Either Stewart or Ross needs to start

[jfreeds]

Solo has been really bad but so has Jaylin. Stewart ain't the answer.

Then just play Demary and Mullins more. They should both be playing 32 minutes a game come tournament time.

 

[AllHusky]

The hype for solo ball has always exceeded the reality. I think Coach Hurley keeps expecting him to be this mythical guy and latches on to any small improvement as proof positive. Put him as our sixth man, make him look inside at himself and maybe he’ll respond.

 

[Scrappy3]

Are we benching Mullins in this scenario? Man, this place has completely lost its mind.

I don’t look at it as benching anyone
We’re adjusting the lineup to add defense to unit 1 and to stagger the pt of solo and Mullins Our team played better like this start of year

 

[Iluvsuebird]

the time to make changes was months ago. You have to ride with your guys and coach them up somehow. You bench Solo and you risk making it worse.

 

[navery12]

Maybe don't have a guy shooting 30% from three take 15 three's a game . Maybe don't play a guy who is awful at defense and shooting 30% from three play so many minutes. Half of Ball's minutes need to just get spread out between the other starters, Ross and Stewart. If you are going to let him chuck, have him do it with the bench squad since you'll have a much more inefficient offense out there.

Not only do so many missed three's equate to zero points but it also doesn't make the defense work hard, easier for the opponent to transition to offense and most importantly, we don't get to the line. 3pt shooting is important of course in the game today but the pendulum has swung to far recently.

Here's a stat - in our last 3 games we are average 32 3pt attempts per game. Prior to those three games we're averaging 22 attempts per game.

This is an easy fix.

One other problem that is not an easy fix is that Reibe is REALLY bad at defense, I was surprised to see how low his BPR is .84. To put that into perspective, Ball's BPR is 1.38. So, as soon as Reed is off the court, we are not going to be good at defense. Not sure how you fix that aside from playing Reed more minutes, but then he gets into foul trouble. Probably can get away with playing Karaban at the 5 if the other team has a small line up, maybe.

Here's the thing, and I don't say this as a reason to not make lineup or rotation changes, we just did most of what you suggested in the first paragraph and lost. Ball has been averaging 30 minutes per game and played 19 against Creighton. Ross averages 16 minutes a game and played 27 minutes.

Unless the rest of the team is making shots, which didn't happen in the 2nd half on Wednesday, it's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. We need Jaylin to be able to do anything useful on the basketball court so he can help Karaban rest. We need Malachi to not look like a 12 year old when he gets into the paint and misses wide open layups so Silas isn't playing 35 minutes a game every night.

 

[Vancat]

It’s crazy how bad at defense he is. I can’t figure out why. He’s athletic, he’s quick, he’s strong. I think he’s trying… Doesn’t make sense

this is my question, too! why????

 

[Juggy]

Maybe it’s time to work in a zone during stretches, teams now game plan see how week we’ve been on defense. Either we get beat off the dribble or we foul.

 

[05Alum]

As someone with just a casual knowledge of basketball, what is it about Solo that makes his defense so bad? Is it something fixable with better technique or effort, or is it a physical limitation?

 

[jfreeds]

Here's the thing, and I don't say this as a reason to not make lineup or rotation changes, we just did most of what you suggested in the first paragraph and lost. Ball has been averaging 30 minutes per game and played 19 against Creighton. Ross averages 16 minutes a game and played 27 minutes.

Unless the rest of the team is making shots, which didn't happen in the 2nd half on Wednesday, it's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. We need Jaylin to be able to do anything useful on the basketball court so he can help Karaban rest. We need Malachi to not look like a 12 year old when he gets into the paint and misses wide open layups so Silas isn't playing 35 minutes a game every night.

Its a fair point but I would push back since its only one half. Such a small sample size. It was also a s cond half adjustment that probably wasn't anticipated. Let them make these adjustments in practice and a few games starting like that and see what happens.

Also you can cut Ball by 8 minutes and give 3 to mullins and demary and 2 to karaban. Dont necessarily have to play the other bench guys a lot more.

 

[Vancat]

As someone with just a casual knowledge of basketball, what is it about Solo that makes his defense so bad? Is it something fixable with better technique or effort, or is it a physical limitation?

I keep asking this question and not getting any answers except he has 'no lateral quickness'.

