Aidan Mahaney Appreciation Thread

[Kemba Time]

This is a tough tough place to play when things aren't going your way and Mahaney has taken so much early that he deserves some love for showing up in a big way last night.

When things were unraveling early, that sequence of a fastbreak assist to Ross for a dunk followed by back-to-back 3-pointers changed the entire night, and he hit another big 3 later.

As Hurley said, The Phoenix who was so quickly buried by many of us rose from the ashes in a way that may have saved our season.

Still a ways to go, but this was our first real glimpse at the player Hurley wanted so badly in the portal and after the game Aidan said "I feel like this is what I signed up for. My biggest thing right now is carrying this momentum forward" and doubled down that this is why he chose UConn and feels like this is the place for him.

It's coming, and this kid is going to be a big part of it when UConn proves a lot of people wrong from here out.

 

[Kitaman]

One good game gets normal appreciation with continued support. Sort of a pat on the back vs elavation. Just my opinion and I like the kid.

 

[JerseyAlum]

Hurley’s appreciation for him was Cam-like after that 3 when they left him alone and buried it. Mahaney had a very good game overall. Good to see that.

 

[Kemba Time]

Hurley’s appreciation for him was Cam-like after that 3 when they left him alone and buried it. Mahaney had a very good game overall. Good to see that.

This was an all-time reaction

 

[Mr. French]

One good game gets normal appreciation with continued support. Sort of a pat on the back vs elavation. Just my opinion and I like the kid.

Yes, that’s what this is. You arguing against normal appreciation sounds like you don’t like him as much as you say.

Acknowledging him in a thread is normal appreciation. You don’t have it, that’s fine. We write you on “the list.”

 

[Jaydumo20]

Yes, that’s what this is. You arguing against normal appreciation sounds like you don’t like him as much as you say.

Acknowledging him in a thread is normal appreciation. You don’t have it, that’s fine. We write you on “the list.”

I defend @Kitaman as I think this a very loyal fan but...I like "the list". We need a list. Too many would land on the list

 

[Mr. French]

I defend @Kitaman as I think this a very loyal fan but...I like "the list". We need a list. Too many would land on the list

I agree, I have no beef. Just giving the straight dope.

 

[homunculus]

One good game gets normal appreciation with continued support. Sort of a pat on the back vs elavation. Just my opinion and I like the kid.

The Gampel crowd disagreed with you. The place exploded when he hit those threes.

 

[jostar1]

Aidan Mahaney 'rose like a Phoenix' and earned a Dan Hurley headbutt in UConn win over Baylor​

By Mike Anthony,Staff WriterDec 5, 2024

https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/aidan-mahaney-dan-hurley-baylor-headbutt-19959110.php

 

[NJHusky]

One good game gets normal appreciation with continued support. Sort of a pat on the back vs elavation. Just my opinion and I like the kid.

Agree. He had a good 2 min stretch with 2 3s and an assist. he Scored 9 pts and got blown by on D at least 4 times that I counted. It’s McNeeley that needs an appreciation thread

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Some facts:

• Saint Mary's was a top-20 team in both of Mahaney's two seasons there.
• During that time, Saint Mary's were 360th and 359th in offensive tempo, so they played a very uniquely slow halfcourt offense.
• At Saint Mary's, Mahaney averaged 13.9p, 2.3a, 37.5 3P%

He was freakin' GOOD at Saint Mary's and he only has nine games here at Storrs, so looking forward to seeing his development continue.

 

[NJHusky]

Some facts:

• Saint Mary's was a top-20 team in both of Mahaney's two seasons there.
• During that time, Saint Mary's were 360th and 359th in offensive tempo, so they played a very uniquely slow halfcourt offense.
• At Saint Mary's, Mahaney averaged 13.9p, 2.3a, 37.5 3P%

He was freakin' GOOD at Saint Mary's and he only has nine games here at Storrs, so looking forward to seeing his development continue.

Thx for the stats…What about his D?

 

[Kitaman]

Yes, that’s what this is. You arguing against normal appreciation sounds like you don’t like him as much as you say.

Acknowledging him in a thread is normal appreciation. You don’t have it, that’s fine. We write you on “the list.”

I just don't like dedicated appreciation threads.

Nothing against the players or poster, I'm just cautious after one good game (especially the first) , awaiting next game(s) to feel that it's not an anomoly and actually happening.

