UCONN Attacking Strategies

[The Sultan]

Al can gives us 5 fouls and 1 rebound

Oops. Wrong Al. I thought you meant McGuire.

[StillAWarrior]

'Load management' was pure sarcasm on my part.   

I honestly hadn't paid attention to who first mentioned that phrase. Knowing you as the source, I definitely would have realized that. But my post was really prompted by my surprise at the number of people who seem to think that everyone will be cool with a loss Saturday because UConn is just really good and it's a road game.

[lawdog77]

I honestly hadn't paid attention to who first mentioned that phrase. Knowing you as the source, I definitely would have realized that. But my post was really prompted by my surprise at the number of people who seem to think that everyone will be cool with a loss Saturday because UConn is just really good and it's a road game.

I'm cool with a loss, I am cool with a win. It's just sports, my man. Enjoy the ride

[tower912]

MU is a great team having a very good season.   I have been high (Rico-esque high) on them all season and will continue to be so.   Losing to No.1 and defending national champ on their floor will not change any of that.  Some mountains are just too high.   

MU winning will put me over the moon.

So, giddyup.

[Scoop Snoop]

I honestly hadn't paid attention to who first mentioned that phrase. Knowing you as the source, I definitely would have realized that. But my post was really prompted by my surprise at the number of people who seem to think that everyone will be cool with a loss Saturday because UConn is just really good and it's a road game.

I would not be "cool with a loss" but I think it is simply quite a bit more likely than a win. This a case of hope vs. expectation.

[Goose]

If MU loses on Saturday, especially a bad loss or the give it away, I will be very disappointed in the outcome. I want them to win badly but want them to be ready to win 6 in a row in the tournament more. Saturday is definitely a game I 100% believe they can win and hope they do. That said, when I looked/look at the schedule I am also realistic in probable outcomes. If we were playing them on a neutral court, like Kansas or Purdue, my opinion on the game changes drastically.

[StillAWarrior]

I honestly hadn't paid attention to who first mentioned that phrase. Knowing you as the source, I definitely would have realized that. But my post was really prompted by my surprise at the number of people who seem to think that everyone will be cool with a loss Saturday because UConn is just really good and it's a road game.

Quoting myself...always a strong move.

I should clarify: by "everyone," I meant people associated with the program (i.e., Shaka and the team) . I just saw some posts that I interpreted as suggesting that the team would be satisfied with a competitive loss -- that they'd be doing the same "hope vs. expectation" analysis that the fans are doing. That was the point in my initial post that some fans seem so focused on winning in the tournament that they're not too worried about the conference title but that Shaka and the team are not wired that way.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Oops. Wrong Al. I thought you meant McGuire.

He gowne.

[Uncle Rico]

If MU loses on Saturday, especially a bad loss or the give it away, I will be very disappointed in the outcome. I want them to win badly but want them to be ready to win 6 in a row in the tournament more. Saturday is definitely a game I 100% believe they can win and hope they do. That said, when I looked/look at the schedule I am also realistic in probable outcomes. If we were playing them on a neutral court, like Kansas or Purdue, my opinion on the game changes drastically.

Takeaway from Saturday, for me, will be how they play in a real hostile environment.  The loss at Madison was disappointing because it felt like they no-showed.  Losing is one thing.  Losing because they're never in it or don't fight?  That'll be disappointing.  Learning time in these environments should be over for this group.  You may not win, but don't roll over

[Scoop Snoop]

Takeaway from Saturday, for me, will be how they play in a real hostile environment.  The loss at Madison was disappointing because it felt like they no-showed.  Losing is one thing.  Losing because they're never in it or don't fight?  That'll be disappointing.  Learning time in these environments should be over for this group.  You may not win, but don't roll over

Nice post Rico. And my thoughts in the UW game were the same as yours. We looked defeated fairly early in the game.

[Shooter McGavin]

Takeaway from Saturday, for me, will be how they play in a real hostile environment.  The loss at Madison was disappointing because it felt like they no-showed.  Losing is one thing.  Losing because they're never in it or don't fight?  That'll be disappointing.  Learning time in these environments should be over for this group.  You may not win, but don't roll over

Yep.  This.  I feel like we'll know early and I  expect a dog fight.  There will be no jitters. Come to win the game and let the chips fall where they may. 

[Goose]

I thought they were very full of themselves against UW and were not mentally prepared for that game. Once they got hit in the face they buckled to some extent, for one of the few times in the Shaka era. That carried over for another few games, imo.

