Frustrated | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Frustrated

browndog319 said:
Everyone on the team owns this. Anyone who went to the line and missed... congratulations. You contributed to a really close loss. Anyone who turned the ball ocer? You, too.
The biggest was the stupid Smith foul when we could have won it. First 26 seconds of that possession were flawless. That would’ve overcome everything else.
But yeah, blame missed FTs and TOs solely on Jalen. Blame AGs lousy performance on Jalen. It’s hard to be the guy that no matter what gets blamed. If AG has a great game and they still lose its AG did everything and Jalen cost them the game...
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Jalen is a senior and the team leader, most of our fans consider him a star player. He's obviously held to a different standard than the rest of the players.
 
I was pretty upset after the game, but after driving home I was able to process everything,and now Im not that mad. The crowd was really good today. I loved how Hurley kept trying to get the crowd pumped up. I think the game just came down to the FT shooting. Arizona 19-22. UConn 8-13. They had an 11 point advantage from the line and won by 4.
 
Need a shooter with ice in his veins. I counted 5 Timeswhen we came down with a chance to take the lead or tie with a trey an misses all 5. Wi Jalen doesn’t have it. Polley isn’t close.
 
Dooley said:
This is a tourney team.
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This is what I walked away from today's game thinking. And I think that's gotta be the message everyone takes in walking away from it.

I'd have loved to get the win, but today for me was more of a test to see what we really were - and I think they passed with flying colors *despite not playing a very good game*. Carlton looked lost, Jalen was inconsistent and Gilbert played his worst game to date. And we literally went blow for blow w/ them up until the last 10 seconds. They're bigger, more athletic, well coached, we played bad, one of the referees what out of this world terrible and with all that going on, we still flipping SHOULD have won the game. All things considered, this was a team a year ago who couldn't hang on any level with a respectable Division-1 program. In context, this is about what we are and for a month into the season, i'm pretty much okay with that.

And I also think it's the kind of loss where you really do learn things from. They exposed Vital's poor ball handling. They made Gilbert shoot over longer guards. They absolutely abused our slow big men underneath. They made us pay on sloppy turnovers. They needed Jalen to step up and he couldn't find that fifth gear when he had to. Just lessons all around to be had. At the end of the day - we're just not ready to win these games and that showed today.

But we've also played three NCAA Tournament caliber teams - we beat one, got blown out by one, and probably should have beaten the third. All three are probably as good or a little better than the best of what we'll see in our league this year. We're not going to be losing to Tulsa on the road this year or dropping games to ECU. I think we're arguably the best team in the conference and the tournament is 100% in the conversation at this point. If we're in the NIT, we'd probably be one of the best teams in it.

I think this team is better than Ollie's last NCAA team, FWIW. I think i'm feeling pretty good about making it back this year. I think we're good enough now - and I think we're going to be getting better. Today was a huge indicator of that for me. And i've been really pessimistic/walk before you can run about this group as a whole.

I just think it's important people see the good in today because there was just a ton of it. Enough bad to keep you grounded in reality, but I saw everything I needed to see today.
 
Towney007 said:
This is what I walked away from today's game thinking. And I think that's gotta be the message everyone takes in walking away from it.

I'd have loved to get the win, but today for me was more of a test to see what we really were - and I think they passed with flying colors *despite not playing a very good game*. Carlton looked lost, Jalen was inconsistent and Gilbert played his worst game to date. And we literally went blow for blow w/ them up until the last 10 seconds. They're bigger, more athletic, well coached, we played bad, one of the referees what out of this world terrible and with all that going on, we still flipping SHOULD have won the game. All things considered, this was a team a year ago who couldn't hang on any level with a respectable Division-1 program. In context, this is about what we are and for a month into the season, i'm pretty much okay with that.

And I also think it's the kind of loss where you really do learn things from. They exposed Vital's poor ball handling. They made Gilbert shoot over longer guards. They absolutely abused our slow big men underneath. They made us pay on sloppy turnovers. They needed Jalen to step up and he couldn't find that fifth gear when he had to. Just lessons all around to be had. At the end of the day - we're just not ready to win these games and that showed today.

