Marquette Post Game Thread

[AllHusky]

He got pissed after a no call early in the second half. It was shortly before his steal, drive and lay up.
Sadly, what he did last night doesn't require anything other than attitude and desire. He wanted it more than Marquette players did.
Wish we'd see thst attitude and desire every game.

Well put. ATTITUDE!! A combination of belief, success, arrogance, will, desire, you name the adjective. If you don't think there is alot of room for growth in our attitude, especially with Mahaney, Reed, Samson Johnson and Stewart, you didn't see the game last night.
Alot posted about how Solo contributed in different ways that weren't 3 point shooting last night. That was purely "not gonna lose, gotta find a way to help" Attitude. The growth opportunity in our mental game is still huge. Poster that said lock 'em in a room with replays of all the hustle desire plays repeating over and over is on the money. You aren't going to turn Mahaney into Tristan Newton, but he has things that he can do that require belief and confidence. A little Joey C, Cam Spencer, Tristan dust sprinkled on his cereal. See Hassan Diarra for example. The W was big, what it may trigger is HUGE>

 

[REB1094]

The key reason to why we won last night is because Marquette shot 3-22 from 3. Joplin made it closer than it should have been with some unexpected heroics. It’s really hard to win when you shoot that poorly from 3, which has been an issue for Marquette for the second half of the season. Nice win and some good things happened, but didn’t walk away from that one thinking we turned some kind of corner. Samson played really well, won’t be repeatable against teams that run half court with real bigs, Alex had a really solid game. We protected the ball. Man Liam was not good.

I can see a mid major throwing a zone against Marquette first round and stifling them.

I don’t think Marquette got a bunch of good looks that they just missed. We switched 1-5 most of the game and didn't help off shooters too much, so there weren’t a lot of opportunities. Pair that with an amazing road crowd and I’m not surprised they missed so much

Kam Jones took 5, but he’s been majorly slumping pretty much for 3 months. 0-5 last night, was 0-5 against GTown as well. 30.5% on the season

Joplin took 6 and somehow made 3, pretty sure all on contested stepbacks. 30.3% on the season

Stevie Mitchell and Chase Ross for 0-7, but Solo Ball and Liam McNeeley were 4-14. Our shooters are better than their shooters in that group, and they missed more good looks than Marquette did. If half the good looks go down for both teams, pretty sure UConn wins by even more. Marquette was owning the paint and couldn’t get anything going from three

 

[RuffRuff]

Liam with those back to back 3s in the first half was pretty good though. Thought the charge he took that they called a blocking foul was good too... Hurley almost got T'd up after that call.

Those were great and got us off on the right foot but then to think he went 2 for his next 16 is hard to imagine. He was all over the place for the majority of the game, throwing up wild shots and just looked fully out of sorts. Only turning it over 8x after the first game was a feat.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

So can the Samson haters.

9 players contributed 9 minutes or more.
Every player's contribution was needed.
This will apply to every game...one game at a time...for the duration of the season.
Cheer for these players, and cheer for this team.
Cheer for the coaches.
Bring your best as a fan.

 

[RuffRuff]

I don’t think Marquette got a bunch of good looks that they just missed. We switched 1-5 most of the game and didn't help off shooters too much, so there weren’t a lot of opportunities. Pair that with an amazing road crowd and I’m not surprised they missed so much

Kam Jones took 5, but he’s been majorly slumping pretty much for 3 months. 0-5 last night, was 0-5 against GTown as well. 30.5% on the season

Joplin took 6 and somehow made 3, pretty sure all on contested stepbacks. 30.3% on the season

Stevie Mitchell and Chase Ross for 0-7, but Solo Ball and Liam McNeeley were 4-14. Our shooters are better than their shooters in that group, and they missed more good looks than Marquette did. If half the good looks go down for both teams, pretty sure UConn wins by even more. Marquette was owning the paint and couldn’t get anything going from three

Agree that I thought our defensive perimeter rotations were better yesterday. That said Marquette can’t shoot. They don’t have one plus 3pt shooter on the roster, other than maybe Gold at the 5. If they even shoot 25% from 3 last night they likely win.

