2024-25 UConn Men's Hoops: Defending the Throne Again

JOBU

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At Nova will be a good barometer for this team tonight. Not feeling optimistic but we shall see
 
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RedOctober3829

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Can’t go into slumps offensively for minutes at a time and dig holes to come out of. That being said, Alex missing 2 FTs for the win. Every game without Liam is going to be a grind. Need others to step up. Not a deep team. Need J Stew to play better. Need Johnson to play better. Staple Ross to the bench.
 

Plantiers Wart

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Stewart played well. 14 points. Carried the early. Two blocks on Dixon playing straight up on him. Johnson was ok as well beyond the usual foul trouble. Their D let too many drives get to the rim, and Alex’s shot was off all night. That’s it.

Tough conference loss at an on campus gym. They win that at Well Fargo.
 

RedOctober3829

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Stewart played well. 14 points. Carried the early. Two blocks on Dixon playing straight up on him. Johnson was ok as well beyond the usual foul trouble. Their D let too many drives get to the rim, and Alex’s shot was off all night. That’s it.

Tough conference loss at an on campus gym. They win that at Well Fargo.
I’m more saying with J Stew that I need to see it more consistently. Need him and Ball to be playing at the same level if we’re going to be a 2nd weekend team. Stew played very well tonight. Need that every night b
 

strek1

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Well we knew it would be a tough road without McNeeley. Was expecting a loss at some point just surprised it happened in the way it did. Strange ending.
 

StuckOnYouk

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Maybe the worst night of Karaban's career at UConn. Kid will shake it off.

We aren't winning it all again this year barring a miracle I don't think. But the bright spot of the injury to McNeeley is Stewart taking advantage of this playing time he got tonight and hopefully in the future. Just have to hang in there until we get Liam back and we'll be a better team in March for it.

I thought Ball was outstanding in the 2nd half tonight. Shot lights out.
 

strek1

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Not that we all aren't concerned and saddened by the horrible fires out in LA, but the Hurleys must be even more thankful they decided to stay in CT.
I see Lakers coach JJ Reddick lost his home in the fires. Just a massive disaster out there.
 

StuckOnYouk

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what does McDermott do to apparently teach these kids not to foul? Because it is an amazing weapon towards the end of every half and one the Creighton beautifully used – although the refs completely screwed UConn by not calling the Diara shooting foul.
You would think playing on the road at UConn with a loud home crowd that you would go to the line for more than five free throws. Have to figure the wars Hurley has had with Big East officials really kills is 2-3 games a year
 

Average Reds

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I have been a big fan of Hurley, but this is kind of … gross.

Dan Hurley owned up to berating an official during Tuesday night's 80-78 win over Butlerafter he was caught on camera telling them "don't turn your back on me, I'm the best coach in the f---ing sport."
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/43514085/hurley-berating-ref-show-other-coaches

Now, I may be reading too much into this, but the kind of attitude that Hurley displayed here can’t be good for UConn, in the sense that if you belittle those around you (including referees) they are going to find ways to make you humble.
 

Spud

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I have been a big fan of Hurley, but this is kind of … gross.



https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/43514085/hurley-berating-ref-show-other-coaches

Now, I may be reading too much into this, but the kind of attitude that Hurley displayed here can’t be good for UConn, in the sense that if you belittle those around you (including referees) they are going to find ways to make you humble.
He really needs an anger management intervention. I recall having read somewhere that his wife called him out on this sort of stuff at some point a year or so ago. And I agree with Average Reds -- berating refs could very well come back to haunt both him and the team.

Not a good look at all.
 

BaseballJones

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He may be right that he's the best coach in the sport. But saying that is not going to impress an official one little bit. You'll happily take the total Dan Hurley package, because he obviously is tremendous, but it shouldn't be too difficult for him to tone some of this stuff down. It's not difficult to not be an ass. Coach hard, fight for your team, have energy - all that is good. Berating refs and saying stuff like that - is not good.
 

tims4wins

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"I just wish they put the camera on the other coach more," he said. "... I just wish they would show these other coaches losing their minds at the officials in other Big East games that I'm coaching where ... I'm not talking to officials; I see the other coaches as demonstrative as I am.

"But the camera, obviously ... I've created this for myself. I'm not the victim."

Sure sounds like you're playing the victim.
 

biollante

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Yeah, there is something wrong with Hurley.
He is always yelling at refs, and it just makes him look like a small man.
Otherwise, he seems like a good coach.
 

luckiestman

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The vibe is Michael Corleone accomplishments behaving with Fredo energy. Not a good look.
 

BigSoxFan

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Is it written into the contract that UConn coaches have to be pantheon level douchebags? I guess Ollie wasn’t bad - don’t really remember if he did anything but Calhoun and Hurley are simply impossible to root for.

