Chief’s Briefs- Villanova Edition

[Chief00]

A much needed road win with 20,261 fans in attendance. But, thankfully ref James Breeding was not in attendance, as he was for our two Big East loses (SJU & Creighton), in which our opponents enjoyed a combined 63 to 30 advantage in FTA’s. Tonight the difference was 1 less foul shot attempt.

Having said that, Mullins fouled out and Reed ended with 4 fouls. With these two starters playing only a combine 48 minutes due to foul trouble, that gave our bench 32 of their minutes and they made the most of the opportunity. Stewart hit 2 threes, Reibe had 8 points & 5 rebounds, while Ross went 4-5 from FT with 2 rebounds. They all contributed on defense too.

The other key was Karaban playing injured, effectively going 5-8 FG or 5-6 on non three point shots plus 5 rebounds. Remarkably, Alex played a team high 34 minutes

Interestingly, the five starters scored between 9 and 12 points while the 4 bench players gave us 4-8 points. Our shooting was better than Villanova’s (55% to 41% FG), (32% to 25% 3pt) and (85% to 64% FT). Good foul shooting like that will be needed in March.

Hurley agreed in a recent interview with Chief that our Bigs need to protect the rim more. Reed and Reibe combined for 4 blocks. Less chasing guards near halfcourt and more rim protection and rebounds (11 combined today: Reed 6, Reibe 5).

I am concerned with both Karaban and Mullins legs - both were limping late in the Game.

Demery had 7 turnovers vs 6 assists, while he had more than his share of non called contact, he needs to do better protecting the ball. To his credit, Smith was 2-3 FG and had 2 assists and zero turnovers, giving us 12 productive minutes. .

The contribution from the bench resembled what they did in some elite early season non conference wins rather than resent conference games. Big game this Wednesday.

 

[GHSWolverines]

If Ross and Stewie can consistently give that type of bench performance then AK and BM won't have to play 30+ minutes a game. I also thought MS played much more under control and this will allow SD to not have to play 30+ minutes as well

 

[businesslawyer]

If Ross and Stewie can consistently give that type of bench performance then AK and BM won't have to play 30+ minutes a game. I also thought MS played much more under control and this will allow SD to not have to play 30+ minutes as well

Smith has started to look like the guy who we saw during the non-conference schedule. Given that Silas becomes a turnover machine every few games, that is extremely important.

 

[mjmoney23]

Good write up Chief. I was going to mention Smith also gave good minutes off the bench but you talked about him at the end of your briefs. Yesterday was night and day from Wednesday. The Peep will be rocking on Wednesday!

 

[Chief00]

Good write up Chief. I was going to mention Smith also gave good minutes off the bench but you talked about him at the end of your briefs. Yesterday was night and day from Wednesday. The Peep will be rocking on Wednesday!

Can’t wait for Wednesday and if Val’s Office sticks us with James Breeding let’s be really vocal on the first bad calll!

 

[Palatine]

The entire defense played much closer to the arc and not 30 feet from the basket especially Reed. This helped clog the middle and stop the free penetration to the rim. Reibe was also playing well enough to get Reed minutes down to 23 and the energy showed on both ends.

 

[Old Man UConn]

Good bench game. With Stewart, Reibe and Ross contributing. In defense Demery, hard to play with hands and arms prohibiting movement. In Official rule book that is called a foul as you limit player movement. Not even going to talk about teams' doing the hug defense. Putting both arms around cutters.
Good win. Gives hope

 

[hansonel-amin]

A much needed road win with 20,261 fans in attendance. But, thankfully ref James Breeding was not in attendance, as he was for our two Big East loses (SJU & Creighton), in which our opponents enjoyed a combined 63 to 30 advantage in FTA’s. Tonight the difference was 1 less foul shot attempt.

Having said that, Mullins fouled out and Reed ended with 4 fouls. With these two starters playing only a combine 48 minutes due to foul trouble, that gave our bench 32 of their minutes and they made the most of the opportunity. Stewart hit 2 threes, Reibe had 8 points & 5 rebounds, while Ross went 4-5 from FT with 2 rebounds. They all contributed on defense too.

The other key was Karaban playing injured, effectively going 5-8 FG or 5-6 on non three point shots plus 5 rebounds. Remarkably, Alex played a team high 34 minutes

Interestingly, the five starters scored between 9 and 12 points while the 4 bench players gave us 4-8 points. Our shooting was better than Villanova’s (55% to 41% FG), (32% to 25% 3pt) and (85% to 64% FT). Good foul shooting like that will be needed in March.

Hurley agreed in a recent interview with Chief that our Bigs need to protect the rim more. Reed and Reibe combined for 4 blocks. Less chasing guards near halfcourt and more rim protection and rebounds (11 combined today: Reed 6, Reibe 5).

I am concerned with both Karaban and Mullins legs - both were limping late in the Game.

Demery had 7 turnovers vs 6 assists, while he had more than his share of non called contact, he needs to do better protecting the ball. To his credit, Smith was 2-3 FG and had 2 assists and zero turnovers, giving us 12 productive minutes. .

The contribution from the bench resembled what they did in some elite early season non conference wins rather than resent conference games. Big game this Wednesday.

I thought JRoss' lock-up D on Askew was critical; 13 points last game, and 0 yesterday. You could almost sense Askew's frustration.

 

[Chief00]

The entire defense played much closer to the arc and not 30 feet from the basket especially Reed. This helped clog the middle and stop the free penetration to the rim. Reibe was also playing well enough to get Reed minutes down to 23 and the energy showed on both ends.

