Pressure

[BFieldHusky]

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like this very similar to the '99 championship game. I don't feel the pressure that I did in 2004, 2023, and 2024 when I knew we were the better team in the title game. I don't feel the pressure of 2011 and 2014 when I thought about how those magical runs would be looked at differently if they lost to a 8 seed in the championship game.

Don't get me wrong. I want to win. Badly. I just feel the pressure is on Michigan in this game.

 

[boog204]

I’m in same boat except I thought we had to win in 99 to escape the tag as an imposter of sorts. People forget that there was a JC as a guy who couldn’t win the big one t that point.

But we are def underdogs here and it will take a great effort and execution to win. Luckily we tend to have that in spades. It’s kinda a win win scenario.

 

[Ucxc24]

I feel extra stressed even though I shouldn’t. I think it’s the thought of knowing UConn always seems to surprise but damn this is going to be a tall mountain to climb. I feel like if we had no shot I wouldn’t be that worried about it.

 

[ninety-nine]

No stress for me. The only time I'd feel a little stressed would be if we had a slim lead late in the game and just needed to take care of the ball and hit free throws to win.

 

[cellocgg]

Calling it now Michigan comes out flat and UConn's defense gets it done

 

[BFieldHusky]

I feel extra stressed even though I shouldn’t. I think it’s the thought of knowing UConn always seems to surprise but damn this is going to be a tall mountain to climb. I feel like if we had no shot I wouldn’t be that worried about it.

Everyone (and rightfully so) are focused on the crazy sequence that won the Duke game. But the reality is we dominated the 2nd half against a team that while banged up, was the overall Number 1 seed. And they beat Michigan in February.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

I have a motto: There are two things in life you should never worry/stress about. The things you can't control ... and the things you can control.

They have performed brilliantly so far, and they'll do so again tonight. If they win I'll be surprised and ecstatic, and enjoy finishing my scotch.

 

[jibsey]

It’s all defense. Yes we have to make shots but we hold them down, we stay in it and have a shot.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Michigan also has the Big Ten curse to contend with, and we eliminated the other two best teams in the conference already. So yes, pressure is on them but this is a pretty veteran team. I think UConn teams are always mentally tough under Hurley, so we definitely have a punchers chance. Michigan has been blowing everybody out, like we did in 24, and I do wonder what will happen if UConn is ahead or close late into the 2nd half. That's a new world for them.

 

[boog204]

Calling it now Michigan comes out flat and UConn's defense gets it done

The key is our defense, controlling tempo, and hitting 8+ threes. We are a very tough prep with a lot of time, let alone two days. I’m feeling big hoss has a day, and we shoot it pretty well. Jayden Ross goes Igoudala.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Everything being said is true.

But.

6-0 in title games.
Always being disrespected no matter how much the program accomplishes.
Karaban going for 3/4 as the only non-ucla player.
Waving the flag for the Big East again.

So, yes, I feel some pressure.

Pressure is a privilege

 

[Marat]

They will feel pressure . May is nervous. He was there scouting in person before the Zona game.

Any lead they may have will not feel safe for them. You heard May using the UConn comeback win over Duke as a reason to play Yaxel in the 2nd half vs Zona with a risk to further injury.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

There's a lot on the line to gain, but I don't think there's a lot on the line to lose.

To me that's a slight different than the other years.

 

[Umami Zen]

Our Program/coach develops players to deal with game pressure-as we have shown multiple times this year. Our championship DNA is our advantage tonight vs a talented team- including with our bench. We came to get our rings -the pressure is on Michigan to stop us.

BTW-Speaking of pressure-Cadeau is gonna feel pressure tonight like he hasn't felt all Tournament with Silas in his grill forcing TOs.

 

[aburks41]

I am completely nauseous lol

 

[Edward Sargent]

Everyone (and rightfully so) are focused on the crazy sequence that won the Duke game. But the reality is we dominated the 2nd half against a team that while banged up, was the overall Number 1 seed. And they beat Michigan in February.

You are right. If you are going to rewatch the shot you really should rewatch the entire second half to see how we got there

 

[Tenspro2002]

I think Hurley always feels pressure, and I hope that it doesn't rub off on the team (or does in a positive way).

As a fan, this is absolutely a "house money" situation. We weren't expected to be here. We thought we were going home last weekend. Everything after that is gravy.

