Columbia Post Game Thread

[ctchamps]

I'm always of the thought that defense starts off games. You get to put Ross on the other teams best offensive player and get him to get off to a slow start.

Then bring in the more offensive minded player with the bench unit. Let Ross play next to the starting guys where he can comfortably be the 5th option.

Let Stew come off the bench with Smith where he's now a guy who can have priority in the offense.

It would be much easier for coaches to make decisions if they had less parameters to consider in their decisions.

After Mullins got hurt Stewart got the start because he proved more last season. Now that Ross has gotten some opportunity and is demonstrating on the court his capabilities Hurley is slowly increasing his playing time.

Your points bear merit. But for now I don’t see a need to mess with the starting lineup. He can give a quick hook to Ball or Stewart if either is struggling.

Ross is an individual who is quite comfortable subverting his preferences for the sake of the team and can come into the game getting into fifth gear immediately. He’s the ideal substitute player. Stewart less so. When Ross comes in he deflates the player he’s assigned. It’s much more effective if that player loses his early game adrenaline.

 

[boog204]

Ross is more adaptable imo. And can cover 2-4. Better to let Stewart start and bring in Ross as defense requires. In the Columbia game Ball was struggling defensively and Ross came in for him.

The first three fouls on Ross were legitimate. The final two were ridiculous. Did Refs get ticked off by Hurley? Or did they feel sorry for Columbia and decide to take out our best perimeter player?

I think Ross is the much better off-the-bench guy with his energy and athleticism. Stew takes time to get into the flow, and with our current depth, he's best getting the early minutes to figure out what he's going to be that day.

 

[Gurleyman]

My understanding of team rebounds is that they are precisely for all of those deadball rebound situations you mentioned. If those don’t count towards team rebounds, then team rebounds as a category wouldn’t need to exist. ESPN describes Solo missing his very first free throw of the game (first out of two attempts) as a “UConn Deadball Team Rebound.” Are you saying they don’t count that as a team rebound?

Correct. A deadball rebound shows up in the play by play - but on the box score it’s separated from the team total. If you look at the pdf version of the box, deadball is listed on the right (in offense, defense format).

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/uconnhuskies.com/documents/2025/11/11/GM03CU.PDF?timestamp=20251111031615

 

[QDOG5]

Ball (23), Karaban (20) and Reed (19) combined for 62 points or 70% of our points. It was a good sign that we had only 2 team fouls at halftime, regardless of the competition. A win by 27 but not a total blow out. We don’t want to be greedy but that’s needs to be standard in a game like this.

Karaban filled up the boxscore and played a multidimensional game. Points, rebounds, and assists.

Always a good sign when Karaban and Ball get to the line. Both are good foul shooters and were 10-13 combined on FT. Reed added 7-10.

Reed with decent minutes is a double / double guy who will shoot over 60%. Keeping healthy and fouls low is key. Again, part of the defensive improvement that Danny wants has been a de-emphasis of the aggressive high hedge for the center.

Ross fouled out but was 3-3 from the 3 point line, a good sign for someone good on defense.

Keeping a nice FG% spread is a good sign for both offense and defense. 56% to 37% is a good spread.

Reibe’s numbers are modest, but a non casual fan can see glimpses of his potential.

@Chief00, I admire the hard work you put in this off season. It took you until the end of the fourth paragraph to mention the high hedge. At this rate you may be able to remove from your lexicon by seasons end. Maybe 😀

 

[RedStickHusky]

I’m calling you out for being what you dislike.

Okay, I'm very called out.

 

[RuffRuff]

I think Ross is the much better off-the-bench guy with his energy and athleticism. Stew takes time to get into the flow, and with our current depth, he's best getting the early minutes to figure out what he's going to be that day.

Tend to agree with you on this. Stews ebbs and flows are hard to keep up with Ross at least you know you’re getting a really active player and defender.

 

[thekollieman]

Correct. A deadball rebound shows up in the play by play - but on the box score it’s separated from the team total. If you look at the pdf version of the box, deadball is listed on the right (in offense, defense format).

