St. John's Post Game Thread

[JustbrewitMan]

Solid guard play and defense will take you a long way in the Tourney. The question is whether or not we have the shooters.

imho

Let's see...UConn is Top 50 nationally in 3pt%, 36th in 2pt%.

Solo Ball has struggled throughout the season shooting from 3pt, but over his last 6 games, he is 18/48 (37.5%)

Everyone else on our team has shot 189/492 (38.4%) from 3pt range on the year.

The only area where you could beef about is our FT%.

We are a great shooting team.

 

[Woof]

This is what happens when our player don’t get tick tak fouls call early and are in foul trouble.

The refs were still terrible. The difference is that we were so much better that it didn't matter.

 

[RuffRuff]

I don't like Pitino either but I think it is good for the BE and the sport in general to have some villains. It makes for a more compelling storyline.

Sports = entertainment

Villains are a part of almost an movie - they're absolutely good for the game. Many see Hurley as a villain.

 

[Drame]

Loved that play where Ball pushed the ball in transition and found Tarris for a dunk. Need more of that. We too often walk the ball up so we can run our offense.

That was great. but then following a 3 on 1 fastbreak and Silas pulled the ball back when he had Mullins up ahead. Missed opp.

 

[Woof]

I for one am SHOCKED that a Fishy take is god awful

He wasn't wrong. The team was bad. Teams evolve and especially Hurley coached teams.

 

[RuffRuff]

I can’t remember a shooter like Mullins who can look so good with his quick release and then shoot a brick. It wasn’t just this game but he had a few against St. John’s.

Have to let him rip it and keep that mentality.

 

[RashadRay11]

Pitino stated that UConn's biggest flaw is that UConn fouls too much..
I think St. John's biggest flaw is that they shoot like a group of blind people.

This made me laugh out loud at work so much that my boss asked...."everything okay?"

Yes. Yes it is.

 

[uconn_jack]

I hate AI. That's crap.

 

[HCCForever]

He’s the one you want to shoot when there is 0.7 seconds left on the clock- can’t think of anyone with a quicker release

I agree but Solo did have that three with shot-clock expiring from the logo. I can’t remember the opponent.

 

[jibsey]

It seems every game Mullins takes a very very deep 3 shot. Probably not his best decision to do this.

Could not agree more but Hurley must be giving him the green light on those. I could not get over 1 play. He raced to the corner with no separation with his defender, went up and released simultaneously making the shot. Quickest release I ever saw.

 

[husky429]

Could not agree more but Hurley must be giving him the green light on those. I could not get over 1 play. He raced to the corner with no separation with his defender, went up and released simultaneously making the shot. Quickest release I ever saw.

Mullins takes shots even AK shouldn't be allowed to take. He's a ridiculous shooter.

I'd say on average I get annoyed with maybe 1 shot a game the kid takes. When it's not a transition 3, but also early in the shot clock I can get miffed.

 

[superjohn]

Mullins takes shots even AK shouldn't be allowed to take. He's a ridiculous shooter.

I'd say on average I get annoyed with maybe 1 shot a game the kid takes. When it's not a transition 3, but also early in the shot clock I can get miffed.

He has the ultimate green light. He'll have a couple crazy ones that miss everything and he'll also make a couple of crazy ones nobody else can possibly make. It's fun to watch.

 

[Mike Honcho]

If someone posted this and I missed it, I'm sorry, but it gave me some Elite 8 Illinois vibes. Clearly the team got into St. John players heads. When you airball an 8 footer (I think that was Hopkins on the baseline), all is not right between the ears.

I've seen a lot of references to this game (and for good reason). But let's not forget the prior year's elite 8 game against Gonzaga where we took their souls.

82-54. UConn 82-54 Gonzaga (Mar 25, 2023) Box Score - ESPN

 

[Donyell 360]

Pitino stated that UConn's biggest flaw is that UConn fouls too much..
I think St. John's biggest flaw is that they shoot like a group of blind people.

That is very disrespectful to blind people. They can shoot better than that.

 

[Mike Honcho]

I honestly think the rims are softer.

The Johnnies would disagree 😅

 

[RuffRuff]

Mullins takes shots even AK shouldn't be allowed to take. He's a ridiculous shooter.

I'd say on average I get annoyed with maybe 1 shot a game the kid takes. When it's not a transition 3, but also early in the shot clock I can get miffed.

Think about his shots is that when he hits them, they are such momentum swingers. He takes them in a way where the game energy shifts.

 

[Deepster]

I honestly think the rims are softer.

I actually looked at three point shooting at Gampel vs. XL the last two seasons and it’s almost identical for the Huskies. I feel like Gampels rims are tighter too but the stats didn’t show it.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

I have 1 small issue with last night's game, and it applies to other games. I just don't care for Braylon taking 3 pointers from 5 feet beyond the arc. They just don't go in very frequently and there must be a better shot available. Alex has earned a few feet behind the arc, but Braylon has not. The 3s Brayloin did hit were much closer to the line and that's where I'd prefer he take them, at this point.
Outside of that, fantastic outcome and well played by everyone. It seems that the more invested Tarris is, the better the team plays.

 

[Donyell 360]

That was a fun game to watch but honestly by the end I was losing interest. Probably because I watched the replay as I got home late and it was getting late and I was really tired. I'll have to watch it again when I am more awake. Great effort by UConn combined with a pathetic effort by SJ. I'm not sure how much to credit UConn's D vs blame SJ O? From reading the posts here it seems like most are giving credit to UConn. It was definitely an inspired effort. The word I kept hearing from the broadcast and coaches was "flying around". They played with a lot of energy and SJ did not come close to matching it.