Furthermore, nobody's legacy is at stake. We're not fighting for relevance in the sport. This isn't a "once in program history" chance.

But it is an opportunity to do something absolutely legendary in this sport in the last 50 years.

 

[80shusky]

This season I felt that once UConn got to the elite eight they played to their seed and their ranking in the metrics during the season. All gravy after that. One thing about the team is they are calm. They don't change how they play. They'll need to take their time and run their stuff to pull this one off. Keep the tempo down, stay in the game, put game pressure on Michigan late. They aren't used to that. UConn is.

 

[Palatine]

On the one hand, Michigan has not been tested in this tournament. So it makes sense they would feel pressure in a close game.

One the other hand, the reason they haven't been tested is because they are very good and have been all year.

 

[blkknight1]

Pressure is all on them they are the favs. They were dominate all season and in the tourney. They called themselves the greatest Michigan team ever everyone is picking them.

We were not suppose to be here we were suppose to lose to ucla or Michigan st. Definitely to Duke hell even Illinois was favored.

The thing about this team all year is that they have played to their competition. Good or bad so they have heard all about Michigan and will be ready to go. Just play within themselves don’t try to do anything more than and they got this.

 

[Jaydumo20]

For the first time i ever I am happy to just be in the title game. Seriously, because, with NIL at its height, and the "get us out of the big east, its a disaster", its gonna ruin us....here we are. Again. That is the non-hyporhetical truth. Oh, and I expect #7 tonite btw

 

[Tenspro2002]

The thing about this team all year is that they have played to their competition. Good or bad so they have heard all about Michigan and will be ready to go. Just play within themselves don’t try to do anything more than and they got this.

"Play to the competition" is exactly right about this team, good or bad.

I said before the Tournament started that this was the largest variance I had ever seen in a good UConn team. It wouldn't surprise me if we lost in the first round, but if we won a few games it wouldn't surprise me if we ended up playing on Monday night.

Well, here we are.

 

[Dooch]

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like this very similar to the '99 championship game. I don't feel the pressure that I did in 2004, 2023, and 2024 when I knew we were the better team in the title game. I don't feel the pressure of 2011 and 2014 when I thought about how those magical runs would be looked at differently if they lost to a 8 seed in the championship game.

Don't get me wrong. I want to win. Badly. I just feel the pressure is on Michigan in this game.

I literally was talking about this with my buddy this morning. I don't have the normal , pit in my stomach feel I've had for the previous 6. I think partly because we are the underdogs and everyone expects Michigan to roll, but also because we just won B2B and are in our 3rd in 4 years. I still want to win in the worst way, but won't feel completely deflated if we don't.

 

[Deepster]

Defense wins championships.
As we saw with Duke, the collars got tight quick in a close game.
Karabans experience + our staff gives an edge.

Let’s get in a rock fight and take home #7..

 

[djct1999]

We have the best staff in the country and will undoubtedly scheme the hell out of tonight. Michigan won’t have time to adjust. They would probably win the next four games but here is the thing: only tonight matters. I like our chances!

 

[formerlurker]

I felt extreme, diabolical, pressure the entire 12 hour drive to Indy last night. I had a golf ball sized bladder stone lasered last Wednesday and left remnants in rest area toilets in 4 states. This one almost killed me as I sat ass naked in the 3rd row of our rented mini van pushing as hard as I could into a Gatorade bottle.



Moral of the story is, pressure is what got us to this point but it’s time to play free and easy and let things flow.

That and clean your rental car seats.

Hope to see some of you at Lucas Oil in a little under 12 hours.

 

[Umami Zen]

I am completely nauseous lol

Good sign that you have butterflies. As long as they're flying in formation. Pressure (as a fan ) is a privilege.

 

[imno1]

No stress for me. The only time I'd feel a little stressed would be if we had a slim lead late in the game and just needed to take care of the ball and hit free throws to win.

I'd take that senario

 

[Tenspro2002]

You also wonder about the response of Dusty May, who came within 10 seconds of facing us, twice, in 2023 and 2024, and got to witness our championship teams.

Now he's finally getting his shot at the champ. Interesting facet of the story tonight.

 

[housekeys]

Momentum is a real thing. UConn needs to grab it early and keep it for the majority of the game. Naturally momentum is synonymous with a lead. As time dwindles, pressure on Michigan will increase. Bottom line, UConn must play well enough to grab the lead EARLY.