Will KO change the starters Sat?

[GemParty]

It's a big game for many reasons. Most importantly, my blood pressure.

Will he tinker with the starters to avoid another abysmal start? Who's in? Who's out?

 

[boog204]

What change could be made? Adams for Gibbs or Adams for Purv? Don't see anyone else being moved. How about to avoid an abysmal start we actually run some semblance of a half-court offense and our guards not James Harden every opposing player?

 

[imno1]

I don't think he will and I don't really have a problem with it. But Jalen needs to play starter minutes and more importantly I hope Coach shortens his bench.

 

[Kitaman]

No but Ollie just needs to short leash every fukkin body who isn't putting in all out effort (JC style). Those that allow blow-bys, not boxing out, not hustling, unforced errors, stupid mistakes, etc.. give them the hook.

The ball not going in the basket is one thing but not playing UConn defense or using the escalator is contrary to his teaching, and he needs to let them know that in the first few minutes.

I can live with Cassell, Omar, Nolan getting big minutes if a message is being sent. Its now time to straighten up and fly right.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Personally, I don't see how a change can be negative. Starting Jalen over Purvis or Gibbs might just be the kick in the nards they need to get them going.

 

[Jerry1714]

The only change I would consider, and it is not going to happen, is starting Jalen at PG and moving Gibbs off the ball to SG over Purvis.

 

[Rico444]

No but Ollie just needs to short leash every fukkin body who isn't putting in all out effort (JC style). Those that allow blow-bys, not boxing out, not hustling, unforced errors, stupid mistakes, etc.. give them the hook.

The ball not going in the basket is one thing but not playing UConn defense or using the escalator is contrary to his teaching, and he needs to let them know that in the first few minutes.

I can live with Cassell, Omar, Nolan getting big minutes if a message is being sent. Its now time to straighten up and fly right.

I'd actually rather he shows some restraint. Against Maryland he got a little too cute in the 1st half with his lineups and I think it didn't allow anyone to get into a rhythm.

 

[Marat]

I'm with the camp that says let's try something different for the better. And it doesn't have to be starters (but it could be) Hint: Jalen.
Also, agree with Jerry that it would be nice have Gibbs as a shooting guard and have some plays run for him to get him open.

 

[Montaleno]

I believe it should be Adams in for Purvis as a starter, with Purvis still getting basically same minutes. It moves Gibbs off the point, which will be better for him and the team. Purvis can be an igniter off the bench. Also, Ollie needs to shorten his bench.
I would prefer Enoch over Nolan, also.

 

[Matt1010]

I wouldn't be against starting JA at point and shifting Gibbs to shooting guard but that would make me a bit nervous about Purvis. He seems to be super emotional/needs confidence to play well and I could see being benched as a major blow for him.

 

[imno1]

I wouldn't be against starting JA at point and shifting Gibbs to shooting guard but that would make me a bit nervous about Purvis. He seems to be super emotional/needs confidence to play well and I could see being benched as a major blow for him.

He played well off the bench last year

 

[gwhuskyfan]

It was pretty telling with Jalen in at the end of the game instead of Sterling. I don't think you see any changes to the starting line up though. Jalen is a perfect spark off the bench

 

[OkaForPrez]

No but Ollie just needs to short leash every fukkin body who isn't putting in all out effort (JC style). Those that allow blow-bys, not boxing out, not hustling, unforced errors, stupid mistakes, etc.. give them the hook.

The ball not going in the basket is one thing but not playing UConn defense or using the escalator is contrary to his teaching, and he needs to let them know that in the first few minutes.

I can live with Cassell, Omar, Nolan getting big minutes if a message is being sent. Its now time to straighten up and fly right.

He's been doing this to a certain extent which is why we've had some squirrely subs.

 

[Matt1010]

He played well off the bench last year

When? He started in almost all of his big games.

 

[UConnSwag11]

No. But limit or stop Sams and phils minutes

 

[boog204]

No but Ollie just needs to short leash every fukkin body who isn't putting in all out effort (JC style). Those that allow blow-bys, not boxing out, not hustling, unforced errors, stupid mistakes, etc.. give them the hook.

The ball not going in the basket is one thing but not playing UConn defense or using the escalator is contrary to his teaching, and he needs to let them know that in the first few minutes.

I can live with Cassell, Omar, Nolan getting big minutes if a message is being sent. Its now time to straighten up and fly right.

I agree with the first part and he has to hold DHam accountable there. JC had no issue benching the "star" to prove a point. DHam (and Gibbs) have to give some semblance of effort on d. I don't think that's the primary issue, but it's a start.

 

[Jerry1714]

When? He started in almost all of his big games.

He came off the bench in the middle of the year for a bit, dont remember how many games, but the Stanford thru Cincy game (maybe even longer) was one stretch.

Update Edit: As a Redshirt Sophomore in 2014-15: Saw time in 33 games for UConn, starting 24 of them, including the last 13

 

[selles]

JC had no issue benching the "star" to prove a point.

Are you sure? I remember a lot of reserve bigs being met at halfcourt and forcefully escorted to the bench, but I don't remember that happening very much to the stars.

 

[superjohn]

It was pretty telling with Jalen in at the end of the game instead of Sterling. I don't think you see any changes to the starting line up though. Jalen is a perfect spark off the bench

Yup, it's just perfect. We get down by 20, put Jalen in and claw our way back to make it close and eventually lose.

 

[jfuchs91]

I've personally been calling for Adams to start over Gibbs for a couple games now. Jalen is the best penetrator on the team and one of our best perimeter defenders. Our program has been built on tenacious defense, and an Adams/Purvis duo is our best defensive backcourt. We're simply a better team when Jalen is on the court.

I like Gibbs coming off the bench to provide a scoring spark when our starters sit. Sterling has shown he has some limitations as a player, but he can still fill up the scoring column, which would be a nice fit with our bench that lacks a scoring punch. He should still get a lot of minutes with other starters in our small-ball lineup, but his lack of playmaking and defense has hurt our team at times.

Our offense often looks stagnant, and I really believe an Adams and Gibbs swap would alleviate a lot of those problems. Jalen's ability to get into the lane collapses the defense and creates mismatches. He's also the most decisive player with the ball on the team; our other perimeter players seem to size up their man and play more isolation ball instead of operating within a flowing offense. Jalen is the team's best point guard and does the best job of maximizing the talent around him. Gibbs' scoring off the bench would be a luxury that few teams possess.

Ollie sees the team practice every day, and ultimately has the best idea of who gives the team the best chance to win. That being said, there's only so long you can use seniority over production in your rotations. It's time for Jalen to start.

 

[Kitaman]

I've personally been calling for Adams to start over Gibbs for a couple games now.

Makes sense but how do you think Gibbs would react? That's my number one concern.

Senior star transfer demoted, to bench by a freshman is the story line. I think its a good possibility it could backfire, if Gibbs has a big or fragile ego. Very delicate issue I would think, especially considering the terms that Ollie probably recruited him under.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

You have a point...what are the chances Gibbs has had someone point him to the BY? Maybe he's just as frustrated with some of y'all as some of y'all are with him?

He is very aware of the UConn fans expectations of him and the team. Gibbs is also a talented player that is struggling on both ends of the court (obviously). Our team has the potential to be great. It won't be without Sterling Gibbs. Great meaning beat teams like MD on a neutral court.