Keys to Ville Game

[BigErnMcCracken]

There's usually one game every year where I expect, going in, that they're going to get run out of the gym. This is it. Not a good match up.

If this serves as a reverse jinx, so much the better.

 

[storrsroars]

The only game I've ever seen where UConn just up and quit was vs. Ville. Last year when they still had Siva. Ville is still in their heads, IMO. Might be the only team UConn faces with as good conditioning as the Huskies. They just don't slow down.

I don't compare the 'Scuse zone to L'Ville. If Pitt had decent outside shooting, they'd be like 20-0 vs. 'Scuse this century. But they don't. They do, however, continually get behind the zone with their methodical play and ball movement. Patience and smart ball movement will beat that zone every time. However, Ville has better overall athletes with better anticipation awareness who try to get their hands on everything and often do. Passing lanes are smaller. AB and PN can't put it on the floor against their quickness.

Agree that Samuel can be very important. Seems like a smart, in-control ball handler who can deal with the press and traps, if (when) Boat is having issues. Having Bromah's hustle will also help.

It's still going to be a tough task even hitting on all cylinders.

 

[upstater]

The only game I've ever seen where UConn just up and quit was vs. Ville. Last year when they still had Siva. Ville is still in their heads, IMO. Might be the only team UConn faces with as good conditioning as the Huskies. They just don't slow down.

I don't compare the 'Scuse zone to L'Ville. If Pitt had decent outside shooting, they'd be like 20-0 vs. 'Scuse this century. But they don't. They do, however, continually get behind the zone with their methodical play and ball movement. Patience and smart ball movement will beat that zone every time. However, Ville has better overall athletes with better anticipation awareness who try to get their hands on everything and often do. Passing lanes are smaller. AB and PN can't put it on the floor against their quickness.

Agree that Samuel can be very important. Seems like a smart, in-control ball handler who can deal with the press and traps, if (when) Boat is having issues. Having Bromah's hustle will also help.

It's still going to be a tough task even hitting on all cylinders.

Wasn't that the game that UConn was leading at the half, then someone landed on Shabazz's shoulder? I don't think he could life his arm after that. I'm almost sure he missed 1 game (maybe more) because of that.

 

[tcf15]

I don't know about last years game, but they definitely quit in 2012, when Louisville just murdered us in the 2nd half at their place. I think the final score was 80-59, but the last 15 minutes it looked like UConn just wanted to get back home as soon as possible.

 

[pj]

Louisville is one of the 5-6 best teams in the country and a genuine Final Four / national championship threat. I think it's a very difficult game to win but it's a true measuring stick. Win this game and UConn has to go into the NCAAs thinking they can beat anyone.

 

[Strummer]

Win this game and UConn has to go into the NCAAs thinking they can beat anyone.

Lose this game and the right attitude for them is to go into the NCAAs thinking they can beat anyone except Louisville, which may end up being just as good.

​

 

[donyell34]

Beat them for the Big East championship in 2011 on our magical and historical run. Never forget and I bet Louisville would trade some of their recent win's for that one 69-66. That win sustains me but it's time for another. Huskies

 

[champs99and04]

One dirty secret about this UConn team is that they haven't been all that good handling the press. You would think with two of the quickest guards in the country in Napier and Boatright, that would be the last of their problems. But Pitino is a master-mind, and he always seems to force UConn into funneling the ball to players that don't want to be handling it in the open court (Giffey, Calhoun, Daniels, etc.). They killed us with the press last year in Hartford, and even if the press doesn't create turnovers, it can really have an effect later in the game on guys like Napier who play 38-40 minutes.

As others alluded to, Samuel is going to have to play a big role in this game for UConn to win. Louisville's guards are always extremely quick, physical, and well-conditioned, and Pitino has always done a good job of rotating them in and out to keep them fresh. Samuel being able to maintain his composure under pressure is imperative.

 

[caw]

One dirty secret about this UConn team is that they haven't been all that good handling the press. You would think with two of the quickest guards in the country in Napier and Boatright, that would be the last of their problems. But Pitino is a master-mind, and he always seems to force UConn into funneling the ball to players that don't want to be handling it in the open court (Giffey, Calhoun, Daniels, etc.). They killed us with the press last year in Hartford, and even if the press doesn't create turnovers, it can really have an effect later in the game on guys like Napier who play 38-40 minutes.

As others alluded to, Samuel is going to have to play a big role in this game for UConn to win. Louisville's guards are always extremely quick, physical, and well-conditioned, and Pitino has always done a good job of rotating them in and out to keep them fresh. Samuel being able to maintain his composure under pressure is imperative.

Yes and no to last year. They killed us last year with two things 1) Siva/Smith penetration off of pick and rolls our bigs (Olander) couldn't begin to defend and 2) Dieng shut down all drives to the rim. The press was effective because of Dieng stopping the weakness of the press not the ball handling.