But we've also played three NCAA Tournament caliber teams - we beat one, got blown out by one, and probably should have beaten the third. All three are probably as good or a little better than the best of what we'll see in our league this year. We're not going to be losing to Tulsa on the road this year or dropping games to ECU. I think we're arguably the best team in the conference and the tournament is 100% in the conversation at this point. If we're in the NIT, we'd probably be one of the best teams in it.

I think this team is better than Ollie's last NCAA team, FWIW. I think i'm feeling pretty good about making it back this year. I think we're good enough now - and I think we're going to be getting better. Today was a huge indicator of that for me. And i've been really pessimistic/walk before you can run about this group as a whole.

I just think it's important people see the good in today because there was just a ton of it. Enough bad to keep you grounded in reality, but I saw everything I needed to see today.
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Good post. I don't agree with the NCAA projection, but this was a good take nonetheless.
 
intlzncster said:
Good post. I don't agree with the NCAA projection, but this was a good take nonetheless.
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Well, they're gonna have to steal one of the OOC games. It's going to be hard to get in as an at large bid, but they seem to have some buzz around them and they can play and beat teams at that level. Backcourt is very good, we're deep even though there's not a ton of talent on this team. I think we stand to get better as the year progresses.

I guess instead of saying we're 'an NCAA tournament team' - I'd say 'we belong' again. If that makes sense.
 
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Towney007 said:
I guess instead of saying we're 'an NCAA tournament team' - I'd say 'we belong' again. If that makes sense.
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Yup. In my assessment, I'm including the fact that the schedule is always front loaded in terms of ability to get signature wins. It's going to take us a while to round into form. So we miss out there.

I see our only shot as winning the conference tournament. I can't really make an assessment until I see how they are in-conference, maybe by the end of January.
 
Tenspro2002 said:
Some guys were allowed to adopt bad habits for years, and unfortunately it takes more than a few months under a new coach to teach it out of them.

This program is headed in the right direction, and we're playing with the right attitude now. But the intricacies of situational play, intelligence, decision-making, is going to take longer, and more bluntly is going to take new blood untainted by the last few years.
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Sorry BS 3 plus years in for our leader and he continues to play stupid at times and part time defense. No doubt all the guards were not good today but the impact guy, go to guy can’t play in a game this late in his career without understanding every possession means so much. Not all on him but shouldn’t we expect eventually for him to get it since he’s the key? I hope no one blames KO for his inability to play a great solid game with all good decisions??? That’s ridiculous
 
Its frustrating, but it also feels like its (probably?) the floor in terms of the worst output they could get from the guards and they still almost beat a really solid team.

Was down on UA a couple of weeks ago. But they're really impressive. Shame for them nobody will see any of their games, but maybe it helps them be a sleeper in March- before the elite 8, of course.
 
intlzncster said:
Yup. In my assessment, I'm including the fact that the schedule is always front loaded in terms of ability to get signature wins. It's going to take us a while to round into form. So we miss out there.

I see our only shot as winning the conference tournament. I can't really make an assessment until I see how they are in-conference, maybe by the end of January.
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To me - everything about this team is a step down from what you'd see on a 'good' UConn team.

Adams is a good player - but he'd be the 2nd/3rd/4th best player on a good UConn team. Like guys in that kind of a role, he just doesn't have that fifth gear. And he's our best player. He's a difference maker - but he's not a total game changer at an elite level.

Like we were just saying - Polley, Vital and Carlton are nice players to have - but they're not starters on any good UConn team - they're 6th or 7th/8th men on teams like that. They're good enough to *start* on an NCAA tournament caliber team - but not on a team that can make a deep run.

So for people to digest it, I guess... I tell folks to think of a great UConn team - think of the guys they play 1-10, then start at like 2-4 for Adams and then literally start at 5/6/7 for everyone else as to where they'd be on that depth chart.

We're lacking leadership, a game-changing talent and probably one or two more Jalen Adams kind of players. Lots of bench backfill on this team - but we are maxed on our physical talent. We'll get better as a unit- but we just won't have the ability to shift to the gears better, elite programs can shift to.
 
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Imo AG kept us out of the first half. Not an off night, he was terrible. Turnovers, ouch. A number of times, our guys get the rebound, greyhound down the court only to stop dead an toss up on e from downtown. At least 20 seconds left on the clock. Nobody there for rebounding. Instead of trying to bring the house down, slow it up, setup. Those ill advised three's didn't count as turnover. All of the bad details, this team played tough. Hung in there. All in all, it was an exciting game to me. Cobb made an immediate impact. Did his usual thing. Then came out. Maybe he should of stayed in longer. I never understood that.
 
