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Loss sucked. I had little hope we would beat UConn on their floor. UConn may not be as good this year as in past years but they still match up well vs. us. Brimah being in foul trouble should've been enough to put things in our favor but the refs nixed that. That Ellis T was complete garbage. Complete garbage. It's March, should've pulled the players in and warned them. To only T up one team clearly shows a bias in my opinion. I saw three different angles and every one at least showed players in the mix before Ellis' push. On top of it it was a one hand "get off me" push, not an in your face shove. Just garbage. To make things worse Boatwright should've been T'd for grabbing the ball from KJ five feet into the UC bench. He got pulled aside and warned. No consistency. The lack of calls on Caupain at the end were bad but honestly on the first one Caupain tucked the ball like a running back and I personally hate that players can do that. One school of thinking is the hand is an extension of the ball and in a case of a tuck, wouldn't the arm be? He doesn't get that shot off with ball under his arm so I personally am kind of OK with a no call because I've seen us get called in fouls like that and hate it. He did get hammered though and typically you see a foul there. The other thing I want to mention is it surprises me no one has mentioned Caupain's banked three as the shot clock expired mid way through the second half. As much as we hated UConn's we got one of our own. UConn hit one in the first half too on a forced shot but he actually had a good look at it and squared the shot off.

One more thing listening to ESPN ride UConn's nuts was annoying to the nth degree but to be honest without UConn our conference probably isn't on ESPN, so...
 
Losses like yesterday are frustrating because, like the Xavier game, I thought our guys clearly outplayed theirs. Unfortunately, as we've discussed ad nauseam, our guards don't make enough consistent plays on offense to score enough to put games like those away. Troy was decent but Farad and KJ disappeared for long stretches and that was the difference. It allows for a team to essentially beat UC with a single hot shooting night (Dee Davis) or by wildly chucking up 3s in the hopes they go in. When they do miraculously go in, it's enough to negate everything positive that the 'Cats do. Frustrating because our guys are playing so hard and doing the right things.

I have hope for whatever tourney UC gets into (and remembering Eric Hicks' senior year, I harbor no illusions that UC is "in" the NCAA Tourney) because they're playing hard, by and large executing their gameplans, and playing together. But so long as the opposition has a guard that can make plays and someone that gets hot, it doesn't matter how many categories the boys dominate or how much of the game they dominate. Without matching guard play and a little guard scoring of their own, they will continue to find themselves in situations where they can be beaten with flukes and miracles.

Hoping for the best, both tomorrow and next week in what will hopefully be the program's 5th straight NCAA trip.
 
Loss sucked. I had little hope we would beat UConn on their floor. UConn may not be as good this year as in past years but they still match up well vs. us. Brimah being in foul trouble should've been enough to put things in our favor but the refs nixed that. That Ellis T was complete garbage. Complete garbage. It's March, should've pulled the players in and warned them. To only T up one team clearly shows a bias in my opinion. I saw three different angles and every one at least showed players in the mix before Ellis' push. On top of it it was a one hand "get off me" push, not an in your face shove. Just garbage. To make things worse Boatwright should've been T'd for grabbing the ball from KJ five feet into the UC bench. He got pulled aside and warned. No consistency. The lack of calls on Caupain at the end were bad but honestly on the first one Caupain tucked the ball like a running back and I personally hate that players can do that. One school of thinking is the hand is an extension of the ball and in a case of a tuck, wouldn't the arm be? He doesn't get that shot off with ball under his arm so I personally am kind of OK with a no call because I've seen us get called in fouls like that and hate it. He did get hammered though and typically you see a foul there. The other thing I want to mention is it surprises me no one has mentioned Caupain's banked three as the shot clock expired mid way through the second half. As much as we hated UConn's we got one of our own. UConn hit one in the first half too on a forced shot but he actually had a good look at it and squared the shot off.

One more thing listening to ESPN ride UConn's nuts was annoying to the nth degree but to be honest without UConn our conference probably isn't on ESPN, so...

I agree that there were some dubious things that happened last night but I expected that and actually wanted that for UC. They needed to have their mettle tested and face down some adversity and aside from the outcome, I think they did very well. Would've been nice to hit a bucket or two down the stretch though ;)
 
Losses like yesterday are frustrating because, like the Xavier game, I thought our guys clearly outplayed theirs. Unfortunately, as we've discussed ad nauseam, our guards don't make enough consistent plays on offense to score enough to put games like those away. Troy was decent but Farad and KJ disappeared for long stretches and that was the difference. It allows for a team to essentially beat UC with a single hot shooting night (Dee Davis) or by wildly chucking up 3s in the hopes they go in. When they do miraculously go in, it's enough to negate everything positive that the 'Cats do. Frustrating because our guys are playing so hard and doing the right things.