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/uconnhuskies.com/documents/2025/11/11/GM03CU.PDF?timestamp=20251111031615

So there were 7 total deadball rebounds in the whole game? Am I reading that right? Because then there are still many unaccounted for missed shots.

 

[HW611]

I've never heard of the more inconsistent, less defensive minded player being the better starter before.

But I guess it's just a part of the realization process of accepting that Ross should eventually be the starter lol

May not end up mattering if Mullins comes back soon anyways. If Ross did manage to get the spot and continue to play well, it would make the conversation even more interesting.

MSU Ross or first half Columbia Ross is a 25 mpg starting player that fits exactly what we need in the lineup.

All in all these are warm up games that won't matter nearly as much as BYU. I wonder if Hurley switches the lineup for it. If not I wonder if certain performances happen in this one how it will effect things moving forward.

 

[Methalius]

He’s struggling with the physicality that low major and Ivy League teams can offer. It’s only getting tougher from here. Gotta hope these games are just what he needs to adjust by conference play.

He's a young kid. He's played a very different style of basketball. Give the kid a few more games to adjust. Jeez. I think it's very unfair to judge him based on what we have seen so far. I think he did fine in the Michigan State game.

 

[thekollieman]

He's a young kid. He's played a very different style of basketball. Give the kid a few more games to adjust. Jeez. I think it's very unfair to judge him based on what we have seen so far. I think he did fine in the Michigan State game.

I think we’ll all (or most of us, anyway) be singing Reibe’s praises before long.

 

[ctchamps]

I've never heard of the more inconsistent, less defensive minded player being the better starter before.

But I guess it's just a part of the realization process of accepting that Ross should eventually be the starter lol

May not end up mattering if Mullins comes back soon anyways. If Ross did manage to get the spot and continue to play well, it would make the conversation even more interesting.

MSU Ross or first half Columbia Ross is a 25 mpg starting player that fits exactly what we need in the lineup.

All in all these are warm up games that won't matter nearly as much as BYU. I wonder if Hurley switches the lineup for it. If not I wonder if certain performances happen in this one how it will effect things moving forward.

A couple of posters were way ahead in projecting the value of Ross. You were one of them. You advocated he needed playing time to work on his game. And if given that opportunity he would prove you correct.

What @boog204 and I are recommending is that you apply that projection for Stewart. boog204 has elegantly presented why it's important to start Stewart over Ross. It's the best chance to help Stewart reach his potential.

There is a downside to not utilize the strategic value of starting out with our best defensive team. That adjustment can be made quickly with limited negative consequences. The trade off - developing Stewart into an outstanding player - is well worth the attempt for now.

 

[sledog]

There were spurts where the lads seemed lost under the boards.

 

[GlastonTim]

I'm not sure anyone is looking to whip him. It's a simple recognition that he doesn't appear quite ready, showcases some basic gaps that can become liabilities against really good competition. Could you imagine him on the floor with a guy like Zubi?

At this point I’d rather have Karoma on him. But have some faith that Reibe will improve a lot by February. Its still early in the season.

 

[HW611]

A couple of posters were way ahead in projecting the value of Ross. You were one of them. You advocated he needed playing time to work on his game. And if given that opportunity he would prove you correct.

What @boog204 and I are recommending is that you apply that projection for Stewart. boog204 has elegantly presented why it's important to start Stewart over Ross. It's the best chance to help Stewart reach his potential.

There is a downside to not utilize the strategic value of starting out with our best defensive team. That adjustment can be made quickly with limited negative consequences. The trade off - developing Stewart into an outstanding player - is well worth the attempt for now.

My read on Stewart is that he's not a good role player. He needs to be a star to maximize him.

I've talked less about Stew not because I don't believe in him. But because I don't believe in him as a role player.

The only thing that would've helped Stew is Karaban leaving to open the door for him to get more usage. Not being the 5th option in the starting lineup. Which is why I'm saying he'd be better off coming in with the bench group as a bigger offensive focal point.

Ross doesn't need to get in an offensive flow to be as effective and his defensive ability is consistent right now regardless. My case isn't to give up on Stew. It's one that can work best for both parties.

