Chief’s Briefs - Seton Hall Edition

[HuskylnSC]

With Bouk and Jackson on the floor and in sync all these negative comments go away. Still time to get it together then have a good showing in the BET and NCAA. This is not a year we were going to challenge for the brass ring and we knew it going in. This is a progress year and on that basis it is accomplishing much. We will be UConn again and this year is a part of the process.

 

[formerlurker]

You get to sit in on practices?

No comment.

Try and tell the truth at least one time today, chef. Baby steps.

 

[Chief00]

Gaffney has looked like a different player the last couple games. Even with another layoff he came out and played poised and confident in what he was doing.

Jackson was great to see. I will admit I was down on him at the beginning of the season and expected he would not contribute this season especially after the injury. He proved me wrong. There is still a lot of rawness to his game, but he finally showed he deserves the minutes many have been calling for him to get, and that he did it in his first game back from injury was very impressive.

Polley and Jackson need to come off the bench IMO. I do not like Adams starting and think it is time for Gaffney to take the PG role and move Cole off the ball to start games.

Thanks, with Gaffney Chief has been saying trust in what he’s shown in practice. Of course, Jackson is a Dam Break/Blaze recruit. As I have said before, he is truly a student of the game and that comes out in his elite passing.

 

[Chief00]

To me it’s pretty clear why our offense struggles at times- it’s not because poor shooting- look at our 3 point shooting & foul shooting & it’s above average. We do not get enough penetration into the lane with our guards & until yesterday nor Cole or Gaffney showed any ability to get into the lane & or finish at the rim.

Going back to Polley- I still don’t understand how a coach, mentor, or player developer hasn’t shown him how to pump fake & use his body, leg, & lead dribble to get pass his defender- it would open up his whole offensive game & make him that much more valuable- to be honest with his shooting stroke, size, & athletic ability he should be a pro.

You have to look at what we shot against good teams. Chief has already provided those numbers.

 

[Chief00]

This 1000 times. Even late in the game down 4 we play hold the ball and wait until 10 on the shot clock and throw up a prayer.

Danny has to get a lot better at adjusting his game plan in flight.

 

[Chief00]

I think Bouk is the missing piece from a shooting perspective. Martin has improved and so has Gaff. Whatever Polley gives us as a shooter is more than offset by negatives in every other phase of the game. I haven’t seen Springs but aside from him, Polley is definitely the least effective player we have.

I don’t want to oversell my point since I agree about your assessment on the other phases of the game. I guess where we differ is I think our shooting against good competition is so bad, especially without Bouknight, that Polley when filling the right role is more of an asset than some one like him normally would be. He is shooting 38.5% from 3. Only Martin is better and with half the attempts.

 

[the Q]

- our top bigs foul too much. Other than that I don’t have many complaints about Whaley and Sanogo. I think Whaley needs to pop a few more of those open jumpers if teams are gonna sag off the way they do.

- I know polley is not a fan favorite, but think about how little shooting this team has Without him on the floor. He needs to move better without the ball and rebound better for sure. He’s also one of our 5 best players per bpm.

- top 5 on team in bpm: bouk, Martin, Whaley, gaffney, polley.

- I’ll be happy to eat shit on Martin. He’s taken a huge leap. He would’ve been the second best player on last years team with that bpm. I think, like vital, his rebounding for his size is huge.

- we do not have a real pg on the roster. Diggins should be able to get a lot of playing time early next year if he’s as good as his ranking.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

If Jackson is going to play like he did yesterday and Bouk is good to go we’ve seen the last of Brendan Adams playing significant minutes. I’m sure he’s a great kid and awesome in the locker room but so was Donnell Beverly. Doesn’t mean he got minutes over freshman Shabazz

 

[Marat]

Lots of great points. I will say though what’s been holding Gaffney back is confidence not athleticism / he has that covered. Chief really can’t explain fully though why he hasn’t exhibited it in games. I have always been a big Gaffney guy and it’s very heart warming to see him doing what he’s capable of.

Rod Sellers agrees with you ! From GWHusky podcast, Sellers said that Gaffney probably lost confidence when RJ was awarded the starting role. And it's good to see his regaining that now. It bodes well for his future.

 

[Chief00]

Rod Sellers agrees with you ! From GWHusky podcast, Sellers said that Gaffney probably lost confidence when RJ was awarded the starting role. And it's good to see his regaining that now. It bodes well for his future.

Thanks and I appreciate Rod Sellers. He will always have a special place in Chief’s UConn MBB history.