I have hope for whatever tourney UC gets into (and remembering Eric Hicks' senior year, I harbor no illusions that UC is "in" the NCAA Tourney) because they're playing hard, by and large executing their gameplans, and playing together. But so long as the opposition has a guard that can make plays and someone that gets hot, it doesn't matter how many categories the boys dominate or how much of the game they dominate. Without matching guard play and a little guard scoring of their own, they will continue to find themselves in situations where they can be beaten with flukes and miracles.

Hoping for the best, both tomorrow and next week in what will hopefully be the program's 5th straight NCAA trip.

Nice post
 
Losses like yesterday are frustrating because, like the Xavier game, I thought our guys clearly outplayed theirs. Unfortunately, as we've discussed ad nauseam, our guards don't make enough consistent plays on offense to score enough to put games like those away. Troy was decent but Farad and KJ disappeared for long stretches and that was the difference. It allows for a team to essentially beat UC with a single hot shooting night (Dee Davis) or by wildly chucking up 3s in the hopes they go in. When they do miraculously go in, it's enough to negate everything positive that the 'Cats do. Frustrating because our guys are playing so hard and doing the right things.

I have hope for whatever tourney UC gets into (and remembering Eric Hicks' senior year, I harbor no illusions that UC is "in" the NCAA Tourney) because they're playing hard, by and large executing their gameplans, and playing together. But so long as the opposition has a guard that can make plays and someone that gets hot, it doesn't matter how many categories the boys dominate or how much of the game they dominate. Without matching guard play and a little guard scoring of their own, they will continue to find themselves in situations where they can be beaten with flukes and miracles.

Hoping for the best, both tomorrow and next week in what will hopefully be the program's 5th straight NCAA trip.

This is where a guy like Boatright is so huge for a team. I'm hoping Troy takes that next step and starts to understand that he can be this guy.
 
I agree that there were some dubious things that happened last night but I expected that and actually wanted that for UC. They needed to have their mettle tested and face down some adversity and aside from the outcome, I think they did very well. Would've been nice to hit a bucket or two down the stretch though ;)
ECU, Tulane, Xavier, UConn - I'm getting a little tired of the other guys always coming through in crunch time...Have to go all the way back to San Diego State to find a game where the Cats didn't fall short when the spotlight was on...and that is coming off of another epic fail against Nebraska.

It's all about youth....next year (hopefully this year, during tourney), some of those games will start to swing our way as the young players succeed a couple of times in those situations & then gain the confidence that makes that happen more often, that turns to the swagger that makes that inevitable. I really believe that will happen.
 
Losses like yesterday are frustrating because, like the Xavier game, I thought our guys clearly outplayed theirs. Unfortunately, as we've discussed ad nauseam, our guards don't make enough consistent plays on offense to score enough to put games like those away. Troy was decent but Farad and KJ disappeared for long stretches and that was the difference. It allows for a team to essentially beat UC with a single hot shooting night (Dee Davis) or by wildly chucking up 3s in the hopes they go in. When they do miraculously go in, it's enough to negate everything positive that the 'Cats do. Frustrating because our guys are playing so hard and doing the right things.

I have hope for whatever tourney UC gets into (and remembering Eric Hicks' senior year, I harbor no illusions that UC is "in" the NCAA Tourney) because they're playing hard, by and large executing their gameplans, and playing together. But so long as the opposition has a guard that can make plays and someone that gets hot, it doesn't matter how many categories the boys dominate or how much of the game they dominate. Without matching guard play and a little guard scoring of their own, they will continue to find themselves in situations where they can be beaten with flukes and miracles.

Hoping for the best, both tomorrow and next week in what will hopefully be the program's 5th straight NCAA trip.

