Alabama Post Game Thread

[3rdbass]

While I believe we have great talent and chemistry in this team, I think the real difference maker is Clingan, who brings a dominant inside presence when Adama is on the bench....There was no one last year avaliable to fill that void.

Yeah he is surely a difference maker with his height and mobility for someone his size. Really impressed with him.

 

[Scrutineer]

Balance and Grit:
TEAM play..........except for 5 minutes at the end of 1st half
Inside scoring.
Defense.
Outside shooting.
Shot blocking.
Free throws.
Passing.
ASSISTS...........totals not seen here in many years.
Great substitutions.
It all adds up to what JC used to call a "team that can do something special" but nobody better dare to say what it is!

 

[BlueMAB]

There is no “one” or “real” difference maker. It’s a number of guys who can make you pay on any given night offensively, and capable defenders at every position. The only weak spot on defense is Joey C, who is shooting over 60% from 3.

Most importantly, guys know their roles, happily play them, and don’t care who gets the credit.

That’s a recipe for a lot of success.

 

[Austin316]

I noticed Andre still has his pinky taped to his ring finger on his right hand. Definitely impacting his touch, the same thing caused Sanogo to lose his touch at the end of last season imo. He should probably shoot less until the finger is better.

My thoughts too. He probably feels awkward shooting and DH probably wants to limit dunks.

He usually gets free along the baseline for an alleyoop or gets a break away steal and dunk but haven’t seen many opportunities/plays drawn up for him yet.

I’m thinking it’s for a reason.

Theyll get him more involved at the appropriate time. His hustle, leadership, passing and relentless defense is earning him minutes. Confidence will come with time.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Observations

• We’re a top 5 team
• Hurley is amazing at recruiting talent
• DC and Joey C is an amazing duo offensively
• Andre hasn’t improved offensively like that but he’s so good defensively it doesn’t matter
• Why is Alleyne starting? Tyler Polley of this year as far as too many undeserved minutes that can go to others (Joey C)
• Joey C would’ve been the best offensive player on last year’s team, let alone this year’s team
• Hawkins is averaging the quietest 15 PPG I’ve seen (estimate)
• Sanogo needs to learn how to play team ball like he did at the end of the game and if he’s not doing it Hurley needs to sit him down for DC to get it in his head. 14-0 run with DC in the game man
• Newton Newton Newton. Love me a guard that fully controls the game. Doesn’t even need to score to make an impact.
• AK continues solid play

-Bring on Iowa St


- I’m placing my final four bet

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Dan Hurley kill everybody tour rolls on

Post/handle/avatar?

Is anybody else smiling uncontrollably?

Smiling, laughing, reading, posting, and about to watch the highlights video.

It's been a long time since I've seen a UConn team that can go on multiple 10+ point runs against high level opponents.

Fun, isn't it?

Ajax is 4 games behind everyone else and the team still looks great. If he becomes the player he can be, this team will truly be dangerous.

Oh yeah, the guy with the broken finger who we were hoping would be able to play in this tournament.
Maybe somebody wants to argue that it was "just a pinky."

 

[3rdbass]

"
?""

Observations

• We’re a top 5 team
• Hurley is amazing at recruiting talent
• DC and Joey C is an amazing duo offensively
• Andre hasn’t improved offensively like that but he’s so good defensively it doesn’t matter
• Why is Alleyne starting? Tyler Polley of this year as far as too many undeserved minutes that can go to others (Joey C)
• Joey C would’ve been the best offensive player on last year’s team, let alone this year’s team
• Hawkins is averaging the quietest 15 PPG I’ve seen (estimate)
• Sanogo needs to learn how to play team ball like he did at the end of the game and if he’s not doing it Hurley needs to sit him down for DC to get it in his head. 14-0 run with DC in the game man
• Newton Newton Newton. Love me a guard that fully controls the game. Doesn’t even need to score to make an impact.
• AK continues solid play

-Bring on Iowa St


- I’m placing my final four bet

Better than RJ Cole and Adama Sanogo? I don't think so. Maybe best bench player on last years team.

 

[bigknight3]

Yeah Alleyne has not been impressive at all and is getting into foul trouble too much. I know he is guarding the best offensive player on the other team but he needs to stop using his body that much.

1-2 of the really good were BS. he shut down Miller first to start the game. Miller didn't start scoring till other players took their turn guarding him.