 

[Chief00]

If Jackson is going to play like he did yesterday and Bouk is good to go we’ve seen the last of Brendan Adams playing significant minutes. I’m sure he’s a great kid and awesome in the locker room but so was Donnell Beverly. Doesn’t mean he got minutes over freshman Shabazz

Facts: Agree it’s time. No disrespect to anyone. I see Jackson taking minutes from Adams, Whaley and Tyler. Not that he will play center but really 2-4 and even some PG. His mom said he had a late growth spurt - so he already developed guard skills. He’s a great kid to talk ball with and knows the history of some of the greats before his time. Chief loves kids that respect the game.

 

[alphasigko]

Quite frankly, it’s always a “defensive battle” for us because we can’t shoot. Too many long scoring droughts and strange decisions doubling on defense, leaving the wrong guys wide open for open 3 looks.

If Chief could change four Hurley things:
1) Quicker timeout to not to be lured into acceptable prolong bad offense.
2) End mindless doubling on defense. Double base on scouting report and hot hand.
3) Play Sanogo, Gaffney and Jackson more; Adams and Whaley less.
4) Polley is not a microwave off the bench, that experiment is a failure. He needs to start the game.

Give Seton Hall credit. They took advantage of what an incoherent defense gave them knocking down shots. Their defense was vanilla but that’s the way to play us without Bouknight. No need for unnecessary fouls or doubling guys who can’t shoot. The full court pressure applied at the right time did reverse momentum in the second half. They made 3’s and FT’s.

I don’t think IW in the line-up gets us off to a smooth start. He’s not smooth on offense and on defense while a good shot blocker makes poor decisions.

Am I wrong that 1/2 way though the first half the only time we went to the line was on a 3 point shot? Even being a poor shooting team that means we are not running good offense.

Chief would start the following line-up: Cole, Gaffney, Martin, Sanogo and Polley. Jackson first guy off the bench. Jackson made some nice passes today and good defense in spots. Gaffney is one of a few guys who knows how to get to the line and make FT’s. He showed his athleticism today that Chief has seen in practice.

Sanogo, when he can stay out of foul trouble is a star. Great hands, good footwork and soft touch. I love his patience and reading of the defense.

Team made nice comeback but dug too deep a hole. Again missed key foul shots late in the second half. Also, committed foolish fouls today and did not dominate on the boards. Had big guys 20 feet out on D abd not available for rebounds.

Big picture, this is the game Gaffney and Jackson made their statement for more playing time. Hurley needs to scrap his current rotations and associated playing time. Tough loss and we lost the game in the first half.

One sad thing is that IW only had 2 points total in 30 minutes of play......

 

[Chief00]

On sad thing is that IW only had 2 points total in 30 minutes of play......

Sanogo was limited due to fouls - guess you move guys around and give more time to Gaffney. Gaffney is an example of the grind paying off for Chief. It gave me the knowledge and feel to have confidence in him.

 

[bendm]

Today we lost because the other team was unconscious from 3...Seton Hall simply made tough shots

Why is no one else recognizing this? Hall looked like the best team in the country those first 10 mins, in particular, and it wasn't because our D was bad they were just making tough shots.

 

[Jbirdp5]

Maybe for this. Have you apologized yet?

View attachment 64344

Bouknight situation and wiseman are completely different. For one he had ncaa penalties and he was already a top 3 pick. Secondly a big man with his size skill is unique there’s a lot more athletic guards/wings that bouk is comparable to.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

On sad thing is that IW only had 2 points total in 30 minutes of play......

He’s regressed pretty bad on offense.

 

[Husky68]

Danny has to get a lot better at adjusting his game plan in flight.

Your analysis and lot of comments were really good. Part of my "questioning" is not only "in game adjustments" (which I see as not improving ) but just basic strategy decisions.

Opening lineup has no "who is going to hunt and get his shot" except Sanogo. All the other 4 are complementary scorers at best (Whaley pretty much not at all and Adams just slightly more so).
Early turnovers and hard to make, shot clock running out efforts because no one wants the ball to make a play.
Missed shots because the starters are not good shooters when contested. No one to take pressure off and cause opponent to focus on and leave others open.
The UConn weave accomplishes nothing, is a substitute for attacking the basket and results in clock ending hero ball.

Down 5 in last 5 minutes the key on defense is stop penetration, no fouls and any 3 pointer is contested. Exact opposite of Hurley strategy.
Last 5 minutes UConn needs to get into front court and attack quickly (should do this all the time), actually Gaffney took half the shot clock to get to within 30 feet of the basket, passed to big and got it right back so now has ball 30 feet from basket with 12 seconds to go. This is just crazy.

