St. John's Post Game Thread

[jdb50]

Someone explain how with a coaching staff pulling down $8 million plus a season we are this bad at inbounding the ball? It never got better all season. Brutal

 

[Stinger92860]

Whenever Darling went out, it felt like we had a little more offense. But when he came in, he killed us. Our guards were so worried about getting their pockets picked that it messed up with the flow. He was just tougher than our guards. As a matter of fact, all of them were. Only Reed showed fight on our end. AK is so soft and plays no D.

Why do they let AK keep throwing in the inbound pass? Geez!

Darling was constantly grabbing, holding, and hand checking. This was making it difficult to run the offense. Give them credit for the game plan.

 

[TheShot1990]

I now think there is some chance that Braylen returns. My wife said during the game “why is that little kid playing? He looks over matched by these huge kids. “

 

[blkknight1]

The offense isn’t predictable it’s that they do not have the correct pieces to run it at an optimal level. Cling and Sampson were optimal centers for the system because they were both athletic enough to be threats on the pick and roll so that if teams tried to double the handler you could throw a lob over the top if you sag off the handler they could continue to drive to the basket. Tristan was an excellent passer who could see over the top of defense. But beyond that he was an excellent scorer of the ball he could come off picks and shoot or drive and finish. Steph was a guy who couldn’t shoot consistently but he could drive and finish strong. Cam was an all around all offensive player could shoot could finish around the basket. AK was perfect because he could float he wasn’t a primary offensive weapon.


This team didn’t have the athletic centers who are lob threats. Tarris is a bruiser much like Sonogo but Reibe isn’t anywhere near what cling was as a freshman. Silas is is unable or too reluctant to drive the ball off those picks and get to the basket. There is no solo and Mullins too inconsistent as shooters and neither wants to ever drive the balll. Alex is Alex he thrives when he isn’t the center piece problem is with this team he has to be a center piece

 

[Excalibur]

Ok coach!

Just admit defeat.

 

[sdglast]

I disagree with that. Mullins is just a good of a shooter as Hawkins. Now I will say Hawkins is more polished player but he was also a Sophmore. If you were comparing Freshman Mullins Vs. Hawkins it is Mullins in a landslide.

I agree......Mullins as a freshman was much better than Hawkins......If Mullins came back, I would expect him to have a tremendous year next year......do I think he comes back...probably 65-35 no

 

[3rdbass]

No way he’s a factor in the NBA for a few years. G league first year quite a bit. The money I know…

Yeah, but like Lian before him he is gone. He is still getting drafted in the first round. Probably not a lottery pick though unless UConn goes far and he shoots lights out.

 

[djct1999]

Again.

What does he do well?

Average ball handler, below average defender, not a plus-athlete. Not a particularly gifted passer. Physically, he’s more high school than college, let alone NBA - he’s just weak. He can’t get to the rim against decent defenders - guy has taken 25 free throws all season because he avoids contact like grim death.

He needs to come back in the worst way. Pocket a few million here next season and then go

He’s almost automatic in mid range, he has a quick release, he has good lateral speed defensively, a high iq, probably our best inbounder, our best guy running the ball up, can pass better than anyone…..enough? He is by far our most talented player that is being held down by the system and his teammates.

 

[Scrutineer]

Whenever Darling went out, it felt like we had a little more offense. But when he came in, he killed us. Our guards were so worried about getting their pockets picked that it messed up with the flow. He was just tougher than our guards. As a matter of fact, all of them were. Only Reed showed fight on our end. AK is so soft and plays no D.

Why do they let AK keep throwing in the inbound pass? Geez!

I'm waiting for the know it alls who called Darling a loser at the start of the season to explain to us how they could have been so wrong. He saved their season.

 

[TroyHall98]

I'm not overly negative, but this team is definitely giving me 2006 vibes too. Talented, flawed and distracted.

They aren’t as talented as the 2006 team.

 

[MrJoe]

refs were determined to give hurley an early tech . st. john’s fouls on every play ; we are soft

 

[TRest]

Hard to win when you spot the opponents 10 points to start the game. The fact that we had 2 shots to claim a BE title and both times the team came out flat and uninterested is a bad look for Hurley.

Dan really treasures BE championships but this team doesn’t seem to gaf.

 

[ZooCougar]

Actually, fans'

You can't really blame it on one guy. This is a team effort, just as it's been from the players and the coaches. Stay safe while you celebrate.

There's so much confidence, power, and authority in this thread, it's clear that many have gotten what they wanted tonight and are here to enjoy it.

Y'all knew where to come and party. Now
get on your pony and ride.

Actually it’s you all. We’re north of the Mason Dixon.

 

[John]

Not going to give up on the team, but disappointed they have such a gaudy record and didn’t walk away with a conference or conference tournament championship this season.

