Chief’s Briefs - SMU Edition

[AdamaNation]

Sometimes the less you say after a bad loss the better.

Wasn’t that the last bad loss?

 

[AdamaNation]

I knew we were in trouble when we missed several bunnies early in the first half. We ended the game 10-27 from the arc for 37% but only 11-43 from 2-pt range for 26%. How does that happen?

I must confess that I was so discouraged in the second half that I watched 'The Fugitive' with Harrison Ford instead and just switched back a few times to see if UConn was mounting any sort of comeback. I think Ford's character, a doctor, fought much harder that any of the UConn players tonight.

Agree with 4xChamps - Wahab was the kind of defensive minded center we need that would have the biggest impact on our team. The man defense on the perimeter has been just atrocious, leading to blow-bys and layups.

He only fought a one armed man. We played an entire two armed team.

 

[Chief00]

Wasn’t that the last bad loss?

I was referring to Danny’s comment about being a disgrace wearing the UConn uniform but then also saying how they didn’t give up.

 

[mauconnfan]

How many times did Smith and Vital run back on transition defense then come to meet their guy at the key or foul line in a rush rather only to catch an up fake and blow by? Just stupid defense all night from this whole team, lazy on switches and hedges it was dreadful.

 

[Mister P]

..Polley had a nice game scoring wise. Passes to him on his made 3’s were right where a shooter wants it, chest high.He was able to set his feet and square up.
..Sid needs to be taking 1000 shots per day in the gym.
..Permiter D again was awful along with giving up points in the paint.

 

[Chief00]

A lot is on Ollie but a coach can only do so much. A player has to have some inner drive. Jalen seems to have had very little desire to elevate his game to the next level.

To be frank, a couple of players have partied quite a bit during their time here

I think the coaches failed Jalen by not bringing in the talent to go around him.

Having said that, you can either have a lot of good looking b*thch*s or be a great focus player who has one smoking hot b*tch, who respects the time he needs to put into the game and sees the big check down the road. Unfortunately, it appears he may have chose the former. A nice, good kid and he loves the big kid on campus experience. So Chief won’t judge him other to say in 5 years he may be like JD and wished he had taken the other path.

 

[polycom]

A lot is on Ollie but a coach can only do so much. A player has to have some inner drive. Jalen seems to have had very little desire to elevate his game to the next level.

To be frank, a couple of players have partied quite a bit during their time here

Parting doesn’t matter. It’s how much do they want to get better. Going to college is suppose to be a good time for learning. It isn’t a business...

Let’s not make excuses these dudes suck and don’t seem to know how to get better. Learning how to play help defense is difficult, but these guys make it seem impossible.

 

[ucawn]

Cobb needs to anticipate when the guards will find him down low, a few times the guards would throw him a nice pass right by the hoop and the defender on him would step around him and get the ball because he didn’t shield or go to the ball. It was frusterating to watch

 

[Huskyfan4evr]

Carlton was a non factor again tonight. He needs to either pick it up if this team has any chance next year. He comes and goes. Hard to watch.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

It looked to me like SMU studied the Villanova game 2nd half and said, "we can do this to them, too!" 5 out, spread the floor, hit threes and drive. The sad thing is that after 'Nova we should have been better at knowing how to counter that defensively. The worst choice is a) leaving too much room between you and your man on the perimeter and then b) running at them late.

 

[djct1999]

We were horrendous, I'm out of explanations other then to say the only way to fix this is getting talent. Like 70%-80%of this team doesn't really belong at UConn/wouldn't get time on any good UConn teams.

Been saying this all season. Its not Hurley. He has done all he could. Its the lack of talent.

 

[Ewekon]

Can someone slip Wahab a paper bag before he signs please.

Offer high and act low. Up to you man. Don't let us down.

 

[Edward Sargent]

I think that was more a case of just knocking off the rust. He didn't really attack the lane either. But sitting him for the rest of the year when he can use the time to get meaningful minutes with guys he will play with next year would have been a huge waste. If he can play -and help- he should play.

Treating him like glass would be good for nothing and no one,

I agree with you and I think Danny does too.

 

[Hoops91]

A couple comments -

Any reason why Cartlon and Cobb can’t play on the court at the same time?

Vital is average and always will be average

Polley needs to learn how to drive -

They need a passing first guard - the team assist are a joke - look at the national rankings for team assists, the top schools are always at the top

Can’t wait till next year, this team is just not good

 

[AdamaNation]

I was referring to Danny’s comment about being a disgrace wearing the UConn uniform but then also saying how they didn’t give up.

Just jabbin. What are your views on Hurley now as opposed to him arriving?

 

[husky429]

I'd said Mitchell is imperative if we miss on Precious.......our interior D is a disaster.

Can't imagine he'll be much help on D. Is brilliant offensively, though.

 

[husky429]

A couple comments -

Any reason why Cartlon and Cobb can’t play on the court at the same time?

Vital is average and always will be average

Polley needs to learn how to drive -

They need a passing first guard - the team assist are a joke - look at the national rankings for team assists, the top schools are always at the top

Can’t wait till next year, this team is just not good

If Carlton and Cobb are both playing, a CCC 6th-man could get to the rim at will. Terrible, terrible idea.

 

[UConnDad]

A couple comments -

Any reason why Cartlon and Cobb can’t play on the court at the same time?

Vital is average and always will be average

Polley needs to learn how to drive -

They need a passing first guard - the team assist are a joke - look at the national rankings for team assists, the top schools are always at the top

Can’t wait till next year, this team is just not good

Problem is we're waiting once again for next year. Roster needs a major upgrade and 3 recruits is insufficient. We need more talent.

