Chief’s Briefs - St John’s Edition

[DMIL]

I think the box score of this game is telling particularly at Home.

• 51% Shooting by St Johns to our 41%
• 37 free throw attempts by St. John’s to our 27
• 21 UConn Turnovers to their 10
• 26 Bench points by St. John’s to our 11

These are meaningful disparities and these conference games are revealing. It is exposing our lack of discipline and composure in these tight games. This is the case on offense and defense. There was an expectation that we would get better with situational basketball as the season goes on however it happened. You always have to have a counter punch. The dead possessions and self inflicted turnovers simply kill the momentum of this team and undermines some of its strengths.

The team seems to have lost it’s identity and I’m surprised the coaching staff hasn’t figured out an effective counter yet. Hawkins certainly flashed today and played aggressive however his 7 turnovers hurt.

4 out of 5 Conference losses is a problem. Samson will make a difference when he returns and we may need to shorten the rotation a bit. Let’s see if Hurley can figure this thing out. Our opponents smell blood.

 

[gsmooth]

Very true — why is that? I understand why we can’t do the opposite on offense (the roster is poorly constructed with just jump shooters that mostly can’t shoot). But why can’t we guard the penetration? The high hedge makes sense.

This is what the Villanova game exposed to a certain degree even though I was hoping it was a 1 game outlier. UConn only shot 9-30 with so many wide open 3s. Other teams scouting UConn said “ okay, we can live with that these guys are not that great at outside shooting”. UConn should’ve shot much better then that considering how wide open those 3s were.

 

[Sea Goat]

I

How much would it cost to get Ollie back?

I don't know, but he's now is walking around with $11mm of UConn's money in his pocket...

Our talent is solid, but they seem to regress as the season goes along. It's sad - HCJC generally had his team get better and much tougher as the season progressed. Don't see that anymore...

 

[Horatio]

We’re losing to Big East physicality, better coaches and Big East officiating. We have players that aren’t used to Authentic Big East fist fights and our coach hasn’t adjusted because he’s being a “ Nice” guy during these fist fights. They have to figure it out. Getting another big back in the rotation helps

 

[jayteeman]

Foul trouble got in the way....some rough play and voila...we get an extremely strange disastrous outcome.
The fouls are truly dictating the game. It's destroying the flow, and just changes the behavior of how aggressive you can play.....before you know it, its not a game, but rather a clever display of how to get the call.
For this game you really have to disect where the screws fell off....you just can't take this talent and have this outcome against the caliber of this opponent......my god, what did I just watch?

 

[Frank06830]

That’s why you need two Bigs back there to protect the rim.

Yep Sanogo MIA at the rim because of his hedging and slow reactions

 

[HuskyBaggins]

We have lost our identity.

It was our bench but that's gone. Was our 2 headed monster (DC/AS) but that's gone. Was our outside shooting, but that's gone. Was our defense, but that's gone. Was our ability to make runs in games, but that's gone.

What the hell is left?

We haven't lost our identity, our identity was a mirage. They need to quit yapping about "eLiTe dEfEnSe". They're literally making other teams' offenses better at this point.

 

[HuskyBaggins]

Going to post this in every thread possibly, How many dribbles are we going to give up?

All of them it seems

 

[Chief00]

We don’t deserve to even mention the refs today, let alone have it be the first bit of analysis.

We were hot steamy stinky smelly dog poo from coaching down to most of the players.

Don’t disagree as far as the game - the ref made the opening due to two of the most bizairre interactions I have seen with fans in 30 years,

 

[Chief00]

Need some kind of reset. Maybe a lineup change or three. Hopefully they have some refs at practice that can help them understand how to understand court dimensions, understand how to set a screen, understand how to set up a screen. Coach needs zero tolerance for on court antics like his sideline mannerisms. Make some people “earn” their PT. Abandon the 1-3-1.

Two Bigs starting lineup needed. Change the dynamic. Guards are not the strength of our team.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Sanogo has 13 blocks in 19 games this season.

And as we saw several times today, now that the season is getting in to the grind, Sanogo can barely get above the rim. He scares exactly no one.

 

[connVA]

Big East officiating is a mess and in crisis. Saw things in the first half I have not seen in 30 years, including an out of control ref going after a fan 50 feet from the court then trying to toss a fan for saying rabbit ears at end of first half from 30 feet away. It is not in the Security handbook how to handle an out of control ref who should be the one tossed. The inmates are running the asylum. Time for a new league commissioner.

Not much to say about the first half other than Hawkins shot over 60% from the field and 100% from the FT while the rest of the team shot about 30% FG and 50% from the line.

In the second half Karaban and Sanogo contributed as well. Jackson was saddled with 4 fouls.

We need to play much better and losing at home is terrible. We are neither defending or exhibiting ball movement. The refs were terrible and Hurley behaved. This 4 out offense doesn’t work. Our best defense today was that early zone. We had 38% more fouls.