 

[Chief00]

Your analysis and lot of comments were really good. Part of my "questioning" is not only "in game adjustments" (which I see as not improving ) but just basic strategy decisions.

Opening lineup has no "who is going to hunt and get his shot" except Sanogo. All the other 4 are complementary scorers at best (Whaley pretty much not at all and Adams just slightly more so).
Early turnovers and hard to make, shot clock running out efforts because no one wants the ball to make a play.
Missed shots because the starters are not good shooters when contested. No one to take pressure off and cause opponent to focus on and leave others open.
The UConn weave accomplishes nothing, is a substitute for attacking the basket and results in clock ending hero ball.

Down 5 in last 5 minutes the key on defense is stop penetration, no fouls and any 3 pointer is contested. Exact opposite of Hurley strategy.
Last 5 minutes UConn needs to get into front court and attack quickly (should do this all the time), actually Gaffney took half the shot clock to get to within 30 feet of the basket, passed to big and got it right back so now has ball 30 feet from basket with 12 seconds to go. This is just crazy.

Thank you. When Bigs get in switches up high guarding guards, fouls are a likely outcome.

 

[coachn]

Jackson on the point in the press with agile alert ball hawkers behind him is the receipe.. Put Bouk, Gaf, Whaley and Song behind him and we have something.

 

[Chief00]

Jackson on the point in the press with agile alert ball hawkers behind him is the receipe.. Put Bouk, Gaf, Whaley and Song behind him and we have something.

Agree but maybe with Martin over Whaley?

 

[navery12]

Bouknight situation and wiseman are completely different. For one he had ncaa penalties and he was already a top 3 pick. Secondly a big man with his size skill is unique there’s a lot more athletic guards/wings that bouk is comparable to.

That's why they're different as prospects, and why a player could choose to sit out, which is not the conversation. Chief said NBA teams don't like players who sit out for personal reasons, which Wiseman did and he still went #2 overall

 

[MuchoDogYears]

One sad thing is that IW only had 2 points total in 30 minutes of play......

This is the issue that hasn’t been talked about. He’s not playing nearly at the same level as he did last year.

 

[olehead]

@Husky68 has collectively captured all the basketball strategy, execution points here.

My comment and I hope its infrequent about Hurley and other coaches, (because generally I'm not comfortable with commenting on our head coach) is that the outrage about the O is justified on balance. This is a major concern at this point in the season. Secondly, we have to admit we were collectively outraged when Ollie ran that three-man weave and heave crap. It drove us mad.

We are seeing it again. Our pick n roll game and inside passing has elevated during Hurley's tenure relative to Ollie but their is a lack of flow and playmaking action out there and I'm certain it's as hard as it looks to score. Ball-handlers in the weave-action have to be play-makers which means eyes-up and attacking rim.

I like how Nova, when running that three man action, have the following which makes them so effective offensively with only one really high-level athlete (Jermaine Samuels) among their top nine, ten, guys:

Outstanding spacing

Decisive drive, playmake, and kick game. They break that three-man at a moment's weakness with a drive, crab dribble into post move kick-out. They all do it.

Players square-up in triple threat better than anyone in the country with the exception of the Zags, maybe.

Remember Sam Young of Pitt, he of the "gotcha again" deadly pump fake, well Villanova has an entire team trained to ball-fake like Sam Young, um nice offensive move to have, if you can shoot a little.

Their players improve as shooters.

Ultimately, a hunger it seems, to exploit a defense. With Nova you watch, sans the Johnnie's game, with the impression that they can generate points and fouls each possession. We have a great deal of talent out there now and need to shore up mental deficiencies that hold a team back, including an unwillingness to accept and execute roles at a high level. All teams, particularly teams with talent have to execute assigned roles otherwise the overall product is mediocre.

Your analysis and lot of comments were really good. Part of my "questioning" is not only "in game adjustments" (which I see as not improving ) but just basic strategy decisions.

Opening lineup has no "who is going to hunt and get his shot" except Sanogo. All the other 4 are complementary scorers at best (Whaley pretty much not at all and Adams just slightly more so).
Early turnovers and hard to make, shot clock running out efforts because no one wants the ball to make a play.
Missed shots because the starters are not good shooters when contested. No one to take pressure off and cause opponent to focus on and leave others open.
The UConn weave accomplishes nothing, is a substitute for attacking the basket and results in clock ending hero ball.