As we sit here today, I have little concern of seeing that type of mentality moving forward. They look completely dialed in to achieve the ultimate goal. I expect a championship level effort of Saturday and will see if that is good enough to win an extremely big game.

[Newsdreams]

Saturday's loss combined with UWM & St. Thomas will put MU on the play in bracket IMO

[PGsHeroes32]

Good news: Think I'll be watching game in a public bar setting Saturday. We are undefeated last two years when I do.

Bad news: This is clearly toughest of the games and I'm probably due for public pain.

[wadesworld]

I think this is a game we miss Sean in.  He played big time in the UCONN home win last year.  He's the kind of pest that can give Newton some issues.  Stevie can as well, obviously, but it'd be nice to have Sean hounding Newton and Stevie using his physicality on Castle.

[Shooter McGavin]

I think this is a game we miss Sean in.  He played big time in the UCONN home win last year.  He's the kind of pest that can give Newton some issues.  Stevie can as well, obviously, but it'd be nice to have Sean hounding Newton and Stevie using his physicality on Castle.

Agreed.  Sean is a pest on defense.  He also creates some shots at the rim with his speed and athleticism that seemed to come at just the right time in big games this year and last.  Would have been nice to have him for 10 minutes just to change things up a bit.  Give the opposition something else to think about.   Give Tyler a rest. 

But agree with others who did not like the pairing on the floor at the same time with Tyler off the ball. 

[MuggsyB]

I thought they were very full of themselves against UW and were not mentally prepared for that game. Once they got hit in the face they buckled to some extent, for one of the few times in the Shaka era. That carried over for another few games, imo.

As we sit here today, I have little concern of seeing that type of mentality moving forward. They look completely dialed in to achieve the ultimate goal. I expect a championship level effort of Saturday and will see if that is good enough to win an extremely big game.

Well said Goose.  I saw the same thing you did against Wisky.  To win on Saturday I believe Kam/Chase have to score the ball.  My take is UCONN is going to do everything they can not to let Tyko beat them and essentially sag Clingan and give Oso wide open ten footers. We can open the floor up if Kam in particular efficiently scores the rock, and we know he can.  It absolutely changes everything for us and I think it's his time to step-up.   The 6-8 footer will be there for us vs their defense.  Take some of those shots with confidence.  Rebounding concerns me a bit but you will see a level of tenacity from MU that we have not seen all year. 

[tower912]

So, you want MU to run a different offense and rebound against a bigger team and if that happens MU will win.      Got it.   

[MuggsyB]

So, you want MU to run a different offense and rebound against a bigger team and if that happens MU will win.      Got it.

That's not what I said.  I'm pointing out what I expect UCONN to do defensively and our counters. 

[real chili 83]

I think we win if we score more points.

[Viper]

This team isn't penciling in or expecting a loss to anyone, anywhere. Nor should they.

agreed. Go man-to-man, play with a chip, take the body blows and punch back. 
Load management? Accept the L?
WTH is with some of you??

[MDMU04]

I thought they were very full of themselves against UW and were not mentally prepared for that game. Once they got hit in the face they buckled to some extent, for one of the few times in the Shaka era. That carried over for another few games, imo.

As we sit here today, I have little concern of seeing that type of mentality moving forward. They look completely dialed in to achieve the ultimate goal. I expect a championship level effort of Saturday and will see if that is good enough to win an extremely big game.

Goose, not only do I think they will be mentally prepared for this game, but I believe they have had Saturday - and a couple other upcoming dates for that matter - circled on the calendar for months.

For this group of guys this is more than a measuring stick game, they will be looking to make a statement. They will probably need to withstand a run to start the game, but I fully believe we will see the best physical and mental effort of the season to date.

[barfolomew]

I think this is a game we miss Sean in.  He played big time in the UCONN home win last year.  He's the kind of pest that can give Newton some issues.  Stevie can as well, obviously, but it'd be nice to have Sean hounding Newton and Stevie using his physicality on Castle.

Can't find a link, but the play last year when 5'10" Jones stole the interior lob to 9'14" Clingan was amazing.

[MarquetteDano]

Can't find a link, but the play last year when 5'10" Jones stole the interior lob to 9'14" Clingan was amazing.

Glad you mentioned this. Earlier in the year I thought I dreamt this from last year.

[Goose]

Sean Jones turned the game around last year and allowed MU to get back into the game.