UConn vs Michigan (Championship)

[upstater]

This place is hysterical - yes, in hindsight he is. I'm going to leave this one alone - it's reaching a point of total silliness.

Then what in the world are you saying? We're talking about the quality of players on the team. That UConn team was more loaded than the current Michigan team. It's hard to figure out what you're trying to say.

 

[upstater]

St John's dominated us with the two games at MSG. Even with Hurley's brilliance, he can only do so much. Sometimes match-ups prevail.

People always conveniently forget that UConn's win over ST J's this year was by more points than ST J's wins combined over UConn.

The one game which called a domination, well St Js had a 2 point lead with 3 minutes left and a 4 point lead at the 1:43 minute mark. Not exactly a domination.

 

[RuffRuff]

Then what in the world are you saying? We're talking about the quality of players on the team. That UConn team was more loaded than the current Michigan team. It's hard to figure out what you're trying to say.

I have people here saying Castle with his 2024 body of work would have gone top 5 in this draft - he wouldn't, and he might not go top 10 or lottery given his shooting concerns. He went behind Reed Sheppard and Risacher in that draft - those two guys might not even go first round in this draft. You can't evaluate him on his 2 NBA years now. We don't know what Yaxel will be in the NBA, or Mara, or Johnson. Or McKinney. What we know is that this years draft is materially better than a really awful 2024 draft where Ron Holland went 5th. As a front line, those three guys are really good, unique. I'd argue all 3 of them would have went lottery in 2024 based on their body of work today. Devin Carter went lottery.

Point is, this Michigan team has some really unique and very good talent on it, that while not 2024 UConn, has similar advantages. Someone was trying to downplay the talent on this Michigan team based on the fact they don't have as many "premium" prospects in this year's draft, widley considered the best pool in 30 years.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Then what in the world are you saying? We're talking about the quality of players on the team. That UConn team was more loaded than the current Michigan team. It's hard to figure out what you're trying to say.

It has to be an act.

 

[Inyatkin]

The top guys are still great prospects, but the second tier freshmen have taken a hit this tournament. Some no shows

 

[willie99]

For some strange reason, nobody looks as good against us as they do the rest of the world (outside of the Big East anyhow)

Can it be coaching? Game planning? An underrated defense? Our sophisticated offense? All of the above?

We'll be fine

I believe that we will win

 

[Inyatkin]

It has to be an act.

He’s spending a weekend where we’re at the center of the college basketball universe coming up with new ways to say our team and players aren’t that good, all in the name of “perspective.” It’s insane behavior

 

[NickDanger]

One thing Reibe can’t do is commit needless fouls like the one on the sideline against Illinois. Needs to be smarter.

The coaches should post a picture of that one on his locker with a giant "WTF" on it.

 

[dalydosehoops]

UConn is anything but an underdog even if Michigan is championship favorite Monday

INDIANAPOLIS — Early prognostications, as well as the preliminary point spreads for those of you who engage in that activity, have labeled ...

dalydoseofhoops.blogspot.com

 

[kobebeanbryant]

Curious what Reibe will be able to give us tomorrow. The wheels have really come off for him over the end of the season…

 

[BFieldHusky]

Did anyone see Little Red on the Field of 68 show this afternoon? Guy was fired up.

 

[Husk1esB2B]

I have people here saying Castle with his 2024 body of work would have gone top 5 in this draft - he wouldn't, and he might not go top 10 or lottery given his shooting concerns. He went behind Reed Sheppard and Risacher in that draft - those two guys might not even go first round in this draft. You can't evaluate him on his 2 NBA years now. We don't know what Yaxel will be in the NBA, or Mara, or Johnson. Or McKinney. What we know is that this years draft is materially better than a really awful 2024 draft where Ron Holland went 5th. As a front line, those three guys are really good, unique. I'd argue all 3 of them would have went lottery in 2024 based on their body of work today. Devin Carter went lottery.

