Marquette Post Game Thread

[nelsonmuntz]

So now Karaban is everyone's favorite player? Basketball is a team game, and while McNeeley is probably UConn's best player, he is not dominant. Different players are going to have big games for this team, and tonight was Karaban's night. Karaban is committed to the offense, which gets him a lot of good looks. McNeeley could learn from Karaban in this regard, because McNeeley improvises into ISO ball, a lot.

Hurley should put Diarra on a 30 mpg hard ceiling. We need Diarra healthy for a long run, and he is walking like an old man.

Johnson and Reed should have been playing some rotations together all season.

Mahaney is deep in Hurley's doghouse, but I don't think he is that bad a player. I wouldn't start him, but he doesn't suck.

 

[87Xfer]

Something tells me AK is done with losing games this year and ready to be the guy again. What a dagger, welcome back AK!

AK back in the Lottery conversation after tonight's performance!

no

 

[FearThePups]

The Committee will focus on whatever makes the Big 10 look the best. And the Big 10 will respond by once again puking all over themselves in the tournament. It’s a tried and true formula.

Agreed. They were supposed to be so good last year and yet we beat Indiana and then crushed Illinois and Purdue in the tourney. I don’t give a crap what computer models spit out.

 

[alphasigko]

Ross another perfect Blutoski 0.00 in 3 mins of playing time

 

[RuffRuff]

Take your piss somewhere else. It's March. Ya don't call 'em Nancies unless you're projecting about yourself. Step up & cheer for 2025 UConn.

Senior Night
Big East Tournament
NCAA Tournament

One game at a time.

Alex Alex you’re our man if you can’t do it no one can!!!

Doesn’t that make you lighter in your loafers?

 

[RuffRuff]

no

Yes after three years of tape one game is moving Alex back and forth between the second round and lottery. Brilliant!

 

[Hoophound]

Shaka is a class act. I really like the Big East coaches. Shaka, Pitino, Miller, McDermott, Matta, Holtman etc. It’s a coach’s league.

I feel like we are peaking again. Let’s see. A good run in the BET will set UConn nation on fire. I’m feeling better that we can make some noise.

 

[ctbro1999]

Yeah I was wondering that too. I guess those Seton Hall and Colorado Losses are dragging us down.

They are BAD losses for sure.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I thought Mahaney was better than previous games. He played a bunch of minutes and didn’t turn the ball over at all. Had a rebound, and assist and a basket. I am not saying he was great, but if he can come off bench and not make mistakes and produce some kind of stats, that is more than we’ve been getting off the bench other than Reed.

He did all that you say, and your final sentence is giving too much respect to those who would require you to mute your compliment with "honest realism." Those people would suck the air out of the room and defend the practice. First week of March that's reserved for people hooked on clicks, trying to sell ad space, and interested in other teams.

 

[giddyup]

Solid effort. Samson was hustling today and it’s nice to see some production. Glad for AK. Hass was great. Liam is pressing his game too much and I hope he finds his rthym. Nice W. Let’s finish strong.

 

[PAHusky]

Actually somewhat encouraged of all things by Ball this game. He didn’t shoot well but he had some nice plays defensively (almost offsets the lapses at this point!)

 

[Scottobot]

Don't forget the great Defense that Stewart played in that run. He finally was moving his feet and competing. I loved his energy and was a big reason for our run to get the lead in the 2nd half.

No turnovers for Stewart too. If he could just clear some defensive boards.

 

[navery12]

I’m talking about their OOC record value and why they are being seeded higher than us through today. They have much better quality wins OOC and until tonight had the better conference record. We also have two hairy moles of losses they don’t.

You're completely missing the point. In the metrics the committee uses the Gonzaga win is the most valuable win between all of the OOC games for UConn and Marquette. Regardless of what your eye test tells you, that is the reality

 

[superjohn]

Shaka is a class act. I really like the Big East coaches. Shaka, Pitino, Miller, McDermott, Matta, Holtman etc. It’s a coach’s league.

I feel like we are peaking again. Let’s see. A good run in the BET will set UConn nation on fire. I’m feeling better that we can make some noise.

Listen to Hurley's presser, he sounds a lot more optimistic about the team than he did just a couple weeks ago.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Alex Alex you’re our man if you can’t do it no one can!!!

Doesn’t that make you lighter in your loafers?

You already copped to being unhealthily addicted to your dragon in response to corporate soul-sucking. The last time chasing your cools counted was more than half a lifetime ago.

 

[FearThePups]

You think what Baylor, Zags and Texas were ranked in December matters? lol. Baylor and Texas are bubble teams today, Zags are on the 9 line. Purdue, Maryland and Wisconsin are 3-5 seeds, today.

