PORT JEFF, NY – I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Much like the holiday, we had a fantastic array of topics to discuss. UConn’s losing streak, thoughts and reactions from Feast Week, and recaps of Thanksgiving Football. Let’s get to it.
UConn’s Losing Streak
I’ve been vocal about my dislike for the UConn Huskies, especially their head coach, Danny Hurley. He was responsible for costing the team a crucial game against the Memphis Tigers. Following that disappointing loss, the Huskies put forth two lackluster performances against a rebuilding Colorado program and the Dayton Flyers from the A-10. This marks the first time UConn has lost three non-conference games in a row since 2022. The two-time defending champions lost a significant amount of talent during the offseason; losing three starters from a championship team typically leads to a step back the following season. As much as I dislike admitting it, this situation could ultimately serve as a wake-up call for Hurley’s team as they approach the end of their non-conference play and prepare for league play.
Now, let’s move on to my Feast Week thoughts and reactions. As I mentioned earlier, the number two team in the country lost three consecutive games in Maui. Another notable result was the Indiana Hoosiers, ranked 14th in the country, who suffered a 30-point defeat to Louisville. This could be the most talented team Mike Woodson has had in Bloomington, so to lose in such a manner on national television is a bad look for a team with championship aspirations. Continuing the theme of upsets, the third-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs squandered a ten-point lead and lost to West Virginia in overtime. It wasn’t a great week for the Big East either, as the previously mentioned Huskies dropped three games in a row, followed by Creighton, Xavier, and Providence, all of whom lost significant games that could have shifted momentum for the conference as March approaches.
NFL Thanksgiving Recap
The Bears played surprisingly well against the Lions, staying competitive until the end. However, a costly decision by Chicago not to call a timeout with 25 seconds left ultimately cost them the game.
Unfortunately, we also need to talk about the Giants. It was Drew Lock’s turn to face the consequences of having the worst offensive line in football. He was sacked six times -a familiar sight for Giants fans. To add insult to injury, the Giants lost their best player, Dexter Lawrence, who dislocated his elbow and will likely miss the remainder of the season. This may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. On the other hand, the Cowboys improved to 5-7 and still have a slim chance to make a late push for the postseason.
In the nightcap, the Packers defeated the Dolphins in a one-sided affair. Similar to previous games Miami has played in cold weather, it was not a pretty sight. However, all hope is not lost for the Dolphins. Even at 5-7, they still have a chance to string together several wins, akin to the success they had when Tua Tagovailoa returned, and make a push for the postseason.
