Chief’s Briefs - Memphis Edition

[BlueandOG]

Any of you whining about Hurley are soft as charmin. Dude wants to win and will do whatever it takes, I love him barking at refs, especially when they suck. He’s old school and has balls, too many beta men out there.

An alpha man would have had the strength to control his emotions, particularly at that point in the game.

 

[Kitaman]

An alpha man would have had the strength to control his emotions, particularly at that point in the game.

Easier said than done. Many alpha men are in jail for not having such strength.

Hurley is intense and likes to argue. Like it or not its his nature and comes with his Coaching. Being married for a very, very long time, this trait does not bother me at all, especially his mean muggin.

 

[Horatio]

Another issue is Samson just doesn’t seem to
learn the game. How fouls are called.

I remember when Calhoun would take a game like yesterday and bridge the fouls between the Big Men. He would’ve played Singare some spot minutes in between Reed and SJ’s foul trouble. No one would’ve fouled out

 

[RuffRuff]

I like it more for Hurley than anything else. Losses force him to make necessary changes and make choices that he probably should’ve made already.

Mahaney and Johnson haven’t been good all season. Maybe after this loss he’ll finally do something about it.

I wish it wouldn’t take a loss for him to make necessary changes and he can have some foresight about these things though. We probably win this game if Reed is starting and we don’t get off to such a slow start.

Nobody played any different than what else he seen the past 4 games.

His rotation has made me wonder if he’s emotional with his decision making at times versus pragmatic. He leaned heavily into his binkies yesterday playing Alex 43 minutes and Liam 31 even when Stew was playing really well.

Today’s game will be interesting to watch to see if he makes any adjustments. Part of me thinks he rolls out the same starting 5 as unwilling to change in a compact tourney.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Today’s game will be interesting to watch to see if he makes any adjustments. Part of me thinks he rolls out the same starting 5 as unwilling to change in a compact tourney.

This would be shortsighted if he does this. You shouldn’t want to win every game so much that you make such short term decisions over long term ones.

Unlike the past two years he does not have clearly the most talented roster in basketball. He has to make the right choices and press the right buttons with this squad. The answers won’t be easy. I’m rooting for him to figure this out.

But being stubborn and not admitting his preseason expectations and decisions are wrong would be serious regression back to pre-2022 Hurley.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Hurley’s T did not lose the game. Memphis scored 7 points in the final 40 seconds, all on free throws. All 3 player fouls that led to those free throws were obviously bad calls. McNeeley also would have scored easily off his rebound. That’s a nine point swing.

This is true but, it never should have gotten to overtime. We never should have been down double figures. Need to be a lot better.

 

[Huskybass]

That's fair, I don't know him nor ever met him. I can only judge based on what I see for 2 to 4 hours a week on the sideline.

I met him and he was very gracious. He was way over the top yesterday. He's human. We all need to remember that.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I met him and he was very gracious. He was way over the top yesterday. He's human. We all need to remember that.

The refs are human too. He should remember that before laying into them over every call and constantly calling them out their name.

It’s just not acceptable behavior and they’ve shown him a lot of grace this season.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Maybe the worst look he’s ever had, and that’s saying a lot

He's not saying we should get a favorable whistle, he's saying that we should stop routinely getting an unfavorable one.

This pearl-clutching is embarrassing. We're a Blue Blood and we deserve some respect.

 

[RuffRuff]

He's not saying we should get a favorable whistle, he's saying that we should stop routinely getting an unfavorable one.

This pearl-clutching is embarrassing. We're a Blue Blood and we deserve some respect.

It’s on Dan Hurley to be able to read the room and understand whether his antics add value or
not. It’s clear there is a point where a crew has a threshold and just says f this guy. If he hits the point of diminishing returns rather than dial up the dramatics, the dude has to realize it’s destined to blow up in his face and keep his cool. Learned the hard way yesterday he doesn’t have that level of self control. Also needs to drop the 2 time champ respect thing as it’s getting cringe. Feel pretty good that will be a learning moment for Dan because it felt like a bit of a bottoming out. Some of the quotes I heard around him mocking the refs in this one were below the belt, if true. Has to be better than that.

 

[Husk1esB2B]

I'm okay with the loss. We are gonna lose 4 or 5 more this year.

What I'm not okay with is Hurleys temper and arrogance. And saying after the game that the 2x national champs should get a favorable whistle is a dogshit excuse.

He said everyone should separate this years team from last years but even he hasn't been able to do that yet.

