Villanova Post Game Thread

[Scrutineer]

Essentially all of Malachi’s minutes recently are when Silas is on the bench. Ross is getting zero of those minutes.

I don't know if Malachi played at all in the second half. It seemed like Ross got all his minutes.

I'm thinking of rewatching the big OOC games to see if Malachi is playing differently or if it just seems so because nothing good seems to happen when he's been in during the last 8 to 10 games.

 

[uconnfan68]

I don't know if Malachi played at all in the second half. It seemed like Ross got all his minutes.

I'm thinking of rewatching the big OOC games to see if Malachi is playing differently or if it just seems so because nothing good seems to happen when he's been in during the last 8 to 10 games.

Mal did play differently OOC, because he HAD to. Silas always had 2 fouls in the first 4 minutes.

 

[aceboon]

I don't know if Malachi played at all in the second half. It seemed like Ross got all his minutes.

I'm thinking of rewatching the big OOC games to see if Malachi is playing differently or if it just seems so because nothing good seems to happen when he's been in during the last 8 to 10 games.

He got some run in the 2nd half when Silas picked up his 3rd foul

 

[Yawin4Heisman]

Despite their best effort Villanova was unable to steal this one from UConn.

Insert refs in place of Villanova as you see fit

Rumor has it Michael Jordan watched the game and was overheard complaining that he didn’t get “the Brennan Treatment” during his playing days

 

[Yawin4Heisman]

The refs were fine at best on those calls, they're weak fouls but if you want to justify those calls I don't have an issue with it. The issue is they ignored 3-4 very clear fouls on Brennan before those plays, all of which would have removed him for the rest of the game. That's why people justifiably think the refs had a rough game

It’s the 2nd part of what you wrote…. There were 50/50 calls that all went Brennan’s way as well as 20/80 calls that went his way…. Just ONE of those going against him and he’s gone from the game…. Now imagine Nova the last 7 or 8 mins of the game without Brennan…. You really think this goes to OT?….. but people reaaaaally struggle on this board with the concept of “two things can both be true at the same time”, that being we need to make a way higher % of layups, open 3’s and absolutely have to stop missing FTs and front ends of 1 and 1 cause it’s collectively really hurting us (but I have faith there will be mean reversion on all this - certainly hope so) AND the refs were a massive help to Nova cause they kept a guy who was having his way with us on the floor while fouling out Reed for less…. I hate to say it to the “it’s never the refs” crowd but this also had an outsized impact on the 2nd half of the 2nd half… I don’t know how you can argue otherwise

 

[UCan3]

Ruff, who cares? Enjoy the journey buddy. NC will take care of itself.

yeah, I love the "we're 18-1. and we haven't lost a game full strength to any team including top-tier teams, but we still stink? can't win it all?"


The one thing is when you don't lose is you do have every team's full attention and you are number on their list!

This was a conference game what else do people expect? Look at any top team they always have relatively close games with teams from their conference because they know each other so well.

I don't mind complaining about how we played, but this is getting a little carried away at 18 and one.

If we start losing some games, then sure let's have at it but this just seems a little bit early and unnecessary.

 

[JoeyBuckets]

Def an ingredient missing in this offensive stew. We get no easy buckets at all.

We got nothing on Rupp Rafters. No one does.

Have you been paying attention…we’re well on our way to “Ruff Rafters”.

 

[NickDanger]

It’s the 2nd part of what you wrote…. There were 50/50 calls that all went Brennan’s way as well as 20/80 calls that went his way…. Just ONE of those going against him and he’s gone from the game…. Now imagine Nova the last 7 or 8 mins of the game without Brennan…. You really think this goes to OT?….. but people reaaaaally struggle on this board with the concept of “two things can both be true at the same time”, that being we need to make a way higher % of layups, open 3’s and absolutely have to stop missing FTs and front ends of 1 and 1 cause it’s collectively really hurting us (but I have faith there will be mean reversion on all this - certainly hope so) AND the refs were a massive help to Nova cause they kept a guy who was having his way with us on the floor while fouling out Reed for less…. I hate to say it to the “it’s never the refs” crowd but this also had an outsized impact on the 2nd half of the 2nd half… I don’t know how you can argue otherwise

We can argue otherwise because it's not true

 

[NickDanger]

The exception that disproves the rule???

I remember that team. Loved that team. If your stat is correct, are you telling me that this stat disproves my point that title contenders tend to be good FT shooting teams?

You didn't initially say "tend": you said "show me any NC team that shot free throws this badly."
And he showed you one

 

[NickDanger]

I think you know that FTs are about when…..Ross had no chance today, i don’t care what his % was coming in.

You gotta make them WHEN they count

They always count exactly the same: one point each

 

[Husky Alien]

Except that it missed. And he got faked completely out of his jock and gave up an important blow by. And bricked two critical free throws.

He simply should NEVER be on the floor in critical moments. Give him some first half minutes and low leverage 2nd half minutes. Nothing more.

