Title Favorites per EvanMiya

[Umami Zen]

As long as we're healthy -Hass being the wild card- And if we have a fair seeding taking into account our record affected by Liam's injury- No one is going to want to see us in their bracket. Starting to put it together at the right time.

Evan's view of us seems to be somewhat flawed from the perspective of Liam's injury and its impact on our performance while out. It is what it is. The next 10 games leading up to Selection Sunday will give you a better indication of our Tournament prospects.

 

[REB1094]

Title favorites tier:

• Houston - Really good team but I just can't believe in them, because they're Houston
• Duke - Passes the eye test, although in a really bad ACC. I love their size and of course they're led by the 20PPG #1 NBA draft pick. But I'm cautious going all in on a team that relies on freshmen as much as they do
• Florida - I haven't watched much of them this year so can't confidently say yes or no. But they beat Auburn on the road and demolished Tennessee when they were #1, so I have to say yes
• I'm all in on Auburn and Alabama. Johni Broome and Mark Sears are 2 of the top 3 I'm watching for NPOY. Both teams are REALLY impressive to watch

Final Four tier:

• Gonzaga - No way. They have a solid roster and should be better, but the games matter and they've lost too many for me to be confident
• Purdue - Will fall into the same matchup issue they have before. Pressure their guards and they won't have Edey to take over. I don't think Kaufman-Renn is that guy, so I'm out
• Kansas - Definitely have the talent to make a real title run. Can they put the egos aside and pull it together? Probably not, but it's hard for me to count them out even if they've miserably underperformed expectations so far
• Tennessee - I really like Tennessee so I want to be in, but if I said no to Houston because they're Houston then I have to be consistent and have some hesitation here
• Iowa St - Definitely a threat for a final four berth, but they've started slipping at a bad time to start slipping
• St Johns - Sorry, I'm out. I think their strategy of missing every shot and just getting the rebound and trying again until it goes in is fun, but not sustainable for a title run
• Arizona - Getting hot at a good time. In the tournament, will Caleb Love shoot 10-25 or 3-17? That will decide how far they go
• Haven't watched too much of the rest

UConn: It sounds like Diarra won't be healthy the rest of the way. That means that our only individual playmaker is freshman Liam McNeeley who probably has to play 35+ minutes a night the rest of the way coming off a 5 week injury. At this point I'm more concerned about that than the defense, because the defense has exponentially improved recently. He showed us in Omaha that he can take over a game, but it's very risky to put all the eggs in that basket. Right now I wouldn't consider us a real title contender, but no top 4 seed will want to see UConn on their side of the bracket

 

[jibsey]

Our last 2 title teams had Diarra coming off the bench as a defensive stopper and disrupter. He was never starter material and certainly not wounded the way he will be the rest of t(e way. We also had a big guards in Newton and Cam last year whose size helped rebounding.
We control the glass and shoot decent with our good offense we win. So it should be Solo, Karaban, Liam, Stew with either Johnson or Reed and then Diarra and comes in as he did last year off the bench to disrupt. Ross off the bench.
Mahaney only when we have a lead to play with. Time for Hurley to abandon any pre season loyalties or strategies at this point of the year.
This gives us the size we need but the downside is turnovers but it’s a risk we have to take because Haas is no scoring threat nor is Mahaney.
Tremendous opponent guards will still out quick us but we are rolling the dice either way and Liam is as good a facilitator as Haas or Mahaney.
We move into the real contender group this way but going with our point guards puts inferior talent out there.

 

[Hurleyman216]

Our last 2 title teams had Diarra coming off the bench as a defensive stopper and disrupter. He was never starter material and certainly not wounded the way he will be the rest of t(e way. We also had a big guards in Newton and Cam last year whose size helped rebounding.
We control the glass and shoot decent with our good offense we win. So it should be Solo, Karaban, Liam, Stew with either Johnson or Reed and then Diarra and comes in as he did last year off the bench to disrupt. Ross off the bench.
Mahaney only when we have a lead to play with. Time for Hurley to abandon any pre season loyalties or strategies at this point of the year.
This gives us the size we need but the downside is turnovers but it’s a risk we have to take because Haas is no scoring threat nor is Mahaney.
Tremendous opponent guards will still out quick us but we are rolling the dice either way and Liam is as good a facilitator as Haas or Mahaney.
We move into the real contender group this way but going with our point guards puts inferior talent out there.

The Diarra hate on this board is head scratching. The dude was an absolute stud for us the first half of the season and was one of the nation’s leaders in assist/turnover. Having a point guard that puts up 8-10 assists per game and is good for 8-10 points in the flow of the offense is something that would get him a start on most teams in the country.

 

[uh-no]

The Diarra hate on this board is head scratching. The dude was an absolute stud for us the first half of the season and was one of the nation’s leaders in assist/turnover. Having a point guard that puts up 8-10 assists per game and is good for 8-10 points in the flow of the offense is something that would get him a start on most teams in the country.

yeah i don't get it. dude isn't newton, whatever....but before he was hobbled, he was driving this offense.