Down 5 in last 5 minutes the key on defense is stop penetration, no fouls and any 3 pointer is contested. Exact opposite of Hurley strategy.
Last 5 minutes UConn needs to get into front court and attack quickly (should do this all the time), actually Gaffney took half the shot clock to get to within 30 feet of the basket, passed to big and got it right back so now has ball 30 feet from basket with 12 seconds to go. This is just crazy.

 

[navery12]

@Husky68 has collectively captured all the basketball strategy, execution points here.

My comment and I hope its infrequent about Hurley and other coaches, (because generally I'm not comfortable with commenting on our head coach) is that the outrage about the O is justified on balance. This is a major concern at this point in the season. Secondly, we have to admit we were collectively outraged when Ollie ran that three-man weave and heave crap. It drove us mad.

We are seeing it again. Our pick n roll game and inside passing has elevated during Hurley's tenure relative to Ollie but their is a lack of flow and playmaking action out there and I'm certain it's as hard as it looks to score. Ball-handlers in the weave-action have to be play-makers which means eyes-up and attacking rim.

I like how Nova, when running that three man action, have the following which makes them so effective offensively with only one really high-level athlete (Jermaine Samuels) among their top nine, ten, guys:

Outstanding spacing

Decisive drive, playmake, and kick game. They break that three-man at a moment's weakness with a drive, crab dribble into post move kick-out. They all do it.

Players square-up in triple threat better than anyone in the country with the exception of the Zags, maybe.

Remember Sam Young of Pitt, he of the "gotcha again" deadly pump fake, well Villanova has an entire team trained to ball-fake like Sam Young, um nice offensive move to have, if you can shoot a little.

Their players improve as shooters.

Ultimately, a hunger it seems, to exploit a defense. With Nova you watch, sans the Johnnie's game, with the impression that they can generate points and fouls each possession. We have a great deal of talent out there now and need to shore up mental deficiencies that hold a team back, including an unwillingness to accept and execute roles at a high level. All teams, particularly teams with talent have to execute assigned roles otherwise the overall product is mediocre.

So how do you explain that despite everything you've said, our offense is still incredibly efficient and one of the more efficient offenses in the country?

 

[Husky68]

So how do you explain that despite everything you've said, our offense is still incredibly efficient and one of the more efficient offenses in the country?

If UConn's offense is incredibly efficient that's quite the calculation. Show me (with all the details) so I can understand.

Viewed 4 important stats shown by NCAA 340 teams and here was UConn's place:

FG% 43.2% rank 220 (this rank is real low given not that bad at 3PT shooting, must be real bad inside the arc shooting %)
FT% 71.7% rank 134
3PT% 35.7% rank 91
TO's per game 12.5 rank 99

Not sure how team that shoots and handles the ball per above (more or less an average to mediocre shooting and ball handling team) could be "incredibly efficient" on offense.

 

[navery12]

If UConn's offense is incredibly efficient that's quite the calculation. Show me (with all the details) so I can understand.

Viewed 4 important stats shown by NCAA 340 teams and here was UConn's place:

FG% 43.2% rank 220 (this rank is real low given not that bad at 3PT shooting, must be real bad inside the arc shooting %)
FT% 71.7% rank 134
3PT% 35.7% rank 91
TO's per game 12.5 rank 99

Not sure how team that shoots and handles the ball per above (more or less an average to mediocre shooting and ball handling team) could be "incredibly efficient" on offense.

We're 39th in the country with a 111.5 ORTG, the factor you're missing from the above percentages is we're an elite offensive rebounding team. So while there's lots of misses we're rebounding and scoring more of those misses than most teams in the country

 

[Jbirdp5]

That's why they're different as prospects, and why a player could choose to sit out, which is not the conversation. Chief said NBA teams don't like players who sit out for personal reasons, which Wiseman did and he still went #2 overall

I see your point, still think wiseman is more the exception than the rule in a circumstance like this.

 

[Chief00]

So how do you explain that despite everything you've said, our offense is still incredibly efficient and one of the more efficient offenses in the country?

That’s not true when you look at the shooting percentages against the good teams. USC (34%}, Creighton (35% & 36%), Marquette (41%) and St John (40%). True, we shot 47% against Seton Hall but only 31% from 3. The numbers back up the eye test.

 

[Chief00]

@Husky68 has collectively captured all the basketball strategy, execution points here.

