Chief’s Briefs - Le Moyne Edition

[Fan1978]

One thing that’s hard to replace is Newton and Castle’s ball handling and rebounding. They also both scored well when fouled.

Newton, castle and cam could all create their own shots. At this point, this team lacks guards that can get to the basket and the line. Diarra can sometimes but gets in trouble and loses rhe ball every game. Mahaney can get to the basket some as well. while Ball found a solid 3 point game, he never drives except on fast breaks. That is very concerning. Ross also seems to have some ability to drive to the hoop. His 0 for 5 from 3 diid not remind me of Reggie miller

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Completely agree on the position less no true PG take Chief. Last year we had 2 in Newton and Castle which made going “positionless”fine but that’s not the case so far this year.

 

[alphasigko]

Yeah I like to see Mahaney play more off the ball. He isn't a great creator for others and is more of crafty player who can shoot. His defense on PGs is bad especially when comparing it to Diarra. I say play Diarra at PG with Mahaney the backup to Ball at SG. You can play Nowell at PG behind Diarra, I think it would allow Mahaney to concentrate on what he does best and that is shoot and score.

I like this! Great suggestion!

From your type to Coach Dan's eyes!

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[Coach J]

Signare - Why did he not play? It is literally malpractice to not get him some minutes and build up his confidence and see what he can do when we have a 40-point lead.

 

[dogpause]

I think we're not yet where we want to be. Maybe a bit of anxiety that won't go away until we beat a major team or two. There's also some pressure to be good, especially foron the new guys. I also think we're playing too fast in the half court offense. Maui is exactly what we need to help stabilize things, even if we lose a game, or dare I say it --two. Then we'll have a reading on where we are and where we need to improve.

Seems to me that we worry too much about Mahaney and Sampson. I think they'll both be fine, and our sophs will step in at Maui and takeover. Lovin' the ride and feel lucky to be a UConn fan.

 

[jibsey]

I think we're not yet where we want to be. Maybe a bit of anxiety that won't go away until we beat a major team or two. There's also some pressure to be good, especially foron the new guys. I also think we're playing too fast in the half court offense. Maui is exactly what we need to help stabilize things, even if we lose a game, or dare I say it --two. Then we'll have a reading on where we are and where we need to improve.

Seems to me that we worry too much about Mahaney and Sampson. I think they'll both be fine, and our sophs will step in at Maui and takeover. Lovin' the ride and feel lucky to be a UConn fan.

Psychiatrists are already stressed out but if what you wrote about a loss or 2 actually happens they will all be on suicide watch themselves.

 

[Dogfish]

Signare - Why did he not play? It is literally malpractice to not get him some minutes and build up his confidence and see what he can do when we have a 40-point lead.

I, like a number or people here are keyed in on Signare and his lack of playing time, even if small. At the end of the game, he was waiting to check in with a few minutes left. I thought, great let's see what the big guy can do, even with limited time. Well, there was no stoppage of play. Danny motions to him sit back down. The dejection in his body posture was evident that he was bummed that he wasn't going to get in.

 

[BrassBonanza]

I, like a number or people here are keyed in on Signare and his lack of playing time, even if small. At the end of the game, he was waiting to check in with a few minutes left. I thought, great let's see what the big guy can do, even with limited time. Well, there was no stoppage of play. Danny motions to him sit back down. The dejection in his body posture was evident that he was bummed that he wasn't going to get in.

I think he is far behind the freshman already (who are both going to be fantastic players) and I don't expect to see him in meaningful minutes at all this year unless we get hit by injuries, much more likely for Alex to fill in at the 5 as the team is now. However, it does seem a little odd that he isn't even getting Andrew Hurley minutes in 40 point blow outs.

 

[Fan1978]

I think he is far behind the freshman already (who are both going to be fantastic players) and I don't expect to see him in meaningful minutes at all this year unless we get hit by injuries, much more likely for Alex to fill in at the 5 as the team is now. However, it does seem a little odd that he isn't even getting Andrew Hurley minutes in 40 point blow outs.