 

[mauconnfan]

The Diarra hate on this board is head scratching. The dude was an absolute stud for us the first half of the season and was one of the nation’s leaders in assist/turnover. Having a point guard that puts up 8-10 assists per game and is good for 8-10 points in the flow of the offense is something that would get him a start on most teams in the country.

Where’s the hate thing, no one hates the guy who was 6th man of the year he’s a very solid player and our PG. Not to see how much better we would be if he’s still our 6th man is ignoring the facts. He’s solid but to be a really great team we needed Danny’s dream of Mahaney or even Nowell stepping up because HD just isn’t that guy. Solid is the key word, passing it to Solo, Liam and Alex (when he used to be able) in position to shoot it was something he was good at. But he had many ghost like 1st halves especially during losses and games we needed to come back on and he’s not real creative. Like the kid, love him trying to play through pain but the truth is Dan Hurley and the staff failed finding a real impact PG to make this team great again and keep HD where he’s the most effective.

 

[Scrutineer]

I said this to a buddy of mine the other day. I think they got too much press in previous years. It doesn’t feel like they’re getting as much hype as they used to. Scary good team.

I love how much social media hypes the Big 12. Houston and Arizona have come into that league and dominated it. Houston still looks like they’re playing an AAC schedule. No wonder Kansas won 15 years in a row

So, if UConn does the unmentionable this year, does Brett Yormark fly all the University Presidents to Storrs to convince DB and RM it's time to join the league and win them titles in something for a change?

 

[RuffRuff]

Where’s the hate thing, no one hates the guy who was 6th man of the year he’s a very solid player and our PG. Not to see how much better we would be if he’s still our 6th man is ignoring the facts. He’s solid but to be a really great team we needed Danny’s dream of Mahaney or even Nowell stepping up because HD just isn’t that guy. Solid is the key word, passing it to Solo, Liam and Alex (when he used to be able) in position to shoot it was something he was good at. But he had many ghost like 1st halves especially during losses and games we needed to come back on and he’s not real creative. Like the kid, love him trying to play through pain but the truth is Dan Hurley and the staff failed finding a real impact PG to make this team great again and keep HD where he’s the most effective.

I don’t think it’s crazy to think that if we can figure out this lineup configuration without Diarra, our upside is higher. It presents a ton of matchup problems on both ends of the floor. Love Hassan but he’s not stressing other teams.

 

[Scrutineer]

The last nine national champs have been in the "Title Favorites" group on Selection Sunday.

Not in the last nine: 2014.

Interesting how they didn't mention it was UConn.
Wonder if the school's name would have been mentioned if it had been one of the "blue bloods"?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I believe most of us want Flagg to win it all. It’s not about Duke, it’s about Flagg.

 

[SubbaBub]

I don’t think it’s crazy to think that if we can figure out this lineup configuration without Diarra, our upside is higher. It presents a ton of matchup problems on both ends of the floor. Love Hassan but he’s not stressing other teams.

This is correct. Hass has been terrific and way better than expected but he's not someone opponents need to worry about taking over an important game. Doesn't mean he can't but it's not someone anyone should be counting on. Liam, AK (not recently), Ball, and Reed are all guys who can be mismatches. Last season someone was always on fire and when two or three guys were on, we won by 20. At the end of the day, this team goes as far as their consistency and togetherness take them.

Liam was legendary at Creighton but that can't be the recipe for an extended run, but it could be the difference if everyone else is playing up to par.

 

[superjohn]

There's no way we're a better team without a healthy Hass.

He averaged 10 ppg, 7.2 assists, 1.9 turnovers, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals against non cupcakes this season until the recent knee injury. Plus he is one of our two vocal leaders on the team with Liam, he's won two national championships, and he's one of the only guy's on the team who plays tough defense.

What are people even talking about in this thread?

 

[RuffRuff]

There's no way we're a better team without a healthy Hass.

He averaged 10 ppg, 7.2 assists, 1.9 turnovers, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals against non cupcakes this season until the recent knee injury. Plus he is one of our two vocal leaders on the team with Liam, he's won two national championships, and he's one of the only guy's on the team who plays tough defense.

What are people even talking about in this thread?

I think you’re missing the point - no one said better without him available but if we can get a lineup humming with Liam at Point F, it creates mismatch issues. This team which has a ceiling with Hassan running PG big minutes, becomes a unique mismatch challenge. That SubbaBub post nailed it.

 

[superjohn]

I think you’re missing the point - no one said better without him available but if we can get a lineup humming with Liam at Point F, it creates mismatch issues. This team which has a ceiling with Hassan running PG big minutes, becomes a unique mismatch challenge. That SubbaBub post nailed it.

This team was humming with a healthy Hass and a healthy Liam in the starting lineup before their injuries. In no way are we better without Hass out there and in no way do we have a lower ceiling with a healthy Hass playing point.

Hass was damn good this season when healthy.

