Gaffney disappointing

[UChusky916]

PG is the most important position in CBB... an extension of the coach on the floor. It's concerning we can't be confident in a Junior to manage back-up PG duties because of his lack of a handle, ball security, and decision-making.

I love Gaff's shooting(3 pt and FT), defense, and ability to attack the rim. But as a PG, the first thing you need to be successful is an above average handle. Gaffney simply does not have that. It was a concern when he got here and it has not improved. I can't recall him ever breaking anyone down off the dribble, or even attempting to.

I've never seen him confidently handling the ball and facing up his man to see the court. Instead, he often puts himself between his man and the ball when dribbling. This really just invites pressure from the defender when he should be the one confidently handling the ball and sizing up the defense. Playing against good defensive guards (MSU/VCU) or teams that press (Auburn) will expose you of you don't have a strong handle, and that was the case this week with Gaffney.

Gaff started off the year strong against the cupcakes, and I thought he'd finally turned a corner. But he was a huge disappointment all 3 games in Atlantis against real competition.

Cole desperately needs some help. The team sorely lacks someone (other than Cole) who can break down a defender off the dribble or create their own shot. You need more than 1 guy who can keep the defense honest and burn you if the defender gets overly aggressive.

Before the season, Hurley must have been confident that Jackson could handle the ball as a pseudo-backup-PG with Gaffney. But neither of those guys is a threat to create their own shot.

I don't know if Diggins is the answer since he couldn't see the floor for a minute.

I'd like to see more of Hawkins. He's not a PG, but his handle is solid and he's got the quickness and athleticism to blow by a defender. While that's asking a lot from a freshman, I think it's time to put as much as we can on this kid's plate to see how special he can be.

I'm resigned to the fact that Gaffney simply is who he is at this point, and can't be trusted to be a second scoring threat off the dribble that this team lacks. Gaffney is certainly serviceable and will have great games this year. But when we need a bucket against good teams, we need a reliable ball handler and consistent 3rd scoring option after Cole and Sanogo.

If the team wants to reach it's ceiling by March, take off the training wheels for Hawkins now, give him more of Gaffney's minutes, and let him develop a better feel for the college game so that by the end of the year, he's the equivalent of special sophomore instead of a freshman.

 

[Get a Job]

Good analysis, Marcel Proust.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I made mention of this in a different thread, Gaff has played his best when he and Cole are on flor together.
Which defeats the purpose of a back up PG if the back up plays best when paired with the starter.
Cole played like a trooper all weekend and due to the extended minutes he had to play he showed some of his lesser qualities, some due to fatigue. Problem is any fault Cole has Gaff has shown the poor qualities, only worse.
Digging need some run if for no other reason than to light a fire under Gaff's ass to let him know he isn't guaranteed minutes.

This team needs Gaff and Akok to figure out their roles and become effective in those roles.

 

[UConnDad]

Gaff has played his best when? He’s cringeworthy. No D, can’t hit a shot or even make free throws anymore. Do you watch him? I love all my Huskies but play someone else please.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Remember the "#6thManGaff" thread? Did not age well at all. lol! I tried to warn people.

 

[david]

Gaffney was horrible in Battle 4 Atlantis no doubt, but he was good before then. Keep in mind they are playing in converted ballrooms where they just lay down a floor and toss up some nets - the lighting/ceiling height/etc. isn't the same as a normal gym so it might just affect some players more than others. If he comes back and stinks over the next 5 games then I think it's time to really worry.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Gaffney was horrible in Battle 4 Atlantis no doubt, but he was good before then. Keep in mind they are playing in converted ballrooms where they just lay down a floor and toss up some nets - the lighting/ceiling height/etc. isn't the same as a normal gym so it might just affect some players more than others. If he comes back and stinks over the next 5 games then I think it's time to really worry.

I wanted Gaff to take next step and be a key 20 mpg player this year. Against better teams he has shown he wasn't ready for that role. I do think he played well in OT today.