Point is, this Michigan team has some really unique and very good talent on it, that while not 2024 UConn, has similar advantages. Someone was trying to downplay the talent on this Michigan team based on the fact they don't have as many "premium" prospects in this year's draft, widley considered the best pool in 30 years.

Don’t agree. But agree Michigan got talent/size, that’s objective fact. Go buy Michigan win if you believe in your views

 

[Husk1esB2B]

If not the Sju game where we got dumped, I would feel better for Monday. As long as we keep it tight, we probably outlast them at the end

 

[Mike Honcho]

Did anyone see Little Red on the Field of 68 show this afternoon? Guy was fired up.

That guy needs to take the mantle from Big Red. He's earned it

 

[giddyup]

Can an out of conference team defend what we do for 40 minutes while retaining legs sufficient to make jumpers late in the second half? I think not.
Arizona had a dumb plan last night. They thought they could outscore Michigan. They could not. And neither can we. But Danny Hurley would never try that. We are running our sets for 40 minutes. We are making 23 have to run after Alex with an injured leg. And we are not going to allow the crazy number of open 3’s that zona allowed last night. I think we win this game, with a full roster. I just saw that Solo is questionable, we need everybody!!!

Exactly, we run our O sets and run them into the ground. Just need to hang close the first half, and it’s a 50/50 ball game because they will wear down. Just need to maintain a ton of movement. Has to a physically draining gauntlet on both sides of the court. Can’t run them up and down. We run them in circles, changes of direction and screens.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Curious what Reibe will be able to give us tomorrow. The wheels have really come off for him over the end of the season…

Someone in the chat mentioned that his camp isn’t happy with his role. I mean they can’t be too mad at him getting spot minutes behind one of the top big men the country who’s playing like a man possessed the past several weeks. His time will come but patience is almost non-existent these days unfortunately.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Other than the UCLA game, where he had 5 fouls (3 of which were arguably bogus), Ross had not gotten called for more than 2 fouls in his last dozen games.

 

[Dabutlerdidit]

I think we’re gonna make this a game.. just need a decently strong start

 

[Rocktheworld]

To be honest with you all I’m pretty scared. Mara doesn’t have Reed’s strength but 7’3 is 7’3. And a hobbled Yaxel is still one of the best players in America. Morez Johnson is a really good player with really good size as well

Have to play our A+ game. Can’t afford a bad night from three, can’t afford anyone picking up cheap fouls, and can’t afford a 5 minute cold spell with no points

Play the A+ game and we’re bringing home #7. Leave it all out there, let’s go!!!

I can see a DeJuan Blair vs. Thabeet thing going down in our favor. At the face of it, I’m not too concerned about Mara; especially if we can slow the pace of the game and keep play in the half court. It’s the size everywhere else that’s concerning. But they’re beatable.

 

[NickDanger]

Can an out of conference team defend what we do for 40 minutes while retaining legs sufficient to make jumpers late in the second half? I think not.
Arizona had a dumb plan last night. They thought they could outscore Michigan. They could not. And neither can we. But Danny Hurley would never try that. We are running our sets for 40 minutes. We are making 23 have to run after Alex with an injured leg. And we are not going to allow the crazy number of open 3’s that zona allowed last night. I think we win this game, with a full roster. I just saw that Solo is questionable, we need everybody!!!

I'm pretty sure outscoring the other team is the only way to win...

 

[Scrutineer]

My bad.
I thought he Nardi and Kmani had AZ and Luke had Michigan.
Luke’s still going out a champion

curious, has Nardi done any of the other scouts in the tournament?

Depends on what "doing the scout' means. Simply charting what the opponent does, and what works against it, or also preparing the game plan?

As to the game plan, Luke stayed to win another NC and I don't see Dan Hurley risking a $500,000 bonus on the newest, least experienced staff member.

 

[Marat]

Duke limited Michigan to 63 points. If we can limit them into the 60s, we will win. Need to guard McKinney so he doesnt go off from 3, limit turnovers, defensively rebound well, and dont let them get transition points. It all comes down to our defense.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

This thread's most recent pages have felt somewhat familiar to me...



