Hurley Presser

[ctbro1999]

It's never a good thing when your freshman is your best player, especially having a veteran Championship roster.

Sure Liam is that good but the principal remains.

Our vets need to step it up or we're not going to 3 peat.

Yeah, sure, we might have several guys on this year's team that were part of previous title teams, but only 2 of them (Diarra, Johnson) averaged more than 10 minutes a game outside of Ball for a 5-6 game stretch last year. And McNeeley just is that good too.

Is this year's team as good as the previous 2 title teams? No, not even close. But that doesn't mean this year's team is hopeless. Outside of the Dayton game (where it was a close game till the last 8 minutes or so of the 2nd half), we've been in every game we've lost. And like others have said, if McNeeley doesn't get hurt, we are likely 15-3, undefeated in the BE, and solidly in the top 5 nationally right now.

Our chances of getting a 1 (or even 2 seed) are probably toast, but still think we have a team that, when 100% healthy, has a shot to make another run this March. Will I be shocked if we don't even make it to the sweet 16? No, but also won't be shocked if we also make another Final 4.

 

[RuffRuff]

Did you go to Duke? You make an inordinate amount of Duke posts.

I talk hoops, what's interesting, relevant and worth discussion. I don't bury my head myopically in only things Uconn as I'm a fan of the whole sport, and I'm am not a candidate for the lead singer from the Blue Glasses Band. I could see you on the fiddle.

I'm by no means a Duke fan, I just find their current model and transition from this past year really interesting given the circumstances.

 

[Get a Job]

Inexact science in short window with NIL complications trying to figure out who is motivated, who will fit the system. The one guy getting it right is Barnes, and the common theme has been plucking a mid major on the rise. Those kids probably see it as an opportunity. Hurley's selection this year with two rising juniors was also interesting, where he could have went out and gotten guys that were already men with maturity in that last Covid/redshirt year, guys like Sion James. When you look at this team now, that feels exactly what it needs. Brawn, maturity, doggedness.

I would have thought if only one guy is getting the NIL/portal situation right, it must be the guy who won the last two championships, no?

 

[ctbro1999]

I talk hoops, what's interesting, relevant and worth discussion. I don't bury my head myopically in only things Uconn as I'm a fan of the whole sport, and I'm am not a candidate for the lead singer from the Blue Glasses Band. I could see you on the fiddle.

I'm by no means a Duke fan, I just find their current model and transition from this past year really interesting given the circumstances.

*UConn

 

[Deleted at users request]

This is a very good point. And while Clingan corrected a lot of perimeter failures both Tristan and Cam were great rebounders (a Uconn tradition for some reason).

That said. With AK either slowed or out it gives Dan Hurley the opportunity to bring in IA for some help on the boards and see what he can do overall. Could be a golden opportunity for him if he gets run time. We need a 6-6 or 6-7 who could give us energy on D. We greatly miss Steph and Andre before him. I just want to see him really get a chance to be on the floor and get some minutes. I've been like a broken record (sorry) on this and I know Danny has reasons for who he plays so I'm not complaining.

Same. Think he and Ross are the two guys on this team that has that Jackson/Castle physical makeup to be really good defenders and energy.

In general I’m kind of eager to see how lineups of Diarra, Solo, Ross, Stewart, and Johnson followed by a bench of Nowell, Mahaney, Abraham, and Reed would do.

A lot of athleticism and talent there. Hopefully the necessary minutes would force guys to rise to the occasion. Maybe that sophomore group can show off some chemistry being on the floor together over long stretches.

 

[superjohn]

I talk hoops, what's interesting, relevant and worth discussion. I don't bury my head myopically in only things Uconn as I'm a fan of the whole sport, and I'm am not a candidate for the lead singer from the Blue Glasses Band. I could see you on the fiddle.

I'm by no means a Duke fan, I just find their current model and transition from this past year really interesting given the circumstances.

You didn't go there, you just have a crush on them. Gotchu

 

[Inyatkin]

I love Dan Hurley but he should have been pumping the brakes on the threepeat chatter this off season rather than leaning into it.

Honestly, why? Would the season be playing out differently if he'd been all "geez, I just hope we can sneak in with an at-large bid" all summer?
Talking about a threepeat was great. It kept us in the spotlight. How often do you get a chance for something like that? Basically never.
People want us to be both the biggest name in the sport and fly under the radar. It doesn't work that way.

