Gonzaga Post Game Thread

[TheHorde]

If we beat Memphis there's no way we play that bad our next two games. It was a weird game and it's clear it got into everyone's head.

Thankfully it’s in the past now. It was a learning experience for the staff and the players. The assignment now is to keep improving, accumulate wins, and improve seeding with an eye on March.

 

[homunculus]

But so far, is he wrong?

Yes. He wears Connecticut on his chest. No UConn fan should be “done with” anyone on this team.

 

[Connecticut13]

Not enough talk about the job Hurley did tonight. Just terrific and he held his composure - even after some tough calls. Proud of him. His new post -Maui coaching strategy is working.

Mahaney is lost right now. He’s much better than this, but he’s got no confidence. He’s passing up open shots, but then in another instances he’s trying to do too much. And he’s making mental errors and constantly getting burned on defense. Seems like a really good kid though and I’ll continue to root for him to turn it around. Right now though, Nowell needs to be the backup pg if he’s healthy.

 

[gsmooth]

Baylor, then Texas, then Gonzaga, we ran the table after Maui. The improvements on defense are really impressive. We’ve got guys stepping up with tangible improvement in every game. McNeeley, Stewart, Reed, even Ross tonight.

its getting good…

Losing 3 in a row in Maui put UConn behind the 8-ball or "behind the sticks" in a 3rd and long to use a football metaphor. I don't know about you all, but I felt certain urgency and was rooting even more for UConn to win the last 3 games. Not as much as a NCAAT game mind you, but more than a typical regular season game for sure.

 

[huskyharry]

Hopefully back soon. Mahaney just kept getting cooked on D and that braindead 10 seconds. I don't think it's happening with him.

The ball was in the front court, awful call

 

[blkknight1]

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.

Alex was talking Trae Young 3s for most of the night. Instead of trying to drive it to the basket his response seems to be to take longer jumpers and his shot seems to get flatter as a result of the increased distance which kills the accuracy.

He needs to mix up his game a bit more. Hopefully with McNeeley emerging the defenses will sag off of him more and open things back up for him.

 

[Mr. French]

I bought a new UConn hoodie somewhat recently. Sat on the shelf for a good while. Finally started wearing it every game day since Maui. Basically, what I'm trying to say is you're welcome.

Or “I’m sorry for putting it on late”

 

[jorge34]

Then your response was incoherent. Anomaly simply means outside the norm. The performances in Maui have shown to be an anomaly as they don’t reflect how this team has played outside of Maui. It doesn’t mean they didn’t “earn the losses” or “still have to get better”.

Actually it was precise…..the way they started the season and especially played d against east Texas whatever the hell they were…..it WAS NOT outside the norm….

 

[Horatio]

Maui didn't make sense. We weren't getting whistles and our defense was trash and Hurley lost his mind. He was way too tightly wound 30 seconds into the Memphis game. We lost that one and things snowballed without any practices to make the fixes. I was dejected but I kept saying we were so much less than our parts, there's a ton of talent on this team.

Nah. This is what happened in Maui. Andrew Hurley bought one of these-

 

[Boost'ED]

God I hate this place.

I don't think what I posted was that off base.

We're about one-third into our season and Mahaney (who was our most lauded portal player this season) and penciled in as a starter, has been relegated to the bench due to poor play.

My Nick Timberlake comparison wasn't that inappropriate (IMO). He was heavily recruited by us last year (fawned over by many on this forum) and it was looked upon as a recruiting miss when he went to Kansas.

I'm sure Kansas and their fans were expecting a bit more from Timberlake who had a fantastic season for Towson. However, he didn't seem to adapt to a higher tier of play.

 

[3rdbass]

Much like I did with Joe Fagnano, I look forward to the Aidan Mahaney redemption arc.

Unlike Joe. Mahaney has only showed us flashes. Joe should of been the starting QB for UConn all year long while Mahaney is a backup SG trying to play PG. It will never work. Mahaney is more like Evers. Overhyped. I hope once Nowell gets healthy Mahaney can just play the 2G where he looks more natural.

 

[freshler40]

Danny earning his big contract. 3 impressive wins. His defensive substitutions in the 2nd half were brilliant. He's making the right moves with player roles Defense has looked much better since Maui. This win should jump us into the Top 10 and a 2/3 projected seed. Let's Go!

Marquette lost I think!

