Coachs Show

[Husk04ies]

I guess the first coachs radio show was last night. Anyone get to listen and hear some insight? Hopefully they'll post the link later to listen.

 

[gampelcrazies]

 

[intlzncster]

Somebody give bullet points for the lazy (read: me)...

 

[ChocRaisins]

Started off talking about Hurley's health and how he's feeling, etc. Discussed the 3 freshmen (Gaffney, Akok and Bouknight). Gaffney is still hindered by the ankle injury but may be able to go for the exhibition. Akok is the most ready of the 3 and he all but said he would start. He highlighted Akok playing close to 30 minute sin the secret scrimmage and was solid on defense. "His offense will come but the fact we can have him out there for that many minutes and not be a liability on defense is huge".
Bouknight's off court issue is a heavy weight for a Freshmen. "It's been a dark couple weeks for him but when his UConn story is told, hopefully it will be about his role in championships and his redemption back from an ugly start:" Basketball wise, Hurley said the ceiling is high for him..."Makes the game look easy".
Carlton had a solid scrimmage. "Josh should be getting the ball once every 3 or 4 times down the court. He is a weapon". Last year scrimmaging Harvard, Josh couldn't match up with their guy down low, this year is was a 180 flip.
Whaley had a conversation with Hurley at the end of last year where he was told "The only way your going to be able to help this team going forward is if you lock yourself in the gym this summer and commit yourself. If not, it may benefit you to look at other options". and he did commit himself. "He's worked his tail off and can play the backup role we are looking for him to play."
Polley was so weak when he came into college he really was at a disadvantage trying to play his needed role. He can really shoot but "we need him to rebound more" but "his Junior and Senior year on this trajectory could be very solid".
Al is super quick and athletic guard who can penetrate so guys have to be ready to catch and shoot.
Vital is on the "Mount Rushmore of guys who play hard every day". Before Al and Jalen went out last year, his efficiency was close to 45% from the field.
They talked about the schedule, Buffalo, Florida (potentially twice), etc.being a step up.
Lots of if's but IF's (can Josh be 14&8 guy, can Al and CV be one of the top back courts, can Tyler be as good as we think he can, can the freshmen step in and help when they need to" but feels like the potential is there to make a run at the American in the final season.
This year compared to last year, better communication, higher level of talent, more connected, even the scrimmage looked like a better team.

 

[ChocRaisins]

Audience questions: How will you use Akok? He is a catch and shoot threat from deep and a cutter towards the rim. May use him in pick and roll and potentially set him up on the elbow to rip and score as time progresses. Defensively, he has tremendous length. Will really help us being a high level defender.

Fair pay for play act: He is all for anything that helps these guys earn more money and put them in a better position. He is in favor of it but has not met with Benedict to discuss a potential model for how UConn would apply something like that.

Recruiting-how reclassifying effects the plan: The amount of transfers is great and "if we knew there would be a bigger emphasis given to immediately eligible transfers, that would've changed everything". RJ Cole "didn't want a waiver". He wanted a year under his belt to adjust to the higher level and not split minutes with a senior AL. Will be full go for next year.

 

[intlzncster]

Audience questions: How will you use Akok? He is a catch and shoot threat from deep and a cutter towards the rim. May use him in pick and roll and potentially set him up on the elbow to rip and score as time progresses. Defensively, he has tremendous length. Will really help us being a high level defender.

Fair pay for play act: He is all for anything that helps these guys earn more money and put them in a better position. He is in favor of it but has not met with Benedict to discuss a potential model for how UConn would apply something like that.

Recruiting-how reclassifying effects the plan: The amount of transfers is great and "if we knew there would be a bigger emphasis given to immediately eligible transfers, that would've changed everything". RJ Cole "didn't want a waiver". He wanted a year under his belt to adjust to the higher level and not split minutes with a senior AL. Will be full go for next year.

Great summaries man. Thank you.


Loved to hear things like this. Mentally tough kid who you want to root for.

Whaley had a conversation with Hurley at the end of last year where he was told "The only way your going to be able to help this team going forward is if you lock yourself in the gym this summer and commit yourself. If not, it may benefit you to look at other options". and he did commit himself. "He's worked his tail off and can play the backup role we are looking for him to play."

 

[Shine33]

Based on the summary and secret scrimmage stats I’m guessing the starting lineup right now is:
Carlton
Akok
Polley
Vital
Gilbert

 

[navery12]

RJ Cole "didn't want a waiver". He wanted a year under his belt to adjust to the higher level and not split minutes with a senior AL. Will be full go for next year.

This is my biggest takeaway, for all the people who wonder where the Gilbert leaving talk comes from

 

[Road2Six]

He pretty much guaranteed Al will graduate and go pro

 

[UconnU]

“The 13th scholarship would have been used on either a point guard or a center.”

 

[HooperScooper]

I found it amusing that Hurley said Josh "is almost 6-10" when he's listed at 6-11. He could at least continue the lie!

 

[BrassBonanza]

yes looks like DH is planning for AL to be gone. I understand it, but would have enjoyed two more years to be looking forward to, as opposed to just this season.

 

[NJHoops]

Al plays this whole season at age 22. Sticking around means he starts his pro career at 24- limited years to make money playing professionally, so get it while you can with the bonus of a college degree.

 

[MDHuskFan]

At another point too they said we only had 1 Sr (CV) and Hurley corrected him and said “and Al”

 

[Son of Robert]

@ChocRaisins, thanks, good accurate posts.

 

[Phoenixhusky]

I didn’t really hear him talk about R Springs. Did I miss something?

 

[ChocRaisins]

I didn’t really hear him talk about R Springs. Did I miss something?

Only time Springs was mentioned was when he was addressing the reclassifying/transferring questions. But nothing specific to Richie.

One thing that did stand out to me was he was saying something like "When you miss on a top target for one year, you don't necessarily lower your standards for a back up option from that year, you look to the following year of someone at the same level who is able to reclassify"

 

[BFieldHusky]

@Storrs South...any video of this?

 

[JB75]

Yeah too bad does look like AG is leaving in the way Hurleys talking about it - wudda been great to see him play two full healthy years- imagine what he could’ve done.

 

[Storrs South]

@Storrs South...any video of this?

I dont see any