I observed too that Danny dialed back the high part of the hedge. More like we played with Donovan.

 

[Chief00]

Good bench game. With Stewart, Reibe and Ross contributing. In defense Demery, hard to play with hands and arms prohibiting movement. In Official rule book that is called a foul as you limit player movement. Not even going to talk about teams' doing the hug defense. Putting both arms around cutters.
Good win. Gives hope

Exactly, again we need to force a call by slapping their hands/arms. True, the Breeder’s of this World may call the slap on us but it is the start of a must needed conversation!

 

[gsmooth]

If Ross and Stewie can consistently give that type of bench performance then AK and BM won't have to play 30+ minutes a game. I also thought MS played much more under control and this will allow SD to not have to play 30+ minutes as well

That's the million dollar question. We have seen Ross and Stewart contribute before and we get excited about the ceiling for this team only for them to do nothing the next game or few games. Now if they contribute and do good things next game against St. John's then we can start thinking about this team reaching it's ceiling.

 

[Scottobot]

Smith has started to look like the guy who we saw during the non-conference schedule. Given that Silas becomes a turnover machine every few games, that is extremely important.

He made two layups. Might be the first time in 2026 he made a shot at the rim.

 

[Scottobot]

A much needed road win with 20,261 fans in attendance. But, thankfully ref James Breeding was not in attendance, as he was for our two Big East loses (SJU & Creighton), in which our opponents enjoyed a combined 63 to 30 advantage in FTA’s. Tonight the difference was 1 less foul shot attempt.

Having said that, Mullins fouled out and Reed ended with 4 fouls. With these two starters playing only a combine 48 minutes due to foul trouble, that gave our bench 32 of their minutes and they made the most of the opportunity. Stewart hit 2 threes, Reibe had 8 points & 5 rebounds, while Ross went 4-5 from FT with 2 rebounds. They all contributed on defense too.

The other key was Karaban playing injured, effectively going 5-8 FG or 5-6 on non three point shots plus 5 rebounds. Remarkably, Alex played a team high 34 minutes

Interestingly, the five starters scored between 9 and 12 points while the 4 bench players gave us 4-8 points. Our shooting was better than Villanova’s (55% to 41% FG), (32% to 25% 3pt) and (85% to 64% FT). Good foul shooting like that will be needed in March.

Hurley agreed in a recent interview with Chief that our Bigs need to protect the rim more. Reed and Reibe combined for 4 blocks. Less chasing guards near halfcourt and more rim protection and rebounds (11 combined today: Reed 6, Reibe 5).

I am concerned with both Karaban and Mullins legs - both were limping late in the Game.

Demery had 7 turnovers vs 6 assists, while he had more than his share of non called contact, he needs to do better protecting the ball. To his credit, Smith was 2-3 FG and had 2 assists and zero turnovers, giving us 12 productive minutes. .

The contribution from the bench resembled what they did in some elite early season non conference wins rather than resent conference games. Big game this Wednesday.

I agree with centers dropping back and defending rim was the key to good defense today. It seemed like in the last few games it became apparent that teams had figured out how to use the UConn high hedges to get UConn out of position and get easy baskets. I worry the coaches are too stubborn to acknowledge this.

 

[Chief00]

I agree with centers dropping back and defending rim was the key to good defense today. It seemed like in the last few games it became apparent that teams had figured out how to use the UConn high hedges to get UConn out of position and get easy baskets. I worry the coaches are too stubborn to acknowledge this.

Part of it is dropping or adjusting something you have been doing on a daily basis all year. So probably best to go with an adjustment rather than a wholesale type of change.

 

[gtcam]

It was a must win, in my eyes, and UConn came up on the right side so kudos to them, however I am not going to declare that everything is now ok.
AK and BM are hurting and it's visible to all who paid attention. The two junior back-up forwards both have had a few very good performances in past few seasons but are so inconsistent that I just can't reasonable say they are on the right track.
Reed is a tale of two people - one who wants to play and it shows and one who could care and it shows - horrible body and face language - yesterday he wanted to play in the 2nd half.
Demery had more TOs vs. assists yesterday, something St Johns will take advantage of on Wednesday.
Smith looked like a real PG yesterday, I think someone had a talk with him - hope he keeps it up
Ball looked more under control and not someone trying to pad his 3 point numbers, I love this Ball vs the one we saw the past couple of games.
As I stated, it was a game UConn had to win, mission accomplished!!!!
As I sat up till 2AM this morning watching college basketball, I wonder - how will this UConn team fare vs Duke, Michigan, Houston, etc.
That's the $Million question.

 

[ucp990411]

I observed too that Danny dialed back the high part of the hedge. More like we played with Donovan.

I noticed that as well. It was an adjustment made at halftime and it seemed to catch Nova by surprise.

 

[Dove]

Can’t wait for Wednesday and if Val’s Office sticks us with James Breeding let’s be really vocal on the first bad calll!

What will being vocal do?

 

[Scrutineer]

The way St. John's starts games reminds me of how Syracuse would blitz their opponents on both offense and defense in the earlier days of the Big East when they were one of the two or three best teams.

If we let them bully us early and fall behind by double digits it won't be a fun night. They have a deep roster and can run us into the ground if we don't, figuratively, punch them in the face hard early and often

 

[AllHusky]

Loved watching Novas frustration on offense as we stretched our lead to 19. Haven’t seen us defensively do that to a good team in awhile.