DePaul Post Game Thread

[dennismenace]

All the talk about our defense this year and I'm surprised how little we recognize losing Castle and what that did to the defense. Forget Clingan. That's obvious. Castle is 2 years removed from high school and shutting down 30 year old NBA veterans. Replace him with the below mediocre defensive performance of Stewart and Mahaney and it's pretty easy to see how we got so bad on the perimeter so quick.

And the year before that we had Andre Jackson. Elite 6-6 lockdown defenders against the best 1-4 you've got. And they also could lead the transition offense as well.

 

[mussels]

Pretty damn funny:

LOL. BlueDemonDegan doesn’t realize that we are always pissed off at each other. DePaul has nothing to do with it.

 

[HCCForever]

I had to look up "The Elaine Dance" LOL. For other clueless people like me:

Thanks for the laugh. I am well aware of this dance. I hope you know what a double dip is and make sure you don't use that method at any Super Bowl party.

 

[Scoe]

Not sure you're putting me into this category or not. I wouldn't police people about booing. That is far worse than the act itself imo. I just don't see the value in it. All i'm asking is for those who do it, support it, or advocate for it, explain to me the value it provides in helping a team perform better.

@Scoe brings up one player who isn't bothered by booing as an example to refute my contention. That player isn't bothered by it. I'm sure there are people who thrive on it. An American women player in the Australian Open loved it. But are these the majority of players?

If chin or anyone else can give me objective information that counters my point I'd gladly admit I'm wrong.

Not for anything but when things don't go well a vast majority of this forum's posts are repetitive crying. Most of the people posting here have been crying since Maui. They want players and coaches to change. It's not a coincidence that we insist others change when we refuse to. I also find it strange that this twitter women made you exhausted when the majority of this forum is that way.

I think most posters are in agreement on this, think it's time to move on look the fans booed we don't have to like it, but they didn't commit a crime let's move on.

 

[jostar1]

Did Dan Hurley just overplay the THREE PEAT crap and give the team overstuffed BS confidence and it backfired in a nuclear way?

He's still talking 3-peat. He alluded to it in the post-game press conference.

 

[my2cents]

Agreed. The narrative against Jaylin Stewart is baffling. He's one of our own and clearly has the ability to go off in the scoring column. He's a much better post defender than he is perimeter defender, see Villanova game vs Dixon. Tough for both Ross and Stewart to play consistently when their roles are so inconsistent. Someone mentioned Ross has only played 400 minutes. There's a great athlete there, but it's no wonder his timing is off on both ends of the court. Excited to see those two grow every game. Jaylin Stewart 6/7FG for 15 points!! Yet this board has so much negativity for him because of his +/-?? There's four other Huskies on the court with him getting scored on!! Is the expectation that much higher for Sophomore Stewart than it is for Senior starter Samson Johnson 4 points, only 2 shots, and 3 rebounds or Junior Aiden Mahaney who went 3/9FG for 10 points??

I admit that I have a real soft spot for Stewart and Reed Jr. I think their skill level is so clear and they have the tools to be game changers for this team. Alongside McNeeley, healthy Karaban, and rising star Solo Ball we have some dawgs who can beat anyone on their day. Add to that our fearless leader Hassan Diarra. Things just need to click at the right time, but the narrative against Stewart is frustrating to say the least. I'll add that whenever the game plan completely goes away from Tarris Reed Jr. I'm baffled and the announcers always seem to be as well. Almost feels like people are pushing Stewart out the door. I don't get it.

100% I have seen enough of him to realize that he can get anywhere he wants , once he gets the ball and will score more than anyone else. Too many times he is stuck in a corner and never gets a look.

 

[jostar1]

Solo said that the strength coach, Gavin Roberts, gave them a lot of energy and a lift at half-time going into the second half:

 

[Scoe]

He's still talking 3-peat. He alluded to it in the post-game press conference.

The same people who think words hav some effect on our team think Hurley's bullet proof comments last March were gonna give our opponents bulletin board material.

 

[ctchamps]

I think most posters are in agreement on this, think it's time to move on look the fans booed we don't have to like it, but they didn't commit a crime let's move on.

I was planning on moving on anyways. Not one to persist on points. This is about as far as I take things.

 

[ucp990411]

Not sure why everyone is so uptight about the booing. There were complaints about it in the chat and we were saying worse things than booing. Look the rules changed these are no longer student athletes. They are making more money than 98% of people who work for a living.

