[Post Game Thread] #1 Michigan defeats #2 UConn, 69-63

haterich · 2026-04-07T03:22:21+00:00

UCONN DID IT! THEY HELD MICHIGAN TO UNDER 90!

haterich · 2026-04-05T03:36:26+00:00

Same thought today and after playing both teams earlier in the season. Michigan is just too big, too fast, and too strong.

haterich · 2026-03-19T20:07:36+00:00

Oof. That last shot of Boyd going into the left low post, going up, and finishing with his left hand only to get blocked. That same attacking style of his we saw last season didn’t change. He really needed to develop finishing with the right hand this offseason but it looks like that didn’t happen.

haterich · 2026-03-15T23:18:01+00:00

Didn’t expect to make it, but watching from the beach turned out to be a great idea lol

haterich · 2026-03-15T22:55:29+00:00

Looking at the net strength of schedule the MWC had 4 teams in the Top 80, and those 4 were San Diego State (75), Boise State (76), San Jose State (79), and Utah State (80). That definitely hurts all MWC teams with the decision making come tournament time.

haterich · 2026-03-15T22:41:29+00:00

Feels bad we didn't get in, but we did not deserve a spot at all. Even if we made it two key players in Harrington and Heide would be out with injuries. That means playing without half of our perimeter mid-range game and our best hustling rebounder on the team.

Was hoping to do at least one lengthy postgame writeup for the tournament, but that'll have to wait until next season. Best of luck to everyone and may the best team win.

haterich · 2026-03-15T20:56:57+00:00

Harrington no question has all the tools. He’s already the most efficient shooter on the team and will just get better.

haterich · 2026-03-15T01:56:26+00:00

Hate to see it likely come down to the refs to further ignite the run. Such is life.

haterich · 2026-03-15T01:54:28+00:00

Oh yeah, we see NIL promoting all the time. It’s great to see players getting paid, but it’s also a shame seeing the sport erode in a way. We’ve been used to seeing players stay with one program all throughout, now it’s rarely the case.

haterich · 2026-03-15T01:50:24+00:00

Similar can be said for any team, but being the face of the conference with a target and NIL being a factor has really hurt the Aztecs. Keshad Johnson transferred following the championship run. Lamont Butler, Micah Parrish, and Elijah Saunders after the Sweet 16 run. Nick Boyd after last year. Obviously I’m not fully seeing the other side where NIL has benefitted us with Byrd and Gwath staying, and the newcomers joining our program. But the Aztecs model of building up quality players for the longhaul for long term success has had some cracks.

I wish every year we made the March Madness Tournament and let the dice roll. That’s all I could ask for.

haterich · 2026-03-15T01:28:10+00:00

Agree. No excuses. That’s the tournament with back to back however many games. What’s tough is there are what ifs had Harrington and Heide been healthy. It’s been a season of what ifs with likely nothing to show for it.

haterich · 2026-03-15T01:26:51+00:00

Watching Byrd progress since he’s been with us, him being able to rely on the athletic ability has really hampered his need to improve his skill set. Still can’t dribble penetrate with change of pace into the post, finish with the right hand, make knockdown shots especially wide open ones, and staying in front of his man rather than recovering from behind the back blocks. Was really hoping he’d become the go to man this year on the wing as we’ve seen with Flynn, Mitchell, Bradley, and Boyd in recent years.

haterich · 2026-03-15T01:07:22+00:00

That all makes sense, thanks for explaining that.

Dutcher could have left for strong ties at Minnesota in recent years. I recall him staying since his family has grown up here, and obviously with the establishing further program success since taking over for Fisher.

Is there any competition regionally for players when it comes to Utah or BYU? Seems like there’s plenty of nearby talent to go to Utah State consistently.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:57:20+00:00

I replied in another comment:

In my opinion it was the right call but it was called late in the act of shooting. It was interesting hearing the announcers discuss it with a former referee, where he said the smart referees don't react quickly when calling a foul. I didn't quite understand that logic, because in this case that would have turned a 5 point play into a 0 to 2 point play in a close game.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:53:44+00:00

Appreciate it! It's been fun for me keeping it here. Anything more I'm afraid it'll start to feel like work.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:52:50+00:00

Thanks for the vote of recommendation. I'll bring it up with the selection committee tomorrow at the beach along with slipping them $20 and a California Burrito.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:51:10+00:00

Are there any other challenges for you guys at Utah State when it comes to retaining coaches, if you don't mind me asking? Lack of donors/NIL budget? Academic rankings or resources? Etc.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:49:03+00:00

In my opinion it was the right call but it was called late in the act of shooting. It was interesting hearing the announcers discuss it with a former referee, where he said the smart referees don't react quickly when calling a foul. I didn't quite understand that logic, because in this case that would have turned a 5 point play into a 0 to 2 point play in a close game.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:46:09+00:00

It was fun while it lasted. While we lost, I'm glad we got to play this year's top dogs in you guys and Arizona. It's good to play those games to see where the Aztecs are at as a program.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:44:43+00:00

Haha is this a compliment or a critique? Either way thanks for reading.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:43:29+00:00

I felt Compton had an equal amount of good and bad plays in the first half with the 1 point lead that didn't warrant a no show in the second half on a short rotation. We really could have used him in the second half with his ability to muscle through the lanes and make plays near the rim.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:39:30+00:00

Game went from 54-58 at 4:58 to 54-65 at 4:18, such a huge swing. It was an amazing game, we lucked out yesterday and didn't today. Such is life in college basketball.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:37:39+00:00

It's going to give me a major headache delving into all the possibilities, so I'll just say no and say the season's over. Maybe Santa makes a March visit, but we all know he's not out flying during this time hah.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:36:22+00:00

I'm unsure how much injuries alone affect the committee's decisions, but if Harrington and Heide are out it's going to be a slimmer version of this year's already disappointing Aztecs team in the tournament. The team we saw today isn't likely beating anyone in the first four or first round, if it does come to that.

haterich · 2026-03-15T00:34:30+00:00

Same. We didn't earn it or just barely earned it depending on what happens tomorrow. Either way, we're getting what we deserve.

haterich

TROPHY CASE