Iona

[Ripper32]

We smoked the overall #1 seed Alabama , Kansas has 7 losses including by 15 to Iowa state. We play our A game we can beat anybody. I’m pumped.

The problem are momentum swings. Sometimes you can lose the game early.

 

[Scrappy3]

I hate when someone says bad match up or bracket
You play to win who is in front of you—no pssy talk. It’s time to step up play hard to win

 

[Ratso]

Dan Hurley needs to have lunch @ the clam w/dad & calhoun, best parker rolls ever!

 

[T-Squared]

If we get to the S16 or further then it becomes BRUTAL. Kansas had an argument for being the #1 overall seed until last night, UCLA could've also been a 1, and Gonzaga is playing great basketball right now.

To be the best you’ve got to beat the best. UConn should fear no team in this tournament.

 

[Ripper32]

Doesn't Iona play a 2-3 matchup zone sometimes? He ran it at Louisville.

 

[Mazhude]

This is UConn's highest seed in the NCAA tournament since 2011. The fact that we get to beat Pitino is just icing on the cake. I think this is a great match-up for us to start our tournament run. High visibility, eminently winnable game.

 

[jpeakin]

Wondering if five days is long enough preparation time for Dan Hurley

 

[UConnSwag11]

Won’t be surprised if they dominate the crowd there

 

[KingAG]

You know what’s funny? Somewhere Kansas fans are saying they got shafted with us as their 4 seed

 

[tuvent08]

If Dan doesn’t lose his mind and get t’d up like a toddler in a big spot, we should be just fine. We have way more talent. They probably have the advantage in coaching shenanigans at restaurants now that KO is gone.

 

[Mazhude]

This is UConn's highest seed in the NCAA tournament since 2011. The fact that we get to beat Pitino is just icing on the cake. I think this is a great match-up for us to start our tournament run. High visibility, eminently winnable game.

Iona is ranked 74th in KenPom, 79th in offense and 67th in defense, while UConn is 4th, 6th, and 18th, respectively. Stop the doom scrolling. Take care of business.

 

[Ripper32]

Iona is ranked 74th in KenPom, 79th in offense and 67th in defense, while UConn is 4th, 6th, and 18th, respectively. Stop the doom scrolling. Take care of business.

It's a one game scenario. We probably beat them 9 of 10....But...

 

[cohenzone]

UConn is basically hot. right now against way better competition Iona presses. Lets see how they score against our D. And i’m think we have a few guys who can press pretty well if need be.

 

[Mazhude]

Just make sure you ask for clean tablecloths at any Irish bar in Albany (McGeary's included) and we'll be fine...

 

[NJHusky]

We should have been 3 seed. Complete disrespect of our program.

Yup....but what have we done past 2 years to earn respect?

 

[millertime7774]

Iona 0-14 in the tournament -DOOMED

 

[UConn94]

Iona and then VCU or St Mary’s to get West regional? Sign me up. worry about Kansas next week. As Calhoun used to say, focus on winning a 2 game tournament and move on.

 

[KingAG]

Yup....but what have we done past 2 years to earn respect?

What has Xavier done in that same time span? Or K State?

 

[AdamaNation]

You know what’s funny? Somewhere Kansas fans are saying they got shafted with us as their 4 seed

It’s one of the strongest regions in a pretty long time. Kansas UConn Gonzaga UCLA all had claims at being ranked #1 at some point this year. On the plus it could be a tourney revenge tour for us

 

[sdglast]

Honestly, Iona has zero depth. Their guys go over 32 minutes pretty much. You keep running guys into the game. Keep our keys guys fresh, you should be fine. As for running guys at Hawkins like Shaka, you better have a 6'8 kid like Prosper. Hawkins should be able to elevate and drive on guys his size. Look. I know it's Pitino, I know Hurley has had trouble in the Tourmament, but you gotta beat Iona especially when their best player is a 6'2" guard. You can play him with a variety of guys including Diarra. I worry about the 6'7" small fowards who can shoot it and drive like we got last year much more.

 

[tzznandrew]

We should have been 3 seed. Complete disrespect of our program.

Beat St. John's and then we have a complaint.

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

The problem are momentum swings. Sometimes you can lose the game early.

No one wants to face us. We are a matchup nightmare. We just need to not take the foot off the gas as often as we do. Hoping the kids realize that after this past week.

 

[tzznandrew]

Bad OOC SOS.

This as well. I know y'all want to mock shizzle, but OK St., Florida, Oregon aren't tournament teams, and if they were actually good—or if our lower end were better—we'd have been a 3.

Let's be clear, though. I don't envy Xavier's matchup...

 

[Vuce]

Pitino yes.

We need to follow the game plans of Quinnipiac, Siena, Rider and Hofstra to win

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Brutal bracket. SM, Gonzaga, UCLA, and Kansas...yeesh.

We did get robbed of a 3 seed. The football conferences still influencing everything. Bleh.

Hurley knows the path now.

First hurdle...get out of the darn first round. That would be an improvement.

With this team though, despite getting screwed seedwise, should be Sweet 16 or we gotta start asking questions.

Not as brutal as some are claiming.

Three seed, four seed, at this point it no longer matters. We need to play the teams in front of us.

I don't see how playing at the closest sub-regional against a MAAC school is getting screwed, but......

 

[Stinger92860]

I'll post a scouting report tomorrow, but I've seen Iona three times this season and their full court press is tough to play against. Three high-major caliber starters too in Nelly Junior Joseph, Dannis Jenkins and Walter Clayton Jr.

We're the much better team, but not the #13 seed I wanted to play.

If VCU advances (which I think they will), Iona will be a heck of a warm up for VCU's defense.

Can Iona drill crazy a z z 3’s?

 

[tzznandrew]

Kenpom # 2,4,8,9,11 in the West. Tough region

We're the 4 seed and #4 though. The 1 seed is #9.

 

[Mazhude]

It's a one game scenario. We probably beat them 9 of 10....But...

You can take 9-of-10 odds or 1-of-10 odds. Your choice...

 

[KingAG]

Also a thing to keep not of: Pitino is on his way out the door. Could work in our favor

 

[Frank06830]

Possible matchups vs Iona and VCU. Two of the best pressing teams in the country. And UConn may face both. With no PG and the way they play under pressure I’d love to know how Dan Hurley will prepare for that scenario.

Do you think he will enough time?