Remember January 2, 2006? Simma down now

[mu03eng]

For all of those jumping off the bridge, think about this.  Almost a year ago mighty UConn, highly regarded came into the BC and got whooped by a Marquette team that while not considered awlful, was picked to finish 12th in the BE.  How is that any different then our loss to Providence last night?  Honestly, we were without our best defender and just had a rough game.  I understand frustrations with the team right now given the shooting issues, but its still a solid team.  Also I'd like to point out that UConn went on to the elite 8 last year, not saying we will do that....but the team can get better.  Would everyone just relax, and lets see what happens Sunday night?

[tonyreeder]

I can think of one difference.
Last year's UConn team was about 3 times better and more talented than this  year's Marquette team.   
Aside from that, good comparison

[Wade for President]

I'm in agreement for the most part, although hard not to get completely disgusted by the lack of effort last night.  We let them walk all over us.  Terrible game plan by Crean.  We had no motion offense, and looked awful on our post defense.

Urgggggggggh!

[MU71]

For all of those jumping off the bridge, think about this.  Almost a year ago mighty UConn, highly regarded came into the BC and got whooped by a Marquette team that while not considered awlful, was picked to finish 12th in the BE.  How is that any different then our loss to Providence last night?  Honestly, we were without our best defender and just had a rough game.  I understand frustrations with the team right now given the shooting issues, but its still a solid team.  Also I'd like to point out that UConn went on to the elite 8 last year, not saying we will do that....but the team can get better.  Would everyone just relax, and lets see what happens Sunday night?

How is this any different?  You've got to be kidding!  UConn was loaded with talent inside and out and obviously took us for granted.  We have demonstrated throughout our 15 games that we have no inside or outside game.  All we have is penetrating guards and ball-hawks.  Huge difference.   

[mu03eng]

Yes UConn had more talent last year than we do this year, but we had more talent last year than Providence does this year, which is why the comparison works.  IE. UConn was an A we were a B, MU this year is a B and Providence is a C, so from a relativity standpoint its apples and apples.  UConn looked bad and lacked effort against us, just like we did against Providence.  It was the first of the BE road games after playing a lot of home cupcakes for UConn(sound familiar?).  UConn throughout the year developed an inside-outside game, but as I recall they shot AWLFUL in that game, and also sucked from FT line(again sound familiar?)  I think it is a reasonable comparison and the point is lets give it another week or two before panicking.

[MU71]

UConn last year, I believe, was ranked 1st in the country and had plenty of inside-outside game prior to our game with them.  My point is that their game was an aberration of what preceded and succeeded it, not the norm.  We've had at least 3-4 games (maybe more) where we played like we did last night.  I do see UConn's first road game after a bunch of home bunnies and a major upset being similar but I don't see many similarities as far as what led up to it.  As far as panicing....I don't panic over basketball games especially if it's a single road loss, but I don't like what I've been seeing in yesterday's game and those leading up to it.  Outside shooting and any semblance of an inside presence just have not been there.  Things could change in the next couple games but I just don't see where it's going to come from. 

[CTWarrior]

I gotta agree MU71.  The problem I have with this team is a simple question,

"Why are we going to get better?"

Are we suddenly going to become good shooters?
Are our big men suddenly going to be strong low post scorers and strong interior defenders?

Basically, Fitz or Hayward or somebody is going to have to spread the defense and Lott or Burke or somebody inside is going to have to find another gear if we are going to be a team that can make the NCAA tournament.  Now, some of those things might happen, and I pray they do, but I'm not real confident right now that they will.

[mu03eng]

I guess in the end I don't disagree with you, CT and MU71.  I think the shooting can fix itself, we have seen flashes from every major contributor that they can shoot the rock, but all have been in different games....as a team they haven't shot well together.  I think we need one or the other not both.....shoot better, don't have to rebound as much and don't have to worry about inside because the drive and kick comes back into play.  Play tougher up front and we start to get more offensive rebounds and putbacks negating the bad shooting.

Will either happen, my optimism says yes, but like you I have seen nothing that says they will get better I just know they can be better.

[MarquetteBallin]

Will someone just call this team what it is? A poorly coached squad that has a little talent but huge holes in it. We have about four guys who have no business playing D1 (see Kinsella, Lott, Fitz, Blackledge). This team has not gotten any better in 15 games, in fact, it's regressed. We will give up and throw in the towel once we lose about four games in the Big East because there is absolutely zero leadership or mental toughness on this team. Mentally tough teams beat NDSU in the championship game of their own tourney, mentally tough teams find a way to get stops vs Wisconsin, mentally tough teams don't get crushed against a weak Providence team playing without their PG and best player. My guess is we finish 6-10 in the BE, win 2 games in the NIT and start looking foward to next year, where we can't possibly be any more dissapointing. Aside from the Duke game, can anyone HONESTLY say this team isn't greatly underachieving?

[SoCalwarrior]

I think you're just flaming, but I'll bite.  Fitz could play for at least 90 percent of the programs in D1.