Chief’s Briefs - Creighton Edition

[Chief00]

In the first half we went to Adama in the paint and that frees up everyone else. Clingan (75% FG) and Sanogo (60% FG) are efficient in their season FG attempts. Sanogo had a huge game as expected in the first half. In the second half he puzzling decided to be a quick shot 3 point shooter before going back to the paint. Still though getting a minimum of foul shots despite numerous posts in the paint.

Rebounding should be a priority at practice. We got rebounded by nearly 15. We played good defense 32% FG and 12% 3FG.

The three key non Bigs (Jackson, Hawkins and Newton) got the Non Sanogo points. The bench got zero points. A disturbing trend.

In the second half Hurley forgot Clingan was on the team except for one key stretch when we played good. It is mystifying Donovan isn’t in there more. Perhaps that’s why our rebounding was so bad? Clingan is a better player than Karaban, especially rebounding. Disappointing the lack of using Double Big. What is Danny thinking?

Diarra, Joey C and Alleyne are all really struggling in their shooting. Lately, there are very few points coming off the bench. Chief is always skeptical of early season media proclaimed depth. Time for these guys to work their way out of this slump. Diarra did supply some energy in the second half.

While a work in progress Karaban played tougher today. Better boxing out on rebounds, and did a little better staying in front of his man, but he made some mid range shots. Still not physically there yet and only made one shot.

Jackson is so critical to our success. Chief can’t emphasize that enough. He makes everyone else better and is so unselfish. A true Team Captain and Leader. We are so fortunate to have him.

It makes a difference when foul shooting is relatively equal.

 

[Chief00]

When I said the bench got zero points, I wasn’t thinking of Clingan as a bench player but as a starter, which he should be.

 

[Palatine]

When I said the bench got zero points, I wasn’t thinking of Clingan as a bench player but as a starter, which he should be.

No sale. Just admit you made a mistake.

 

[Kitaman]

I suspect Clingan helped Sanogo achieve domination today. Sanogo knew what to do and it was too easy. He faces a giant every day.

 

[kobebeanbryant]

We’re lucky Creighton had an abysmal shooting performance from 3 today or that would’ve been our 3rd straight loss.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Sanogo was good. Creighton didn't double him and he had time to work his moves and get shots.

Diarra's box score line will not in any way, shape or form, quantify how he destroyed Creighton's guards, especially in the second half.

UConn and any other high level BE team is screwed with the refs. The game has passed by many of the people wearing stripes and they can't effectively ref games with high level players. Two calls which really stood out were a block on Karaban when Kaluma was backing him down. The ref with the best view let the play go but the ref whose view was completely obstructed calls a foul on Karaban. The other really bad call was the loose ball where Jackson absolutely comes out of no where and makes contact with the ball first and then they call the foul on Jackson when there was contact. Both were terrible.

Great showing by the students and crowd today. If this game was at XL, it's a snooze fest.

Midway in second half, someone on UConn (I forget who) throws up a shot, Karaban gets the offensive board and is blocked/stripped. Karaban gets that loose ball and scored on his second try. That was a huge play.

I had a feeling Hawkins would shoot lights out and he did.

Hurley eventually figured out the Newton/Diarra rotation. Diarra would be a defensive pest while Newton was resting and then Newton came in with some timely scoring.

Clingan played big all day today.

Watched the pregame interview between Donnie and McDermott. McDermott is a big dude. He dwarfed Donnie.

If UConn needs an HC any time in the next 5 years, I'd be perfectly happy seeing McDermoott coaching at UConn.

I have no idea why Hendry was on the bench with an N95 mask. Whether he is potentially contagious or is susceptible to getting sick, he's a freshman walk-on and wasn't going to play today. Even if he showed up this morning and wasn't feeling well, send him over to Werth to watch the game or something else.

 

[GameTime]

I think Clingan is a great player, I think he will do some things that no one in a Husky jersey ever has. But he is a freshman, we have an all American on our team that scores without the assist and can do things with his feet that I have not seen from too many his size. The court is not big enough for both of them, not with their similar games. Clingan is a god send for AS, he gives our POY rest that he was not able to get before, and with little drop off in production. But if you give DC starting minutes, you will see the freshman in him, a la one of our other awesome freshman, AK. Give the big guy some time to adjust before putting the pressure on him to be a savior. IMHO. Or in other words… stop fan boying on DC.

 

[CL82]

The thing about playing both Clingan and Sanogo at the same time is that they are both at their best in the paint. So, I guess Sanogo becomes a “stretch four” in that scenario? That’s not who is. Against decent teams maybe, we can steal an extra minute or so for Donovan doing that but it isn’t a a go to thing in my opinion.

 

[RichCTBB]

Hawkins calmed it down today with his shot. Seems like he and Joey C had been rushing against Providence and Xavier…I think that’s where the illusion of Hawkins kicking his leg out comes from….rushing and elevating more than he usually does. I could be wrong but that’s what it looked like to me.

