Chief’s Briefs - AZ Edition | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Chief’s Briefs - AZ Edition

Spaceman213J said:
It seems to be an emphasis for Hurley and his staff, but Sanogo and Clingan learned how to do the hard hedge and quick recover. Whaley was also excellent at doing this and SJ became pretty good by the time he left. Reed has become pretty darn good at this, too. He struggle the first third of last season, but really seemed to learn how to do it well.

Watching the game last night, I was really wishing this team had a SJ or Whaley to run their guys down the floor and maybe tire them out some.
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When we play drop coverage it's like an invitation to drive uncontested to the rim. We were far more effective hedging vs. dropping last night (and are most of the time).
 
Palatine said:
Solo was one for eight from the arc. In five games, he is shooting 26% from three on 6.8 threes a game. If you include the exhibitions, he is 11 for 49, a 22.5% clip.

Last year he shot 41% on 6.8 threes per game.

That is the biggest concern I have for the team. If Solo takes a big step back this year. It will put many games into the toss up category. Maybe this is a slump. At one point last year he looked like the best shooter in the country. That's what makes this so baffling. I use to think every time he shot the net would splash. Last night for the first time, I didn't.
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Of all the things people are (sometimes laughably) worried about, there are a handful of legitimate concerns. Solo's shooting is clearly one of them. The sample size is getting big enough to say it's a problem.
 
Palatine said:
Solo was one for eight from the arc. In five games, he is shooting 26% from three on 6.8 threes a game. If you include the exhibitions, he is 11 for 49, a 22.5% clip.

Last year he shot 41% on 6.8 threes per game.

That is the biggest concern I have for the team. If Solo takes a big step back this year. It will put many games into the toss up category. Maybe this is a slump. At one point last year he looked like the best shooter in the country. That's what makes this so baffling. I use to think every time he shot the net would splash. Last night for the first time, I didn't.
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Saw a guy on fld of 68 last night saying Solo's trying too hard to get fouled...
 
HCCForever said:
Didn’t DC have some injury issues as well when he was a freshman? That would make four straight seasons.
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He did and Castle had the knee issue.
Part of it is also realizing the potential of these kids and rushing a kid back and getting them injured would 1st) be devastating for the kid, 2nd) really hurt recruiting in general (if an athlete reported he was rushed back and then suffered a catastrophic injury and 3rd) most of these are early season games overall team health is much more important at the end of the season.

I bet you if you gave Mullins the option, he would have liked try going last night, but the staff is not going to gamble on a kid who potentially could lose millions if he suffers a worse injury. They are overly cautious during this time of the year especially.

It's the same reason why a kid may want to come back for one more reason, but if the kid is a 1st rounder the coach most likely will push him out the door. They have a responsibility to the young man and his family.
 
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I understand bad luck. I understand not being reckless with a young athletes future. Doesn't mitigate the angst of thinking I'm gonna root for a kid for 30 games and only getting 20. Nobody's problem but mine though, not looking for a fix.
 
Kenny11 said:
Karaban needs to step it up. He disappears in big games way too often. He played 35 minutes and attempted 5 shots, didn't rebound and missed free throws.
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Refs also have to allow him to move. He goes tight around a screen and guys are grabbing his arms, hip and whatever to slow him down and it is rarely is getting called. I think it was even mentioned in the 2nd half last night by the announcers. This happened in the BYU game a few times as well, but he still was able to get some open looks other ways in the offense.
 
HCCForever said:
He did kick out his leg on at least one attempt and I believe he was warned.
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Can also really backfire when a player does this. Saw a junior high game where a kid did this and the defender from our team landed on the kids ankle and snapped the leg and dislocated the ankle of the shooter. And as rough as it was, the ref called an offensive foul.
 
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We don't have a guy to bury that big shot like Hawk or Cam did.
 
HCCForever said:
He did kick out his leg on at least one attempt and I believe he was warned.
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It's funny because on that play, I thought it was contact from the defender that pushed his legs out. I do think he's thinking about it though. He's probably being defended a little more tightly this year. Another issue that Reed and Mullins will both help with.
 
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Palatine said:
Solo was one for eight from the arc. In five games, he is shooting 26% from three on 6.8 threes a game. If you include the exhibitions, he is 11 for 49, a 22.5% clip.

Last year he shot 41% on 6.8 threes per game.

That is the biggest concern I have for the team. If Solo takes a big step back this year. It will put many games into the toss up category. Maybe this is a slump. At one point last year he looked like the best shooter in the country. That's what makes this so baffling. I use to think every time he shot the net would splash. Last night for the first time, I didn't.
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Yeah I was optimistic that Ball and Mullins would be the best 3pt shooting duo in the country
 
Scot-e said:
Two starters down? We did great. Any top 10 ten down two starters is not winning this game against another top 10 team.
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Yes, just like BYU travelling 3k miles for a game.
 
Kenny11 said:
Karaban needs to step it up. He disappears in big games way too often. He played 35 minutes and attempted 5 shots, didn't rebound and missed free throws.
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I think Chief's assessment of Alex was right on the money. I really think someone needs to help them out with the free throw situation.
 
