Oklahoma post game thread

[Jaydumo20]

They haven't had an A game from someone in awhile... we are due for one. I think we are still over estimating florida.

The best tourney conference ever doesn't look like that by even the largest stretch of the imagination. And Florida IS in that conference.

I think we win

 

[blkknight1]

Thank you!!

It was so obvious in the 2nd half how open the midrange was, not just for our bigs, but for anybody that wanted a 12-18 foot jump shot.

Modern basketball is so focused on analytics nowadays that it's always a 3 point attempt or a dunk/layup.

I was scream8ng at the TV saying guys take the damn mid range shot its wide open because nobody defends it anymore. Liam, AK, Mahaney, all capable instead they drive and take contested shots at the rim which they miss. In the end Solo figured it out during his stretch at the end of the game and then AK followed suit.

 

[BPT2Storrs]

The AK floater with the defender trailing his hip was such a clutch shot late in the game, but I am baffled as to why that shot was not taken more in this game. McNeeley, Aidan, AK and even Diarra had similar opportunities all game and they all either hesitated on the shot or tried to lob/pass.

The mid range game was there for the taking all game long and we were hesitant. Two of the biggest baskets all game were mid range, AKs floater and Ball hitting that bucket when with about 9 minutes left when it looked like OK might go on a run.

It’s something that has baffled me the last few games. The shots are there for the taking but we pass them up numerous times. As Hurley said to AK tonight “just take the shot”.

 

[homunculus]

Hurley: “We’re so relieved to be past the Big East so we won’t get mauled every night.”
Oklahoma: “Hold our beer.”

The team, particularly Liam, looked frustrated. Understandable.
The team also looks tired. Hope they wake up a little against a top opponent. McNeeley has been hitting a wall and going through what he should have been getting out of his system in January. Hope he gets to March form quickly because we need pre-injury Liam badly going forward.

That alleyoop pass attempt by Mahaney was kind of funny to be honest. Afterward he put his hands over his face like “omg what have I done?”

We just played a C-/D+ game against a team from the ”greatest conference of all time” and frankly, while it was ugly as sin, it was never truly in doubt. OU was hanging on for dear life from tipoff and it took a huge effort to even be in a position take that brief lead.

As others have said, all the pressure is on Florida next, and it’s looking like the SEC wasn’t quite as good as everyone thought. Toss it up and we’ll see.

 

[Stinger92860]

I said it in the chat during the game but with the way Liam is hijacking things I would like to see Solo and Jaylin get a bit more opportunity to ball create. Solo can get into the lane for a midrange pull-up, I don't want Jaylin starting at the 3 point line but get him on the move or in the midpost area and he can get to 2 dribbles and get crafty near the basket. If Liam goes haywire again against UF that game will be done by the half.

I think Solo needs the screen to get the mid-range and thats fine, we need to run more sets for him. Too often there is a lot of standing around on offensive and teams are playing way off reed/samson in the high post with the D clogging the lane resulting in time running down and us taking bad shots. Thats how you end up 6 for 25 from three. Then the drives are contested. I am hoping they consider running something different When reed is in. Our 5’s are being asked to do a lot on both ends.

 

[tzznandrew]

I was scream8ng at the TV saying guys take the damn mid range shot its wide open because nobody defends it anymore.

They don't defend it against us anymore because they understand our system isn't using the bigs in that way. We need to shoot that shot—particularly Samson—because if they have to play up on him more it opens the lane back-cuts again and also maybe gets him an easier lob.

 

[tzznandrew]

We just played a C-/D+ game against a team from the ”greatest conference of all time” and frankly, while it was ugly as sin, it was never truly in doubt.

The game was absolutely in doubt, and they didn't play their A/A- game either.

Another way to look at it is that the 14th place team, 6-12 in conference, just gave the third place Big East team all it could handle.

 

[TheShot1990]

There is such a gap in the lane when Reed or Samson get the ball that I'd like to see them back it towards the basket a little more until a defender leaves their man. And if not, take it to the damn hole. They pick up their dribble instantly looking to pass to 5 on 4 situation. Make em guard you.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

If neither of them will shoot a wide open foul line jumper, I can't see how the can both play.

On defense, Samson has gotten really good on guarding switches. Reed was solid as well. But even they they're different types of players, I just think it would destroy our spacing.

Or... since they're wide open, they can shoot that foul line jumper and help open our offense up.

CBS had a stat at the end of the St. Mary's/Vanderbilt game that St. Mary's was 4 for 47 from 3 for the 5 halves through halftime of that game, and 4 for 8 in the second half of the Vanderbilt game, a half that St. Mary's played with two bigs. St. Mary's played a high/low game with two centers, and Vanderbilt had to pack the paint to defend against it, leaving St. Mary's shooters, who had proven themselves to be struggling for two and a half games, WIDE OPEN. St. Mary's made up a 12 point deficit, killing Vanderbilt at the basket and from the 3 point line.

