January General CBB Discussion Thread (Non-BE)

[caw]

Use AZ as the barometer, suggest there are very few players that would start on AZ on the UConn roster. Oh Greg.

NVM my previous response. I listened to this, you were too kind. He said (to paraphrase) nobody in their backcourt steps on the court for Zona...and their center doesn't either.

That's absurd.

There is a huge gulf between not starting and not playing at all. Stupid takes all around on that video. Makes me realize why I haven't listened to the morons takes in ages.

If it were just starting (and everyone healthy), I'd say only Mullins would start at Zona. On the flip side, not sure any player on Zona starts at UConn (though I'd hear the case for Burries right now). The offensive and defensive systems are just vastly different and Hurley isn't starting Peat over Karaban IMO.

 

[KingAG]

NVM my previous response. I listened to this, you were too kind. He said (to paraphrase) nobody in their backcourt steps on the court for Zona...and their center doesn't either.

That's absurd.

There is a huge gulf between not starting and not playing at all. Stupid takes all around on that video. Makes me realize why I haven't listened to the morons takes in ages.

If it were just starting (and everyone healthy), I'd say only Mullins would start at Zona. On the flip side, not sure any player on Zona starts at UConn (though I'd hear the case for Burries right now). The offensive and defensive systems are just vastly different and Hurley isn't starting Peat over Karaban IMO.

Which means down two starters they should’ve curb stomped us…oh wait.

 

[RuffRuff]

Which means down two starters they should’ve curb stomped us…oh wait.

Are you and SuperJohn the same person?

 

[KingAG]

Are you and SuperJohn the same person?

I just asked a question, lmao. Cape off, cape off! Haha

When we barely beat teams we are far superior than you have an issue with it. Why not have an issue with AZ barely beating a team they are, by your thoughts, far superior than?

Don't answer. Just ponder

 

[RuffRuff]

I just asked a question, lmao. Cape off, cape off! Haha

When we barely beat teams we are far superior than you have an issue with it. Why not have an issue with AZ barely beating a team they are, by your thoughts, far superior than?

Don't answer. Just ponder

Because I'm more interested in how teams are playing now?

 

[KingAG]

Because I'm more interested in how teams are playing now?

So why play those games at all? If they have no value come February. You can throw that game out, I won't. The same way the 23 team wasn't their rough stretch, I don't think this UConn team is their rough stretch. I'm not as reactionary as you. Sure AZ got better. They've also had the benefit of having a relatively healthy season filled with continuity. UConn has had revolving players and lineups all season, currently with Braylon again. Solo is hurt, Reed hasn't been healthy. Add to that our offense is usually a slow build once conference play starts. How teams are playing now does matter. But the whole picture still has value. If are rough stretch is 20-1, # 2 in the country and undefeated in conference play, i'll take it lol

 

[RuffRuff]

So why play those games at all? If they have no value come February. You can throw that game out, I won't. The same way the 23 team wasn't their rough stretch, I don't think this UConn team is their rough stretch. I'm not as reactionary as you. Sure AZ got better. They've also had the benefit of having a relatively healthy season filled with continuity. UConn has had revolving players and lineups all season, currently with Braylon again. Solo is hurt, Reed hasn't been healthy. Add to that our offense is usually a slow build once conference play starts. How teams are playing now does matter. But the whole picture still has value. If are rough stretch is 20-1, # 2 in the country and undefeated in conference play, i'll take it lol

For the resume.

Sure, the whole picture still has value, but I'm not going to over-index with spin on it, a game two months ago when teams were barely warm. Especially young ones like AZ who have three freshmen in their starting lineup. Again, I listen to some CBB pods and constantly leaning on that game is very much a SJ/AG thing. No one is saying, but, but UConn barely lost. Chuck it, the teams have evolved considerably in the last two months.

What's to say Solo & Tarris aren't hurt all year? Anyone is taking 20-1 #2, that part is great. But as we know, 90% of a teams success is deemed in March.

 

[uconngb]

Houston - tier 1 contender. It was always a matter of time with that squad. AZ/Houston will be the game of the year kinda stuff. Burries/Peat against Flemming/Cenac is nice. The Big12 is loaded with the phenoms (DP & AJD).

Well at least he’s watching college basketball now before giving his opinions on college basketball

 

[KingAG]

For the resume.

Sure, the whole picture still has value, but I'm not going to over-index with spin on it, a game two months ago when teams were barely warm. Especially young ones like AZ who have three freshmen in their starting lineup. Again, I listen to some CBB pods and constantly leaning on that game is very much a SJ/AG thing. No one is saying, but, but UConn barely lost. Chuck it, the teams have evolved considerably in the last two months.