If he was danny’s second n. He is not getting the minutes because the rotation guys are not where they need to be. Abraham and nowell are game ready and they barely sniff the court. Stewart looked lost the first few games. He got some extra minutes to get his mojo back and he did. Simgare i good but he is the 12th man.

 

[ctchamps]

In his interview Hurley said he's figured something out and team will be working on it over the week. He also said he needs to get more time for Ross and Stewart. In other interviews he's dinged Mahaney, Ball and McNeeley for their defense.

So I expect some change with either Mahaney, Ball or both to be subbed for Diarra or Ross to start the games.

Another possibility is Reed for Samson. That concerns me because a lineup of Mahaney, Ball, McNeeley, Karaban and Reed would end up getting Reed into foul trouble or end up being a layup line for opponents.

Bottom line imco (in my casual opinion) I would limit the number of minutes Ball and Mahaney are on the court together.

 

[Inyatkin]

I'm confused. Are you a Casual if you leave early, or if you stay until the end?

There are only two categories. There is the Casual Fan, and then there is Chief.

 

[3rdbass]

In his interview Hurley said he's figured something out and team will be working on it over the week. He also said he needs to get more time for Ross and Stewart. In other interviews he's dinged Mahaney, Ball and McNeeley for their defense.

So I expect some change with either Mahaney, Ball or both to be subbed for Diarra or Ross to start the games.

Another possibility is Reed for Samson. That concerns me because a lineup of Mahaney, Ball, McNeeley, Karaban and Reed would end up getting Reed into foul trouble or end up being a layup line for opponents.

Bottom line imco (in my casual opinion) I would limit the number of minutes Ball and Mahaney are on the court together.

Ball has the length, build and athletic ability to be a good if not great defender. Mahaney doesn't have the body or the quickness. He can just use effort to try to lmit those defiencies. He also needs to not let his bad D impact his offense as we are going to need it.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Ball has the length, build and athletic ability to be a good if not great defender. Mahaney doesn't have the body or the quickness. He can just use effort to try to lmit those defiencies. He also needs to not let his bad D impact his offense as we are going to need it.

Especially if Ball is guarding 1s that he may have a significant physical advantage against over 2s where it may be more even if not disadvantaged if they are bigger 2s.

 

[ctchamps]

Ball has the length, build and athletic ability to be a good if not great defender. Mahaney doesn't have the body or the quickness. He can just use effort to try to lmit those defiencies. He also needs to not let his bad D impact his offense as we are going to need it.

Agree about Ball and hopefully he gets there. But he certainly isn't there now. For all the criticism Mahaney is getting I agree with @mauconnfan who posted in the chat that Ball was having more problems defending than Mahaney in the LeMoyne game.

So my conjecture is about what we might see in the East Texas A&M game. But in the long run I believe both players will get there. If Joey was able to do it these guys should as well.

 

[PAHusky]

Agree about Ball and hopefully he gets there. But he certainly isn't there now. For all the criticism Mahaney is getting I agree with @mauconnfan who posted in the chat that Ball was having more problems defending than Mahaney in the LeMoyne game.

So my conjecture is about what we might see in the East Texas A&M game. But in the long run I believe both players will get there. If Joey was able to do it these guys should as well.

If you think Ball and Mahaney have been comparably poor on defense last game or really this year I don’t know what to tell you. Ball hasn’t been Castle of last year but he’s made big strides. I want Mahaney to succeed as much as the next guy but defensively he can’t keep anyone in front of him but unlike ball he can’t recover when beat either.

Team’s two biggest recurring questions for the season’s success are the effectiveness of our interior defense and someone on offense who can get buckets when the offense isn’t working. So far so good on the first question - Clingan can’t be replaced but our front court d has been good (albeit foul prone).

Offensively we have a beautiful system but I don’t see a Batman on offense. I think it’s Karaban by default but he’s more of a really good Robin by disposition. We had Sanogo and a few guys last year who could make something out of nothing. Answering that question this year I think will determine the team’s ceiling

 

[Fan1978]

Ball has the length, build and athletic ability to be a good if not great defender. Mahaney doesn't have the body or the quickness. He can just use effort to try to lmit those defiencies. He also needs to not let his bad D impact his offense as we are going to need it.

