Aidan Mahaney Appreciation Thread

[Scottobot]

Thx for the stats…What about his D?

St Mary’s was a good defensive team past 2 years. They have a good coach. Ken pom had their defense as 15th best in country last year

 

[Scottobot]

The 2 threes when they were down big early were the most important baskets of the game in my opinion. It looked like UConn was going to get blown out, and the head bump by Hurley was awesome. I don’t really see / agree with the complaints about his defense. He is middle of the pack on the team in terms of defense. There are definitely other players struggling more than him.

 

[CL82]

This was an all-time reaction

Coach? Please don't concuss Aidan.

 

[Luna]

I thought he was fine defensively last night… and he is only going to get better…and he can do a lot offensively…he’s going to be a big part of our success the next few years

 

[NJHusky]

St Mary’s was a good defensive team past 2 years. They have a good coach. Ken pom had their defense as 15th best in country last year

thx...but was more interested in Aiden specifically....is that he doesn't get our schemes or that he is limited physically that is causing his issues

 

[AllHusky]

He'll be what he can be. He's a good kid, works hard, seems coachable and motivated.. What that is will be limited by his talent and physical abilities. I hope he is more than a Joey California, and hope that is his floor.

 

[Conndog]

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

Well, he and everyone else got torched by the Baylor super quick guard. Having said that, there were several times when he did stay defensively with the person he was guarding, moving his feet quickly and staying between his guy and basket. I watched the game again this morning- when Wright, I think it was, would blow by his defender, often it was with screen being set and switching was not smooth. It’s difficult to defend well in that situation. Definitely Mahaney needs to defend better, but I think he can and will.

I really like this team and I like Mahaney as the starting 1.

 

[GampelGladiator]

Perhaps Mayor Mahaney is a fitting nickname...

 

[DogMania]

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 don't have a problem with this since Mahaney has clearly struggled and seemed to be losing confidence as the season's gone on.

Although many of the fans have written him off, it's nice to see that Hurley hasn't, and is committed to developing him.

Like many, I've been disturbed by his inability to defend his position, while his offense has not been consistent enough to nearly make up for that.

In addition to having a solid game on the offensive end, I thought he showed some Improvement on the other end of the floor, though he still has a long way to go. After all the negative posts about Aidan, it's nice to see one that recognizes the positive things he did last night.

 

[87Xfer]

The 2 threes when they were down big early were the most important baskets of the game in my opinion. It looked like UConn was going to get blown out, and the head bump by Hurley was awesome. I don’t really see / agree with the complaints about his defense. He is middle of the pack on the team in terms of defense. There are definitely other players struggling more than him.

I'd add the Ross dunk made possible by AM's beautiful bounce pass in transition to the most important baskets list.

 

[WrenchFan69]

As far as I'm aware, we're not approaching the limit on how many threads we can have here. Every player can have an individual appreciation thread when they perform really well in a big game and I will be happy for them. Mahaney gave us a big lift last night and is a nice kid who hopefully will keep the momentum going.

 

[Buffett10]

thx...but was more interested in Aiden specifically....is that he doesn't get our schemes or that he is limited physically that is causing his issues

How was Cam's defense to start the yr last yr? I remember reading plenty of posts saying he couldn't defend anyone.

 

[Scottobot]

thx...but was more interested in Aiden specifically....is that he doesn't get our schemes or that he is limited physically that is causing his issues

I don’t think he has been that bad. He has got beat off dribble some, but so has every other UConn perimeter player. Unlike other players he is not gambling and going for steals and blocks that don’t happen and getting out of position. In general he seems like he is in the right spot on defense. I think most of UConn’s defensive problems are cause by players going for steals they can’t get, going for blocks they can’t get, or just losing track of where they are supposed to be. I think it is the sophomore class that is causing the problems. I feel like those 3 guys are trying to make the big play all the time and they just need to stay back and play solid. Ross is constantly reaching in trying to steal the ball and committing fouls. Constantly trying to block every shot even though he isn’t in position to get it.

 

[Husky Alien]

I don't have a problem with this since Mahaney has clearly struggled and seemed to be losing confidence as the season's gone on.

