It’s Oklahoma (3/21/25 @ 9:25p on TNT)

[HuskyWarrior611]

Anyways, on to Oklahoma! This is a very winnable game and not one where our small guards will be a disadvantage.

 

[SubbaBub]

3rd best Big East team would be in the 8-10 range in the SEC so might be a closer matchup than you think.

Sounds like something the simulation would say. Reality says an SEC team not named Kentucky hasn't won the title since 2007. One not named Kentucky or Florida hasn't won since 1994 or before that, ever.

Florida might a problem, Oklahoma shouldn't.

 

[TheRogers]

If we do win on Friday, does anyone know what time our game will be on Sunday? Sorry if it was posted already

 

[gampelcrazies]

If we do win on Friday, does anyone know what time our game will be on Sunday? Sorry if it was posted already

Won't know until the games are over Friday night

 

[Brochacho]

Sounds like something the simulation would say. Reality says an SEC team not named Kentucky hasn't won the title since 2007. One not named Kentucky or Florida hasn't won since 1994 or before that, ever.

Florida might a problem, Oklahoma shouldn't.

Comments like this always get me.
A) it’s really hard to win a championship. Odds are UConn may never win one again in our lifetimes
B) citing 2007 and 1994 really don’t matter at all considering how much the game has changed in the last 5 years - never mind the last 15 or 30.
C) Kentucky being the only SEC team to win a title in the lately means we should not be worried about a team that was in the Big 12 most of that time. As if that matters anyway.
D) championships won in the last 30 years somehow affect a first round game in 2025

 

[Marbles90]

Keen to see the reffing effect in the first game to understand just how disadvantaged we’ve been in the BE. Totally agree with the StJ/Marquette view. Our offense will be an advantage.

But that door swings both ways. Yeah it will be nice to see the offense have some freedom of movement, but if we foul in these games like we did in the BE, we are going to see a bunch of guys losing minutes on the bench in foul trouble.

 

[Marbles90]

I know everyone in today’s world loves to focus on numbers and metrics, but if you haven’t seen OU play, here is their SEC 2nd round loss to KY. Take a few minutes and watch. Eye test is worth more than just numbers:



My take: Neither team (OU or KY) is all that great. Fears is a tremendous talent and plays beyond his years but he is still an 18 year old freshman and sometimes plays like it. Fears and the rest of the team do draw tons of fouls so we really need to play defense with our feet not hands. It’s weird seeing every touch foul being called. OU has guys at all positions who can hit the 3. Their guards are feisty. Just stay composed on both offense and defense and we will be fine.

 

[superjohn]

Have you been drinking today?

You are now off on some tangent that is doing little beyond your feeble intellectual capacity.

Yes, Donovan Clingan was our Primary center last season.

Yes, DC was reasonably close to Edey's size (although from the look of the two together, nearly two inches shorter and likely 40 lbs lighter).

Our staff would not have double teamed Edey if our center combo was Clingan/Johnson, Sanogo/Johnson or Johnson/Reed. They knew the damage Purdue caused oth err teams came from finding an open theee point shooter when Edey was double teamed. They also knew the Edey in his own (he had one of the better stat lines ever for a national title game) could not do enough to beat us if we kept the rest of the team in check. That is what we did. That was the approach Hurley, Young, Murray and Moore felt would give us the best chance of winning and they were correct. It wasn't (to quote Geno from when you were in diapers) a "we have Diana and they don't" situation with Clingan.

It was a we have Donovan Clingan and they don't situation in a sense. The whole reason we could play the defense we did was because of Clingan.

 

[GAlawyer]

One of the narratives I’m expecting over the next few weeks is that the SEC, while boasting some strong teams, was top heavy this year. I don’t think they truly go 14 deep as seeded. Kentucky as a 3 seed way exceeds their metrics. Ole Miss and Georgia, while improved, aren’t intimidating as 6 and 9 seeds. We should handle Oklahoma, and if we do, I think Florida will be in for a fight.

We are the 2x defending national champs with obvious faults but championship DNA. Give us 5 days to prep for a 6-12 SEC team and I’ll take our chances.

 

[caw]

Let's see, Bill Self, two time champion, has one of the deepest portal bags out there - how did he do? Indiana spent a boatload in the portal, how did they do? Kansas St? It's not as easy as buying a team. You have to pick the right ones, develop them into your system and have them buy in.

To discredit what Pitino's accomplished is going out of your way to find reason he's not a great coach. Pitting him against Hurley is not worth the conversation as he's got 20 more years on him. Let's see how it all plays out and be more secure as a fan base.

