Michigan State Post Game Thread

[Leebo]

Reed has made 19 of his last 25 free throws, which goes back to March 7th.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Building that 19 point lead was as fun as it was frustrating watching it disappear.

But survive and advance. Reed vs Boozer, what a matchup. I like our chances.

Coming back from that 19 point lead took just enough out of Sparty

 

[Umami Zen]

AK and Reed will deservedly get the headlines but thought Demary and Smith were the unsung heroes. Silas was a warrior playing on one leg and Smith had another rock solid primetime performance. Had an excellent floor game-limited TOs-and both guys contained Fears most of the game. BTW- Their defensive burden was lightened on a few rotations with a Reed HH- interrupting their sets and passing lanes.

Excellent defense by our PGs on one of the top PGs in the country.

 

[Edward Sargent]

And zero crotch kicks

no he had 7 assists and 4 TOs Malachi matched him in assists but only 1 TO

 

[Edward Sargent]

Tell me how.

Don't agree.

Too dependent on Freshmen

 

[homunculus]

I think we should also point out that Solo played some solid defense tonight. We all know that defense is not his forte but he did make several defensive plays tonight getting out on shooters to contest what would have otherwise been wide open looks.

He’s made some incredible plays in transition D too. There have been a few breakouts recently that looked like easy baskets for our opponents that Solo swooped in and blocked (or disrupted) from behind. And a couple more where it looked like he had pretty good position but was called for a block.

 

[dennismenace]

Whew…win and advance.

I actually thought the high hedge worked well tonight. Demary and Smith hounded Fears and Reeds hedge kept Fears out on the perimeter limiting his drives and dishes to team mates. Fears was 5-15 with 7 assists.
Good to see Solo come home and have a good offensive game.
Reed and Karaban making free throws when it counts.

Fears also had 4 turnovers. We really had our guys right on him. Stop the igniter. Think we rattled him with all the pressure and made him want to try to overcome all the resistance by taking over instead of passing off. I think our guys and St John's are in better physical shape than the teams we are seeing. During the St John's game the announcers were saying (and you could see it on camera) that they were gassed. When we get that merry go round offense going with all the cutting and curling it takes a lot out of the other team. Better officiating in the NCAA also stops the mucking it up and shirt grabbing. We are watching real basketball now.

 

[Deepster]

First UConn game in like 20 years that I had to completely miss. Went to bed at like 9:30 to get up 1 because my wife booked a flight at a lunatic hour. Get to watch it in the plane though.

Good grief, man. Even Dove watched this one.

 

[Sea Goat]

Fears also had 4 turnovers. We really had our guys right on him. Stop the igniter. Think we rattled him with all the pressure and made him want to try to overcome all the resistance by taking over instead of passing off. I think our guys and St John's are in better physical shape than the teams we are seeing. During the St John's game the announcers were saying (and you could see it on camera) that they were gassed. When we get that merry go round offense going with all the cutting and curling it takes a lot out of the other team. Better officiating in the NCAA also stops the mucking it up and shirt grabbing. We are watching real basketball now.

Spot on re the officials...

 

[mauconnfan]

There’s no way MSU went 10 minutes into the second half without calling a foul. And the phantom call on Reed at the end of the game was ridiculous. Especially after being assured by so many people refs never call a foul in that situation.

The funny thing is it was absolutely a foul on Tarris, he pushed him from behind no doubt but not very hard mind you. Then you look at what Ren from Purdue did to Swain on his tip in, which was an assault and it wasn’t called, what were those refs thinking?

 

[Sea Goat]

I had been wondering who would show up for this game - Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?

Turns out the Thebans showed up and the Spartans were vanquished! You also made the Ice Bus smile...

 

[Dabutlerdidit]

The one day prep for our offense is our huge advantage in this game.

Completely agree. I thought that AND, having had to play St. John’s 36 hours prior, who is probably the most exhausting team to play against.

 

[Deepster]

The beauty of college basketball and being a UConn fan is watching guys like Alex and Reed play with the heart and focus and desire they're showing right now. It's like they're possessed and just guided by a higher power.

And on a different note, the St Johns twitterverse was laughable last night. Comments like "I'll remember this season for the rest of my life" and "This season was still a success" type nonsense. They put up freakin' billboards already glazing their regular season. If we lost in that game, this place would have a 27 page thread complaining how we underachieved. I'll take that, and the expectations of greatness, any day.