 

[RuffRuff]

I would have thought if only one guy is getting the NIL/portal situation right, it must be the guy who won the last two championships, no?

He's done great, little luck in there (Spencer over Timberlake). Every year is a new year. You could argue this year was that much more delicate a portal selection given the talent drop off, along with the clout to have just about anyone they wanted.

Believe me no one enjoys watching Duke lose more than yours truly. They have a generational freshman and lead by 3 freshman as the likely overall one seed. If you don't

 

[Inyatkin]

I talk hoops, what's interesting, relevant and worth discussion. I don't bury my head myopically in only things Uconn as I'm a fan of the whole sport, and I'm am not a candidate for the lead singer from the Blue Glasses Band. I could see you on the fiddle.

I'm by no means a Duke fan, I just find their current model and transition from this past year really interesting given the circumstances.

Duke has a generational player and a generationally weak conference. Maybe they get a title out of that, who knows. But to look at that situation and praise their "current model" is weird.

 

[superjohn]

Duke has a generational player and a generationally weak conference. Maybe they get a title out of that, who knows. But to look at that situation and praise their "current model" is weird.

That's what I find so strange, he keeps talking about this current model Duke has figured out and how Hurley should be looking at what they do for pointers.

What's the model? Get the best recruiting class which has maybe the best American prospect since Lebron in it?

 

[husky429]

That's what I find so strange, he keeps talking about this current model Duke has figured out and how Hurley should be looking at what they do for pointers.

What's the model? Get the best recruiting class which has maybe the best American prospect since Lebron in it?

I'll take the model that won consecutive natties, personally. Maybe I'm just a fool.

 

[Inyatkin]

That's what I find so strange, he keeps talking about this current model Duke has figured out and how Hurley should be looking at what they do for pointers.

What's the model? Get the best recruiting class which has maybe the best American prospect since Lebron in it?

Bring in Sion James, obviously.

 

[Captbluefin]

This year is the price you pay for the last two.

Lessons will be learned by both players and coaches.

Very few teams have sailed these waters. We will be a stronger program from it. Hurley will gain invaluable experience from it.

 

[superjohn]

This year is the price you pay for the last two.

Lessons will be learned by both players and coaches.

Very few teams have sailed these waters. We will be a stronger program from it. Hurley will gain invaluable experience from it.

It's really not that high a price. We were #11 nationally and on a roll when McNeeley got hurt. Let's let the season play out.

 

[HailUConn]

This year is the price you pay for the last two.

Lessons will be learned by both players and coaches.

Very few teams have sailed these waters. We will be a stronger program from it. Hurley will gain invaluable experience from it.

Well said, they will learn and grow from this year's struggle.

Danny and Co. mantra:

"Tough times create strong men,
strong men create good times,
good times create weak men,
and weak men create tough times."

 

[6Nattys4Us]

This is fine - Dan Hurley gives us a competitive team each year, and yeah, 2 Nattys b2b is nice. But expecting 3 in a row on so many going to the NBA is not realistic.

Personally, I think next year is looking more promising with Mullins especially, but Reibe should be working with Reed, Jr., and Adams and Nowell can run point. Furphy is especially intriguing but a lot depends on who stays and who goes.

 

[Hurleyman216]

Yeah, we all forget that we have overcome some adversity this year. We got punched in the mouth in Maui (and the officials simultaneously kicked us in the nuts in the process) and we overcame that major disappointment. We then went out and beat a top 25 team without Karaban and rolled a decent Texas team on their home court. We've still only lost 3 games with our full roster and one of them we probably should have won 8 out of 10 times with Karaban shooting free throws to win. We're not in a bad spot, we're throwing mostly freshman and sophomores out there in key roles and we are taking our lumps just like many of us thought we would. When we're healthy we are still a top 3-5 offensive team and that's with our offense not really clicking yet. The defense is kind of infuriating because we don't "look" twice as aggressive or egregious when guarding as our opponents, but we get called for twice as many fouls and give up twice as many free throws as we take. Again, if you use your eyes you can tell that it's coming and if a few things ever went in our favor we'd be sitting in a much better position. I can honestly say I don't really care what our seed is in the NCAA tournament, just get in and then start winning one game at a time.