 

[CBallfan]

If they play 40 minutes of solid defense, limit turn overs, rebound, break the Ville press and score, and smart shot selection.......We Win!!!!!
I think we pull it off!! Let's Go UConn!!!!

 

[BoatShow]

We need Tyler to give all 5 fouls to Harrell.

 

[champs99and04]

Yes and no to last year. They killed us last year with two things 1) Siva/Smith penetration off of pick and rolls our bigs (Olander) couldn't begin to defend and 2) Dieng shut down all drives to the rim. The press was effective because of Dieng stopping the weakness of the press not the ball handling.

I seem to remember UConn having a lot of trouble with their press last season. Siva and Smith being able to get to the rim at will definitely played a role, too. No shame in losing to that Louisville team, though. They were the best team in America and played like it in the second half. 45-24 and it wasn't even that that close - not too often does a UConn team get dominated like that at home.

 

[huskyharry]

Play hard, play aggressively but also play with composure. Stay fired up, even when you get smacked in the mouth. Harrell is a beast, Russ is Russdickulous but Bazz, Boat and DeAndre Daniels are gonna bring it hard.
So, of course, we are doomed, DOOMED for sure!

 

[jfuchs91]

I don't know about last years game, but they definitely quit in 2012, when Louisville just murdered us in the 2nd half at their place. I think the final score was 80-59, but the last 15 minutes it looked like UConn just wanted to get back home as soon as possible.

In the last 10 years, this is the only game where I had to stop watching at the end. Every possession seemed like a UConn turnover followed by a Louisville fast-break dunk where no one got back on defense. I couldn't take any more with about 6:30 minutes left. Worst performance by a UConn team I've ever seen.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Harrell is a mismatch for anyone. Uconn only needs to contain him from having a huge game. Olander is the only center uconn has that plays defense like a man. He might play defense like a slow, unathletic man, but at least he plays defense like a man. Nolan and Brimah play like scared kids against good bigs. That has to stop, because Olander won't last much more than 15 minutes against Harrell.

Samuel to break the press. He seems like a young version of Russ Smith sometimes, so let's see how the old version of Smith likes covering a super quick, physical, fearless guard in the press for a few minutes.

Giffey needs to be willing to shoot if a defender is in the same zip code.

Shot selection by boat and bazz. Each needs to cut out their 2-3 stupidest shots.

Giffey needs to lock down Hancock and stop helping so much on defense.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

One other thing that has been mentioned. Quick ball movement against the zone. Do not catch, look at the defense for 3 seconds, then pass again. That ball needs to whip around, then to the free throw line to kromah or giff, then either back out or two a cutter underneath. Speed of ball movement is critical.

 

[TheRogers]

When the talent level is somewhat equal they need to do what they did in the second half of the Cincy game:
- if someone is known and has made some three pointers during the game, guard them. So when Russ Smith or Hancock is waiting outside the arc, stop playing help defense and stay on them.
- our bigs can't out muscle Harrell and Blackshere (sp?). In that case box them out and give our bigs a better chance to get the ball. That's what Ville does to our bigs.

The diminished number of points from 3s and second chance points is around 10-15 points right there.

 

[mauconnfan]

Biggest key is Hazzell…….someone needs to "punch" him early and wipe off that "taking candy from a baby" grin………we had no one step up and challenge him, foul him hard or anything last time. Needs to happy or he will have his way!

And 2 more important things: 1 is staying on your feet of you're guarding Hancock because he's a ball fake machine and can't cannot get to the hole unless you fall for that…..2 is we don't need the inconsistent Jones to have a crazy game because they get better if he's making shots too, not so much when he's not………

Good solid defense will keep us in this, rebounding will keep us in this but if they don't box out and hit people it may get ugly.

 

[August_West]

Louisville needs to leave the AAC with the bad taste of UConn in their mouf.

Plus, no "one and done" should win reg season title.

 

[8893]

Points.

Specifically, more of them than Louisville.

 

[Tenspro2002]

In the last 10 years, this is the only game where I had to stop watching at the end. Every possession seemed like a UConn turnover followed by a Louisville fast-break dunk where no one got back on defense. I couldn't take any more with about 6:30 minutes left. Worst performance by a UConn team I've ever seen.

That game was payback for 2009 where we went into their place in a matchup of top-5 teams and ran a train on them in the second half on our way to winning by 20.

 

[GlastonTim]

Wasn't that the game that UConn was leading at the half, then someone landed on Shabazz's shoulder? I don't think he could life his arm after that. I'm almost sure he missed 1 game (maybe more) because of that.

Yes

 

[Chin Diesel]

At some point in the game Lville is going to figuratively punch UConn in the mouth. Players and coaches can't fold. Hopefully the spirit of KFree and Ricky is passed on to these guys. Take the punch and knock their teeth in to their throat.