 

[Ricker]

I had a feeling Hawkins would shoot lights out and he did.

Hawkins was good and had some great shots but 4-13 is lights out?

 

[Chief00]

No sale. Just admit you made a mistake.

Since I looked at the ESPN boxscore, which divides the team up by starters/bench, I was trying to understand why the made shot I saw I did not consider to be a bench shot - looking at everything fast to post as soon as game ended - the only explanation is on my head I consider him a starter.

 

[Excalibur]

McDermott wasn’t great today. He didn’t adjust to the fact that they couldn’t guard Sanogo, and waited way too long to take the time out during our second half run. I don’t think he did much to adjust against the press either.

 

[Chief00]

Hawkins was good and had some great shots but 4-13 is lights out?

Well in fairness he was 6 for 6 from the foul line and 3 for 7 from three for 17 points. Not bad, as Jim Calhoun would say, I publish an in-depth summary of the game and I write in real time and then edit it as game changes back and forth. So as he missed a few shots in the middle of the second half I probably could have moderated it some to be “good” as you say vs. “lights out”.

 

[gsmooth]

We’re lucky Creighton had an abysmal shooting performance from 3 today or that would’ve been our 3rd straight loss.

UConn missed some open 3s as well, but yes I was relieved when Scheirman wasn't making his shots. Even with the questionable officiating at Providence I thought UConn missed too many open 3s. If they knocked down 2-3 more that outlook of that game would've changed dramatically.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Hawkins was good and had some great shots but 4-13 is lights out?

Well in fairness he was 6 for 6 from the foul line and 3 for 7 from three for 17 points. Not bad, as Jim Calhoun would say, I publish an in-depth summary of the game and I write in real time and then edit it as game changes back and forth. So as he missed a few shots in the middle of the second half I probably could have moderated it some to be “good” as you say vs. “lights out”.

3-7 from 3 and had another pure look and make waved off on a BS call from refs. 6-6 from the line on 2 more attempts where he was fouled. I'll take Hawkins box score every game going forward.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Sanogo was good. Creighton didn't double him and he had time to work his moves and get shots.

Puzzling that they didn’t double, as that had worked relatively well for X & PC. I didnt see Sanogo looking to kick out at all, no matter how long he had to wheel and deal. But with no double that was effective.

 

[Kolumbo]

The freshmen Karaban & Clingan will both get much stronger, especially in their legs. That's when I think we'll really see them improve and not get called for fouling as much. I wasn't too worried about the rebounding. Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce the right way and I'd rather see them miss a rebound then get called for being too aggressive, at least if that's how the refs are calling it.

Great all-around effort. I also like seeing Joey C even if he's not making shots. He speeds the game up and makes things happen.

 

[auror]

Puzzling that they didn’t double, as that had worked relatively well for X & PC. I didnt see Sanogo looking to kick out at all, no matter how long he had to wheel and deal. But with no double that was effective.

We were ready for the double I think. Jackson was constantly cutting his man for a possible layup. They did double us once with Diarra in there whcih worked for them. Probably should have done it all the time when we had both Diarra and Jackson in.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Another thing to wok on has to do with rebounding. Everyone needs to put a body on their man then go get the ball. Roughly equal number of shot misses by both teams but outrebounded by 15 isn’t good. Admittedly some of that was Kaluma with 16, who went over people several times.

 

[J187Money]

Was at the game - and I'm not a technician like some of you are. It appears we are putting in the effort on rebounding, but for the 3rd game in a row we seem to be giving up a lot of boards / 2nd / 3rd chances. When they made their run in the 2nd half it got to a 21-38 rebound deficit for us. It finished 34-49 so we were a little better than over the last 10 minutes and it showed on the scoreboard.

We are hustling - steals 6-1. Just not sure if we are doing something position wise that is hurting us on the boards.

 

[Chief00]

I think Clingan is a great player, I think he will do some things that no one in a Husky jersey ever has. But he is a freshman, we have an all American on our team that scores without the assist and can do things with his feet that I have not seen from too many his size. The court is not big enough for both of them, not with their similar games. Clingan is a god send for AS, he gives our POY rest that he was not able to get before, and with little drop off in production. But if you give DC starting minutes, you will see the freshman in him, a la one of our other awesome freshman, AK. Give the big guy some time to adjust before putting the pressure on him to be a savior. IMHO. Or in other words… stop fan boying on DC.

I think you present a false choice that they need to be 100% mutually exclusive. Why not play Double Big as Chief has been advocating?

 

[Chief00]

Was at the game - and I'm not a technician like some of you are. It appears we are putting in the effort on rebounding, but for the 3rd game in a row we seem to be giving up a lot of boards / 2nd / 3rd chances. When they made their run in the 2nd half it got to a 21-38 rebound deficit for us. It finished 34-49 so we were a little better than over the last 10 minutes and it showed on the scoreboard.