In 24 hours, we'll be watching the game, and probably cheering for the same outcome.

 

[KingAG]

Why are we doing this on NC Eve?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

All too often this is the Boneyard.

 

[UofCT]

Don’t want to derail the conversation but maybe we can focus on Michigan?

 

[RashadRay11]

Just did a quick read of some other team's message boards (St. Johns, Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, and of course The Finger Lake Community College of Syracuse)......

Everyone is so jealous of us. They are so tired of us. They are so begrudingly impressed by us. They wish they were us.

Enjoy every moment of it. We are blessed.

 

[TheChamps990411]

OK seriously this time. UConn can win this one.

Michigan does play three bigs to start the game but they actually don’t play all three together a ton.

Against Duke Yaxel played 38 minutes but Johnson only played 28 and Mara 22. So about 10 minutes of overlap give or take. Purdue game was similar.

My thing is this if Yaxel is hobbled and not himself and Mara gets in foul trouble Michigan is going to look pretty ordinary. I like Tarris v Johnson in the post all day. Arizona was putrid on defense leaving guys wide open all over the place and Bradley getting into foul trouble killed them. That kid was the heart and soul of that team. We have a chance. My only concern is can Reed score on Mara in the post. If he cant we could be in big trouble especially if we arent hitting from the outside. If he can score on the inside and even gets Mara in foul trouble forcing May to sit him for extended time that changes the game dramatically. Mara is the key to this game.

 

[DogMania]

To be honest with you all I’m pretty scared. Mara doesn’t have Reed’s strength but 7’3 is 7’3. And a hobbled Yaxel is still one of the best players in America. Morez Johnson is a really good player with really good size as well

Have to play our A+ game. Can’t afford a bad night from three, can’t afford anyone picking up cheap fouls, and can’t afford a 5 minute cold spell with no points

Play the A+ game and we’re bringing home #7. Leave it all out there, let’s go!!!

I figured I'd chime in here. We've never been able to play our A game, never mind an A+ game any time this season. The second SJU game was probably the closest.

With that said, to beat UM, it won't necessarily take our A game. We need to play very good on the defense end of the floor, not giving up many easy shots or turning over the ball much ourselves. Hoping that, along with making them defend for 30+ minutes, results with them missing plenty of contested shots and some of their open looks. Limit the turnovers, thus limitting their transition baskets. Rebound on both ends at a high level, limiting their second chances and getting some of our own.

Hit double digit 3s and not on a high volume/low percentage of takes. We'll miss some of course. Drive it into the paint and try to dish to Reed or cutters. I.e. don't drive it into the trees and go right up with it, unless they are out of position where we can draw fouls if the refs are calling them. Feed Reed. Limit the missed bunnies and wide open 3s that can result in transition baskets on the other end.

We didn't need our A game to beat Dook. We will need a somewhat better performance, hoping our effort on both ends of the floor keeps them off balance enough to not shoot it as well as they normally do, just like they did against the Illini.

Also make life miserable for Cadeau and limit the allyoops. Stay close all night. This is a team you don't want to fall far behind and give them any more confidence than they already have. Play this game like the 99 game over Dook.

All this is possible and won't take an A game, though I would love to see that happen, where they execute close to flawless on both ends and our shooters are all connecting. We just haven't seen that happen.

UM is a very good team playing their best hoops now. But so was Dook in 99 and we all know what that outcome was.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I'm not sure if the above bickering with Ruff helps or hurts our mojo, but I have a strong feeling that we will need quite a bit of mojo to complete this run.

In a little more than 24 hours this season will be over (ideally with us cutting down the nets once again). At that point we lose Luke and his father. We may as well enjoy it and we should continue to do what we can. I believe that everyone willing should help by bringing out their mojo. This is something I used in our 2011 run (although then I only had a picture).