THe Official Make a Spartan Start Shartin' Game Thread

[superjohn]

You ever notice how every coach against us says “ well we didn’t play well”

Scrappy tough UConn teams have a way of doing that to you

I remember coaches saying that when they were going against some of our great teams. Me thinks defense has a little something to do with it.

 

[spudzj6]

I know TL is a no show on offense, his defense has actually been stellar. Moving quick laterally without fouling. Using his length in the passing lanes. Think he has two tipped passes

 

[TRest]

I was really referring to his lethargic play. You could see Ollie had some concern there.

He's really limited. I'm assuming two fouls because he's a magnet

 

[Jerry1714]

2nd half spread is MSU -7.5.

 

[UConnDan97]

I like our defense. I expect it to get better and better as the season goes along. This game is great experience for them. i havent enjoyed a regular season game in quite a while but im having fun tonight.

That's the type of D Ollie would prefer to play. Lots of press (three quarter court, full court) and high energy.

That's also what he couldn't play last year with 7 scholarship players available...

 

[NielsisGood]

MSU is getting inside too easily. We need to make it harder for them to get those types of looks. Need to try to force the ball inside on the other end as well.

 

[BringJimBack]

Lucky to be down just 1. Izzo will have MSU playing a different game next half. Hopefully Ollie has some answers. Can start by valuing the ball. We may never be able to shoot but take care of the dang ball.

 

[James]

why not set ball screens higher up on the floor to let Adams and Gilbert get down hill faster? We need a way to manufacture points somehow

 

[Blue Huskie]

TEXAS blew that LEAD! Shit I tuned in and saw the big lead and figured Duke was going down.

 

[SwingDog]

Izzo is pissed he isn't up by 20. Rightfully so.

Well he's right in saying his team hasn't played well but neither have the Huskies. Of course both teams' defenses have a little something to do with the poor offensive showing.

 

[UConn3432]

Have a bad feeling this is one of those games where the refs come out of halftime and call cheap fouls on us 3-4 possessions in a row to “even things out” and we lose a critical player to foul trouble and it effectively puts the game away.

 

[ASweet3781]

MSU came out in 2nd half like gangbusters against DePaul. We are right with them but someone has to get hot for us to have a shot. Just kills me how much we go ISO, gotta have SOME movement guys. Gotta love the D early this season.

 

[NielsisGood]

MSU also seems afraid to shoot the 3. I hope we adjust and deny that post play

 

[BlueDogs]

100% better than last year, but still some real deficits which make it awful hard for us to compete. I like that the team is buying into to the idea that D effort can level the playing field.

 

[KingAG]

Lucky to be down just 1. Izzo will have MSU playing a different game next half. Hopefully Ollie has some answers. Can start by valuing the ball. We may never be able to shoot but take care of the dang ball.

It isn’t luck. Our defense has been suffocating

 

[tykurez]

Larrier is a good shooter.
When he sets his feet.
He is all over the place right now on his form.
I think he's playing timid right now.

He’s shook. Hopefully seeing one go in towards the end there helps. Need him if they want a chance at this

 

[Tenspro2002]

To be expected. We need a scoring threat in the post to open things up a bit for our shooters. They also just need to start taking better shots.

We need to start making shots.

Adams was hot in the first half, but Larrier was terrible and Vital looked bad also. Gilbert is up and down.

Recruiting has not prioritized shooters in the way that it should have.

 

[DonaldDraper]

Maybe that’s our recipe for success this year. Make it ugly and rough, stay close and let our guards take over in the end. Let’s see if it works tonight

We need to have it a bit more clean on our side. They have 1 steak we have 9 TO. We have 3 steals they have 4 TO.

Cut out the unforced errors.

 

[SixRings]

Fluck I’m tired

 

[Walker11]

Plus, Big Dave is getting held by the defense every time he sets a pick.

I haven't noticed the holding but I believe it. I have noticed that the bigs have been having an impossible time even setting the initial screen in the PnR.

We need to get Larrier the ball on the block or catch and shoot. He’s straight bad trying to get his own shot

He is good at creating his shot from the high post but has missed the vast majority of his deep pull up or step back 2's, which are a bad shot even for the best. He also has a flat shot tonight, which was noted by someone earlier. His release is not consistent right now. Lot of on-target line drive front rimmers.

 

[Scoe]

The first 5 minutes will be crucial Ollie better make some adjustments because you know Izzo will.

 

[SwingDog]

It isn’t luck. Our defense has been suffocating

Thank you. No luck involved.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Tell you right now.
Uconn wants to win, like a heavyweight fight, will have to score a knockout. Refs won't let them win on pts.

 

[ctchamps]

If and when this team believes in itself they will make some significant noise. Terry has to shake off his misses and play like he owns the court. In spite of those two travel calls Carleton is going to be special for us.

 

[tykurez]

The pressure defense is fantastic but it’s clear Izzo told them to sprint to the ball and get it up quick off a make. Gotta hope someone else other than Jalen and Rique show up in the 2nd

 

[Tenspro2002]

The first 5 minutes will be crucial Ollie better make some adjustments because you know Izzo will.

More importantly, KO needs to have the awareness and willingness to call a timeout in the first 2-3 minutes if things go sideways off the bat.

 

[August_West]

I remember coaches saying that when they were going against some of our great teams. Me thinks defense has a little something to do with it.

Yup and now they have said it 2 nights in a row. I like what that may point to down the road this year.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

Is it me or are our unis devoid of National Flag Blue?

Phil knight only wears black apparently so the theme for the unis is black as an homage to him. Not everyone has black but a lot of teams have the numbers and wording in black.

 

[superjohn]

How many boneyarders have died so far?

 

[joober jones]

If we lose this by 2 or less, it will be quite infuriating. Obvious basket interference.