We are hustling - steals 6-1. Just not sure if we are doing something position wise that is hurting us on the boards.

I think we are not boxing out well at all positions and the other team has a strength advantage at a few positions. Another reason for Double Bigs.
The High Hedging also throws us out of position with horrible rebound switch matches.

 

[Chief00]

The thing about playing both Clingan and Sanogo at the same time is that they are both at their best in the paint. So, I guess Sanogo becomes a “stretch four” in that scenario? That’s not who is. Against decent teams maybe, we can steal an extra minute or so for Donovan doing that but it isn’t a a go to thing in my opinion.

It was pretty effective for 4 minutes against PC. Why not try it and see? When you get out rebounded, it is hard to justify playing one of your best rebounders 9 minutes. They got 20 offensive rebounds. I believe Clingan can change the game, we don’t have a lot of guys who do that.

 

[jdb50]

Karaban has had to run a gauntlet of Freemantle (who had a huge game today vs Nova), Hopkins, and Kaluma. Seeing Kaluma in person vs AK it is really apparent how hard his job was to compete with him. There was a point in the second half where Creighton was plus 20 in rebounds. We were working but some of our players are not that physical and other times Sanogo was nowhere near the rebound. Maybe someone can do a tape review to see what is going on.
In the last 8 minutes we were running O vs D lineup changes and we had 2 players on the floor who had zero points. Our bench guys need to help out more.
We beat a good team and did not shoot lights out. Moved and shared the ball well. Played intense defense and did not turn it over much. The offensive foul called on Jackson taking away a made 3 by Hawk was crap.
Donovan playing 8 minutes I do not get.

 

[jibsey]

Karaban has had to run a gauntlet of Freemantle (who had a huge game today vs Nova), Hopkins, and Kaluma. Seeing Kaluma in person vs AK it is really apparent how hard his job was to compete with him. There was a point in the second half where Creighton was plus 20 in rebounds. We were working but some of our players are not that physical and other times Sanogo was nowhere near the rebound. Maybe someone can do a tape review to see what is going on.
In the last 8 minutes we were running O vs D lineup changes and we had 2 players on the floor who had zero points. Our bench guys need to help out more.
We beat a good team and did not shoot lights out. Moved and shared the ball well. Played intense defense and did not turn it over much. The offensive foul called on Jackson taking away a made 3 by Hawk was crap.
Donovan playing 8 minutes I do not get.

Clingan had 2 fouls quick but when in there really affected the game in many ways. Sanogo was brilliant, Clingan can get better watching some of those moves.

 

[jdb50]

Clingan had 2 fouls quick but when in there really affected the game in many ways. Sanogo was brilliant, Clingan can get better watching some of those moves.

Yes but he sees those moves at practice. They are 2 different players skill and impact on the game wise.. I was surprised when he did not get subbed in at the 14 minute mark of the second half. Remember he was put back in in the first half with 2 fouls.

 

[businesslawyer]

Another thing to wok on has to do with rebounding. Everyone needs to put a body on their man then go get the ball. Roughly equal number of shot misses by both teams but outrebounded by 15 isn’t good. Admittedly some of that was Kaluma with 16, who went over people several times.

Not just over. He got away with an awful lot of shoving away folks who had him boxed out with his body without ever being called for it.

 

[gtcam]

Firstly, I am ecstatic that UConn beat Creighton to get that whammy off their backs.
I am scratching my head as are 5 of my buddies as to how a team can hold another team to one field goal in 12 of the final 14 minutes and not win by at least 20.
AS came up big on the offense today - a really good thing. He still needs to be much more actively on his D and where are the rebounds? He had 9 but they were mostly bounces to him. He tips too many loose balls rather that get better position and go up and grab the ball. UConn doesn't win this game without AS's offense today.
DC needs to play more minutes. I love AK but he plays too many minutes and DC not nearly enough. Still trying to understand why Dan Hurley is so determined to stick AK on the opponents best player
JoeyC has lost his shot. He needs to get it back - real soon
I thought Diarra added a real nice spark in the 2nd half.
This UConn team commits some mind numbing fouls, the lack of discipline is baffling.
I thought Hawk played with much more control. Needs to finish on his drives and keep driving. Played some nice D
Really good and much needed win for UConn
On to Marquette (who beat Gtown by 22 today)

 

[Excalibur]

We’re lucky Creighton had an abysmal shooting performance from 3 today or that would’ve been our 3rd straight loss.

They had some open looks in the second half and missed them. That’s what tends to happen when you guard the line well early on. We choked off the 3 point line in the first half.

 

[elmcityboy]

the rebound discrepancy was bad in the box score, but you have to consider the fact that 1.) they turned the ball over 13 times to our 5, eliminating the chance for defensive boards and 2.) i think every one of our 8 blocked shots went out-of-bounds, which counts as a "team" offensive rebound for them.

the rebounding wasn't great, but the numbers are pretty inflated.