 

[7774]

We can "if" our way through this whole season. If UConn gets a couple of calls in Maui, If McNeeley doesn't get hurt, if Karaban doesn't go into a prolonged shooting slump. Playing the "if" game at its extremes, this team could be anywhere from 26-4 to 19-11.

The "if" I look at and hope that the committee looks at are the 3 losses w/o McNeeley. Lost to Nova by 2, Creighton by 5 (1 point game w/ 22 sec left) and Xavier by 4 (2 point game w/ 5 sec left). Flip 2 of those games and UConn is 15-4/23-7 and comfortable in the top 20. The "if" of injuries is something moderately quantifiable.

Sure, but A) no one really plays the "if" game in the wins. It's just in the losses. Like you just did. And B) people only play the "if" game with what we did, not what the other teams did. It makes the board so boring, there is no actual discussion.

 

[AllHusky]

Agree that I thought our defensive perimeter rotations were better yesterday. That said Marquette can’t shoot. They don’t have one plus 3pt shooter on the roster, other than maybe Gold at the 5. If they even shoot 25% from 3 last night they likely win.

They didn't

 

[7774]

I don’t think Marquette got a bunch of good looks that they just missed. We switched 1-5 most of the game and didn't help off shooters too much, so there weren’t a lot of opportunities. Pair that with an amazing road crowd and I’m not surprised they missed so much

Kam Jones took 5, but he’s been majorly slumping pretty much for 3 months. 0-5 last night, was 0-5 against GTown as well. 30.5% on the season

Joplin took 6 and somehow made 3, pretty sure all on contested stepbacks. 30.3% on the season

Stevie Mitchell and Chase Ross for 0-7, but Solo Ball and Liam McNeeley were 4-14. Our shooters are better than their shooters in that group, and they missed more good looks than Marquette did. If half the good looks go down for both teams, pretty sure UConn wins by even more. Marquette was owning the paint and couldn’t get anything going from three

lol they had so many wide open 3s.

 

[navery12]

I thought Mahaney was pretty bad. But it is what we have now. The offense doesn't run well and Mahaney can barely do aanything. I guess at least he didn't turn it over but it was scary when he was in and Marquette was making that big run to end the 1st half.

Not that facts matter much to you, but that ignores the first time Mahaney was in during the 1st half and UConn went on a run to turn a 14-14 game into a 28-22 lead. Not saying he was good last night, but he was nowhere near bad

 

[cp176]

Solo Ball has steadily progressed in all phases of his game that many here including me have criticized. He is going to be a top of the food chain player next year. I’ve been critical of his defense for sure, but he is laying it out there for his team. He will be a legit star.

 

[cp176]

He didn’t play much last night, but I also liked what I saw in Stewart. He is starting to get It. Very soon I can see him becoming a real impact player.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I forgot one more accolade, Stewie. That put back slam sent a message. You can't win. Don't even try. I hear-by deflate you. After that play it was pretty much the Kam Jones show who almost won it by himself.

I offer "hereby" as my contribution to improve a fine comment.

On some plays last night, it took a batted ball before a different player secured the player, or a second or even third player diving to do the same. Or multiple coaches barking directions from the sidelines.

We all work best together, and these small things make the most difference at this time of year,vehen our opponents and detractors are also working hard and providing essential backup.

 

[RuffRuff]

He didn’t play much last night, but I also liked what I saw in Stewart. He is starting to get It. Very soon I can see him becoming a real impact player.

He had some really good minutes. When he’s doing good things he’s so much fun to watch. I thought his take in the paint is exactly what he needs to be doing more of. Played great D, with his feet.

 

[Palatine]

Reed got the shot off in time

One this play. Reed gets the shot off before zero. His shot hits the rim. Stewart shakes the building.

Is that a shot clock violation? I think not. The clock went off with the ball in the air. The clock should reset after the ball hit the rim.

 

[ddent68]

He got pissed after a no call early in the second half. It was shortly before his steal, drive and lay up.
Sadly, what he did last night doesn't require anything other than attitude and desire. He wanted it more than Marquette players did.
Wish we'd see thst attitude and desire every game.

Just attitude and desire? That’s it? I hope that’s sarcasm. You have to give credit when it’s due. I’ve been the biggest Tarris fan since he committed and still am but the way Samson has worked and improved is stunning. 6’10” human beings aren’t supposed to be that athletic either. He’s an amazing talent that is a work in progress. Imagine if he hadn’t been hurt two years ago. Couldn’t be happier for him.

