Chief’s Briefs - Xavier Edition

[Waquoit]

and this issue is even there even after a rebuild of the Civic Center.

It's been an issue since before the place hosted Boston Celtic games. Non-casual fans know the play is to get the jump on the 4-minute timeout and head to the men's room in the upper end zone. Back before play resumes.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

First, let me say that I want to see Aidan get comfortable and be productive as much as any positive UConn fan...

That being said, we need to stop trying to apologize and make the excuses of "he's not a PG. he's not comfortable doing that, he needs to move to off-guard"

The fact of the matter is that as a UConn guard in our offense, he needs to be able to bring the ball up the court with confidence, and get our offense going. If this means bringing it to the 3pt arc and then starting a set, then do it. If it means finding a seam in the D, penetrating, then scoring or dishing...then do it. That's also part of our offense, too. We've seen Hass, McNeeley, Spencer, Newton, etc. do it.

Check out this play from the NCAAT when he's being guarded by some decent defender from a decent team. Where is that Aidan Mahaney? What he did looks like something a PG would do?

 

[CL82]

You will find many fans will lean towards blaming Mahaney for anything and everything these days

It's snowing here in Jersey. Damn you Mahaney!

 

[CL82]

First, let me say that I want to see Aidan get comfortable and be productive as much as any positive UConn fan...

That being said, we need to stop trying to apologize and make the excuses of "he's not a PG. he's not comfortable doing that, he needs to move to off-guard"

The fact of the matter is that as a UConn guard in our offense, he needs to be able to bring the ball up the court with confidence, and get our offense going. If this means bringing it to the 3pt arc and then starting a set, then do it. If it means finding a seam in the D, penetrating, then scoring or dishing...then do it. That's also part of our offense, too. We've seen Hass, McNeeley, Spencer, Newton, etc. do it.

Check out this play from the NCAAT when he's being guarded by some decent defender from a decent team. Where is that Aidan Mahaney? What he did looks like something a PG would do?

Why can't we get kids like that?

 

[REB1094]

First, let me say that I want to see Aidan get comfortable and be productive as much as any positive UConn fan...

That being said, we need to stop trying to apologize and make the excuses of "he's not a PG. he's not comfortable doing that, he needs to move to off-guard"

The fact of the matter is that as a UConn guard in our offense, he needs to be able to bring the ball up the court with confidence, and get our offense going. If this means bringing it to the 3pt arc and then starting a set, then do it. If it means finding a seam in the D, penetrating, then scoring or dishing...then do it. That's also part of our offense, too. We've seen Hass, McNeeley, Spencer, Newton, etc. do it.

Check out this play from the NCAAT when he's being guarded by some decent defender from a decent team. Where is that Aidan Mahaney? What he did looks like something a PG would do?

"He's played with early confidence" - there it is

 

[Tenspro2002]

First, let me say that I want to see Aidan get comfortable and be productive as much as any positive UConn fan...

That being said, we need to stop trying to apologize and make the excuses of "he's not a PG. he's not comfortable doing that, he needs to move to off-guard"

The fact of the matter is that as a UConn guard in our offense, he needs to be able to bring the ball up the court with confidence, and get our offense going. If this means bringing it to the 3pt arc and then starting a set, then do it. If it means finding a seam in the D, penetrating, then scoring or dishing...then do it. That's also part of our offense, too. We've seen Hass, McNeeley, Spencer, Newton, etc. do it.

Check out this play from the NCAAT when he's being guarded by some decent defender from a decent team. Where is that Aidan Mahaney? What he did looks like something a PG would do?

People criticize Hurley for getting a mid-major guard who is now struggling against more athletic competition. But that's the thing -- some of Mahaney's best performances came against powerhouse Gonzaga. He showed moxie and fight against us in 2023.

The argument that he feasted on scrub teams and we should have known he would struggle against high-major competition is kind of bogus.

 

[Zonepress]

While, I thought Gaffbey and Potter were fair, Driscoll almost seemed energized further to escalate his feud with Hurley due to the criticism Hurley took reacting to Driscoll’s unprofessional officiating during the Memphis game. It must be great reffing to settle a personal feud and to have the victim get all of the blame?

There was zero communication between Driscoll and Hurley or his assistants before or during the Xavier game. In contrast with the other two refs.

Syracuse native Driscoll made bizarre calls throughout the game, which all favored Xavier.

Late in the regulation he enthusiastically made an out of bounds call against UConn that the other two refs had going the other way as did the reply review. Yet, Driscoll made the bad call as the ref closet to the play. He also called the last foul against UConn with seconds left in regulation, which put the game into overtime. Keeping the tradition alive from his two late Maui calls.

Yet, we were bombard with articles criticizing Hurley’s reaction in Maui but zero media coverage either local or national of Driscoll’s unprofessional feud against Hurley that continued Wednesday night while Hurley made an effort to improve his sideline demeanor.