Waquoit said:
We don't have a guy to bury that big shot like Hawk or Cam did.
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Yes we do, his name is Mullins. That's what that kid will be. When Solo is off, Mullins can pick up the slack having a deep 3 threat every possession.
 
bendm said:
Yeah I was optimistic that Ball and Mullins would be the best 3pt shooting duo in the country
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Still can be, plenty of time in the season. Mullins will hit the court and the pressure for Solo will be off
 
I think a good lesson should have been learned by those that wager on these games. I didn't hear about Tarris not playing until near gametime. I immediately thought it would not bode well for those that took UConn and gave the 6.5, and I understand that was the majority of bettors.
 
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buddy said:
I think Chief's assessment of Alex was right on the money. I really think someone needs to help them out with the free throw situation.
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Someone track this guy down ASAP.

 
Very much why we needs Mullins back. With him back, we have options/insurance as it comes to the three point shooting until Ball hopefully figures this out. Solo's mid range game is nice, but it was supposed to be as compliment to his 3s, which are more valuable. We could also put our best defensive roster out there while not losing the shooting.

Swing Mullins to the 2, Ross to the 3, and we have a really interesting rotation.
 
NewBlood said:
Yes we do, his name is Mullins. That's what that kid will be. When Solo is off, Mullins can pick up the slack having a deep 3 threat every possession.
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That's a lotta pressure on a kid who hasn't played yet.
 
Great game with a tough outcome. With two key players out, we looked REALLY good. Take the hit, regroup, come back stronger next time.
 
RedStickHusky said:
Saw a guy on fld of 68 last night saying Solo's trying too hard to get fouled...
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Chicken or egg - if he's losing confidence in his shot, he may be telling himself to try to get fouled. The one 3 he took that he missed rim on trying to get fouled was really wild, top of the key. He looked open, had a good look and he tried to get fouled.
 
mauconnfan said:
For who? Stew played very well last night despite the huge missed rebound late. 2 games in a row solid defensively. Ross didn’t show much so Stew is fine for now. We need Mullins back.
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Stewey made some big shots too in the 2nd half to help bring us back.
 
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Spaceman213J said:
It's just bad luck. When it happens to 1-and-dones or potential 1-and-dones there is more of a spotlight on it. RIP had a serious contusion to his thigh, Price & Larrier tore ACLs, A. Gilbert's entire career with shoulders.. etc.
Look at what the women's team has gone through in the last 5 years.
Part of it also being the program that you are. The teams from Storrs have one of the bigger spotlights shining down on it when it comes to basketball.
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Hurley mentioned in his presser that they have a problem in Storrs with ankle injuries and muscle pulls. We know the practices are probably more grueling than your average practice so maybe that contributes. He made the point several times, UConn at full strength will be much better

Mets1432 said:
I agree, he kicks his legs out every time trying to draw the foul. Even if he gets 1 call a game, it is not worth it if it's affecting his mechanics.
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At this point the kick is probably part of the mechanics for many shootings. I don't necessarily know about Solo but it seems to be one of those annoying habits/tactics. Like jumping into the defender if he leaves his feet, can't stand that move
 
Lafayette said:
Mullins is someone you have to follow around all game for his shooting. They would have had to rotate a forward to guard him else play 3 guards. He stretches the floor sure.

Hate to say it but Stewart still needs to come off the bench.
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Stewart has regressed, but Ross has improved so it's a wash there.
 
Kolumbo said:
Hurley mentioned in his presser that they have a problem in Storrs with ankle injuries and muscle pulls. We know the practices are probably more grueling than your average practice so maybe that contributes. He made the point several times, UConn at full strength will be much better


At this point the kick is probably part of the mechanics for many shootings. I don't necessarily know about Solo but it seems to be one of those annoying habits/tactics. Like jumping into the defender if he leaves his feet, can't stand that move
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Could just be a habit, but I don't remember him doing it last year.
 
It just can’t be underestimated how important Reed is to this team. He’s our only interior option, our only in space rebounder, and far and away our most imposing player. Just having him on the block provides additional spacing and defensive awareness. Not a knock on Reibe, but he’s not a post option at this point.

I’m worried that we are still not as athletic as our opponents and I think this could be an issue moving forward. Defensively we are better, but we commit so many dumb fouls that force us to have awkward lineups - especially with Reed and Mullins out. A Smith, Solo, Ross, Stew, Koroma lineup is not a good look.

On Solo, he’s shooting poorly, but his shot selection leaves a bit to be desired. If he’s that close to getting fouled on wvery three then that means they are highly contested which to me means not a great look. And these aren’t just close out contests.

Lastly, I’m reading lots of about Koroma and his weaknesses. He’s here as an emergency option. If Reed is healthy, DK doesn’t play one minute this game. What exactly did you expect from a low D1 transfer? Kid plays hard and competes. That’s enough for me.
 
shizzle787 said:
Stewart has regressed, but Ross has improved so it's a wash there.
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The Stewart missed rebound in the last two minutes that led to an easy put back was rough. Not sure where his eyes were on that one.

3 defensive rebounds in 28 minutes when we need someone badly to compliment Reibe on the boards in a game like that is tough. He hit a couple threes last night, which is nice, but this is just not where we need Stew longer term. His advantage is size, yet it still feels like he wants to be a spread 3 catch and shoot guy. Would have been nice to see him laying out on the boards and grinding in a paint a bit last night.
 
Still can’t believe Reed was ruled out last minute yesterday, especially since you can rest him Sunday’s game and he won’t have to play again till a week from tomorrow. Even some spot minutes would’ve greatly helped.
 
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