Huskies look for a ‘NET’ win
Huskies set to take on ‘gritty, deep’ Saint Peter’s
The initial NET rankings were released by the NCAA on Monday afternoon, and UConn found itself ranked a decidedly “meh” No. 69. Not terrible, but certainly not NCAA tournament bubbleworthy (if that phrase is even legal before New Year’s).
But don’t ask Dan Hurley about the NET. He’s a bit confused about the NCAA’s evaluation tool, which was first unveiled last year as essentially a replacement for the RPI.
“I don’t understand the ranking system,” Hurley said on Tuesday. “I don’t really know how they come up with that number. Taking a look at it, I think there’s gonna be a lot of change where teams end up, because there’s such a big part of the schedule left to play. I noticed a couple of (teams) on there that have played incredibly soft schedules and have won games and were ranked real high.”
UConn, which hosts Saint Peter’s on Wednesday at XL Center (7 p.m., SNY), is the fifthrated team in the American Athletic Conference per the NET, behind Wichita State (No. 14), Memphis (16), Temple (50) and Houston (67). The Huskies (63) aren’t even the highestranked team in New England. That would be Yale, at No. 60.
A team like Auburn, for instance, is ranked No. 7
in the NET. The Tigers are 90, but have played just one true road game (a onepoint squeaker over South Alabama) and have yet to defeat anyone of real significance (Richmond is probably its best win).
“We’re not putting much into those types of analytical data, where the team is ranked, RPI, BPI,” Hurley said. “We continue to try to improve defensively, get tougher, rebound the ball and focus on the offensive end. And try to get better as a team and advance the program. We see the team, we know where we’re at as a program. I don’t think I need the NET to know where we’re at.”
There are some analytical data that Hurley seems to embrace. He is proud of his team’s continued improvement on the defensive end of the floor and often points to the Huskies’ adjusted defensive rating in the KenPom rankings (currently No. 37 in the nation). In fact, KenPom’s overall rankings are slightly more kind to the Huskies, ranking them No. 55 in the nation.
Only problem is, NET rankings play a major role in NCAA tournament selections, and UConn may have a tricky road making up a whole lot of ground the rest of the season. The AAC may not provide a whole lot of opportunity (Memphis twice, Houston twice, Temple twice, Wichita at home), and the only remaining nonconference game of any impact is at Villanova (No. 24 NET).
Certainly, losing any of their next three games against midmajors, beginning Wednesday night, would hurt a lot — as the Huskies’ puzzling, Nov. 13 home loss to St. Joseph’s (224) already has. Saint Peter’s may only be 24, but Hurley knows the Peacocks aren’t to be taken lightly.
“They’re one of the hardestplaying teams we will see,” Hurley said. “They play a north Jersey style of basketball. It’s gritty, and if we’re not sharp on the ball and make it just like a buy game where we can just show up and win, it’ll be a long night. Because these guys get after it, and they’re deep.”
Saint Peter’s is coached by Shaheen Holloway, who succeeded (and exceeded) Hurley as Seton Hall’s star point guard more than 20 years ago. Hurley was asked if it was tough going headtohead against a former colleague and friend.
“I would prefer not to, but I think about that when I’m doing scheduling,” he said. “Once the game is booked, I’m not thinking about any relationship at all. I see red. I see somebody that’s getting in the way of what we’re trying to do, having a great season. I have no feelings for anybody once the competition begins.”
Still, Hurley believes Holloway is a future star in the coaching ranks.
“He’s played for great coaches, and he’s gonna be a great coach. He’s a young guy, but he’s really studying and wants to be great. He’s working at his craft, and he’s gonna have a great career.”
Hurley just hopes that great career doesn’t get jumpstarted on Wednesday night.