 

[businesslawyer]

Do the same moving forward because I don't trust anyone who lets their wife book the travel. The baggage fees alone when that happens should make you know better.

My dog is staring at me because I’m laughing so hard. So many stories I could share of when my wife has booked air travel, but I’m far more afraid of it getting back to her that I’d share those stories than I am of Duke.

 

[formerlurker]

Reed has made 19 of his last 25 free throws, which goes back to March 7th.

 

[Dibbie]

I wasn't sure if it was appreciated or not, but nobody told me to shut up so I kept doing it. I don't know what kind of weird Twilight Zone episode I was in that let me see 5 seconds into the future.

UConn = winning. We win pretty, we win ugly. I prefer the former, but the latter will do. This team has been clutch all season. How many close games have we won? It takes a lot of heart and strength to stay focused after blowing a lead like that.

Much appreciated. I mentioned in another thread how I use the chat to see progress as my Hulu is at least a minute behind. It’s good to know when good things are going to happen and prepared for the bad

 

[superjohn]

Elite 8!!!!

Obviously I want to kick the cr@p out of Duke but this season is a big success no matter what.

Ak and Tarris have balled out in these past three games.
.
Happy as hell.

Cherry on top now..

Beat Duke...

Beat the hell out of them...

I want a bit more

 

[superjohn]

AK and Tarris...

 

[mauconnfan]

Gutty win with a few MVPs. Obviously Tarris and Alex were huge. The fact Tarris has become a better passer out of the post has been an important piece as teams are a bit more afraid of doubling down. Alex just doesn’t want his Husky career to end, tremendous story. Our PGs are huge and I hope those who were very down on Malachi are enjoying their crow. It turns out Dan adding Malachi to a solid roster was huge. We certainly aren’t where we are on Sunday without this young man, his minutes have been excellent. His defense was already underrated but last night exceptional, he ruined Fears night consistently cutting off any momentum to the hoop. And he’s making solid decisions on O too. I give a ton of credit to Silas as well, Hurley doesn’t need to cry about his efforts like Scheyer did about Foster. Silas is out there gutting it out in a big way, you can see he doesn’t have his usual explosion when he goes to the basket, hence why he’s hesitant on finishing at all. But the kids a warrior no doubt!

Listen, there are some matchups we won’t like Sunday as they have some nice players and we know it will be a tough match up with the stripes as well. The Ngoomba/Reed matchup will be huge and I think Pat gets away with murder we will see. But once again, the championship blood of Dan, the Huskies is where it belongs with a chance to get to the FF. Why not us?

Honestly proud of this team to get here, but why not our Huskies vs our nemesis?

 

[REB1094]

Can't stop thinking about that early clock 28ft three by Karaban with like a minute and a half left

 

[formerlurker]

And on a different note, the St Johns twitterverse was laughable last night. Comments like "I'll remember this season for the rest of my life" and "This season was still a success" type nonsense. They put up freakin' billboards already glazing their regular season. If we lost in that game, this place would have a 27 page thread complaining how we underachieved. I'll take that, and the expectations of greatness, any day.

Totally agree but I'm actually happy I don't have to dislike Zuby anymore. I lean towards rooting for kids who are true scholar athletes and that's a title no one can take from that young man.

 

[Deepster]

View attachment 118782

Totally agree but I'm actually happy I don't have to dislike Zuby anymore. I lean towards rooting for kids who are true scholar athletes and that's a title no one can take from that young man.

Well, Zuby will have plenty of time to sit in a comfy recliner and root for his Big East big brother Sunday.

 

[mauconnfan]

View attachment 118782

Totally agree but I'm actually happy I don't have to dislike Zuby anymore. I lean towards rooting for kids who are true scholar athletes and that's a title no one can take from that young man.

Well said! I never “liked” him because he was so tough and good. But you see this and realize how much he cared and how hurt he is that his career is over. I respect the heck out of him in many ways.

