Chief’s Briefs - St John’s Edition

[Chief00]

Full disclosure, my sister did it again and scheduled a family party 30 minutes into the game. So my observations will be brief on what I did see.

Hawkins, Sanogo and Jackson led the way with Andre getting comfortable with the baseline and drives to the hoop. Two good adjustment.

We got 32 points from our bench which brought back memories of the Nike tournament. Joey C, Clingan and Alleyne played well. This made up for rare recent poor game from Karaban and a mix type game from Newton.

We saw the value of having a shot blocker rim protector against a team that could beat us off the dribble. We had 11 block shots to 3.

A good game but then our trait of self- imploding and not closing a game took over.

Good to see Hurley finally figured out it was a good time to put Joey C in the game. I would prefer him over Newton at closing time due to better decision making. Diarra has some pluses but his foul shooting is a hindrance if he was available.

 

[bendm]

Joey prob only played today because diarra was out. Don’t see him suddenly stealing crunch time minutes from Newton.

 

[ucp990411]

Why didn’t you and others at the party watch the game? Very disappointed in you. And I question their priorities

 

[ctchamps]

Full disclosure, my sister did it again and scheduled a family party 30 minutes into the game. So my observations will be brief on what I did see.

Hawkins, Sanogo and Jackson led the way with Andre getting comfortable with the baseline and drives to the hoop. Two good adjustment.

We got 32 points from our bench which brought back memories of the Nike tournament. Joey C, Clingan and Alleyne played well. This made up for rare recent poor game from Karaban and a mix type game from Newton.

We saw the value of having a shot blocker rim protector against a team that could beat us off the dribble. We had 11 block shots to 3.

A good game but then our trait of self- imploding and not closing a game took over.

Good to see Hurley finally figured out it was a good time to put Joey C in the game. I would prefer him over Newton at closing time due to better decision making. Diarra has some pluses but his foul shooting is a hindrance if he was available.

Casual fan!

 

[Fishy]

It’s going to annoy the usual suspects, but today was an awesome example of how corrosive turnovers can be.

First half, two turnovers, 11 more shots than St. John’s. We outscore them by nine.

Second half, 12 turnovers, St. John’s gets 12 more shots than we do. Scoring was even at 45-45.

Thankfully, the defense prevented St. John’s from taking complete advantage of the disparity, but it’s the difference between a 105-75 laugher and a game that was comfortable, but closer than it needed to be. Best way to play defense on yourself is to give the ball away before you get a scoring chance. Gotta get fixed.

 

[firstnline]

Yeah, Clingan was a beast today . He needs to work on his stamina and get in the weight room after this season. I don't know if anyone can handle him down the stretch. He seemed more ready to catch passes thrown to him in the lane in the last few games.

Joey made shots early and that set the tempo for a good first half. 2nd half was sluggish for the team but they held on and got the win. Good for the team to get experience on a floor where they could be playing many more games coming up in the next few weeks.

 

[housekeys]

Diarra has some pluses but his foul shooting is a hindrance if he was available.

Chief be nice. The guy did't even play. You could have saved that bit of wisdom for when he did.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

What you guys are missing about Joey C is the emergence of Alleyne we can know can put 3-4 three point shooters on the floor plus a big who can score ,
That puts enormous pressure on the defense and eventually will lead to better looks . Guys who can stroke but are catch and shoot players need better looks to be more consistent.
Polley was a great shooter unfortunately for him he was usually the second or even first option . Opponents prepared for him coming off the bench and decreased his effectiveness.
I love the use of mid-major as a some kind of pejorative
Just remember
Damian Lillard
Steve Nash
Kawhi Leonard
Steph Curry
and Larry Bird
Were all mid major players to name a few. It’s not where you played but how well you play that important.

 

[Chief00]

It’s going to annoy the usual suspects, but today was an awesome example of how corrosive turnovers can be.

First half, two turnovers, 11 more shots than St. John’s. We outscore them by nine.

Second half, 12 turnovers, St. John’s gets 12 more shots than we do. Scoring was even at 45-45.

Thankfully, the defense prevented St. John’s from taking complete advantage of the disparity, but it’s the difference between a 105-75 laugher and a game that was comfortable, but closer than it needed to be. Best way to play defense on yourself is to give the ball away before you get a scoring chance. Gotta get fixed.

