Chief’s Briefs - PC Edition

[Chief00]

Great second half by Diarra (other than the foul on the 3) and Reed. Mahaney had his breakout game. So happy for him now playing in a better fit role.

PC has had more time to prepare for playing without their star (Hopkins) than we had (McNeeley). But our toughness came out the second half. Once we found our game, perhaps with some inspiration from Coach Hurley at halftime, we rebounded and boxed out better. We did not box out and our center was matching up on defense against deep 3 point shooters in the 1st half.

I knew there would be an offensive adjustment with McNeeley out but the first half defensive drop-off was a surprise. P.C. shooting 56% FG & 60% 3FG in first half hurts. 26 of PC’s 39 first half points were in the paint.

Johnson needs to make better defensive decisions and not spend so much time 3 feet on the other side of the 3 point line. That meant no 6-10 guy in the paint where they killed us. Reed eventually found the paint and it made a great difference.

This was also the game we needed Ball to really score with McNeeley sidelined, which happened the second half.

I was happy we put Mahaney at shooting guard but disappointed we benched him after he hit his first 3. However, he came back the second half as a tough shooting/combo guard with Diarra and Ball, which achieved a good result.

Today we saw how getting into the penalty first helps.

Hassan Diarra and Travis Reed really breathed fire the second half. They played great! Hassan’s full court defense and unselfish assists got the team going. Reed was a monster inside after only 7 first half minutes.
Karaban and Ball also led us into a winning mindset and performance.

 

[Excalibur]

The two point set up with Diarra and Mahaney worked. Diarra would bring the ball up and the first pass would be to Aiden and the offense would initiate from there. Mahaney’s not a traditional 2 who can run of screens to hunt jump shots but in that format it works.

If you actually watched him at St. Mary’s that‘s how they played with Mahaney and Marciulionis.

 

[Fan1978]

Great second half by Diarra (other than the foul on the 3) and Reed. Mahaney had his breakout game. So happy for him now playing in a better fit role.

PC has had more time to prepare for playing without their star (Hopkins) than we had (McNeeley). But our toughness came out the second half. Once we found our game, perhaps with some inspiration from Coach Hurley at halftime, we rebounded and boxed out better. We did not box out and our center was matching up on defense against deep 3 point shooters in the 1st half.

I knew there would be an offensive adjustment with McNeeley out but the first half defensive drop-off was a surprise. P.C. shooting 56% FG & 60% 3FG in first half hurts. 26 of PC’s 39 first half points were in the paint.

Johnson needs to make better defensive decisions and not spend so much time 3 feet on the other side of the 3 point line. That meant no 6-10 guy in the paint where they killed us. Reed eventually found the paint and it made a great difference.

This was also the game we needed Ball to really score with McNeeley sidelined, which happened the second half.

I was happy we put Mahaney at shooting guard but disappointed we benched him after he hit his first 3. However, he came back the second half as a tough shooting/combo guard with Diarra and Ball, which achieved a good result.

Today we saw how getting into the penalty first helps.

Hassan Diarra and Travis Reed really breathed fire the second half. They played great! Hassan’s full court defense, assists and unselfish assists got the team going. Reed was a monster inside of only 7 first half minutes.
Karaban and Ball also led us into a winning mindset and performance.

Mahaney is going to have to provide scoring. Ross and Stewart surprisingly still look lost at times. Love stewart but he is uncomfortable with ball in his hands when he is not shooting. When ross is on the court he is no threat on offense which brings the entire offense to a standstill. He has the tools to be a good defender but can’t seem to stay in front of his man on defense and then gets caught off the ground for fouls. Hopefully it clicks soon.

 

[GHSWolverines]

1. Great 2nd half
2. HD IMO was player of the game.
3. I am happy AM had a break out game
4. It showed on the boards with LM out.
5. I guess we are going to have to accept our mediocre defense

 

[dogpause]

Best win of the year, IMO. Some would consider beating Gonzaga, Baylor or Texas as the best, but the poise, the ability to come back, and the total team effort was champion-like in every way.
Go Huskies!

 

[Chief00]

1. Great 2nd half
2. HD IMO was player of the game.
3. I am happy AM had a break out game
4. It showed on the boards with LM out.
5. I guess we are going to have to accept our mediocre defense

I thought our defense was better the second half, although they still shot pretty well. Hassan pressuring the ball full court degrades their halfcourt offense.

 

[Chief00]

Best win of the year, IMO. Some would consider beating Gonzaga, Baylor or Texas as the best, but the poise, the ability to come back, and the total team effort was champion-like in every way.
Go Huskies!

On one level I agree, and I think Hurley has figured out the Mahaney role, he could pay huge dividends in the games ahead.

 

[Chief00]

The two point set up with Diarra and Mahaney worked. Diarra would bring the ball up and the first pass would be to Aiden and the offense would initiate from there. Mahaney’s not a traditional 2 who can run of screens to hunt jump shots but in that format it works.

If you actually watched him at St. Mary’s that‘s how they played with Mahaney and Marciulionis.

I guess the bottom line with Mahaney we can put 3 shooters on the court (Karaban, Ball and Mahaney), that’s what you need. And when Hassan is dishing and occasionally scoring and Reed is a tough man inside - it becomes too much for our opponents.

 

[AllHusky]

Mahaney is going to have to provide scoring. Ross and Stewart surprisingly still look lost at times. Love stewart but he is uncomfortable with ball in his hands when he is not shooting. When ross is on the court he is no threat on offense which brings the entire offense to a standstill. He has the tools to be a good defender but can’t seem to stay in front of his man on defense and then gets caught off the ground for fouls. Hopefully it clicks soon.