 

[3rdbass]

1-2 of the really good were BS. he shut down Miller first to start the game. Miller didn't start scoring till other players took their turn guarding him.

True he can play defense but he needs to not be as physical as we need him on the floor more due to his defense. I'm still waiting for his 3 PT shot to start falling which I think it will but he needs more game time and less stupid fouls.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

"
?""

Better than RJ Cole and Adama Sanogo? I don't think so. Maybe best bench player on last years team.

RH Cole is overrated on this board imo. This is coming from someone who has all the reason to be bias towards him.

He couldn’t finish at the rim as well as Joey C and he wasn’t the passer Joey is either. I don’t count Sanogo because he’s a big but he has his flaws where he can turn into a black hole for this offense if he doesn’t remember to play team basketball.

Joey came in and we immediately went on a run. He can score a make the right play. For anyone that has to say that too much was put on RJ, remember he was lackluster as a 2nd guard to Bouknight too. Newton is showing how you play the point and make an impact without needing to score.

 

[PAHusky]

RH Cole is overrated on this board imo. This is coming from someone who has all the reason to be bias towards him.

He couldn’t finish at the rim as well as Joey C and he wasn’t the passer Joey is either. I don’t count Sanogo because he’s a big but he has his flaws where he can turn into a black hole for this offense if he doesn’t remember to play team basketball.

Joey came in and we immediately went on a run. He can score a make the right play. For anyone that has to say that too much was put on RJ, remember he was lackluster as a 2nd guard to Bouknight too. Newton is showing how you play the point and make an impact without needing to score.

This is insane recency bias. Love J California but Cole was on a different level offensively, be serious

 

[Huskyforlife]

RH Cole is overrated on this board imo. This is coming from someone who has all the reason to be bias towards him.

He couldn’t finish at the rim as well as Joey C and he wasn’t the passer Joey is either. I don’t count Sanogo because he’s a big but he has his flaws where he can turn into a black hole for this offense if he doesn’t remember to play team basketball.

Joey came in and we immediately went on a run. He can score a make the right play. For anyone that has to say that too much was put on RJ, remember he was lackluster as a 2nd guard to Bouknight too. Newton is showing how you play the point and make an impact without needing to score.

Why aren’t you calling for him to start if you believe all this?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

You knew Alabama was beat when their only game plan to get back in the game was to start falling on the ground on defense. That was pathetic. Huskies looks strong.

This, or UConn wins by 25 and is up 10+ the whole game. Alabama was outmatched.

 

[3rdbass]

RH Cole is overrated on this board imo. This is coming from someone who has all the reason to be bias towards him.

He couldn’t finish at the rim as well as Joey C and he wasn’t the passer Joey is either. I don’t count Sanogo because he’s a big but he has his flaws where he can turn into a black hole for this offense if he doesn’t remember to play team basketball.

Joey came in and we immediately went on a run. He can score a make the right play. For anyone that has to say that too much was put on RJ, remember he was lackluster as a 2nd guard to Bouknight too. Newton is showing how you play the point and make an impact without needing to score.

You are actually saying a guy who comes off the bench and gives us some good minutes in bursts is better than all big east First teamer? LOL! Now this makes my takes that some people don't agree with sane. LOL! I mean there is no way Joey who doesn't have the attention that RJ had on people concentrating on just to stop him. Remember we had nobody to help RJ create real offense and limited shooters. Defenses concentrated on him and he still scored big buckets like the Villanova game winner last year. Joey C is just another scorer and not the main one as he we have(Healthy improved Hawkins, Adama, Alleyne, Newton, Karaban and Clingan who can score). RJ definitely was a better on the ball defender and passer. I love Joey California but let's not say he is this unstoppable scorer. He is a good shooter that is on a hot streak right now(I will give you he is a better pure shooter than RJ). I'm glad we have Joey C on the team but he is just a piece and not the main focus of our offense.

 

[ucp990411]

Not a walking bucket, but holy s___ does he know how to draw fouls. Gets us in the bonus, converts at the line, and puts defenders on tilt

Yeah we peaked at #9 in 2014. That was the last time. Last time we were 8 or higher was early 2012. We dropped to #10 after only beating Wagner by 10 and never got back.

We peaked at #1 in 2014

 

[gars44]

This is insane recency bias. Love J California but Cole was on a different level offensively, be serious

Can you imagine if Cole stayed for one more year? With this supporting cast?

 

[3rdbass]

Can you imagine if Cole stayed for one more year? With this supporting cast?