Nope I think that’s a perfect line 2x champs should get more respect. He is not asking for favorable whistle, simply for a fair whistle. Yesterday is not fair, go check the FT numbers.. And tomake that call in that minute is clear bs, probably the ref is one of those Hurley haters, which is understandable no one likes being yelled at for the whole game. But you can’t make a call like that in that minute to kill the game, no you are a ref, you got to respect the players first, game should be decided by the players

There are lots of Hurley haters out there, but not me, and I don’t think anyone in this forum should. Unless you don’t take any pride from the titles he brings here

 

[CL82]

I love Dan Hurley the basketball coach, we all do. Dan Hurley the person is a different story..

How well do you know Dan Hurley the person? He appears to be a good husband and father as well as a loyal friend, but perhaps you know something the rest of us don't.

 

[RuffRuff]

Nope I think that’s a perfect line 2x champs should get more respect. He is not asking for favorable whistle, simply for a fair whistle. Yesterday is not fair, go check the FT numbers.. And tomake that call in that minute is clear bs, probably the ref is one of those Hurley haters, which is understandable no one likes being yelled at for the whole game. But you can’t make a call like that in that minute to kill the game, no you are a ref, you got to respect the players first, game should be decided by the players

There are lots of Hurley haters out there, but not me, and I don’t think anyone in this forum should. Unless you don’t take any pride from the titles he brings here

Everyone knows he’s the 2x champ, no reason for him to keep restating it as it’s hit cheeseball status or Karen. Do you know who I am?!? Starting to sound a little WWF is all I’m saying. Walk the sidelines like you are a 2x champ, not hair on fire. I love Hurley but yesterday was a lot.

 

[Mr. French]

Do people really think the impact of a loss in Maui outweighs what Hurley is mapping out for the whole year? Or do people just think he doesn’t actually have a mapped out, season long plan?

Everyone wants to win, but the total picture of the developing season is what he (and you SHOULD) cares about.

I’m sure his lineups and rotations, while not perfect or above critique, ARE considering long term developments too.

I’m annoyed we lost, but I’m not taking this as a definitive indicator on the whole season. Just based on what I’m reading, some people aren’t viewing in the same lens.

 

[Chief00]

Agreed officiating wasn’t great
But let’s be honest, Memphis got to the line more because they were more aggressive and consistently beat the guards off the dribble
This could easily have been at 15 point loss of not for a few great plays
I’m sure that scene will improve The ceiling is not very high. They don’t get better guard play.

I agree generally with your assessment but us playing aggressively is often used as an excuse why we have more fouls against an inferior team.
It is interesting that 40% of the starting line-up was the wrong call this season. Fix it and move on. And let’s not fall too much in love with Euro Ball again. It has its place in the puzzle, but fierce defense, intense rebounding and strength/good hands matter too. Let’s also not forget our identify of defense to rebound to fast break basketball.

 

[BlueandOG]

He's not saying we should get a favorable whistle, he's saying that we should stop routinely getting an unfavorable one.

This pearl-clutching is embarrassing. We're a Blue Blood and we deserve some respect.

I totally disagree with the idea that any program should get preferential treatment based on prior performance.

What is embarrassing is Coach's tantrums. Winners do not behave like that. Whiners do. We are winners and Coach should act like it.

 

[BlueandOG]

Everyone knows he’s the 2x champ, no reason for him to keep restating it as it’s hit cheeseball status or Karen. Do you know who I am?!? Starting to sound a little WWF is all I’m saying. Walk the sidelines like you are a 2x champ, not hair on fire. I love Hurley but yesterday was a lot.

I totally agree. Perfectly stated.

 

[Chief00]

I totally disagree with the idea that any program should get preferential treatment based on prior performance.

What is embarrassing is Coach's tantrums. Winners do not behave like that. Whiners do. We are winners and Coach should act like it.

Our play was to blame too and our starting lineup stubbornness, but it was a horrible officiated game and Driscoll has a long standing feud with Hurley and bad mouthed him over the summer a few years ago.
To call a T on Hurley at that point in the game was unprofessional after blowing the foul call in the first place. What did Hurley do differently than he did all game? The 40-24 foul shot spread was a result of a poorly constructed starting line up but also Driscoll’s unprofessional reffing.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I totally disagree with the idea that any program should get preferential treatment based on prior performance.

What is embarrassing is Coach's tantrums. Winners do not behave like that. Whiners do. We are winners and Coach should act like it.

You're either intentionally or unintentionally misreading what I said.

Hurley isn't asking for special treatment. He's saying that it's unacceptable that we're routinely subjected to an unfavorable whistle, and especially so for a program of our stature.

 

[boog204]

Seems kind of simple to me... Memphis had multiple strong, aggressive guards who took the ball to the hole. As a result they drew lots of fouls - some legit, some iffy. We don't have anyone on the team who really does that. Blaming the officials is lame. We were out played for the majority of that game because Memphis was a bad matchup for us. They were more athletic at nearly every spot and shot the ball really, really well. We're going to lose, I'd say, at least 5-6 more games this year. I kind of like the idea of getting one of 'em out of the way early so we can reassess and reevaluate. There are definitely some tweaks in store and I think we all knew that going into the meatier part of the schedule.

