Can we really not do this right now?

[Markusquette]

I'd be more optimistic if it weren't for the two big injuries.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm not buying the effort argument.

Lack of effort tends to result in poor defense and rebounding. Butler is better at offense than defense. We held them to .95ppp (under 1 is typically considered good). We forced 18 turnovers, 12 of them steals. We grabbed 15 offensive boards to their 6 (even accounting for how many more o-rebound opportunities we had, we still had a much better o-rebounding rate). All of these are effort plays.

Where we were terrible was on the offensive side, specifically shooting. I do think something mentally is going on with the offense, but I don't think it has anything to do with effort. I think it's more that each miss, especially on wide open threes, weighs on you more and more.

[MarquetteMike1977]

While I certainly share in the collective depression and disappointment, it's worth remembering UConn went 2-7 between 12/31/22 and 1/30/23. That turned out alright for them. Wins in March heal all wounds.

Agree

[BM1090]

What I'm having the most trouble with is our two best perimeter players have looked like they're pressing which leads to really poor decision making and almost launching with the mindset that eventually I have to make a shot. The discipline and patience in our half-court offense breaks down when players are mentally frustrated. I don't know if we're playing a click fast but I do believe we rush a lot of our open looks.  Whether it be in the h-c or transition.  Nothing is particularly smooth in our sets and we seem to ovetdribble.

Read and react offense is far less fun when you're aren't loose and are second guessing themselves.