Watched Ross as he came out of the game in second half. Put his head down twice while walking up and down the bench. Looks like a kid who expects to fail, not pissed that he didn't succeed. Maybe too much inference, but body language was very clear to me.

 

[Excalibur]

I guess the bottom line with Mahaney we can put 3 shooters on the court (Karaban, Ball and Mahaney), that’s what you need. And when Hassan is dishing and occasionally scoring and Reed is a tough man inside - it becomes too much for our opponents.

I still think we have a skills mismatch between Mahaney and our offensive system. He’s a ball dominant guard who is best attacking the basket from straight on, which doesn’t mesh well with the symphony of motion that is our offense. Looks like we made some minor adjustments to that today.

 

[jibsey]

Our starting lineup has only 2 3 point shooters looking for the 3. I don’t think Hass is one and Ross is not.

 

[3rdbass]

The two point set up with Diarra and Mahaney worked. Diarra would bring the ball up and the first pass would be to Aiden and the offense would initiate from there. Mahaney’s not a traditional 2 who can run of screens to hunt jump shots but in that format it works.

If you actually watched him at St. Mary’s that‘s how they played with Mahaney and Marciulionis.

I didn't really see Mahaney running any offense as he had 0 assists and 1 Turnover. I thought it was still Diarra but there were a few times he gave to Mahney to create his own shot which he did. It is great to see Mahaney playing his more natural 2 guad position and helping out when needed Diarra with the ball. I don't even want to see Mahaney bringing up the ball as he can't handle the pressure. If we are going to play with 3 guards who is going to sub for them? If is weird that Nowell isn't getting any time as a backup at all.

 

[Palatine]

Mahaney is very good late in the clock shot.

 

[gtcam]

I think this win is so important at this point of the season - playing without arguably UConn's best player.
Ross to me is an enigma- what does DH and staff see in this kid?
AK looked uncomfortable on D in the 1st half - came alive in second half.
Diara was the player of the game
Ball can shoot a 3 but he has to be able to defend and get under the basket and fight for a rebound. Having him and Ross on the floor together is playing 5v3.5
Nobody could stop Sam on pick and roll in first 4 minutes and then it stopped.
Perimeter D sucks - getting beat off the dribble, 50/50 balls, not communicating - that is not DH ball.
BUT - they won, if they hadn't I'm not sure what the psyche of this team would be going into Nova game.
Big win - lot's and lot's to work on.

 

[GHSWolverines]

On one level I agree, and I think Hurley has figured out the Mahaney role, he could pay huge dividends in the games ahead.

Hurley in the post game interview admitted he made a mistake having AM play point. I still wish AN could get some burn (8 to 10 min) per game.

 

[GHSWolverines]

Watched Ross as he came out of the game in second half. Put his head down twice while walking up and down the bench. Looks like a kid who expects to fail, not pissed that he didn't succeed. Maybe too much inference, but body language was very clear to me.

Agree. Why not start JS next game? In Hurley's post game interview, he does seem too high on JS.

 

[Fan1978]

Hurley in the post game interview admitted he made a mistake having AM play point. I still wish AN could get some burn (8 to 10 min) per game.

AN is still hurt, he was wearing khakis and a boot

 

[GHSWolverines]

AN is still hurt, he was wearing khakis and a boot

Liam was in a boot not Nowell

 

[dtrumpet]

I think this win is so important at this point of the season - playing without arguably UConn's best player.
Ross to me is an enigma- what does DH and staff see in this kid?
AK looked uncomfortable on D in the 1st half - came alive in second half.
Diara was the player of the game
Ball can shoot a 3 but he has to be able to defend and get under the basket and fight for a rebound. Having him and Ross on the floor together is playing 5v3.5
Nobody could stop Sam on pick and roll in first 4 minutes and then it stopped.
Perimeter D sucks - getting beat off the dribble, 50/50 balls, not communicating - that is not DH ball.
BUT - they won, if they hadn't I'm not sure what the psyche of this team would be going into Nova game.
Big win - lot's and lot's to work on.

AK got torched in the first half, maybe his worst defensive half of the season. Their plan was to go at him and take him to the rim, and it worked consistently. That at least partially explains Prov's lack of assists, no need to pass when you can just score on a drive...and they did often.

 

[alphasigko]

"Johnson needs to make better defensive decisions and not spend so much time 3 feet on the other side of the 3 point line. That meant no 6-10 guy in the paint where they killed us. Reed eventually found the paint and it made a great difference."

Johnson can only dream of doing what Reed can do in the paint. Reed need to start. Period.

 

[dtrumpet]

"Johnson needs to make better defensive decisions and not spend so much time 3 feet on the other side of the 3 point line. That meant no 6-10 guy in the paint where they killed us. Reed eventually found the paint and it made a great difference."

Johnson can only dream of doing what Reed can do in the paint. Reed need to start. Period.

Johnson was way slower than usual getting back from the "high hedge" Danny likes so much. Reed was more effective in this very physical game. I'd like to see the rebounding numbers when he was in the game. Couldn't have been worse than even.

 

[alphasigko]

"...... Diarra (other than the foul on the 3).... ".

This was one of the dumbest plays of the season so far.

 

[Fan1978]

I didn't really see Mahaney running any offense as he had 0 assists and 1 Turnover. I thought it was still Diarra but there were a few times he gave to Mahney to create his own shot which he did. It is great to see Mahaney playing his more natural 2 guad position and helping out when needed Diarra with the ball. I don't even want to see Mahaney bringing up the ball as he can't handle the pressure. If we are going to play with 3 guards who is going to sub for them? If is weird that Nowell isn't getting any time as a backup at all.

Nowell is hurt, was wearing a boot