I like this team

[AntG168]

We've been spoiled the last 2 years, and even moreso last year, but the reality is that this is what being a fan of a college basketball team is like.

Is our defense good enough to win a championship right now, probably not. But outside of Auburn I don't think there's any team that's head and shoulders above the field, so anything can happen. There's not gonna be any easy matchups in March at this point, but there's also not gonna be a matchup that I don't think we can win

Agree. Though I'd add Duke to the Auburn category.

 

[superjohn]

Your last point is revisionist history. You say that now because of what he did in tourney. There's time for someone to have their run. None of us were saying that when we got smacked by Louisville heading into the tourney.

How is his last point revisionist history?

There isn't a Shabazz type baller on this squad.

 

[djct1999]

We've been spoiled the last 2 years, and even moreso last year, but the reality is that this is what being a fan of a college basketball team is like.

Is our defense good enough to win a championship right now, probably not. But outside of Auburn I don't think there's any team that's head and shoulders above the field, so anything can happen. There's not gonna be any easy matchups in March at this point, but there's also not gonna be a matchup that I don't think we can win

Regardless of what we think or how we are playing, there is not a single one or two seed that wants us on the 7,8,9 line.

 

[navery12]

Agree. Though I'd add Duke to the Auburn category.

I considered including Duke. They're really good and have the best player in the sport with Cooper Flagg who's only getting better. I just feel like with how weak the ACC is they'll be in for a big shock come March compared to Auburn who has to be on every night with the SEC competition this year. But a Duke/Auburn final would be my pick as of today so I mostly agree

 

[nelsonmuntz]

We've been spoiled the last 2 years, and even moreso last year, but the reality is that this is what being a fan of a college basketball team is like.

Is our defense good enough to win a championship right now, probably not. But outside of Auburn I don't think there's any team that's head and shoulders above the field, so anything can happen. There's not gonna be any easy matchups in March at this point, but there's also not gonna be a matchup that I don't think we can win

One of the other issues UConn has is it is a young team, and these other squads are made up of grown men. UConn has two frosh and 3 sophomores in its top 10. Swain is the only rotation player that is sophomore or younger on Xavier that has gotten meaningful playing time. Experience matters.

Worth its own thread, but not only is NIL keeping older players in college longer, but they are working harder too. 10 years ago, if you were not on a pro track, then what was the point of really putting time in after the beginning of your Junior year? A lot of older players mailed it in before NIL. Now players can get paid for production, so they are busting their butts in the offseason, and it shows in the product on the court. It is looking more and more like a pro product.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Colorado was a brutal loss but that Dayton loss doesn't look all that great either. Memphis is still playing well.

Anyway, Hurley will iron things out and have it figured out by Feb 7 vs St. Johns, I am sure. I am looking at that game as the potential game where UConn turns the corner similar to how they turned the corner around the same time 2 years ago vs Marquette 87-72 (despite the 3 pt @Creighton loss a few days later).

Don't forget 2 years ago, not only losing 5 of 6 and 6 of 8 but they looked subpar in that 68-62 win over a terrible GTown team directly after that 2-6 stretch. it took them 10 games to fully regain their confidence after the 83-73 @Xavier loss.

Can’t compare anything this team does to either of the last two

 

[RuffRuff]

One of the other issues UConn has is it is a young team, and these other squads are made up of grown men. UConn has two frosh and 3 sophomores in its top 10. Swain is the only rotation player that is sophomore or younger on Xavier that has gotten meaningful playing time. Experience matters.

Worth its own thread, but not only is NIL keeping older players in college longer, but they are working harder too. 10 years ago, if you were not on a pro track, then what was the point of really putting time in after the beginning of your Junior year? A lot of older players mailed it in before NIL. Now players can get paid for production, so they are busting their butts in the offseason, and it shows in the product on the court. It is looking more and more like a pro product.

Good topic - other than Duke, if you look at the top teams this year they are mainly lead by seniors. You can supplement with great underclassmen, but generally not lead with. Our Sophs feel very young. Top that off with two seniors who are starting for the first time, and a transfer who was being converted.

Auburn for instance:

Broome - Senior
Baker - Senior
Jones - Senior
Kelly - Senior
Johnson - Senior

These guys all avg 10+ pg

Cardell - redshirt senior
Pettiford - freshman

ISU has 3 seniors and 2 juniors.
Tenn 4 seniors and 1 junior
Bama has 4 redshirt seniors and a soph
Florida has 3 seniors in the back court

These are all old &ss teams.

