After UConn’s 68-63 loss to Creighton on the weekend, Huskies fans were shell-shocked and angry. The previously roaring crowd went silent with disappointment as the final buzzer rang out in Gampel Pavilion, with boos and murmurs. Much of the frustration was directed at Alex Karaban, the junior forward instrumental in UConn’s back-to-back championship victories. 

Karaban was completely out of his element, playing like he did against Creighton. He was able to produce only 8 points in 39 minutes on the court and couldn’t get his rhythm. This underwhelming display didn’t fit as fans wanted for a player once hailed as an integral part of UConn’s success.

Head coach Dan Hurley added to the uncertainty, offering a vague post-game update on Karaban’s health: ” First of all on Alex. I don’t have any real information about what his ankle is gonna look like.”

Interestingly, Hurley’s statement did little to soothe the frustration among the UConn faithful. Instead, the buzz only intensified speculation about Karaban’s condition and his ability to return. This lack of clarity, combined with recent lackluster performances, allowed the online criticism to flow. Huskies fans waged war on social media, with Karaban taking most of the heat.

Already frustrated by UConn’s inability to sustain any sort of momentum this season, fans saw Karaban’s struggles as part of an even bigger problem. The fan frustration peaked when comments pointed out Karaban’s abilities and role on the team.

Harsh words, harsh realities for Alex Karaban

This season, Karaban’s inconsistency has become more pronounced. It was just last week against Georgetown when he delivered a superb 19-point performance. But the doubts over his ability to lead were rekindled against Creighton.

One fan vented, “McNeeley is our number one scoring option. It’s obvious, but once he went down, Ball should have been that guy—not Karaban. Alex is and should be the number three scoring option. He’s just not that guy to lead us in scoring. He does other things well.” The absence of Liam McNeeley, sidelined since January 1 with a high-ankle sprain, has exposed UConn’s reliance on Karaban. 

Among the avalanche of comments, one particularly scathing post stood out: “Alex Karaban is f*cking garbage. Idk what the hype ever was, idk who made any projections for him. He can’t dribble, inconsistent shooter, terrible athlete. He’s been surrounded by really good players the past 2 years, and now how a** he really is is showing.” 

It may seem extreme, but it illustrates a mounting feeling felt by some fans. As once viewed as a trusted piece, Karaban has come under fire for his sharp drop in shooting percentage and trouble-creating offense under pressure. And missed free throws like his in the Villanova loss earlier this month only intensified the criticism.

Another comment struck a similar tone, stating, “This UConn team isn’t good. Not talented. Alex Karaban is a bad player. Never understood why people thought he was so great.” One more added, “Alex Karaban s-cks.”

The sharpest critique came from a fan who remarked, “Alex Karaban is the most overrated player in college basketball. This guy should not declare for the draft; he should just declare for LinkedIn.”

Despite the backlash, Karaban remains UConn’s leading scorer this season, averaging 16.1 points per game. But his recent struggles have only served to heighten questions as to whether he can lead a team with growing problems. In the loss to Creighton not only did UConn’s 28-game home winning streak come to an end but it shed light on the inconsistencies of the Huskies.

Indeed, Karaban’s story is similar to that of the team’s — flashes of brilliance with bouts of inconsistency. For UConn, and for Karaban, the season isn’t over. There’s still time to prove critics wrong. We’ll just have to see if he can rise above the noise and deliver when it counts.