 

[BlueandOG]

You're either intentionally or unintentionally misreading what I said.

Hurley isn't asking for special treatment. He's saying that it's unacceptable that we're routinely subjected to an unfavorable whistle, and especially so for a program of our stature.

Why would I intentionally misread what you wrote?

Hurley assuming we are always unfairly treated by the refs is even worse than expecting preferential treatment. Refs are going to do what they do. Coaches should complain. Hurley took it too far - and has a pattern of doing so. He needs to stop before he crosses the line.

 

[Excalibur]

Really Bad T? That is underplaying it. That is a coach, literally, losing the game for his team.

Pet peeve is technical fouls. Do it in first half, or, when game is over. Not when it is a tie game. With 40 seconds left in OT. 4 pt possession is a game killer.

Their win probability just cratered there with the T

Two parties are involved in the technical foul. He probably should have been T’d up earlier in the game. Refusing to assess one earlier and deciding to do it there is at best a mistake, and at worst deliberate timing.

 

[BlueandOG]

Our play was to blame too and our starting lineup stubbornness, but it was a horrible officiated game and Driscoll has a long standing feud with Hurley and bad mouthed him over the summer a few years ago.
To call a T on Hurley at that point in the game was unprofessional after blowing the foul call in the first place. What did Hurley do differently than he did all game? The 40-24 foul shot spread was a result of a poorly constructed starting line up but also Driscoll’s unprofessional reffing.

You make some fair points. I maintain Hurley should have known the situation and acted differently.

 

[Zonepress]

I agree generally with your assessment but us playing aggressively is often used as an excuse why we have more fouls against an inferior team.
It is interesting that 40% of the starting line-up was the wrong call this season. Fix it and move on. And let’s not fall too much in love with Euro Ball again. It has its place in the puzzle, but fierce defense, intense rebounding and strength/good hands matter too. Let’s also not forget our identify of defense to rebound to fast break basketball

I think you’re onto something
The things you mentioned seem to have taken a backseat to the officiating
Even if the game was a win the weaknesses of the team through the first five games are still there

 

[Rico444]

Win some lose some. He hit a home run with Tarris Reed!

Yes he did. Tarris is a beast.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I agree generally with your assessment but us playing aggressively is often used as an excuse why we have more fouls against an inferior team.
It is interesting that 40% of the starting line-up was the wrong call this season. Fix it and move on. And let’s not fall too much in love with Euro Ball again. It has its place in the puzzle, but fierce defense, intense rebounding and strength/good hands matter too. Let’s also not forget our identify of defense to rebound to fast break basketball.

Can any of the higher-level donors who went to the recent "semi-open" practice add some insights here...

Is it true that our coaching staff has abandoned their traditional 3-h grueling fundamentals-focused practices and substituted instead Euro-style "sitting around cafes sipping espressos & capuccinos" sessions?

 

[ucp990411]

I love Dan Hurley the basketball coach, we all do. Dan Hurley the person is a different story..

I think the Dan Hurley you know is the coach. Unless you know him personally how the heck can you make this statement.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Can any of the higher-level donors who went to the recent "semi-open" practice add some insights here...

Is it true that our coaching staff has abandoned their traditional 3-h grueling fundamentals-focused practices and substituted instead Euro-style "sitting around cafes sipping espressos & capuccinos" sessions?

I think you have it backwards.

In Europe, cappuccino is a morning drink while espresso is the standard for the afternoon. You should have listed it cappuccinos & espressos.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I agree generally with your assessment but us playing aggressively is often used as an excuse why we have more fouls against an inferior team.
It is interesting that 40% of the starting line-up was the wrong call this season. Fix it and move on. And let’s not fall too much in love with Euro Ball again. It has its place in the puzzle, but fierce defense, intense rebounding and strength/good hands matter too. Let’s also not forget our identify of defense to rebound to fast break basketball.

We ran a Euro style offense last year en route to the #1 offense, while also having a top 5 defense.

Did the Euro offense hold back our fierce defense, intense rebounding, strength, and hands last year, or only this year?

 

[Chief00]

We ran a Euro style offense last year en route to the #1 offense, while also having a top 5 defense.

Did the Euro offense hold back our fierce defense, intense rebounding, strength, and hands last year, or only this year?

Yes, I think it definitely impacted our defense this year. Staffing our offense for Euro ball, while the defense suffered - PG position for example.

Also, I think you are undervaluing the ability of Castle and Newton to take their man off the dribble and how Clingan/Diarra set up the running game. That 30-0 run against Illinois included a lot more fast breaks and taking guy off dribble than Euro Ball 3’s.

This year we lack 4 guys who can take their man off the dribble.