Cannot trust him whatsoever

Give me a break, so IIRC twords the end of the Georgetown game when Silas and AK in consecutive possessions missed 4 FT between them means you can't play them in critical moments? It happens. Ross is long and athletic and disrupts things on D. You might be living in the past because he is playing some good ball this year. At least Hurley can trust him and that's what matters.

 

[Husky Alien]

 

[dennismenace]

Worth noting.

Brennan came in to the game shooting 55% on FT's for the season's (47-85). He goes 8-9 today.

LOL we bring the best out in people.

Shout out Duke Brennan - 1 foul away from the vaunted pts/rebs/fouls Triple Double

Thank God his college career coming to an end. His coach reminds me of Jay Wright, Mc Dermott and Sean Miller. We're going to have some long evenings and weekend afternoons with Villanova.

I remember hearing about Jay Wright going back to Villanova as a special asst. to the president and no doubt he will be having at least indirect effect on the bb program.

We need a strong Villanova (great, more arch villans!) for the sake of the strength of the league. Pass the antacid.

 

[freshler40]

Danny was pretty blunt in his post game interview today. Basically he said this team currently is not ready to win the title. They can't close out games and they can't sustain high performance. Lots of improvement needs to occur over the next few weeks.

He also implied that Reed has to dramatically improve his rebounding and his play around the rim. I think the inside game is and Reed's game in particular is one area that Danny is probably the most disappointed in so far this year. Of course he's used to recent Uconn great centers leading them to championship so I think he expected more from Reed coming into this year.

Reed's high hedge reach in fouls is a big problem. He played many minutes draped in them. This hurts his offense. Something seems odd that we are not able to get any easy lob baskets like past teams. Reed tends to operate too far from the hoop in many games. Perhaps by design but our offense to be less effective. Many bigs are used to clear our down low for a penetrating guard, I don't see much of this in current play for us.

We have too many shooters that go underground when they miss early. That paired with our bench, that doesn't look for any shoots, puts our offense in constant trouble. You only have to guard two shooters. There are no easy baskets with this pattern in place.

 

[Edward Sargent]

They too often execute the multi-action motion offense slowly and ineffectively. Too much standing around at times. Not sure why they can't run it with energy on a consistent basis.

Teams often grab and clutch off the ball to mess with the timing, but too often I see them just stand there, then run slowly to where they're supposed to go. This offense is supposed to produce offensive advantages, but we're not seeing from them quick, effective and efficient execution, and I don't know why.

Smith, who I root for and hope he gets back on track, dribbles way too much and fails to deliver the ball when teammates do run the sets adequately and get open. There are times as noted above, the off the ball movement and screens are ineffective and teammates aren't presenting Smith or Demary good passing options. But too often I see the player with the ball missing the open teammate rolling or back cutting to the basket or flaring out for an open J. When they do execute these types of play it's beautiful to watch. Just not seeing enough of it.

With that said, they seem to execute just enough to make plays, have some spurts and make winning plays when needed.

A side note, if in the first half they simply made most of their layups, makeable middies and a solid % of their 3s, they win that game game by a wide margin.

I realize they are 19-1, ranked #2, and have beaten a bunch of very good teams, but they sure seem to make it harder for themselves to pull out the W.

We've seen in the past some of our championship teams, have some rough stretches and multiple bad losses, to later put it all together and win it all. Maybe this year's team will continue to gut out some ugly wins but eventually put it all together and steamrole everyone in their path like they did in 2023 and 2024. I remain hopeful.

17 assists on 25 made baskets doesn't look like iso ball to me. I think we have too many non-shooters including Malachi, Jayden, Jaylin and to some extent Silas. Malachi dribbles too much hunting for the assist. Silas and Malachi are both looking to get our shooters the best shot possible

 

[tennmike]

Perhaps it is by design?

"We're trying to work more on transition offense, getting better in one-on-one situations and trying to get our players to not be as reliant on the system. We're trying to get these guys to play off-script more this summer. But we're sprinkling in teaching elements of how we move off the ball."

Thread 'Why Hurley may change the team's offensive philosophy this season'

Jun 26, 2025

"We're trying to work more on transition offense, getting better in one-on-one situations and trying to get our players to not be as reliant on the system. We're trying to get these guys to play off-script more this summer. But we're sprinkling in teaching elements of how we move off the ball."

"It's tough for these guys, but they are really smart players," the coach continued. "Silas and Malachi, in particular, are really, really smart and intuitive. And Braylon picks things up quickly, because he played high school ball in Indiana, and he played for really good coaches."...

• HooperScooper
• Replies: 62
• Forum: UConn Men's Basketball Forum

• 

It may not look as pretty but it does make the team less predictable and harder to prep

The missed FTs were bad. Both he and Stewart need to get their act together at the line. When he bit on that pump fake there was only 3-4 seconds left on the shot clock and the guy didn’t have time to get a good shot. He ended up with a runner / floater drom about 8-10 feet out and missed. In my opinion Stewart and Ross are pretty solid in their roles. They do need to get more defensive rebounds.

