Chief Brief’s - St John’s Edition

[HuskyHawk]

Reasonable complaint. But to call out Hurley at the extent this board is is completly absurd. Who knows, with as fast as St. John's was playing, Adama could have picked up 3 fouls in 2 minutes. He made a judgement call and was wrong. He isn't the first coach that has happened too. And to blame not playing Adama as the reason we lost is comical. We lost because we can't hit free throws, a few guys(i won't name anyone) refused to offer any help side defense, and another player came back to earth. With a minute to go, with 20 seconds to go, we still should have won. Thats execution. Thats not coaching.

Did you read what he said? We had to pull him because they went to 4 guards and there was nobody for him to guard in man. Think about that. Whaley was defending their biggest and best player. So if Hurley had say, Shaq? Kareem? Wilt? He’d just park them on the bench and play guys who were rather ineffective instead. Sanogo isn’t Shaq, but against St. John’s, he wasn’t far off. They had no answer for him, even on defense he was controlling the paint.

If Dan switches to Zone to protect his center and the rim, we win by double figures. St. John’s would have missed outside often enough, would have no chance for rebounds and we’d keep scoring easily inside. They would have been forced to abandon that small lineup. We saw it in the first half too. That run they made in the second ten minutes also came against our “one big” lineup.

 

[superjohn]

Did you read what he said? We had to pull him because they went to 4 guards and there was nobody for him to guard in man. Think about that. Whaley was defending their biggest and best player. So if Hurley had say, Shaq? Kareem? Wilt? He’d just park them on the bench and play guys who were rather ineffective instead. Sanogo isn’t Shaq, but against St. John’s, he wasn’t far off. They had no answer for him, even on defense he was controlling the paint.

If Dan switches to Zone to protect his center and the rim, we win by double figures. St. John’s would have missed outside often enough, would have no chance for rebounds and we’d keep scoring easily inside. They would have been forced to abandon that small lineup. We saw it in the first half too. That run they made in the second ten minutes also came against our “one big” lineup.

This is the stubbornness, it's worrisome he didn't just admit it was a mistake in the post game presser. I can't tell if he's just being stubborn in not admitting he screwed up or if he really believes what he said. If he really believes it every team we play is going to run all guards out there against us.

 

[back2BE4us]

Did you read what he said? We had to pull him because they went to 4 guards and there was nobody for him to guard in man. Think about that. Whaley was defending their biggest and best player. So if Hurley had say, Shaq? Kareem? Wilt? He’d just park them on the bench and play guys who were rather ineffective instead. Sanogo isn’t Shaq, but against St. John’s, he wasn’t far off. They had no answer for him, even on defense he was controlling the paint.

If Dan switches to Zone to protect his center and the rim, we win by double figures. St. John’s would have missed outside often enough, would have no chance for rebounds and we’d keep scoring easily inside. They would have been forced to abandon that small lineup. We saw it in the first half too. That run they made in the second ten minutes also came against our “one big” lineup.

Sums it up perfectly. Well said.

 

[Chief00]

Chief please have a word with Coach about the Sanogo situation. No reason Brendan Adams should have played 30 minutes when Sanogo gets yanked out. He’s a great coach but not perfect. Help him to realize his mistake. We need you on this one Chief. We gotta keep this ship headed the right direction

Reminds me of trying to give Calhoun advice once - LOL. What the “F” do you want me to do? That “” would have gotten torch, etc. But, next game it did look different after the start.

 

[UConn57]

It was pretty obvious today. Danny was out coached. Only time in three years I saw this happen. Their guards were told drive to the hoop they can't contain you. No low post presence. I'm shocked he took Sanogo out , the kid was killing them inside on the offensive end. Also a roadblock inside. It wasn't a surprise after he was out it was Posh Alexander and Wasu to the basket. Danny said he couldn't put him out there with four guards. Well he did petty good when he was in their on defense earlier. Cole, Adams, Polley surely weren't playing defense. They let St. John's steal one. That's two now Creighton and Johnnies. I guess Dan Hurley will text us tomorrow, I OWE YOU GUYS ONE!!! PS Learn to make free throws in last minute. I believe they missed FOUR!!!!!!!

