Chief’s Briefs - Xavier Edition

[Chief00]

A great crowd at Gampel erupted in the second half as the team finally recognized their two best offensive players are Hawkins and Sanogo. Mr Hawkins brings us back with 26 points in the second half in a wire type game but we fall just short. We lost this game early.

After Hawkins and Sanogo led us back in the game, Danny benches both and Xavier ran off 5 points, and then moved the lead back to 11. What don’t we understand about riding the hot hand? But then we finally did learned that until late turnovers killed us.

We are approaching February and this team still doesn’t know it’s identity other than we don’t quit. Our centers are shooting over 58%, yet Danny still has failed to institute the double big, despite playing a zone defense.

What’s also became apparent is against physical teams one Big just doesn’t cut it. Xavier penetrated with ease and got second shots. We need to clog up the lane.

Jackson takes 8 shots to open up the game while Hawkins took 1. A woman reporter pressed Andre last game about why he wasn’t more offensive and I wonder if tonight’s out of character opening was some response to that?

Newton put some points on the board the first half and ending up with 21 points, kept us in the game until Hawkins got hot.

A very tough lose, Xavier repelled our runs. I think Danny needs to learn the early timeout at the start of the game. We dug too deep a hole.

 

[Horatio]

 

[UconnFanDC]

Hawkins played his Ass-prin off. Glad to see Newton had a good game. Hopefully, he can sustain and increase his assist and decrease the turnovers. That's all I'll comment on to remain positive. Sigh

 

[Daz]

A great crowd at Gampel erupted in the second half as the team finally recognized their two best offensive players are Hawkins and Sanogo. Mr Hawkins brings us back with 26 points in the second half in a wire type game but we fall just short. We lost this game early.

After Hawkins and Sanogo led us back in the game, Danny benches both and Xavier ran off 5 points, and then moved the lead back to 11. What don’t we understand about riding the hot hand? But then we finally did learned that until late turnovers killed us.

We are approaching February and this team still doesn’t know it’s identity other than we don’t quit. Our centers are shooting over 58%, yet Danny still has failed to institute the double big, despite playing a zone defense.

What’s also became apparent is against physical teams one Big just doesn’t cut it. Xavier penetrated with ease and got second shots. We need to clog up the lane.

Jackson takes 8 shots to open up the game while Hawkins took 1. A woman reporter pressed Andre last game about why he wasn’t more offensive and I wonder if tonight’s out of character opening was some response to that?

Newton put some points on the board the first half and ending up with 21 points, kept us in the game until Hawkins got hot.

A very tough lose, Xavier repelled our runs. I think Danny needs to learn the early timeout at the start of the game. We dug too deep a hole.

Good analysis. Nice effort by Newton, but we really need a solid point guard.

 

[uconntoatl]

Team can’t get out of its own way…I can accidentally shoot better from 1/14 from 3…costly unforced turnovers and inability to play man to man….someone remind this team that the game is 40 minutes.

 

[Valleyfan]

Great summary as usual. Agree too big a hole. Had no confidence we were going to pull a seton hall and only lead at the end. Heck we couldn’t even get a shot off when needed. Hurley is allergic to the 2 bigs. Jackson a liability when in a half court set offense. If DC was my son he may already be in the portal.

 

[Palatine]

A great crowd at Gampel erupted in the second half as the team finally recognized their two best offensive players are Hawkins and Sanogo. Mr Hawkins brings us back with 26 points in the second half in a wire type game but we fall just short. We lost this game early.

After Hawkins and Sanogo led us back in the game, Danny benches both and Xavier ran off 5 points, and then moved the lead back to 11. What don’t we understand about riding the hot hand? But then we finally did learned that until late turnovers killed us.

We are approaching February and this team still doesn’t know it’s identity other than we don’t quit. Our centers are shooting over 58%, yet Danny still has failed to institute the double big, despite playing a zone defense.

What’s also became apparent is against physical teams one Big just doesn’t cut it. Xavier penetrated with ease and got second shots. We need to clog up the lane.

Jackson takes 8 shots to open up the game while Hawkins took 1. A woman reporter pressed Andre last game about why he wasn’t more offensive and I wonder if tonight’s out of character opening was some response to that?

Newton put some points on the board the first half and ending up with 21 points, kept us in the game until Hawkins got hot.

A very tough lose, Xavier repelled our runs. I think Danny needs to learn the early timeout at the start of the game. We dug too deep a hole.

We did NOT lose this game early. We cut it to one five different times. We are simply unable to perform with the game on the line. Until they do it, they can't.

