Alabama Post Game Thread | Page 7 | The Boneyard

Alabama Post Game Thread

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.
100% right mau. Every guy we have won’t be playing at their peak at the same time all year. Alleyne will find his way and start making shots, another guy or two will cool down and our depth will show itself again. Love seeing these guys get into the other team on defense!
 
RJ didn’t always have the best defender on him either. He didn’t look any better playing next to Bouknight.
I didn’t say “always” I said “often”.

Joey “never” has their best defender on him and still relies on the fact this is a much better/deeper/more unselfish team.

Love both of the guys. They are completely different players.
 
Thank you for showering me with Dislikes on my last post. Almost felt like hanging out with Pac-Man Jones at a strip joint. I’m honored by the distinguished list of participants on the Dislike list.

Good news: The contributions by everyone on this year’s team is a net positive. That’s why we have the potential to be a great team. If AJ chucks 4 bad 3s, we’ll still be OK because he rebounds, plays great D and we have Hawkins, Joey, Newton, Karaban and others who can consistently make shots. Same can be said for Alleyne.

The Joey C defense story is similar. He’s been absolutely tremendous with his energy and offensive prowess. It’s OK if we admit that he’s not a defensive stalwart. We have a system in place where others can cover for him, especially down low.

Just curious, back to the Disliked post, who should not be on the list as a better defender than Joey?
 
I disliked the entire concept. Why are we taking shots at our own guys after a great win? Is it to be edgy? I prefer talking about the many things a player is doing well instead of harping on areas for improvement. You don't think this team is about continuous improvement?
 
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Just curious, back to the Disliked post, who should not be on the list as a better defender than Joey?
I disliked the entire concept. Why are we taking shots at our own guys after a great win? Is it to be edgy? I prefer talking about the many things a player is doing well instead of harping on areas for improvement. You don't think this team is about continuous improvement?
 
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.

God this place is the worst sometimes. Swap “RH Cole” for Calcaterra last year and what do you think our record is? 10-21?

Different players have different roles. Calcaterra has been great in his role so far. I know we have to automatically overstate and understate everything that happens but this is a really silly post, even considering the source.
 
Thank you for showering me with Dislikes on my last post. Almost felt like hanging out with Pac-Man Jones at a strip joint. I’m honored by the distinguished list of participants on the Dislike list.

Good news: The contributions by everyone on this year’s team is a net positive. That’s why we have the potential to be a great team. If AJ chucks 4 bad 3s, we’ll still be OK because he rebounds, plays great D and we have Hawkins, Joey, Newton, Karaban and others who can consistently make shots. Same can be said for Alleyne.

The Joey C defense story is similar. He’s been absolutely tremendous with his energy and offensive prowess. It’s OK if we admit that he’s not a defensive stalwart. We have a system in place where others can cover for him, especially down low.

Just curious, back to the Disliked post, who should not be on the list as a better defender than Joey?
You're correct that he's one of our weaker defenders. But he's also holding his own against P5 teams and playing really well. No idea why you woke up and decided you needed to take shots at him. And there's no way to read it as anything other than a shot when you pose the question of who's a better defender between Joey Calcaterra and Andrew Hurley
 
Why does this matter?

The "Calcaterra can't play a lick of defense," train must be getting lonely.
I love Joey C’s contribution and role on this team. But it’s okay to say his defense is a liability.

Everything he does at the other end of the court makes up for it throughout the game, but at the end of the game, with the lead, Diarra was out there, not Joey. Because of his defense.

It’s obvious teams attack Joey off the dribble. He doesn’t have the lateral quickness to stay in front of his man. No shame in that at this level, these guys are all amazing basketball players relatively speaking.

It matters because in late game situations I can see Hurley subbing Diarra/Joey in and out for defense/offense depending on the score. But that requires a stoppage in play which doesn’t always happen.

It matters because I don’t think he will shoot 60% from three on the season. There’s no way he can keep that up, but 50% isn’t out of the question.

So we have to think about defensive matchups too, and the fact that we have other shooters and options means Hurley will have decisions to make.

It’s an issue, but our depth makes it a minor one.

@Punkbo
I think the issue was the delivery of your post.
 
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Thanksgiving, family and competing interests for time.
Chose to wait until this morning so I could watch uninterrupted and in peace.

Loved that the game was tight for 20 minutes and UConn had to value possessions and play smart and hard.

Karaban does all the small things so well. I'll go back 20+ years and say he reminds me of what Karla Berube used to do on the women's team. Every move is intentional and the "right play".

Newton ran the team. Didn't shoot well, but 8 assists, one TO and he made his FT's.

Loved Sanogo hitting the three during the dagger run after missing his first three. He imposed his well over final 10 minutes.

Joey C. A running right handed lay up while going left? He has been so much more than we anticipated.

Hawkins played well in spurts.

Diarra's best game so far? Probably.

Well, UConn has played two teams in 2 nights with high level D1 athletes and have two wins by double digits.

Band wagon is gonna fill up quick.
 
I kinda agree. But Joey C is a big part of the off ball movement. The ball doesn’t stick with him and he’s constantly on the go. RJ didn’t always have the best defender on him either. He didn’t look any better playing next to Bouknight. He’s a guy who needs the ball.
Cut it man, sheesh. Joey isn’t better than RJ. Why are you dying on this hill?
 
Here is a quick list of players who play better defense than Joey C:

Jackson
Sanogo
Clingan
Newton
Hawkins
Diarra
Alleyne
Karaban
Springs

Jury is still out on Roumoglou, Andrew Hurley and the Israeli guy. Please feel free to add to the list if I’m missing others.

