Chief’s Briefs - Xavier Edition

[CL82]

Always liked making the other coach adjust, the twin towers, at times would do that. We seem to run too long with what is hurting us. Nova did that with the back-downs and other teams are repeating that offensive move to good effect.

The twin towers is like the hard hedge in that it is best used as a change up to force the other team to react, but not as a staple. It is a way to grab more minutes for Clingan, which we all think is good thing.

For what it’s worth, I felt like Nunge was getting the better of Clingan. That may explain Hurley’s hesitancy to put him in for Adama in the second half.

 

[Husky25]

The twin towers is like the hard hedge in that it is best used as a change up to force the other team to react, but not as a staple. It is a way to grab more minutes for Clingan, which we all think is good thing.

For what it’s worth, I felt like Nunge was getting the better of Clingan. That may explain Hurley’s hesitancy to put him in for Adama in the second half.

Not much of a conspiracy. I don't buy it.

 

[Chief00]

This tech may have been due, in part, to Coach's reputation. I haven't heard anyone arguing against that possibility. However, if it was assessed on rep, it was the 1st one this year that was, IMO. I do not believe it was remotely assessed due to Bouknight getting ejected from Gampel 10 months ago, which was the insinuation (at least in part) vs. Georgetown.

The free throw disparity has been addressed. UConn took an inordinate amount of jump shots. Shooting fouls typically occur closer to the paint.

Xavier is "experienced" and good and they won on their home court. Hopefully, UConn can get them back on the 25th.

On to Providence.

The foul shot disparity has been going on all year. If you think even one Big East/ACC ref agrees that a fan who was ejected by a ref, should be allowed to stay in the arena by security - we are going to agree to disagree on that. UConn starts off with very weak footing on any issue involving officiating after that fiasco.

 

[driveway]

Anyone who feels we don’t have an issue of how we are perceived by Big East officials - how much evidence do you need? The touch fouls called on us and not on them. 19 personal fouls vs 8. 25 ft attempts to 9. Our second foul shot of the game mid way through the second half. The late T on Hurley. All that in an other wise even game. Wake up, it is an issue!

Not exploring the Double Big this season hurt this game, probably lost the game today. Karaban tried hard but defensively got exploited. Meanwhile, Clingan who played very good, spent too much time on the bench. Clingan was one of the few game changer type players today and spent most of the game on the bench. No excuse for that.

The High Hedge results were brutal today. What a well coach team like Xavier exploits is a pass or two away from the hedge action and the mismatch that has its origins during the hedging action.

I have been focusing on these 3 above factors and people say why, we won anyways. Now you know why.

Our ball movement was. Good with 15 first half assists. Would like to see Joey C get more time but with Diarra playing so well setting uptempo that’s difficult.

Early in the second half, that was a Larry Bird move by Andre, I am not behind the line, so he calmly dribbles behind the line and lets it fly with a swish.

Agree Sanogo and Clingan should have been on the floor together more. Donovan might have negated Freemantle around the hoop and Sanogo would have been able to guard Nunge at the three-point line. Neutralized!

 

[driveway]

Totally agree. I get the fouls discrepancy and the high percentage of 3’s etc, but IMO the 16 turnovers killed us. We had two straight chances to take the lead late and put pressure on them and turned it over. Then the tech and the rest is history. We need to tighten this up quickly if we want to be elite.

Not to mention we blew a 7 point lead late in the half.

 

[Chief00]

The twin towers is like the hard hedge in that it is best used as a change up to force the other team to react, but not as a staple. It is a way to grab more minutes for Clingan, which we all think is good thing.

For what it’s worth, I felt like Nunge was getting the better of Clingan. That may explain Hurley’s hesitancy to put him in for Adama in the second half.

More minutes for Clingan is key. Got to get your best players on the court. I also would like to see us try to dictate match-ups and have the other team react to us. Usually there’s one way to evaluate an opinion in basketball and that is try it on the court. It’s is perplexing we have not done that.