 

[RuffRuff]

Good he calls it like it is

It's on Dan. He built this team. He's reached a point in his evolution where he needs to kill the binkies. Rolling over talent is important but Overhaul needed. We need to deflaw, be more balanced.

Bunch of people here would be thrilled with that apparently.

It might be smart of them to bolt before the "system" is exposed further. Stock still high.

 

[TheShot1990]

“If Mullins comes back” should not even be a phrase uttered anymore. They is NO CHANCE Mullins comes back, he is a sure thing first round pick, close to a high lottery pick. The delusion must end.

He’s a great player but if you think he was the best player on the floor tonight, that’s delusional. He will be in the NBA but he’s not ready yet.

 

[3rdbass]

I now think there is some chance that Braylen returns. My wife said during the game “why is that little kid playing? He looks over matched by these huge kids. “

He is gone. No way like Liam is he turning down guaranteed first round money no matter how hard you convince yourself he should stay. He might of slid out of lottery range but he is still a first round pick. He won't see defense like this in the NBA as those are all fouls.

 

[NickDanger]

He took a shot to the head by Zuby when Zuby stuffed his layup attempt. That was a flagrant foul that for whatever reason wasn't called cuz he got all ball before the punch.

Then, Silas tweaked his ankle when he came back in several minutes later. Game was borderline out of hand then, not sure why he was back in at all.

He most certainly did not "punch" Demary. It was incidental contact after a clean Block

 

[Scottobot]

The problems with this team were exposed in January and it is really disappointing they haven’t been able to make any adjustments or improvements.

1. Can’t inbound the ball
2. Sloppy lazy passes and become TOs.
3. Jacking up quick threes on a key possession where they really need a basket.
4. Lack of focus and sense of urgency (unless they just lost a game)

All 4 of these seem like correctable problems yet the team has made no improvement

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

Let’s not lose perspective here.

Are we an all-time great team like ‘24? No.

Are we the favorites? No.

But we have the possibility of winning it all if it all hits correctly. There are only a dozen teams who that is true for and we are one if them.

St John’s is like the football team who dominates in the outdoor, cold-weather, physical football games. So they look great in that environment. But put them in an indoor, turf field game in the Super Bowl…and they are not the same team. UConn is the opposite. Get outside of the BE with more freedom of motion and less physicality—-and we are one of the elite teams.

If Demary is healthy and this is the Reed we get the rest of the way…we have as good of a chance as any team out there.

I’m still on the bandwagon…although there seems to be much more room on it now!😂

 

[Dove]

Sheeeeyit. Was out with Mrs Dove looking forward to a Sunday morning watch. It must have been excruciating.

I still think there is an NCAA run coming. Final 8 at least.

 

[TheHorde]

He is gone. No way like Liam is he turning down guaranteed first round money no matter how hard you convince yourself he should stay.

We realize Liam has been in the G league for chunks of the season including until 5 days ago, right? Do we not think that guaranteed money will be there in a year? And there’s always NIL, right?

 

[RashadRay11]

Let’s not lose perspective here.

Are we an all-time great team like ‘24? No.

Are we the favorites? No.

But we have the possibility of winning it all if it all hits correctly. There are only a dozen teams who that is true for and we are one if them.

St John’s is like the football team who dominates in the outdoor, cold-weather, physical football games. So they look great in that environment. But put them in an indoor, turf field game in the Super Bowl…and they are not the same team. UConn is the opposite. Get outside of the BE with more freedom of motion and physicality—-and we are one of the elite teams.

If Demary is healthy and this is the Reed we get the rest of the way…we have as good of a chance as any team out there.

I’m still on the bandwagon…although there seems to be much more room on it now!😂

I’m right there with you, excellent comparison with St. John’s. I expect us to be a second weekend team with the potential to beat anyone

 

[Jumpman62114]

Can still go far in the tourney if matchups work our way, but roster construction philosophy needs to be changed. Need more players that can create/score off the dribble, overall athleticism, and rim protection.

 

[Lefty2one]

I disagree with that. Mullins is just a good of a shooter as Hawkins. Now I will say Hawkins is more polished player but he was also a Sophmore. If you were comparing Freshman Mullins Vs. Hawkins it is Mullins in a landslide.

Yeah that was all my point was re: being a soph. At the time Hawkins entered the draft compared to where Mullins is now.

Hawkins was streaky too but I dunno, plus he shot 50% from deep in the '23 tournament. Biggest stage and top competition and he showed up.

Their freshman years don't compare, for sure, and Mullins is easily the better prospect. The fact that he is so streaky and so weak gives me pause at this point. Make a few million in Storrs next year vs rotting in the G League. If he were a true lights out shooter then sure, go ahead, but he's simply not one yet.