 

[gsmooth]

It's really not that high a price. We were #11 nationally and on a roll when McNeeley got hurt. Let's let the season play out.

That's why I, along with some other UConn fans here, had a facepalm reaction to McNeeley's injury. Before he got hurt it looked like they were just hitting their stride. He does so much and makes everyone around him better. They probably would be 15-3 right now if he does not get hurt, but it was the Creighton game where I thought he would be most missed because he excels on the PnR situations by pinning his defender on his back and creating the 2-on-1 situations in the paint area-the shots Creighton concedes with their deep drop coverage.

 

[AllHusky]

Let’s see what February brings. I thought that all along. The injuries are making it harder to find a flow but I still think this team has a run in them. Bad news is I think our best comp will be an Illinois or an Alabama. Look dangerous until we get a really balanced defensive/offensive team.

Curious, who fits the bill as that team? Not being snide, just don't follow the game outside of UConn that closely.

 

[gsmooth]

Curious, who fits the bill as that team? Not being snide, just don't follow the game outside of UConn that closely.

This year probably Duke and Auburn. Auburn is snatching opponents' souls with their margin of victories like UConn did the past 2 years in the NCAAT.

 

[PAHusky]

Honestly, why? Would the season be playing out differently if he'd been all "geez, I just hope we can sneak in with an at-large bid" all summer?
Talking about a threepeat was great. It kept us in the spotlight. How often do you get a chance for something like that? Basically never.
People want us to be both the biggest name in the sport and fly under the radar. It doesn't work that way.

I think there's a solid middle ground there that you're ignoring. You can address the elephant in the room without causing additional pressure. I'm cool with him acknowledging the threepeat etc. but I think he went too far in talking up the NBA potential of some of the players and it's a tactic that may not have worked with this group.

Again, I'm a keyboard warrior and not a back to back championship winning coach so I'm not saying I know what the best course is here. Don't disagree with you that having UConn in the news for chasing a threepeat is a big net positive.

 

[AllHusky]

This year probably Duke and Auburn. Auburn is snatching opponents' souls with their margin of victories like UConn did the past 2 years in the NCAAT.

So Auburn hanging in there without Broome, and Duke clicking on all cylinders since loss to Kansas. Be nice to mess Duke up this year.

 

[storrsroars]

We were never going to have a total reload after 2 chips, we just weren't. Florida went 8-8 in conference and only made the NIT semis after their two championships.

What are our issues?

• Total misrecruit of Mahaney
• Too little shot creation on the roster
• low basketball IQ defenders we figured we could coach up... and didn't.

We're not a bad team. Still top-25 with McNeeley. We're just comparing ourselves to one of the most perfectly constructed rosters of all time last year.

All of this is obvious now. The question I have (and I think many others) is that Dan has repeatedly said what he looks for in a recruit or xfer, and he's put together incredible rosters of pieces that fit almost perfectly. And to miss this badly is just... strange. So what is the difference with how he evaluated this squad when he was assembling it?

 

[RuffRuff]

So Auburn hanging in there without Broome, and Duke clicking on all cylinders since loss to Kansas. Be nice to mess Duke up this year.

Any team with a KP in both offense & defense in the top 20 is generally considered well balanced.

Rk	Team	Conf	W-L	NetRtg	ORtg	DRtg
1	Duke	ACC	16-2	+36.77	124.9	3	88.2	2
2	Auburn	SEC	17-1	+36.15	131.0	1	94.9	18
3	Houston	B12	14-3	+33.69	121.6	12	87.9	1
4	Iowa St.	B12	15-2	+30.56	121.9	10	91.3	6
5	Florida	SEC	16-2	+30.37	124.5	5	94.1	15
6	Tennessee	SEC	16-2	+29.18	118.9	22	89.8	3
7	Kansas	B12	13-4	+27.28	117.0	34	89.8	4
8	Alabama	SEC	15-3	+27.11	124.9	4	97.8	42
9	Illinois	B10	13-5	+26.91	119.5	19	92.6	10
10	Purdue	B10	15-4	+26.59	122.4	8	95.9	22
11	Michigan	B10	14-4	+24.84	121.2	14	96.3	25
12	Texas Tech	B12	13-4	+24.76	122.0	9	97.3	37
13	Michigan St.	B10	16-2	+24.42	119.2	21	94.8	17
14	Gonzaga	WCC	14-6	+24.15	124.2	6	100.1	59
15	Marquette	BE	15-3	+24.08	118.6	24	94.5	16
16	Arizona	B12	11-6	+23.73	119.2	20	95.5	20
17	Mississippi	SEC	15-3	+23.70	117.7	27	94.0	13

