Chief’s Briefs - Texas Edition

[Lafayette]

Thanks for your insights. Overextending a center’s hedging leads to a change reaction of fouls and rebound issues when there’s not another big body in position to take care of the boards.

The foul issue is our own doing. We simply do not drive to the hoop and get the harm as our offense is predicated on motion and getting the best shot which may be a 3 or a mid-range.

Other teams drive with more regularity to try and get the bigs in foul trouble else their defender.

Add to the mix the occasional hand grab we get whistled for, or the moving screen and 2-3 more fouls.

Yes, you can take any one scene and say the refs should have called a foul, but if anything they have been more focused on on-ball fouls and less motion off ball fouls (e.g., grabbing, pushing).

 

[NewBlood]

We won’t have bigger leads in the elite 8

Really??? Bc we won our last two elite 8 games by

28


25

 

[Chief00]

Tarris is actually a bit short but can battle through the difference with longer centers, but is also dealing with longer athletic forwards hitting the boards. The problem is exactly as Chief notes. There is no other muscle on the floor taking pressure of Reed. Our rebounds generally come from fortunately being in the right place at the right time, not from moving people and getting up on the glass more physically.

True, and the over aggressive hedging magnifies the issue since he doesn’t have position. Offensive rebounds are often weak side rebounds and in the ideal World that’s a power forward zip code.

 

[Chief00]

Yep, plenty of screens were set for Mullins. After his 3 for 3 shooting start, the Texas defenders clamped down on him. They were all over him coming off of picks and off ball defenders were helping out if Braylon tried to drive or create something. He had no space to shoot and to his credit, didn’t force up bad shots. I think Texas called a timeout out after Braylons 3rd shot, a made 3, and I’m guessing Miller told his team to suffocate Braylon on D so he doesn’t go off.

It was interesting that Texas did not grab like some teams we played and who did not get called for the grabs. Instead Texas used open hand palms to push off against our dribbler or cutter without fully extending their arms. They got called for zero fouls doing that.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Just rewatched the game. Looked to me like Braylon camped out in the corner an awful lot in this game. hard to set screens for someone who isn't moving

 

[Fan1978]

Reed I fear is still not anywhere close to being fully over his injury.

He looked pretty agile blocking or nearly blocking shots

 

[Fan1978]

Yep, plenty of screens were set for Mullins. After his 3 for 3 shooting start, the Texas defenders clamped down on him. They were all over him coming off of picks and off ball defenders were helping out if Braylon tried to drive or create something. He had no space to shoot and to his credit, didn’t force up bad shots. I think Texas called a timeout out after Braylons 3rd shot, a made 3, and I’m guessing Miller told his team to suffocate Braylon on D so he doesn’t go off.

Braylon’s biggest problem is every shot is a good shot for him. Sometimes when he tries to share the ball bad things happen. For instance, he made a pass ahead to tarris on a fast break that resulted in a very awkward shot and almost a foul. Would have been better taking it himself. Another drive his wrap around pass resulted in a turnover. If he shoots it’s probably a layup. He needs to shoot first and the other opportunities will come. His range is ridiculous and a bad shot for almost anyone else.

 

[Mister P]

Braylon’s biggest problem is every shot is a good shot for him. Sometimes when he tries to share the ball bad things happen. For instance, he made a pass ahead to tarris on a fast break that resulted in a very awkward shot and almost a foul. Would have been better taking it himself. Another drive his wrap around pass resulted in a turnover. If he shoots it’s probably a layup. He needs to shoot first and the other opportunities will come. His range is ridiculous and a bad shot for almost anyone else.

Yeah, that was a bad decision to pass it to Reed during that break.
His range is ridiculous and he gets the shot off so quickly. One of my sons refers to him as ‘The Flamethrower’, because of the balls release, trajectory and path to the basket.

 

[HooperScooper]

‘The Flamethrower’, because of the balls release, trajectory and path to the basket.

Hurley recently also used that term to describe Mullins.

 

[Mister P]

Hurley recently also used that term to describe Mullins.

