We're okay. This game means nothing.

[Palatine]

It's a good loss and we still had moments of brilliance, just not enough of them. Some things need to be fixed. Some of them can't be fixed so we need work arounds.

We need to work on in-bounds plays. And the team needs to keep their heads up when the other team decides to press. We were caught off guard on a number of occasions and it disrupts our offense. Hurley and Murray need to find new ways to get Solo open. He got taken away in the second half. He is going to see more and more attention. Reed needs to stay close to the basket on offense. We are less effective when he goes out to hedge. Samson let his bad habits reappear.

We really crashed the boards last night and it worked. McNeeley needs to keep attacking the glass. Both our PGs need to be more aggressive. When we attacked their defense early in the shot clock we were much more effective. We still haven't figured out our best pace. It needs to be slow enough to limit TOs and fast enough develop rhythm.

No one got hurt. Our chemistry will improve as we get healthy. Just win enough games to go into the BET strong. The only thing that matters is March.

 

[REB1094]

We beat Marquette on the road without Liam and with Diarra hobbled. We had a real chance to beat St Johns with Diarra hobbled and Liam's first game back

Once Liam is fully back up to speed (which seems like it's going to happen quickly), and Diarra is healthy, I don't see why we can't make a BET run even if we start in the 4/5 game

I think our defense prevents us from being a real title contender right now, but there's a lot of season left to be played. Let's enjoy the ride while we have it, let's go Huskies!

 

[CONN78SEJ]

It's a good loss and we still had moments of brilliance, just not enough of them. Some things need to be fixed. Some of them can't be fixed so we need work arounds.

We need to work on in-bounds plays. And the team needs to keep their heads up when the other team decides to press. We were caught off guard on a number of occasions and it disrupts our offense. Hurley and Murray need to find new ways to get Solo open. He got taken away in the second half. He is going to see more and more attention. Reed needs to stay close to the basket on offense. We are less effective when he goes out to hedge. Samson let his bad habits reappear.

We really crashed the boards last night and it worked. McNeeley needs to keep attacking the glass. Both our PGs need to be more aggressive. When we attacked their defense early in the shot clock we were much more effective. We still haven't figured out our best pace. It needs to be slow enough to limit TOs and fast enough develop rhythm.

No one got hurt. Our chemistry will improve as we get healthy. Just win enough games to go into the BET strong. The only thing that matters is March.

With McNeeley back, I think things will come together for March. My hope is he’ll make the other players on the team better going forward. I’d like to see Hurley try some new looks, like Reed and Samson on the floor together. Maybe some high low action, with McNeeley, Stewart, and Diara or Mahaney. I think that would be hard to defend by any team. Karaban needs a rest, I think not starting him might actually help.

 

[UConnSwag11]

This game means nothing is a good coping mechanism

 

[UConnSwag11]

 

[Austin316]

It means more to Big East, Pitino and St John’s. They are much better than we thought. Kudos to them. They came into a tough environment, forced tons of turnovers, fantastic defense, and played with discipline. Gotta tip your cap…

Unfortunately, we’re facing a lot of adversity with injuries and on court issues. We need to have short term memory on making the wrong play and focus on the next one. Still feels like the players are playing with too much weight on their shoulders at times. Game by game.

 

[mauconnfan]

Eh not impressed with the Johnnies. The fact we played dreadful basketball (some because of their defense but a lot careless) and even our best player goes 4-15 and we’re still in this game to the end would scare me if I were a Johnnie fan. They’re tough but they can’t shoot a lick. Get away with murder too!

 

[Palatine]

On one TO, Solo couldn't get to the ball because the Johnnie defender had a fistfull of his shirt. Clear as day. No call.

 

[uchusky32]

I agree with most of what has been said. But we're not in good shape. We have 1 pg that is hobbled. I good ballhandler. We foul and turn the ball over at high rates. That is not the stats that lead to good outcomes.

 

[ucp990411]

We can only afford 2 more losses to avoid the bubble. The Big East is terrible, don't you guys get that.

 

[Devland]

If we take all the mistakes from this game and learn something it means something. It seem like whenever a weakness is exposed, this staff finds a way to fix it

 

[UConnSwag11]

Two games with totaling 47 turnovers is not okay. Two games in a row of this is concerning. It’s becoming a trend

 

[mauconnfan]

If we take all the mistakes from this game and learn something it means something. It seem like whenever a weakness is exposed, this staff finds a way to fix it

Well I was hoping that after the Marquette 22 turnovers but not so much. One can only hope we can turn it around but these weaknesses are real!