 

[UConnRock]

Who are you excited about when shooting an open 3 pointer? Right now the order is Mullins, Demery and Ross with a decent drop to Ball and Karaban. Mullins, Demery, Ross and Reed should start w/ the 5th starter being an opponent match up decision (big, small, ball handler, rebounder).

Ball is more of an offensive threat on mid range shots, but a defensive weakness. Karaban is a better rebounder, but I cringe every time Karaban drives to the basket as he is constantly stripped or takes a tough shot. Stewart hits the occasional big shot, but no consistency. These guys, Reibe, and a few minutes for Smith are what we have. There is no savior on the bench. Demery and Mullins seem to get it as they have both been more aggressive on offense and are creating their own shots.

 

[Muddler]

The hype for solo ball has always exceeded the reality. I think Coach Hurley keeps expecting him to be this mythical guy and latches on to any small improvement as proof positive. Put him as our sixth man, make him look inside at himself and maybe he’ll respond.

I agree. Take this for what it is worth, but one of the best HS coaches in the country told me he was surprised when UConn took Ball and Ross (they were HS teammates)--no slight to either player because they are very good players and by all accounts great teammates, but he did question whether they were national championship type players for a program like UConn. I'm sure John Gwynn had his flaws, but he was damn good coming off the bench.

 

[3rdbass]

Here's the thing, and I don't say this as a reason to not make lineup or rotation changes, we just did most of what you suggested in the first paragraph and lost. Ball has been averaging 30 minutes per game and played 19 against Creighton. Ross averages 16 minutes a game and played 27 minutes.

Unless the rest of the team is making shots, which didn't happen in the 2nd half on Wednesday, it's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. We need Jaylin to be able to do anything useful on the basketball court so he can help Karaban rest. We need Malachi to not look like a 12 year old when he gets into the paint and misses wide open layups so Silas isn't playing 35 minutes a game every night.

I just prefer him to pass when he drives and concentrate on hitting 3s. He has missed a few open layups but most of time when he tries to shoot inside he gets blocked. His defense has been good recently and he is hitting his outside shot so he is giving us a little something right now.

 

[boog204]

this is my question, too! why????

There’s much more to bring a solid defender than athleticism, etc. Bird was an all-nba defender and actually has a higher career defensive rating in some metrics than Jordan, Pippen, Kobe. Bird wasnt doing it with athleticism. And yes I just compared Solo to Larry Bird.

 

[PAHusky]

I agree. Take this for what it is worth, but one of the best HS coaches in the country told me he was surprised when UConn took Ball and Ross (they were HS teammates)--no slight to either player because they are very good players and by all accounts great teammates, but he did question whether they were national championship type players for a program like UConn. I'm sure John Gwynn had his flaws, but he was damn good coming off the bench.

Ball was second team all big east last year. The guy put up 20+ two games in a row a few back that essentially saved the offense’s ass against bad teams. Talking about ball and Ross being national championship level players when they’ve both won one - albeit playing little- is sort of funny.

He sucks on defense I think the question is more “how do you best get ball out of the slump” with options like shorter leach, come off the bench, etc. Ross is not the answer - every time he gets more minutes his play goes down. Best in small bursts. And Stew still unreliable. So whatever option is best for getting Solo going is what matters, whether that is

 

[3rdbass]

Ball was second team all big east last year. The guy put up 20+ two games in a row a few back that essentially saved the offense’s ass against bad teams. Talking about ball and Ross being national championship level players when they’ve both won one - albeit playing little- is sort of funny.

He sucks on defense I think the question is more “how do you best get ball out of the slump” with options like shorter leach, come off the bench, etc. Ross is not the answer - every time he gets more minutes his play goes down. Best in small bursts. And Stew still unreliable. So whatever option is best for getting Solo going is what matters, whether that is

I never been a big Ross fan but you can tell in how he is shooting he has confidence in his game. He has been consistently decent for a good stretch of games even if his numbers don't blow you away. This is coming from someone who was a big Stewart fan but realize that guy has no drive in him. I say start Ross and have Ball come off the bench for Mullins. Like others say we don't really play well when both Mullins and Ball are on the court at the same time.

 

[Muddler]

Ball was second team all big east last year. The guy put up 20+ two games in a row a few back that essentially saved the offense’s ass against bad teams. Talking about ball and Ross being national championship level players when they’ve both won one - albeit playing little- is sort of funny.