The AAC stinks, but its still a 3-4 bid league. No reason UConn shouldn't be able to be one of the 3 or 4.

Now, will they be a 6 seed or a 12? That's a different and much tougher proposition.
 
Towney007 said:
To me - everything about this team is a step down from what you'd see on a 'good' UConn team.

Adams is a good player - but he'd be the 2nd/3rd/4th best player on a good UConn team. Like guys in that kind of a role, he just doesn't have that fifth gear. And he's our best player. He's a difference maker - but he's not a total game changer at an elite level.

Like we were just saying - Polley, Vital and Carlton are nice players to have - but they're not starters on any good UConn team - they're 6th or 7th/8th men on teams like that. They're good enough to *start* on an NCAA tournament caliber team - but not on a team that can make a deep run.

So for people to digest it, I guess... I tell folks to think of a great UConn team - think of the guys they play 1-10, then start at like 2-4 for Adams and then literally start at 5/6/7 for everyone else as to where they'd be on that depth chart.

We're lacking leadership, a game-changing talent and probably one or two more Jalen Adams kind of players. Lots of bench backfill on this team - but we are maxed on our physical talent. We'll get better as a unit- but we just won't have the ability to shift to the gears better, elite programs can shift to.
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We are talking a lot about Jalen Adams, but our achilles heal truly is our post play. The guards are getting ripped in this thread, and rightfully so in that they didn't play well, but the effect and follow on of not having any posts has a direct impact on our guards play. Opponents cut off the lanes, and dare us to go down low, and but can't. It's also one of the reasons we're seeing such high turnovers, the less options you have the more turnover prone you become.
 
zls44 said:
You should drink the Kool-Aid we all are, its very delicious and you'll be happier.
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Chuckle - Post of the Day.
 
zls44 said:
I'm very insulted you would imply it isn't 90% Rolling Rock
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If we're being sincere here, I always hated that bit of mojo. I choked down a bottle out of solidarity, but I always seemed to have to take a dump right after. Awful, awful stuff. Anything for the mojo however. Plus, wings are awesome.
 
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intlzncster said:
We are talking a lot about Jalen Adams, but our achilles heal truly is our post play. The guards are getting ripped in this thread, and rightfully so in that they didn't play well, but the effect and follow on of not having any posts has a direct impact on our guards play. Opponents cut off the lanes, and dare us to go down low, and but can't. It's also one of the reasons we're seeing such high turnovers, the less options you have the more turnover prone you become.
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I'm not ripping the guards. And you're right - the post play is the problem. I mean we have a three headed monster down there right now between Cobb/Carlton/Yakwe. One of them shows up per game while the other two absolutely are out of their depth. That's fine and better than nothing against most of the teams we'll play this year.

To win against better teams, the three of them have to play well. And not being a Debbie Downer- but I'm not sure they're good enough collectively to do that.
 
zls44 said:
WE GOTS US A HANGIN
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Hey, I said I did it. More than a number of folks on here can claim.

I respect the mojo, but don't have to like every tenet. Just have to accept them.
 
For me it was the turnovers, a few shots that were so bad that they were turnovers, and Gilbert taking the ball into players that are too tall. We are competitive. With all the bad, it still came down to Smith's foul on a 30ft desperation shot, and 2 missed foul shots by Gilbert & Adams. Sid with a 2, a 3, and taking a charge in the first half on a big stage was very encouraging. Playing Yakwe makes no sense to me, defensive lapse, turnover, I have yet to see a flash of anything that should keep other players on the bench. Giving away a basket or 2 in the middle of the game still hurts the team. I'll take my chances with other guys until they have 4 fouls each.
 
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intlzncster said:
We are talking a lot about Jalen Adams, but our achilles heal truly is our post play. The guards are getting ripped in this thread, and rightfully so in that they didn't play well, but the effect and follow on of not having any posts has a direct impact on our guards play. Opponents cut off the lanes, and dare us to go down low, and but can't. It's also one of the reasons we're seeing such high turnovers, the less options you have the more turnover prone you become.
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Yeah but we know the post play is suspect so we need who to step up like it or not? And let me remind you with a weak post defense we allowed way too many AZ guards to come off of the roll without our guards rotating well, all of them. The TO's very rarely have anything to do with anything but bad decisions. We have guys who go to the hole without a plan, get up in the air and just hope they have an out. Too many times they don't. Hey I get they need someone to throw it to but Cobb got most of his from rebounds, he's a gu to throw it in to. Carlton well he's still overmatched by guys longer than him but he did make a couple nice defensive plays 2nd half. Still think we needed to see more of Cobb. Polley almost took it from Luhter a few times thought he played ok.

