Gonzaga Post Game Thread

[bendm]

I think a 2 seed is realistic

Last year marquette got a 2 seed after going 14-6 in the BE and losing in the BE tourney final

We can do better than that in conference play but I don’t see us climbing back into the top 4, we just won’t have the opportunity for any more big wins other than against Marquette

 

[HooperScooper]

He’s in concussion protocol per Borges

“He is going to go in the (concussion) protocol,” Hurley said. “He was screaming at the end of the bench, ‘I’m good, I’m back’ but we’ve just got to see where it goes from here. But he’s definitely in the protocol now. And it’s a shame, because he started that game in just electrifying fashion… Offensively, we were humming when he was in the game."

 

[UCLJ0211]

I think a 2 is realistic

Last year marquette got a 2 seed after finishing the season ranked 11, going 16-4 in the BE and winning the BE tourney. We can still do all those things

Marquette went 14-6 in the BE last year and did not win the BET. UConn did. Assuming you are referring to 2 years ago? They went 17-3 that year.

 

[aceboon]

I thought Hurley was tripping when Ross was subbed in at the under 8 minute mark and he then had a steal->transition layup and then a nice pass down low to Reed for a basket, he was much more composed tonight.

 

[Hunt for 7]

We are deep. If Nowell was healthy I think we would have seen 10 ten players with more than a few minutes.

Our wings are a strength. We knew that.

Go back and watch the second half and see how many times Nemhard scored when Ross was guarding him…..the answer is exactly what we needed.

Stewart is an even better shooter than I thought.

Reed has crazy upside. He missed a few bunnies today but 3 blocks, he can get up for being so big.

Johnson is looking better every game him and Diarra are figuring it out. Hope he will recover quickly. I heard it is concussion protocol and I am hopeful that we kept him out in an abundance of caution. If his head was hurting and his ears ringing don’t think he would have been on the bench as crazy loud as it was in the Garden tonight.

Liam is as advertised. He is our best creator with the ball in his hand. He can play point forward and we can play him with Solo, Stewart, AK and Reed/Johnson. He may challenge Steph for most BE Freshman of the week awards.

AK well, they defended him well and he was just off. It happens. The really bad pass worries me more. He never let an off shooting night effect other parts of his game and he did ok with that tonight, but that pass that late in the game …yikes never thought I would see that. But he will win games for us this year.

And finally a big shout out to UConn nation. Watching on tv the place sounded every bit as loud as any Knick playoff game last year.

Good win. Would be nice to string together a little run. Schedule very favorable over the next six games.

As Hurley like to say we have shown championship DNA with our response to the Maui debacle.

It is what it is but if Hurley does not get that T we might be top five. Margin for error is just a lot smaller than it has been.

We beat a school many have said was a final four team. And we did it without our starting center out with injury and AK our captain having one of his worst games of his career.

 

[aceboon]

opposing players are in his shirt and right up in his face trying to take away his 3s and AK's response to that has been to shoot them further away from the 3 point line. If you look at the 3s he took today, they are about 5 feet or more behind the 3 point line. I know people will say he has been doing that for a while, but I think he did that even moreso today.

Pretty much a copy of the Colorado game, when the shot isn't falling he's gotta put it on the floor and get into the lane, he's more than capable

 

[uconngb]

Reed was a beastly presence in several stretches tonight. I seriously think he’s going to be unstoppable to most teams by tournament time

Beside the obvious Liam, Singare was very good on D and setting screens and some important rebounds. Hats of to him, looks like he will be getting some minutes now. Ross played better for those that think he does not belong. Good game for him. Stewie, what can you say he stepped up big time tonight. He's still has more in him. Oh, Mahaney did not look to happy on the bench in the 2nd half. We are playing better each game. Reed is a monster and getting better. Big East, next.

Not sure what Mahaney would be unhappy about. He sucks and belongs on the bench.

 

[Gurleyman]

I thought Hurley was tripping when Ross was subbed in at the under 8 minute mark and he then had a steal->transition layup and then a nice pass down low to Reed for a basket, he was much more composed tonight.

Something I just happened to pick up on: Karaban was at the scorers table ready to check in, and after the steal, Hurley pulled him back. Clearly he was going to go in for Ross, but Hurley wanted to give Ross a little more run after he made something happen. A couple minutes later, AK came in for someone else and Ross stayed out there. He was only going to get a quick minute or two to spell AK, but then he earned more.

 

[bendm]

Marquette went 14-6 in the BE last year and did not win the BET. UConn did. Assuming you are referring to 2 years ago? They went 17-3 that year.

Wow brain fart, fixed it

 

[superjohn]

https://twitter.com/jeffborzello/status/1868136346621251613?t=8vcW_J7WTDBvnaUgyPviDA&s=19

 

[Gurleyman]

There were a couple times McNeeley grabbed a rebound and then pulled out and dribbled to lead the break almost all in one motion (one of which ended in his three to put us up 10). It’s sort of a simple thing - but there have only been a couple frontcourt guys at UConn that would do that regularly. Andre Jackson and Daniel Hamilton spring to mind. It is a good weapon.

 

[EnochRoot]

Something I just happened to pick up on: Karaban was at the scorers table ready to check in, and after the steal, Hurley pulled him back. Clearly he was going to go in for Ross, but Hurley wanted to give Ross a little more run after he made something happen. A couple minutes later, AK came in for someone else and Ross stayed out there. He was only going to get a quick minute or two to spell AK, but then he earned more.

