When we talk about Dan Hurley’s favorite players, the first name that instantly comes to mind is Alex Karaban! Hurley has made it clear that he sees Karaban as a special talent, calling him, “the winningest player in college basketball, one of the greatest players in UConn history.”
Alex Karaban was the sole starter from UConn’s 2024 championship-winning squad who opted to come back for a shot at a three-peat and had high hopes for another run at glory. But as the season unfolds, those dreams are beginning to feel more like a distant memory!
Much of UConn’s struggles this season can be traced back to Alex Karaban himself. After all, he was supposed to be the guy leading the charge for a three-peat. Instead, his shooting efficiency has been from a solid 49.5% last season to just 43%, and what was supposed to be UConn’s strength has become a liability. After their brutal 75-89 loss to the St. John’s Red Storm, it seems like the Huskies faithful have finally thrown in the towel on their captain.
Fans have had enough, and they’re not holding back on social media! The frustration is real, and they’ve been vocal about their captain’s struggles. Let’s take a look at some of the takes from Huskies faithful as they vent their frustrations!
UConn fans unhappy with captain Karaban’s performances
The Huskies’ recent loss to the Red Storm saw Karaban go 5 of 11 from the field and one fan noted Karaban’s recent performances and took to X to him a liability, “How is Alex Karaban NOT a liability to a team? He seems puzzled by the basic mechanics of a layup, reliably commits unforced turnovers, makes stunningly bad decisions about shot selection.”
How is Alex Karaban NOT a liability to a team? He seems puzzled by the basic mechanics of a layup, reliably commits unforced turnovers, makes stunningly bad decisions about shot selection. pic.twitter.com/biMr1k090c
— professoranne (@itsallstraw) February 23, 2025
Karaban’s decision-making has been questionable throughout the season and to back the controversial statement, another fan posted on X saying, “Awful decision by Alex Karaban. Down 11, he pulls up 5 on 5 from 30 feet. St. John’s gets the rebound and it leads to a Zuby follow slam at the other end. Not a smart shot by UConn’s captain.”
Even when Karaban finally found his rhythm from deep, it still wasn’t enough to silence his critics! After watching the UConn captain shoot 50% from three in his last game, one fan still couldn’t hold back, saying, “Yes, Karaban made his last 3, but that is an AWFUL shot.” Another fan piled on the misery slamming Karaban’s shooting struggles with a bold statement, “Alex Karaban should never handle the ball again… just sit in the corner. Catch the ball and shoot it when open.”
The reality is that Karaban is a bit of a one-dimensional player, a catch-and-shoot guy who thrives when he’s fed open looks. The problem is, without elite talent around him to create those opportunities, he’s had to take on a bigger role. His inability to consistently create shots has exposed him and his 3-point shooting percentage has seen a dip from 37.9% to 33.33%.
This isn’t the first time Karaban’s been under the microscope this season. Earlier, UConn found themselves in a tight spot against Villanova, down by one with just three seconds left on the clock. All eyes were on Karaban as he stepped up to the line, a solid 77.8% free throw shooter. The game was in his hands… but in a shocking twist, Karaban missed two consecutive free throws and fans were furious! But he didn’t let that get to him and responded in style, dropping 19 points against Georgetown and reminding everyone just how special he really is!
Karaban has proven time and again that he can bounce back from adversity. UConn’s captain knows that the true test lies in the postseason, where all the noise fades and performances speak louder than words. If he can step up when it matters most, there’s no better way to silence the critics and prove his worth!
The post Everyone Is Saying the Same Thing About UConn’s Major Liability as Alex Karaban Suffers an MSG Nightmare appeared first on EssentiallySports.