Newton and the other guards are struggling so badly that our starting line-up is returning to the 3-on-5 problem in the half-court that we had last year- (smart) coaches only need to worry about Sanogo, Hawkins, and Karaban and can effectively ignore AJ and Newton while collapsing the second or third man on Sanogo or sending help at Hawkins. Last year the issue was AJ and Whalley (both had a three pointer but needed their own zip code worth of space to get it off).

With regard to AJ, he could be an active participant in the offense but remains too timid about his shot. There seem to be at least one or two instances every game where he gets the ball outside the arc with -5 seconds on the shot clock and plenty of space and, instead of taking shot, passes it off to (effectively) a non-shooter like Diarra or Alleyne (for a bad miss or clock violation) or a well-covered Calceterra or Karaban (for a contested shot or clock violation).

 

[giddyup]

The four transfer guards are good players supplying depth, but unfortunately none have emerged from the pack as a stand out. Jackson refuses to shoot except for the occasional toss at the basket. Hawkins, Karajan and Sanogo carrying the offensive load. A good top twenty team, back in the national discussion, but a long shot for final four unless something really changes.

Not a top 20 team in reality, we have 1 win in the last 5 games. Top 20 teams don’t perform at that level.

 

[housekeys]

We just got punked.

Punking people requires the refs blessing. Yea, we got punked.

 

[freescooter]

I actually can’t believe you’re complaining about the refs. That’s laughable. Our team legitimately sucks. And you’re complaining about the refs.

14-0 start and we’re a bottom half of the BE team. Funny how that works.

I think the 14-0 was a little deceiving. 6 of those games we win playing with 4 against 5. Yes we beat Alabama and Iowa State but that was in a tournament and those are always suspect given the back to back nature of the event and the early season when teams are still coming together. We have a sub par backcourt. Again. A front court that is at best confused. No semblance of an offensive scheme. A coach who is overmatched game in game out. The refs might be bad, but they are the least of our problems.

 

[shizzle787]

I think the 14-0 was a little deceiving. 6 of those games we win playing with 4 against 5. Yes we beat Alabama and Iowa State but that was in a tournament and those are always suspect given the back to back nature of the event and the early season when teams are still coming together. We have a sub par backcourt. Again. A front court that is at best confused. No semblance of an offensive scheme. A coach who is overmatched game in game out. The refs might be bad, but they are the least of our problems.

Out of 76 teams in the power conferences, Warren Nolan (NET) predicts us to have 60th best (or 17th easiest) regular season strength of schedule. We will play a weaker schedule than 80% of the P6.

 

[freshler40]

The four transfer guards are good players supplying depth, but unfortunately none have emerged from the pack as a stand out. Jackson refuses to shoot except for the occasional toss at the basket. Hawkins, Karajan and Sanogo carrying the offensive load. A good top twenty team, back in the national discussion, but a long shot for final four unless something really changes.

Three (3) of our starters can and do shoot when open. Two (2) starters only pass. Math says that five (5) defensive players can shut down three (3) shooters or in todays case they were the only ones that scored even when counting the minutes of four (4) from the bench. Were easy to defend! Only three (3), maybe four of nine (9) players can score. Easy math indeed. Saint John's had six (6) players in double figures. Go look!

 

[Jalan2121]

We’re all frustrated. I’ve been watch the other Big East teams play for the last two weeks. The league office must have instructed the refs to let the games be physical. That’s ok. Other teams have adjusted.
Fix this team. There is no magic substitution rotation, no miracle defense. It’s been said many times, poor defense, poor positional play, cutters cut for nothing because seldom do they get fed. Undisciplined on offense and defense. Absolutely must focus this team on basic defensive footwork and moving as a team. Make it simple for them! An offense that relies on dribble dribble one on one street ball never works in a tough physical setting.
When compared to other BE teams UConn often starts the offense near mid court… too far out. Wing players need keep it simple. Pass first, shoot second, but be a shooting threat. In practice and games sit players down who “don’t get it”. Toughness comes from discipline. This is a very undisciplined team!

 

[coachn]

So glad the team were fired up from the Ray Allen visit. It looked like they were sleepwalking the entire game.

Ray Allen is bad for this team. Never won a NATY and has his name all over the place. Why do we have him talk to this team?
Did he tell them bring back KO.

 

[coachn]

Yet the coaches know riffing is inconsistent and they waste team fouls and individual fouls using bags with the high screen and running guards off of it.

The play takes part 25' from the hoop and everyone in the arena can watch the play unfold. Any moving or twitching bu the screener is a TO, personal foul and team foul. Three negatives in one play.

May help if we learned how to set a pick and use the roll man in the offense.

 

[connVA]

Two Bigs starting lineup needed. Change the dynamic. Guards are not the strength of our team.

Offensively, having DC at the 5, removing Newton, and putting AJ at the point is at least intriguing. We'd be substituting an offensive liability (Newton) with arguably our second or third-best offensive weapon at this point. But on defense, Sanogo has to defend 4's with multi-level offensive games, AJ and Hawkins have to defend (presumably) the two fastest guards, and Karaban has to defend a wing or guard (in three-guard offenses). I'm not sure that defense would be stopping anything out of Clingon's reach.

