Earth to Jalen. Come in Jalen. You out there?

[UconnFanDC]

Yep, that's it. Hurley just decided to bench him for fun.

The UCF game was just another game that highlights the problem. He took the first half off and then once we were down big he went off. You simply can't have this stuff from your best talent and most veteran player.

Hummm. Interesting how other college players have been shut down. Ok. No lets talk about NBA players that have been shut down. Steph Curry started off bad the other night. So did my guy Jason Tatum. Should I go on? Lol. The real problem is we all want to win and make the turny. So we are blaming the one kid that is the best on the team. Not saying he's a saint but you guys are not fair in your comments. smh

 

[mussels]

If I try hard enough, I can remember being young. Jalen is a young man, so he did what he did, and the coach is dealing with it appropriately. For me, not a big deal, and the end of the story. A more intriguing issue is what we learned from yesterday's game.

First - there's no way we beat Temple without him. At the same time, although the competition was terrible, we were better yesterday without him on the court, than on. The challenge for the coaching staff and team is to somehow analyze why that was the case, and then create a game plan to keep those things that made them better without him going, and incorporate his strengths without losing them. (add in Alterique and seems like we could be markedly better than we've been) Yesterday's game illustrated, that so far, we seem to have been less than the sum of our parts rather than more. I'm a decidedly casual fan with limited understanding of the X's and O's, so I leave that to you guys and the coaching staff.

That's, as they say, why you get the big bucks.

 

[Chief00]

Yeah, I was thinking that as I posted. I know it wouldn't happen and I wasn't completely serious - it was more for comedic value.

I actually like Jalen and I think he gets unfairly bashed on the board - not to heights of Ricky or Taliek, but more than is deserved.

That being said, I really am tired of him not being ready for games, not being the leader he needs to be, etc. We are a much worse team without him, but we could be so much better with a better prepared, engaged, and enthused Jalen.

Same here, as stated previously, Chief is fond of Jalen. Just needs to clean certain behaviors up and focus on what’s important - winning basketball games.

 

[Dove]

I remember Earl Kelley wearing the strap of his jock riding up his back above the short's waistline. Strangest look ever.

Wut?

 

[olehead]

I'm tired of his clown act, I can't wait till he finishes out this season, the team will be better for it. Four years of bending over hanging onto your shorts is not going to open many pro doors for you, or sit well with the current head coach.

So you're hoping compliance will help to secure a fifth year for Jalen?

 

[olehead]

Jalen seems like a nice guy who wants a balanced life -- balanced meaning 20% partying and 80% work. But the highest level of basketball excellence can be reached only with 100% focus. The difference in lifetime income between 100% focus on basketball and 80% focus on basketball is huge for Jalen. Those of us with a longer view can see that to devote a decade exclusively to basketball, now, would enable him to have a really, really good life for the following 40 years. But the future is far away ... fun is close ...

Bring it. Don't know JA's life balance, I do know this is truth.

 

[olehead]

Jalen should sit down with Josh Howard...

Let's hope not. I'm far from Storrs, but I really root for Jalen and appreciate what he's done for our program in the midst of what has been a rough stretch going back Nate Miles seems like. Pleased Hurley is here.

 

[Hankster]

This just shows you haven’t followed much of Hurley’s coaching career and how he’s handled players of all abilities, everywhere he’s been. Ask Tristan Thompson. That’s ok. Hurley did what he had to during the game and talked up Adams after it. That’s how you coach a guy and manage a situation.

No I haven't followed Hurley's career. Should I have? Why? I have my opinion like others. Like you. He has done a great job turning these guys around. But I don't agree on some things. So, let's move on.Many games this kid has been smothered by the defense.

 

[NJHoops]

No I haven't followed Hurley's career. Should I have? Why? I have my opinion like others. Like you. He has done a great job turning these guys around. But I don't agree on some things. So, let's move on.Many games this kid has been smothered by the defense.

Opinions are usually more valuable when they’re based on a greater amount of information. You offered an opinion on what he would do with Jalen’s minutes and said the opponent was the major factor, not teaching in the context of reshaping a program. This ignores how he has handled such situations in the past at other programs and what he has prioritized there. But yes, let us move on. I care about having informed conversations, not what anyone thinks of the coach. He’ll either be successful or not, and it won’t depend on what anyone says on a message board.

 

[UconnFanDC]

If I try hard enough, I can remember being young. Jalen is a young man, so he did what he did, and the coach is dealing with it appropriately. For me, not a big deal, and the end of the story. A more intriguing issue is what we learned from yesterday's game.