We would be the team to beat this year for sure. 2 deep everywhere. Right now we are little soft at PG with only Newton reliable there.

 

[mauconnfan]

1-2 of the really good were BS. he shut down Miller first to start the game. Miller didn't start scoring till other players took their turn guarding him.

Alleyne is being cast aside by many here and on the chat last night. He defended the hell out of Miller early on only a ticky tack call stopped him from holding him down to nothing. He is in a slump shooting it no doubt but will come alive and everyone will be a fan again, he’s a player. He made a couple mid range shots the other night that not too many others have, he’ll be fine.

 

[Com'rGordon]

My observations:

• I love every single player on this team
• The only one who has yet to really impress me is Alleyne
• it is a true pleasure to watch Jordan Hawkins play basketball
• Alex Karaban is just insanely good
• I love DH

 

[Verne]

Can you imagine if Cole stayed for one more year?

Cole wouldn't fit with this team at all.

There's a reason we look this good with a different lead guard. Cole got us "back" but he was never goos enough to lead a team like this and get us over the hump into the elite terriroty. Plus no one ever wanted to admit that his size/defense often was a handicap.

Newtons ability to float in and out of the game offensively and his size and defense are upgrades over Cole. It's not a slight at Cole, just different players with different ceilings.

Our ceiling is much higher this year with Newton running this team.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Cole wouldn't fit with this team at all.

There's a reason we look this good with a different lead guard. Cole got us "back" but he was never goos enough to lead a team like this and get us over the hump into the elite terriroty. Plus no one ever wanted to admit that his size/defense often was a handicap.

Newtons ability to float in and out of the game offensively and his size and defense are upgrades over Cole. It's not a slight at Cole, just different players with different ceilings.

Our ceiling is much higher this year with Newton running this team.

I agree with most of this. Cole was invaluable for that team and dragged the team (kicking and screaming) to offensive competence during a lot games. Newton is a far better fit for this team with more firepower around him and with the defensive game they’re playing.

 

[Edward Sargent]

The run to put this one away was ridiculous. We haven't had this kind of firepower in close to a decade. I'm a little tipsy so I'm making a post to share my thoughts.

Things slow down offensively? We've got Newton to draw fouls and hit them close to 90% of the team.

Karaban is poised more than any freshman we've had since Doron. I was fully expecting him to struggle vs this kind of athleticism and length. Instead? Kid puts up an efficient 10/3/3. I meant it when I said 18 months ago that he would be an All Big East player at some point.

Sanogo is Sanogo. Then he realized he needed to shoot to make the league. What does he do? Learn to shoot. When you're fighting on the court for your family, it's not just a game. It's hard not to respect the work he put in.

Diarra and Calcaterra. We're picking your poison on any given night.

Hawkins - NBA level sniper.

Clingan - Effecient and learning every night. I didn't think he would be this good. No one did. I feel really good about him leading this team for the next 2 years.

Shoot, we had a starter (Alleyne) play like crap, and Newton shot terribly and we STILL dominated!

I think the run was 15-0 at one point. Ridiculous.

I think the run started with Tristan drawing fouls to get us into the bonus. I was surprised when I looked at the boxscore and saw he had 9. I thought he had double digits.

 

[djct1999]

This is an incredibly constructed roster. Kudos to Danny and the staff. They knew exactly what they wanted and didn’t deviate from it. The team is a joy to watch. At all times, we have 5 kids on the floor working in unison. They all compliment each other so well and the ball movement is so fluid. This year will be like the good ole days.

 

[Com'rGordon]

My observations:

• I love every single player on this team
• The only one who has yet to really impress me is Alleyne
• it is a true pleasure to watch Jordan Hawkins play basketball
• Alex Karaban is just insanely good
• I love DH

With our size I think the teams that would give us trouble are the really long teams that can atleast challenge Sanogo/DC. We saw Bama’s bigs giving our guards fits with not knowing what to do once we got in the lane. Purdue and Arizona are two teams that come to mind that I think we’d struggle with, maybe Gonzaga, and Creighton just because they’re so talented.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I think the run started with Tristan drawing fouls to get us into the bonus.

When we first added Newton, one of his attributes I was most excited about was his ability to attack the rim and convert at the line.

Last season at East Carolina, Newton averaged 5.1 free throws made (15th nationally) at a 87.9 ft% (25th nationally).

That type of prolificness and efficiency at the line is HUGE in late game situations, especially in March and April.