I've said this, too. And this is why at the end of the day you win games by putting the ball in the basket, that's how they keep score. To Mick's credit he has won and won at a high level with less talent because he gets his team to beat you in hustle and heart. But to get to that next level you have to have some playmakers. Close games come down to one or two possessions and late in games refs swallow whistles. You have to make a basketball play on offense to score and win. And this is where we have been lacking. The recruiting has improved steadily and on cue since we returned to the Dance. It's been a painstaking process but I'm not one that is naive enough to believe Mick doesn't know we need better offense nor that he should've been landing higher recruits when weren't a postseason team. Last year's class, this year's class and next year's class are no excuses classes for Mick and should be a sign of what Mick can really do. Somewhere a playmaker or two has to emerge. And you have to have a playmaker at the guard position. Caupain and Clark I think are two guys that will be playmakers next year. Clark just has to realize his potential and get a little more muscle on him. Caupain needs to take charge and be aggressive and he will realize his potential. I really like KJ's all around game. He fits into Mick's system well. He obviously has to stop with the lazy passes and not turn the ball over. If he can get his shot to fall consistently he's a great compliment to Caupain. All three of next year's guys, coupled with Morman and Moore all have potential to be high level players. Ellis, DeBerry and Cobb are back next year. DeBerry has the most room to improve, mostly just from a stamina standpoint. Ellis I think will be a force next year and we all know Cobb can light it up. The future looks bright, but to get back to the original point, someone has to be a playmaker and make those tough shots late in the game when you aren't going to get that whistle or when everybody knows you're going to take the shot.
 
I agree that there were some dubious things that happened last night but I expected that and actually wanted that for UC. They needed to have their mettle tested and face down some adversity and aside from the outcome, I think they did very well. Would've been nice to hit a bucket or two down the stretch though ;)

I agree. It was kind of a sucky set-up playing a team on their floor in a tournament game but it is what it is. This conference can't put their tourney in a neutral site and expect to draw any crowds. Thus someone will have a home field advantage. But we got a dogfight and that's what this young team needs in March before playing in the Dance. I would rather lose a dogfight on the road to UConn this week than have a cakewalk and then get punched in the face next week.
 
I've said this, too. And this is why at the end of the day you win games by putting the ball in the basket, that's how they keep score. To Mick's credit he has won and won at a high level with less talent because he gets his team to beat you in hustle and heart. But to get to that next level you have to have some playmakers. Close games come down to one or two possessions and late in games refs swallow whistles. You have to make a basketball play on offense to score and win. And this is where we have been lacking. The recruiting has improved steadily and on cue since we returned to the Dance. It's been a painstaking process but I'm not one that is naive enough to believe Mick doesn't know we need better offense nor that he should've been landing higher recruits when weren't a postseason team. Last year's class, this year's class and next year's class are no excuses classes for Mick and should be a sign of what Mick can really do. Somewhere a playmaker or two has to emerge. And you have to have a playmaker at the guard position. Caupain and Clark I think are two guys that will be playmakers next year. Clark just has to realize his potential and get a little more muscle on him. Caupain needs to take charge and be aggressive and he will realize his potential. I really like KJ's all around game. He fits into Mick's system well. He obviously has to stop with the lazy passes and not turn the ball over. If he can get his shot to fall consistently he's a great compliment to Caupain. All three of next year's guys, coupled with Morman and Moore all have potential to be high level players. Ellis, DeBerry and Cobb are back next year. DeBerry has the most room to improve, mostly just from a stamina standpoint. Ellis I think will be a force next year and we all know Cobb can light it up. The future looks bright, but to get back to the original point, someone has to be a playmaker and make those tough shots late in the game when you aren't going to get that whistle or when everybody knows you're going to take the shot.

Yes. I've said this before but it's worth repeating: most of the UC teams of old made up for less talent (or not-yet developed talent) by playing harder than everyone else. In tournament play, everyone plays harder, everyone ratchets up the defense, and you have to have a playmaker and/or scorer. If you look at our 3 point shooters, most of our guys make shots off a pass rather than create on their own. Cobb is the one guy that can get his own shot (by the percentages at least) and he is the real x-factor moving forward.

One part of their game I've been thoroughly enjoying is the perimeter guys have been getting into shooting position in offensive rebound situations, it seems like they've been getting a ton of good looks this way which is a credit to both the shooters and our inside guys getting the rebounds and finding their shooters. This team has come a long way and I'm hoping Caupain or Cobb can get hot, because if they do, I truly believe this team could do something special. Not beat Kentucky special, but definitely beat some others.
 
Cobb's shot and no KJ turnovers will be key next week.