 

[Husky Alien]

That felt like UConn basketball again, finally
Defense was locked in, energy was there, and you could just see the toughness all night. When everyone buys in and plays their role like that, we’re a problem.
Tarris is really starting to come into his own, Mullins gave us a solid game, Solo looks like he’s finding his rhythm again, and even though Demary isn’t fully himself yet, he still contributed in a good way. AK came up big knocking down clutch shots, and showing that experience and confidence when we needed it.
And the bench brought it, Ross, Malachi, Reibe all coming in with that gritty defense… that’s huge for us. Stewie too gave good few minutes, honestly would’ve liked to see a little more of him.
Hurley pushed the right buttons as well.
Big win. Duke’s up next… and yeah, I like our chances. Elite 8, Final Four it’s right there for the taking. GO UCONN!!!!!!

 

[businesslawyer]

The beauty of college basketball and being a UConn fan is watching guys like Alex and Reed play with the heart and focus and desire they're showing right now. It's like they're possessed and just guided by a higher power.

And on a different note, the St Johns twitterverse was laughable last night. Comments like "I'll remember this season for the rest of my life" and "This season was still a success" type nonsense. They put up freakin' billboards already glazing their regular season. If we lost in that game, this place would have a 27 page thread complaining how we underachieved. I'll take that, and the expectations of greatness, any day.

They won the Big East regular season, they won the Big East tournament and they made the Sweet Sixteen. They had a good season, and given the long, deep hole the program had fallen into, they should be pleased with it. It’s unfortunate for the whole conference that they didn’t figure out their identity until conference play started, as their failure in the OOC season killed conference metrics, but they had a good season.

Our success in the NCAA tournament over the decades has caused reality to be a pipe dream. We have now won 13 straight games in the Regionals and Final Four combined. Going back to our loss in Michigan to Michigan State to the Final Four. That is not normal. It is frankly a statistical anomaly. Really good teams have their seasons end in the regionals and the Final Four all the time. Our experience is what it is, but expecting other fanbases to only be celebrating national championships is unrealistic.

I guess what I’m saying is we shouldn’t care if they have their moment. We have a game on Sunday to care about.

 

[businesslawyer]

Well said! I never “liked” him because he was so tough and good. But you see this and realize how much he cared and how hurt he is that his career is over. I respect the heck out of him in many ways.

I’m with you on this. And I’ll add one thing. Had Bill Self kept and developed Zubi instead of going with Dickinson, might he have made the Final Four last year or this year?

 

[UCFan1513]

@WeAreUCONN

Time to publicly pick a side my friend because we have no room for that bad juju you've been spewing here lately.

I think it’s mojo!

 

[WeAreUCONN]

@WeAreUCONN

giggle giggle as you give my post a punk "like" isn't going to cut it.

View attachment 118772

Are you in or are you out? That "WE" in your name bothers me.

I will pick my team soon enough. If Bobby Hurley is at this game who is he rooting for?

 

[Deepster]

They won the Big East regular season, they won the Big East tournament and they made the Sweet Sixteen. They had a good season, and given the long, deep hole the program had fallen into, they should be pleased with it. It’s unfortunate for the whole conference that they didn’t figure out their identity until conference play started, as their failure in the OOC season killed conference metrics, but they had a good season.

Our success in the NCAA tournament over the decades has caused reality to be a pipe dream. We have now won 13 straight games in the Regionals and Final Four combined. Going back to our loss in Michigan to Michigan State to the Final Four. That is not normal. It is frankly a statistical anomaly. Really good teams have their seasons end in the regionals and the Final Four all the time. Our experience is what it is, but expecting other fanbases to only be celebrating national championships is unrealistic.

I guess what I’m saying is we shouldn’t care if they have their moment. We have a game on Sunday to care about.

Yeah. That’s all great. And St Peter’s made the Elite 8 in 2022.

They have BILLBOARDS in CT already. Let’s tap the brakes on national prominence and “dream seasons” a bit.

 

[Inyatkin]

The beauty of college basketball and being a UConn fan is watching guys like Alex and Reed play with the heart and focus and desire they're showing right now. It's like they're possessed and just guided by a higher power.

And on a different note, the St Johns twitterverse was laughable last night. Comments like "I'll remember this season for the rest of my life" and "This season was still a success" type nonsense. They put up freakin' billboards already glazing their regular season. If we lost in that game, this place would have a 27 page thread complaining how we underachieved. I'll take that, and the expectations of greatness, any day.

Those billboards worth an extra laugh today