January check in

[Jaydumo20]

Where do you see us finishing now that we have more info on this team?
Early season predicts are forgiven because we didnt know anything concrete.

*If you respond by word, try to explain your choice without saying if. "If we stay healthy" is a given variable for EVERY team.

It's okay to be wrong on the BY. .
Have fun.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I said we win it all again.
The goal of the staff is to win it all, clearly.
I have no clue how they did what they did last year and the year before. The Iona game in 23, st marys, Alabama, Illinois, purdue among many others were supposed to be a big matchup problem. This was the narrative on the yard and off.
I also heard this a lot:
"This is the game we don't win by doubles..."
"Actually, this is the game we don't win by doubles..."
"Oh, T Shannon is too good we don't win by doubles
"Nate Oats knows Hurley inside and out and we can't match with teams who can't shoot the three... "

Most of these were in reference to games that last year's "untouchable, best team ever" played.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I think we have the talent and coaching to get to the second weekend, beyond that is a bit matchup dependent and, unlike last year, we can be beaten by either: 1) ourselves going cold, or 2) the opponent getting hot.

Last year truly was "bulletproof," in a way that we'll never see again.

 

[AllHusky]

Never say never

 

[navery12]

Same way I felt preseason, second weekend is the floor and this team is good enough to win a championship if things break right and they improve on a few things.

There's 1 truly good team this year in Auburn, and they have a coach who consistently chokes. The field is wide open for the next 10-15 teams who all have a chance

 

[NJHusky]

Same way I felt preseason, second weekend is the floor and this team is good enough to win a championship if things break right and they improve on a few things.

There's 1 truly good team this year in Auburn, and they have a coach who consistently chokes. The field is wide open for the next 10-15 teams who all have a chance

How much y want to wager we end up in auburns bracket?

 

[superjohn]

Three-peat

 

[Tenspro2002]

By the way, if we do make the Sweet 16, that would be the best performance as 2-time-defending champ than anyone since UCLA.

1993 Duke lost in the 2nd round
2008 Florida missed the Tournament

 

[jibsey]

There are a legitimate 20 teams that think they can get there. Too many close games BUT the defense is improving. Liam back, Samson is better, Solo is great, Alex, Aidan and Stew.,,, it’s possible. 3 peat talk is foolish though and I hate it. Let’s say this much, if there’s a chance in hell our coaching staff will get the most out of this roster and that’s all we can ask.

 

[El Obrero]

I predict they’ll be trailing by four points at halftime of the NCAA semifinal game. From there, they’re playing with house money, and it’s on the coaches to bring it home. (If they get through that game, it’s a double-digit win in the ‘chip.)

 

[Huskyforlife]

We aren't playing final four caliber defense as of this post. Hopefully by selection Sunday we can point to a strong defensive second half of the season, as reason for optimism. This is a S16 team if nothing changes, and Liam doesn't miss a beat.

 

[navery12]

Also worth noting, a lot of people have been making the comparison to 2022 with this team's defense as being susceptible to a Teddy Allen performance.

I think there's 2 counterpoints to that. One, our offense this year is elite versus a good offense in 2022. We're 10 points better in offensive efficiency this year, which makes a big difference. Two, and this is the big one, this team is already far more battle tested in close games. The narrative at the time in 2022 was still that Hurley couldn't win close games and the team would freeze up in clutch moments. This team has already shown they're capable of winning those close games

 

[dennismenace]

I actually think we have the potential to reach the elite 8. We have a lot going for us but we do not have the guards with the talent on defense and experience (Tristan, Cam and Stephon) as last year by a mile. I still think elite would be a good run for such a young team but I also think that we need to increase Nowell minutes like the other night (16) for this to happen. Our coaching staff is the best and are battle hardened and proven. Fingers crossed.

 

[willie99]

Second weekend to national champions

With a smile on my face

 

[Horatio]

We’re still a work in progress. Totally. They just started working in Nowell and Liam is out. Plus Ross, Stewart and Aidan are in progressive development right now. Way too soon.

 

[gtcam]

its all about the seeding and bracket, but in the end you have to beat the other team on the court
at this point in time, this team could lose the first weekend or be playing in the final four

 

[jibsey]

its all about the seeding and bracket, but in the end you have to beat the other team on the court
at this point in time, this team could lose the first weekend or be playing in the final four

Yeah no guarantee but I agree that the better seeding would allow us to prepare and with less pressure than against a very high seed right off the bat. Give the team time to get on a roll. A 3 seed would do that I think.
cant wait for Liam to get back and be at full strength.

 

[Jaydumo20]

We’re still a work in progress. Totally. They just started working in Nowell and Liam is out. Plus Ross, Stewart and Aidan are in progressive development right now. Way too soon.

100^ Yes. Way too soon in a good way.

Sometimes we lack imagination.
We treat the team with only what we see in front of our faces. That's a fan shortcoming. Coaches and good analysts don't do that.

Are we considering:

1. A much better AK coming than we've seen pre-georgetown?
2. A rising J Stew
3. A rising T Reed
4. A rising Samson
5. The return of mcneeley
6. A waaaaay better defensive mahaney only getting better.

