Inside UConn's stunning win over Duke in Sunday's Elite Eight
ESPN's college basketball crew breaks down how the Huskies pulled off a wild comeback to reach the Final Four.
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Inside UConn's stunning win over Duke in Sunday's Elite Eight
- Thread starter Halldan
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Maybe I am crazy. Yes, I know you need to make shots. But most of this game's turnaround happened while Uconn could not make a shot.
Uconn came out in the 2nd half with a mix of refuse to lose and will to win. Mullins shot was meaningful cause they never bent. The shot was amazing and is now the greatest shot ever in the ncaas. (I am still pissed we didnt beat Duke in the game before Laetner's shot; Jerry beating him up all game would have made it hard for him to get his arms over his head.) But before the two heroic threes by Demary, before the great three by Alex (and that shot should remind any SHU fan of a game in NWK this winter), before the steal and the pass back to Mullins, and the shot, there was 20 minutes of work. Nothing was working, but the still dIaled in every defensive stand. They had to deal with a great player making shots, handle a few tough breaks not in their favor. Nothing stopped them.
So for me, toughness, not giving up, balls. However you want to say it. That won the game. The Big East is not the only place where we take pride in that style of play. But for me, it is part of our identity - and Seton Hall's current identity - a huge part.
And last night, that heart, that will, created the moment for Mullins to become an icon.
Uconn came out in the 2nd half with a mix of refuse to lose and will to win. Mullins shot was meaningful cause they never bent. The shot was amazing and is now the greatest shot ever in the ncaas. (I am still pissed we didnt beat Duke in the game before Laetner's shot; Jerry beating him up all game would have made it hard for him to get his arms over his head.) But before the two heroic threes by Demary, before the great three by Alex (and that shot should remind any SHU fan of a game in NWK this winter), before the steal and the pass back to Mullins, and the shot, there was 20 minutes of work. Nothing was working, but the still dIaled in every defensive stand. They had to deal with a great player making shots, handle a few tough breaks not in their favor. Nothing stopped them.
So for me, toughness, not giving up, balls. However you want to say it. That won the game. The Big East is not the only place where we take pride in that style of play. But for me, it is part of our identity - and Seton Hall's current identity - a huge part.
And last night, that heart, that will, created the moment for Mullins to become an icon.
Perfectly said. And I never doubted they would come back and make it close, if not win. And once they cut it to 10, I fully believed they would pull it out. Of course, that required a bit of good luck at the very end, but I knew Danny would not let them just pack it in and slink quietly lout of town.
If you look solely at the shooting stats this game should have been a Duke blowout. But as was shown so many times this past season by our team's guts, hard work and a refuse to lose mentality that often belies the stats in a game.
Plus Tarris Reed put the Huskies on his back in the first half, keeping them in it while they launched brick after brick. Herculean effort.
Hurley obviously amazing coach, probably beat coach right now for sure. There shouldn't be any argument he is one of the best coaches ever with his back to back natty in 2023 and 2024, but I really felt tonight and this current run has proved how great he really is. Thing about the two runs is personally for me, I felt they weren't as challenged as much (not their fault and can't control), but I felt like in 2023 the whole tournament was just weird, two Cinderellas in final four and I think all the one seeds didn't even make sweet 16 so best they had to face was arguably Zaga or maybe that Miami team?
I just feel this year they had to face two great programs MSU and Duke back to back, along with UCLA. Considering this UCONN team hasn't been the best than year's past.
I just feel this year they had to face two great programs MSU and Duke back to back, along with UCLA. Considering this UCONN team hasn't been the best than year's past.
The East region was stacked and for UConn to go to the Final Four coming out of that region is amazing. What a game.
Scheyer showed his true colors by implying it was on his guard but at the same time on the sideline he was imploring him to pass the ball. Horrible coaching by Scheyer there and then he didn’t stick up for his player in the presser.
Makes PJs press conference after that horrible call in 1989 that much more classy.
Scheyer showed his true colors by implying it was on his guard but at the same time on the sideline he was imploring him to pass the ball. Horrible coaching by Scheyer there and then he didn’t stick up for his player in the presser.
Makes PJs press conference after that horrible call in 1989 that much more classy.
No one should use "Duke" and "classy" in the same sentence. Scheyer learned from the worst, and SHU fans got a taste of the "class" when a former coach negotiated a deal to get out of town at a funeral, then begged the beat writer to clean him up in the Star-Ledger.
And therefore perpetuate the completely inauthentic illusion they work so hard to present.
It is one of the best shots ever its just hard to put it over Jenkins 3 that won Nova the title imo
Yes, funny how people (like me and just about eveeyone else) still think of Laetner over that shot.
Never underestimate the heart of a champion. Uconn had no right winning that game but you just can't put a value on all of that winning by guys like Reed, Karaban & Ball have experienced. All 3 made great plays down the stretch. The unselfish pass from a guarded Karaban to an uncovered Mullins was the best.
Agree 100%. Last night may be the first time I've EVER rooted for UCONN. Hurley is one of our own, however, and someone needs to carry the flag for the conference. I never thought I'd say it, but I'm glad they are still standing and the Johnnies are out. Pitino has always been a slimeball, but repeatedly poaching the best players off the teams of conference rivals is particularly disgusting.
Agree with all the accolades going Danny's way. Agree, too, that Pitino is a jerk. But he has replaced [here] Rutgers as our dead horse.
Didn't Richmond choose to enter the portal and move to a place with better prospects and income for his last year? Other than he went nearby, was it any different from Davis going to Mississippi? And didn't Danny "poach" Sanogo from us in the pre portal days?
Didn't Richmond choose to enter the portal and move to a place with better prospects and income for his last year? Other than he went nearby, was it any different from Davis going to Mississippi? And didn't Danny "poach" Sanogo from us in the pre portal days?
Better income, yes. It did nothing to improve his prospects.
Other than that, how did you enjoy the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
No. Sanogo was never enrolled at and never played for Seton Hall.
They would never have had a chance without the outstanding performance of Reed, He literally carried them the whole game.
For me, its over Laetners simply cause of the distance. And the comeback too.
Incredible finish!! Watched it over ten times. Could be a better shot than Laetner but water under the dam, eh
Won't know if his prospects improved by playing at St. John's, but.........
He played on a team that won the BE Tournament and got to the dance.
How much better would our 7-25 team have been with him on it?
He also recruited Hopkins from PC's roster, too. Whether or not it was a better situation or the money is better is immaterial. Then he'll be the first to complain that a weak Big East got them a 5 seed.
I am not blaming Pitino for taking him, but I suspect our roster would have been a little better if Richmond had stayed.
Laettner's shot doesn't happen without Grant Hill's dead-on pass.
I’m glad it didn’t happen, and that UConn is in the final 4, but Hurley IMO 100% should have gotten a technical for what he did to that official. That dude needs to get his ego in check. He nearly cost his kids a final 4 because he couldn’t wait 10 minutes to start acting like a complete pr*ck.
According to the official, one who will advance to the FF I believe, when asked about it said nothing happened.
And Ricky P not guarding Grant gets an assist too. Great pass, great catch, knew he had time for the little fake the other way, then bingo...textbook execution.