I wanna see us lean on Clark a little bit offensively early in the game until guys get settled in, and push the ball every chance we get.
 
I heard Boatwright didn't play tonight and was on the bench wearing jeans. What a joke to punk out on his team. He made it clear all season he didn't wanna play in the nit. They said he sat because his shoulder hurts. I think its more about his feelings are hurt lol
 
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I heard Boatwright didn't play tonight and was on the bench wearing jeans. What a joke to punk out on his team. He made it clear all season he didn't wanna play in the nit. They said he sat because he his shoulder hurts. I think its more about his feelings are hurt lol

Pathetic. You could tell on Sunday against SMU that he's one of the biggest sore losers in college basketball. He's a jerk. Right before halftime on Sunday, after he shot a near half court shot and took a slight tumble, an SMU player tried to help him up. And he just pushed their hands away and pouted all the way to the locker room.
 
Pathetic. You could tell on Sunday against SMU that he's one of the biggest sore losers in college basketball. He's a jerk. Right before halftime on Sunday, after he shot a near half court shot and took a slight tumble, an SMU player tried to help him up. And he just pushed their hands away and pouted all the way to the locker room.

Wow, that doesn't surprise me. UConn ended up losing tonight to ASU. Have fun playing overseas.
 
I heard Boatwright didn't play tonight and was on the bench wearing jeans. What a joke to punk out on his team. He made it clear all season he didn't wanna play in the nit. They said he sat because his shoulder hurts. I think its more about his feelings are hurt lol
Champions don't play in NIT. I don't blame him. Uconn wins championships, I'm shocked they took nit invite
 
I've said this, too. And this is why at the end of the day you win games by putting the ball in the basket, that's how they keep score. To Mick's credit he has won and won at a high level with less talent because he gets his team to beat you in hustle and heart. But to get to that next level you have to have some playmakers. Close games come down to one or two possessions and late in games refs swallow whistles. You have to make a basketball play on offense to score and win. And this is where we have been lacking. The recruiting has improved steadily and on cue since we returned to the Dance. It's been a painstaking process but I'm not one that is naive enough to believe Mick doesn't know we need better offense nor that he should've been landing higher recruits when weren't a postseason team. Last year's class, this year's class and next year's class are no excuses classes for Mick and should be a sign of what Mick can really do. Somewhere a playmaker or two has to emerge. And you have to have a playmaker at the guard position. Caupain and Clark I think are two guys that will be playmakers next year. Clark just has to realize his potential and get a little more muscle on him. Caupain needs to take charge and be aggressive and he will realize his potential. I really like KJ's all around game. He fits into Mick's system well. He obviously has to stop with the lazy passes and not turn the ball over. If he can get his shot to fall consistently he's a great compliment to Caupain. All three of next year's guys, coupled with Morman and Moore all have potential to be high level players. Ellis, DeBerry and Cobb are back next year. DeBerry has the most room to improve, mostly just from a stamina standpoint. Ellis I think will be a force next year and we all know Cobb can light it up. The future looks bright, but to get back to the original point, someone has to be a playmaker and make those tough shots late in the game when you aren't going to get that whistle or when everybody knows you're going to take the shot.
Outside of Mick first couple seasons, recruiting was better in my opinion his first half here. We haven't gotten a Yancy, cash, McCain, Stephenson in years.
 
Outside of Mick first couple seasons, recruiting was better in my opinion his first half here. We haven't gotten a Yancy, cash, McCain, Stephenson in years.

McClain* and he was pretty awful here. Lawrence was just as highly touted as all those gues (higher than some) and he was terrible. Whiffs on 4-5 star guys is not better than 3-star success stories.
 
Champions don't quit on their team. Period. Boatright is a quitter.
Without seeing a medical report on him that is some very harsh speculation. Granted his demeanor and body langauge after the SMU game was bad but wouldn't we be better off not saying anything in this case. Unless I know for sure he isn't injured or all the circumstances surrounding his playing status it might me better to not respond at all. Just saying.....
 
Without seeing a medical report on him that is some very harsh speculation. Granted his demeanor and body langauge after the SMU game was bad but wouldn't we be better off not saying anything in this case. Unless I know for sure he isn't injured or all the circumstances surrounding his playing status it might me better to not respond at all. Just saying.....

Said he sat out because of a shoulder injury that happened in the second half of the SMU game. Also said if it was an NCAA tournament game he would have played.
 
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