 

[DMIL]

I liked Gaffney's athletic layup finish today. He still plays tentative most of the time, stands around not in an athletic position and he has to get rid of his one handed passes, which don't work at this level. Cole is doing so much as it is, that I think he wouldn't make it to games end if we try to go up tempo. That can wait until we get Bouk back. Our guard depth is SOOO thin minus Bouk and to a lesser extent AJ.

Gaffney needs to work on his handle a bit as well. This will help his confidence.

 

[Chief00]

Gaffney needs to work on his handle a bit as well. This will help his confidence.

Agree. He’s actually pretty athletic but never seen a guy who hides it so well. He displayed a glimpse of it when he drove in for that layup but then we never saw that trait again, the rest of the game. With Gaffney, the issue is confidence.

 

[yungdowork]

Sanogo should have played more, but I thought a bigger problem was letting them space us out so easily.

Posh Alexander was able to blow by Cole several times because there was absolutely no help behind him. Alexander might be the quickest guy in the conference and it’s always going to be a struggle to stay in front of him, but you can’t leave your on-ball defenders completely isolated

 

[Kenny11]

Anderson made a smart move not having guys set many ball screens. This didn’t allow Whaley to cause havoc like he usually does.

 

[Hoophound]

I expect this is an educational moment for coach. He’s got to be rethinking that game and torturing himself with it. I’m sure the assistants are talking it over with him too. Tom Moore has been around a lot of these situations and he’s had some great teaching from JC. They’ve got a pretty good brain trust there. I won’t be at all surprised to see a lot more of Sanogo in the near future.

Yes, coach could just say he messed up and own it, but I’m not sure that’s his style. That doesn’t mean he isn’t owning it behind closed doors. That’s not a big deal in my book. I hate admitting when I’m wrong, especially about things that are a matter of opinion vs straight fact.

 

[freescooter]

This is the stubbornness, it's worrisome he didn't just admit it was a mistake in the post game presser. I can't tell if he's just being stubborn in not admitting he screwed up or if he really believes what he said. If he really believes it every team we play is going to run all guards out there against us.

Hurley is a solid coach but he has a bit of SGIR syndrome. And it has gotten him in trouble before just as it did yesterday.

 

[auggie22]

Big picture - We have managed to be competitive without our star player. Something to keep in mind. But, in every game, let’s fight and get the “W”. At the end of the day you need the “W”.

Chief liked the shooting we came out with. We also moved well and just as importantly hit the guy at the right time in the right place for the shots. Cole, Adams and Tyler strokes looked good early. Cole played a good all round game.

Sanogo, Chief just loves the way he posts and demands the ball and he’s just a freshman. Great hands and soft touch too. Like the way he uses his shoulder to create space. He needs many more minutes and now. Love his patience on offense. He’s our best upside Big by Chief’s eye test. Period.

On the downside Josh is playing poorly. Doesn't display good hands, isn’t finishing strong, missing foul shots. Josh is not alone, our other Bigs (besides Dam Break recruit Sanogo) aren’t finishing strong at the rim. Neither is Martin. Whaley was a step behind the play all game. Foolish foul by Whaley to end the first half. Akok is looking more ready on defense and running the court. On Offense - he’s still rusty.

Gaffney, Chief still believes in that Dam Break recruit as I did when we recruited him. When he finds his confidence (likely soon), he will be real solid.

Give Martin credit on defense - doing a great defensive job on Champagnie. Chief really liked Dylan Addae Wusu though. A tank dude.

Chief is in total agreement with Donny that we need to run more and I will add guys need to do it in a discipline way using basketball fundamentals. We just don’t seem to have that mindset. We should attempt to run at the start of almost every possession. Even after made shots. True, if it’s not there, or a trailer, don’t force it and pull it out.
UConn got lots of points off turnovers - and this team needs to convert it’s good defense into offense. Martin closed the game fairly strong but missed the two big FT’s at end. . St John improved their 3 point shots and UConn did a really bad job finding the 3 point shooters. Our help defense on drives was poor too.