My concern going into next year is banking on way too much youth/inexperience. Maybe you can win with high lottery freshman, but the most consistent trend continues to be winning with physical more mature older guys.

 

[Waquoit]

I like this team with a healthy McNeeley... Not so much without him.

Plastic

 

[navery12]

Good topic - other than Duke, if you look at the top teams this year they are mainly lead by seniors. You can supplement with great underclassmen, but generally not lead with. Our Sophs feel very young. Top that off with two seniors who are starting for the first time, and a transfer who was being converted.

Auburn for instance:

Broome - Senior
Baker - Senior
Jones - Senior
Kelly - Senior
Johnson - Senior

These guys all avg 10+ pg

Cardell - redshirt senior
Pettiford - freshman

ISU has 3 seniors and 2 juniors.
Tenn 4 seniors and 1 junior
Bama has 4 redshirt seniors and a soph
Florida has 3 seniors in the back court

These are all old &ss teams.

My concern going into next year is banking on way too much youth/inexperience. Maybe you can win with high lottery freshman, but the most consistent trend continues to be winning with physical more mature older guys.

But are we going to be relying on youth next year? Our starting 2 guard will be a junior in Solo Ball, our starting 5 will be a senior in Tarris Reed Jr. We're almost definitely bringing in an experienced PG from the portal based on everything Dan Hurley says, and likely a big wing to replace Karaban too.

 

[HCCForever]

I watched a replay of the Xavier game last night (Sunday) and was surprised that UConn was down by 10 with about 5 minutes to go and still made it a game. Obviously, they had a chance with under a minute to go being down by 2. A Solo hoop or better play at the end would have resulted in a victory. I like their resiliency and improvement by Samson and Aidan. I am still hopeful that their defense can improve to make them a formidable opponent in the tourney. Liam will only help them and hope that AK can be the player that we expect.

 

[Durks07]

The team lost by 4 points to a decent Xavier team on the road without a key starter. I think we are overreacting a bit. This team is not a Final Four caliber team with everyone healthy.

Maui was a bad tournament for UConn and has really hurt our metrics. If we had beat Colorado, the computer rankings would be a lot better because the third game would have been Iowa State, which would not have hurt us even if we lost. We all knew that Colorado loss would age like milk left on the counter in July, and that is exactly what happened.

I kind of like this team. They are flawed and still working things out, but they play hard, there is talent on the roster, and they are young with room for improvement. If you really need to root for a title contender, you are going to have to pick a new team. If you want to ride a fun roller coaster of a squad that I think is capable of some highlights and maybe a big upset or two before they are ultimately knocked out, then buckle up.

 

[HCCForever]

But are we going to be relying on youth next year? Our starting 2 guard will be a junior in Solo Ball, our starting 5 will be a senior in Tarris Reed Jr. We're almost definitely bringing in an experienced PG from the portal based on everything Dan Hurley says, and likely a big wing to replace Karaban too.

Karaban's season has not been the best. Do you think he may stick around for another year?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I kind of like this team.
They are flawed and still working things out, but they play hard, there is talent on the roster, and they are young with room for improvement. If you really need to root for a title contender, you are going to have to pick a new team. If you want to ride a fun roller coaster of a squad that I think is capable of some highlights and maybe a big upset or two before they are ultimately knocked out, then buckle up.

"I kind of like this [post]" ...truly.

It is purposefully contrarian, cautiously optimistic, and even boosterishly affectionate. This is an uncommon combination not only in this forum, but also coming from you. Plus, it has conjured some caring & considered responses. Thank you. Again, truly.

My own add-on is that there is a subset of UConn basketball fans who pay attention to and root for both the MBB & WBB teams, and began this season with highest aspiration of another double championship. I recommend that those who are fully signed on for this team's journey consider paying attention its WBB counterpart, which is on its own similar journey, and it has been an excellent ride thus far.

I will resist filling in with details, but offer that WBB is further along its progress path, and recognizes it has a lot more to do, and is addressing each presented challenge. Both the coaching staffs & the players are aware & respectful of each other. May we join them in support of the full Husky Nation.

 

[navery12]

Karaban's season has not been the best. Do you think he may stick around for another year?

He's still being mocked in the 1st round so I'm not counting on it. NIL certainly plays a factor, but given that he'll likely graduate this year I'm not sure what else there is to do at UConn from his perspective

 

[c29328]

I'm going to relax. It's not like the first time a UConn team had a swoon in early Big East play. Go/No go time for me is around the 15th of February. I think we need to be in a place where we can run the rest of the schedule with a ranked road and home win.

