Chief’s Briefs - Manhattan Edition

[RayIsTheGOAT]

I’m still waiting for these kids to start to play ANGRY. Like their life depends on every defensive possession. Vital seems to be the only one capable of it.

Rique doesn't get enough respect on here for his on ball defense.

 

[Chief00]

I know it's a generational thing, but for me it is not progress, it's the WWF permeating all aspects of our culture ( and the WWF is meant to be over the top, showmanship, not reality). Should we all go around saying "look at me" every time we do our job? Where does it stop? Some fun in a celebration, when it's warranted is fine, but "look at me" every time I make a play? I want to say, "I see you, and many people on the planet have made that play as well as even more extraordinary things." Have some humility. I don't mean to pick on Vital, I appreciate his toughness. But there are a lot of tough people in the world. I played college football in the 70's and early 80's. When I caught a pass in front of a defender who bruised my ribs with a nasty hit, I jumped up quick, ran back to the huddle and went right at him the next play. No need to celebrate, he knew I made the catch despite his best hit. And there are of course millions of people tougher than me out there. Don't give in so easy Mr. Chief, you know our current world could use a return to respect, humility, and perspective. Walter Peyton wouldn't have been Walter Peyton if he did a dance after every nice play he made. And he also would have been a marked man on the field instead of a revered ball player and extraordinary human being. It's late... sorry for being too preachy.

Your heart is in the right place. The above, which you describe, was how Chief was brought up.

 

[Chief00]

I’m still waiting for these kids to start to play ANGRY. Like their life depends on every defensive possession. Vital seems to be the only one capable of it.

I thought Danny was going to start quickly pulling guys on turnovers. He did it some but not consistently enough to make a statement. Last night would have been an ideal game to make that Calhoun like statement. I know in the short term it might make the game even choppier but Chief would love to see that quick hook next game.
#Chief24/7Briefs

 

[Ewekon]

27% first half bricklayers convention. As Chief mention last game, we are hurrying and not playing quick or crisp as per John Wooden.
Chief thought we had some open looks, our shooting was just terrible. We don’t run the break well and got nothing from Jalen, who apparently was more focused on his new hair twistered style for his birthday than knocking down open shots.

Again, I don’t know why our Bigs on defense find themselves 20 to 25 feet from the basket needlessly jumping out on the screens. If the other Bigs rolls, they find themself wide open. Having said all this our defense kept us semi respectable until a little more offense kicked in.

The strange dichotomy of Carlton playing better against the weak teams and Cobb contributing more against the better teams continued.

Who played well? Yakwe for the second straight game showed some defense and shot blocking. He is shooting around 22% from the line. Gilbert hit some nice threes but still overpenetrates and forces the break too often. He needs to relax and let the game come to him. Take more outside shots in the flow.
Sid again showed some flashes of great play. Danny thinks he’s the guy to play in the middle of the zone. He has the length, can jump over people or knock down the 15 footer.
The lineup I would like to see, Gilbert, Jalen, Sid , Polley and a rotation at center.

I wonder if our frenetic defense leads to frenetic rushing offense?

Adams better end his birthday celebration soon and get back to basketball. Vital made some mistakes but was engaged and played hard.

Other than AG and Sid the whole starting lineup has to turn over including graduations. Let Dan recruit. Yes I know Sid doesn't start. He is going to be good.

 

[Chief00]

Other than AG and Sid the whole starting lineup has to turn over including graduations. Let Dan recruit. Yes I know Sid doesn't start. He is going to be good.

After the First Night threatics, well intention Casual Fans were talking up this season. Chief received some criticism then by these fans, when Chief said Danny’s Priority 1 is recruiting this season. Sure, we want to play hard, win and compete but Priority 1 is recruiting. Chief believes Danny made a correct assessment then and appropriately invested his resources.

 

[thetruth123]

Undercoverboss Cinabon was a better watch! Ugly game.

 

[UConnDad]

First let me say Christian was the best and hardest working player out there. Why we don't practice at Gampel I don't know cause we can't shoot there. Uncontested airballs. Didn't know Manhattan doesn't have finals. This episode was terrible. We got the W at least. No NBA talk.

 

[billybud]

9 blocked shots, 7 steals from Vital and 24 forced turnovers should win a game.... even if a star has an off night.

UConn's defense rattled the Jaspers.....held them to 23 points below their average. This team is shaping up to be a very good defensive team.

The only point that would worry me, if I was a Husky, was that 4-23 shooting from 3 point range. In some games, outside shooting will be necessary to pull down the W.

 

[Hankster]

@Chief00 agree with all your points, except your starting 5. Vital is a fighter - makes plays, rebounds - needs to be out there more often than not. He comes from the Bob hurley school of hard knocks.

Agreed. Vital is a fighter. He is on most of the plays and rebounds well. He misses some shots but Gilbert is just throwing bricks...wait, most of his shots did not even hit the backboard.

 

[Hankster]

Chief, thanks for your briefs on the game. Honestly I don't know how you did it. Even a huge fan like myself found myself nodding off during the game. Let's me be honest, you never know what you are getting with this team at game time.

