Baylor Post Game Thread

[pj]

Way too early to close the book and give up on Ross! The coaches have a lot to work on maybe, but they also have a lot to work with- let’s see what happens.

They've gotten a lot of credit for developing players in the past, they believe in their ability to develop players, and we see before us a team full of raw talent that needs a lot of development.

The coaches should be in their element. There should be big improvements by March.

 

[JohnFSilver]

Doesn't really matter but I always thought smacking the rim was automatic goaltending.

It is. Early touched the rim. Official missed the call on replay.

 

[mauconnfan]

why was Solo goaltending with no time left, up by 4(?) . Why was he challenging at all at that point? Basketball IQ makes me long for the Aussie next yr

How about just stopping the ball to his strong side and cut off the right knowing he’s headed directly there and going strong to the basket. He continuously back pedaled from the other side of the court and ran into picks knowing they were there. Leave space look in front prior to halfcourt then get in ready defensive position knowing the court around you. His fundamentals on that side are horrific.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

He has developed a hitch on his shot reminiscent of Andre Jackson. It isn't there all the time but anytime he is rushed it shows. He needs to learn to develop a consistent release.

Ross reminds alot of early AJax at times. He has athletic tools, Tries soo hard, but is just wayyy too rushed right now. Someone called him a spazz a few weeks ago, which I thought harsh. But he has that deer in headlights vibe right now, mind isnt processing as quick as body can go. It'll come I think, but I dont think this year. I wish DH would give Stew alot more run. His passing is noticeable in the half court with alot of hockey assists and connecting passes that lets offense breathe.

 

[cohenzone]

Everybody loves the backup.

The guy who never plays is always better than the guys who do. See the Football board.

 

[Sphinx]

Way too early to close the book and give up on Ross! The coaches have a lot to work on maybe, but they also have a lot to work with- let’s see what happens.

If we give up on Ball and Ross, the whole plan for this year goes up in smoke. The idea in bringing in only Reed and Mahaney from the portal was premised on our sophs delivering. If we add to that the likelihood that Mahaney is not going to be anything close to a replacement for Castle or Newton, the whole 24-25 strategy evaporates. We are in early December having to rebuild our team. At the moment, DH seems far from making that concession.

 

[mauconnfan]

Ross reminds alot of early AJax at times. He has athletic tools, Tries soo hard, but is just wayyy too rushed right now. Someone called him a spazz a few weeks ago, which I thought harsh. But he has that deer in headlights vibe right now, mind isnt processing as quick as body can go. It'll come I think, but I dont think this year. I wish DH would give Stew alot more run. His passing is noticeable in the half court with alot of hockey assists and connecting passes that lets offense breathe.

Exactly spot on. He is in a hurry way too often without a plan. Went baseline last night with no way out and had Reed wide open at the foul line extended but panicked and threw it up for grabs. Can’t have possessions like that but he shows that occasional flash of game so patience will be required.

 

[Ports21]

Wright's parents were a few rows in front of me and were getting some good-hearted trash talk, seemed like good peeps and that kid played great for them. Most were saying to them, "Hey, he'd look much better in blue and white..."

 

[cp176]

Hey - It was a great gutty win for sure. They outworked Baylor and benefitted from some key calls. Always good to be at home. We are going to be a tournament team based on hard work alone. Couple of things - If Mahaney was bigger and stronger, he would be that guard we need and don't have. I think that it was roughly 4 minutes into the game before we saw an entry into the post. I'm as much a fan as the next guy but you just can't overlook the poor execution on both sides of the ball. Sorry folks but there were really some foolish turnovers in that game when ball security was needed most of all. If Nowell is the guard that can get to the rim, I'd like to see him out there. At this point in time, the only player that really even looks to penetrate often is our very talented big freshman - Liam. I think they'll keep battling and I think that they will continue to improve.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Johnson's last foul was BS. Ojianuwa pushed him to get the rebound.

He keeps his hands up and there is no problem. He is getting baited into these kind of fouls. Every. Single. Game. For two straight years. But he had a representative game. Good for him!

 

[UCONNFAN179]

McNeeley is a go to option for us. His ability to beat his man off the dribble use his size was impressive , he isnt scared of contact. Him and Karaban as the offensive anchors is a great base if McNeeley is consistent, which it seems like he will be. The last game in maui was an outlier imo.
-Mahaney performance on offense was promising, looks like a performance he can replicate, but him off the bench has to stay barring injury.
-Solo was a roller coaster. As was Ross. Their rise to stardom comes next year. Stewie too , even tho he was quiet than erratic tonight.
-I’ve accepted samson will always be a foul machine. But if he is gonna foul out , its better spread out like tonight vs the 2 fouls in 3 min special he loves to do. He isnt perfect, but he alwsy effective with extended mins and especially when he doesnt have be tenative with foul trouble.

• Samson and Tarris duo was enjoyable to watch. I see potential there.
• Team is a work a progress but come march , roles will be set and cohesion will be high. This team is plenty talented just alot guys need experience. But Uconn wont be an easy out come march and will be feared by most.

we're still a bubble team

 

[cp176]

I wonder if anyone else has noticed the physical appearance differences between us and our last 4 opponents. To me it looks like men vs boys. That in itself makes last night's win all the more impressive.

