Does this UConn team have one or more winning-time go-to play-makers?

[DogMania]

The past couple of seasons, UConn has had multiple players the team could count on down the stretch and/or during winning-time to make winning-time plays.

I don't think this team has that yet. It seems many of them don't yet have that killer confidence to be counted on. Last season we had a slew of players where the moment wasn't too big for them to make plays, such as Newton, Cam, Castle, Clingan, Karaban and even Diarra at times. Granted two of those are still here, but have yet to step up consistently in that way.

Until they achieve this, this team won't be a 3-peat contender. I'm still hopeful they'll get there.

 

[Connecticut13]

Karaban and McNeeley. Karaban hasn't suddenly lost it, though I think he's still adjusting to being Option #1. And McNeeley without a doubt has that "it" factor -- you could tell he wants the ball in crunch time.

Diarra isn't a strong enough shooter to be that guy, but I may trust him more than anyone else at the line in a must-make scenario.

 

[JakeTheDog]

Alex and Liam.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Karaban and McNeeley. Karaban hasn't suddenly lost it, though I think he's still adjusting to being Option #1. And McNeeley without a doubt has that "it" factor -- you could tell he wants the ball in crunch time.

Diarra isn't a strong enough shooter to be that guy, but I may trust him more than anyone else at the line in a must-make scenario.

This is the answer. If this team reaches its ceiling, I think a big part will be that Liam takes over a chunk of that role with Karaban. There’s just no one else on the team that can create a shot against tough D quite like Liam has shown the ability to. Karaban has some of that along with being lethal off-ball.

 

[AllHusky]

Can Tarris be that guy, if we are able to get it to him in a decent position? Seems as though he is bigger, and may have similar footwork and shooting skills as Adama.

Always like Samson for the lob, again dependent on us shaking him loose.

 

[Hogoff]

Karaban and McNeeley. Karaban hasn't suddenly lost it, though I think he's still adjusting to being Option #1. And McNeeley without a doubt has that "it" factor -- you could tell he wants the ball in crunch time.

Diarra isn't a strong enough shooter to be that guy, but I may trust him more than anyone else at the line in a must-make scenario.

I don’t know if there is a stat for this, but it seems like Diarra is a better shooter when he has a hand in his face at the end of a shot clock.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Right now, I don't think we have a Go-To playmaker. That guy who can take the ball and do something to beat his man one on one.

Karaban is a money player when it comes to set plays or by his motion getting free. I don't think Alex is the guy to take his man of the dribble and make a play. Ball so far is a spot up shooter. Both posts rely on someone getting them the ball. Diarra does some amazing things when I least expect them but he's not the guy whose number I would call.

McNeeley isn't the guy yet. But I believe that by February, he will be the engine that drives the machine and be the guy who can break down the defense by himself.

(And the talking heads will once again be praising the player development of UConn coaching)

 

[El Obrero]

Dang, man, the turkey leftovers ain’t even finished yet. It’s too early to tell.

 

[uh-no]

I really don't get this attitude. Through most of hurley's tenure, we've preached team-offense and unselfishness. A single "go to" playmaker on offense is antithetical to the exact thing that has made hurley's offenses great the past couple of years.

You don't need a great playmaker, you need an offense that makes anyone a playmaker depending on how the defense reacts.

 

[aburks41]

Just throwing it out there that Mahaney has 2 years of experience of being the "it" guy when Saint Mary's needed a bucket. He looked great last night...could be a turning point for him

 

[pj]

There's potential to have a full team of weapons. McNeeley is already showing he's an elite scorer you can count on. Karaban has always been a clutch shooter, and is working on developing his shot-creating ability as that's what kept him out of the NBA. Reed shoots an extremely high percentage and can overpower a lot of opponents; Samson also shoots a high percentage. Mahaney is an excellent shooter and was a clutch guy at St Mary's, when he gets it going he will be that for us also. Ball is always going to be an elite shooter, and the other guys will be able to create shots for him.

 

[HuskylnSC]

I really don't get this attitude. Through most of hurley's tenure, we've preached team-offense and unselfishness. A single "go to" playmaker on offense is antithetical to the exact thing that has made hurley's offenses great the past couple of years.

You don't need a great playmaker, you need an offense that makes anyone a playmaker depending on how the defense reacts.

Let me introduce you to Cam Spencer and Jordan Hawkins.

 

[UofCT]

9 days ago Solo hit a game tying three in the Memphis game.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Let me introduce you to Cam Spencer and Jordan Hawkins.

I don’t disagree that both guys were looked to in order to go make a play a lot of times, but neither was even their team’s leading scorer. Not sure it really refutes the point you were responding to.