Cole is a good foul shooter but he chokes late in the game. Not like CV.

Hurley really fell asleep on Adama. I can’t explain it.
Foul shooting lost the game for us again! Get in the gym guys.

His layup in the 2nd half (when he took the pass at the top of the key and made a ballers move to the hoop) was the most athletic play I have seen him make in a game. First time all year I thought he might have another gear he wasn’t showing yet. If he is going to be on the court he needs to show much more of that.

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Hurley has to work on his in game adjustments and decisions because this is not the first time he has committed to something that is not working and stuck with it. The players have areas they need to work on as well and coaching was one of the reasons for the loss, but not the only reason. He needs to just get better in that aspect. The team will be fine.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Hurley is a solid coach but he has a bit of SGIR syndrome. And it has gotten him in trouble before just as it did yesterday.

He's in the Society for German Idealism and Romanticism?

I'd say he's stubborn and lacking in flexibility in his approach. Has been since he got here.

 

[Chief00]

His layup in the 2nd half (when he took the pass at the top of the key and made a ballers move to the hoop) was the most athletic play I have seen him make in a game. First time all year I thought he might have another gear he wasn’t showing yet. If he is going to be on the court he needs to show much more of that.

He has that gear. Believe me. I wish I knew why he doesn’t display it more. I wish he had Sanogo’s attitude about showing what he can do.

 

[Chief00]

Anderson made a smart move not having guys set many ball screens. This didn’t allow Whaley to cause havoc like he usually does.

Good point.

 

[Chief00]

Hurley has to work on his in game adjustments and decisions because this is not the first time he has committed to something that is not working and stuck with it. The players have areas they need to work on as well and coaching was one of the reasons for the loss, but not the only reason. He needs to just get better in that aspect. The team will be fine.

He definitely doesn’t ride a hot hand. Sure that can be overdone but Chief always thought that made the game easy for stretches, so go with it.

 

[Chief00]

Hurley is a solid coach but he has a bit of SGIR syndrome. And it has gotten him in trouble before just as it did yesterday.

What is SGIR? I could Google it but I am too lazy.

 

[Chief00]

I expect this is an educational moment for coach. He’s got to be rethinking that game and torturing himself with it. I’m sure the assistants are talking it over with him too. Tom Moore has been around a lot of these situations and he’s had some great teaching from JC. They’ve got a pretty good brain trust there. I won’t be at all surprised to see a lot more of Sanogo in the near future.

Yes, coach could just say he messed up and own it, but I’m not sure that’s his style. That doesn’t mean he isn’t owning it behind closed doors. That’s not a big deal in my book. I hate admitting when I’m wrong, especially about things that are a matter of opinion vs straight fact.

Very true.

 

[storrsroars]

Adama should have play in the last 12 minutes is my complaint. He was our best player today.

While this wasn't a championship game situation, one can easily see Sanogo feeling like Blake Snell in game 6.

And look where Snell is now.

Also, if Posh would smile more, he could be the closest imitation to KEA in 20 years.

 

[Chief00]

While this wasn't a championship game situation, one can easily see Sanogo feeling like Blake Snell in game 6.

And look where Snell is now.

Also, if Posh would smile more, he could be the closest imitation to KEA in 20 years.

Adama is a very thoughtful guy. Evidence of that was he also offered the coaches explanation of why he didn’t play. Doesn’t mean he agrees with it, but he considered that line of thought.
In the post he is one of the most patience guys I have seen. He creates a good target, has great hands and when he gets the ball he puts the defender through a TORTURE CHAMBER as Kevin McHale use to call it. A variety of foot work and pump fakes. Unlike our other Bigs, nothing is rushed or frenzy.