Yeah, right now THIS team could get new mexico state'd but we're not gonna be THIS team in late March so why even mention it?

 

[6in25]

I'm a realist but I believe in these players and this coaching staff too much to vote for anything less than a 3-peat, especially with the amount of time left in the season. I'd rather aim high and miss. Count it.

 

[maple]

Threepeat.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I'm a realist but I believe in these players and this coaching staff too much to vote for anything less than a 3-peat, especially with the amount of time left in the season. I'd rather aim high and miss. Count it.

Funny thing. Most people here would claim to be realists. Doubting this coaching staff, based on the past 2 tourney performances, would be contrary to realism.

I bet come march the highest percentage of UConn doubters will be found right here in the BY

 

[Get a Job]

Funny thing. Most people here would claim to be realists. Doubting this coaching staff, based on the past 2 tourney performances, would be contrary to realism.

I bet come march the highest percentage of UConn doubters will be found right here in the BY

For any given team in any given year, no matter how dominant a team is, the realistic point of view is that the likelihood of not winning the championship is much higher than that of winning it. Recognizing that does not make one a UConn doubter, in my opinion.

 

[BlueWolf25]

I think we have the talent and coaching to get to the second weekend, beyond that is a bit matchup dependent and, unlike last year, we can be beaten by either: 1) ourselves going cold, or 2) the opponent getting hot.

Last year truly was "bulletproof," in a way that we'll never see again.

This is exactly where I’m at. I’m confident this team gets the job done to get to the second weekend. After that it’s all up to matchups. I can tell you that any top seeds won’t want to draw us though, and I’d take our coaching staff against any.

And last year’s team truly was bulletproof. I never once stressed who we lined up against, I knew we were gonna win. Man what a special team that was

 

[Jaydumo20]

For any given team in any given year, no matter how dominant a team is, the realistic point of view is that the likelihood of not winning the championship is much higher than that of winning it. Recognizing that does not make one a UConn doubter, in my opinion.

Yes. That is true. But that truth is lite, normal doubt that even kc Chief's fans have this season.
4/5 BY fans who voted here have us getting knocked out in the elite 8 or sooner. Which is fine but inconsistent with the last 13 tourney games this program has played (BEC included).

But clearly no correct answer and all speculation.

 

[jibsey]

We have all but failed to consider a huge factor. UConn has played the NCAA tournament and succeeded the last 2 years in very big games and under pressure. Hass, Karaban, Stew, Solo and even Samson have experienced this. Other teams can look good on paper but when they are dropped into the pressure cooker strange things can happen. Liam is a pressure guy, not worried about him, and then we have Tarris. But our staff knows how to prepare for this better than any other.
The dice will roll and what happens then happens but I like the experience factor.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I say we threepeat. Here's why:
1. There are no dominant teams this year. And I have seen every top tier team play at least once. Everyone can be beat by a team hot from three. And we can get very hot from 3.
2. We are getting better. This is a point that Dan made a few weeks back, and I echo it. Other teams are already good, but not improving. Their ceiling is what it is. Our ceiling is TBD. Its been pointed out, Samson is getting better. Aidan is getting better. Our perimeter D is improving. And we are winning games without a key player. I like our ceiling.
3. We have the best coaches in the country. These coaches are part basketball coaches-part brainwashers. They convince our kids that they cant be beaten. And in March, they dont.
4. If The Bear can get just a little more consistent, and Samson continues to improve, we would go back to having 2 dominant big men. That is hard to handle.
4. Gut feeling: There is something about this team. While not as talented as the last two years, I see a dog on these guys that is reminiscing of the last two years. We take for granted that our teams make comebacks while down 12 on a Big East road game. That is not typical. We take our UConn spurts for granted. But that too is not typical.

Anyway, I do not gamble. But if I did, my money would be on Dan and his staff versus the field.

 

[6in25]

I say we threepeat. Here's why:
1. There are no dominant teams this year. And I have seen every top tier team play at least once. Everyone can be beat by a team hot from three. And we can get very hot from 3.
2. We are getting better. This is a point that Dan made a few weeks back, and I echo it. Other teams are already good, but not improving. Their ceiling is what it is. Our ceiling is TBD. Its been pointed out, Samson is getting better. Aidan is getting better. Our perimeter D is improving. And we are winning games without a key player. I like our ceiling.
3. We have the best coaches in the country. These coaches are part basketball coaches-part brainwashers. They convince our kids that they cant be beaten. And in March, they dont.
4. If The Bear can get just a little more consistent, and Samson continues to improve, we would go back to having 2 dominant big men. That is hard to handle.
4. Gut feeling: There is something about this team. While not as talented as the last two years, I see a dog on these guys that is reminiscing of the last two years. We take for granted that our teams make comebacks while down 12 on a Big East road game. That is not typical. We take our UConn spurts for granted. But that too is not typical.

Anyway, I do not gamble. But if I did, my money would be on Dan and his staff versus the field.

This!