Agree on that

Chief be nice. The guy did't even play. You could have saved that bit of wisdom for when he did.

I acknowledge that fact in the quote you selected.

 

[Chief00]

Yeah, Clingan was a beast today . He needs to work on his stamina and get in the weight room after this season. I don't know if anyone can handle him down the stretch. He seemed more ready to catch passes thrown to him in the lane in the last few games.

Joey made shots early and that set the tempo for a good first half. 2nd half was sluggish for the team but they held on and got the win. Good for the team to get experience on a floor where they could be playing many more games coming up in the next few weeks.

I think Joey C and Clingan are key, when they get minutes and play well, we are really difficult to beat. With Hawkins and Sanogo there are built in expectations but these two off the bench make us very hard to defend.

 

[Chief00]

Casual fan!

I was reprimanded for making some comments when I first got there, so I zipped up after that and tried to sneak off to watch the game as much as possible.

 

[Corny2Amida]

I think Joey C and Clingan are key, when they get minutes and play well, we are really difficult to beat. With Hawkins and Sanogo there are built in expectations but these two off the bench make us very hard to defend.

"And they play well" today Joey C was draining them and Clingan continues his development. Adama's efficiency (26 mins, 18 pts, 9 rebounds) plus Karaban foul trouble had me wondering why our Adama wasn't out there with Donovan but hey, if you had Patrick Ewing (as a freshman) and Corny Thompson (whose outside game and driving ability continue to improve) on the same team, I guess you continue to limit Patrick's minutes, in favor of another "wing"

 

[gtcam]

A win is always good, especially a road conference win but MSG is hardly a hostile environment for UConn.
The massive amounts of turnovers in the second half is unacceptable and nearly caused the game to become ultra close. Sanogo’s court vision and passing is suspect.
Closing out games is a bad trend and a really good team and coach is going to clamp the D down and hound UConn. Closing out the game is the difference between advancing or going home in the NCAAs. It isn’t a one off with this team, it’s a habit and should have been coached through long before this date. Not good.
Nice to see Joey C and NA breakout and UConn will need them from this point forward.
AJax played a really good final 33% of the game. He is much more effective when running the baseline. UConn can’t afford to play 4v5 for 2/3 of a game.
AK battles the whole game and does the little things that make a difference.
Hawk was pressing too much early but settled in. A little out of control on his drives but did play some nice D. And guess what? My man scored 20 again and led the team in scoring again. I have to laugh at the box score that shows he had only 2 rebounds. He had that many in the opening 5 minutes. My son and I counted at least 7.
DC was a huge factor in this game, without him there may not have been a W. He is young and the refs cut him zero slack.
Too many fouls but 80% were justified. Still the NBE officiating is the worse aspect of the league.
Need to beat both DePaul and Nova

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think Joey C and Clingan are key, when they get minutes and play well, we are really difficult to beat. With Hawkins and Sanogo there are built in expectations but these two off the bench make us very hard to defend.

Joey C was key late game as a closer. He should have been in the other day in place of Diarra. He makes heads up plays, hits FTs and doesn’t turn it over

Clingan blocks were big but everyone got in on it. Hawk had one, Andre and Sanogo had at least two each. I think a few tip blocks weren’t scored as blocks. Need Donovan to stop throwing the ball at the backboard and shoot the basketball. Fortunately Alleyne has become a clutch scorer, hit some big midrange shots today.

To Fishy’s point on turnovers, the worst stretch came when we extended the lead and the guys started playing circus basketball. It’s a tendency they’ve had. We also played a lineup with Andre at PG bc Diarra was out and that didn’t go well on the turnover front.

The biggest offensive adjustment we made this year was not running post sets for Adama. It had stifled our ball movement and off ball movement. He’s found ways to score in the flow of the game and without checking stats I think he’s been even more efficient. Trying to recall when it changed, but I think it came after our poor performance in a win vs Georgetown.

I was watching out at B Dubs so no sound, couldn’t hear the crowd or the annoying woman

 

[Mets8692]

Andre was great today, has been the last 3-4 games. Really playing within his game, fun to watch.