He sucks on defense I think the question is more “how do you best get ball out of the slump” with options like shorter leach, come off the bench, etc. Ross is not the answer - every time he gets more minutes his play goes down. Best in small bursts. And Stew still unreliable. So whatever option is best for getting Solo going is what matters, whether

There is no doubt when Solo is on he can shoot it. The question is, based on what we've seen the last two years, do you think Solo in his current role, is the right guy? I think it is a fair question to ask. For someone to be so athletic with an incredible wingspan to struggle so mightily on defense means something--and it is one of the reasons why this team can't pull away from very average Big East teams. Either the last two years this team has under achieved or maybe isn't as good as we thought at the start of each season--and that includes our so called best players.

Yes they were on a national championship team and I'm sure they were great team guys and practice players--but they didn't play any meaningful minutes in games. Big props to both of them and Stewart for sticking around in this era, and I like Hurley's loyalty, but at some point something has to change.

 

[Hi-Low]

Can't have Ball, Mullins & AK on the floor together for an extended period.....too much minus D.

Ross starts for Ball, Stewart starts for AK (unless AK is healthy) & Solo subs as the 6th man.

 

[superjohn]

Can't have Ball, Mullins & AK on the floor together for an extended period.....too much minus D.

Ross starts for Ball, Stewart starts for AK (unless AK is healthy) & Solo subs as the 6th man.

Yep, that's where I am on the rotation.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Can't have Ball, Mullins & AK on the floor together for an extended period.....too much minus D.

Ross starts for Ball, Stewart starts for AK (unless AK is healthy) & Solo subs as the 6th man.

Ross and Stewart for extended minutes together is a tough lineup. That leaves Silas and to some extent Mullins as the only guys that can really create their shot semi-consistently.

 

[6&counting]

I don't think highlighting Ross on the gameday post is an accident:

 

[RuffRuff]

Just give it a chance and see what happens mau. Haha

Ross could be our Dame Sarr. They have a very similar physical profile, Ross a bit stronger, Sarr a bit longer. Sarr is basically out there as a defensive specialists, and starts. He's one of the big reasons Duke's defense is so good.

 

[REB1094]

As someone with just a casual knowledge of basketball, what is it about Solo that makes his defense so bad? Is it something fixable with better technique or effort, or is it a physical limitation?

In my opinion he is very jumpy on defense. If you watch Silas play defense or if you’ve watched Diarra or Castle, they are very grounded and on balance all the time. Solo always seems to be hopping on the tips of his feet. It’s impossible to stay in front of anyone if you are bouncing in the air every half second. Braylon does this too but he seems stronger at recovering after. Probably just the difference between 6’3 and 6’6

Off ball Solo is rough too. He takes REALLY wide angles getting around off ball screens which leads to him always being out of position. He’s not big enough to recover to contest, and that puts stress on the entire defense. That part is strange to me. Solo thrives curling off screens, so you’d think he would know how to guard it

 

[RuffRuff]

In my opinion he is very jumpy on defense. If you watch Silas play defense or if you’ve watched Diarra or Castle, they are very grounded and on balance all the time. Solo always seems to be hopping on the tips of his feet. It’s impossible to stay in front of anyone if you are bouncing in the air every half second. Braylon does this too but he seems stronger at recovering after. Probably just the difference between 6’3 and 6’6

Off ball Solo is rough too. He takes REALLY wide angles getting around off ball screens which leads to him always being out of position. He’s not big enough to recover to contest, and that puts stress on the entire defense. That part is strange to me. Solo thrives curling off screens, so you’d think he would know how to guard it

Mullins is SO handsy on defense - he's constantly poking it in there, even when he's beat. Honestly, it fits the system.

 

[Drfla]

Mullins is SO handsy on defense - he's constantly poking it in there, even when he's beat. Honestly, it fits the system.

Mullins has improved on defense. Still gets bullied some but much better overall. Solo’s defense hasn’t improved in 2 years. Mullins shoots 45% overall and 39% on threes. Solo is 41%/30%.
Mullins over Solo should be obvious. If we are better when they aren’t on the court together, then Mullins is the one who should be on the court the majority of minutes.

Agree that Ross could be our Dame Sarr with similar positive impact on defense.