All Players Attending Hurley Presser

[dennismenace]

Don't blame the players for being hesitant. It must be a huge upheaval for them. The guy who recruited them to UConn was fired unceremoniously. You read in the media about how you aren't developed enough, or talented enough, etc. A new guy comes in and everyone's excited but you don't know this dude and he didn't recruit you.

And these kids are like 18-22? I can't blame 'em for feeling a little out of sorts. I hope they stay, but it's not hard to have some empathy for them.

Thought these quotes were noteworthy:
Dan H. "The Huskies will be “the hardest working, hardest playing” team, Hurley said. “That’s the kind of culture I establish when I take over a program.”

Dan's Dad "“I looked today, they’re not as physically strong,” Bob Hurley Sr. said. “I thought I would see some bigger, kids a little bit thicker. The Rhode Island kids, an older team, they looked very strong, they had worked very hard on the conditioning and training.”

I am sure our AD got this point when they considered a Uconn coach. Those quotes had an almost musical quality to my ears.

 

[Chief00]

Steve Enoch would have changed that optic.

 

[Stainmaster]

Hurley Sr is on target. I am tired of excuses or Travis’s New Age theories. Get back to the old fashion gym.

Those New Age theories really killed us this past season, especially among the freshmen.

 

[UConnDad]

This is stupid, the "team" he was looking at was a bunch of scrawny freshmen for the most part. Vital is a solid dude, jalen is close to where he needs to be, Cobb is a bit too solid. Don't blame scrawny freshmen on a strength and conditioning coach. The guys need to be getting bigger but saying they need to hit the weights to me is more a statement of our personnel at current date than a criticism of coaching

His high schoolers were more developed.

 

[JMick]

This is stupid, the "team" he was looking at was a bunch of scrawny freshmen for the most part. Vital is a solid dude, jalen is close to where he needs to be, Cobb is a bit too solid. Don't blame scrawny freshmen on a strength and conditioning coach. The guys need to be getting bigger but saying they need to hit the weights to me is more a statement of our personnel at current date than a criticism of coaching

this is a bad take. it has been an issue for years now.

 

[Northbound]

I get all the modern strength methods, but there is just no substitute for toting iron. The weights should be the foundation and everything else around them versus having weights be a secondary part of the program. It’s so easy to add muscle at that age, if it’s not happening then they aren’t spending enough time with the weights.

Perhaps they’ve been on the iron hard, but I doubt it.

 

[AstarIsBorn31]

 

[UConnDan97]

It can't be understated how much our UConn Emeriti are doing for us during this transition. I love seeing the old guard help in every way they can...

 

[Phoenixhusky]

Why would Carlton leave? There is so much playing time available to him.

 

[The Funster]

I mean, there's enough evidence (Kemba, for instance), that you can teach a kid to shoot. But it takes time and a lot of reps in the gym.

I seem to remember a game this year where there was talk that JA, CV and AA had spent extra time in the gym one night until 11 pm. It was made to sound like a revelatory experience. When I heard it I was like, really, that's a big deal? Since when?

 

[the Q]

If you told me Durham would be here next year, I'd take it. I think people will be surprised at what he can do.

I said t before and I’ll say it again. Durham is the worst what if guy.

Cause what he does next year isn’t what he could’ve provided this year. Who knows if this year off didn’t do his health a whole heap of good.

 

[Phoenixhusky]

I seem to remember a game this year where there was talk that JA, CV and AA had spent extra time in the gym one night until 11 pm. It was made to sound like a revelatory experience. When I heard it I was like, really, that's a big deal? Since when?

I have a feeling these players will find out what real work is soon.

 

[UConnStats]

Yesterday people started to hear we’re back in it for Carlton. This is a great nugget

 

[Huskybass]

Josh Carlton is a fundamentally sound player and a building block. I hope he returns and develops. He could be a 12 and 7 guy this coming season. He had a 3 game stretch in January where he averaged 13 and 8.