 

[JB75]

Nothing worse than Zeke Elliott For the Cowboys after a 9 yard run through an open hole with the “ let me eat “ celebration. Comical. I’m cool with SOME of the celebrations but some of the stuff is beyond annoying

 

[Chief00]

Chief, thanks for your briefs on the game. Honestly I don't know how you did it. Even a huge fan like myself found myself nodding off during the game. Let's me be honest, you never know what you are getting with this team at game time.

Thank you. Chief gets what you are saying.

 

[Purple Stein]

Manhattan’s zone was aggresssive and really problematic for us. I think we’ll see a lot more zone after that performance.

Manhattan is young and struggles on offense. That’s really what saved us last night.

 

[intlzncster]

Our shooting is atrocious. Our guards are sloppy. Hopefully, this game is out of our system for a while. Jalen's poor shooting and one dimensional play (one on one drive to his right) is exposed in a game like this. Manhattan's zone demanded good passing and hitting open looks. Can anyone get in a crease and hit a 12 footer?? I think I saw 2 of these the whole game. Also, love Hurley's fire, but he shouldn't act like a thug... yelling at the other team's player "what are you looking at?" Instead, how about, "walk to your bench young man, your not intimidating anyone." Fire is good, but young men need poised role models who know how to be tenacious without the stupid ." Also, can Vital hit a shot without acting like he deserves a medal for doing so. I seem to remember a generation of players (Jordan, Magic, Bird, etc.) that hit shots all the time like they expected to make it. That's the sign of a superstar (big shot celebration is of course warranted).

Shooting will finally be fixed next year for the first time in years w Gaffney, boughknight, Akok, and further development of Gilbert, b Adams, and Sid. Obviously Polley can shoot.

It's gonna be awesome; we just all gotta be patient.

 

[my2cents]

The rotation is a mess. I thought Smith was going to be better, but he can't make a shot and turns the ball over. B Adams can't even hit the rim on his shots, even from the foul line...shouldn't be playing. Give the time to Sid Wilson.

 

[AreBee1969]

I was in Gampel last night and when the clock hit 0.0 I said “Thank God!” Other than Sid’s dunk, and a couple great blocks, there was not much to cheer after Polley’s opening “3”. With the awful play and two of the three refs channeling Ted Valentine, I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

 

[Sphinx]

Between the exam layoff, the 8 o'clock Saturday night start, and the coach's expectation that the team would come out ready to play after a two-hour game day practice, I think there are excuses enough to go around. Yes, last night performance translates to a 25-point loss to Villanova, but it also translates to blowout losses to Syracuse, Arizona and Fla. State. Didn't happen. Not likely to become the norm, although our performance against a poorer-than-usual Drexel team won't tell us much.

 

[Blaneylover]

I was in Gampel last night and when the clock hit 0.0 I said “Thank God!” Other than Sid’s dunk, and a couple great blocks, there was not much to cheer after Polley’s opening “3”. With the awful play and two of the three refs channeling Ted Valentine, I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

Agreed. The home team struggled, but the Teddy Valentine comparison is perfect. Especially with regard to Jalen's first foul, they were enjoying making the controversial call. Luckily, Manhattan was the worst offensive team UConn has seen all year.

I had tickets about 4 rows behind Manahattan's bench. For a (now) 2-8 team, those kids were having a good time. Coach M spent a lot of time teaching, as well.

 

[David 76]

Our offense is still a work in progress. Keep reverting to bad habits.
That accounts for a lot of our turnovers but it goes beyond that.
Our star looks depressed and out of it and his time is running out.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

I didn't have the opportunity to see the game ... but given what I'm reading I'm not sure I want to.

The lineup I would like to see, Gilbert, Jalen, Sid , Polley and a rotation at center.

Yes. This. Please. At least try it, given yesterday it's not likely to be worse.

I wonder if our frenetic defense leads to frenetic rushing offense?

Perhaps. But some of the offensive mistakes have occurred and then persisted through old coach and new, through half-court zone D and pressure man.

Agree. AG is still over penetrating and Vital is just sloppy. Even Jalen looked lost out there with the ball tonight. Sid the only bright spot for me.

The team really needs a leader to get things organized and flowing, and it has to be either Gilbert or Adams. It just has to.

 

[husky429]

I know it's a generational thing, but for me it is not progress, it's the WWF permeating all aspects of our culture ( and the WWF is meant to be over the top, showmanship, not reality). Should we all go around saying "look at me" every time we do our job? Where does it stop? Some fun in a celebration, when it's warranted is fine, but "look at me" every time I make a play? I want to say, "I see you, and many people on the planet have made that play as well as even more extraordinary things." Have some humility. I don't mean to pick on Vital, I appreciate his toughness. But there are a lot of tough people in the world. I played college football in the 70's and early 80's. When I caught a pass in front of a defender who bruised my ribs with a nasty hit, I jumped up quick, ran back to the huddle and went right at him the next play. No need to celebrate, he knew I made the catch despite his best hit. And there are of course millions of people tougher than me out there. Don't give in so easy Mr. Chief, you know our current world could use a return to respect, humility, and perspective. Walter Peyton wouldn't have been Walter Peyton if he did a dance after every nice play he made. And he also would have been a marked man on the field instead of a revered ball player and extraordinary human being. It's late... sorry for being too preachy.