 

[Son of Robert]

Adama is a very thoughtful guy. Evidence of that was he also offered the coaches explanation of why he didn’t play. Doesn’t mean he agrees with it, but he considered that line of thought.
In the post he is one of the most patience guys I have seen. He creates a good target, has great hands and when he gets the ball he puts the defender through a TORTURE CHAMBER as Kevin McHale use to call it. A variety of foot work and pump fakes. Unlike our other Bigs, nothing is rushed or frenzy.

Adama is showing that his footwork and his hands are solid; he doesn't get jumbled up and turn the ball over or travel.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

wow. fire everrone. i mean, a one game losing streak with our total losses to date being the 2?
fire everrone. burn it down. start over.
or, they all pulled a team stinko, and would be undefeated but for a few ft's.
jalen only played a few minutes due to the fouls thing, most directly due to the timing of his fouls, and coach's need to have him around for the endgame. flow disruption. not clear on the sanogo and josh (3 minutes!) burn times thing. one affliction we clearly did not have was a case of the runs. prolly just need more hotsauce in our diet. it may cause spurtability, which, in this case, is a good thing.

 

[Mano]

Without reading the thread, O/U on Chief replies to his own thread in order to keep it “relevant”? 8? 10?

 

[freescooter]

What is SGIR? I could Google it but I am too lazy.

Smartest guy in the room. It is a common syndrome among good but not great coaches.

 

[freescooter]

wow. fire everrone. i mean, a one game losing streak with our total losses to date being the 2?
fire everrone. burn it down. start over.
or, they all pulled a team stinko, and would be undefeated but for a few ft's.
jalen only played a few minutes due to the fouls thing, most directly due to the timing of his fouls, and coach's need to have him around for the endgame. flow disruption. not clear on the sanogo and josh (3 minutes!) burn times thing. one affliction we clearly did not have was a case of the runs. prolly just need more hotsauce in our diet. it may cause spurtability, which, in this case, is a good thing.

It has more to do with the manner of the loss and the fact that we lost to a team that is really not as talented at home. A lot of people thought we were over these type of losses Add some questionable moves by Hurley and missed Foul shots in crunch time and you are going to get lots of critical posts.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

you are going to get lots of critical posts

'you are going to get lots of critical posts.'
'going to?' ur kidding, right? lol. i kinda thought it was in my job description here.
that hurley guy, he always bricks the free throws. fire him. hire that reggie miller guy, or at least his sister.
(ps. i understand that ur comment did not target me. just havin' a bit o fun with it.)

 

[Chief00]

Without reading the thread, O/U on Chief replies to his own thread in order to keep it “relevant”? 8? 10?

So you are the 54th post in a thread you haven’t read. Just like there’s no conspiracy with @Grey Goose, there is no valid conspiracy theory to Chief either responding to questions or commenting on points others brought up. None of this is preplanned or coordinated as you seem to suggest. So I am brillantly orchestrating all these posters - who are likely Chief burner accounts - to stay relevant? Do you honestly believe that?

 

[ucp990411]

this narcissist please have a word with Coach about the Sanogo situation. No reason Brendan Adams should have played 30 minutes when Sanogo gets yanked out. He’s a great coach but not perfect. Help him to realize his mistake. We need you on this one this narcissist. We gotta keep this ship headed the right direction

I do not get the love for Adams. Good kid I am sure and he might try but honestly what does he bring?

 

[Chin Diesel]

Adama is a very thoughtful guy. Evidence of that was he also offered the coaches explanation of why he didn’t play. Doesn’t mean he agrees with it, but he considered that line of thought.
In the post he is one of the most patience guys I have seen. He creates a good target, has great hands and when he gets the ball he puts the defender through a TORTURE CHAMBER as Kevin McHale use to call it. A variety of foot work and pump fakes. Unlike our other Bigs, nothing is rushed or frenzy.

Adama is showing that his footwork and his hands are solid; he doesn't get jumbled up and turn the ball over or travel.

Yep. His skill and patience with the ball and his moves around the basket is highly advanced beyond what's expected from a freshmen.

While everyone else is jumping, shuffling their feet and slapping at the ball, he moves at his own pace and gets results.