Chief’s Briefs - Georgetown Edition

[Chief00]

The usual winning formula FG% 47% to 38%, Rebounds 34-25, Assists 21 to 10 led to a 16 point win. Reed was our assist leader at 8 and Demary led in rebounds with 9. The high hedge continues to put our Bigs out near halfcourt with our guards in switch matchups near the basket. Hopefully, those changes happen soon.

Mullins at 21 points had over twice as many points as any other player with Demary next in line with 10 points. Only 6 of Mullins points were threes since he was 2 for 9 from 3 but was 6-8 from 2FG. Glad he’s incorporating the mid range and floaters into his game.
Karaban was 1-5 from 3 point but 2 for 3 from two point. Ball was 1-3 from 3pt but 2 for 4 from 2pt. Too many very long quick 3’s but at least some guys are trying to find the sweet spot between 2pt and 3 pt shots.

Of course there’s clearly a trend. Overall we shot 32% from 3pts but 20 for 34 from 2pt or 59% in two point territory. We need to do more of that.

Both Reibe and Ross had 8 points, on a combined 7-10 shooting. Ross can get up and down the court and Reibe showed good hands and patience.

 

[HooperScooper]

The high hedge continues to put our Bigs out near halfcourt with our guards in switch matchups near the basket. Hopefully, those changes happen soon.

Georgetown beat it for baskets on I think it was 3 straight possessions in the 2nd half. Considering UConn beat St. John's the 2nd game when they didn't use it, I don't think you'll see it tomorrow. I'm hoping Reed can stay out of foul trouble.

 

[JB75]

The classic matchup we’ve all been waiting for is set for tonight in the garden. Tomorrow’s gonna be a great day. Haven’t been this excited for a UConn game in a long time.

 

[Chief00]

The classic matchup we’ve all been waiting for is set for tonight in the garden. Tomorrow’s gonna be a great day. Haven’t been this excited for a UConn game in a long time.

Our Bigs will need to be in position to defend the rim and not be at the halfcourt line chasing guards. Still admire Jim Calhoun’s honesty regarding how he feels about Rick Pitino going back to their Boston days at Northeastern and BU, while respecting his coaching ability.

 

[Old Man UConn]

From TV it seems that the intensity and electricity seems low. I doubt that will be a problem tonite. Demery has to stay on the floor,
3 people will be interesting and could determine the flow.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

I know Mullins is a shooter and he's got to keep taking 3s, but if the 3s aren't falling, adjust. His mid range game was gold last night and would have liked to have seen even more of it. I was hopeful when he hit his first one.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Too many very long quick 3’s but at least some guys are trying to find the sweet spot between 2pt and 3 pt shots.

Ross and Demary were a combined 4-7 on 3-point shots that did not feel forced.

 

[TMB4405]

The high hedge is obviously something they feel strongly about because they generally do it all the time. A good team executing well against it makes it look bad and thats annoying to watch. However they rarely dont do it so staff must like the overall results.

 

[ucp990411]

The usual winning formula FG% 47% to 38%, Rebounds 34-25, Assists 21 to 10 led to a 16 point win. Reed was our assist leader at 8 and Demary led in rebounds with 9. The high hedge continues to put our Bigs out near halfcourt with our guards in switch matchups near the basket. Hopefully, those changes happen soon.

Mullins at 21 points had over twice as many points as any other player with Demary next in line with 10 points. Only 6 of Mullins points were threes since he was 2 for 9 from 3 but was 6-8 from 2FG. Glad he’s incorporating the mid range and floaters into his game.
Karaban was 1-5 from 3 point but 2 for 3 from two point. Ball was 1-3 from 3pt but 2 for 4 from 2pt. Too many very long quick 3’s but at least some guys are trying to find the sweet spot between 2pt and 3 pt shots.

Of course there’s clearly a trend. Overall we shot 32% from 3pts but 20 for 34 from 2pt or 59% in two point territory. We need to do more of that.

Both Reibe and Ross had 8 points, on a combined 7-10 shooting. Ross can get up and down the court and Reibe showed good hands and patience.

