Colorado Post Game Thread

[Dove]

This is all Donovans fault. He was supposed to stay!!

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Just watching Memphis Mich St. We need a guy like Hunter/Haggerty that can go get a bucket or draw a foul. Not sure why we didn’t recruit that/go into the portal for that. Maybe Ahmad can be that. But again, we didn’t really recruit that for the ‘25 class either.

 

[Blueballer]

I'm I seeing the 7th place game time tomorrow correctly? Midnight EST

 

[RuffRuff]

If you are right, (and I only see McNeeley as a lock )
Then this is a very poorly coach team if it has four NBA players on it

SJ always over hypes the talent level. That could be because we had it the last two years. No two kids are the same and you don’t grandfather talent quality perception based on the previous year quality. This team has one surefire first rounder, and a fringe. That’s where it ends.

 

[Rich]

I think Hurley probably knew sometime this Summer that this team had a LOT of holes. But the ingredients were set so he had to make the best of it.

The earlier you got knocked out of the tournament this year, the earlier you could get going in portal recruiting. We had to wait until pretty much the end of April/beginning of May when most of the good players were gone. Mahaney was clearly a complete and total misapprehension of talent, probably Hurley's worst coaching UCONN. I wonder what they saw in him, maybe a slightly lesser Spencer?

Whatever, he's pretty much a waste of a roster spot at this point. I would not be surprised if he leaves the team at some point and goes back into the portal if for no other reason than to avoid further humiliation once the Big East schedule gets moving. He should have stayed in the WCC, low major is his best home.

I want to give these guys time to cook but the more and more I watch the less confident I am that we're gonna avoid a double digit loss season. Feels like a .500 team or worse. And at this point it's tough to see how we're gonna beat St. John's, Marquette, etc. Hell we might lose to Providence which would be intollerable.

Come to think of it, this is not dissimilar to what happened to Donovan's post-repeat teams at Florida. Took them a few recruiting cycles to rebuild during which they were mediocre to just OK.

 

[Umami Zen]

It's time to roll with Nowell over Mahaney and put Aiden in the Joey California role.

We had a center problem tonight. Reed will learn, I'm not too concerned about that.

AK's worst game of the season. O guarantee it.

With you on AK.Kinda disappeared in the second half for an All-American candidate. Has to be more assertive.

 

[RuffRuff]

Just watching Memphis Mich St. We need a guy like Hunter/Haggerty that can go get a bucket or draw a foul. Not sure why we didn’t recruit that/go into the portal for that. Maybe Ahmad can be that. But again, we didn’t really recruit that for the ‘25 class either.

Thomas and/or Lewis was that guy.

 

[Icehawk]

I don’t get it. Why do you shoot a 3 down 1 with 5s to go? Drive the damn ball and take the bucket, foul, or hopefully rebound - if the ball gets stripped you live with it but a 3? There is like no upside to that.

 

[cohenzone]

We just live in reality that its 2024 and that "stud" players aren't staying 4 years and we're (1) happy to see them move onto the NBA and (2) know that high draft picks lead to more great recruits/potential NBA players coming to UConn.

Ok joyful one. There are 2 realities. Studs move on and new studs coming in for a year or two doesn’t translate necessarily into the kind of winner you want as a UConn fan. So if you are good with the second reality, fine. I think whining now just a little unrealistic. I don’t begrudge the kids who leave as I said. But they aren’t my kids ( all of my sons are quite well off) and the modern NBA I find mostly repetitive and boring. Clingan made us different and made perimeter D much easier. We are not different and hopefully will jell into a very tough out.

 

[NickDanger]

Too big a foul and free throw disparity in back to back games. We're getting every else's best game, and they're playing way over their heads in terms of shooting percentages. Because we're in deep deep deep foul trouble, we're playing far less aggressive than we need to play.

Hurley looked as if he wanted to take another T in the final minute. I love you Dan, I wouldn't trade you for anybody, but when you feel you're on the short end of the calls, you need to take that T early in the game. Not very late

Did you know? Change two over-the-back plays in the last minute of two games, and we're probably 2-0 instead of 0-2. But you can't give the officials a chance to determine the outcome in the last minute. The games have to be won much earlier.

