St. John's Post Game Thread

[kobebeanbryant]

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Hopefully this means I can finally stop having weekly discussions about why Reed shouldn't be benched and is not a horrible defender (not directed at you)

I appreciate you noting that at the end. I noted his def +/- in another thread. He’s been a tremendous defender his whole two years here, not sure how people think differently.

 

[CTBasketball]

The Johnnie’s thought Hartford was going to be easy. Lol.

 

[Hurleyman216]

So weird how St Johns went away from their winning game plan from last game. They didnt press, post up Mitchell on ball and Mullins, didn’t crash the glass hard.

More even reffing obviously helped us here, it was obvious how bad the reffing was at MSG. But the defense was suffocating, and Tarris especially deserves the game ball for dominating the paint.

I still love what Ross brings, doesn’t over dribble, takes good looks, defends better than anyone not named Demary, and hustles more than anyone on the team. I’m buying stock on him starting as a senior, but that’s probably hyperbole.

They tried to press but it wasn’t effective. Not sure if the “casual fans” noticed, but we brought Reed back when we were inbounding and had him set a screen or sometimes multiple screens to get the ball in more easily. Seemed to take a lot of pressure off the inbounder and eventually they didn’t press so much because it wasn’t creating an advantage for them.

 

[navery12]

Jayden Ross has really found his groove. 15-20 minutes off the bench with good defense is enough, but he's finally playing with confidence on offense too. That's big for March and a very valuable role for next year off the bench too

 

[FearThePups]

A side note; Pitino not doing media after the game is such chicken-*. I’m glad we have a coach who will face it always, win or lose. Pitino is such a sore loser and the sport will be better when he retires.

Nah, I think it was more like they were packing him in his crypt for the ride back to the city.

 

[RuffRuff]

We should all tune in and pull for DePaul in a close one with Creighton. If PC can win the head to head, they have an off chance to pull in front of them.

 

[navery12]

They tried to press but it wasn’t effective. Not sure if the “casual fans” noticed, but we brought Reed back when we were inbounding and had him set a screen or sometimes multiple screens to get the ball in more easily. Seemed to take a lot of pressure off the inbounded and eventually they didn’t press so much because it wasn’t creating an advantage for them.

Yup, there were some tweaks like that made to the press break and there's a reason St John's stopped.

Another subtle change that's frustrated me for years was Karaban not running the baseline when the immediate pass isn't there, which he did at least twice tonight

 

[2014DualCs]

Incredible atmosphere at PBA. Even my section at the top was standing up anytime we made a few big defensive plays in a row that led to great offensive sets. Momentum…

 

[Dove]

Not the point but I see people touting lemon pepper wings on the internet all the time and they just don’t hit.

I totally agree. Jamaican dry rub all day.

 

[formerlurker]

Just got home from the game...

 

[uconn_jack]

“Beat their Ass!” And they did just that.

Sometimes the simplest message is the most effective.

Offense moved up to 21 and defense to 9. Think offense was 24 before tonight and defense was 12. I think. Anyone remember?

2026 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings

I would have expected them to move a little more.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Jayden Ross has really found his groove. 15-20 minutes off the bench with good defense is enough, but he's finally playing with confidence on offense too. That's big for March and a very valuable role for next year off the bench too

And his shot looks pretty good. That turnaround was beautiful even if it was incredibly surprising. His switching on defense was great, too.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Jayden Ross has really found his groove. 15-20 minutes off the bench with good defense is enough, but he's finally playing with confidence on offense too. That's big for March and a very valuable role for next year off the bench too

His skillset also fits in nicely in a game like this where they get turnovers/rebounds and can push the pace more. He fits better running the floor than when we are purely a halfcourt team.

 

[HooperScooper]

I'm curious if Ruff has jumped on the UConn bandwagon?

No, no, please, anything but that! He's the kiss of death. 😀

 

[Mike Honcho]

That was our A game. Awesome to see. March will be here on Sunday. Peaking at the right time.

 

[uconn_jack]

Second straight game where we’ve gotten really nice bench contributions from Ross and Smith. Our scoring off the bench is limited but both played their roles really nicely. Reibe had a real freshman big game but easy to absorb with Reed absolutely feasting.

I was going to say Reibe just isn't cut out for that kind of physicality (yet), but he was great during the Arizona game, so maybe its just St. Johns that he struggles with.

 

[superjohn]

And his shot looks pretty good. That turnaround was beautiful even if it was incredibly surprising. His switching on defense was great, too.

He's had several of those turnarounds lately. Solo, Braylon, Silas, and Jayden are all really good in the midrange.

 

[RuffRuff]

No, no, please, anything but that!

I think most of us were wondering if they had that gear waiting to flip into. If Hurley is that good he now knows how to save it till Feb 25, then let’s crown him.

 

[uconn_jack]

That’s the first thing I noticed as well. The team didn’t start launching threes until under ten minutes and even those weren’t that egregious.

I’m still baffled by St. John’s shooting. UConn had great defense but some of their shots were so far off. Unbelievable but I love it.

The seemed shaken by our defense and intensity out of the gate and started rushing everything. That snowballs real quick if you don't settle down, and they never did.

 

[RuffRuff]

DePaul beats Creighton in Omaha

 

[superjohn]

I think most of us were wondering if they had that gear waiting to flip into. If Hurley is that good he now knows how to save it till Feb 25, then let’s crown him.

You really think Hurley has been slow playing things until the second half of the Nova game?

 

[uconn_jack]

He's had several of those turnarounds lately. Solo, Braylon, Silas, and Jayden are all really good in the midrange.

Don't say midrange, somebody here might have a stroke.

 

[jackanddanny8]

Can’t wait to see the game when it becomes available- I never signed up for Peacock

Can’t wait to see the game when it becomes available- I never signed up for Peacock

It’s up on YouTube

 

[ec33]

Dan Hurley:

Love the stuff at the end about Tarris. Put it on Tarris that this is what UConn needs to win titles. Need 11 games with this effort.