Uconn (-3.5)

[BFieldHusky]

Tonight vs South Florida.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

My first thought: good for USF.

This team has been a doormat since they've been in the AAC and Brian Gregory has done a very fine job so far with this team.

For the first time ever, I'd be satisfied with a sound win against USF, and this isn't a slight on UConn, I would say the same thing if UConn were ranked.

 

[Austin316]

Who would have thought a game against USF would be a resume booster? They’ve had a good year so far. I tip my cap.

Blah blah blah... Let’s kick the crap out of them.

Go Huskies.

 

[djct1999]

The problem for UConn and the American is that there is little margin for error. Big picture(big dance), a loss will hurt far more than a win will help.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

We can NOT come out flat and give this team confidence. If we let them start hitting shots and we fall behind 8-10 it’s game over. Also, going to have to stay up til 11 the first day back to work in almost two weeks? Who scheduled this game for 8:30?

 

[HawkHusky]

We can NOT come out flat and give this team confidence. Also, going to have to stay up til 11 the first day back to work in almost two weeks? Who scheduled this game for 8:30?

A 10 day layoff pretty much guarantees we come out flat. Also, get off my lawn!

 

[BFieldHusky]

USF has a great record, and really should be 11-1, as they gave away their game to GTown. That being said, they have played the 3rd worst schedule in the country, out of 353 teams.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The line seems low to me, but I guess they have been beating cupcakes. UConn has to come ready to play, with a full 40 minutes of intensity.

 

[Tex-Lager93]

USF didn't pass the eye test when I watched them in person. They're definitely not going to finish last in the AAC...middle of the pack at best. My concern is the layoff plus the 3/4 empty arena tonight. We have to bring our own energy - and that seems to be an issue at times. Still - I would bet all day at 3.5 (#Doomed).

 

[Rico444]

Being our first true road game, my biggest concern is that we come out flat and struggle with not having the crowd behind us. Fortunately it shouldn't be a very hostile atmosphere, so hopefully that isn't a problem.

 

[dannyHAM]

The line is a bit concerning for me. Seems like a typical trap game.

 

[Caronimo]

The line is a bit concerning for me. Seems like a typical trap game.

Or like a first true road game for a team that might not be very good?

 

[CTBasketball]

Or like a first true road game for a team that might not be very good?

Just looked up our KenPom strength of schedule (317) and we’re almost on par with USF (351)...

Yikes.

 

[mauconnfan]

Hopefully the players understand the enormity of this early season game for them and where they stand as a team. If they don't nothing will have changed and we will see it early maybe not in how they are playing but just the attitudes.

Way too early to say "must win" but it IS.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Just looked up our KenPom strength of schedule (317) and we’re almost on par with USF (351)...

Yikes.

I prefer ESPN BPI for SOS. They have UConn at 202, and USF at 352. There are 353 D-1 schools.

Not sure how KenPom could have UConn's SOS at 317 when we have played five Power 5 teams (I count Villanova as one).

 

[Storrs South]

Just looked up our KenPom strength of schedule (317) and we’re almost on par with USF (351)...

Yikes.

While true, this is also the product of just playing some really bad teams coupled with some really good teams.

Every team UConn has played is either pretty to very good or very bad.

• Morehead State - 256
• UMKC - 241
• Syracuse - 30
• Iowa - 42
• Cornell - 244
• UNH - 343
• UMass - Lowell - 240
• Arizona - 53
• Lafayette - 314
• FSU - 17
• Manhattan - 331
• Drexel - 265
• Villanova - 22

Notice that every opponent UConn played either in the top 55 or above 240. This is the first time UConn is facing a middle of the road opponent this season (USF - 175).

By comparison USF has faced two teams in the top 150 and ZERO teams in the top 100. The majority of teams USF has faced are ranked higher than 300 on KenPom.

As previously stated, USF scheduled really poorly, but the lesson also is UConn needs to schedule better on cupcakes and try to avoid about 300 on KenPom (3 in one season is not great when you already have to face Tulane/ECU at least twice a season).

 

[gwhuskyfan]

Line all the way down to 2. Let's go Huskies.

 

[Jimdish255]

Somebody needs to start making some shots early. We've been ice cold lately.

 

[Tenspro2002]

No idea what to make of this line, but I don't think the final margin will be close to it.

Either we'll come out aggressive and focused and beat them comfortably by 15-20 points, or we'll be completely flat in our first road game and lose by 7-10. I don't see much in between.

 

[Pgh2Storrs]

I took us heavy at -3.5. USF is better, which is good for the conference and such, but I don't think the result will be in doubt tonight.

 

[Husky25]

We can NOT come out flat and give this team confidence. If we let them start hitting shots and we fall behind 8-10 it’s game over. Also, going to have to stay up til 11 the first day back to work in almost two weeks? Who scheduled this game for 8:30?

I want to shake their hand. I'll be able to watch most of it in real time for only the second time this season.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I prefer ESPN BPI for SOS. They have UConn at 202, and USF at 352. There are 353 D-1 schools.

Not sure how KenPom could have UConn's SOS at 317 when we have played five Power 5 teams (I count Villanova as one).

202 is much more accurate when you look at our schedule so far as 5 top 100 schools then 8 250+.

 

[HooperScooper]

Doomed!

 

[SirHypeAlot]

this line makes me nervous. next three games are UCF, SMU and Cinci. I don't want to be dramatic but this is probably a must win game.

 

[JMick]

this line makes me nervous. next three games are UCF, SMU and Cinci. I don't want to be dramatic but this is probably a must win game.

It is a must win if we want to make the tournament, barring a late season long win streak or tournament championship