 

[UCONNFAN179]

I'm so glad the game was at Gampel, not XL. Other than the student section stupidly distracting Hass shooting FTs, the entire crowd was really into the game and helped secure this win.

Agree completely. We likely lose that game last night on a neutral floor or away... perhaps in Hartford too.

 

[JesusAllen11]

we're still a bubble team

I agree right now. But like i said by march we will solid top20-25 team. I believe in the talent and coaching. The flaws the hurt this team the most rn is mental. That takes time to improve

 

[boog204]

why was Solo goaltending with no time left, up by 4(?) . Why was he challenging at all at that point? Basketball IQ makes me long for the Aussie next yr

x100000000 brother... preach!

 

[3rdbass]

S


No his D wasn’t much better than anyone else got beat off the dribble multiple times. I will try to defend him a bit as he knows others aren’t great so maybe his thoughts drift to help defense too much but last night HD was not good on either end, below average game for him. But we are asking for too much from what should be a 6th man.

Go rewatch the 2nd half his D was really good and he did hav 7 assists to 1 TO. There is a reason he played most of the 2nd half. Not his best game but not horrible like people are pointing out. He definitely played better D than ball. The problem with Hassaon D he tries to get too close at times and gets fouls or the guy does get by him at times but when he is playing smart D h is the best on the team.

 

[3rdbass]

Agree there’s something there and there’s no doubt about that. Problem is for now we were fed a bit more from our HC and the expectations flew off the charts. Take baby steps with him but Stewart needs more minutes than he does right now.

Problem with Stewart is his D against fast players is bad. He got blown away a few times. J Ross is playing better D but his offense is atrocious including passing.

 

[mauconnfan]

Go rewatch the 2nd half his D was really good and he did hav 7 assists to 1 TO. There is a reason he played most of the 2nd half. Not his best game but not horrible like people are pointing out. He definitely played better D than ball. The problem with Hassaon D he tries to get too close at times and gets fouls or the guy does get by him at times but when he is playing smart D h is the best on the team.

Playing better D than Ball is simple and yes he did. But he wasn’t great especially first half. He was okay he was throwing bricks and I’m amazed he only had 1’TO I’ll have to see where he was bailed out. Again he’s a good player and a leader but the more he plays the more we see a 6th man.

 

[Palatine]

Defensively it did work. Needed that rim protection.

And rebounding.

 

[mauconnfan]

Problem with Stewart is his D against fast players is bad. He got blown away a few times. J Ross is playing better D but his offense is atrocious including passing.

stewie guarding guards and smaller he’s not good I agree. But neither is Ross overrated one might say he does the occasional block from making up ground though.. But there’s something there he’s very athletic.

 

[boog204]

Go rewatch the 2nd half his D was really good and he did hav 7 assists to 1 TO. There is a reason he played most of the 2nd half. Not his best game but not horrible like people are pointing out. He definitely played better D than ball. The problem with Hassaon D he tries to get too close at times and gets fouls or the guy does get by him at times but when he is playing smart D h is the best on the team.

He is still our best perimeter defender although he did get busted several times, especially in the first half. The 7 assists are really great but I thought his floor game was iffy at best. The ball moves quicker when someone else brings it up as Hass has a tough time making a first move and ends up dribbling in place far too often and overpenetrates. He's not a guy who is a "lead" guard. He needs a complimentary piece on the court. Unfortunately there is not a Castle, Cam, or Newton out there. I really think if Aidan can put it all together he needs to be our starter. Of course, there's that defensive part too...

Problem with Stewart is his D against fast players is bad. He got blown away a few times. J Ross is playing better D but his offense is atrocious including passing.

Stew is an extremely useful offensive player even if he's not scoring. He's one of the few guys who do not try to play 100mph at all times. But as you said, he got beat several times off the dribble. I like Ross but he is a spazz out there because he's trying to do too much. Even defensively he's got such excitement to play the passing lane that he gets himself out of position. It reminds me, although not the same obviously, as Bazz as a freshmen when he was the "reacharound bandit" BS. He would get some steals. He would also be out of position and force people to rotate.

 

[Scrutineer]

A class act, Scott Drew on Liam:

TT and

Bingo! Both have a very particular set of skills

You mean they both do away with bad guys?

 

[superjohn]

I wonder if anyone else has noticed the physical appearance differences between us and our last 4 opponents. To me it looks like men vs boys. That in itself makes last night's win all the more impressive.

No, I didn't notice that. UConn is bigger than Baylor.

 

[cp176]

Quick question for anybody. In late game time and score situations, who needs to have the ball? Who won't turn it over and who will likely make their foul shots? I understand that Karaban wasn't out there, but it looked really random and really scary at times. Everything worked out though.

 

[bendm]

Go rewatch the 2nd half his D was really good and he did hav 7 assists to 1 TO. There is a reason he played most of the 2nd half. Not his best game but not horrible like people are pointing out. He definitely played better D than ball. The problem with Hassaon D he tries to get too close at times and gets fouls or the guy does get by him at times but when he is playing smart D h is the best on the team.

I will take 7 assists to 1 TO from Diarra anytime I can get it.