Ha. I thought he came up with that himself when he texted me that last night 😆
He gets one less present this year.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

. He also said that the reason he BM shoots so many contested shots is he hasn't assimilated the offense yet.

I heard that from Hurley too and it makes sense. I noticed Mullins run straight into white jerseys a handful of times last night.

Either way, at this point I’m shocked when he misses. I laughed out loud at one of his jumpers last night because this kid seems automatic.

 

[uconnfan68]

Hurley said he was gassed at the end. He also said that the reason he BM shoots so many contested shots is he hasn't assimilated the offense yet.

He did have one wide open three in the second half and missed.

He’s weeks behind in game conditioning.

 

[T-Squared]

Really??? Bc we won our last two elite 8 games by

28


25

Don’t get confused. This team is not near those two championship squads yet.

 

[husky429]

I honestly don’t know what some people are watching during a game. I watched one offensive possession last night where Mullins ran all over the court and must have ran around at least 5-6 various screens in the set.

And the thought that they haven’t been working on any sets for Mullins in practice is just as preposterous

He's developing the chemistry and conditioning he should have during a month of practices and cupcake games. IMO the kid is right where he should be for a breakout March.

 

[ucp990411]

I honestly don’t know what some people are watching during a game. I watched one offensive possession last night where Mullins ran all over the court and must have ran around at least 5-6 various screens in the set.

And the thought that they haven’t been working on any sets for Mullins in practice is just as preposterous

And how about the reason we don’t rebound well is because of the high hedge. How many shots are taken while our center is employs the high hedge? How about ZERO?

 

[Chief00]

Braylon’s biggest problem is every shot is a good shot for him. Sometimes when he tries to share the ball bad things happen. For instance, he made a pass ahead to tarris on a fast break that resulted in a very awkward shot and almost a foul. Would have been better taking it himself. Another drive his wrap around pass resulted in a turnover. If he shoots it’s probably a layup. He needs to shoot first and the other opportunities will come. His range is ridiculous and a bad shot for almost anyone else.

Some truth there but the flip side is he is a good team player and teammate. You don’t achieve that by shooting 100% of the time you touch the ball. So yes he needs to find that sweet spot after 2 months recovering from an injury.

 

[Chief00]

And how about the reason we don’t rebound well is because of the high hedge. How many shots are taken while our center is employs the high hedge? How about ZERO?

Honestly that’s not what I saw. And your response in a clever way did not cover the time the center is on his recovery journey from the high hedge, which almost by definition puts his opposing center closer to the basket than he is, often with a much shorter UConn player who switched off on him and creates the rebounding in mismatch. It is during this recovery process the shot often goes up.

 

[Chief00]

Yes if you can call them screens... I missed Clingan for those "perfect" hard screens to get Cam and Alex open...
All these screens they set now, they slip away too earlier, and they are too soft...

True it is the quality of the screen not the number. While other guys create some traffic congestion, a big strong well position body creates the best screen. Additionally, if defenders run into those guys blindsided they feel it - and that slows them down both mentally and physically going forward.

 

[uconn_jack]

What I will say about the high hedge is I trust the coaching staff more than anyone here about it's defensive benefit vs overall drawbacks. If it wasn't a net positive, they wouldn't do it.

 

[willie99]

Bottomline, the house was rocking and we have beaten 5 of 6 elite OOC opponents. A very good accomplishment given our injuries.

the refs gave Texas a 28 to 13 foul shot attempt advantage. More than 100% more. You have to be really good ( to overcome that) We are that good!

It is great being a UConn fan, we are all fortunate.

I shortened the OP to emphasize a few key points many Yarders are still missing

I would add that we held a very good team, especially a sensational team on offense that averages 90 points, to 63

One thing I learned about Texas, they can shoot

 

[Chief00]

I shortened the OP to emphasize a few key points many Yarders are still missing

I would add that we held a very good team, especially a sensational team on offense that averages 90 points, to 63

One thing I learned about Texas, they can shoot

Texas could really get the ball quickly up court in transition. Ironically, the high volume of game stopping fouls against us with FT attempts (28) may have hurt Texas’s rhythm/momentum more than ours - since we are used to the abundance of whistles in our game. Texas need more than 4 threes (31%), FG % 38% and 68% foul shooting - how did all that teach you they could shoot?

