We're okay. This game means nothing.

[bendm]

Both our PGs need to be more aggressive

We only have 1 PG unless/until Nowell can stop hurting himself in practice

 

[storrsroars]

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.

If you haven't yet watched Pitino's post game, he explains clearly why UConn didn't attack their defense early in the shot clock after getting out to a big lead. Brilliant coaching on Pitino's part. Not sure if other BE teams have the personnel to copy it, although Marquette can press. We should be able to adjust some of the problems before the rematch at MSG.

My biggest concern right now is not falling below a six seed in the NCAAs. We're still talented enough to be very competitive and win against any 3-5 seed, but not most of the top 8 projected 1-2s. However, if we get through to the second weekend with confidence, belief and cohesiveness (and Hass and AK playing at top form), I believe we still have a puncher's chance at the seemingly impossible.

 

[Edward Sargent]

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.

St Johns is better than we thought but their lack of shooting will hurt them eventually

 

[Storrs South]

This game taught me nothing new about this team and certified Marquette was flukey.

This team has zero killer instinct in them and displays zero consistency, which likely stems from a void in terms of leadership. It was the same issue at Xavier at Villanova home v Creighton.

SJU was begging to give that game away the first ten minutes of the second half.

Despite that, we have veterans leaders running out of control fast breaks and coughing the ball up and not hustling back.

Solo can’t do it himself. Liam can’t do it himself. Alex, Samson, and love you Hassan fighting through injuries but the 3 oldest guys on the team can’t no show. And most of the turnovers were self inflicted. Minimal pressure meant to just soak up shot clock made everyone jittery and scared. Can’t even get the most important rebound of the game!

The team is still tourney good but unless there are serious changes in terms of either health, shooting ability, ball movement, and ball handling, this team will not be seeing the second weekend or Saturday of the BET.

 

[uconnfan68]

If you haven't yet watched Pitino's post game, he explains clearly why UConn didn't attack their defense early in the shot clock after getting out to a big lead. Brilliant coaching on Pitino's part. Not sure if other BE teams have the personnel to copy it, although Marquette can press. We should be able to adjust some of the problems before the rematch at MSG.

My biggest concern right now is not falling below a six seed in the NCAAs. We're still talented enough to be very competitive and win against any 3-5 seed, but not most of the top 8 projected 1-2s. However, if we get through to the second weekend with confidence, belief and cohesiveness (and Hass and AK playing at top form), I believe we still have a puncher's chance at the seemingly impossible.

We benched the 2 hot shooters after getting that lead. Got nothing from anyone after that until Liam hit a few shots (after a long dry spell). Alex hasn’t been the same since his concussion. Time to play Stewart more.

 

[navery12]

Do you honestly think we get in with 10 losses? I would be very surprised.

Yes, and it's not going to be particularly close. The bubble is really weak this year, there's going to be teams with 13 or 14 losses getting in

 

[Hurleyman216]

I still don’t understand how Scott (pretty sure it was him) was allowed to literally ride Diarra all game and only finally got called for it in the last 3 minutes. If Diarra had done the same on the other end he would’ve been fouled on in the first half. Both Ball and Diarra were literally just getting held almost the entire game, I was there and it’s infuriating to watch. Usually Diarra would have the quickness to make a defender pay for that type of defense and would be driving for open layups, but he’s definitely a couple steps slow and with his knee injury can’t get past his defender.

 

[Mike Honcho]

It sucks that we are no longer a team that gets easy buckets in transition. Tristen was such a huge part of that with his rebounding, vision, and passing. Andre, too. And not to mention, Donovan's outlet passing.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

No it means it is a 3 bid league. Like last year

So the Big East was "terrible" last year when it got 3 bids while it was the #2 KenPom conference?

 

[Kemba15]

Do you honestly think we get in with 10 losses? I would be very surprised.

1 million % yes we will unless the losses are to seton hall lol

 

[bendm]

So the Big East was "terrible" last year when it got 3 bids while it was the #2 KenPom conference?

Was this the case before or after the tourney? I thought BE was 4th going into it. Did UConn single handedly bump the BE up to 2nd?

 

[mauconnfan]

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

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

Just said that to my brother if we get an 8-9 game don’t want any of those 3. If any of them I’d take Duke.

 

[Huskydog45]

No it means it is a 3 bid league. Like last year

3 teams? Really? St John’s, Marquette, UConn and Creighton totals 4 based on my math and think Xavier finds their way in…so 5.

 

[giddyup]

16-8. If you don’t think this team is in deep trouble, I want some of what you’re smoking.

 

[Conndog]

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.

Karaban shooting 3’s at the moment is a problem- he just can’t make them- and some are way outside the line. If he’s going to play major minutes with a long distance slump, I’d rather he work on taking more 2-pointers. He can set screens for Solo, work the pick & roll, try to get position inside so he can receive a pass or drive to hoop. Another problem with him jacking up shots from the next zip code is that he’s no where near any rebounds

 

[ucp990411]

3 teams? Really? St John’s, Marquette, UConn and Creighton totals 4 based on my math and think Xavier finds their way in…so 5.

And last year guys were saying The Big East would get 6. How did that work out?

 

[EnochRoot]

Underline this, cuz it’s a great point.

 

[Hankster]

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!

They erased a 14-15 point deficit in the first half and took the lead? Johnnies picked our guys pocket. Happened even at Marquette. I expect it every game. That is something to worry about. We could be off the T25 after Creighton game.

 

[jibsey]

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

We are limited with little room for error. Too much lost from last year and not replaced.

