Chief’s Briefs - Marquette Edition

[Chief00]

A 25 point win against #4. Electric crowd @ the XL Center. Had the feeling of watching a Championship caliber team.

We started out running good cuts on offense
and then with Diarra’s insertion our defense picked up as everyone increased their intensity level.

We had 18 more rebounds than Marquette and 15 more assists. Those statistics matter.

Clingan, Newton and Spencer filling the boxscore, also had good games. Stewart again showed signs that he can be a very good player.


As good as our offense is half court when we play lockdown defense as we did late in the first half that turbo charges our offense.

It is always great to see the former players come back and Andre Jackson, AJ and Emeka came back today !

Alex did not have his best shooting game today, but it had zero impact on the other aspects of his game. A sign of a poise, professional player.

I like how Tristen uses his body to protect the ball and uses his body as leverage to get loose balls. A skill casual fans may not appreciate but it help us win.

Donovan when he fully bends his knees almost always makes his foul shots. Once he settles into a foul line routine he will be a good foul shooter. I thought today he also went for less shot upfakes, a good sign.

 

[metsfan2323]

The only team we ever had that was this dominant in the regular season was the 99 team. Our two losses were due to injuries.

Diarra > Kolek.

 

[MTBingNinja]

Tremendous blueprint by The Carpenter.

Tremendous execution by the players.

 

[Lefty2one]

This was 2004 vs #6 Oklahoma stuff.

 

[Rico444]

You think Danny and his crew watched the tape from the game against them in the Big East Tournament last year? Our defense was so bad that we were forced to go 1-3-1 for most of the 2nd half. Today our defense was fantastic. Kolek had nowhere to go when he turned the corner. Even against this great offense Clingan absolutely owned the paint.

 

[DaMuttzNutt]

The only team we ever had that was this dominant in the regular season was the 99 team. Our two losses were due to injuries.

The 05-06 team would like to have a word here

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Donovan makes it almost impossible for teams to get layups at the rim. I don’t see how this team can be beaten.

Both Creighton and Marquette failed to score 55 on us. No team in conference has scored more than 65 since Clingan has been back in the lineup.

Absolutely elite defensive team we are watching.

This team in general is just built to absolutely wear you down on both ends from making it impossible to get easy points while keeping you constantly moving on defense. Marquette was absolutely shook today.

 

[metsfan2323]

The 05-06 team would like to have a word here

Good call! This team is better though because of Clingan.

 

[Kitaman]

This team has that killer instinct. Its a group of assassins not just one hitman either. Impressively the team doesn't need a spark or a fantastic play to slay opponents, we just painfully stab them to death using daggers, with different players able to enjoy each thrust. We use daggers throughout the game and not just in crunch time.

We've had teams that established that instinct but no team I can recall had it in January. Oh and all players have it, evidenced by the way they dive after loose balls, challenge all drives, and contest all shots with a 20+ point lead!

Its that killer instinct along with not being satisfied (i.e. hungry) will but fear in every opponent going forward. I see no other team possessing what we have.

UConn fans can see that the team is Hurley's Huskies 100%.

 

[Rico444]

So much you can say about today. My biggest takeaway is that Hassan is an absolute dog that plays his best in the biggest games.

 

[RedStickHusky]

UConn just gave Marquette a Kolektomy.

 

[warbler1055]

Hassan Diarra on Kolek was the sight to behold!!!

 

[hayman522]

UConn just gave Marquette a Kolektomy.

Good one!

 

[GHSWolverines]

Three things that stood out to me.
1. Kolek was shut down. He dictates how Marquette plays.
2. DC staying out of foul trouble. He disrupts the other teams offense.
3. Unselfish team - I believe we had 24 assists.

 

[Palatine]

We should play ever game at XL! That place is electric. Even the announcers were worried the fans would blow the roof off the place.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Pure class from kolek and the guys. Coaches respect each other. Great look for the league. 2 of the best teams 2 of the best coaches 2 of the best guards in the country. (Or should I say 4 of the best)

 

[J187Money]

Clingan. 17-10. And no fouls. He plays like that we can beat the Hornets.

 

[Khal Drogo]

We should play ever game at XL! That place is electric. Even the announcers were worried the fans would blow the roof off the place.

Afternoon games

 

[Chief00]

The only team we ever had that was this dominant in the regular season was the 99 team. Our two losses were due to injuries.

Diarra > Kolek.

Agree Diarra kick Kokek’s butt

 

[Chief00]

Clingan. 17-10. And no fouls. He plays like that we can beat the Hornets.

His dunk was the most explosive I have seen him since his injury. It was awesome.

 

[Chief00]

We should play ever game at XL! That place is electric. Even the announcers were worried the fans would blow the roof off the place.

I couldn’t think of a better home court advantage than today.

 

[Spaceman213J]

Imagine if Karaban had a good shooting game.

I said it about last years team, but the advantage of depth is having more bullets chambered than the other team. This team literally has 9 guys who could go for double digits on any given night and what's even more impressive is that they can do it in different ways, but within the offense.

An old adage in basketball is that good defense can create good offense. It seems like with this team at time that the way the grind teams on the offensive end can help their defense as well. Kolek looked tired and beaten with a few minutes left in the first half. I do respect how he continued to compete, though.

This team reminds me of a few of the great women's team that Geno has had. The way they share the ball, play both ends and are willing to not rely just on talent, but they will outwork you. I think this becoming part of Hurley's teams calling card.

 

[HHusky]

Just remember how everything clicked like magic today. This game should be saved forever as an example of near perfect basketball between top 4 teams.

 

[Yardigan]

This team reminds me of a few of the great women's team that Geno has had. The way they share the ball, play both ends and are willing to not rely just on talent, but they will outwork you. I think this becoming part of Hurley's teams calling card.

I think that's always been Dan's intention for every team he's coached.

 

[Spaceman213J]

I think that's always been Dan's intention for every team he's coached.

I agree. He had some good talent at RI, but with the guys he has now (and sometimes it's a challenge to get young men with higher numbers next to their name in the recruiting rankings) to buy in and do what he is asking or demanding of them.