(He’s also right that he’s the best coach)
 

RedOctober3829

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The sport needs more people like Dan Hurley. The regular season doesn't exactly command a lot of attention from national media types. You know what was talked about on First Take this week? College basketball. When is that last time that happened? The game needs more characters like Hurley. Coaches with similar demonstrative attitudes is what made the Big East the Big East. Louie, Calhoun, Boeheim, Rollie, etc. Does the complaining from fans of other programs have a bit of jealousy at what he's accomplished the last 2 years? Likely. When you win, the lights shine brightest and he has not changed one bit from the coach that came in to Storrs. Good for him.

To much more important things than what Dan Hurley looks and sounds like on the court: I have not seen any further updates on when Liam McNeeley is coming back. Has anybody else?
 

BigSoxFan

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The sport needs more people like Dan Hurley. The regular season doesn't exactly command a lot of attention from national media types. You know what was talked about on First Take this week? College basketball. When is that last time that happened? The game needs more characters like Hurley. Coaches with similar demonstrative attitudes is what made the Big East the Big East. Louie, Calhoun, Boeheim, Rollie, etc. Does the complaining from fans of other programs have a bit of jealousy at what he's accomplished the last 2 years? Likely. When you win, the lights shine brightest and he has not changed one bit from the coach that came in to Storrs. Good for him.

To much more important things than what Dan Hurley looks and sounds like on the court: I have not seen any further updates on when Liam McNeeley is coming back. Has anybody else?
This is a weird take. What made the Big East great was the quality of the players and teams, not a bunch of asshole coaches. But using this logic, you must have been a huge fan of Temple growing up. Or Frank Martin. It’s ok to acknowledge when your guy is an asshole. You won’t have to hand back the memories of watching those title teams.
 

RedOctober3829

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This is a weird take. What made the Big East great was the quality of the players and teams, not a bunch of asshole coaches. But using this logic, you must have been a huge fan of Temple growing up. Or Frank Martin. It’s ok to acknowledge when your guy is an asshole. You won’t have to hand back the memories of watching those title teams.
Not a weird take at all actually. The coaches were as just a big of a part or even bigger than the players to make the BE what it was. As for Hurley, I just don't think he's an asshole. There's a lot of coaches that are demonstrative on the sidelines. Does he push the line sometimes? Yes. So do others. Does he get all of the attention of it? Yes.

As a BC guy, I'm also wondering whether or not you and your fellow BC fans regret going to the ACC. I'm sure the money is great, but you guys haven't been good since Skinner left and football hasn't been consistently good. I wish you guys were still in the BE.
 

BigSoxFan

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Not a weird take at all actually. The coaches were as just a big of a part or even bigger than the players to make the BE what it was. As for Hurley, I just don't think he's an asshole. There's a lot of coaches that are demonstrative on the sidelines. Does he push the line sometimes? Yes. So do others. Does he get all of the attention of it? Yes.

As a BC guy, I'm also wondering whether or not you and your fellow BC fans regret going to the ACC. I'm sure the money is great, but you guys haven't been good since Skinner left and football hasn't been consistently good. I wish you guys were still in the BE.
I’ll give Hurley this - he isn’t a phony like Coach K. I am envious of the resources UConn pours into the hoops program. They’ve obviously done a great job.

And BC is so irrelevant that I don’t even hate UConn anymore. I don’t think the ACC move was bad because those 2006-2007 BC teams were really good (damn you, Sean Williams) but they simply haven’t invested in the program at all. Now, the team is complete garbage. Zero good players. Zero hope for the future. Too bad. I went to the 2001 BE tourney at MSG and it was awesome. Skinner’s recruiting had slipped but I would have given the job to Cooley.
 

Sille Skrub

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RedOctober3829

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This is the weirdest game ever. Shooting almost 60% from the field and 3 yet because of the 23 turnovers I get the feeling they’re not playing well. If they can take care of the ball the rest of the way, they should win.

Ball is a stud.
 

JOBU

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Yeah that was a very odd win. 25 turnovers. Missing your best player. Injured PG. Got outshot at the free throw line. 7 pt road win on the road vs a top 10 team… sure why not.

59 percent from the field and 63 percent from three. Free Solo.
 

curly2

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Very sloppy with the turnovers, but a huge win.

Ball's got balls. And I love how Samson Johnson learned how to make free throws this year.
 

RedOctober3829

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Wish I was able to make it up to Gampel tonight. It will be an unbelievable atmosphere. Hurley vs. Pitino. The best St. John's team in decades vs the 2 time champs. Getting goosebumps awaiting for the first Big Red U-C-O-N-N chant of the night when we rip off a 10-2 opening run and Liam starts hot.