Connecticut (MSG), Sat., Feb. 3, 12 NOON, FOX

[Andrew]

The agony of defeat at Tir Na Nog great to see Jnaw and Jimred again with the Mattia brothers and of course Kranmars and Redstormrising. That place was as packed as the garden. Bucketshardy was too busy heading to the back to steal a bar spot for the pic and SigEp was too distraught from the loss he’s wandering the streets near Manhattan looking for classof2010

It was good to see all the 114 guys at halftime. I am sorry I couldn't make it after the game. I was just too frustrated not to go home. Too many games this season where we don't compete. I will be at the Seton Hall game but if we don't that one I am not sure I will be back until the BET.

 

[bamafan]

Also wonder if that friend knew that UCONN was without Caraban, and that Clingon was limited by foul trouble most of the game. So they basically best us with nothing from one of their best player, and very little from another.

Casually speaking I don’t think he did

 

[carmineabbatiello]

The crowd size was incredible. I think it was an actual sell out. When was the last time that happened? Sweater game? Ucant has a very good team and can really shoot the rock. Especially at the line.

 

[nojoke44]

Pitino talked about 3 levels of energy or motors for players before the season and said Jenkins and maybe Zuby were playing with a high motor but others were getting there. Unfortunately those two guys are still the only ones that play with a high motor. Unfortunately despite all of his double doubles Joel just does not play with a high motor witness despite Clingan playing less than half the game because of foul trouble he ended up with 6 and 4 when if he had played with a high energy he should have dominated the paint and boards.

agreed....Soriano has been extremely dissappointing against the top teams...4 rebounds when Clingan palyed only 15 minutes? Unacceptable...he just doenst have that mental fortitude and toughness...has the physical skills but its the mental aspect that does him in everytime...he's too hard on himself when he makes a mistake and its costed him becoming a draft pick next year

 

[lycidas]

The crowd size was incredible. I think it was an actual sell out. When was the last time that happened? Sweater game? Ucant has a very good team and can really shoot the rock. Especially at the line.

(Mullin last team game vs Nova at MSG was a sellout.)

 

[Mike Zaun Returns]

Can’t stand UConn fans. When Nova had Jay, their fans mostly acted like they’ve been there…because they had. UConn fans bat flip every HR while looking the pitcher in the eye laughing. They don’t deserve being in bliss for 25 yrs. They are incredibly entitled. Their fixation with NYC & MSG is really bizarre. I’ve been to Hartford area…it’s far.

Back to us, I’m getting shades of CMA being like 1-8 in Q1. Every single big showdown game from Michigan to Dayton to MQ, CU, Hall, UConn, etc. We just do not win any. I go into these games with almost zero confidence. I just want to feel like we have a real shot in these. But my gut has been very accurate sadly. I honestly don’t see the route to NCAAT even Dayton round after losing 5/6 looking awful. If we miss NCAAT this yr & next yr I will be nervous Rick may say F this and retire. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[SJUWillRockNYC]

Instead of carrying on where the game is going to be played let’s beat them and ruin their trip home.

And when is that gonna happen? Next year? With the Greek kid, Glover, and Maker?
They have to learn Rick's system and plus they will be freshmen so most likely we can't count on them.

Hoping Rick gets better players in the portal then this year, and even then, those guys will have to learn his system.

Could we Luis, Dunlap, Zuby, and whoever else returns? Not sure.

We'll most likely have to wait until 25-26 to beat them at the Garden. That's from someone that it really pains to say that.

Doubt I'll go to the UConn msg game next year.

 

[L J S A]

Reads a lot like Rick just being a sore loser lol

Better that than him being a Coach K or Saban realizing they are too old and too successful to have to deal with NIL and just packing it in while they still had more championships ahead of them. I want an 80-year-old Rick here and not a 74-year-old Rick retiring because he hates what recruiting has become.

We should all hope it's sore losing and not prepping us for bad news.

 

[Jack Williams]

And when is that gonna happen? Next year? With the Greek kid, Glover, and Maker?
They have to learn Rick's system and plus they will be freshmen so most likely we can't count on them.

Hoping Rick gets better players in the portal then this year, and even then, those guys will have to learn his system.

Could we Luis, Dunlap, Zuby, and whoever else returns? Not sure.

We'll mostly like have to wait until 25-26 to beat them at the Garden. That's from someone that it really pains to say that.

Doubt I'll go to the UConn msg game next year.

You’re already punting on next years UConn game?

Some of you guys just need to sleep this one off haha

 

[fan5577]

Reads a lot like Rick just being a sore loser lol

It is the truth, it is hard to build a program when you can't count on a kid being there 3-4 years. If it has to be done through the portal you are hoping to bring in a solid 1 year team. If you are like Rick you are use to kids getting their feet wet in your system the first year and being relied on in year 3. Now if a kid does not get the playing time he feels he deserves he is gone after year 1. What makes it harder for SJU is they don't have a current winning tradition to get the top end talent in the portal.