 

[jorge34]

Again with the double big nonsense

They can’t defend with both clingan and sanogo on the floor. That’s very obvious

 

[Chin Diesel]

I've been harping on UConn needing to showcase Hawkins and make Sanogo a supporting player. Large part of run was putting Sanogo on perimeter and opening up the lane for dribble penetration.

Obviously deficit from first five minutes and throughout first half were too much to overcome.

Crazy enough I wish Jackson would have shot more and more aggressively first five minute of the game. They were slacking off him(for good reason) but he has tonthinknshot first.

All is not lost and there is a lot to look forward to and learn from this game.

Zone defense was really effective.

 

[Chin Diesel]

We did NOT lose this game early. We cut it to one five different times. We are simply unable to perform with the game on the line. Until they do it, they can't.

They had to "cut it to one" because of the large deficit which was created in first five minutes

 

[pj]

We are approaching February and this team still doesn’t know it’s identity other than we don’t quit. Our centers are shooting over 58%, yet Danny still has failed to institute the double big, despite playing a zone defense.

They are getting there. Playing zone is a step toward playing two bigs. They came back from a deficit for the first time this season. They played much better in the second half, as you say they got the ball to their scorers (Hawkins, Newton, Sanogo). They fought.

These are the kinds of games that build an identity. Some things (relying on Jackson for offense) failed miserably. Others worked. They will figure it out.

 

[Mooch82]

Again with the double big nonsense

They can’t defend with both clingan and sanogo on the floor. That’s very obvious

Eh…this is probably the best example of a team we should be able to defend with two bigs. Sanogo on Freemantle, Clingan on Nunge.

 

[GotNets?]

Can someone give me a quick summary of what happened in the first 4 minutes? I missed it and just saw 9 - 0. What’s this about Jackson taking crazy shots?

 

[gtcam]

Newton scored but his play was uneven. He is the farthest thing from a PG and the last 2 minutes was graphic proof. Again, the team needed his points so that was a positive. How do you not zip the ball at the front of the rim on that must miss FT? and DH doesn't tell him to? He left Boum open early in the game and the kid hits three 3s.

The officiating was a joke - not how they basically called the game but Jeff Anderson should never be allowed to ref a game again. He is a showman and a 1st class idiot. To allow that length of time to elapse with the Freemantle 5th foul took wind out of UConn - Screw Miller - if he and his staff doesn't keep track of fouls- its on him.

AS hasn't played D all season and it's really hurting this team. His goaltending and foul at the end was bad. DC didn't have a good game but he was playing against seasoned NBE players. I don't think this team can start a game with AJ taking 8 of 9 first shots. Miller left him open on purpose and it worked.

I am happy that UConn came back but a ranked team should be able to protect their home court - there is no moral victory tonight. They are now under .500 in the NBE. They cannot afford another league loss.

My Man Hawk got his points and played hard offensively. His charge late was a killer and he should have pulled up. He is beginning to go to the hoop with a purpose but still need him to go stronger and avoid the finger rolls.

7 days off and on to DePaul - no gimme game with the way the Blue Demons have been playing lately

 

[DMIL]

A great crowd at Gampel erupted in the second half as the team finally recognized their two best offensive players are Hawkins and Sanogo. Mr Hawkins brings us back with 26 points in the second half in a wire type game but we fall just short. We lost this game early.

After Hawkins and Sanogo led us back in the game, Danny benches both and Xavier ran off 5 points, and then moved the lead back to 11. What don’t we understand about riding the hot hand? But then we finally did learned that until late turnovers killed us.

We are approaching February and this team still doesn’t know it’s identity other than we don’t quit. Our centers are shooting over 58%, yet Danny still has failed to institute the double big, despite playing a zone defense.

What’s also became apparent is against physical teams one Big just doesn’t cut it. Xavier penetrated with ease and got second shots. We need to clog up the lane.

Jackson takes 8 shots to open up the game while Hawkins took 1. A woman reporter pressed Andre last game about why he wasn’t more offensive and I wonder if tonight’s out of character opening was some response to that?

Newton put some points on the board the first half and ending up with 21 points, kept us in the game until Hawkins got hot.

A very tough lose, Xavier repelled our runs. I think Danny needs to learn the early timeout at the start of the game. We dug too deep a hole.

I've said this before. This team goes as Jackson, Hawkins and Sanogo goes. The second half was for the taking by UCONN. The lacknof execution in the last 2 minutes were killer. There were so many opportunities during this period.

• Missed defensive rebound
• Newton offensive foul
• Hawkins passing up a wide open mid range shot within rhythm to take it to the rim for an offensive foul
• Danny calls timeout as Hawkins in rhythm knocks down an open 2 point shot then gets nothing

 

[methodology]

I don’t know why DH didn’t take a quick TO after the 5-0 deficit. Slow the momentum by Xavier and calm the team/Jackson down.

