MSU tournament game-Great game.

[noeynox]

Rewatched that game last night (Thanks to TCF15). I got goosebumps hearing the UConn chant. Our fans totally took that place over. It was comical seeing Payne trying to get the crowd into it after MSU made one of their runs. Those are things I don't notice when watching the game live. Our half court defense in that game was incredible. We turned them over on three consecutive possessions right around the ten minute mark of the second half. 1. Payne threw the ball away on a dribble and drive, 2. Valentine travels at the top of the key, 3. Boat antagonizes Trice into turning himself into a human top and screwing himself into the ground as he loses the ball out of bounds. Just great, great, half court defense.

One month later I'm still giddy over this team and what it accomplished. It probably has to do with the nut sack kicks that conference realignment have dealt us for the last three years. This run just screamed of hey remember us? Were not going anywhere.

I'll probably rewatch every other game leading up to the final four as well.

One last thing, for a team that got so much crap for the APR, we had a bunch of upper classmen, two seniors in the starting lineup that are graduating. Not enough credit is given to that. When a program like Kentucky can have five new freshman starters every year and not have to worry about APR, it shows what a joke that metric is. Let's not even talk about UNC and the fake classes. Our program deserves credit for not being part of the one and done fad, and bringing quality players in and developing them into first team all america status in their Jr. and Sr. year like Kemba and Bazz.

Just felt like saying all that because one month later, were still the national champs.

 

[UConn76]

Rewatched that game last night (Thanks to TCF15). I got goosebumps hearing the UConn chant. Our fans totally took that place over. It was comical seeing Payne trying to get the crowd into it after MSU made one of their runs. Those are things I don't notice when watching the game live. Our half court defense in that game was incredible. We turned them over on three consecutive possessions right around the ten minute mark of the second half. 1. Payne threw the ball away on a dribble and drive, 2. Valentine travels at the top of the key, 3. Boat antagonizes Trice into turning himself into a human top and screwing himself into the ground as he loses the ball out of bounds. Just great, great, half court defense.

One month later I'm still giddy over this team and what it accomplished. It probably has to do with the nut sack kicks that conference realignment have dealt us for the last three years. This run just screamed of hey remember us? Were not going anywhere.

I'll probably rewatch every other game leading up to the final four as well.

One last thing, for a team that got so much crap for the APR, we had a bunch of upper classmen, two seniors in the starting lineup that are graduating. Not enough credit is given to that. When a program like Kentucky can have five new freshman starters every year and not have to worry about APR, it shows what a joke that metric is. Let's not even talk about UNC and the fake classes. Our program deserves credit for not being part of the one and done fad, and bringing quality players in and developing them into first team all america status in their Jr. and Sr. year like Kemba and Bazz.

Just felt like saying all that because one month later, were still the national champs.

I taped the MSU, Florida, and Kentucky games and when things are quiet on TV, I go back and watch specific sections of each of them when we had great runs. Lots to remember and be happy about.

I still think the biggest play for UConn in the whole tourney was the late 3 pt play in the St. Joseph's game. That started our magical run...

 

[gampelcrazies]

Loudest uconn game I have ever been to

 

[Marat]

I agree it was a very good game. I rewatched it last weekend.

I think every game UConn played in the tournament was entertaining. There weren't any blowouts/easy wins/no doubters. Each game had its own interesting elements. St Joes game - UConn had to overcome the deficit at the end and seal it in OT. The Nova game showed UConn could come from behind without Bazz in the 1st half. In the Iowa St game we got to return to MSG and UConn shot lights out for the majority of the game with DD displaying his skills. The MSU game showed UConn could empose their defensive will on the perimeter. The Florida game showed once game that UConn could make up a 1st half deficit and shut them down on the perimeter. The championship game vs UK showed UConn could jump out on them and control the flow down the stretch to win NC#4. Each UConn game from this tourney is worthy of being rewatched.

 

[August_West]

One month later I'm still giddy over this team and what it accomplished. It probably has to do with the nut sack.

That's all that really needed to be said.

 

[warbler1055]

Great post noeynox. I thought we were doomed before every game!!! After AB 3 point play to tie St, Joes, I thought were doomed in the first few minutes of OT. I really believe we won because we were doomed!!!

 

[UChusky916]

A really interesting note through many of the tournament games was the team's 1st half deficits/runs.

Game 1: St. Joes went on a little run end of the first half to put UConn down 9 at the half. Team was down as many as 10. Team went on steady run to to climb back and push game to OT.