My comment and I hope its infrequent about Hurley and other coaches, (because generally I'm not comfortable with commenting on our head coach) is that the outrage about the O is justified on balance. This is a major concern at this point in the season. Secondly, we have to admit we were collectively outraged when Ollie ran that three-man weave and heave crap. It drove us mad.

We are seeing it again. Our pick n roll game and inside passing has elevated during Hurley's tenure relative to Ollie but their is a lack of flow and playmaking action out there and I'm certain it's as hard as it looks to score. Ball-handlers in the weave-action have to be play-makers which means eyes-up and attacking rim.

I like how Nova, when running that three man action, have the following which makes them so effective offensively with only one really high-level athlete (Jermaine Samuels) among their top nine, ten, guys:

Outstanding spacing

Decisive drive, playmake, and kick game. They break that three-man at a moment's weakness with a drive, crab dribble into post move kick-out. They all do it.

Players square-up in triple threat better than anyone in the country with the exception of the Zags, maybe.

Remember Sam Young of Pitt, he of the "gotcha again" deadly pump fake, well Villanova has an entire team trained to ball-fake like Sam Young, um nice offensive move to have, if you can shoot a little.

Their players improve as shooters.

Ultimately, a hunger it seems, to exploit a defense. With Nova you watch, sans the Johnnie's game, with the impression that they can generate points and fouls each possession. We have a great deal of talent out there now and need to shore up mental deficiencies that hold a team back, including an unwillingness to accept and execute roles at a high level. All teams, particularly teams with talent have to execute assigned roles otherwise the overall product is mediocre.

Thoughtful analysis. Hopefully, there will be plus adjustments when Boutnight returns. He was regularly being doubled teamed, which opens things up for other guys from 3 or on the offensive glass. Whaley’s offensive success early and recent falloff has a lot to do with this factor. Often he was left unguarded when James got the ball.

 

[mauconnfan]

Quite frankly, it’s always a “defensive battle” for us because we can’t shoot. Too many long scoring droughts and strange decisions doubling on defense, leaving the wrong guys wide open for open 3 looks.

If Chief could change four Hurley things:
1) Quicker timeout to not to be lured into acceptable prolong bad offense.
2) End mindless doubling on defense. Double base on scouting report and hot hand.
3) Play Sanogo, Gaffney and Jackson more; Adams and Whaley less.
4) Polley is not a microwave off the bench, that experiment is a failure. He needs to start the game.

Give Seton Hall credit. They took advantage of what an incoherent defense gave them knocking down shots. Their defense was vanilla but that’s the way to play us without Bouknight. No need for unnecessary fouls or doubling guys who can’t shoot. The full court pressure applied at the right time did reverse momentum in the second half. They made 3’s and FT’s.

I don’t think IW in the line-up gets us off to a smooth start. He’s not smooth on offense and on defense while a good shot blocker makes poor decisions.

Am I wrong that 1/2 way though the first half the only time we went to the line was on a 3 point shot? Even being a poor shooting team that means we are not running good offense.

Chief would start the following line-up: Cole, Gaffney, Martin, Sanogo and Polley. Jackson first guy off the bench. Jackson made some nice passes today and good defense in spots. Gaffney is one of a few guys who knows how to get to the line and make FT’s. He showed his athleticism today that Chief has seen in practice.

Sanogo, when he can stay out of foul trouble is a star. Great hands, good footwork and soft touch. I love his patience and reading of the defense.

Team made nice comeback but dug too deep a hole. Again missed key foul shots late in the second half. Also, committed foolish fouls today and did not dominate on the boards. Had big guys 20 feet out on D abd not available for rebounds.

Big picture, this is the game Gaffney and Jackson made their statement for more playing time. Hurley needs to scrap his current rotations and associated playing time. Tough loss and we lost the game in the first half.

Not sure why no Whaley despite the numbers the things he does off the stats sheet are still very good. We need him to score more yeah but you want to play Polley and Gaffney without Whaley? You just cut down on your stops tremendously.

We got beat down there stretch despite scoring because we couldn't get stops period. We need to stop forgetting about who we are on that end. jackson seems to fit on the D end he makes things difficult for the other team with his length. Gaffney showed something on O for once so if he's playing like that give him more minutes but again, can't have 2 guys who can't guard the ball in the game too much at the same time. Tyler had one rebound it was off his own miss, he watched a lot of 50/50 balls from the perimeter quite honestly. He needs to stick his nose in there more often or shouldn't see the floor. But Whaley is fine, just needs to finish other than that he's the least of our problems.

The rest I agree with for the most part.