 

[husky429]

We need a couple bigs (one with rim protecting ability,) we need shooting, we need guys who can finish around the rim, we need a point in case Gilbert doesn't hold up, we need a go to slasher, we need the guys we'll depend on to improve a lot, we need the entire team to bulk up. We still need a ton.

I think Bouknight, Gaffney, and Akok really start to patch some of those holes. An athletic, lock-down wing defender, a big body, and another guard (for 2020) need to be the priorities IMO.

Seems like Precious/Jackson fill the first one well. We've really struck out with the second, despite working hard on the recruiting trail. Hopefully, some of the more talented JUCOs/grads/immediately eligible transfers can pan out for us.

 

[GHSWolverines]

Shutting Gilbert down would have been insane. Chief needs to think about that.

I agree. For not having played the last 5 games AG made a difference at the point. His shooting was not good from deep but I did not expect different.

 

[Griffman]

We have become one of those teams that top tiered programs look at on their schedule and pencil in a W before the season starts.

 

[alphasigko]

Quite frankly, we were not very good tonight. On defense we got beat off the dribble and on 3’s. We couldn’t keep our man in front of us when we played man to man and against a zone we gave up open threes.

Bottomline, we need a rim protector. We have played with effort much of the season but Chief did not see that effort tonight.

On offense, we couldn’t finish inside and did not run a productive offense. The final result of all that was very poor shooting. Cobb and Polley had their moments but they were moments not minutes. Chief thought a big test for Polley was when he got fouled on a 3. He made 2 of the 3 but if you want to be considered a shooter you got to put the dagger in and hit all 3. Polley can hit some 3’s, however he needs to be a killer with his shot and he’s not there yet.

Big picture, a decision has been made to end the season with Gilbert and J. Adams playing. Of course, as stated previously, Chief would have shut Gilbert down but Danny wanted him to get over the psychological barrier this season not next. Yet, our most effective defense this season has been Gilbert constantly pressuring the ball handler and we did not consistently try that tonight.

McMurray played well for SMU and Josh gave up an open 3 when we did not effectively execute a switch with about 4 minutes left in the game. That effectively eliminated any illusion of a comeback. Josh guarding McMurray 20 feet from the hoop isn’t a winning combination for us but we keep giving them that match up. Ounch!

There’s a lot of noise in a season of games, but good teams win on the road and we have not done that at all this season.

I chose to not watch the game, and I guess that decision saved me a lot of angst and stress. I think I am done watching for the rest of the season as well....I just can't deal with the frustration any more. Here's hoping Coach Dan can recruit some players with more talent on both ends of the floor.

 

[CL82]

We took 70 shots compared to SMU taking 49 & we lost by 18.....how is that possible.

We missed a bunch of open shots. Sid in particular has an almost otherworldly skill to have a ball go halfway through the rim and still pop out.

 

[Bonk]

I think the coaches failed Jalen by not bringing in the talent to go around him.

Having said that, you can either have a lot of good looking b*thch*s or be a great focus player who has one smoking hot b*tch, who respects the time he needs to put into the game and sees the big check down the road. Unfortunately, it appears he may have chose the former. A nice, good kid and he loves the big kid on campus experience. So Chief won’t judge him other to say in 5 years he may be like JD and wished he had taken the other path.

100% right, he love the big man on campus role. I agree with you, there is no doubt the coaches failed him, but after 4 years of not seeing certain technical improvements to his game such as improved jump shot form and developing a reliable left hand it really makes me wonder if he has been in the gym late at night improving his craft

 

[jibsey]

I don’t understand how our stud center ( for next year) is playing 17 minutes and scoring 2 points. Forget holding him out for fouls, what is he being saved for? At this time of year according to Jim Calhoun he is essentially a junior right? Is he a starting or backup center next year? Hurley needs 2 bigs a center and forward desperately or next year is more of the same.

 

[Rico444]

Any reason why Cartlon and Cobb can’t play on the court at the same time?

What did you see from either one last night that makes you want them on the floor?

 

[Rico444]

We missed a bunch of open shots. Sid in particular has an almost otherworldly skill to have a ball go halfway through the rim and still pop out.

Sid is the one bright spot I've seen so far this season. He needs to take 1000+ shots every day this summer, but once his shot starts dropping he's going to be really good for us.

 

[CL82]

Sid is the one bright spot I've seen so far this season. He needs to take 1000+ shots every day this summer, but once his shot starts dropping he's going to be really good for us.

Yeah, he's raw but his athleticism and competitiveness make me look forward to watching his development.

 

[jibsey]

Sid is 6’6” right? Small forward/power forward? With his frame and motor you would want to see elements of RIP in him pulling up from midrange and even 3 and being accurate at the line. I don’t see that and I don’t believe 1000 shots a day in the summer gets him there. That kind of stuff is a dream. Not saying he can’t be of help though but not a stud for us. Just an opinion.

 

[Rico444]

Sid is 6’6” right? Small forward/power forward? With his frame and motor you would want to see elements of RIP in him pulling up from midrange and even 3 and being accurate at the line. I don’t see that and I don’t believe 1000 shots a day in the summer gets him there. That kind of stuff is a dream. Not saying he can’t be of help though but not a stud for us. Just an opinion.

Sid's ideal skill set is a slasher that can get to the rim and make open jump shots. He's never going to be Rip Hamilton, but if he can make open shots then that will open things up enough for him to drive the paint and score there.