 

[joelerg87]

Ray Allen is bad for this team. Never won a NATY and has his name all over the place. Why do we have him talk to this team?
Did he tell them bring back KO.

I hope this is a joke but I’m pretty sure it serious, which then makes it really funny.

 

[Captbluefin]

Offensively, having DC at the 5, removing Newton, and putting AJ at the point is at least intriguing. We'd be substituting an offensive liability (Newton) with arguably our second or third-best offensive weapon at this point. But on defense, Sanogo has to defend 4's with multi-level offensive games, AJ and Hawkins have to defend (presumably) the two fastest guards, and Karaban has to defend a wing or guard (in three-guard offenses). I'm not sure that defense would be stopping anything out of Clingon's reach.

What happens when AJ gets 2 fouls in the first 5 mins?

Like seems to happen in the last two games

 

[Demo Square]

Hey guys,

If I were coaching this "team," I would have stopped the bus after the St. Johns game on the way back to Storrs at The Rent or some other available steep stairs. And I would have had the boys run til they puked! They need something to think about in "earning" their NIL money. Get their attention Hurley. A mini training camp session is a good reminder.

And Hurley should sincerely apologize to these boys for his major role in this terrible loss.

Then start over! Get to work on basic defensive & shooting fundamentals in practice drills, playing together as a team, & making each other better (haven't seen that in several games now - Sanogo is a man apart).

And especially practice essential passing fundamental drills too.

Ask every player where he likes to receive passes on offense. And make sure that Sanogo & AJAX start hitting those spots. Sanogo's rare passes out to open shooters are always out of desperation, way off the mark & kill the advantage.

AJAX often throws every pass from his hip, flat-footed from the point. Newton & Hawkins often throw low bounce passes to 7'2" Clingan in the paint.

AJAX & Sanogo really need to learn the fundamentals of the game of basketball.

Inaccurate passes take away the time when players are open & these two guys are terrible passers. Back to fundamental drills.

And Danny Hurley? Figure out your team already. We ARE deep. But you haven't figured out how to maximize the skill-sets in combo's yet. Nail it down Hurley! Maybe YOU should be running the stairs with the players.

Father Demo

PS: Very knowledgeable & passionate comments here from all you Husky fans & hoops addicts. - FD -

 

[Tiamat7]

Big East officiating is a mess and in crisis. Saw things in the first half I have not seen in 30 years, including an out of control ref going after a fan 50 feet from the court then trying to toss a fan for saying rabbit ears at end of first half from 30 feet away. It is not in the Security handbook how to handle an out of control ref who should be the one tossed. The inmates are running the asylum. Time for a new league commissioner.

Not much to say about the first half other than Hawkins shot over 60% from the field and 100% from the FT while the rest of the team shot about 30% FG and 50% from the line.

In the second half Karaban and Sanogo contributed as well. Jackson was saddled with 4 fouls.

We need to play much better and losing at home is terrible. We are neither defending or exhibiting ball movement. The refs were terrible and Hurley behaved. This 4 out offense doesn’t work. Our best defense today was that early zone. We had 38% more fouls.

I usually devour the Chief's Briefs and appreciate the detailed analysis. Only crumbs this time.

 

[hookshot]

Newton and the other guards are struggling so badly that our starting line-up is returning to the 3-on-5 problem in the half-court that we had last year- (smart) coaches only need to worry about Sanogo, Hawkins, and Karaban and can effectively ignore AJ and Newton while collapsing the second or third man on Sanogo or sending help at Hawkins. Last year the issue was AJ and Whalley (both had a three pointer but needed their own zip code worth of space to get it off).

With regard to AJ, he could be an active participant in the offense but remains too timid about his shot. There seem to be at least one or two instances every game where he gets the ball outside the arc with -5 seconds on the shot clock and plenty of space and, instead of taking shot, passes it off to (effectively) a non-shooter like Diarra or Alleyne (for a bad miss or clock violation) or a well-covered Calceterra or Karaban (for a contested shot or clock violation).

because he has no confidence that his shot will go in, and who is to say that he is wrong

 

[Chief00]

Yeah, three Purvises today (stepping on end line) was brutal.

That means you lack court awareness. Not a good sign guys having no clue where they are.

 

[Chief00]

The Solution: Chief would start Clingan, Sanogo, Karaban, Hawkins and Jackson. The transfer guards can't stop the ball by staying in front of their man / so plan B is to have Clingan back there protecting the rim. It puts our 2 best shooters and 3 best rebounders out there. Also, our best assist guy.

 

[Chief00]

Hate the 4 out! It only works if you have guards that can both shoot and create off the dribble. Neither of which our guards can do consistently. It’s going to be a long rest of the season if this continues. Lack of team confidence is apparent and it’s up to Hurley to fix it.

Bingo.

 

[Chief00]

Jackson saddled himself with four fouls. It was the worst game I have seen him play. He brought nothing today. Although his nifty dribbling 35 feet away from the basket was a pleasure to watch.

The last one I believe was a bad call but I agree the early one were poor risk/reward decisions.