 

[Jack Williams]

It is the truth, it is hard to build a program when you can't count on a kid being there 3-4 years. If it has to be done through the portal you are hoping to bring in a solid 1 year team. If you are like Rick you are use to kids getting their feet wet in your system the first year and being relied on in year 3. Now if a kid does not get the playing time he feels he deserves he is gone after year 1. What makes it harder for SJU is they don't have a current winning tradition to get the top end talent in the portal.

Yea but he knew all of that when he took the job. He said as much in his opening press conference. Going on a tangent like that after a loss just comes off sore loser-ish or a guy starting to wonder if he can even pull off making sju a winner

 

[NCJohnnie]

Better that than him being a Coach K or Saban realizing they are too old and too successful to have to deal with NIL and just packing it in while they still had more championships ahead of them. I want an 80-year-old Rick here and not a 74-year-old Rick retiring because he hates what recruiting has become.

We should all hope it's sore losing and not prepping us for bad news.

I have to disagree LJSA. Forgetting about Coach K who was pretty old, I respect what Jay Wright did - retired because he didn't like and want to deal with NIL. But if you decide to take a job when NIL is clearly where we are, don't whine, just deal with it like everybody else.

 

[L J S A]

Yea but he knew all of that when he took the job. He said as much in his opening press conference. Going on a tangent like that after a loss just comes off sore loser-ish or a guy starting to wonder if he can even pull off making sju a winner

Maybe if we're lucky Rick is just pretending to be a sore loser and knows that Brady and Repole's new partnership is bringing us RJ Davis and Zach Edey next season.

 

[Mike Zaun Returns]

Maybe a bit harsh but the team seems very mentally weak aside from DJ. I think this plays into FT’s too. Guys in their heads too much. Also lacking speed & athleticism needed for Big East. To go from 4-1 start to under .500 BE losing 5/6 is a crash. Hopefully somehow we at least make Dayton in NCAAT.

 

[Rocket]

Focusing on this one game, my big disappointment was Joel Soriano. Doesn't seem to be able to stay focused for 40 minutes. Today he could have dominated with Clingan being in foul trouble but he provided minimal offense and defense. Pitino has been sitting him to cool him down but he just doesn't seem to get it.

The team shoots poorly as a whole and needs a player like Taylor, who is a high percentage shooter, to take a bigger role in the offense but today he played only 9 minutes and took ZERO shots. Dunlap started and shot 1-3 in 19 minutes. At that vital small forward position, we got three shot attempts from two players.

Other than Jenkins, we had low defensive effort by Dingle, Luis, Alleyne against one of the best guard threesom in the country. Simply stated guards like Cam Spencer were given too much room to get their shot off.

This was just another lost opportunity with Karaban out and Clingan struggling. As others have pointed out, Pitino putting a freshman HE chose to start in the last game at the end of the bench is bewildering and I am sure his parents, who travel to see his games, are as upset. We could have used more intense guard play today and Pitino seems more intent on teaching moments at the expense of the overall picture.
IMO, another B coaching performance today.

So far what has defined our losses is SLOWNESS.
Slow to guard the shooters.
Slow to kick it out by players like Soriano, Ledlum and Luis.
Slow to rebound.
Slow to adjust the defense.

This team needs an intensive intervention by the coaches at this point and for Pitino to start giving positive feedback and inspiration to players like Wilcher, Taylor and Dingle who will be needed in the final 10 games or so. From my perspective, every team on the remaining schedule is beatable if everyone contributes 100%.

 

[Mike Zaun Returns]

Why is it dangerous? Are you about to go "Son of Sam" on the city because of the Johnnies?

Dangerous because I don’t bother watching Mets or Jets anymore. Unless they show pulse.

 

[JohnnyFan]

As most have said, it was a disappointing 2nd half.

That said, our fanbase delivered in a big way. Great, great atmosphere. Had we been able to match them on the court, it would have been one we talk about for a long time. Let's hope we can find a way to keep the base engaged.

 

[Silly Donovan]

Reads a lot like Rick just being a sore loser lol

Well he can’t say that this team will come together by late January or February so there has to be some sort of spin. Chances are he’s just upset and has no answers for his current team that continues to struggle.

 

[sju2000alum]

That’s how I am trying to stay positive we have played the toughest part of our BE schedule probably the only team that has not played Georgetown or DePaul yet. If we take care of those 4 games beat seton hall and Creighton at home we would only have to win 1 of the other road games to get to 12-8 in league play. This team still has a good chance of making the tournament which is something they really need to do just to break the streak and help this program move on.

 

[classof2010]

Our fan base was great today willing to kill today with the laws the way they are everybody would’ve been back for next game! Slick knows what must be done and Uconn fan knows it will not be comfortable down here even if they wear a Yankees hat!