With that comes more responsibility. I love Dan Hurley and would never want anyone else to coach our team. I mean he lit them up at halftime. The Assistant coaches lit them up at halftime and we are worried about the fans booing.

This all changed with NIL and some of us are supporting that more than the usual annual donations that were being made to the university.

Fans have right to boo when a team goes out and shows no emotion and looks like it’s going through the motions against a very bad team.

We played OK in the second half and erased a 8 point deficit and won by 11. Yeah we stunk enough in the first half to get booed. Even Hurley did not go over the top on it, my guess is he is going to use it as a psychological carrot with the team.

But we really need to stop thinking as these guys as student athletes. I have not looked but one of the DePaul players a senior looked like he had gray hair on his head D’Amico a senior. This is not the same game as it was in the 80’s and 90’s. Back then they were still getting paid but it was not official and most of our players in the 80’s were not good enough to get paid anyway.

Stewart isn't really quick enough at the 3. He's a much better defender at the 4. His minutes should really be as a sub for AK. Ross is quick, twitchy and should be a good defender but isn't because he's constantly gambling for steals and blocks rather than just playing straight up. I think some of that is a desire to make a big play and prove he needs to be on the court. Offensively, and on the boards, Stewart is much, much better than Ross.

Better defender at the 4? Did you see him get posted up vs Xavier repeatedly and foul trying to defend?

 

[444JR]

100% I have seen enough of him to realize that he can get anywhere he wants , once he gets the ball and will score more than anyone else. Too many times he is stuck in a corner and never gets a look.

Couldn’t have said it better myself. In certain games he’s playing clearly aware that if he misses one shot he’ll be benched. The critical part I’ll say is that his defense does not keep him on the floor. That needs to change. Guy has to be earning more of a leash. Even when McNeeley comes back. Find ways to play them together, keep fresh legs, keep these guys playing down hill, fast. Taking good looks.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

This team is at about 60% of where they could be Obviously Liam being out has a lot to do with this . But at our best so far maybe 75-80% I’m being generous
So I’m not giving up on this or any team with that growth potential. If the team D jells and we can get to around 90% . I would not want to see us as an opponent in late March

 

[Captbluefin]

Solo said that the strength coach, Gavin Roberts, gave them a lot of energy and a lift at half-time going into the second half:

Very well spoken young men.

 

[mauconnfan]

Just to give context. Stew came out we were losing 47-44. Ross replaced him. When Stew returned we were up 64-54. So that's a 20-7 swing in eight minutes. This is the third or fourth time this has happened this year.

This is proof of how worthless that stat is. Someone else is playing well to help tilt those numbers because in no world did Ross bring more to the table than Stewart. Ross does very little and his defense is highly overrated.

 

[Hunt for 7]

This is proof of how worthless that stat is. Someone else is playing well to help tilt those numbers because in no world did Ross bring more to the table than Stewart. Ross does very little and his defense is highly overrated.

So Danny and the best coaching group in the game are wrong. If we just stop focusing on the stupid plays he makes and watch when he is not over helping and trying to do so much you will see what happens to the man he is guarding.

He challenges three point shots better than anyone on our team. Unfortunately he makes some really boneheaded plays mostly associated with him leaving his feat then trying to do too much to recover.

But when he is solid you don’t notice him much because the man he is guarding is not scoring.

Everyone can bash Ross, next year after all this playing time we are going to talking about him differently. And Hurley knows his skill set refined is more valuable to the roster construction next year when we have a great yet underwhelming athletic group coming in. Ross will be on this team next year. There are a few other sophomores that may not as well as one or two from the freshman class.

 

[freescooter]

So Danny and the best coaching group in the game are wrong. If we just stop focusing on the stupid plays he makes and watch when he is not over helping and trying to do so much you will see what happens to the man he is guarding.

He challenges three point shots better than anyone on our team. Unfortunately he makes some really boneheaded plays mostly associated with him leaving his feat then trying to do too much to recover.

But when he is solid you don’t notice him much because the man he is guarding is not scoring.

Everyone can bash Ross, next year after all this playing time we are going to talking about him differently. And Hurley knows his skill set refined is more valuable to the roster construction next year when we have a great yet underwhelming athletic group coming in. Ross will be on this team next year. There are a few other sophomores that may not as well as one or two from the freshman class.

So what you’re saying is Hurley has thrown in the towel on winning THIS year in order to develop players for NEXT year.

 

[RuffRuff]

So what you’re saying is Hurley has thrown in the towel on winning THIS year in order to develop players for NEXT year.