Players get hurt, foul trouble etc. You need a bench and the bench needs to be allowed to play through. mistakes

During this stretch of ugly wins against inferior teams, the bench has contributed nothing offensively. Ross and Stewart seem determined to give up the ball as quickly as they get it. They are not even looking while making back cuts even though they are sometimes open.

 

[REB1094]

I watched the highlights for fun and just realized how bad this Brennan screen was lol. Wait for the final angle

I'll never complain about illegal screens because we do 1000 of them per game, but that was funny

 

[Chin Diesel]

I said he wasn't AS great as we want or think. He is one of the top centers in the country, but of the centers we've has the last few years, he in 3rd place behind Sanogo and Clingan, and will likely be in 4th place before Reibe is done here.

I love the kid and wouldn't trade him for any other center in college basketball right now, but I don't think he is as good as what we've recently had, and that's alright. We've just been incredibly blessed and spoiled with the center position the last few years.

You wouldn't trade Reed for any other center in the country right now??

Okay.

 

[pepband99]

I watched the highlights for fun and just realized how bad this Brennan screen was lol. Wait for the final angle

I'll never complain about illegal screens because we do 1000 of them per game, but that was funny

Also noticed they omitted the worst double dribble I've ever seen not called (where Ross lept up and got driven past). Killed me that the announcer saw the replay and said "What a move" (as I was screaming at my TV)

 

[prankster]

I agree, nothing flagrant at all just bad luck.

By that logic, and pretty big slice of the Flagrants I've seen never should have been called.

 

[tennmike]

Too much standing around at times. Not sure why they can't run it with energy on a consistent basis.

Teams often grab and clutch off the ball to mess with the timing, but too often I see them just stand there, then run slowly to where they're supposed to go. This offense is supposed to produce offensive advantages, but we're not seeing from them quick, effective and efficient execution, and I don't know why.

Smith, who I root for and hope he gets back on track, dribbles way too much and fails to deliver the ball when teammates do run the sets adequately and get open. There are times as noted above, the off the ball movement and screens are ineffective and teammates aren't presenting Smith or Demary good passing options. But too often I see the player with the ball missing the open teammate rolling or back cutting to the basket or flaring out for an open J. When they do execute these types of play it's beautiful to watch. Just not seeing enough of it.

My thoughts exactly! Teams know that the book on UConn's is to clutch, grab, and knock guys off their routes. Slips and back cuts are open but seldom are they even looking for the ball. Ross and Stewart are acting like decoys on offense, but you actually have to be a threat to score to be a decoy.

 

[tennmike]

You would trade Reed for any other center in the country right now??

Okay.

For some strange reason, Reed struggled with Brennan. He was rebounding over the top and back of Reed. Travis should have been knocking him into the stands.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I love that we are winning.

What I don’t love is that I feel like there’s been regression as a team from the beginning of the season, specifically offensively (defense is fine). There’s time to put it together, but it seems like the ceiling for this team offensively is noticeably lower from the 22-23 and 23-24 teams.

At some point, we are who we are. Atleast we know how to win!!!

We have seen the January offensive swoon in year's past. And we have seen this staff figure it out. Unlike last year, this year's tram is winning these close games and won't end up with an 8 seed in the NCAA.

Good or bad, this staff has earned the right to have a long leash figuring out how to get a team to be ready for March and April.

 

[prankster]

Wow tiger! of course they should be cautious. I am going to drop it because unless you are my age, you will not get my point. I was not trying to be callous or indifferent, because Mullins is our guy. I was making a generational comparison. The things that trigger head trauma nowadays is different. And by the way not every person who played in the 70;s and 80;s has CTE.

I grew up back then and I don't have any drain bamage.

 

[boog204]

For all the talk about how deep our bench is supposed to be, it hasn't materialized consistently. JR and JS should be scoring more and it's time to sit Malachi. If he just wants to dribble around the perimeter, miss layups and not stop anyone on defense and we need someone to spell Demary, maybe we should try Millender for a few minutes one game and see if he's a gamer if he's not winning time in practice............Joe Theisman sucked in practice!

We said the same thing last year at this point. We have lauded our depth for two years now, wondering how we would have enough minutes for everyone, and we are pretty much 7 deep at this point with very little offense coming from the bench.

On the Millender point, again, this boards belief that a D2 guard can play is beyond my understanding. Mal has not played well for a while now. If Millender could play, he would have. But he’s not up to this level as already proven by him being a D2 player and then an okay player on one of the worst low D1 teams in the country. He’s here to be a practice player.

As far as Mal, he has not been good lately. I also think, though, that we run terrible sets when he’s in the game. Watch off the ball. Nobody is presenting and then the set recycles. He’s not saying to himself, I’m going to dribble around for 18’seconds. Same deal with Tarris (and Samson last year) with the ball on an island at the three point line. Thats not what is supposed to happen.
But if nobody is open, you end up with that scenario.