That's awesome.

 

[Kolumbo]

Few has been at Gonzaga for 35 years and head coach for 25. That program is about as Big East as it gets. Smart coach.

 

[temery]

https://twitter.com/jeffborzello/status/1868136346621251613?t=8vcW_J7WTDBvnaUgyPviDA&s=19

 

[caw]

There were a couple times McNeeley grabbed a rebound and then pulled out and dribbled to lead the break almost all in one motion (one of which ended in his three to put us up 10). It’s sort of a simple thing - but there have only been a couple frontcourt guys at UConn that would do that regularly. Andre Jackson and Daniel Hamilton spring to mind. It is a good weapon.

Rip, Butler also

 

[Bonesbrigade]

What exactly is wrong with Karaban? He missed all of his 3’s. Didn’t box out on several occasions. Threw the ball away a few times and seemed reluctant to shoot for most of the game.

We all love AK but it seems as if he a more of a piece of the puzzle more than the guy....his experience of being on two championship teams though is going to be very beneficial for this team though....just my opinion

 

[TroyHall98]

The fact that no one is really talking about Ike speaks volumes about what they did to shut him down. This is a guy coming off a 20+ pts 10+ rebs game against Kentucky. If UConn can play interior defense like that consistently, then maybe this team really does have a high ceiling.

Also, Few and Nembhard spoke about how this was their most physical game to date and they like to play physical. Again, speaks volumes and great signs for hopefully a solid BE regular season slate.

 

[bendm]

The fact that no one is really talking about Ike speaks volumes about what they did to shut him down. This is a guy coming off a 20+ pts 10+ rebs game against Kentucky. If UConn can play interior defense like that consistently, then maybe this team really does have a high ceiling.

Also, Few and Nembhard spoke about how this was their most physical game to date and they like to play physical. Again, speaks volumes and great signs for hopefully a solid BE regular season slate.

I was really worried about Ike seeing as how he just dropped 28 on UK but he was a non factor.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I feel bad for Mahaney, this obviously isn't how he expected his UConn career to go, but he played 8 minutes today, and that's not increasing when Nowell comes back on Wednesday. Ross and Stewart gives us more in their bench minutes.

I wish I could say "move him off ball" but that doesn't really make sense given our personnel. I don't want less minutes for the 4 talented wings in our rotation.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

1. Hurley‘s change to put Ross defending the point was brilliant. Changed momentum. having a a longer guy guarding the ”best point guard“ in the country changed everything.
2. Liam is a Stud.
3. Alex had a bad game. I think Alex is a Robin, not a Batman. Liam is Batman.
4. Samson played his best 8 minutes as a big boy player in a husky uniform. Wish him well, and a quick return. If he plays like that going forward, we are in good shape.
5. Ross needs to embrace being this team’s Lyman DePriest. If he does, this team will be hard to beat.
6. Reed, Jr. is a nice big man. More impressed with him each time I see him. That said, stop falling for fhe first ball fake for Pete’s sake.
7. HD is coming into his own. Happy for this kid. Showing he is more than a Back up.
8. Stewart looked good. Big plays. But I still think that Abraham brings more to the table because he is a better defensive player.
9. For the love of God, can I see Nowell back up Diarra. That combo will be hard to overcome by opponents. I do not need to see Aidan play anymore. He cannot defend at a championship level. This is “ole” defense. He does not even make an effort to fight the screens to step in front of the 3 point shooter. One thing is to try a fail. Aidan ain’t even trying to fight the screen. This was a bad pick up by the team.
10. This team is legit. Come March, if Liam progresses, teams win have a tough time beating us.

Good night.

 

[bendm]

I feel bad for Mahaney, this obviously isn't how he expected his UConn career to go, but he played 8 minutes today, and that's not increasing when Nowell comes back on Wednesday. Ross and Stewart gives us more in their bench minutes.

I wish I could say "move him off ball" but that doesn't really make sense given our personnel. I don't want less minutes for the 4 talented wings in our rotation.

There’s ~15 mpg up for grabs as the backup SG between Mahaney and Ross, that’s it

Diarra 30 / Nowell 10
Ball 25 / ???
Liam 30 / Stew 10
Alex 30 / Stew 10
Samson 20 / Reed 20

 

[navery12]

I don't think there's many good teams this year so it's on the table. I don't think it'll happen but it's definitely still possible

 

[Icehawk]

That felt GOOD. Respect to Battle, loved that we held Ike from doing much of anything. Solid win - especially with shooting being off for a lot of the guys.

Singare, that's twice he's held his own when thrown into the fire. He had a couple possessions under the basket he probably could have dunked/laid up but I imagine he's probably coached to look for the pass to a shooter vs taking the shot in general. Most of the team looked good even if there were some rough spots, just shows there is plenty more potential we haven't seen yet. I think there is no limit.

I'm guzzlin' Kool-Aid tonight!

 

[Huskyforlife]

Literally speaking, yes.

 

[That Guy]

Probably not. We have to assume we're going to lose about 4 or 5 more games because the BE is always a battle and that's just the way it goes.

I'm hoping for a #2 seed in the East with 8 losses.