 

[JB75]

I was at the St. John’s game at MSG 3 weeks ago. Never seen a more disrespectful bunch of band wagon jumping/don’t know how to win cause they have never won shit ,bunch of obnoxious fans. They are getting exactly what they deserve. Do not feel sorry for one second!

I agree - we were at that game a few weeks ago too. They were talking so much trash after the game. It was almost comical. I haven’t wanted a regular season game this badly in as long as I can remember. Maybe the nova games with Gillespie and company. This one I wanted more than those tho. Incredible crowd- incredible beatdown - incredible night !

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[uconngb]

for Pulp Fiction fans

This season we have been Marsellus Wallace and last night got our revenge against…. the gimp

we went mid-evil on their asses......

 

[Son of Robert]

One of Pitino's halftime adjustments was to ramp up driving the ball into the lane which we were not having, we just clamped down on them from the foul line and in. One player after another got nowhere. I thought the refs did a great job, it could have turned into a choppy foul fest. To their credit they were consistent and let the players play most of the game.

 

[Donyell 360]

Reed obviously deserves the "game ball" for this one. His dominance set the tone.

I said it already but will repeat it here: Loved the play where Ball pushed the ball up the court and found Tarris for a dunk. We don't push pace enough. I really like this version of Solo. He took what the D gave him and didn't force many shots. He made some 3's. Would still like to see him get to the line more often. He is probably our best FT shooter (though he missed one tonight).

It was nice to see Smith make a layup (even though he followed it up with a miss and a jump shot that was blocked like he was a preschooler). But Smith's energy after that made layup with nice to see, high fiving fans. I am critical of Smith but still rooting for him to find his mojo and contribute.

Reibe apparently does not match up with with SJ. That's two of his worst games this year. But if he can play well against everyone not named SJ I can live with that.

I agree with many of the posters here that Ross is bringing positive contributions off the bench. His issue has always been confidence and I got to think the way he has been playing that confidence level is rising for him. He missed all his 3's but didn't force them.

Nice to see AK bounce back. No signs of a leg issue holding him back.

Demary cut down on the TO's. We are better with him scoring 7 points with 1 TO's than scoring 18 with 9 TO's.

Mullins played OK. I just have high expectations for him. But I am coming to accept the fact that like Steph Castle, his potential will not be realized at UConn but rather the next level. I will take what I can get from him, but boy would I love to see him back next year. Just sayin.

 

[FightOnCT]

That was a fun game to watch but honestly by the end I was losing interest. Probably because I watched the replay as I got home late and it was getting late and I was really tired. I'll have to watch it again when I am more awake. Great effort by UConn combined with a pathetic effort by SJ. I'm not sure how much to credit UConn's D vs blame SJ O? From reading the posts here it seems like most are giving credit to UConn. It was definitely an inspired effort. The word I kept hearing from the broadcast and coaches was "flying around". They played with a lot of energy and SJ did not come close to matching it.

SJU already has suspect offense (around 40th in KenPom going into the game). Hurley adjusted the defense since the last game to not sell out on the 3 point line and Reed stayed near the post more often. It got rid of their only real option on O since they rarely attempt 3 pointers. Combined with the inability to get an automatic whistle, it forced the Johnnies to take uncomfortable shots, none of which went in.

 

[Travelman6]

Wow, just speechless.

In the best way possible.

Never could I have imagined something like that.

I figured they'd win, assumed it'd be tough, but ya, wow.....

 

[superjohn]

Titus is my favorite guy to listen to talking college hoops. He really knows the game, he's funny, and he loves UConn.

 

[navery12]

I can't remember ever seeing such a low game score

 

[prankster]

Well....I hate to be the one to bring this up, but....

If St John's manages to get by Villanova this weekend, I am afraid we are going to have to root for Providence to win out.

They will then slide in ahead of Creighton in the standings, making our 2 wins over the Fry Cooks better than the Johnnies 2 wins over the Crate 'n Barrels.

 

[RuffRuff]

Reed obviously deserves the "game ball" for this one. His dominance set the tone.

I said it already but will repeat it here: Loved the play where Ball pushed the ball up the court and found Tarris for a dunk. We don't push pace enough. I really like this version of Solo. He took what the D gave him and didn't force many shots. He made some 3's. Would still like to see him get to the line more often. He is probably our best FT shooter (though he missed one tonight).

It was nice to see Smith make a layup (even though he followed it up with a miss and a jump shot that was blocked like he was a preschooler). But Smith's energy after that made layup with nice to see, high fiving fans. I am critical of Smith but still rooting for him to find his mojo and contribute.

Reibe apparently does not match up with with SJ. That's two of his worst games this year. But if he can play well against everyone not named SJ I can live with that.

I agree with many of the posters here that Ross is bringing positive contributions off the bench. His issue has always been confidence and I got to think the way he has been playing that confidence level is rising for him. He missed all his 3's but didn't force them.

Nice to see AK bounce back. No signs of a leg issue holding him back.

Demary cut down on the TO's. We are better with him scoring 7 points with 1 TO's than scoring 18 with 9 TO's.

Mullins played OK. I just have high expectations for him. But I am coming to accept the fact that like Steph Castle, his potential will not be realized at UConn but rather the next level. I will take what I can get from him, but boy would I love to see him back next year. Just sayin.

Mullins is a freshman and plays like one. Unlike Steph, he isn't one of those kids that plays beyond his years as he's not really filling the stat sheet outside of the shooting all that much. I'm going to call him coming back higher than the 5% I put out there, as I think there is a semi decent chance he can fall a bit in this draft. It may be mid/late teens, or it maybe into the 20's. We'll see.