 

[kobebeanbryant]

I don’t know how, but we need to get Stewart more minutes. You can see the potential. He needs more time and opportunity to grow into it. It will help us in the long run.

 

[mauconnfan]

McNeeley was sensational. If he shot it from deep better it would have been like Superman. I mean I don’t know how many assists but if it was 5-6 it should’ve been 11-12 no one could make a shot. His run at the tie 55-55 with 3 straight assists and a 3 was the difference maker. He penetrates with a plan sees the court so well.

You tell me we lose Samson Johnson after 10-12 minutes when he may be playing his best half, also shoot about 15% from 3, Alex with potentially his worst game as a Husky and we win? I’d say I want some of what you’re drinking and smoking.

What a gutted out win! Crowd was unbelievable thanks to them as well. Singare solid help in a few minutes even a couple boards. Stewie again nice minutes and a 5 point run that helped, as well as Ross huge steal and lay in. Gritty W, love it.

And hope Samson isn’t long need the 2 5s against the BE. Finally Dan, again great job staying mostly very non confrontational it’s working no doubt. Even forced a smile with his fingers on the side out of bounds. Well done Coach!

 

[superjohn]

If we beat Memphis there's no way we play that bad our next two games. It was a weird game and it's clear it got into everyone's head.

Absolutely. If we played Colorado now we would destroy them.

 

[JMick]

I don’t know how, but we need to get Stewart more minutes. You can see the potential. He needs more time and opportunity to grow into it. It will help us in the long run.

I feel like Hurley doesn't play him more because of his defense but a bunch of guys defense this year is subpar so I don't really get it.

 

[kobebeanbryant]

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.

And when he does try to attack the close out, it’s a long lumbering drive to the rim which gives the defense plenty of time to recover. His lack of athleticism really being exposed.

 

[oldanintheway]

Yes and although we were expected to do well, 2 losses by a total of 3 points kept us from 10-1 record right now. Hope Samson is ok. He was a force before he left the game. I wish I could say Mahaney will improve, but I have doubts. His style of play doesn’t suit us and he was a huge detriment tonight.

Seems to me Mahaney, the time he was in, lacks confidence, he had a couple of spots on the floor for an open mid range shot but passed it out, like he didn't want to "risk a miss."

 

[ctbro1999]

McNeeley was sensational. If he shot it from deep better it would have been like Superman. I mean I don’t know how many assists but if it was 5-6 it should’ve been 11-12 no one could make a shot. His run at the tie 55-55 with 3 straight assists and a 3 was the difference maker.

You tell me we lose Samson Johnson after 10-12 minutes when he may be playing his best half, also shoot about 15% from 3, Alex with potentially his worst game as a Husky and we win? I’d say I want some of what you’re drinking and smoking.

What a gutted out win! Crowd was unbelievable thanks to them as well. Singare solid help in a few minutes even a couple boards. Stewie again nice minutes and a 5 point run that helped, as well as Ross huge steal and lay in. Gritty W, love it.

And hope Samson isn’t long need the 2 5s against the BE. Finally Dan, again great job staying mostly very non confrontational it’s working no doubt. Even forced a smile with his fingers on the side out of bounds. Well done Coach!

Singare had at least 2 offensive boards that led to wide open 3's, but we missed them unfortunately. He looked very good for a guy that almost never plays.

 

[Rich]

Danny earning his big contract. 3 impressive wins. His defensive substitutions in the 2nd half were brilliant. He's making the right moves with player roles Defense has looked much better since Maui. This win should jump us into the Top 10 and a 2/3 projected seed. Let's Go!

He’s the best coach in the country, point blank period.

 

[huskyharry]

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.

Yes, when he is shooting poorly he needs to take closer shots to get the rhythm, not longer ones

 

[uconnfan68]

The ball was in the front court, awful call

Anyone know that rule? The ball was over, but not his feet.

 

[AllHusky]

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.

DRIVE baby

 

[housekeys]

Defense exponentially better

What a coincidence? I think the officiating has been exponentially better lately. Hmmmmm?

 

[TheHorde]

I feel like Hurley doesn't play him more because of his defense but a bunch of guys defense this year is subpar so I don't really get it.

Has Ball played lights out D? Mahaney? Not that Stewart has feet that are even as quick as those two guys, but he certainly has more length, which could serve to bother opposing players on the perimeter.