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Actually a home loss (2) to a contending team is huge . We have 4 losses and sit in 4th place . Win those two home game and we’re 10-2 and in first . Those losses make contention for a title a tall order . , which is always a goal . Plus tournament seeding is at stake . Our finish in conference could effect seeding .
We made up the Creighton loss with the Marquette road win , that was great .
To even hope to compete for a title we need to win out at home and win two of three road games at Creighton, and St John’s plus PC . Not impossible but also not probable.
Even if we do that it’s probably only good for 2nd spot but that’s a great sign going into post season. That gives us some momentum going into the tournament.
A 4 or 5 seed is not bad .

 

[HCCForever]

This game certainly meant something. Never good to lose on your home floor especially with a chance to beat the team that is number 1 in the conference standings. They looked so good in the first portion of the first half only to give the game away at times. I am still hopeful since UConn still had a chance after Ball blocked the shot with a minute left but unfortunately Liam couldn't retrieve it. Nice inbounds play for St. John to seal the win.



Too bad they couldn't win in a game where Ben was there to be inducted.

 

[RuffRuff]

Potentially not a ton of damage. This officially takes us out of any real chance of winning BE, and with that the fun drama down the stretch. It also likely puts us back on the 8 line. I will remain hopeful that we can poise up to be interesting in March, but I think we have a 1% chance at best vs teams like Auburn and Duke. I know some want to flex their UConn muscles to get a crack at Duke, I’d rather avoid. I think after those two, teams become somewhat beatable. We would matchup pretty well with Bama as we could potentially outshoot them. After watching us operate against Marq and StJ I’d also rather avoid Houston.

 

[Fishy]

This game means nothing is a good coping mechanism

Yeah, it’s a weird angle. Two major conference games at Gampel this year and we’re 0-2. We’re two points away from having four home conference losses. We’re not okay.

This game laid out all of the flaws - no ball handlers, some shrinking violets and, god, the freaking defense. We cannot get stops and we’re a mess on wheels at the end of the halves.

If we make a run in the NCAAs, it will be on muscle memory.

 

[Marat]

Our defense and rebounding was much better than anticipated. That was a positive. The disappointment was the carelessness with the ball resulting in unnecessary turnovers, missing FTs, and terrible offensive execution in the 2nd. I still believe we can tighten that up. If they do, UConn will win next one at MSG.

 

[Fishy]

Potentially not a ton of damage. This officially takes us out of any real chance of winning BE, and with that the fun drama down the stretch. It also likely puts us back on the 8 line. I will remain hopeful that we can poise up to be interesting in March, but I think we have a 1% chance at best vs teams like Auburn and Duke. I know some want to flex their UConn muscles to get a crack at Duke, I’d rather avoid. I think after those two, teams become somewhat beatable. We would matchup pretty well with Bama as we could potentially outshoot them. After watching us operate against Marq and StJ I’d also rather avoid Houston.

I don’t want to see Duke, Houston or Auburn.

We would have 30 turnovers and Samson would foul out in 90s

 

[Scoe]

Well it meant the Big East title but umm ok, now it's how we respond. I would sign up to be just ok in the turnover department.

 

[jdb50]

Have 8 games left and need to win at least 5. Really gave the game away with all the missed free throws and turnovers. Karaban disappearing as a scorer. One point guard who is playing hurt with an undisclosed injury. Our freshman forward coming off 5 weeks on the injured list was left to try and carry the team in the second half. Every game means something and we are not OK by any means. And we struggle to inbound against anyone that presses us not just the athletic St Johns team. At this point in the season it is maddening.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

We can only afford 2 more losses to avoid the bubble. The Big East is terrible, don't you guys get that.

Terrible means you are predicting the Big East is a one bid conference. Got it.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

It means more to Big East, Pitino and St John’s.

With all due respect, who cares? We got punked at home after wasting a great first 10 minutes. I couldn’t care less about how euphoric this is for St. John’s.

 

[Jaydumo20]

It's a good loss and we still had moments of brilliance, just not enough of them. Some things need to be fixed. Some of them can't be fixed so we need work arounds.

We need to work on in-bounds plays. And the team needs to keep their heads up when the other team decides to press. We were caught off guard on a number of occasions and it disrupts our offense. Hurley and Murray need to find new ways to get Solo open. He got taken away in the second half. He is going to see more and more attention. Reed needs to stay close to the basket on offense. We are less effective when he goes out to hedge. Samson let his bad habits reappear.

We really crashed the boards last night and it worked. McNeeley needs to keep attacking the glass. Both our PGs need to be more aggressive. When we attacked their defense early in the shot clock we were much more effective. We still haven't figured out our best pace. It needs to be slow enough to limit TOs and fast enough develop rhythm.

No one got hurt. Our chemistry will improve as we get healthy. Just win enough games to go into the BET strong. The only thing that matters is March.

Great post! Level headed and correct