Although many of the fans have written him off, it's nice to see that Hurley hasn't, and is committed to developing him.

Like many, I've been disturbed by his inability to defend his position, while his offense has not been consistent enough to nearly make up for that.

In addition to having a solid game on the offensive end, I thought he showed some Improvement on the other end of the floor, though he still has a long way to go. After all the negative posts about Aidan, it's nice to see one that recognizes the positive things he did last night.

Many on here built Aiden up only to knock him down. He is a very good offensive player and is now improving on the defensive end, he also is seeing the floor much better. As it's trending looks like he can put it all together for the Big East schedule. Let's just hope he does. That just make us that much harder to defend.

 

[ctchamps]

Mahaney had a significant part in getting a very important win. The attitude of the team significantly improved with that sequence just when we were about to be buried. His role in this game's outcome should not be minimized.

 

[scotty0330]

Aiden is going to be a huge factor for this team this year and next year. Barring something unforeseen it’s him, nowell and a frosh that will be playing point. So behooves Hurley to coach him, have patience etc. he and nowell are going to take time thus year more than coaching staff thought. Also can’t be undersold how valuable Spencer was at two guard since he would run offense and get to paint to force defensive collapses. Ball doesn’t have that in his game at all at least not yet.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I hope Mahaney becomes exactly what Hurley expected. We need another option at crunch time. Mahaney was impressive in all aspects of his offensive game against Baylor. Hitting big shots and even getting to the hoop and finishing.

At the end of games having him, AK and Liam as options will make us harder to defend on a final possession where we need a basket to tie or win.

Really pulling for him to be the player that Hurley believes he is and what he showed at St Mary’s.

 

[Luna]

You have to love a kid that goes from a school that he was very comfortable at to a school he’s uncomfortable at so that he improves.. he says he’s worked very hard since he’s been at UConn… I love that when we started playing good teams they attacked him..and it worked at the beginning but he’s learning how to play against great guards that go after him .. it didn’t work as good the last game and the more they attack him the less it’s going to work.. he is also learning how to play point guard and he is improving..he was the go to player at St Mary’s so he knows how to score.. once he gets comfortable here..watch out… I see another Cam Spencer

 

[NJHusky]

You have to love a kid that goes from a school that he was very comfortable at to a school he’s uncomfortable at so that he improves.. he says he’s worked very hard since he’s been at UConn… I love that when we started playing good teams they attacked him..and it worked at the beginning but he’s learning how to play against great guards that go after him .. it didn’t work as good the last game and the more they attack him the less it’s going to work.. he is also learning how to play point guard and he is improving..he was the go to player at St Mary’s so he knows how to score.. once he gets comfortable here..watch out… I see another Cam Spencer

I wish I shared your enthusiasm. Great he finally hit some shots but he was a blow by turnstile on D. has he been able to get even 1 lob to Samson Johnson? He’s not nearly the shooter Cam was.

Cam was able to probe the D and either finish at the rim, hit a floater or pass to an open cutter. AM drives, and either he makes the bucket at the rim or he doesn’t. Not nearly as multi faceted as Cam.

I think it will be a loooong time before we get another Cam

 

[HooperScooper]

I wish I shared your enthusiasm. Great he finally hit some shots but he was a blow by turnstile on D. has he been able to get even 1 lob to Samson Johnson? He’s not nearly the shooter Cam was.

Cam was able to probe the D and either finish at the rim, hit a floater or pass to an open cutter. AM drives, and either he makes the bucket at the rim or he doesn’t. Not nearly as multi faceted as Cam.

I think it will be a loooong time before we get another Cam

Agreed. Spencer was a perfect fit. I think if we expect any transfer to be him then we're always going to be disappointed.

 

[3rdbass]

I thought he was fine defensively last night… and he is only going to get better…and he can do a lot offensively…he’s going to be a big part of our success the next few years

He might of been a little better but he still stunk. He isn't a PG in any sense too. He is a SG and he will get his Joey California moments for sure. He is a better version of Joey even though he might be slower which I didn't think until I saw him play up close. They are of the same body type which doesn't help him on D.