DePaul Post Game Thread

[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 DH 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 DH 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?

 

[superjohn]

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

What does that have to do with coaches pushing players out to bring in players they think will do better?

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Think Ball, Ross, Stewart, and Reed minutes this year will pay big dividends next year. I’m looking forward to them being the leaders on the roster the same way I looked forward to Hawkins, Andre, and Sanogo taking over.

We may need a PG out the portal though to ease Nowell in since he didn’t get his feet too wet this year.

 

[jibsey]

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......

That’s why he’s going out to get a Newton. 2 would be better. Can you order those on Amazon?

 

[gtcam]

Yes, he is. And injuries are part of basketball. Being without one freshman (as great as he is), is no excuse for playing like that. So, every time Liam gets in foul trouble, or is hurting, the team is expected to limp along until he's back in? I've heard Hurley reference his absence WAY too much. Next man up.

Yeah DH was always the "next man up" guy but maybe this time he doesn't really have the correct "next man up" on his roster?
I heard on a sports talk show of college hoops that two commentators were saying it looks and sounds like DH is hiding behind Liam's injury. I don't agree but there is that perception out there along with the perception that DH is coaching like he did in the early DH UConn days- paying attention to the noise rather than the game.
I have to say that DH is not where he needs to be and most likely where he wants to be - he needs to step back a bit and reflect. I feel he is more than capable to do so. Needs to mentor up perhaps.

 

[PAHusky]

Think Ball, Ross, Stewart, and Reed minutes this year will pay big dividends next year. I’m looking forward to them being the leaders on the roster the same way I looked forward to Hawkins, Andre, and Sanogo taking over.

We may need a PG out the portal though to ease Nowell in since he didn’t get his feet too wet this year.

Think you’re right on the pg portal need and a Karaban replacement if he leaves

 

[444JR]

Think you’re right on the pg portal need and a Karaban replacement if he leaves

Will Jaylin Stewart and Isaiah Abraham ever get a real shot if DH goes portaling for another 4? The replacement would need to be the top 1 or 2 fours in the country to warrant that imo; fair play if that's what we get. Absolutely need the best PG in the portal. I like Darius Adams' skillset and physical profile, very similar to Tristen Newton albeit a 19yo. However, Tristen was no McDonald's All-American. Steph Castle and Liam McNeeley were both pretty damn good straight away.

 

[WiseWillie]

Team had no energy first half. No fouling because they just didn’t play hard. Corrected that late, carried it on and put DePaul away. Ugly at times but a huge game from Reed, clutch moments from Ball. Stewart was huge in the first half. Diarra is not 100% but we don’t have Nowell. Gut check game for him. Alex just frigid but made some great passes.

On to Marquette and hopefully we have Liam and Alex finds his shot.

This team is lacking an alpha dog. Alex was supposed to be it but it is obvious as the season unfolds that role just isn't in his makeup. He's an important piece of the teaming a great teammate who can offer advice based on his experience but he still is not a vocal leader. That is certainly ok but this team needs someone to be the leader and set the tone every game. It needs its alpha dog to get back from injury, to be the scoring example and kick some a** if the coaches aren't willing.

 

[WiseWillie]

just win....just win and make the NCAA tourney.

Wow. "Just win and make the NCAA tourney". What a revelation. How far we have come to accept reality. Merely 4-5 months ago DH and the majority on this forum including yours truly were in heat talking about "3-peat". Did we ignore the reality of losing four players to the NBA? Did anyone including the coaching staff at that time think that the success of this season would rest on the shoulders of an injured freshman?

Was "3 peat" just a pipe dream? Well, at least it may have worked to drum up interest away from some of the big dogs with the big NIL $ and grab a couple 5-star recruits. Whatever. It is now what it is which is trying to make it to the NCAA tourney. Does this team have the heart to move forward and claim its rightful spot with the top dogs? Let's keep cheering them on and show all the media naysayers that UConn might struggle at times but we are UConn and we can.