I could have worded it better cuz I was screaming with excitement seeing his shots go in, I'm just a greedy Husky wanting more of it to the point of expecting it.

 

[RichZ]

I'm just a greedy Husky wanting more of it to the point of expecting it.

Me too.

 

[Lambeau]

he kid has struggled defensively against big, fast aggressive guards--maybe he'll rise to the challenge.
But offensively he's been written off, despite being a proven 3-point shooter, secure ball-handler, adept passer, and even capable of taking it inside to the rim and finishing; with confidence I think all these skills will show more and more,
He's clearly acclimating, and needs patience.

 

[RichZ]

This was an all-time reaction

I liked the live in situ shot better, when #1 and #32(?) in green seemed to be disagreeing about which one of them left him wide open after he'd just made a three on the previous possession.

 

[Stasher599]

So I watched Cam Spencer get beat off the dribble plenty of times in the first couple weeks of last season. It takes some of these kids more time to develop and mesh with the team because the expectations here are set so high. The sky is not falling and we will be fine by the end of the year. I really don’t see a team out there right now that is far and away better than everyone.

 

[UC0NN]

Great shooting last night.

 

[Mr. French]

I just don't like dedicated appreciation threads.

Nothing against the players or poster, I'm just cautious after one good game (especially the first) , awaiting next game(s) to feel that it's not an anomoly and actually happening.

I could have worded it better cuz I was screaming with excitement seeing his shots go in, I'm just a greedy Husky wanting more of it to the point of expecting it.

I’m with ya there!

 

[Mr. French]

I defend @Kitaman as I think this a very loyal fan but...I like "the list". We need a list. Too many would land on the list

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Thx for the stats…What about his D?

I asked a national podcaster who watches way more WCC than I and here's what he said, FWIW.

"He kinda ‘hid’ in the Saint Mary’s scheme with Saxen, Ducas and those high IQ players. Jordan Ford, even Kushe efforted defensively and were active in passing lanes and doubling the post. But Mahaney…just not as active or frantic, but he can shoot it and is a playmaker a bit."

 

[HooperScooper]

Aidan Mahaney 'rose like a Phoenix' and earned a Dan Hurley headbutt in UConn win over Baylor​

By Mike Anthony,Staff WriterDec 5, 2024

https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/aidan-mahaney-dan-hurley-baylor-headbutt-19959110.php

“We were just fired up,” Mahaney said. “This is one of the things I couldn’t wait to get into over here, having a coach like that, that gets fired up just like the players do. So I felt like we were just in that moment. Nothing planned. That was just natural energy and aggression. We were juiced.”

“Right now I’m just carrying this momentum forward. I’ve been waiting to have a little bit of a feeling like this and I feel like this is just a taste for me, a little feeling of work paying off. I felt like I made the right decision to come here. I still feel that way. I think I’ve grown tremendously on and off the court here. I just don’t think people have gotten to see it yet. So I’m really excited, looking forward now.”

 

[NJHusky]

“We were just fired up,” Mahaney said. “This is one of the things I couldn’t wait to get into over here, having a coach like that, that gets fired up just like the players do. So I felt like we were just in that moment. Nothing planned. That was just natural energy and aggression. We were juiced.”

“Right now I’m just carrying this momentum forward. I’ve been waiting to have a little bit of a feeling like this and I feel like this is just a taste for me, a little feeling of work paying off. I felt like I made the right decision to come here. I still feel that way. I think I’ve grown tremendously on and off the court here. I just don’t think people have gotten to see it yet. So I’m really excited, looking forward now.”

Seems like a great guy. Hope he blossoms soon

 

[Smp7598]

Thx for the stats…What about his D?

Let me ask you a question. Whos shots was Clingan blocking last year? Someone was getting blown by. I have more of a problem with the wide open threes!

 

[uconnyankee]

Some facts:

• Saint Mary's was a top-20 team in both of Mahaney's two seasons there.
• During that time, Saint Mary's were 360th and 359th in offensive tempo, so they played a very uniquely slow halfcourt offense.
• At Saint Mary's, Mahaney averaged 13.9p, 2.3a, 37.5 3P%

He was freakin' GOOD at Saint Mary's and he only has nine games here at Storrs, so looking forward to seeing his development continue.

Exactly…. How many posts were about Newton or Diarra not measuring up early on.
Mahaney needs to figure things out and find his role. I hope he does because we’ll be better off for it