What's to say Solo & Tarris aren't hurt all year? Anyone is taking 20-1 #2, that part is great. But as we know, 90% of a teams success is deemed in March.

I don't think it's spin at all. I think it's context and a data point. We have nothing else to judge how a rematch might go. Burries is a lot better, but Mullins is also a lot better, than not being there. An injured Taris averaging 15, 8 and 2 on 62% shooting is better than not being there. AZ is great. There is no one here saying definitively we'll beat them. I'm just against the overreactions acting as if UConn is not the number 2 team in the country on a 17 game win streak. Having one of the best OOC resumes in the country. In the tournament no one will care about style points. This team does one thing REALLY well. Win. It just so happens that AZ does that really well too. If anything I think the data supports the idea that this UConn team is undisciplined and plays up and down to their competition. Because every game has almost been the same script regardless of who they play. I have no worries about UConn beating title contenders in the tournament. I just hope they are disciplined enough to get there. AZ is almost the antithesis to UConn. Their floor is super high and they are extremely disciplined. Don't think that matters much in a one off though. Especially when I think the other team(UConn) has the higher ceiling.

 

[RuffRuff]

I don't think it's spin at all. I think it's context and a data point. We have nothing else to judge how a rematch might go. Burries is a lot better, but Mullins is also a lot better, than not being there. An injured Taris averaging 15, 8 and 2 on 62% shooting is better than not being there. AZ is great. There is no one here saying definitively we'll beat them. I'm just against the overreactions acting as if UConn is not the number 2 team in the country on a 17 game win streak. Having one of the best OOC resumes in the country. In the tournament no one will care about style points. This team does one thing REALLY well. Win. It just so happens that AZ does that really well too. If anything I think the data supports the idea that this UConn team is undisciplined and plays up and down to their competition. Because every game has almost been the same script regardless of who they play. I have no worries about UConn beating title contenders in the tournament. I just hope they are disciplined enough to get there. AZ is almost the antithesis to UConn. Their floor is super high and they are extremely disciplined. Don't think that matters much in a one off though.

It's a data point, sure. But it's a bit stale one at this point. Eric actually played great in that game.

I don't think you can break down a team's strength as "winning". That's really over simplifying it.

I'd say the metrics tell more of the story right now. It's just hard to know if this lull is a Hurley thing that they snap out of, or it's suggestive of who they are. Hurley always seems happy as long as they win.

This season is different - have said it since the beginning, that it should be a true test of how good the staff is. It's not a team oozing in talent like 23/24 - there isn't a lot of NBA talent on this team. Our one stud has less than half the season to figure out how to be an alpha on this team, he's only shown it in drips so far. So it will be strategy, button pushing and executing that gets them there.

 

[storrsroars]

Given the continuing debate over UConn only losing to AZ because we were down two guys, just wanted to repost this earlier comment I made a couple pages ago.

Nebraska was down their #2 and #3 scorers (Mast & Frager), still took Michigan to the wire in their place. I do think Nebraska panicked a bit in final 40 seconds with a couple of less than quality shots. I still think Nebraska can win the B1G.

So, following the logic, Nebraska at full strength wins that game, right?

 

[FightOnCT]

yes that would be the reasonable assumption

 

[boog204]

Vandy up 26 on Kentucky under 8 to go. Rupp Rafters should be spicy tonight!

I gotta admit... Perhaps I'm a sadist, I don't know. But I've become fascinated with BBN and Pope and their whole thing. They were ready to dox him, and some were talking of petitioning the University to fire him. Then they won a couple of games, and they shifted. Now, they got blasted, and they're back to stage one again. It's just fascinating to watch it all transpire from all angles.

 

[KingAG]

It's a data point, sure. But it's a bit stale one at this point. Eric actually played great in that game.

I don't think you can break down a team's strength as "winning". That's really over simplifying it.

I'd say the metrics tell more of the story right now. It's just hard to know if this lull is a Hurley thing that they snap out of, or it's suggestive of who they are. Hurley always seems happy as long as they win.

This season is different - have said it since the beginning, that it should be a true test of how good the staff is. It's not a team oozing in talent like 23/24 - there isn't a lot of NBA talent on this team. Our one stud has less than half the season to figure out how to be an alpha on this team, he's only shown it in drips so far. So it will be strategy, button pushing and executing that gets them there.

Eric had 4 rebounds in that game. He scored well, yes.

And "winning" obviously is over simplifying it. Should we go down all of their strengths? I don't feel like it.

The metrics tell the same story imo. They've tanked when their schedule tanked. They play up and down to their competition. Silas, Solo, AK, Braylon and Taris will almost certainly has just as much shot at the NBA as Tristen, Hawkins, Andre and Adama.