 

[Fishy]

The team lost by 4 points to a decent Xavier team on the road without a key starter. I think we are overreacting a bit. This team is not a Final Four caliber team with everyone healthy.

Maui was a bad tournament for UConn and has really hurt our metrics. If we had beat Colorado, the computer rankings would be a lot better because the third game would have been Iowa State, which would not have hurt us even if we lost. We all knew that Colorado loss would age like milk left on the counter in July, and that is exactly what happened.

I kind of like this team. They are flawed and still working things out, but they play hard, there is talent on the roster, and they are young with room for improvement. If you really need to root for a title contender, you are going to have to pick a new team. If you want to ride a fun roller coaster of a squad that I think is capable of some highlights and maybe a big upset or two before they are ultimately knocked out, then buckle up.

I’d agree with this - we’re probably a player short of being a Final Four caliber team. Not surprising given that four players from last year’s team have seen action in the NBA this season.

One thing Calhoun was really good at was getting the following season’s important pieces into game action - would like to see more of that from Hurley, but given that every game has been tooth and nail, perhaps it’s just a bridge too far right now.

 

[Umami Zen]

Multiple Q1 W opportunities between now and through the BE Tournament for resume building/seeding. Hold court at home and win some BE away games. Simple to say-hard to do. Dan said earlier in the season he felt this was one of his most talented teams since being at UConn. Injuries happen. Portal guys and sophs have to step up while we're waiting on Liam's return. We can be a highly disruptive team by March Madness. Dan likes to play with the "chip on the shoulder". We're there.

Glass half- empty or half- full? I'll roll with half-full and enjoy the ride. Life is more interesting that way. No one said it was going to be easy.

 

[gsmooth]

Your last point is revisionist history. You say that now because of what he did in tourney. There's time for someone to have their run. None of us were saying that when we got smacked by Louisville heading into the tourney.

That 2014 team was interesting. For the other 5 championship teams I didn't worry about avoiding any match ups,-my attitude was bring on anybody and everybody even though Miami in 2023 and 2024 Illinois' 5-out offense did concern me some. But for the 2014 team, I didn't want them playing Louisville. The couldn't beat that team as they not only got triple crowned, but they got beat convincingly all 3 times.

 

[Travelman6]

Can’t compare anything this team does to either of the last two

The coach is the same, that's the crux of my comparison, he'll figure it out just like the last two years.

 

[RuffRuff]

Multiple Q1 W opportunities between now and through the BE Tournament for resume building/seeding. Hold court at home and win some BE away games. Simple to say-hard to do. Dan said earlier in the season he felt this was one of his most talented teams since being at UConn. Injuries happen. Portal guys and sophs have to step up while we're waiting on Liam's return. We can be a highly disruptive team by March Madness. Dan likes to play with the "chip on the shoulder". We're there.

Glass half- empty or half- full? I'll roll with half-full and enjoy the ride. Life is more interesting that way. No one said it was going to be easy.

I tend to find a lot of what Dan was saying around September was a lot of hot air that he was using to motivate this group. He was on a ripper at the time.

 

[RuffRuff]

But are we going to be relying on youth next year? Our starting 2 guard will be a junior in Solo Ball, our starting 5 will be a senior in Tarris Reed Jr. We're almost definitely bringing in an experienced PG from the portal based on everything Dan Hurley says, and likely a big wing to replace Karaban too.

Those are two pieces that will be crucial. I also think he’ll need a third piece in the back court as bench insurance that can come in behind either Mullins or Ball that offers depth and balance (defense, handle).

 

[navery12]

Those are two pieces that will be crucial. I also think he’ll need a third piece in the back court as bench insurance that can come in behind either Mullins or Ball that offers depth and balance (defense, handle).

It would be nice, but I think that's a hard sell to a transfer when the backcourt already has a transfer PG, Nowell, Ball, Mahaney, Adams, and Mullins

 

[RuffRuff]

It would be nice, but I think that's a hard sell to a transfer when the backcourt already has a transfer PG, Nowell, Ball, Mahaney, Adams, and Mullins

Maybe, where I would see a last year senior as a good fit.

 

[Palatine]

It would be nice, but I think that's a hard sell to a transfer when the backcourt already has a transfer PG, Nowell, Ball, Mahaney, Adams, and Mullins

Is any of that group quick? There is definitely room for a fast twitch athlete.

 

[Nick2005]

Reed needs to be a force down low. Ball and Mahaney need to shoot all the time. Get rebounds.