Lets give mahaney a minute to adjust. Last year at this time our transfer 2 guard was also considered a poor defender. By the end of year spencer was above average. Hopefully Mahaney can do the same. His anticipation almost resulted in a turnover layup last game. Ball has all the tools but his defense has been underwhelming. Will certainly improve with reps. Almost feels like he is afraid to make mistakes.

 

[3rdbass]

Lets give mahaney a minute to adjust. Last year at this time our transfer 2 guard was also considered a poor defender. By the end of year spencer was above average. Hopefully Mahaney can do the same. His anticipation almost resulted in a turnover layup last game. Ball has all the tools but his defense has been underwhelming. Will certainly improve with reps. Almost feels like he is afraid to make mistakes.

I don't think he was above average. He was decent but still got beat off the dribble a lot. The thing he has that Mahaney doesn't is girth to help be physical on D. Mahaney doesn't have that so he will have to make it up in effort and he is probably quicker than Spencer(Doesn't take much). LOL!

 

[3rdbass]

If you think Ball and Mahaney have been comparably poor on defense last game or really this year I don’t know what to tell you. Ball hasn’t been Castle of last year but he’s made big strides. I want Mahaney to succeed as much as the next guy but defensively he can’t keep anyone in front of him but unlike ball he can’t recover when beat either.

Team’s two biggest recurring questions for the season’s success are the effectiveness of our interior defense and someone on offense who can get buckets when the offense isn’t working. So far so good on the first question - Clingan can’t be replaced but our front court d has been good (albeit foul prone).

Offensively we have a beautiful system but I don’t see a Batman on offense. I think it’s Karaban by default but he’s more of a really good Robin by disposition. We had Sanogo and a few guys last year who could make something out of nothing. Answering that question this year I think will determine the team’s ceiling

I think Karban and McNeeley make a great 1-2 punch with Ball chipping in. I'm not too worried about scoring as I am with defense. Though with the depth we have I beleive we have options on defense. I still think we will be fine and we will have guys playing certain roles. I feel Mahaney would be great for a John Gynn Microwave role eventually.

 

[uconnfan68]

Interestingly from all the great players Tristen Newton might be the guy we miss the most from last year. I agree with most importantly we need defense at the PG. It isnt even good and we need elite on a championship team. Hurley and staff will figure it out.

We’ll miss Donavan for decades.

 

[uconnfan68]

Signare - Why did he not play? It is literally malpractice to not get him some minutes and build up his confidence and see what he can do when we have a 40-point lead.

He was at the scorer’s table with over 2minutes left, but the clock never stopped and Danny didn’t call a to for him.

 

[ctchamps]

If you think Ball and Mahaney have been comparably poor on defense last game or really this year I don’t know what to tell you. Ball hasn’t been Castle of last year but he’s made big strides. I want Mahaney to succeed as much as the next guy but defensively he can’t keep anyone in front of him but unlike ball he can’t recover when beat either.

Team’s two biggest recurring questions for the season’s success are the effectiveness of our interior defense and someone on offense who can get buckets when the offense isn’t working. So far so good on the first question - Clingan can’t be replaced but our front court d has been good (albeit foul prone).

Offensively we have a beautiful system but I don’t see a Batman on offense. I think it’s Karaban by default but he’s more of a really good Robin by disposition. We had Sanogo and a few guys last year who could make something out of nothing. Answering that question this year I think will determine the team’s ceiling

Don’t tell me tell Hurley.

 

[jibsey]

What about keeping Maheney fresh for the second half so he can destroy the opposition which has tired? Limit his early minutes and let him hit a bunch of 3’s later. That would be if he is a defensive liability as some have said here.

 

[Chief00]

I'm confused. Are you a Casual if you leave early, or if you stay until the end?

That was my humor/satire after our beloved Casual Fans criticized me the previous game for leaving 3 minutes early in a 40 point blow out.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

That was my humor/satire after our beloved Casual Fans criticized me the previous game for leaving 3 minutes early in a 40 point blow out.

And you call others casual.