 

[dennismenace]

I mean, there's enough evidence (Kemba, for instance), that you can teach a kid to shoot. But it takes time and a lot of reps in the gym.

I always used to believe that (you either can or can't shoot) until I read more than one pro scout or coach say it was the other way around. It really surprised me. They said shooting was the easiest thing to teach (mechanics) and repetition. But there is a mental/confidence/belief aspect to it that is basic and essential. Mechanics, GOOD repetitions, mental approach. I watch CV take free throws and I see why he is shooting around 85%. He is focused and then goes through muscle memory. He reminds me of Ray Allen mental approach. Play hard but stay calm. Simple but not easy. Self mastery. Body/Mind connection.

 

[dennismenace]

He absolutely should test the waters since he has a free chance to do that. But I think he'll be back unless he believes the smoke some agents blow up his butt.

He'll get input from the NBA and they surely won't be blowing smoke. Then it will be up to him what to make of it.

 

[KembaStepback]

I am thinking he is back without testing waters. He has 1 year left. What is there to think about. Here is a chance for the team to meld with a new coach and greatly improve. Better for him. Possibly taking the team to a conference championship? Who knows.

You may be right, but there is no harm in testing the waters. Why not go and see what they say. Worst case they give him things to work on. It's win-win for him. Even if he 100% intends to come back, it doesn't hurt to go out there and get constructive feedback.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Random: Something I read in another thread that I thought was interesting, was Tristan Thompson (of the Cavs) tweeted out a message saying congrats to UConn and Hurley and that they got a great coach.

Turns out that Hurley had actually kicked Thompson off the team he's junior year at St. Benedicts HS after they got into an argument during a game (obviously there was build up to that).

Thought it was interesting that it appears in retrospect Thompson knew he was in the wrong and after all that time still referred to Hurley as coach.

 

[Waquoit]

Why would Carlton leave? There is so much playing time available to him.

I think he has a chance to be a good finisher. The new regime can get him there.

 

[Phoenixhusky]

I like that connection that Carlton’s dad played for Blaney at Holy Cross.

 

[jayteeman]

I just don't understand the number of ex players on the Husky bench who had the opportunity to step up and grab this prestigious job and now have to worry about finding a job. Personally, I would have expected to see the JC tree expand more than it has over the years.....ala Larry Brown or Dean Smith. I'll hold my reservations on this selection when I see some results.

 

[businesslawyer]

Steve Enoch would have changed that optic.

Guys who look like Tarzan and play like Jane are not the solution. I have nothing against Enoch, and if he thrives at Louisville good for him, but I'm not losing any sleep over losing him. The pain of him getting from where he was to good would have been horrific. Durham is another matter entirely. When he trusts his body again he will be an impact player.

 

[businesslawyer]

I think he has a chance to be a good finisher. The new regime can get him there.

Carlton needs experience, but mostly he just needs strength. A Gene Keady or a Ben Howland would have redshirted him this year, and not planned on him helping the team until his RS Jr. and RS Sr. years, and then he would have been a really good player. Let's hope Hurley can make him such.

 

[the Q]

Guys who look like Tarzan and play like Jane are not the solution. I have nothing against Enoch, and if he thrives at Louisville good for him, but I'm not losing any sleep over losing him. The pain of him getting from where he was to good would have been horrific. Durham is another matter entirely. When he trusts his body again he will be an impact player.

This year off definitely helps him in that regard.

He gets to make sure his body is back to normal, he got a whole year to focus on building up his body and getting himself acclimated to the team.

It's gonna be unfair to compare him to what he would've contributed to UConn this past year, but he was the guy I really wanted to keep as well.

 

[businesslawyer]

This year off definitely helps him in that regard.

He gets to make sure his body is back to normal, he got a whole year to focus on building up his body and getting himself acclimated to the team.