It's why you always see 6th man of the year players being some of the best scorers on the team. That should be his role.

 

[RuffRuff]

My read on Stewart is that he's not a good role player. He needs to be a star to maximize him.

I've talked less about Stew not because I don't believe in him. But because I don't believe in him as a role player.

The only thing that would've helped Stew is Karaban leaving to open the door for him to get more usage. Not being the 5th option in the starting lineup. Which is why I'm saying he'd be better off coming in with the bench group as a bigger offensive focal point.

Ross doesn't need to get in an offensive flow to be as effective and his defensive ability is consistent right now regardless. My case isn't to give up on Stew. It's one that can work best for both parties.

It's why you always see 6th man of the year players being some of the best scorers on the team. That should be his role.

There might be something to this - watching him closely yesterday as he logged well over 20 minutes yet logged almost nothing statistically, wanted to hone in on how they use him on offense. They don't - he literally just sits out on the left side three point line watching action on the other side of the court. I don't even know how you integrate into the offense from that stationary position. I don't know if this is the plan, or if he just doesn't know how to put himself in the best position possible to contribute. He just kind of feels flailing. You'd like to see them run an action or two directed at him, but they just don't. I know he's not a featured player, but hard to be really feel involved if you're basically forgotten. His best bet is to work the offensive glass, but I'm not even sure if that's how they want to use him. At this point, he's a dedicated floor clearer.

In the waning minutes, he got his pocket picked twice trying to get fancy with the ball. That doesn't help. I really don't know how this team utilizes him in a way where he is a really + contributor. What does he do well right now? He's kind of identiless out there. I feel bad for the kid.

 

[HW611]

There might be something to this - watching him closely yesterday as he logged well over 20 minutes yet logged almost nothing statistically, wanted to hone in on how they use him on offense. They don't - he literally just sits out on the left side three point line watching action on the other side of the court. I don't even know how you integrate into the offense from that stationary position. I don't know if this is the plan, or if he just doesn't know how to put himself in the best position possible to contribute. He just kind of feels flailing. You'd like to see them run an action or two directed at him, but they just don't. I know he's not a featured player, but hard to be really feel involved if you're basically forgotten. His best bet is to work the offensive glass, but I'm not even sure if that's how they want to use him. At this point, he's a dedicated floor clearer.

In the waning minutes, he got his pocket picked twice trying to get fancy with the ball. That doesn't help. I really don't know how this team utilizes him in a way where he is a really + contributor. What does he do well right now? He's kind of identiless out there. I feel bad for the kid.

Pretty much. He's going to stay inconsistent in a role player role he's not really suited for. Ross is better suited to be that role player who doesn't need the ball or high usage to be effective.

It's why I've been high on him to be in this certain position. If we were talking about who should be the leader and star of a team it'd be Stew. But that's not what's being asked of currently.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

People talk ish in the chat room. It's a dingy basement with a pony keg and a bong where the hot takes flow like wine. Please don't ruin it by bringing those hot takes upstairs into the light. Let the chat stay where it belongs in the chat room.

In Murphy v. Steeplechase Amusement Park (1929), Benjamin Cardozo, J. provided ample reasoned counsel for one to neither visit the Chat during games, nor bring its contents to the Forum:

"Volenti non fit injuria. One who takes part in such a sport accepts the dangers that inhere in it so far as they are obvious and necessary, just as a fencer accepts the risk of a thrust by his antagonist or a spectator at a ball game the chance of contact with the ball (Pollock, Torts [11th ed.], p. 171; Lumsden v. Thompson Scenic Ry. Co., supra; Godfrey v. Conn. Co., 98 Conn. 63). The antics of the clown are not the paces of the cloistered cleric. The rough and boisterous joke, the horseplay of the crowd, evokes its own guffaws, but they are not the pleasures of tranquillity. The plaintiff was not seeking a retreat for meditation. Visitors were tumbling about the belt to the merriment of onlookers when he made his choice to join them. He took the chance of a like fate, with whatever damage to his body might ensue from such a fall. The timorous may stay at home." (Emphasis added)