 

[Gurleyman]

Not that facts matter much to you, but that ignores the first time Mahaney was in during the 1st half and UConn went on a run to turn a 14-14 game into a 28-22 lead. Not saying he was good last night, but he was nowhere near bad

He was a little frustrating because he legit played well in his first stint. Hit a shot, had a great hockey assist - Mahaney to Johnson to Karaban. Looked comfortable and confident. And then he got tentative and wouldn’t shoot. It’s like you’ve got some good vibes going here finally. Build off it. Be a threat. Make the defense worry about you. If you miss, you miss, but just play to your strengths.

He averaged 12 shots a game for a slow-tempo team at St. Mary’s, and was 8-19 in his first college game ever, so it’s not like it should be in his dna to be this timid and gun shy.

 

[GoConn]

I am still so fired up after last nights win. What a game!!!!

 

[Gurleyman]

Just attitude and desire? That’s it? I hope that’s sarcasm. You have to give credit when it’s due. I’ve been the biggest Tarris fan since he committed and still am but the way Samson has worked and improved is stunning. 6’10” human beings aren’t supposed to be that athletic either. He’s an amazing talent that is a work in progress. Imagine if he hadn’t been hurt two years ago. Couldn’t be happier for him.

Samson always plays hard. I dont know if anyone has ever faulted his effort. It’s just turning that effort into productivity that has been his albatross. Largely due to his hands. Yesterday he secured rebounds through contact a lot better than he usually does. Typically playing hard has resulted in things like fouling 35 feet from the basket or loose ball fouls because he couldn’t pull it in on the first try and kept going after it. Yesterday it was 7 offensive rebounds.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Agree that I thought our defensive perimeter rotations were better yesterday. That said Marquette can’t shoot. They don’t have one plus 3pt shooter on the roster, other than maybe Gold at the 5. If they even shoot 25% from 3 last night they likely win.

“If a team that’s bad at something was better at it they would be a better team” is the type of tier one insight that keeps me coming back to this place.

 

[aceboon]

One this play. Reed gets the shot off before zero. His shot hits the rim. Stewart shakes the building.

Is that a shot clock violation? I think not. The clock went off with the ball in the air. The clock should reset after the ball hit the rim.

the shot was released before the clock expired and it hit rim, it's not a shot clock violation...

 

[RuffRuff]

Samson always plays hard. I dont know if anyone has ever faulted his effort. It’s just turning that effort into productivity that has been his albatross. Largely due to his hands. Yesterday he secured rebounds through contact a lot better than he usually does. Typically playing hard has resulted in things like fouling 35 feet from the basket or loose ball fouls because he couldn’t pull it in on the first try and kept going after it. Yesterday it was 7 offensive rebounds.

Goes so far as hugging the ball sometimes he's so afraid to lose it. He played amazing - I'm the biggest Samson Johnson critic, and have to tip the cap to him last night as he was a major reason we won. His steal to full court layup was one of his highlights of the game. This was his type of format (fast paced, weaker spacing 5) and what he's built for. That is not a standard roster.

 

[alphasigko]

Not sure if this has been posted in this thread, but, I hereby nominate this play as Samson Johnson's Best Play in his Husky career:

https://twitter.com/UConnMBB/status/1897486707425173693?t=HHWegxB0k4ExA1WK0pqzQA&s=03)

 

[Revrat]

Play of the game was the refs missing the shotclock violation on the missed Reed shot that Stewart put back slammed. That play energized the team and the crowd. It looked like a violation. Glad we got that call !

I thought that was a different play at the other end. there was a shot that either Reed or Sampson put in where i clearly heard the buzzer but I didnt think that was the Stewart slam. I kinda figured it must have been an inadvertent horn

 

[BGesus4]

Weird observation but I was thinking that there isnt really a team or coach that i hate at this point.

I doubt other teams’ fans feel the same

 

[uconnfan68]

He didn’t play much last night, but I also liked what I saw in Stewart. He is starting to get It. Very soon I can see him becoming a real impact player.

His putback dunk may have been the turning point.