Its all about the guards, no more AG going to deep and getting his shot blocked 3-4 times a game. No more pretty dimes from Jalen that turn into the lay up the other way while he jogs back to maybe block instead of beating the offense back and getting in front of people. No more Tarin Smith fouling a 3 point attempt from 25 feet in maybe the biggest play of the game. Vital just turned the clock back a little with some of his passes and decisions.

Truth is I was amazed we were in this game the way they played and still had a shot with 14 seconds left.

Frustrated for sure, winnable game, very! But there still are some really nice things to look forward to.
 
Turnovers, with all of the guards we have it boggles my mind how many times we turn it over. Usually trying to dribble through the defense or forcing a pass. There’s no ball security.
 
intlzncster said:
We are talking a lot about Jalen Adams, but our achilles heal truly is our post play. The guards are getting ripped in this thread, and rightfully so in that they didn't play well, but the effect and follow on of not having any posts has a direct impact on our guards play. Opponents cut off the lanes, and dare us to go down low, and but can't. It's also one of the reasons we're seeing such high turnovers, the less options you have the more turnover prone you become.
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Our post play is horrendous and has been for years but we all knew that going into the season and it really won't get better until we bring in new players next season. Thank god for Cobb this season or we would be a total donut. Carlton could get better eventually but he is a bench player. Our guards know our frontcourt is really bad, it doesn't excuse Vital and Jalen having a combined 12 turnovers and Alterique stinking up the joint.
 
Dooley said:
Turnovers are still our main problem. Not surprising. We've played 3 years of cement shoes half court basketball. Now that we're playing fast again, we're turning the ball over way too much. Right now, our biggest challenge is re-learning how to play fast without turning over the basketball. It'll come. This is a tourney team.
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They play every summer and prior fast open basketball let's not blame "the last few years" for stupidity with the ball. Their big boys and should know how to play the game by now coaching aside. If they ever were good with their decisions no matter who was coaching they would've figured it out by now with Hurley anyway, they are just what they are. And if they don't make a change we will be what we are too. We see they can be better but it's time to man up and be leaders on BOTH ends for all of them. This should've been in the W column time for them to grow up and get smarter if they really want to win.
 
superjohn said:
Jalen is a senior and the team leader, most of our fans consider him a star player. He's obviously held to a different standard than the rest of the players.
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Yes, but... in 2011 we had such a bad record going into the BE tourney we had to play the play in game. That was because we relied on our BEST and most senior player Kemba Walker. In games we lost, he had to take over and do everything. The team that won 11-0 in March shared the ball and everything about the game. I know of what I speak.
Kemba Walker now might score 60 points but he can’t win a championship.
So I don’t care about presumed leadership. If you’re storming the beaches at Normandy, if you’re on one of the boats before the beach has been secured, I don’t care how much of a leader you are. Most of your guys and you are likely getting blown to bits.
 
It was a game we easily could have won against a strong program, even if Arizona is having a down year. In the past couple of years, I believe this game is a blowout in the 1st half, so we are definitely improving. Although we lost this game, I think it's a learning experience and will boost our confidence as the season goes along, especially next week against FSU in Newark.

As for the turnovers, I get Vital's sloppy play. He has always been a bit careless with the ball and I hope as the season progresses he begins to understand this and slows down. Jalen? That's what I don't get. He is the leader of this team and should be the one that settles the offense down and looks to create opportunities for his team. At times he looks so rushed, careless and gassed. I've always believed he could be a leader like Kemba and Shabazz, but I think Ollie's coaching and the terrible seasons they had derailed that. I believe once he gets acclimated playing under Hurley and with some of his new teammates, he begins to understand his responsibilities. If he plays the way he is capable of, NBA scouts will take notice. I hope Hurley and the coaching staff get him to see his value not only for this season, but his future.
 
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