Pitino did a fantastic job this year but let's not act like he's not 50/50 in his complete rebuild attempts at SJU. He's handpicked the transfers he's wanted two years in a row and has missed the tournament one year and now is a two seed. Let's see how that two seed does.

The question for next year is what Luis and Ejiofor do. Both are massively flawed for the NBA but also should at least test the waters. If either/both go that is going to be another huge rebuild by Pitino with only Wilcher coming back of their main players. While flawed for the NBA, Luis and Ejiofor will be hard to replace, not to mention Richmond. Scott and Smith should be easier to replace. If they come back, they should be very good next year.

 

[ucp990411]

This is an underrated point.

Getting “knocked off” does not enter into my mind

 

[ucp990411]

I'm not sure why any rational human being would think they can fix a 5 month issue in 5 days. The best coach thing is funny, he's not even the best coach in our conference.

Oh I see. Back to back means nothing to you?

 

[RuffRuff]

Anything here look familiar to last years UConn team?

 

[WrenchFan69]

Not a single doubt in my mind that 25 year old Brycen Goodine is going to have 20+ against us. 6th year senior, former Syracuse/Providence/Fairfield guy, great 3pt shooter.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Have you been drinking today?

You are now off on some tangent that is doing little beyond your feeble intellectual capacity.

Yes, Donovan Clingan was our Primary center last season.

Yes, DC was reasonably close to Edey's size (although from the look of the two together, nearly two inches shorter and likely 40 lbs lighter).

Our staff would not have double teamed Edey if our center combo was Clingan/Johnson, Sanogo/Johnson or Johnson/Reed. They knew the damage Purdue caused oth err teams came from finding an open theee point shooter when Edey was double teamed. They also knew the Edey in his own (he had one of the better stat lines ever for a national title game) could not do enough to beat us if we kept the rest of the team in check. That is what we did. That was the approach Hurley, Young, Murray and Moore felt would give us the best chance of winning and they were correct. It wasn't (to quote Geno from when you were in diapers) a "we have Diana and they don't" situation with Clingan.

Last thing on this, if you watched the game you will see our staff literally did double team Edey whenever Johnson was in the game.

46:00 mark. Samson was only in the game for 5 minutes of video time it’s not a long watch.


Please stop saying stupid stuff that’s easily refutable.

 

[Scot-e]

DOOMED!!!

 

[ctbro1999]

Have you been drinking today?

You are now off on some tangent that is doing little beyond your feeble intellectual capacity.

Yes, Donovan Clingan was our Primary center last season.

Yes, DC was reasonably close to Edey's size (although from the look of the two together, nearly two inches shorter and likely 40 lbs lighter).

Our staff would not have double teamed Edey if our center combo was Clingan/Johnson, Sanogo/Johnson or Johnson/Reed. They knew the damage Purdue caused oth err teams came from finding an open theee point shooter when Edey was double teamed. They also knew the Edey in his own (he had one of the better stat lines ever for a national title game) could not do enough to beat us if we kept the rest of the team in check. That is what we did. That was the approach Hurley, Young, Murray and Moore felt would give us the best chance of winning and they were correct. It wasn't (to quote Geno from when you were in diapers) a "we have Diana and they don't" situation with Clingan.

I can't believe someone is actually complaining about the title game last year where we won by 15. LOL

 

[Scrutineer]

I don't know. UF would give UConn fits when on offense but they had some real trouble defending UT's off ball movement and UT's off ball movement is pretty bad compared to UConn's. Neither here nor there. OK first.

I agree and am hoping we show that level of off ball movement because that is what could tip the scales in our favor.

 

[freescooter]

Would love another Miracle year - the first one was the Kemba run

That team was a 3 seed. We have won as a 1 seed 3 times, a 3, a 4 and a 7. I always viewed 2014 the miracle run. 2023 was a bit of a miracle more because of the level of dominance than that they made a run. Winning from the 3 was hard but not equal to those other 2. And we had the best back court in the country. Back courts dominance usually wins the NCAA tournament.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

That team was a 3 seed. We have won as a 1 seed 3 times, a 3, a 4 and a 7. I always viewed 2014 the miracle run. 2023 was a bit of a miracle more because of the level of dominance than that they made a run. Winning from the 3 was hard but not equal to those other 2. And we had the best back court in the country. Back courts dominance usually wins the NCAA tournament.

One seed twice (1999 & 2024)
Two seed in 2004
Three seed in 2011
Four seed in 2023
Seven seed in 2014

For those into futures: I wouldn't bet against us in 2034.