Or we, and 99% of college basketball, can continue jacking contested 3's and pumping playing time into players we are constantly complaining about, out of a stupid 4 or 5 out offense that every defense is designed to stop, and see where that gets us.

Modern 5 out and 4 out, swing the ball around the perimeter offenses are what happens when ex-jock coaches think they understand math.

 

[tzznandrew]

CBS had a stat at the end of the St. Mary's/Vanderbilt game that St. Mary's was 4 for 47 from 3 for the 5 halves through halftime of that game, and 4 for 8 in the second half of the Vanderbilt game, a half that St. Mary's played with two bigs. St. Mary's played a high/low game with two centers, and Vanderbilt had to pack the paint to defend against it, leaving St. Mary's shooters, who had proven themselves to be struggling for two and a half games, WIDE OPEN. St. Mary's made up a 12 point deficit, killing Vanderbilt at the basket and from the 3 point line.

Or we, and 99% of college basketball, can continue jacking contested 3's and pumping playing time into players we are constantly complaining about, out of a stupid 4 or 5 out offense that every defense is designed to stop, and see where that gets us.

You can't play high-low on offense if the "high" player in that pairing won't shoot. Because then you play off of him and deny the paint. And now you've clogged the lane without any discernible benefit. I also don't think our guards really jacked contested 3s. Most of the looks were fairly clean. OU really worked hard to run us off the line, but we didn't make their overplaying pay.

I think Reed and Samson are different enough—and that pairing has been pretty solid in smaller minutes—but if the other team isn't guarding our big on the top of the key and we cannot make them pay, no offensive scheme is ultimately going to get us better looks in the paint or on the line.

 

[Dibbie]

Solo played with and edge and I loved it. He was chirping with the other team all game and played some good D. Caused a turnover on the baseline intercepting a back cut and that block above the rim (foul was BS), was next level!

 

[djct1999]

Never underestimate the heart of the champion. It will take someone’s “a”game to get us and these boys will fight to the very end. They have played hard and fought all season long.

 

[Dove]

I somehow think the Florida game will be in the balance with 2 minutes left. I will be suffering from clenched cheeks for sure.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I don't complain about the refs often, but the sport of basketball will be better off when the 1990's style refs like the ones we had last night retire. Oklahoma played the refs perfectly. Last night's refs allowed clutching and grabbing off and let defenders deny freedom of movement, but also made many bailout calls for any penetrator that hurled themselves at the basket. UConn started doing both things later in the game, so I don't think the officiating was necessarily biased, but it was terrible.

Good modern refs will ring up the clutching and grabbing early even if they need to send a couple of players to the bench in foul trouble. The offenders will stop eventually. And good refs will not reward the kamikaze drives with bailout calls. Make a basketball play or good refs will swallow their whistle. Unfortunately, last night's crew was doing the opposite.

Last night's officiating is why basketball was often painful to watch in the 90's, and why the sport is not the most popular sport in the world yet. Oklahoma was playing the way it needed to try to win, but it was hard to watch for a casual fan, and the sport as a whole would be better if that style was punished instead of rewarded.

 

[willie99]

If you just listened to the annoucers, we lost by double digits. Or at least we were down by double digits

They're too fast, too athletic, too quick for us plodders..... AND WE WON, despite debilitating foul trouble

Play hard for 40 minutes, make shots, get an even whistle.... and lets see what happens Sunday. We do have to shoot better than we did today. And we can't be in foul trouble

 

[Conndog]

Solo Ball keeps getting better in some area every game. Now this summer he has to work on his right hand so he can finish when going to the hoop.

Whoever coached him before he came to UConn did not do the best job. On our high school team if you could not effectively finish with both hands near the rim your playing time was negatively impacted.

Clearly whatever he focuses on improving it seems he gets it accomplished. Hope that is a focus this off season.

I’d like to see him dunk- he can jump, can’t he?

 

[UConnJim]

It seems like during the season, UConn started having Karaban and McNeeley drive to the hoop more often to loosen up the D and create fouls. Unfortunately, neither have an athletic advantage (and McNeeley seems to still be hobbled by his ankle) that allows them to consistently finish at the hoop. AK seems to have adjusted somewhat with his push shot, but McNeeley continues to drive and get denied. Right now, I think McNeeley is trying too hard to hit the 3 and I think he needs to relax and let the game come to him.

 

[freshler40]

All gravy from here

McNeeley is probably the 6th best player on the team right now, which is fine because freshmen have these stretches, but he’s playing like he’s the only option. Time (really past time) to reel it and and defer to his teammates

We run the shot clock down nearly every possession and McNeeley is expected to make a miracle. Way too many passed up shots happen before we get to this desperation point. Was this the game plan to run the clock, to hold down possessions, like football?