Chief. We have been using the high hedge for 8 years and you have been complaining about it for 8 years. In that time we have been the most successful program in the country. I think it is time you had a sit down with our coaching staff and help them understand the game of basketball better. Can you do it today?

 

[businesslawyer]

I know Mullins is a shooter and he's got to keep taking 3s, but if the 3s aren't falling, adjust. His mid range game was gold last night and would have liked to have seen even more of it. I was hopeful when he hit his first one.

This is true for the entire team. Our 2 point FG %age is really high. Taking 3s when you’re set and have some room is great but Karaban, Ball and Mullens could each use a little more Ross in looking for good 3s and a little less Jordah Hawkins thinking 30 yard sprints around screens followed by a catch, turning on a dime and shooting is a good shot

 

[Chief00]

I know Mullins is a shooter and he's got to keep taking 3s, but if the 3s aren't falling, adjust. His mid range game was gold last night and would have liked to have seen even more of it. I was hopeful when he hit his first one.

Agree and given his athleticism and skills, the mid range is a gold mine, especially if Mullins gets a little stronger. An added bonus is he’s a good foul shooter.

 

[Chief00]

This is true for the entire team. Our 2 point FG %age is really high. Taking 3s when you’re set and have some room is great but Karaban, Ball and Mullens could each use a little more Ross in looking for good 3s and a little less Jordah Hawkins thinking 30 yard sprints around screens followed by a catch, turning on a dime and shooting is a good shot

100% agree! It is distance, body/footing stability and mentally not rushing. Shooting often starts in the feet and legs even sometimes before the ball is received. Karaban, in particular, threes are more accurate when his body is not leaning significantly backwards or forward due to momentum.

 

[uconn1999]

The HH is just so bad for Reibe’s already weak D. His recovery usually results in him stuck on the backside of his man and prone to reach over fouls on any rebound opportunities. Reed loves to switch to the smaller man and that’s 2 players guarding the wrong guy.

 

[Chief00]

The high hedge is obviously something they feel strongly about because they generally do it all the time. A good team executing well against it makes it look bad and thats annoying to watch. However they rarely dont do it so staff must like the overall results.

The center last night consistently oversold the hedge and was aimlessly chasing guards near half court where he has zero value. It created mismatches on drives and elsewhere. And do we want help defense at halfcourt or protecting the rim? Our defenders are too often caught in between or fouling trying to get back to their man a step or two late. It is fine as Clingan played it either under or parallel to the screener but not on the half court side of him. True, if a center hits a couple of threes you make an adjustment but until then the downside risks vastly exceed the benefits.

 

[Palatine]

The high hedge prevents 3 point attempts at the expense of easier inside 2 point shots. Hurley prefers this distribution of opponent shots. His team has won 29 games.

 

[Chief00]

From TV it seems that the intensity and electricity seems low. I doubt that will be a problem tonite. Demery has to stay on the floor,
3 people will be interesting and could determine the flow.

Indeed the bright lights tonight will be on the NYC MSG stage.

 

[Chief00]

The high hedge prevents 3 point attempts at the expense of easier inside 2 point shots. Hurley prefers this distribution of opponent shots. His team has won 29 games.

I think where we differ is I see stuff in 20 point victories that may lead to loses against elite teams. Part of some of our recent wins has been a poor/mediocre opponent foul shooting % that we won’t be able to count on against better teams. It also leads to our centers and others getting in foul trouble since against a well coach team the recovery from the hedging is inherently a step behind.

 

[Chief00]

Chief. We have been using the high hedge for 8 years and you have been complaining about it for 8 years. In that time we have been the most successful program in the country. I think it is time you had a sit down with our coaching staff and help them understand the game of basketball better. Can you do it today?

As I said earlier in this thread, I was happy with how Clingan played under or parallel to the screener. I have also said many other times it works better when you have strong and agile true 6-5 to 6-6 height guards who can defend multiple positions both drives and with post help. Castle, Newton, Stewart, Jackson Jr, and Hawkins fit that profile and four are on NBA teams and the fifth one should be. Also, Johnson and Sanogo were known for their good foot work despite their size. There were issues before but now they are highlighted given different personnel. The cost/benefit weighting has changed for the worse. I also look at what a good team can exploit since that’s the bar to overcome at UConn.