.

 

[Horatio]

We’re 27-4 at the end of the regular season. Ranked #4. 2 legit losses, 2 WTH losses. I’m more concerned about Stewart’s health tbh

 

[ArizonaHsky]

It wasn’t even close because they’re still a top 10 team in the country who has everything in front of them. This was a worse loss than losing to NM State in a 4/13 do or die game? Lol you can’t seriously believe that

That NM state game still frustrates me. We had no business losing to that team and that dysfunctional program.

 

[willie99]

Seriously? Ok Tom. Counter with a worse loss. I'm all ears. You won't find one because there isn't one.

New Mexico St 2022

Maui 2024

Maryland 2021

Florida 2025

Seton Hall 2025


All hurt more, and we really don’t have many losses to choose from

 

[Lafayette]

No doubt a bad loss - historic that all all our 3 pt shooters got the yips. Doubt Braylon cares about a shot already done he focuses on the next shot. Good kid experience a John Starks bad game.

Rare AK and Solo and Braylon all misfire that badly but should be our worst collective shooting.

Need Stew back of course but we should be able to regroup vs Marquette at MSG just fine. We have some spite to work with.

 

[LStudfellow]

It wasn’t even close because they’re still a top 10 team in the country who has everything in front of them. This was a worse loss than losing to NM State in a 4/13 do or die game? Lol you can’t seriously believe that

Seriously? New Mexico State was a legitimate tournament team with a player (Teddy Allen) who was significantly better than anyone on Marquette's current roster. Marquette came into this game at 11-19, 6-13 in the Big East. New Mexico State came into that tournament game at 26-6. What the hell are YOU talking about????

And yet you want to tell me that was a worse loss? Ok, how do you want me to phrase it...

This loss to Marquette is legitimately the worst loss we have had as a program since becoming legitimately good enough to be both Big East and National Title contenders.

What the hell are you even arguing about? Ok, the New Mexico State loss was harder because it ended the year.

But worse? There isn't even an argument between that New Mexico State team and this Marquette team. This Marquette team was far worse. That is what qualifies it as the "worst loss". They are the worst team we have lost to.

I said it in plain English... your argument is ridiculous, and wrong.

 

[Donyell 360]

Why didn't Marquette storm the court? Does beating UConn not mean that much to them? Surprising.

 

[LStudfellow]

New Mexico St 2022

Maui 2024

Maryland 2021

Florida 2025

Seton Hall 2025


All hurt more, and we really don’t have many losses to choose from

Really? You all are not this stupid. As I stated, it is the most disappointing loss because it is by far the worst team we have lost to since becoming a legitimately good team again.

What the hell is so hard to understand about that? New Mexico State? They were 26-6. Marquette came into the game 11-19. That comparison is ridiculous. Maui? The one team you can compare was that Colorado team, as both Dayton and Memphis were good. But our team last year was at least one if not two rungs below this one. They were not challenging for a National Title. This team beat a number of top 10 teams in the pre-season and only lost to Arizona with 2 of our starters out, and only by 4 points. Obviously a significantly better team than last year's squad.

We were 27-3 coming into the game with a share of the Big East title on the line, and lost to an 11-19 team. You guys obviously just want to argue to argue. I did not say it was the most painful loss, nor did I say it was the worst loss because it damaged us more than any of these you mentioned, or ended our year.

I simply said it was the most disappointing because it is the worst team one of our best teams has lost to in the Hurley era. Arguing against that with New Mexico State, or Maryland, or Florida last year is nonsensical.

 

[FightOnCT]

Why didn't Marquette storm the court? Does beating UConn not mean that much to them? Surprising.

They’ve been good very recently (not this year lol). It’s not like they’re some poverty program and unlike Creighton, we weren’t number one at the time

 

[DMIL]

Drama queen.

The context here matters and it's relative to expectations and the lost opportunity cost which was meaningful in this case.

I'd rather them be seeded where we are supposed to be and earn what they hunt, kill etc. This was the finale of a level set going into post season play. It's too late to reconstruct this roster that lacks a go to killer, assassin.

Mullins is a year or so away from that role. This team must rely on high I.Q. basketball and elite coaching in order of reach it's goals.

Reed is the one unstoppable player that we have if the feed him consistently.

 

[yungdowork]

New Mexico St 2022

Maui 2024

Maryland 2021

Florida 2025

Seton Hall 2025


All hurt more, and we really don’t have many losses to choose from

Assuming that he didn't mean tournament games that ended our season (since those are always going to be the most disappointing), I'd add St. John's at XL on 1/15/23 to the list.

We had lost 3 of our last 4 going in after an undefeated non-conference schedule, and lost that one too by double digits. Hawkins had 31 but we turned it over 20 times and let Joel Soriano go for 19 and 14. Followed it up with a heartbreaking loss to Seton Hall in the Prudential Center too where we gave up a game-winning and-one with 1.6 left on the clock. Could argue that one would rank up there too.