Game 2: Villanova was leading 19-9 early and Bazz had 2 fouls. Uconn went on a run with him on the bench and took back the lead before the half. Sustained lead in 2nd.

Game 3: UConn went on small run vs ISU around halftime, was up 10. Withstood runs to close out game.

Game 4: UConn jumped out to quick 12-2 lead. MSU went on counter run to lead at half. MSU continued run, lead by as many as 9. UConn storms back, regains 6-pt lead. Holds off MSU.

Game 5: Florida jumped out to quick 16-4 lead. UConn goes on quick run to make it 16-15. UConn pulls away to lead before halftime. Lead in 2nd half by as many as 12, withstood runs to close out game.

Game 6: UConn jumped out to quick 9 point lead over UK. Lead by as many at 12 in the first half. Withstood constant runs in 2nd half and never relinquished the lead.


These deficits overcome/subsequent runs show me this team had two very important qualities:

TOUGHNESS.
This team was really gritty and they always BELIEVED they could win no matter how many points they trailed by. They took St. Joe's, Nova's, MSU's, and Florida's best punches as those teams went on runs. Time and time again the team was able to rally back, regain the lead, and hold on for the win.

COMPOSURE.
Not only was UConn tough, they were composed. The team was able collect themselves at key junctures in games and they had the tremendous ability to withstand other team's runs. I was sh!tting bricks in the ISU/MSU/UK games late in the 2nd halves when UConn had the lead. They were composed and executed well enough down the stretch to maintain late leads. Obviously the remarkable FT% helped, but the offensive and defensive execution was tremendous as well. Credit KO with a lot of that... drawing up good plays, substitution patterns, etc. But also credit our 2 floor general PGs, Boat and Bazz.


This team will always have a special place in my heart. Fun team to watch and root for and admirable qualities as well.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

That was the most enjoyable championship to watch in my lifetime.

Thanks for the memories Hungry Huskies.

 

[mjmoney23]

I am so happy I was able to attend the game. I was happy enough that uconn made it that far...but when we retook the lead in the second half I thought we can actually win this thing and didnt feel like it was house money anymore but that we had a legitimate chance to go for number 4. The rest is history.

 

[Rocktheworld]

And without that crazy random bank three thrown up by a walk-on, it's a 9 point win. Boat was huge on D that game.

 

[djct1999]

I was at MSG that fine Sunday and I agree that it was the most electric I have ever seen/heard an arena be. The UConn chants started in the street, right by the StubHub office, and just continued from there. The exchange between Mateen Cleaves and Rip Hamilton was classic. I also think not serving alcohol helped because I never saw so many people so focused on the game. Sitting in an all UConn section was simply awesome and something I won't ever forget!

 

[Dooley]

Told my wife after the game that it was the best atmosphere for any game I've ever been to. I still think that. When UCONN erased the 2nd half deficit, MSG was not going to let UCONN lose. That's the magic of MSG in a big game for a local team.

 

[Stinger92860]

I'd like to think I was the guy you heard start the UConn cheer at stubhub!

 

[mjmoney23]

On a funnier note I had mich st fans to my left...they had come from dc to watch the game. Thought one guys was going to lose it he was so sad. To my right I had a guy who came by himself, showed up late, and had no clue who was playing. There was a uconn fan on the other side if him who I was talking to who was a good guy. The man in the middle was by far one of the weirdest individuals I ever met.

 

[UConnErik]

Lots of us must think alike....I was watching the dvr of the FL game this am and my son and I were talking about the beauty of the six game run. We thought it would be pretty cool if the six games were broadcast back to back to back, etc. CBS sports network could probably use 12 hours of programming.

 

[guyergym]

Game 6: UConn jumped out to quick 9 point lead over UK. Lead by as many at 12 in the first half.

Actually it was 30-15 at one point.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Echo the thanks to TCF15! Remembering that Brimah is having shoulder surgery, he looks to have injured/reinjured the shoulder almost immediately when he got in this game. Went through them all. Again, thanks!

 

[aceboon]

Echo the thanks to TCF15! Remembering that Brimah is having shoulder surgery, he looks to have injured/reinjured the shoulder almost immediately when he got in this game. Went through them all. Again, thanks!

he injured this shoulder on the first day of practice

 

[noeynox]

Echo the thanks to TCF15! Remembering that Brimah is having shoulder surgery, he looks to have injured/reinjured the shoulder almost immediately when he got in this game. Went through them all. Again, thanks!

I Also Noticed What Seemed Like A Pronounced Shoulder Injury This,Game. When Going Up For An Offensive Rebound. Maybe A Reaggrevation?