Would another loss actually be a good thing?

[Sphinx]

Ok, let's say that it could be irrefutably proved that losing at Creighton would be a good thing. What is anyone supposed to do with the information? Having proved the proposition, what constitutes the "ergo?"

But I admit I was thinking the same thing myself. Hey, a loss here wouldn't be so bad. Until I read the following post on the Creighton message board:

"If Creighton plays their A game, they will win no matter what UConn does."

Just reading that and reflecting on it a minute made me realize that any good that could come from UConn losing utterly pales compared to the good of watching UConn dismantle Creighton's A game and serve it up to this fellow on a shingle.

 

[auror]

I don't think one loss would matter either way. But I expect us to lose more than 1 in this stretch anyways.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

No

 

[Hunt for 7]

If I had a choice on the games we have left. Win all of them in the regular season except on the road at Marquette. Seems like Danny respects Shaka more than any other coach and if it helps them secure a 2 seed even better. Then win the BE tournament and win two in Brooklyn two in Boston and two in Phoenix. Say bye-bye to Clingan and Castle. Hopefully keep AK one more year but that is a huge question mark. Then bring in one more big time recruit and one big time portal transfer. Also assume, Diarra comes back, JStew comes back, Solo comes back and hopefully JRoss and Romo come back.

 

[tzznandrew]

We had this discussion on here recently. I can't find the thread but the general consensus was no they don't need a loss because Hurley would never let them lose focus anyway. So a loss wouldn't help their focus because Hurley can keep them focused without a loss.

29 NCAA tournament champions had 2 losses or less. It's not like you need to go in with more losses to win the title. One of those 29 is a UConn team.

 

[AdamaNation]

Ok, hear me out- all of us, myself included, want UConn to run the table the rest of the year.

No one wants a loss come BET or NCAAT time. So if they were to lose again, I think we would all want it to be in the next five games.

My question is, could another regular season loss (or 2) actually be a good thing for the team? With only one or two more losses we would still likely secure a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAAT. Would a loss take some of the pressure off the team? Would it help them refocus on an area that could be an issue in the postseason? Could the team be getting too confident? (These are all hypothetical questions mind you.)

What do you think?

Run the table but I think our magic number is 2 wins to lock in a co championship. Or 2 with a Marquette loss to lock it. Let’s clinch then if it happens so be it. But why not have a 29 game win streak to mark this new era.

 

[B1GEast]

A loss would just give other teams confidence that they can beat us.

There's nobody on the schedule that we should lose to. This team has proven itself to be the class of the BE.

Nothing left to do but to finish string and wait for the tourney

 

[TheChamps990411]

Ok, hear me out- all of us, myself included, want UConn to run the table the rest of the year.

No one wants a loss come BET or NCAAT time. So if they were to lose again, I think we would all want it to be in the next five games.

My question is, could another regular season loss (or 2) actually be a good thing for the team? With only one or two more losses we would still likely secure a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAAT. Would a loss take some of the pressure off the team? Would it help them refocus on an area that could be an issue in the postseason? Could the team be getting too confident? (These are all hypothetical questions mind you.)

What do you think?

No. Thats cowardly talk. Ask Dan Hurley or anyone on that team that question and see what they tell you.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Ok, hear me out- all of us, myself included, want UConn to run the table the rest of the year.

No one wants a loss come BET or NCAAT time. So if they were to lose again, I think we would all want it to be in the next five games.

My question is, could another regular season loss (or 2) actually be a good thing for the team? With only one or two more losses we would still likely secure a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAAT. Would a loss take some of the pressure off the team? Would it help them refocus on an area that could be an issue in the postseason? Could the team be getting too confident? (These are all hypothetical questions mind you.)

What do you think?

The 1999 teams last loss came on February 20th and they ran the table from there. Last years team lost in the BE Tourney. Both won titles. Doesnt matter either way.

 

[prankster]

Ok, hear me out- all of us, myself included, want UConn to run the table the rest of the year.

No one wants a loss come BET or NCAAT time. So if they were to lose again, I think we would all want it to be in the next five games.

My question is, could another regular season loss (or 2) actually be a good thing for the team? With only one or two more losses we would still likely secure a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAAT. Would a loss take some of the pressure off the team? Would it help them refocus on an area that could be an issue in the postseason? Could the team be getting too confident? (These are all hypothetical questions mind you.)

What do you think?

IDK....

How do you think Marquette is feeling about us removing all that pressure from them, right about now?

 

[JohnFSilver]

Ok, hear me out- all of us, myself included, want UConn to run the table the rest of the year.

No one wants a loss come BET or NCAAT time. So if they were to lose again, I think we would all want it to be in the next five games.

My question is, could another regular season loss (or 2) actually be a good thing for the team? With only one or two more losses we would still likely secure a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAAT. Would a loss take some of the pressure off the team? Would it help them refocus on an area that could be an issue in the postseason? Could the team be getting too confident? (These are all hypothetical questions mind you.)