Calhoun did this many times in his career and it yielded good results. He let it go too long and the game got out of hand the crowd was neutralized

 

[Kenny11]

At a timeout around 13 minutes left in the second half where we got within 1 I asked my friend if he would start making subs or keep it with the same 5 (they hadn’t been out yet). We both agreed to keep the same 5 in. At that point hurley took out Jackson for alleyne and we started to get behind again and then he continued to sub. Tough decision because the starters had been in the whole half but we really had momentum and then it stopped. We ended up getting within 1 again a couple times later in the game but it really felt like we had something at that point with 13 minutes left that could’ve gotten us a lead.

 

[JB75]

It’s so funny , my mentality has gone from will we ever lose a game this season- back in December -to me being satisfied that they showed some heart and came back tonight and didn’t get blown out(2017-2020 mentality) Positives are: Hawkins and newton were aggressive going to the rack. They were the only ones that showed up tonight. And Hurley actually tried something different- a zone- god forbid he plays 2 bigs! I deff want to see more driving. I’ll live with the turnover / push off every 4 times to the hole. Dumb question, when Jackson and Newton get in the lane , why don’t they try to finish ? they always seem to have the easy drive right there and then pass it. Must’ve happened 4-5 times tonight. Ajax must’ve backrimmed about six shots tonight also. We got a nice week off to recharge than a couple “cupcakes”. In order for this team to make a run , Hurley is obviously going to have to make some adjustments: more zone ,driving to the hole ,get Sampson in there ,maybe experiment with two Biggs(omg) - but I really think the key is newton has to step up. And when I mean step up -I don’t mean he has to drop 18 to 20 a night -I just mean he has to get to the hole and draw fouls occasionally , make his free throws and play solid d- and maybe give me a couple threes a game. gonna need him.

 

[J187Money]

I'm not generally a pessimist, but I don't see them winning much beyond DePaul and GT. The other 5 league games are tossups at this point. We could easily end up at 18-11 and squarely on the bubble going into the BET if we don't figure some things out.

 

[kobebeanbryant]

A woman reporter pressed Andre last game about why he wasn’t more offensive and I wonder if tonight’s out of character opening was some response to that?

 

[ucp990411]

Newton had a good game on offense. His defense neutralized his offense and I am being very kind

 

[Hoophound]

Can someone give me a quick summary of what happened in the first 4 minutes? I missed it and just saw 9 - 0. What’s this about Jackson taking crazy shots?

X didn’t guard him at all. They gave him 15 feet of space and packed the lane so he took 4 wide open 3’s and missed them all. If he made even two of them, which he does sometimes, we’d be having a different conversation.

IMO, he had to take those shots. Otherwise, we are basically playing 4 on 5.

 

[Spaceman213J]

We need the Sanogo that took over during the first run that cut it to 1. He was going over people to get rebounds. He was making the extra pass. He was very agressive and PHYSICAL, but under control.
Too bad the freedom of movement is called like it once was. Hawkins is constantly grabbed going around screens. He should be going to the line 10 times a game.
Jackson has to develop some kind of shot this offseason. The 3 pt shot is okay at times, but why go out and guard him until he starts hitting anything. Taliek Brown even developed a servicable foul line jumper.
I don't fault DH for taking Sanogo out when he did. Clingan has been pretty good all season and Sanogo was exerting a lot of energy in that run. Needed to give him just a breather.

 

[DMIL]

Danny is close to figuring this thing out. There was progress.

• The use of Newton within the offense without Jackson. More freedom of movement for creativity
• The use of Hawkins, particularly in the second half. He was aggressive inside and outside drawing fouls by putting pressure on the opponent. Hawkins is emerging as the guy on this team. This is somewhat of a parallel with Caron Butler and his sophomore season. Caron evolved into a beast by tournament time.
• We finally saw Dan Hurley effectively utilize some zone and press on defense particularly when the game was not completely out of hand. This was very effective. It all starts with defensive effort and that has to be your anchor.
• We saw some heart tonight. Lack of execution the last 2 minutes is what cost them this game. There were a number of self inflicted wounds at the end including that time out by DH that took points off the board only to have a dead possession following with 9 seconds on the shot clock. Despite, UCONN showed some resilience which is something they haven’t shown all season.

If they started out this game proper tonight this would have been a 15 point win at a minimum. They will need to close out their remaining games with wins and look for redemption in the Big East Tournament. There will be another shot at Xavier.

 

[SaeHusky]

Again with the double big nonsense

They can’t defend with both clingan and sanogo on the floor. That’s very obvious

Your right we can't play Man to Man or even do the Zone Press. However we could sit back in a 2-3 Zone and take advantage of our length.