We also have more than 1 stud. Taris averages 15,8 and 2. Silas is a top 10 player in the country by some metrics, AK might end up being BE POTY, Braylon is the stud I'm assuming you were referring to. And thats with me leaving out Solo. Because if he finds his stroke...

Again, even that statement is such an overreaction. Our "one stud" is insane to me. This team didn't get to 20-1 by luck. Ad they were 10-1 before beginning this undefeated "rough stretch".

There are obviously issues and red flags to be ironed out. But it is not as dire as you and many others want it to be.

 

[buddy]

Rutgers blew a good chance of winning in regulation vs Mich St, headed to OT

Missed free throw cost them the game.

 

[Waquoit]

So, following the logic, Nebraska at full strength wins that game, right?

So what? Who cares? Take you pick,

 

[storrsroars]

Missed free throw cost them the game.

They nailed like 9 of 10 FTs in last couple minutes. They lost the game when their center was setting a screen a hip checked the defender into another zip code. Gave up possession and the tying points on a really stupid, unnecessary foul.

 

[RuffRuff]

Eric had 4 rebounds in that game. He scored well, yes.

And "winning" obviously is over simplifying it. Should we go down all of their strengths? I don't feel like it.

The metrics tell the same story imo. They've tanked when their schedule tanked. They play up and down to their competition. Silas, Solo, AK, Braylon and Taris will almost certainly has just as much shot at the NBA as Tristen, Hawkins, Andre and Adama.

We also have more than 1 stud. Taris averages 15,8 and 2. Silas is a top 10 player in the country by some metrics, AK might end up being BE POTY, Braylon is the stud I'm assuming you were referring to. And thats with me leaving out Solo. Because if he finds his stroke...

Again, even that statement is such an overreaction. Our "one stud" is insane to me. This team didn't get to 20-1 by luck. Ad they were 10-1 before beginning this undefeated "rough stretch".

There are obviously issues and red flags to be ironed out. But it is not as dire as you and many others want it to be.

We disagree on the NBA talent - I don't think Solo has any chance to play in the NBA, I don't think Silas is an NBA profile, at all. I'm iffy on Tarris. Small guards aren't much of a thing in the NBA these days. I'd lean towards no on Tarris. What position does he even play in today's NBA?

23 and 24 had two lottery picks on them, amongst others, and Alex. Our one lottery pick is one because he's a shooter. I mean look at this team to date, they're mainly winning by out-executing. There is nothing of a physical advantage about them, speed, size, athletecism. The 23 team ran by opponents. 24 mauled teams. This team isn't winning because they crush on the glass or run transition. They don't even shoot it all that well, I think we are less than 150th in the country in shooting the 3. It's death by a 1000 paper cuts. How far that goes is hard to know. This year is Hurley's year to dispell the the Clingan factor. His 13 minutes in 23 yielded lot's of +NET and we obviously know what he did in 24. Kid really was a cheat code.

 

[HooperScooper]

Despite all the bitching and moaning on here, ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf still have UConn in their top tier of national championship contenders, with Arizona and Michigan. I guess they missed the Mullins injury.

UConn's efficiency numbers aren't quite up to par with the other two teams in this tier, but the Huskies have found a way to win close games throughout Big East play, and they're already battle-tested from a brutal nonconference schedule. Dan Hurley's crew took some time to get fully healthy, but now that they are, he has a team much more in line with his two title-winning groups of 2023 and 2024. There's depth, size, point guard play and plenty of shotmakers on the perimeter with the likes of Alex Karaban, Solo Ball, Braylon Mullins and Silas Demary Jr. -- Borzello

Men's college basketball tiers: Ranking 47 teams from contenders to Cinderellas

Three national title favorites, nine Final Four threats and 35 more teams that can win NCAA tournament games.

www.espn.com

 

[RuffRuff]

Despite all the bitching and moaning on here, ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf still have UConn in their top tier of national championship contenders, with Arizona and Michigan. I guess they missed the Mullins injury.

UConn's efficiency numbers aren't quite up to par with the other two teams in this tier, but the Huskies have found a way to win close games throughout Big East play, and they're already battle-tested from a brutal nonconference schedule. Dan Hurley's crew took some time to get fully healthy, but now that they are, he has a team much more in line with his two title-winning groups of 2023 and 2024. There's depth, size, point guard play and plenty of shotmakers on the perimeter with the likes of Alex Karaban, Solo Ball, Braylon Mullins and Silas Demary Jr. -- Borzello

Men's college basketball tiers: Ranking 47 teams from contenders to Cinderellas

Three national title favorites, nine Final Four threats and 35 more teams that can win NCAA tournament games.

www.espn.com

Between the record and the staff, you totally have to give the Huskies the benefit of the doubt. Surprised that Duke didn't get into the first tier.