 

[87Xfer]

Karaban and McNeeley. Karaban hasn't suddenly lost it, though I think he's still adjusting to being Option #1. And McNeeley without a doubt has that "it" factor -- you could tell he wants the ball in crunch time.

Diarra isn't a strong enough shooter to be that guy, but I may trust him more than anyone else at the line in a must-make scenario.

I'd honestly take Solo over Diarra right now if we're strictly talking about hitting a shot.

 

[kobebeanbryant]

This is one of our biggest weaknesses. We don’t have guys that can go create offense on their own (or at least they haven’t shown it consistently yet).

That isn’t Karaban’s game at all. And part of why he will have an awkward time ascending into an “alpha” role on this team. He’s more of a “connective player” (I hate that term but it fits).

Diarra has demonstrated pretty clearly that he shouldn’t have the ball in his hands to end the half/game.

I actually think McNeeley is our best bet. I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw from him last night. When our offense ground to a halt and everyone else was going through the motions (offense), he made something happen and attacked the rim.

 

[Mr. French]

I don’t disagree that both guys were looked to in order to go make a play a lot of times, but neither was even their team’s leading scorer. Not sure it really refutes the point you were responding to.

Also depends if we're talking hitting a big shot or creating a game winning shot.

 

[uconnbill]

Right now, I don't think we have a Go-To playmaker. That guy who can take the ball and do something to beat his man one on one.

Karaban is a money player when it comes to set plays or by his motion getting free. I don't think Alex is the guy to take his man of the dribble and make a play. Ball so far is a spot up shooter. Both posts rely on someone getting them the ball. Diarra does some amazing things when I least expect them but he's not the guy whose number I would call.

McNeeley isn't the guy yet. But I believe that by February, he will be the engine that drives the machine and be the guy who can break down the defense by himself.

(And the talking heads will once again be praising the player development of UConn coaching)

I think you are wrong as I think McNeeley is as good as anyone on this team as an all-around player. He can shoot, pass, rebound and even block a shot or two.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I’d say no, despite knowing it’ll be a very unpopular opinion. It’s telling that Diarra has been the late clock/clutch possession go to guy so far, and he’s not built for it.

I’d say Liam has the best chance of becoming this guy. But I’m also gonna be interested to see how he adjusts to the added defensive attention he’ll get moving forward. It might be a lot to ask for a freshman who’s primary skill set is off ball to become a closing creator for a team with tournament aspirations. But he’s also more likely to beat his man than Alex.

Which is also to say I don’t think it can be Alex. Elite team bucket getter, gonna do more on ball stuff as we’ve seen this year, but I think it’d be too easy to shutdown his isolations if you know they’re coming.

To ask Mahaney and Solo to survive on defense in the last 4 minutes of a tight game seems unreasonable given the evidence we have right now. So you’d have to bench Solo if you want Mahaney to take on that role. And despite Mahaney playing well in a bit role the last two games, I’m not convinced he’s shown anything to suddenly command such a significant role. We were closer to demanding Nowell take his rotation spot than demanding he take the most important shots in a game.

(This is also why Nowell may need to get adjusted asap. He’s got the most potential to self create on this team.)

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Alex and Liam.

Ally-oop to Samson, and one. Maybe try high-low in some circumstances with Read and Samson.

 

[JesusAllen11]

Liam. He is having the full season Castle would of had without the knee injury. End season his play will have him in solid top ten draft talks.

 

[jibsey]

Mahaney is not the one though an open 3 is fine, Alex and Liam can put it on the floor, pull up for a 2 or take it in to convert or be fouled. They need to practice that scenario until it’s second nature.
Both players at 6’7” or 6’8” won’t be blocked as likely as Mahaney, Hassan, Solo or anyone else.
Doesn’t mean it will be perfect but it’s our best shot.

 

[prankster]

The past couple of seasons, UConn has had multiple players the team could count on down the stretch and/or during winning-time to make winning-time plays.

I don't think this team has that yet. It seems many of them don't yet have that killer confidence to be counted on. Last season we had a slew of players where the moment wasn't too big for them to make plays, such as Newton, Cam, Castle, Clingan, Karaban and even Diarra at times. Granted two of those are still here, but have yet to step up consistently in that way.

Until they achieve this, this team won't be a 3-peat contender. I'm still hopeful they'll get there.

Soon.

 

[uconnad]

Offense is not the issue, we need consistent stops

 

[LIuconn]

I don't see it this year.
Karaban is excellent as a 3rd option but he's not breaking down a guy and getting an easy 10 foot pull-up in the half court.
We don't have a PG that gets into the paint.

schemes and execution have to be on a whole nother level this year to win games against talented teams