 

[RuffRuff]

This team was humming with a healthy Hass and a healthy Liam in the starting lineup before their injuries. In no way are we better without Hass out there and in no way do we have a lower ceiling with a healthy Hass playing point.

Hass was damn good this season when healthy.

He’s a limited scoring threat. Im a big fan of Hass. I just think this team presents a dimension with him in limited minutes off the bench if we can get this going.

 

[housekeys]

Hmmm. UConn as an underdog, like they recently were at Marquette and at Creighton, is 2-0. Favorite at home against St John', they lost. UConn is a very good team that will be under seeded and likely an underdog throughout the tourney. Nothing like the defending 2 in a row national champion playing with house money.

 

[Giddyup5]

With Hass what people don’t realize is the impact it has on Samson and even AK. If those 7 assists, 4-5 were to Samson/AK on slips and rolls. Main reason Samson is shooting 76% is cause of Hass. Sure Liam is more of a scoring threat and can initiate offense. But can he get the 8-10 assist/rim points from our 5?

 

[mauconnfan]

After this pitiful display we are probably max’d out at the 8-9 game with a 10 or play in possible. Yup huge trouble on the horizon. Best player was ok but not the same as last game for sure, best shooter also turned it over a lot and didn’t need to dribble through a double team because the 10 second clock was NOT in play just get fouled. And the best coach ever hasn’t figured out how his team can safely in bound the ball. None of those add up well.

 

[Scrutineer]

Numbers of losses in our Championship seasons:
1999-2,
2004-6,
2011-9,
2014-8,
2023-8
2024-3

2025-8 so far. (so we're in the ballpark with a strong finish)

The 2011 roster was talented but very young, with major in season growing pains, and 2023 had a great roster, but a bad stretch in January, so for sake of comparisons I looked at 2014.

The 2014 roster (of the 8 or 9 loss teams) seemed most equivalent talent-wise to 2025 so I like our chances, IF:
-IM can score at least 38 points per game ;
-Samson Johnson and TR can combine for more than 4 points and 5 rebounds per game (Phil Nolan and Amidah Brimah combined for 0 points and 5 rebounds in 32 minutes against Kentucky in 2014);
-Solo's wrist completely heals and he gets back in the 3 point groove while building on his "new ability" to drive for scores;
-AK keeps finding ways to score on floaters and drives while continuing to play his all around game AND regains the fine motor skills he needs for his 24 foot off balance 3's;
-HD is fully able to play or JS keeps improving his overall game and does a "Giffey" for us in the NC game;
-AM is reborn and goes 5 for 5 on two's like "Boat" in the 2014 NC game;
-AN fully recovers from all injuries and grows into a bigger role, ala Terrence Samuels against Villanova

 

[gtcam]

Numbers of losses in our Championship seasons:
1999-2,
2004-6,
2011-9,
2014-8,
2023-8
2024-3

2025-8 so far. (so we're in the ballpark with a strong finish)

The 2011 roster was talented but very young, with major in season growing pains, and 2023 had a great roster, but a bad stretch in January, so for sake of comparisons I looked at 2014.

The 2014 roster (of the 8 or 9 loss teams) seemed most equivalent talent-wise to 2025 so I like our chances, IF:
-IM can score at least 38 points per game ;
-Samson Johnson and TR can combine for more than 4 points and 5 rebounds per game (Phil Nolan and Amidah Brimah combined for 0 points and 5 rebounds in 32 minutes against Kentucky in 2014);
-Solo's wrist completely heals and he gets back in the 3 point groove while building on his "new ability" to drive for scores;
-AK keeps finding ways to score on floaters and drives while continuing to play his all around game AND regains the fine motor skills he needs for his 24 foot off balance 3's;
-HD is fully able to play or JS keeps improving his overall game and does a "Giffey" for us in the NC game;
-AM is reborn and goes 5 for 5 on two's like "Boat" in the 2014 NC game;
-AN fully recovers from all injuries and grows into a bigger role, ala Terrence Samuels against Villanova

Crap, this is a piece of cake. Buying my FF tickets now!!!
Imagine that occurring? Stranger things are possible!

 

[RuffRuff]

We can’t even get a shout out from EM on this criteria and we actually beat one of these two

 

[jibsey]

The Diarra hate on this board is head scratching. The dude was an absolute stud for us the first half of the season and was one of the nation’s leaders in assist/turnover. Having a point guard that puts up 8-10 assists per game and is good for 8-10 points in the flow of the offense is something that would get him a start on most teams in the country.

Yup, he was good when not injured but it’s not hate to point out he shouldn’t be starting when that injured. I don’t know what happened to his perimeter shot either, maybe it’s the injury too.
The problem is that we have no quality point guard besides him and that means Hurley will play him injured, and he was getting beat on drives last game which usually doesn’t happen.
I certainly appreciate all he does or tries to do for the team, just wish he had help.

 

[PNolanFan]

When it comes to Diarra, I love the guy and am extremely happy he is on our team but he is not a player who can be the engine of the offense for 40 minutes