The point you don’t mention is that Texas and Baylor play in better overall conferences so their respective win/loss records won’t show them as dominant teams. I’ve watched Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan play this year and I wasn’t impressed. Purdue and Michigan State are just ok.

 

[Hurleyman216]

That’s not what the computers say - so while the committee likely appreciates your eyeballs, they’ll likely rely more on the data.

My eyeballs happen to be much more accurate than the computers. I call it like I see it. Big 10 doesn’t have a good track record in March and having games scored in the 40’s and 50’s isn’t a recipe for March Madness success. My eyeballs tell me they will flame out again maybe with the exception of Maryland that looks decent.

 

[UCLJ0211]

That’s UConn basketball in March!

 

[RuffRuff]

You already copped to being unhealthily addicted to your dragon in response to corporate soul-sucking. The last time chasing your cools counted was more than half a lifetime ago.

Someone bring in the interpreter, of which country, or planet, I’m not exactly sure.

 

[RuffRuff]

My eyeballs happen to be much more accurate than the computers. I call it like I see it. Big 10 doesn’t have a good track record in March and having games scored in the 40’s and 50’s isn’t a recipe for March Madness success. My eyeballs tell me they will flame out again maybe with the exception of Maryland that looks decent.

I tend to agree with you on that, and do like UMD - but in terms of seeding, is not how the committee will see it. We can call it a conspiracy but it’s data based.

 

[RuffRuff]

You're completely missing the point. In the metrics the committee uses the Gonzaga win is the most valuable win between all of the OOC games for UConn and Marquette. Regardless of what your eye test tells you, that is the reality

If a single set of data alone was driving decisions and this was entirely formulaic, then a committee isn’t even necessary and AI could simulate a the tournament. And with that the Zags would be a 2 seed, which they aren’t. So no, that win won’t be valued the highest. There is a human factor here as well, which you see in every mock bracket that has them as an 8-9 seed although they’re 8 in the NET.

 

[AllHusky]

Mahaney was still bad on defense and had to foul one time to stop a player. He looks over matched but Hurley doesn't have any faith in the AN and I understand. Stewart definitely had a great impact on the game with his D and energy(Put back dunk). Mahaney is jus give Diarra 5-7 minutes of rest and not turn it over.

One more click forward by those 2 makes a big difference. McNeeley will rebound, Ball, while not shooting great, played well in ways he didn't at the start of the season. We are starting to be dependable! Sam, Hass and AK.... 'nuff said. Add Reed and we've got 8..... plenty!

 

[Mr. French]

I’m guessing the surface opinion on Mahaney was negative, but I thought he played well early, had a few good D possessions, knocked down a tough shot and handled fine.

The offense just doesn’t hum when he’s 1. But even the bad step back was more a bad overall possession and good D, he didn’t do anything wrong.

I feel like it’s 85% mental. He has limitations athletically but guys can overcome that if they’re smart and confident.

I worry about Diarra burning out. So maybe I’m too hopeful.

 

[navery12]

If a single set of data alone was driving decisions and this was entirely formulaic, then a committee isn’t even necessary and AI could simulate a the tournament. And with that the Zags would be a 2 seed, which they aren’t. So no, that win won’t be valued the highest. There is a human factor here as well, which you see in every mock bracket that has them as an 8-9 seed although they’re 8 in the NET.

I'm not sure why I'm continuing to answer when it's becoming obvious that you're intentionally missing the point. I'm not saying Gonzaga is going to be the highest ranked team. The NET rankings are not intended to be a seed list, so no Gonzaga is not going to be a 2 seed.

I'm saying when the committee sits down and looks at their team sheet where the wins are divided into quadrants there is going to a little number 8 next to Gonzaga for being #8 in the NET rankings. You don't have to agree with them being #8, I certainly don't think they're the 8th best team in the country. But that is a fact that's where they're showing up on the committee's sheets

 

[Storrs South]

Someone needs to explain to me how Marquette is pegged as a 5 seed and we are an 8/9. We have the better resume even though we have 2 wtf losses.

UConn did beat them twice, but metrics do us 0 favors,

UConn:
KenPom 36
NET 34 (let's assume that moves to 32 tomorrow)
SOR 34
WAB 36
KPI 47

Marquette
KenPom 25
NET 23 (let's assume that moves to 25 tomorrow)
SOR 14
WAB 25
KPI 25

UConn is starting to win games again and outpace expectations but 90% of the season they either barely won or lost to mediocre and bad teams.