 

[AdamaNation]

Did I miss it or is everyone in a coma?
Great defensive effort. We did a lot wrong and fouled a ton but I’m really proud of the effort….and result!
And no one expects us to have a chance Sunday so play loose and see what happens.

Yes. The first round game for a high seed let alone a defending champion is immense. It’s the only validation that matters. Now we can calm down.

 

[freshler40]

I’d like to see him dunk- he can jump, can’t he?

Yes, for sure, Solo's clean hand block/foul near the end of the first half was a wild moment, even the announcer said he can sure elevate. The camera's caught this perfectly.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Everything is gravy from here imo.

Tried alligator once, many years ago in New Orleans. It was a little bland and chewy (compared to chicken, who h is what they claimed it would taste like).

Gator with gravy for a Sunday meal however does sound very good.

 

[freshler40]

in all my years of watching and coaching, I've never seen a team have to inbounds into back court repeatedly versus a 2-3 ZONE while under the opposing hoop. A good x and o coach, like Brad Stevens when at Butler, gets a chance of a layup or open 3 almost half the time on a under the hoop OOB play when looking at a zone. You can draw up a lot and attack under the hoop. Or you can do what we did last night. Versus a zone. Cut it how you want, but that is bball x and o disgraceful.

Lot to improve on here. We had the centers to make something inside happen but don't.

 

[BugsyCT]

Tarris was the key to the game for us. Scored in the paint when we needed hoops, and props to AK for stepping up and hitting big shots at crunch time. That’s what team leaders and defending championship players do.

Our D was refreshingly good, but we also were bailed out by OU missing a ton of open looks and bunnies at the rim.

We don’t need style points in March. It’s a win. Survive & advance. This is what we do in March.

Florida will be a load. We’ll be up for the challenge but will have to play much better than we did last night. Bring them on though. We’re still the champs until we’re not.

 

[Deepster]

We could get blown out on Sunday, we could make it competitive, and there's a chance we can win. I'm okay with any outcome. We won the first round game and I'm good with that. It's been a strange season from Hawaii to a big bounce back and then losing to Seton Hall. AK got his season back on track and got it done at the end against Oklahoma. This season might not have been what we expected but it's fine and should still be viewed as a success when you look at the history of this program.

I'll be rooting my butt off for them to shock Husky natuon but whatever happens on Sunday I won't be dejected. These guys fought all season and AK got it done to get us a tournament win. That brought a smile to my face. Let's roll the dice now.

You sound like you already have dirt shoveled on their casket. We are the champs until we’re not.

 

[RuffRuff]

Lot to improve on here. We had the centers to make something inside happen but don't.

Why we haven’t tried to play a more crisp inside out game when Reed is doubled makes no sense. Have been saying it for awhile but it would be one of our best offenses for open looks from 3. Tarris either needs to go up quickly or recognize the double quickly and find the open man. When he has the ball in his hands for more than a couple seconds nothing good usually happens (strip, fumble, etc). We run all this intricacy that often turns into a late desperation shot when some easy simple stuff is right there.

 

[NickDanger]

1. Give KA credit. He did not play well most of the game but came through when it mattered.
2. A two headed monster at center. Samson Johnson with his energy and TR in beast mode.
Florida is going to be tough but I am glad we survived for another day

If he had made shots earlier the game would not have been close, and those last shots would not have “mattered.”

 

[Bonamassa]

I thought Oklahoma's D was tenacious and made our offense look ugly. I want McNeeley to stay aggressive. Without him we lose. Loved Karaban/Ball down the stretch. Survive and advance!

 

[REB1094]

Been traveling for work and was excited to catch up on a long post game thread, but only 6 pages?!

We made the tournament and we won a game. That was the “this year sucks but I’ll take it” result. Now it’s time to see how far we can go

Just going to focus on positives for the mojo.

Great game from both bigs. That Tarris catch-turn-jab-drive-spin-finish was BEAUTIFUL

Liam had a miserable game but he completely owned the first 3-4 minutes. He was the major reason we had an early lead which we needed as the game went on. Time to see what he’s made of. No more room for bad games

Karaban was meh, and then he took over. 3-4 extremely clutch plays to win it

Solo was steady and reliable. Great shooting, especially the midrange pull-up when they took away his threes and also played some clutch defense and rebounds

We know how dangerous Florida is. We will need to play 40 full minutes to pull this off. LETS GO HUSKIES

 

[Palatine]

For the love of God, learn to inbounds the ball. We need a new play to get the ball in under our own basket.

Diarra really led the team last night. He was huge on both ends. If he didn't get the fouls I think we have an easier time. Mahaney did just enough when he when to the bench.

 

[Dove]

I came away from this game hating that Wague kid. What a whiney actor. That grin after he flopped and got the charge call. Ewwww.