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

We clearly chose not to recruit over anyone who had been loyal to us during the last two championship runs. That probably has come back to hurt us but was still the right decision. Make the best of this very flawed team and reload next year. We have enough shooters to win a few tourney games if the match ups are right.

 

[bendm]

We clearly chose not to recruit over anyone who had been loyal to us during the last two championship runs. That probably has come back to hurt us but was still the right decision. Make the best of this very flawed team and reload next year. We have enough shooters to win a few tourney games if the match ups are right.

Staff brought in Mahaney to be the starting PG so technically Diarra was recruited over, it just didn’t work out as staff envisioned. But As bad as the Mahaney move has been it would have been an even bigger disaster if Diarra wasn’t up to it. Diarra has been better than anyone could have expected, nagging injury not withstanding.

I firmly believe that if Mahaney were playable as our backup PG for 10mpg we’d be in a much different spot right now and have a much brighter outlook but even that was/is too much to ask. He’s the new Rahsool Diggins.

 

[jibsey]

Staff brought in Mahaney to be the starting PG so technically Diarra was recruited over, it just didn’t work out as staff envisioned. But As bad as the Mahaney move has been it would have been an even bigger disaster if Diarra wasn’t up to it. Diarra has been better than anyone could have expected, nagging injury not withstanding.

I firmly believe that if Mahaney were playable as our backup PG for 10mpg we’d be in a much different spot right now and have a much brighter outlook but even that was/is too much to ask. He’s the new Rahsool Diggins.

Nowell was a 4 star point guard. By this time of first year he should have been Contributing…,, a lot. For injury or whatever reason we’ve gotten zero. I certainly don’t blame all our troubles on his position but with an injury and miss on Mahaney it’s catastrophic especially with turnovers.

 

[bendm]

Nowell was a 4 star point guard. By this time of first year he should have been Contributing…,, a lot. For injury or whatever reason we’ve gotten zero. I certainly don’t blame all our troubles on his position but with an injury and miss on Mahaney it’s catastrophic especially with turnovers.

Sure I’d be ecstatic with 10mpg COMBINED from Mahaney and Nowell backing up Diarra. So sad.

 

[Rico444]

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!

The problem is Diarra may not get any healthier than he already is. With him like this we have practically zero dribble penetration, which leads to no open shots, which leads to shot clock violations and forced shots. It's going to be really hard for us to have success against good defenses with Diarra limited like this.

 

[UCan3]

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.

Another way to look at it to build on your post is:

This is why we play the regular season isn’’t it? Have your weaknesses exposed by high quality teams, learn, and toughen up for the Big East Tourney and the NCAA Tournament.

You don’t want to wait to find out that you can’t win these types of games until it counts!

I too, look at last night as a learning opportunity for the team to figure out the standard the team needs to play - to make a deep run in the tournament.

I’m disappointed in the loss as we all are but not discouraged.

We have certain players I hope that are learning we NEED them to play better.

Some have figured it out - Reed being one.

And kudos to St. John’’s. They played well enough to win and made the shots they needed to in a hostile environment. Can’t take anything away from them - well played!

This game - the loss - I’ve already forgotten about it but my eyes will be on the next 3 games to see how much they are willing to elevate their effort on both sides of the ball!

 

[Marat]

The problem is Diarra may not get any healthier than he already is. With him like this we have practically zero dribble penetration, which leads to no open shots, which leads to shot clock violations and forced shots. It's going to be really hard for us to have success against good defenses with Diarra limited like this.

Sad, but true.

 

[gsmooth]

The problem is Diarra may not get any healthier than he already is. With him like this we have practically zero dribble penetration, which leads to no open shots, which leads to shot clock violations and forced shots. It's going to be really hard for us to have success against good defenses with Diarra limited like this.

winner, winner, chicken dinner with this post. That is the much bigger concern. Before he was hobbled, Diarra was playing really well. However, he played all the high leverage/high stress impactful PG minutes in the games and we all knew there was a chance he could get worn out. If we knew he could be close to 100% by March we wouldn't sweat it as much, but from what Hurley said, it sounds like they have to make the best of Diarra being hobbled for the rest of the year. Diarra and McNeeley are UConn's most indispensable players on this year's team.

That's why we are all lamenting the fact there is not another pure PG on this roster that can play as Nowell is injured and Mahaney just isn't a PG, which IMO, the staff miscalculated their ability to convert Mahaney into a PG.

 

[businesslawyer]

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.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I won’t ever understand saying that losing a chance for a conference title doesn’t matter. I can’t believe Hurley or the players would agree with that opinion, but who knows.

 

[cp176]

This game taught me nothing new about this team and certified Marquette was flukey.

This team has zero killer instinct in them and displays zero consistency, which likely stems from a void in terms of leadership. It was the same issue at Xavier at Villanova home v Creighton.

SJU was begging to give that game away the first ten minutes of the second half.

Despite that, we have veterans leaders running out of control fast breaks and coughing the ball up and not hustling back.

Solo can’t do it himself. Liam can’t do it himself. Alex, Samson, and love you Hassan fighting through injuries but the 3 oldest guys on the team can’t no show. And most of the turnovers were self inflicted. Minimal pressure meant to just soak up shot clock made everyone jittery and scared. Can’t even get the most important rebound of the game!

The team is still tourney good but unless there are serious changes in terms of either health, shooting ability, ball movement, and ball handling, this team will not be seeing the second weekend or Saturday of the BET.

I do think that when you play a good hard nosed team like St. John’s that likes to get out and go, you can’t spend a lot of time celebrating your threes or you will pay for it in transition. They were better than us and overall their record speaks for itself.

 

[connVA]

I haven't gone all the way back through the thread to check but I feel like we need the meme of the dog drinking coffee in the burning kitchen