We just watched Alex's worst game of the year, there will be no close second

These kids have to grow, and we're losing more games this year

“ you need to take that T early in the game.”
2 points early counts just as much as 2 late.

 

[cohenzone]

Well just remember - if Hurley didn't get Hawkins, Clingan, Castle etc to the NBA, McNeeley probably is wearing a different jersey.

And so, if we fall short and he leaves after a year you will say having Clingan, Castle and even Hawkins leave was worth the trade off. You do realize that with Clingan and Castle and no McNeeley a 3 peat was probably more likely than it is now. UCLA without Jabbar and Walton for 3 years each might have had 1 or 2 in a row instead of 7. I don’t know what to say if you don’t get how different Clingan made us.

 

[superjohn]

Just watching Memphis Mich St. We need a guy like Hunter/Haggerty that can go get a bucket or draw a foul. Not sure why we didn’t recruit that/go into the portal for that. Maybe Ahmad can be that. But again, we didn’t really recruit that for the ‘25 class either.

Is Darius Adams not that? He seems to have an instinctive game and knows how to get in the lane to score. I think Nowell is that. He was in high school. He's super quick, athletic, has handles, and is built like a tank.

We weren't exactly loaded with those guys on our back to back championship teams. The only guy who had it on the first championship is Tristen. Last year we had Tristen and Castle and Cam could get in the lane with his craft for pull ups and one legged Dirk shots.

 

[UCfor3]

I’m more impressed with McNeeley than yesterday, but his defense was pretty poor again. His shot has/always will be there. But his guy seems to drive by him any time he wants. Not that anyone else is particularly good defensively, but I expected him to be better on that end.

Scary but I though Nowell was our best defender. He did a solid job on their guard that was killing us and got Diarra in foul trouble. He showed the ability to move his feet without grabbing or fouling while also not letting their good guard turn the corner or get by him. He makes up for his lack of height with strength and he looked quick laterally.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Is Darius Adams not that? He seems to have an instinctive game and knows how to get in the lane to score. I think Nowell is that. He was in high school. He's super quick, athletic, has handles, and is built like a tank.

We weren't exactly loaded with those guys on our back to back championship teams. The only guy who had it on the first championship is Tristen. Last year we had Tristen and Castle and Cam could get in the lane with his craft for pull ups and one legged Dirk shots.

Everything i’ve watched of Adams has been perimeter based. I haven’t seen too much slashing or strong drives. He is super skinny so it makes sense, but I don’t see the wiggle or speed aspect really. Looks to be a great shot maker in many ways though.

Last two years we had so many ways to score though both inside and out, this year less so. Tristen was great end of shot clock last year and end of 2023 as well. Just don’t think we have as many options this year to keep defenses as honest.

 

[jorge34]

This thread should be pinned and referenced in January…..

 

[JerseyAlum]

We suck at winning close games….cuts both ways it seems.

There is clearly a problem in defense. We made 2 teams look amazing! We are either not disciplined, not making the correct reads, or just are bit quick enough out there.

Ok offense we definitely need to have Nowell be at point and split with Diarra until Hurley thinks Mahaney is worth inserting. Solo gets the SG job. Liam is still a freshman even if his offense is advanced. He will make mistakes and so with Nowell and Abraham. But Alex has to be on each night. Not sure if he ate something bad or what.

At center we need Reed, Jr. to be less aggressive and box out and we need Johnson to work on catching a pass that isnt above his head for a dunk. He scored a little today but still fouled out too quickly.

And yes lets get Stewart and Abraham in there more and less pushing Ross and Mahaney off the bench.

 

[98Uconn]

Some crazy takes on here… at least 2 posts that the coaching is poor… posts that we shouldn’t be happy for Clingan and he should have stayed… someone saying at least we’ll lose out of the tourney quickly and get a head-start on the portal… no wonder Hurley is nuts, he’s got to deal with this fan base . SMH

 

[RuffRuff]

Is Darius Adams not that? He seems to have an instinctive game and knows how to get in the lane to score. I think Nowell is that. He was in high school. He's super quick, athletic, has handles, and is built like a tank.