 

[RuffRuff]

Will Jaylin Stewart and Isaiah Abraham ever get a real shot if DH goes portaling for another 4? The replacement would need to be the top 1 or 2 fours in the country to warrant that imo; fair play if that's what we get. Absolutely need the best PG in the portal. I like Darius Adams' skillset and physical profile, very similar to Tristen Newton albeit a 19yo. However, Tristen was no McDonald's All-American. Steph Castle and Liam McNeeley were both pretty damn good straight away.

Who knows - no one knows what Abraham really is. There are some very good 4's out there, the kid at St Joe's, Fleming is a junior and would be a get. He's 6'9 240 and grabbing 16ppg along with 9rpg. He's also shooting 40% from 3. Jersey kid so maybe they bond over Bon Jovi, otherwise will be a portal war for him if he doesn't go draft. Darius is gonna be good, but he's so thin right now I don't know how effective he can be in year 1. Steph and Liam came in with ready to go physiques.

Yeah DH was always the "next man up" guy but maybe this time he doesn't really have the correct "next man up" on his roster?
I heard on a sports talk show of college hoops that two commentators were saying it looks and sounds like DH is hiding behind Liam's injury. I don't agree but there is that perception out there along with the perception that DH is coaching like he did in the early DH UConn days- paying attention to the noise rather than the game.
I have to say that DH is not where he needs to be and most likely where he wants to be - he needs to step back a bit and reflect. I feel he is more than capable to do so. Needs to mentor up perhaps.

Care to share who made that hot take? Coaches with high standards who've elevated a strategy built around great talent do much better when they have that talent. Dialing it all back to accommodate limitations can be a big adjustment/buzzkill, especially after the luxury of 2 consecutive superteams. Fans are spoiled, but so are the coaches. Some want to call it just another portal recruitment cycle, but don't agree as this is unchartered territory for Hurley, who is a complicated dude. He's human, will be interesting to see how someone who has kissed greatness, and gotten a ton of attention for it, now responds after a year that isn't. His body language at the podium this year has looked defeated at times.

DH was doing every podcast, interview, on the planet. Everyone wanted to talk to him. The Reddick interview was all about how advanced his offense was. He's been called the best coach in the sport, face of the sport. You don't think he loves that level of recognition? He took that into a preseason full of disrespect & 3peat talk every chance he got. The guy clearly loves the stage.

He crushed it on the HS side, but those kids likely won't ROI until they're sophomores.

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.

Please fact check when you quote someone. I did not say he overstayed his welcome, it's just that sensitive little kitties insert it. I said he overstayed. For his personal benefit in terms of NBA stock, last year was his high window. He came back for Hurley & the program (and NIL), and that is noble. He was a year younger off a B2B in a historically weak draft. The taken risk to increase his stock doesn't appear to be offering ROI. I feel for him.

And yes, Samson Johnson frustrates me. Call me crazy but I prefer having centers who can rebound effectively and impose some level of physical presence to generate a brand of team toughness. I don't prefer finesse 5's with bad hands.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Please fact check when you quote someone. I did not say he overstayed his welcome, it's just that sensitive little kitties insert it. I said he overstayed. For his personal benefit in terms of NBA stock, last year was his high window. He came back for Hurley & the program (and NIL), and that is noble. He was a year younger off a B2B in a historically weak draft. The taken risk to increase his stock doesn't appear to be offering ROI. I feel for him.

And yes, Samson Johnson frustrates me. Call me crazy but I prefer having centers who can rebound effectively and impose some level of physical presence to generate a brand of team toughness. I don't prefer finesse 5's with bad hands.

it’s also interesting that guys with limited ceilings like Newton and Karaban are given the advice to come back to improve their draft stock but guys like Andre Jackson were pushed out the door with a similar grade to Karaban.

But that’s a whole other discussion.