Chief’s Briefs: Boston College Edition

[Chief00]

THIS BOARD: "UConn sucked"

THE REST OF THE WORLD: "UConn Huskies Crush Boston College 84-67 in Season-Opening Exhibition"

The consequences of high expectations. But, good point.

 

[Chief00]

We might not have realized it watching the game but Jayden Ross (+26) and Dwayne Koroma (+19) had the best +/- minutes. After that Karaban @ (+12). Lots of factors but give Jayden and Dwayne their due. May have something to do with their defense and a little rebounding?

Also, when an opposing guard shoots 18 foul shots, I don’t think our main defensive issue is Jaylin Stewart.

Additionally, exhibition games do matter seeing that huge 30 to 11 foul shot attempt difference. That was our biggest negative statistic last season and no improvement. There’s a saying, you are what you practice. This is on Hurley to discipline our practice defense more to reduce fouling. True, a balancing act since BC was pressured into 20 turnovers by our defense. But that type of FT attempt discrepancy will result in 3-5 loses if we don’t clean it up.
https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/...025/10/14/GM00BC.PDF?timestamp=20251014023838

 

[Chief00]

What would it have meant? I mean that sincerely. The only difference between last night and some of the closed door scrimmages the last few years where they lost or got pressed was that there was a crowd there.

The game identified several things to clean up such as lobby fouling and defensively stopping a penetrating guard.
It also is a brick in the wall of having our team learn how to win, with two starters out.

 

[UCan3]

We might not have realized it watching the game but Jayden Ross (+26) and Dwayne Koroma (+19) had the best +/- minutes. After that Karaban @ (+12). Lots of factors but give Jayden and Dwayne their due. May have something to do with their defense and a little rebounding?

Also, when an opposing guard shoots 18 foul shots, I don’t think our main defensive issue is Jaylin Stewart.

Additionally, exhibition games do matter seeing that huge 30 to 11 foul shot attempt difference. That was our biggest negative statistic last season and no improvement. There’s a saying, you are what you practice. This is on Hurley to discipline our practice defense more to reduce fouling. True, a balancing act since BC was pressured into 20 turnovers by our defense. But that type of FT attempt discrepancy will result in 3-5 loses if we don’t clean it up.
https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/...025/10/14/GM00BC.PDF?timestamp=20251014023838

Thank you for pointing out Jayden Ross, I had commented on his play. He looked again, like the player we expected when we recruited him. That in itself is something to get excited about. At end of the day, this was a good way to start season playing with a couple of key players out. I don’t expect this will be the last time it happens. Offensively when we start hitting a grove, I think we have potential to be pretty scary.