 

[KingAG]

We disagree on the NBA talent - I don't think Solo has any chance to play in the NBA, I don't think Silas is an NBA profile, at all. I'm iffy on Tarris. Small guards aren't much of a thing in the NBA these days. I'd lean towards no on Tarris. What position does he even play in today's NBA?

23 and 24 had two lottery picks on them, amongst others, and Alex. Our one lottery pick is one because he's a shooter. I mean look at this team to date, they're mainly winning by out-executing. There is nothing of a physical advantage about them, speed, size, athletecism. The 23 team ran by opponents. 24 mauled teams. This team isn't winning because they crush on the glass or run transition. They don't even shoot it all that well, I think we are less than 150th in the country in shooting the 3. It's death by a 1000 paper cuts. How far that goes is hard to know.

I forgot about Clingan. I was thinking more of the starting 5. Taris is bigger than Adama, and Silas has every bit a shot as Tristen did/does. At that point were talking Braylon Hawkins. 23/24 has the edge.

I still think you are underestimating the talent on the team. 20-1 is 20-1. 17 game win streak is not easy to do. The shooting should be better. Solo is tanking that. Silas shoots 43%, AK shoots 42% and Braylon is at 38%. 3 of our 5 are 40% 3 point shooters. We don't shoot enough ig them because of our pace. Our size is fine. I don't know where this idea is coming from that we don't have size. But I guess well see. Just don't try to sell me on anyone being significantly better than a 20-1 team with our OOC schedule. I don't even know what that would look like.

 

[RuffRuff]

I forgot about Clingan. I was thinking more of the starting 5. Taris is bigger than Adama, and Silas has every bit a shot as Tristen did/does. At that point were talking Braylon Hawkins. 23/24 has the edge.

I still think you are underestimating the talent on the team. 20-1 is 20-1. 17 game win streak is not easy to do. The shooting should be better. Solo is tanking that. Our size is fine. I don't know where this idea is coming from that we don't have size. But I guess well see. Just don't try to sell me on anyone being significantly better than a 20-1 team with our OOC schedule. I don't even know what that would look like.

It is hard to argue the record, or the OOC schedule. Both are phenomenal. I simply think this team is closer to last year in makeup, than the prior two teams. Realistically, the major difference is at PG - which is meaningful. Mullins has come in over McNeeley, which is a bit of a wash. The team personality feels similar. No alphas, no Cam Spencer's. We lack BBIQ in many areas.

Early in the year, this team had a ton of continuity. We can't forget about that when considering this team.

Where I'd love to see this squad go - keep using the bench more. I was somewhat discouraged when we started trimming that off. Start highlighting Silas/Mullins. We'll see - I am on the side of them being able to peak when it matters, but have reservations.

 

[jibsey]

We disagree on the NBA talent - I don't think Solo has any chance to play in the NBA, I don't think Silas is an NBA profile, at all. I'm iffy on Tarris. Small guards aren't much of a thing in the NBA these days. I'd lean towards no on Tarris. What position does he even play in today's NBA?

23 and 24 had two lottery picks on them, amongst others, and Alex. Our one lottery pick is one because he's a shooter. I mean look at this team to date, they're mainly winning by out-executing. There is nothing of a physical advantage about them, speed, size, athletecism. The 23 team ran by opponents. 24 mauled teams. This team isn't winning because they crush on the glass or run transition. They don't even shoot it all that well, I think we are less than 150th in the country in shooting the 3. It's death by a 1000 paper cuts. How far that goes is hard to know. This year is Hurley's year to dispell the the Clingan factor. His 13 minutes in 23 yielded lot's of +NET and we obviously know what he did in 24. Kid really was a cheat code.

Clingan was just an eraser and intimidator. All these Providence guys that went to the rim the other day, you think that happens with Clingan? And we have a good center tandem with nothing to complain about but Castle and Clingan were defensive stalwarts.

 

[navery12]

Early in the year, this team had a ton of continuity. We can't forget about that when considering this team.

I present this with no further comment, Your Honor.

Your post from after our first game:

 

[RuffRuff]

Clingan was just an eraser and intimidator. All these Providence guys that went to the rim the other day, you think that happens with Clingan? And we have a good center tandem with nothing to complain about but Castle and Clingan were defensive stalwarts.

When you close off the paint, it changes the entire dynamic of the game. The game I remember most when seeing that first was at Marquette 2023. He came in and that Marquette team was doing about faces and we went on a 10-0 run. Even in 2023 in minimal minutes, he changed the game.