Are we worried about our backcourt? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Are we worried about our backcourt?

Silas had 5 assists in 19 minutes tonight. That's very good.

Running the offense wasn't the problem tonight. He lost his dribble like three times, picked the ball up in the corner once, and made a sloppy pass another time. Just basic basketball stuff.
 
auror said:
Silas had 5 assists in 19 minutes tonight. That's very good.

Running the offense wasn't the problem tonight. He lost his dribble like three times, picked the ball up in the corner once, and made a sloppy pass another time. Just basic basketball stuff.
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He had 5 turnovers and 2 points. He's really struggling, he'll figure it out during our Big East games.
 
Demary needs to be better, but he’s still got runway left to figure it out, and we know he’s capable. Concerned only to the degree that we probably won’t win a championship with this version of him, but our coaches are really good, and they’ll probably help him figure it out soon.

Ball is coming off multiple games shooting well, he’s gonna be fine.
 
JustbrewitMan said:
Silas is in a 5-game funk since his triple double. Looked totally lost out there tonight. Continues to get himself in foul trouble. Color me concerned but not worried.

Smith just needs to lock in his FT shooting. Other than that he’s been a huge plus.
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This ❤️
But can I add, as much as I love Smith, sometimes he's too fast and doesn't play Dan's offense but wtfdik
 
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Has it been even a month for our new guards? Can't expect perfection in the first month of play, especially for new guards playing in Hurley's system. Hell, yesterday was our first look at our starting 5.

Our guards are an important part of 10 of our 11 wins.

Give me this all game long while they are still 'in training':



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I’m not worried about our guards but Demary’s turnovers last night might result in his butt seeing more bench time if he doesn’t clean it up. You have to cut Ball some slack. His defense has improved and he is still a factor on offense whether he makes every shot he takes or not. Mullins is going to be a reliable option at the two guard if he has to be used there. I am still waiting for Ball to throw him the ball in the haklfcourt though. Could be just me I guess. Last night I would have liked to see Millender get some time when Demary was in his turnover phase.
 
Hurley has had tremendous success and he obviously knows what he’s doing, but I really would like to have a traditional point guard once in a while. It just lowers my stress level when I know we have one or two guys that can pretty much dribble into and out of anything and make free throws.
 
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We're pretty good, we're playing and defeating the best teams in the country

And the team will get better, they always do. My Avatar's teams were notorious for that. Hurley is following in his footsteps in that regard

I'm not concerned at all

Enjoy the ride people, you're supposed to be having fun
 
People said the same thing about Tristen, then we all saw what happened. I am confident Silas will progress the same.

I do think he needs to take more shots.
 
No! We played 6 top 25 teams including an exhibition game and we are 10-1. Now we have 20 games to go and I'm sure the guards and team will get much better. So no again. Lol
 
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Would I like the backcourt to play better? Of course.

But, it's only mid-December and there's definitely a bit of a 2024 vibe with this backcourt w/ an early-season injured five-star freshman (Castle in 2024 and Mullins in 2026) just scratching the surface of his potential while a big-guard transfer slow start once buy game season ended (Newton in 2024 and Demary in 2026).

We love Newton now, but remember how panned he was on the Boneyard during his first mid-season struggles.

Newton's per-game from Game 4 to Game 19 as a UConn Husky: 8.0 ppg, 38 FG%, 3.9 APG, 2.1 TOPG

Demary's per-game from Game 6 to Present (just one cupcake in this span): 9.5ppg, 38.5 FG%, 6.5 APG, 2.5 TOPG

Stylistically, they are so similar: big guards who are end-game closers in their ability to take the rock, create offense off the dribble, draw fouls and get to the line.

Here's how I look at this backcourt: it's not what it could be, but damn, we're winning games against very good teams despite this group not jelling yet.

The most dangerous teams are the ones that peak in March. UConn can be one of those teams, especially since we haven't seen the best of what this backcourt can be this season, but I feel confident we will.
 
We don’t have a QB. Unless we settle that, it’s going to be hard to beat elite teams in March. Silas has to show me more or start Mali. Multiple people in my section last night stated the same thing without being prompted.
 
Hey Adrien! said:
Would I like the backcourt to play better? Of course.

But, it's only mid-December and there's definitely a bit of a 2024 vibe with this backcourt w/ an early-season injured five-star freshman (Castle in 2024 and Mullins in 2026) just scratching the surface of his potential while a big-guard transfer slow start once buy game season ended (Newton in 2024 and Demary in 2026).

We love Newton now, but remember how panned he was on the Boneyard during his first mid-season struggles.

Newton's per-game from Game 4 to Game 19 as a UConn Husky: 8.0 ppg, 38 FG%, 3.9 APG, 2.1 TOPG

Demary's per-game from Game 6 to Present (just one cupcake in this span): 9.5ppg, 38.5 FG%, 6.5 APG, 2.5 TOPG

Stylistically, they are so similar: big guards who are end-game closers in their ability to take the rock, create offense off the dribble, draw fouls and get to the line.

Here's how I look at this backcourt: it's not what it could be, but damn, we're winning games against very good teams despite this group not jelling yet.

The most dangerous teams are the ones that peak in March. UConn can be one of those teams, especially since we haven't seen the best of what this backcourt can be this season, but I feel confident we will.
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Newton's first season was 2023, with Hawkins-Jackson-Sanogo, not with Castle.

But I think that's a decent comp for Demary. Newton was a question mark for a lot of that season, and then he came on and was arguably the MVP of the championship game, scoring, distributing, rebounding, at the FT line.
 
One of the great minds of college basketball, Geno Auriemma, gives this advice to players trying to figure it out. He asks them, "what is it you are really good at?". Then suggests the player focus and "do whatever it is you are good at".

As long as it is within the system of play, I think it is pretty good advice. This advice could help Silas. Couldn't hurt.
 
Backcourt are dogs. Everything is fine. It's a long season. Plenty of time to figure out some things. There was a lot of concern in half of the 2022/2023 - Newton figured it out.
 
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The comparison game is oh so inviting and easy. What is more difficult is looking at the player as they are and getting them to play to their strengths, and designing game plans that put them in positions to succeed that way. Some coaches will play one way only, and if a player is a square peg, the coach will never get him into that round hole. I think team Hurley is much more adaptable. Think how Jacksons season(and ours) took off when they started putting him on the baseline from where he could receive and jam or drive and dish. Imagine if the staff forced Jackson to play a role that he was unsuited for.

A lot of tinkering with lineups and roles and playing time to be done over the next 2.5 months. Come March 1st, we will be more refined than we are today. Sit back and enjoy some Big East basketball!

Just saw house keys post above after I posted. Exactly, great real world example
 
No. No. No.

If you are worried about our back court it says more about you than about our back court.
 
I wouldn’t be worried. We are 10-1 with this backcourt. Silas, playing at Georgia, basically ran a pickup style offense. Now he’s being asked to run Hurleys complex offensive sets. It always takes time and reps. He and Malachi will both get there and that’s when we’ll really get cooking.
 
People have to remember that we really haven't had consistent lineups yet to figure out everyone's role and the rotations. That hasn't helped Demery as he is learning the UConn offense at the same time. Just like what happened with Newton, Demery will improve as the season goes on and the rotations become more settled.
 
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