3 Hottest Takes

[upstater]

I thought Nowell would get a chance this game but it didn't happen. Makes you wonder why at this point.

He needs seasoning. He was out of control a few times. But that's fine, looks good for a freshman. Can't force shots, however.

 

[lateralous]

He’s coached defense before succesfully. My instincts are this team is early in its development defensively and will be decent by February. This feels like a late blooming team overall and that is what I’d expect with this turnover. Good in February and March when we learn to compete defensively. Not going to be a great watch for the next 30-45 days I fear.

I agree. While I remain shocked at just how far off the rails this week in Maui went, I’m not actually all that worried long term. I mean, this idea that Hurley was just cooking up another buzzsaw back in the lab that wouldn’t need a significant portion of the season to gain experience and define roles was always a little optimistic to me. Stephon freakin Castle, playing like 25 minutes a game, took until about mid-February to really figure things out. Why would a bunch of freshman, seldom used sophomores and a couple transfers be any different? It didn’t help that our two time defending national champion coach pretty much fed into our pre-season expectations with his offseason media blitz but in hindsight some early season struggles shouldn't be a surprise.

 

[lateralous]

This might not be much of a hot take, but after an absolutely putrid game both offensively and defensively, McNeeley will be our best player by the end of the season. It’s hard for these guys to adjust to the size and speed of the college game, but the skills are definitely there. The key is work ethic and attitude. Looking forward to the day when Liam is absolutely crushing it. That day is soon!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I think McNeeley is going to end up being the alpha dog for this team that we all hoped Alex would become. I think it’s clear that Karaban has always been and will continue to be the glue that holds the team together but I don’t think he’s ever going to be the guy that can take over a game when needed. McNeeley looks like he has the skillset and demeanor to eventually be that guy THIS season.

 

[RuffRuff]

1 - Hurley gonna need to discover a new type of lucky underwear. I’m recommending minions.
2 - We miss Andrew Hurley as the ultimate glue guy. Need to grab someone in the portal.
3 - New big screens may be giving off gama rays impacting the defensive side of the brain

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Hurley's temper got the best of him in Maui mostly because he didn't think losing was even remotely possible, especially in the first game.

A lot of coaches start a season with too high of expectations. Hurley was at the top of that list.

Now that he has a more realistic grip on what he has to work with, I don't see him buying into nor being part of the distractions that could be holding back team progress.

And please no more of this absurd 3repeat fantasy. It was little more than a counterproductive distraction. Fun to toss it out there for a week or two, but it needs to stop.

Same with bringing up back-to-back champs in every conversation.

No more distractions, burn all the pedestals.

Hurley and this team are still going to have a great year.

Don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story. Dan Hurley was hot from the initial whistle. Watch the game again.

 

[temery]

Don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story. Dan Hurley was hot from the initial whistle. Watch the game again.

That makes no sense as a reply to my post.

My guess is Hurley had temper tantrums in the womb. Probably wanted a contact foul on his mom's doc every time s/he pushed on her belly.

 

[Umami Zen]

My takeaway(s) from the Hurley Media Availability session yesterday. He regrouped and got feedback from his inside circle (mentors) re: his coaching style with this particular team. They need a different approach from him (less frustrated-better body language-positivity) than the previous NC teams. They had a different group of guys with their own needs. He'll still hold them to a level of excellence and daily improvement-but deliver the message differently.

I give Dan credit. He's never too proud to ask for help-feedback in order to evolve and change as a coach and person.

Let's roll out the ball tonight and see who is ready to "announce themselves" and begin to turn this thing around.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

My takeaway(s) from the Hurley Media Availability session yesterday. He regrouped and got feedback from his inside circle (mentors) re: his coaching style with this particular team. They need a different approach from him (less frustrated-better body language-positivity) than the previous NC teams. They had a different group of guys with their own needs. He'll still hold them to a level of excellence and daily improvement-but deliver the message differently.

I give Dan credit. He's never too proud to ask for help-feedback in order to evolve and change as a coach and person.

Let's roll out the ball tonight and see who is ready to "announce themselves" and begin to turn this thing around.

Are you saying he finally read posts from the Boneyard's finest minds & is gonna finally take their sage advice?

 

[Umami Zen]

Are you saying he finally read posts from the Boneyard's finest minds & is gonna finally take their sage advice?

Crazier things have happened. Amirite?

 

[Tenspro2002]

I think McNeeley is going to end up being the alpha dog for this team that we all hoped Alex would become. I think it’s clear that Karaban has always been and will continue to be the glue that holds the team together but I don’t think he’s ever going to be the guy that can take over a game when needed. McNeeley looks like he has the skillset and demeanor to eventually be that guy THIS season.

I agree with this.

The biggest stretch from this offseason -- beyond maybe pumping up Ross, who didn't play a competitive minute last year -- was the expectation that an uber-glue-guy would suddenly morph into a go-to guy, when that's not his game, personality, etc. And that's actually a compliment to Karaban and speaks to the fact that he would actually have a well-defined NBA role when he's drafted. But the offense isn't going to run through him.

McNeeley is the closest we have to a Newton/Spencer/Hawkins on the offensive end and has the skill and mentality to be a facilitator and primary scorer.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

1) Turkey is awesome. It's the perfect blank canvas for what you're really after anyway - salt, fat, and sugar! And its very blandness is what allows you to mix and match the Holy Trinity to your personal culinary delight.

2) Donovan Clingan covered up a major flaw in Dan Hurley's defensive scheming. If you funnel drives to your shot blocker (yes, we do this, it's partly why our guards look like turnstiles on 'd'), that shot blocker better be physical enough to handle the confrontation. Clingan was that guy. Johnson will never be that guy.

3) We're still going to win the Big East regular season title.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

#1 and #2 are spot on, #3 is a pipe dream.

 

[tennmike]

I was hoping Solo Ball would have a Devin Carter kind of box score stuffing impact. With Karaban out, it's time to step up and lead all over the court.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Yea but you're kidding yourself if you don't think Memphis and Dayton will be solid teams in March Madness. They were invited for a reason after all

That's a solid point. I hope they do well, as it benefit us. But they are no gauntlet!!!

 

[ctchamps]

3 hot takes(OK 4)

1. Hurleys excessive exuberance for his players hurts them with unreasonable expectations(Ross might be the best/worst example). Calm down and be more centered.

Why don't we wait a few more games before dismissing his statements about Ross. The kid only played 101 minutes in garbage time prior to this year (as compared to Ball with 449 minutes and Stewart with 329 minutes both primarily in the rotation). Let's see how he does over the next month or two.

 

[freescooter]

He’s coached defense before succesfully. My instincts are this team is early in its development defensively and will be decent by February. This feels like a late blooming team overall and that is what I’d expect with this turnover. Good in February and March when we learn to compete defensively. Not going to be a great watch for the next 30-45 days I fear.

Problem with that view is we could play our way into the NIT in 30-45 days. You really don’t want to be a bubble team or worse, need to win the NEWBE tourney to get a bid. That, as they say, is risky business.

 

[freescooter]

Problem seems to be more the perimeter defense. We didn't have these problems when Clingan was out hurt or on the bench with foul trouble.

You can cover for a few minutes or a game. That is different from covering for a season.

 

[freescooter]

1. One day the “superfans” that post here will understand the game they claim to watch so much

2. This year’s team will be fine but it won’t be easy since we aren’t built for it to be easy.. (4 nba players and 3 starters aren’t on this team.)

3. Hurley will never have to adjust how he deals with the refs ever.

We’ll #3 is nonsense. He did adjust starting in about January 2023. He is back to pre-2023 form these days and it is neither a good look nor a net gain for his team.