What do you think?

Depends. If they play well and get beat, could be motivating. But a listless effort, no.

And, losing never helps as much as winning.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

How about a very close game with us squeaking out a win?

Doesn’t impact our record and seeding. Danny gets material to coach and push the team. And Danny himself continues to prove to himself and fans that he’s improved as a coach immensely and win high pressure, close games.

 

[DogMania]

Answer to that question, a resounding NO!

This team is not one that seems to lose their intensity or focus, or show any zemblance of feeling pressure to win. So what benefit would there be to lose?

I think they're capable of running the table if they play their B+ or better game. Last game they blew out the number 4 team in the nation with two of their top scorers having an off night. I'm not saying they'll run the table but I'd sure love to see that happen.

 

[Dove]

UConn is the defending National Champion. Losing at any time is not a good thing.

 

[Samoo]

Most all of us agree that, when this team plays well, no one has a chance to beat us. That is in part because, if UConn does play well, it implies the defense is clicking and forcing the other team off their A game. What is the value of the team not playing well - letting another team play well - and us losing? I don't see it.

 

[IndyLives]

Absurd question. Ok, if they were undefeated then I can see the pressure angle. But, this team still has to win the regular season BE title. UConn teams have won titles in the past by rolling the table. Keep winning.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I see it as a legit question if viewed in terms of the target on our backs growing bigger and bigger and therefore the pressure that could come into play via a hot shooting underdog in the NCAA and/or off night OR foul trouble. If the huskies can win at Creighton or Marquette in one or both or all 3 of those scenarios then the fear of that happening in the ncaas is drastically diminished.

Regardless No question the target grows bigger as a now undisputed #1. I’d like to defend that a few times at an absolute minimum. That builds character and resiliency. I see the cloak of invincibility being valid

Yet at the same time the motivation of a loss is real and relieves some pressure. Most particularly if the team hasn’t dealt with and overcome that pressure in recent play, then maybe, maybe in that limited scenario a regular season loss is better than winning out relatively effortlessly.

But I want the BE title bad, it’d (a BE loss) probably piss the team of enough to win NCAA games by an even bigger margin than last year but that’s not in accordance with Hurley’s championship mentality.

 

[microfich]

The very notion reeks of weakness. The presumption is the players have become complacent. If a coach can't see that and correct it before a loss happens, he's the one that should be lost.

 

[phillionaire]

Me, an absolute moron- winning more games is good
OP, a wise man- it’s better to lose games

 

[huskeynut]

NO

 

[Kitaman]

'Lose a battle to win the war' has never applied to UConn!

And right now being the King, every battle is the war.

 

[navery12]

Anyone who poses this question or answers yes should have to explain to Dan Hurley in person why it's better to lose a few games in the next few weeks

 

[Austin316]

P.S. from a Zags article earlier today. I don’t think this team has any issues with their focus or mindset.View attachment 96677

Translation - keep ur freaking foot on the gas he ain’t running on E

 

[AllHusky]

C'mon, please stop!

 

[Rico444]

Could you imagine saying this to Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant?

No way. Let's win them all.

 

[Stinger92860]

Ok, hear me out- all of us, myself included, want UConn to run the table the rest of the year.

No one wants a loss come BET or NCAAT time. So if they were to lose again, I think we would all want it to be in the next five games.

My question is, could another regular season loss (or 2) actually be a good thing for the team? With only one or two more losses we would still likely secure a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAAT. Would a loss take some of the pressure off the team? Would it help them refocus on an area that could be an issue in the postseason? Could the team be getting too confident? (These are all hypothetical questions mind you.)

What do you think?

No, they have already lost twice this year. The team is something like 40-4 since January 2023. We don’t need to lose to win. Just need to play our game. If we are upset, so be it and keep the next game mentality.

 

[jake14mw]

I think a loss might help with refocusing and motivation. As everyone has said, I do think Hurley has this team very focused already, but a loss at Marquette might be perfect timing.

 

[uconn_jack]

Winning only seems to make this team and coach hungrier, I don't think they need a loss for motivation.

 

[jimva]

I think a loss might help with refocusing and motivation. As everyone has said, I do think Hurley has this team very focused already, but a loss at Marquette might be perfect timing.

Are you crazy? Is the team playing like they are unfocused now? There is no perfect timing for a loss, ever!

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I think a loss might help with refocusing and motivation. As everyone has said, I do think Hurley has this team very focused already, but a loss at Marquette might be perfect timing.

This sort of thing makes sense when a team is winning but not playing particularly well, or is not focused, or is coasting on talent. I don't think this crew needs any kind of reset to remember to play hard.

All that being said, I suspect this debate will be academic (potentially a few hours from now) because I really don't see them going to Creighton, Marquette and even Providence and emerging 3-0.