 

[Jimdish255]

We are playing better but the late game loss of focus right after the AJ lob/Jam is a little concerning. We still need to stay focused to close games against quality teams. Another W.

 

[Waquoit]

Turnovers bad. Got it.

 

[Scottobot]

I think Joey C and Clingan are key, when they get minutes and play well, we are really difficult to beat. With Hawkins and Sanogo there are built in expectations but these two off the bench make us very hard to defend.

I think all 4 bench players, Clingan, JC, Alleyne, and Diarra are the key. Having 4 guys that could step up any time of the bench is essential for winning 6 in row. The starters will have some bad games occasionally, and having options off the bench will save the day in a tournament game. Last year’s early exit I blame on having no options off the bench.

I also really like Andre being positioned on the baseline. I think this was great mid season adjustment by Hurley. I like his man trying to double Sanogo, and the pass going to Andre for dunk. I liked the play they ran at end of the first half, even though the pass was off and it didn’t work. I am not wild about Andre shooting 3s, even though his form is looking much better. The team in general shoots too many 3s. We don’t need Andre to be another 3P shooter. I loved it when he drove to basket, drew contact and got to FT line. Driving to the hoop and drawing FTs is what this team needs. I’d love to see Andre focus on that rather than being another 3P shooter.

Finally, Sanogo is a great captain and team leader. Several times he grabbed one of his teammates, when they were about to get a technical foul, and pulled them away from the St John’s player who was taunting.

 

[auror]

It’s going to annoy the usual suspects, but today was an awesome example of how corrosive turnovers can be.

First half, two turnovers, 11 more shots than St. John’s. We outscore them by nine.

Second half, 12 turnovers, St. John’s gets 12 more shots than we do. Scoring was even at 45-45.

Thankfully, the defense prevented St. John’s from taking complete advantage of the disparity, but it’s the difference between a 105-75 laugher and a game that was comfortable, but closer than it needed to be. Best way to play defense on yourself is to give the ball away before you get a scoring chance. Gotta get fixed.

Nothing in here is wrong, but you're unlikely to limit yourself to 4 turnovers against St Johns. Only 1 team out of 19 has had less than 11 turnovers against them, and coincidentally they won 104-76 lol.

 

[ibleedhuskyblue]

I was watching out at B Dubs so no sound, couldn’t hear the crowd or the annoying woman

I had no idea anyone loved St Johns so much.

 

[dogpause]

Love that we're now doubling up on balls into the low post. Also happy to see Clingan set a legal screen. As good as he's been, and as fundamentally sound he is for freshman, it surprised me that he was getting flagged so often on screens.

 

[dogpause]

I had no idea anyone loved St Johns so much.

At least she worked clean -- not one word of profanity that I heard. Might be why the announcers had a little fun with it.

 

[Umami Zen]

Control the tournovers.. Chief is the NIL guy.. 24-7..

 

[Chief00]

Joey C was key late game as a closer. He should have been in the other day in place of Diarra. He makes heads up plays, hits FTs and doesn’t turn it over

Clingan blocks were big but everyone got in on it. Hawk had one, Andre and Sanogo had at least two each. I think a few tip blocks weren’t scored as blocks. Need Donovan to stop throwing the ball at the backboard and shoot the basketball. Fortunately Alleyne has become a clutch scorer, hit some big midrange shots today.

To Fishy’s point on turnovers, the worst stretch came when we extended the lead and the guys started playing circus basketball. It’s a tendency they’ve had. We also played a lineup with Andre at PG bc Diarra was out and that didn’t go well on the turnover front.

The biggest offensive adjustment we made this year was not running post sets for Adama. It had stifled our ball movement and off ball movement. He’s found ways to score in the flow of the game and without checking stats I think he’s been even more efficient. Trying to recall when it changed, but I think it came after our poor performance in a win vs Georgetown.

I was watching out at B Dubs so no sound, couldn’t hear the crowd or the annoying woman

Agree with your points. Joey C needs a promotion and the team needs it.

 

[Chief00]

Andre was great today, has been the last 3-4 games. Really playing within his game, fun to watch.

As Chief has been saying, he needs to be put in position to be successful. Having him stand on the 3 line, did not do that. The baseline and drives do with an occasional 3 in the flow.