Calcaterra is a good team defense player, seeing plays develop and positioning himself to challenge and steal passes. He makes a lot of plays off the ball. Do you think defense is simply 1-on-1?
 
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I love Joey C’s contribution and role on this team. But it’s okay to say his defense is a liability.

He's averaging 21 min/gm and holding his own.

Defense is not a zero sum game. It's okay to say he is not the strongest defensive player on the team, but yet not be a liability.
 
I understand it’s much easier to do as a sixth year guy, but the way Joey came into UConn was and is very impressive. He had aspirations but no entitlement. If there were minutes he could earn, he’d do what he could to try and do so.

Richie being Richie (by which I mean, a generally supportive and good guy) and Hasson and Roumoglou being on their own development plans is making for a much more cohesive and team-focused roster. It’s been fun to watch so far.
 
He's averaging 21 min/gm and holding his own.

Defense is not a zero sum game. It's okay to say he is not the strongest defensive player on the team, but yet not be a liability.
Maybe I missed a prior back and forth but this is a much more measured response than implying someone said he “can’t play a lick of defense”.

I think it’s fair to say of all the players who get regular minutes, he’s the weakest man v man defender. We can leave “liability” and how we define that out of the conversation, because it’s semantics.

He is STILL an excellent player who we are lucky to have.
 
Sorry if someone already noted this... Can you imagine the final outcome of a game last year when top 3 shooters went 3 for 19 from the field... most likely a certain loss...

That's what Newton, Alleyne and AJAX did last night and still won by double digits.. CMON!
 
Sorry if someone already noted this... Can you imagine the final outcome of a game last year when top 3 shooters went 3 for 19 from the field... most likely a certain loss...

That's what Newton, Alleyne and AJAX did last night and still won by double digits.. CMON!
Gave you a like cause I agree with the premise, but wouldn’t call AJax one of our top 3 shooters. Joey C and Hawk are our two best (IMO).
 
I just wish Alleyne would let his shot come more naturally in the offense. I'm not a fan of the step back 3, especially with the way the offense has been flowing at times.
I do like that he's been pretty tenacious on defense even when his shot is not falling.

Also, I like Newton's ability/willingness to let the team just suceed with him not having to score, but also being unafraid to shoot/score when they need him to.

Watching Joey C, I just have to wonder if he's ever played for a defense coach with the intensity of Hurley before. He just seems to be improving with every game. I also wonder if going up against Newton, Hawkins, Allleyne... etc in practice his helping his development as well. One of the advantages of depth, is it allows you to develop players more quickly because of who they battle every day.
 
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I just wish Alleyne would let his shot come more naturally in the offense. I'm not a fan of the step back 3, especially with the way the offense has been flowing at times.
I do like that he's been pretty tenacious on defense even when his shot is not falling.

Also, I like Newton's ability/willingness to let the team just suceed with him not having to score, but also being unafraid to shoot/score when they need him to.

Watching Joey C, I just have to wonder if he's ever played for a defense coach with the intensity of Hurley before. He just seems to be improving with every game. I also wonder if going up against Newton, Hawkins, Allleyne... etc in practice his helping his development as well. One of the advantages of depth, is it allows you to develop players more quickly because of who they battle every day.

At a minimum Alleyne isn't taking bad shots.
They may not be great shots but he is taking it in the flow of the offense where the players are balanced and able to fight for offensive revound and get back on D.

He's not a gunner and it's also obvious his offense and overall effectiveness isn't predicated on J's dropping.
 
Alleyne is due for a hot night. He’s a streaky shooter who’s just in a cold streak right now. Remember he was a HUGE reason we got through those first 3 games unbeaten. I think he may have a big night(15-18 points) tomorrow.
 
At a minimum Alleyne isn't taking bad shots.
They may not be great shots but he is taking it in the flow of the offense where the players are balanced and able to fight for offensive revound and get back on D.

He's not a gunner and it's also obvious his offense and overall effectiveness isn't predicated on J's dropping.
I know his defense is very effective and he's not putting up horrible shots. I just thought that the last few games there were times he could have given the ball up and most likely have gotten back open and set to shoot.
 
Maybe I missed a prior back and forth but this is a much more measured response than implying someone said he “can’t play a lick of defense”.

I think it’s fair to say of all the players who get regular minutes, he’s the weakest man v man defender. We can leave “liability” and how we define that out of the conversation, because it’s semantics.

He is STILL an excellent player who we are lucky to have.
The implication was made earlier in the season. In fact it was more than an implication, made by multiple posters. I didn't understand it then, don't now, and I've defended him as such.

Said differently, Hurley values defense and I think it is safe to say that Joey C. would not be getting 20 minutes a game if he played less than average D.
 
The implication was made earlier in the season. In fact it was more than an implication, made by multiple posters. I didn't understand it then, don't now, and I've defended him as such.

Said differently, Hurley values defense and I think it is safe to say that Joey C. would not be getting 20 minutes a game if he played less than average D.
Dan also targeted shooters in the off-season and I think it’s fair to say that if Joey wasn’t shooting 60% from 3PT he wouldn’t be playing 20 minutes a game, Diarra would.

And he does play less than average defense relative to what we’ve seen from Hurley’s guards. You simply cannot ignore his impact on the offensive end of the court when talking about his minutes allocation and expect that argument to be taken seriously.

If you don’t understand the critique of his defense you aren’t watching the same game. More than any other backcourt player, he is beaten off the dribble time and time again.
 
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