Does this means there is zero accountability for a veteran ref unlike a veteran coach?

Do you know if the referee assignments are made before the season?
Given the history of Hurley, and this referee, it would seem prudent for the big east to avoid potential problems by pulling this guy off the uconn games
Imho this shows a lack of insight and leader ship on the part of the BE commissioner especially when you’re dealing with the marquee program and what is generally acknowledged as the best coach in college basketball
It’s a bad look when what was really a great college game being marred by a phantom foul
Call
Also, completely agree with you on the Outabounds call
That was right in front of him with no obstruction
Only conclusion is he’s either incompetent or has an agenda
Have viewed your post regarding this guy with some skepticism in the past, but I’ve crossed over to your side lol

 

[Chief00]

Do you know if the referee assignments are made before the season?
Given the history of Hurley, and this referee, it would seem prudent for the big east to avoid potential problems by pulling this guy off the uconn games
Imho this shows a lack of insight and leader ship on the part of the BE commissioner especially when you’re dealing with the marquee program and what is generally acknowledged as the best coach in college basketball
It’s a bad look when what was really a great college game being marred by a phantom foul
Call
Also, completely agree with you on the Outabounds call
That was right in front of him with no obstruction
Only conclusion is he’s either incompetent or has an agenda
Have viewed your post regarding this guy with some skepticism in the past, but I’ve crossed over to your side lol

What Chief posts sometimes is just a fraction of what I know on a subject. This didn’t start at Maui but the negative coverage Hurley received seems to have embolden this Syracuse native even further. His emotion in that ridiculous out of bounds call - highlighted to me - how far Driscoll has strayed from being objective.
But, time to call out the CT media - where is your coverage of disgraceful officiating?

 

[RuffRuff]

and this issue is even there even after a rebuild of the Civic Center.

 

[Scottobot]

Stop with the Mahaney isn't a point guard stuff. He's not playing the two at 6'2 165 lbs. He was a 1 at St. Mary's. He could maybe play off the ball if we had a Castle or Newton on the roster with size at the point, but we don't. It's either point guard or nothing, and the answer appears to be nothing.

I think Hurley wanted a guard who could shoot and score and play point guard. Mahaney can do all that, but so far he has just played poorly, shot poorly and handled the ball poorly this season. I think a lot of it psychological. He is in a new place, hasn’t done well and lost his confidence. If the starters can build up some leads against some of the weaker big east opposition, I think Hurley will give Mahaney a chance to work out of his funk and he will be a solid backup to Diarra and Ball. I think some patience is needed. I Let him play atleast half a season before writing him off.

 

[Zonepress]

What Chief posts sometimes is just a fraction of what I know on a subject. This didn’t start at Maui but the negative coverage Hurley received seems to have embolden this Syracuse native even further. His emotion in that ridiculous out of bounds call - highlighted to me - how far Driscoll has strayed from being objective.
But, time to call out the CT media - where is your coverage of disgraceful officiating?

Perhaps the non-traditional media
Would find it interesting story here

 

[Excalibur]

He’s also being force fed a position he basically never played at St Marys and doesn’t look completely comfortable in. Might want to try using his strengths at some point.

He was the primary ball handler, and, for the most part, a point guard at St. Mary’s. I Don’t know where the “he’s out of position” narrative comes from.

 

[rcarj]

One thing on Xavier's 3 point shooting--they shot 13-24 for the game but 1-5 in OT. They were 12-19 in regulation for nearly 64%. Yes they are good shooters but they made a lot of tough shots (fadeaways, 3s moving to the side as they shot it, etc.). I would hasten to say UConn actually got the better 3 looks and made a far worse percentage of them (33%). Credit Xavier for playing hard and shooting great from 3, but shooting 3s at nearly 64% in a game is unsustainable in the long run. They played just about an A game for them in their situation, with UConn probably play a C to C-plus game, and UConn still found a way to win. Openers are never easy (Creighton can tell you that) in league play, so glad to have that one under our belt. On to Butler which won't be easy.

Jayden Ross’ on ball d was part of the poor ot shooting.

 

[mauconnfan]

He was the primary ball handler, and, for the most part, a point guard at St. Mary’s. I Don’t know where the “he’s out of position” narrative comes from.

Pretty simple because he was never the point guard at St Mary’s not sure what’s so tough about that? He was off the ball 80% of time maybe more. Marcialionis had the ball mostly. Ball might have been in his hands a lot but he rarely set up the offense or brought it up unless it was a break.

 

[Improviser]

"He's played with early confidence" - there it is

And guarded by no less than Andre on that play!

Maybe AM should watch this video and rewatch it. It could be a motivator to pick up the pace and drive to the basket.

 

[Waquoit]

Perhaps the non-traditional media
Would find it interesting story here

Non-traditional
Media would maybe find
A haiku in there