First - there's no way we beat Temple without him. At the same time, although the competition was terrible, we were better yesterday without him on the court, than on. The challenge for the coaching staff and team is to somehow analyze why that was the case, and then create a game plan to keep those things that made them better without him going, and incorporate his strengths without losing them. (add in Alterique and seems like we could be markedly better than we've been) Yesterday's game illustrated, that so far, we seem to have been less than the sum of our parts rather than more. I'm a decidedly casual fan with limited understanding of the X's and O's, so I leave that to you guys and the coaching staff.

That's, as they say, why you get the big bucks.

Excellent post

 

[UconnU]

Hurley noncommittal on starting Jalen tomorrow. Wow.

 

[Skiblets]

Building a culture. Every brick important. Film. Practice. Classes. Weight room. Conditioning. Shootaround. Then we’ll talk starting. Nice

 

[Robertelamin]

He’s still going to get 30+ minutes even if he doesn’t start.

 

[auror]

He’s still going to get 30+ minutes even if he doesn’t start.

He didn't last game. I don't think Hurley cares too much about winning this season if he can send a message to the rest of the players on the team who will be here next season and beyond.

We're not exactly on the bubble (yet).

 

[Doctor Hoop]

I like that Hurley is putting down the marker that he’s in charge and will not tolerate disrespect from the players. Very important.

Also important is noting that the defense was better without Adams on the floor. Vital, Smith, and BAdams (and obviously Gilbert) are all better at stopping dribble penetration, which is what has been breaking down the defense. JAdams is quite talented offensively, but not always locked in on defense. I used to attribute that to needing to play 40 minutes with Gilbert out in past years, but that has not been true this year.

On offense, while he is gifted, he frequently hasn’t gotten others involved. Maybe that, and Vital’s maturation, is why the offense seemed to run a little more efficiently in the second half.

Hurley wants focus and effort, and Adams needs to give him that.

 

[whaler11]

Let’s see Hurley bench Adams against a decent team and not the broken buccaneers of greenville and we can talk about bricks and culture.

it doesnt take much bravery to sit someone against the mess that is east carolina.

 

[auror]

Let’s see Hurley bench Adams against a decent team and not the broken buccaneers of greenville and we can talk about bricks and culture.

it doesnt take much bravery to sit someone against the mess that is east carolina.

For sure, but Hurley has talked and so far walked the culture. Further walking is needed.

We were only up by 6 when he benched him against ECU, though, and that could have been an embarrassing loss. Of course, we don't know if he planned to unbench him if he needed to break the emergency glass, and it's safe to figure he assumed he'd galvanize the team a bit with the benching to beat an overmatched team.

Hopefully Jalen buys in and renders it all moot.

 

[Waquoit]

Calhoun was very hard on Chris Smith his senior year. IIRC, Smith spent the last half of his last game on the bench.

 

[NJHoops]

Let’s see Hurley bench Adams against a decent team and not the broken buccaneers of greenville and we can talk about bricks and culture.

it doesnt take much bravery to sit someone against the mess that is east carolina.

He sat a starter early in his first season at URI when they played his alma mater, and they ended up losing by just 5.

Bravery? It’s basketball, not war.

 

[rayrayfor3]

Jalens insta story is interesting, its just an emoji of an hourglass. Gotta imagine its symbolic for "times running out" I hope he comes out hungry tomorrow.

 

[Robertelamin]

Jalens insta story is interesting, its just an emoji of an hourglass. Gotta imagine its symbolic for "times running out" I hope he comes out hungry tomorrow.

Or he’s watch Days of Our Lives reruns.

 

[whaler11]

He sat a starter early in his first season at URI when they played his alma mater, and they ended up losing by just 5.

Bravery? It’s basketball, not war.

a thousand apologies for using the word bravery.

ill stick with it doesnt take a ton of guts to make a statement against the 270th best team in the country at home

 

[ZenConn]

Hurleys doing what needs to be done. JA is lucky that it wasnt JC at the helm. JC would have blown a gasket.

 

[8893]

Hurleys doing what needs to be done. JA is lucky that it wasnt JC at the helm. JC would have blown a gasket.

If Jalen played for Calhoun he’d either be in the NBA or have transferred to another school by now.

 

[dannyHAM]

Been hearing that Jalen practiced with the second team this week. Regardless of if he starts or not I think he will come out with a vengeance.. HUGE game for him and the team overall. Looking forward to it.