Are you so out of touch that you think the WWF is the problem here? These kids aren't 40-year-old rednecks who can count to his 7 teeth combined with his first-cousin wife.

At least wag your finger about Instagram, mixtapes, or dogs on your lawn.

 

[smoothcriminal]

two amazing blocks last night - yawke almost palming the ball and Sid wilson spiking the ball off the backboard at the end

Uconn is not Uconn without shot blocking so it was good to see some glimpses last night. Can not wait until akok is disrupting shots next year

 

[HooperScooper]

UConn's defense rattled the Jaspers.....held them to 23 points below their average. This team is shaping up to be a very good defensive team.

From the New Haven Register:

The 46 points were the fewest UConn has allowed to an opponent since holding UCF to the same amount in a win on March 6, 2016. The Jaspers entered the game averaging just 53.4 points per game.

 

[Chief00]

I didn't have the opportunity to see the game ... but given what I'm reading I'm not sure I want to.
Yes. This. Please. At least try it, given yesterday it's not likely to be worse.


Perhaps. But some of the offensive mistakes have occurred and then persisted through old coach and new, through half-court zone D and pressure man.


The team really needs a leader to get things organized and flowing, and it has to be either Gilbert or Adams. It just has to.

Chief discussed the defense to offense transition with some coaches. Teams can pull it off especially if they have a PG with the ability to govern tempo. Also, they pointed out that offense requires more skill but ill advised fouls on defense are a symptom as well of too much hurrying. We have definite seen that too.

 

[Sphinx]

The team really needs a leader to get things organized and flowing, and it has to be either Gilbert or Adams. It just has to.

If it's got to be Gilbert or Adams, then it's got to be Gilbert -- and I'm sure it will happen. But AG has been a go-to guard his entire career -- a penetrating, finishing guard -- and even now, as a point, he must keep penetrating in order to dish. But the realization that amidst the D1 tall timber he must dish more often than finish comes hard and will take time. In the meantime he is a 43% 3-point shooter, has an assist to turnover ratio of almost 2-1, is a tenacious defender -- and all this while having played about 20 college basketball games. He is, no question, the once-and-future leader of this team.

 

[zepfan]

Are you so out of touch that you think the WWF is the problem here? These kids aren't 40-year-old rednecks who can count to his 7 teeth combined with his first-cousin wife.

At least wag your finger about Instagram, mixtapes, or dogs on your lawn.

The WWF is not the problem as long as people don't perceive it as reality. It's like a cartoon, it's fake, and meant to be a kind of over the top performance, silly entertainment... we laugh or enjoy it because it's ridiculous. I was equating the ridiculousness of these actors in the WWF with the reality of what is happening in our society, particularly in many of our sports. When the intended ridiculousness of the WWF is our reality... we're in trouble. I believe your assumption that I am out of touch is based on your misunderstanding of my analogy. I will try to use a better one next time. Agreed that the WWF is not the problem.

 

[Ts5034]

From the New Haven Register:

The 46 points were the fewest UConn has allowed to an opponent since holding UCF to the same amount in a win on March 6, 2016. The Jaspers entered the game averaging just 53.4 points per game.

Yes. And this makes me skeptical of calling last night a defensive masterpiece since they dont average much over 50 anyway. Im still not worried. If we played like we did against the other cupcakes, this game would have been something like 80-46 instead. If they struggle like that against Drexel on Tuesday, then maybe Its time to question some of the focus and mental preperation. Drexel is a better team than Manhattan so they better not take them lightly.

 

[husky429]

The WWF is not the problem as long as people don't perceive it as reality. It's like a cartoon, it's fake, and meant to be a kind of over the top performance, silly entertainment... we laugh or enjoy it because it's ridiculous. I was equating the ridiculousness of these actors in the WWF with the reality of what is happening in our society, particularly in many of our sports. When the intended ridiculousness of the WWF is our reality... we're in trouble. I believe your assumption that I am out of touch is based on your misunderstanding of my analogy. I will try to use a better one next time. Agreed that the WWF is not the problem.

Nah I understood. It's a bad analogy imo. To each his own though. I get the idea

 

[Chief00]

As you know, Chief has the old school approach, conduct the eye test, analyze the game with lessons learned and by the next day put all aside but lessons learned and focus on the next game. This is the cycle which is repeated 30 times a season that is the game grind that many of us learn to love.

Consequentially, looking for J Adams to play well Tuesday. Time is running out.

 

[smoothcriminal]

A word about Brendan adams. He should be a key contributor for us off the bench in coming years. Has vital esque qualities. But man, he needs to work on his shooting. All off season long just keep working on that shot. If he can make that a weapon, he can fight for a starters role