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

[Hunt for 7]

If I were choosing, no disrespect to Ak, but my order is as follows:

With the ball needing to create your own shot it is McNeeley, followed by AK and then I would go Mahaney from what we saw against Baylor.

If it is a set play that works and you get a good look at a three, then give me AK everytime, but then Mahaney followed by Liam.

If Liam were a junior which he will never see at UConn he would be option 1,2 and 3.

 

[Edward Sargent]

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.

I think we do in this order.
Karaban
Ball
Diarra
McNeeley
Mahaney

 

[REB1094]

Obligatory sentence about how the UConn offense is built on movement/action/isolations are bad etc etc.. But here are our options if we had to

Aidan Mahaney - That's what he was brought in to be, and it just hasn't worked out yet. There is obviously a bunch of potential here so I don't think it's unrealistic to see him drastically improve as the season goes on. Remember Newton shot like 41% FG last year so it's not like we need the guy in that bailout bucket role to be a 45-50% shooter

Alex Karaban - Honestly I just haven't seen it yet. Alex gets his baskets in the flow of the offense and I don't think he's comfortable just putting the ball on the ground and getting a bucket. We saw it against Texas last year so it's there if it has to be, but his game is not an iso scoring playstyle. His shooting form is a bit funky and it doesn't lend well to shooting off the dribble. But I won't complain if he takes a clutch 28 foot fast break 3, ultimate green light in those situations

Liam McNeeley. That's my guy. This dude isn't afraid of anything or anyone. The athletic limitations will be a problem with it, but he's the only psycho killer mindset guy I see right now. I want him taking those shots

Solo Ball - Good for spot up clutch shots (Memphis), but I don't want the ball in his hands as a primary playmaker

Hassan Diarra - Probably our best guy attacking the rim, but don't want to get into a position where we are relying on a whistle during a Diarra drive

 

[HuskylnSC]

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.

I agree with all you say. It's just the OP wanted a winning Go-to player. McNeeley will be, but right now there is no Cam Spencer or Jordan Hawkins on thi team

 

[HuskylnSC]

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.

Fine, I guess we have a differing opinion of what the OP is looking for.

 

[Palatine]

Our end game execution has been very bad.

 

[jibsey]

Our end game execution has been very bad.

What happened with an experienced player like Diarra was a joke.

 

[3rdbass]

Offense is not the issue, we need consistent stops

Yeah if teams keep on shooing 50 percent against us we might not have to worrry about who is taking the last shot. LOL!

 

[Chasm64]

Last minute shot would have to be Mcneeley, everyone else at this point is a one trick pony.

 

[Excalibur]

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.

This ignores the reality of late shot clock scenarios, particularly late in close games.

 

[UCTitleTown]

I don't think AN is that guy yet, but will be. He can score anytime he decides to. If we need a three, I'd say AK or LM, and Solo has shown onions.

 

[jibsey]

Throw it to Samson Johnson in the post.

 

[uh-no]

This ignores the reality of late shot clock scenarios, particularly late in close games.

we ran offense until double zeros all the time with incredible success. this is a bonkers take. how many buzzer beating half time shots did we hit two years ago? was something like fifteen... and they weren't hero ball, they were the outcome of continuing to run good offense for the entire clock instead of waiting for some one to "make a play"

it's like you guys didn't even watch the games.

 

[87Xfer]

Last minute shot would have to be Mcneeley, everyone else at this point is a one trick pony.

Including Karaban?

 

[CONN78SEJ]

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 say Karaban, McNeeley, and maybe even Reed or Mahaney The early season jitters for Mahaney are gone, and Reed will be a different player by March. Barring a major injury, I think Hurley and company will be back at the FF.

 

[Palatine]

Do we have a go to play for the last minute?

 

[Excalibur]

we ran offense until double zeros all the time with incredible success. this is a bonkers take. how many buzzer beating half time shots did we hit two years ago? was something like fifteen... and they weren't hero ball, they were the outcome of continuing to run good offense for the entire clock instead of waiting for some one to "make a play"

it's like you guys didn't even watch the games.

And just as often it was Newton or Spencer creating a shot for themselves. The point is we had guys that could make individual plays when needed.

It’s a simple point. I see why you can’t comprehend it . . .

 

[rip7774]

It’s bizarre how little time Nowell gets I think he’s the one that could do it. I know he’s been struggling with injury, but like 4 years or so ago (when we’d sometimes go to tv Timeout without scoring or 2 pts) think it’s a poorly constructed roster At this point.

Baylor had a zillion guys that could get to the hoop. We had 3 elite options last year and we have none of those guards At this point.

Further, if Ball is as bad as people are saying defensively (smart scouting folks incl husky429) there’s really no accountability with the bench bc with such limited guards he has to play. Happy Mahaney bounced back last game, but not sure he’s the guy for end game, again compared to Baylor guards. Liam is a dawg but I’d rather a quick or deceptively quick/strong guard like Tristen & Cam.

Nowell or bust!

 

[Spaceman213J]

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

But is even on the court in a late game tight situation because of his defense?
If Hurley has timeouts to burn, they could be used for offense/defense substitions

 

[Spaceman213J]

It’s bizarre how little time Nowell gets I think he’s the one that could do it. I know he’s been struggling with injury, but like 4 years or so ago (when we’d sometimes go to tv Timeout without scoring or 2 pts) think it’s a poorly constructed roster At this point.

Baylor had a zillion guys that could get to the hoop. We had 3 elite options last year and we have none of those guards At this point.

Further, if Ball is as bad as people are saying defensively (smart scouting folks incl husky429) there’s really no accountability with the bench bc with such limited guards he has to play. Happy Mahaney bounced back last game, but not sure he’s the guy for end game, again compared to Baylor guards. Liam is a dawg but I’d rather a quick or deceptively quick/strong guard like Tristen & Cam.

Nowell or bust!

It sounds like Nowell is a little banged up right now. Like a lot people, I think he's the future and the solution at PG in the long run, but I see Hurley waiting to make sure he's 100% healthy before he turns him loose out there.
It wasn't under Hurley, but almost everyone here remembers Gilbert's history here and how he we never "right". It was Ollie's fault, but I think Hurley will do whatever he can to protect the players. He has to. Any coach who wants guys with NBA talent has to look for them.

 

[pj]

Do we have a go to play for the last minute?

If you have a go to play, other teams will scout it and be prepared. It's better not to.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

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

While Mahaney's certainly got potential and creativity inside the arc, Marciulionis was more of the "bucket getter" of the two guards. Much bigger and more of a bulldog where Mahaney is the more shifty of the two.

 

[Gurleyman]

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

He also hit one in overtime that put us up four. And had back to back big shots against Colorado that could have put us over the top. The second was a bit lucky, but he drew the foul first.

He needs to get better off the bounce to be a true go to guy, but I certainly wouldn’t be upset if he was taking a big shot.

 

[JerseyAlum]

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.

not ending the first half of this Texas game…air ball

 

[Hogoff]

not ending the first half of this Texas game…air ball

Yeah. That was bad.