Don’t know what Dan Hurley is going to do but I will be following closely. I do feel this may be a year he uses the portal to course correct, at the sake of moving off some his HS recruits. I’m curious to see his loyalty/continuity position challenged against desire to win, especially if the current season trends as is. He is not going to want a repeat of this: imbalanced roster, size/defensive issues, glaring in-correctable flaws, depending on a freshman to be his go to guy.

Back to backs, preseason number 3, top recruiting class is a nice place to be. I don’t think Danny is going to want any part of another “rebuild” season.

Many of the top teams this year will also be losing truck loads of seniors (many 5th year) and OAD frosh. It’s hard to know who the front runner for top team next year is right now. One team that may be there is Purdue, as their 3 top players are all juniors. Might be a year Painter goes all in. StJ could have Luis and Ejifor back.

 

[Waquoit]

I’m curious to see his loyalty/continuity position challenged against desire to win, especially if the current season trends as is. He is not going to want a repeat of this: imbalanced roster, size/defensive issues, glaring in-correctable flaws, depending on a freshman to be his go to guy.

I hate everything about this, you make it sound like you want Hurley to be heartless technocrat. You're curious to see if Hurley abandons everything he's done up to date to build a winning program because of a few close losses? I predict he won't. And please name some "glaring in-correctable flaws"? What are you talking about?

 

[444JR]

So Danny and the best coaching group in the game are wrong. If we just stop focusing on the stupid plays he makes and watch when he is not over helping and trying to do so much you will see what happens to the man he is guarding.

He challenges three point shots better than anyone on our team. Unfortunately he makes some really boneheaded plays mostly associated with him leaving his feat then trying to do too much to recover.

But when he is solid you don’t notice him much because the man he is guarding is not scoring.

Everyone can bash Ross, next year after all this playing time we are going to talking about him differently. And Hurley knows his skill set refined is more valuable to the roster construction next year when we have a great yet underwhelming athletic group coming in. Ross will be on this team next year. There are a few other sophomores that may not as well as one or two from the freshman class.

SMH - you complain about Ross being bashed then bash several other players by speculating about them transferring. Get a grip. This coaching staff has admitted being wrong before, so them being wrong on something is not out of the question. They do fix it and adjust like no other program’s staff in the country does. All of these guys will be better next season and will benefit from this year’s playing time. You are saying nothing revolutionary, aside from the headless, negative speculation that underclassmen currently on the team will not be on the team next year. What gives?

 

[RuffRuff]

I hate everything about this, you make it sound like you want Hurley to be heartless technocrat. You're curious to see if Hurley abandons everything he's done up to date to build a winning program because of a few close losses? I predict he won't. And please name some "glaring in-correctable flaws"? What are you talking about?

I'm not hoping one way or another - I'm curious to if he sticks or adjusts, as season to season is a fluid thing. It's easy to say this is what we are built on when you're coming off B2B's, but what happens when it doesn't work all that well the following year? He may not over-leverage the portal, and I'll respect. Culture & continuum are definitely important, but to what extent? There are teams winning without any continuity right now. There is a top 2 team that shoved a trio of 5 stars out the door to upgrade. I find the portal being a really interesting facet of today's optionality and how coaches use is successfully, or not. This staff is really smart, so curious to see how they respond to this season.

You're not aware of the flaws? Have you seen us play defense? We are small, soft, not fleet of foot, lack ball handling. We are losing our primary top 2 ball handlers in in McNeeley & Hass. We have unproven freshman and HS recruits coming in to plug those holes. This board has beat it to death. C'mon now. Do you think who we have coming back will all of a sudden develop into being wonderful in those categories? I'll tell yeah......

 

[Inyatkin]

Don’t know what Dan Hurley is going to do but I will be following closely. I do feel this may be a year he uses the portal to course correct, at the sake of moving off some his HS recruits.

You get awfully close to pushing people to transfer, which is, you know, bad.

 

[RuffRuff]

You get awfully close to pushing people to transfer, which is, you know, bad.

I wouldn't say I'm pushing as much as I'm fascinated as to what moves on the chess board this staff will make in a multi-faceted recruiting environment.

I'm a big fan of roster strategy and how to balance the delicacies effectively year over year. A lot like the Pats run, how to keep a good thing going, and how smart people figure it out and stay ahead of the curve. Hurley is interesting because he speaks to a really clear methodology, is fiery/emotional, clearly loyal. The curiosity will be whether he sticks with one of his own, prefers trying to win with his own, even if he knows he can get 10% better in the portal. A guy like Beli was clinical. That's it - no reason to get the panties in a knot.