 

[ec33]

If Karaban makes free throws, and Diara gets a shooting foul, we are talking about how this team has championship moxy and finds ways to win. Yes they are flawed, but so is every other team in the nation. They get McNeeley back, they can go on a run.

Add in a couple of bad over-the-back calls.

 

[UConnJim]

Unfortunately, this is a flawed team, but it doesn't mean the team can't improve. This is a good shooting team, but it is a mediocre defensive team and rebounding is not good. Look at the starters' rebounds per 40 minutes and compare it to last year:

2023/2024: Clingan, Newton, Castle, Karaban, Spencer = 40.2 rebounds per 40 minutes

2024/2025: Johnson, McNeeley, Karaban, Diarra, Ball = 26.8 rebounds per 40 minutes

With McNeeley out: Johnson, Karaban, Diarra, Ball, Stewart = 25.0 rebounds per 40 minutes.

UConn could almost match last year's rebounding per 40 minutes with this lineup:

Reed, McNeeley, Nowell, Karaban, Diarra = 39.1 rebounds per 40 minutes.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Everybody looking for answers. Are we as good as the last two years, even with McNeeley. No. Are we still pretty damned good, top 25, going to the tournament. Yes. if this is the down year, we need to realize the down years under Calhoun were worse. Get in the dance, see who is hot, see what you can do. That's it.

As for the "Duke" model, the 5th year crap is almost done. If we are honest, it had a huge impact on our ability to construct that team last year. The change means the level of play is going to drop overall. That means good freshmen are now a bit more valuable. Seniors like Hass are still really valuable. We shouldn't be too surprised Duke is good, because everybody else is a bit worse. Hurley knows the portal can help, but not quite like before. Next year's class is our best ever.

Auburn looks great, who's the leading scorer? A 5h year senior. #2 scorer: senior. Then #3 a talented freshman. #4 senior. #5 senior. #6 senior.

Iowa State: Senior, Senior, Junior, Soph, Junior, Senior.

The model is the same as always, blend talent with experience. Talent with experience (Newton, Cam, Shabazz) is absolute rock solid gold. Nothing beats that.

 

[mihusky]

Yea, using the portal is proving to not be as "can't miss" as people would think.

Every season has had some "sure fire hits" turn into absolute busts and wastes of NIL money.

Let's be honest, Hunter Dickinson has been a huge disappointment for Kansas x 2 seasons now (for what he should have brought to that team).

Timberlake was a big bust.

Coleman Hawkins has been one of the biggest wastes of NIL money in the history of NIL so far.

Oumar Ballo has put up some good stats but has brought apathy and poor attitude to Indiana.

and we were so close to getting Timberlake instead of Cam...fortunate break

 

[FreeKlaiber]

All of this is obvious now. The question I have (and I think many others) is that Dan has repeatedly said what he looks for in a recruit or xfer, and he's put together incredible rosters of pieces that fit almost perfectly. And to miss this badly is just... strange. So what is the difference with how he evaluated this squad when he was assembling it?

He missed on Mahaney's ability to run the point or deal with physicality of Big East, and he overestimated his staffs ability to defensively coach up more offensive minded players to "the standard".

note-many of us thought he missed on Newton too, and were wrong, so story isnt written yet...

 

[uh-no]

I talk hoops, what's interesting, relevant and worth discussion. I don't bury my head myopically in only things Uconn as I'm a fan of the whole sport, and I'm am not a candidate for the lead singer from the Blue Glasses Band. I could see you on the fiddle.

I'm by no means a Duke fan, I just find their current model and transition from this past year really interesting given the circumstances.

you win some, you lose some in this portal world.

We nailed it last year. Duke seems to have done well this year.