* Empire Classic * Indiana vs. UCONN Sunday 11/19/2023 1 pm ESPN @MSG

[FortWayneHoosier]

lets get this party started.......

 

[Demo]

2 minutes ago, FortWayneHoosier said:

lets get this party started.......

 

HS teammate of Jakai Newton. Between the 2 of them and another former teammate, Qua Brown, who’s not playing this year due to an Achilles, Newton HS kids can’t catch a break.

[Banksyrules]

Unless something clicks between now and then, this will be a blowout. Hopefully the freshman and sophomores get a realistic dose of what it takes to excel in college basketball and adjust accordingly.  

[hper50]

[Home Jersey]

It's gonna be bad guys. 

Castle being out will make it a little less bad, though.

[Hovadipo]

For whatever it's worth 3 games in, Torvik likes UConn by only 6. I'm just gonna go with that and not think about any other context.

[AKHoosier]

I'm clinging to the hope that a marquee matchup against the defending national champions under the bright lights of MSG will be what it takes for a fire to be lit under this team.

McKenzie Mgbako may be one of those guys that needs an opportunity like this for the light to come on.

[Hovadipo]

2 minutes ago, AKHoosier said:

I'm clinging to the hope that a marquee matchup against the defending national champions under the bright lights of MSG will be what it takes for a fire to be lit under this team.

McKenzie Mgbako may be one of those guys that needs an opportunity like this for the light to come on.

Superstar talents going off in The Garden? It really doesn't get better than that.

Sign me up.

[Henryville Hoosier]

What’s the status on XJ? I haven’t heard anything about his injury. 

[IU_FanClub]

Let's get it. Love that we are playing in marquee events. Hopefully X can play, if he can I have a strangely good feeling about this one don't ask me why.

[Home Jersey]

 

I think Ware surprises a lot of people v Clingan and Karaban. 

[Hornsby]

Unless something clicks between now and then, this will be a blowout. Hopefully the freshman and sophomores get a realistic dose of what it takes to excel in college basketball and adjust accordingly.  

I would honesty be shocked if it's not like 83 to 59 sadly.

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[cthomas]

I'm hoping for a competitive game and continued improvement in our play. I don't think our team is mentally ready to handle a win in a game like this.

[Artie86]

Castle is averaging 14.5 ppg, 6.5 reb, 3.5 ast

[Golfman25]

2 hours ago, Banksyrules said:

Unless something clicks between now and then, this will be a blowout. Hopefully the freshman and sophomores get a realistic dose of what it takes to excel in college basketball and adjust accordingly.  

Yeah, IU by 30.  :)

 

 

ok maybe IU by 3.   

[realTomCrean]

IU is going to win 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Is Hurley a strong X/O gameplanner? I believe he is, and that doesn’t bode well for us.

Or just maybe these first 5 performances have been akin to the Muhammad Ali “RopeADope” and we come out Sunday and put the absolute clamps on the perimeter defense.


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[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

This will probably be reminiscent of Arizona/Kansas last year. Unfortunately, we just aren't there yet. Will we be under Woody? I don't know. Maybe. But he's got a lot on his plate to figure out. This is a huge test. Not getting blown out from the tip would be nice.

[Home Jersey]

1 hour ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Is Hurley a strong X/O gameplanner? I believe he is, and that doesn’t bode well for us.

Or just maybe these first 5 performances have been akin to the Muhammad Ali “RopeADope” and we come out Sunday and put the absolute clamps on the perimeter defense.

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Danny is better with X's and O's than his brother. I don't think Bobby is bad, but Danny is pretty great IMO. Definitely helps that dad, Bob, is retired and has all day to watch film and give his son tips. Not sure if he still is, but I think when Danny first got to UConn, he actually hired his father in some sort of non-coaching staff role. 

I do think we've been playing down to our level of competition, that is what keeps me cautiously optimistic/hopeful for Sunday. We need XJ to be at full go, didn't look good though. 

[Dave from Dayton]

There is no Indiana player on UConn's team.   So, there is hope.

MSG is like homecourt for UConn.  Ugh.

McDonald's AA Frosh Castle, most likely is out due to injury. Seems like a strained ligament.  Starter averaging 14ppg.

Newton can create shots.  Who will defend him?

Karaban and Spencer may also do some moves...but not like Castle.

This was posted on The Boneyard, UConn fan forum.  It is an opinion on replacements for Castle.

1. Diarra - Too erratic and makes too many mistakes plus a terrible shooter. Can play hardcore man defense and good vocal leader.
2. Ball - Can shoot but hasn't shot good yet. Right now needs to slow down as he is playing too fast. Can't have bad shots and bad turnovers. Just be solid on D and make open shots.
3. Ross and Stewart - Both have looked lost out there, yes I know their freshman as well as Ball, but they run to the corner and hide on O. Need a few threes from Ross a game off the bench.

This might be good enough to beat Indiana & Texas if Donovan (Clingan 7'2"), Cam (Spencer 6'4"), Alex (Karaban 6'8"), and Tristen (Newton 6'5"), come to play but Kansas and NC 

And UConn's coach is concerned about the bench scoring.

link is to UConn roster: 2023-24 Men's Basketball Roster - University of Connecticut Athletics (uconnhuskies.com)