 

[navery12]

I wouldn't say I'm pushing as much as I'm fascinated as to what moves on the chess board this staff will make in a multi-faceted recruiting environment.

I'm a big fan of roster strategy and how to balance the delicacies effectively year over year. A lot like the Pats run, how to keep a good thing going, and how smart people figure it out and stay ahead of the curve. Hurley is interesting because he speaks to a really clear methodology, is fiery/emotional, clearly loyal. The curiosity will be whether he sticks with one of his own, prefers trying to win with his own, even if he knows he can get 10% better in the portal. A guy like Beli was clinical. That's it - no reason to get the panties in a knot.

I think you're severely overthinking this. We're going to recruit from the transfer portal the same way we have for the last few years, and they're going to continue to be a major part of the team. We haven't avoided bringing in more talent from the portal and that's not going to suddenly start now.

And on the flip side I don't think he's going to push anyone into the portal the way you suggest, he's going to just have an honest conversation about their role and that's on them to decide if they're happy with it.

 

[Inyatkin]

That's it - no reason to get the panties in a knot.

Wow, solid stuff, good argument.

In a previous thread, you said you were looking forward to Samson Johnson not being here. You said Alex Karaban(!) had already overstayed his welcome. Now you're musing about which of Hurley's recruits he may move on from.

To me, being a UConn fan means rooting for the players on the roster. But you do you.

 

[QDOG5]

@Hunt for 7, I’m still puzzled about your comment that some DePaul player may or may not have gray hair and how that would effect booing. As for booing our team I’m not a fan but if others want to boo that’s their prerogative. The idea that we can boo more freely now because they are getting paid is strange to me. We all knew that players were getting paid before but now that we double know we can boo more freely? Also, no need for people to lecture that we should stop considering the players student athletes. They are students and athletes so the moniker still fits.

 

[superjohn]

Wow, solid stuff, good argument.

In a previous thread, you said you were looking forward to Samson Johnson not being here. You said Alex Karaban(!) had already overstayed his welcome. Now you're musing about which of Hurley's recruits he may move on from.

To me, being a UConn fan means rooting for the players on the roster. But you do you.

Sure you root for the guys in the team. You also want to have the best team possible. If I had to guess you probably enjoyed the 2022-2023 season and results a lot more as a fan than 2021-2022 when Hurley moved on from a bunch of players after the season.

The reality is Hurley is going to move on from players when he doesn't think they can get it done here and he's going to bring in players he thinks can get it done here.

 

[Inyatkin]

Sure you root for the guys in the team. You also want to have the best team possible. If I had to guess you probably enjoyed the 2022-2023 season and results a lot more as a fan than 2021-2022 when Hurley moved on from a bunch of players after the season.

The reality is Hurley is going to move on from players when he doesn't think they can get it done here and he's going to bring in players he thinks can get it done here.

Such wisdom, coaches want the best players.

If you don't think there's a difference between that and trying to push players out the door, I don't know what to tell you. I do know the board has frowned on that sort of thing for some time.

 

[superjohn]

@Hunt for 7, I’m still puzzled about your comment that some DePaul player may or may not have gray hair and how that would effect booing. As for booing our team I’m not a fan but if others want to boo that’s their prerogative. The idea that we can boo more freely now because they are getting paid is strange to me. We all knew that players were getting paid before but now that we double know we can boo more freely? Also, no need for people to lecture that we should stop considering the players student athletes. They are students and athletes so the moniker still fits.

I don't boo but I couldn't care less if other fans boo. The athletes are professionals now, they are making more money than the overwhelming majority of the fans who pay to watch them play and the coach is making more in one season than 98%-99% of the paying fans will make in their lifetime. If the effort isn't there I think it's human nature for some fans to outwardly show their frustration. With them being high paid professionals now I think gone are the days where people just viewed them as kids on a scholarship. There's more of an expectation now and less coddling.

The players argued they were giving free labor all those years, well now they're paid handsomely to play a game.

 

[superjohn]

Such wisdom, coaches want the best players.

If you don't think there's a difference between that and trying to push players out the door, I don't know what to tell you. I do know the board has frowned on that sort of thing for some time.

Yes, coaches push players out the door to get players they think will be better.

 

[Inyatkin]

Yes, coaches push players out the door to get players they think will be better.

This guy said Alex Karaban had overstayed his welcome. Maybe you think that's cool?