We weren't exactly loaded with those guys on our back to back championship teams. The only guy who had it on the first championship is Tristen. Last year we had Tristen and Castle and Cam could get in the lane with his craft for pull ups and one legged Dirk shots.

Darius is a 6’5” kid. Has a great handle for his size but doesn’t have that kind of quickness, stop and go, shiftiness with the ball. More of a long strider.

 

[IndyLives]

This game is worrisome as we couldnt put an average team away in the 2nd half. That was our MO last 2 years. It starts on the defensive end & giving up too many good looks. I do think its coachable & fixable, but we're going to have to to win the physical Big East.

 

[navery12]

I haven't read this thread yet (or watched the game), but as the eternal optimist just think about how good next year's team will be with our recruiting class and all our non Karaban early entry candidates back

 

[superjohn]

Everything i’ve watched of Adams has been perimeter based. I haven’t seen too much slashing or strong drives. He is super skinny so it makes sense, but I don’t see the wiggle or speed aspect really. Looks to be a great shot maker in many ways though.

Last two years we had so many ways to score though both inside and out, this year less so. Tristen was great end of shot clock last year and end of 2023 as well. Just don’t think we have as many options this year to keep defenses as honest.

Adams isn't fast or a major run and jump athlete but he seems to have a lot of wiggle and is an instinctive player. You don't have to be fast or a major run and jump athlete to get in the lane and score in the lane/draw fouls. Tristen and Cam aren't considered fast or major run jump athletes. Same goes for the best lane scorers in the NBA these days. Solo is plenty fast and athletic and scoring in the lane doesn't seem to be a strength of his.

I wish we had Tristen too but we don't. I don't think offense will be much of a problem for us.

 

[superjohn]

I haven't read this thread yet (or watched the game), but as the eternal optimist just think about how good next year's team will be with our recruiting class and all our non Karaban early entry candidates back

But we won't have anyone who can get in the lane and score or draw a foul next season. jk

 

[superjohn]

Darius is a 6’5” kid. Has a great handle for his size but doesn’t have that kind of quickness, stop and go, shiftiness with the ball. More of a long strider.

He does though from what I've seen.

Long strider? Rip was a cross country runner and he's one of the best lane scorers we've ever had.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

He does though from what I've seen.

Long strider? Rip was a cross country runner and he's one of the best lane scorers we've ever had.

He doesn’t from what i’ve seen. Watched a lot of highlights when it looked like we were getting him. Outside shot maker but really didn’t see much on ball creation. Agree to disagree.

 

[3rdbass]

I think Hurley probably knew sometime this Summer that this team had a LOT of holes. But the ingredients were set so he had to make the best of it.

The earlier you got knocked out of the tournament this year, the earlier you could get going in portal recruiting. We had to wait until pretty much the end of April/beginning of May when most of the good players were gone. Mahaney was clearly a complete and total misapprehension of talent, probably Hurley's worst coaching UCONN. I wonder what they saw in him, maybe a slightly lesser Spencer?

Whatever, he's pretty much a waste of a roster spot at this point. I would not be surprised if he leaves the team at some point and goes back into the portal if for no other reason than to avoid further humiliation once the Big East schedule gets moving. He should have stayed in the WCC, low major is his best home.

I want to give these guys time to cook but the more and more I watch the less confident I am that we're gonna avoid a double digit loss season. Feels like a .500 team or worse. And at this point it's tough to see how we're gonna beat St. John's, Marquette, etc. Hell we might lose to Providence which would be intollerable.

Come to think of it, this is not dissimilar to what happened to Donovan's post-repeat teams at Florida. Took them a few recruiting cycles to rebuild during which they were mediocre to just OK.

Hey stay away from the ledge. It isn't as bad a you put. We still have the offensive talent to be good with Karaban, Ball and McNeeley. It is just that we have to fast forward Nowell's devlopment. We all thought Mahaney would be good or at least adequate. I'm sure he will still have some moments. The kid needs to eat and hit the gym big time. Not sure what he was thinking coming in looking like Howdy Doody. I still think he can contribute and be a key cog off the bench. We will be above .500 team and make the tournament. I don't see a final four team right now but season is still long.