It's gonna be unfair to compare him to what he would've contributed to UConn this past year, but he was the guy I really wanted to keep as well.

Durham never, never should have played his freshman year. But to be fair to KO, the injuries tied his hand somewhat, and I'm not sure he could have redshirted him without Durham transferring anyway.

 

[the Q]

Durham never, never should have played his freshman year. But to be fair to KO, the injuries tied his hand somewhat, and I'm not sure he could have redshirted him without Durham transferring anyway.

Agreed all around. His body clearly wasn't ready.

 

[Chief00]

Guys who look like Tarzan and play like Jane are not the solution. I have nothing against Enoch, and if he thrives at Louisville good for him, but I'm not losing any sleep over losing him. The pain of him getting from where he was to good would have been horrific. Durham is another matter entirely. When he trusts his body again he will be an impact player.

It will be interesting and it’s fan conjecture at this point. My own sense is for Bigs there’s a minimum strength threshold that must be crossed before a Big can be effective regardless of skills. I agree with you Durham had some skills but lacked strength (both upper and lower body) and explosiveness. I think ND has the strength program to improve that.
As far as Enoch is concerned, I understand what you are saying defensively. What I saw there was someone who did not laterally move his feet so as not to foul. Steve actually has pretty good North to South speed for his size and I think some of his issue was mentally processing the principles of KO’s defense at game speed. With good coaching that can change. If Steve gets the minutes he will be a good rebounder - good body and good soft hands. He can jump pretty well for his size to. I also think he has a good shot and can develop into a decent passer.

It seems you are equating Steve to Dave O and I think that’s an incorrect assessment. There’s a reason why he was highly sought after when he transferred and landed in the ACC.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

He'll get input from the NBA and they surely won't be blowing smoke. Then it will be up to him what to make of it.

There is s real question today whether you better path to the NBA is staying or going to the G league .
The life in G league may not be so great but your working 100% on your game under conditions that most emulate the NBA.

 

[businesslawyer]

It will be interesting and it’s fan conjecture at this point. My own sense is for Bigs there’s a minimum strength threshold that must be crossed before a Big can be effective regardless of skills. I agree with you Durham had some skills but lacked strength (both upper and lower body) and explosiveness. I think ND has the strength program to improve that.
As far as Enoch - I understand what you are saying defensively. What I saw there was someone who did not laterally move his feet so as not to foul. Steve actually has pretty good North to South speed for his size and I think some of his issue was mentally processing the principles of KO’s defense at game speed. With good coaching that can change. If Steve gets the minutes he will be a good rebounder - good body and good soft hands. He can jump pretty well for his size to. I also think he has a good shot and can develop into a decent passer.

It seems you are equating Steve to Dave O and I think that’s an incorrect assessment. There’s a reason why he was highly sought after when he transferred and landed in the ACC.

No, I'm not comparing Enoch to Onourah. Where did I mention Onourah?

Enoch was horrific. Period. He had already played two years for us. At best -- best -- he would have improved to below average this past season and been better than what we had. And then been good next year. But at most, we were only getting one year of good play out of him because of the time it was taking him to develop. And none of it was physical. I think he has all the raw physical tools -- not just strength but athleticism, speed and coordination. What he didn't have were any basketball skills or the ability to mentally play the game.

Durham didn't trust his body yet after the two knee injuries. I thought that -- more than lack of strength -- was the problem. But having redshirted this year, and with three years of eligibility left, I think he will be a good player and might be a really good player. In his cameo appearances, he should good skills and adequate understanding.

 

[BlueMAB]

It cannot be mentioned enough that Steven Enoch, all 6'11" of him shot 40% from the field. It wasn't going to work here. He didn't improve. I believe the staff was as much to blame as he was, but there's no point in hand-wringing his transfer. The kid just wasn't good here, and showed no signs of improving under the prior staff. If Louisville can get anything out of him good for them, but he was a liability at both ends of the floor.