 

[Fan1978]

Some truth there but the flip side is he is a good team player and teammate. You don’t achieve that by shooting 100% of the time you touch the ball. So yes he needs to find that sweet spot after 2 months recovering from an injury.

We are on the same page, he is a good team player but best for the team to shoot more.

 

[Excalibur]

The obsession with the high (should be called “hard”) hedge remains laughable. We continue to give up more rebounds off of drop coverage because of the resulting uncontested dribble penetration.

Y’all are saying “X” when the reality is “not X”.

 

[Excalibur]

And how about the reason we don’t rebound well is because of the high hedge. How many shots are taken while our center is employs the high hedge? How about ZERO?

People would rather have our bigs out of position helping on penetration, though that has been a failed tactic all season.

 

[Stinger92860]

IF this team doesn’t win a national championship..

it will be cause of FTs.

I know it, you know it, Chief knows it, the casuals know it.

Rebounding, as FT won’t mean as much as we’ll have bigger leads

Right now we are ranked 228 at 69.9% for free throws. BTW, the team ranked last is Cuse at 56.8%., thats horrible.

We need to get better or it could bite us. Mid 70’s would be nice considering where we are now. Another glaring issue for is we are ranked 270 in getting to the line, resulting in only 13 ppg from the line. Considering how much we foul I am surprised that our FT differential is only -3.

The guys we need improvement from the most:

Reed - to avoid a wack Tarris defensive approach
Smith - he may become our go to PG closer, he will get fouled at the end of games
Reibe - another wack him target, but I think with his stroke he improves as the season progresses
Stewart - who is 4th on the team for minutes so far, which I did not realize, though with Mullins starting now Stewarts minutes should decrease

Silas shoots FTs at a 76% clip which is better than average, but barely. Also, he needs to be on the floor vs on the bench with foul issues

 

[AllHusky]

Right now we are ranked 228 at 69.9% for free throws. BTW, the team ranked last is Cuse at 56.8%., thats horrible.

We need to get better or it could bite us. Mid 70’s would be nice considering where we are now. Another glaring issue for is we are ranked 270 in getting to the line, resulting in only 13 ppg from the line. Considering how much we foul I am surprised that our FT differential is only -3.

The guys we need improvement from the most:

Reed - to avoid a wack Tarris defensive approach
Smith - he may become our go to PG closer, he will get fouled at the end of games
Reibe - another wack him target, but I think with his stroke he improves as the season progresses
Stewart - who is 4th on the team for minutes so far, which I did not realize, though with Mullins starting now Stewarts minutes should decrease

Silas shoots FTs at a 76% clip which is better than average, but barely. Also, he needs to be on the floor vs on the bench with foul issues

Somehow ball needs to be in Mullins and Balls hands at end, until Silas gets straightened out and is the dependable lead we need(poetry!)
Karaban is suspect at the line also.

 

[Lafayette]

Yeah, that was a bad decision to pass it to Reed during that break.
His range is ridiculous and he gets the shot off so quickly. One of my sons refers to him as ‘The Flamethrower’, because of the balls release, trajectory and path to the basket.

But the awareness to tap back that long rebound was amazing!

 

[Chief00]

The obsession with the high (should be called “hard”) hedge remains laughable. We continue to give up more rebounds off of drop coverage because of the resulting uncontested dribble penetration.

Y’all are saying “X” when the reality is “not X”.

The dribble penetration is often a result of a mismatch on the guard dribbling, a mismatch rooted in the high hedge.

 

[Chief00]

Somehow ball needs to be in Mullins and Balls hands at end, until Silas gets straightened out and is the dependable lead we need(poetry!)
Karaban is suspect at the line also.

Alex is good enough at the line at crunch time. Not perfect but good.

 

[Chief00]

People would rather have our bigs out of position helping on penetration, though that has been a failed tactic all season.

Generally, a Big should be in the paint to begin with on defense unless his man steps up with 3’s and we frankly have not seen much of that this year. If he is in the paint by definition he is helping on penetration.