Hurley doesn't have five more games before evaluating what to do for a back up PG. Two more cupckaes- Maryland Eastern Shore and Grambling. After that it WVU and the BE games starting with Providence.

I'll eat crow at this point but Diggins needs some rum to see what he can do and possibly light a fire under Gaff's ass to step up.

UConn isn't going deep in NCAA with Cole playing 35 mpg and having to shoot 17 shots from field and 10 FT's with only two assists. Cole needs help and Gaff hasn't given it to Cole yet.

 

[Giddyup5]

We all know Diggins will have to show he deserves minutes in practice before he cracks the rotation. It’s just how he coaches.

 

[bendm]

we should be able to get by with 30 mpg from Cole and the other 10 mins running the point split between Gaff and AJ. 5 mins each is really not asking for too much.

 

[Husk04ies]

I keep wishing we didn't have to red shirt and could use Floyd. I was so impressed with him at open practice and his film from hs

 

[RayRay]

I’ve come to realize that Hurley is a stubborn coach. I’m not a Hurley hater by any means, he does a lot of things exceptionally well, as we all know, but Atlantis has me infuriated with some of his decision making, particularly not playing Hawkins more, and especially when we needed another 3 point threat on the floor. Saying this, it gives me no confidence that he will give Diggins a chance. In Hurleys mind, he already went into the season with a predetermined idea of who his 9 man rotation would be, and he will run that 9 man rotation into the ground before inserting someone like Diggins over Gaff or Johnson over Akok. I realize this post comes off harsh, but I’m actually really concerned about how far we can go if Hurley doesn’t adapt and make some necessary coaching changes during games.

 

[HuskyFich]

I’ve come to realize that Hurley is a stubborn coach. I’m not a Hurley hater by any means, he does a lot of things exceptionally well, as we all know, but Atlantis has me infuriated with some of his decision making, particularly not playing Hawkins more, and especially when we needed another 3 point threat on the floor. Saying this, it gives me no confidence that he will give Diggins a chance. In Hurleys mind, he already went into the season with a predetermined idea of who his 9 man rotation would be, and he will run that 9 man rotation into the ground before inserting someone like Diggins over Gaff or Johnson over Akok. I realize this post comes off harsh, but I’m actually really concerned about how far we can go if Hurley doesn’t adapt and make some necessary coaching changes during games.

Do you remember what happened to Sanogo last year? This has happened before. Hurley will continue to adjust and tweak the rotations. It’s only been 6 games. He definitely chooses to ride his vets until the younger guys force him to make a move. Which with a deep team, is imo how it should be done.

I can’t think of a single coach who’s more critical of himself than Danny. Just because he isn’t saying “I messed up” to the media after each tough game, doesn’t mean he isn’t taking notes and evaluating himself and his staff. And to be fair, our shooting was atrocious the past two games, and that wasnt his fault.

 

[RayRay]

Do you remember what happened to Sanogo last year? This has happened before. Hurley will continue to adjust and tweak the rotations. It’s only been 6 games. He definitely chooses to ride his vets until the younger guys force him to make a move. Which with a deep team, is imo how it should be done.

I can’t think of a single coach who’s more critical of himself than Danny. Just because he isn’t saying “I messed up” to the media after each tough game, doesn’t mean he isn’t taking notes and evaluating himself and his staff. And to be fair, our shooting was atrocious the past two games, and that wasnt his fault.

You’re right, and like I said, I’m not a Hurley hater at all. If anything, adding Murray this off-season seems to have improved the overall flow of the offense, but he is still forcing that offensively anemic lineup of Sanogo-Whaley-Martin-Jackson-Cole in critical moments where we need offense, instead of inserting a guy like Hawk. I guess in his mind, like you say, he wants experience out there, but it’s clear that our young guys are significantly more talented than our seniors and no one can argue that. I guess it’s a toss-up as to what’s better in a tight game with under 5 minutes to go, but to me, we needed Hawk out there when our offense was struggling badly, and it was pretty obvious to me, but what do I know. I’m not there every day in practice. Just frustrating to see is all.

 

[Salty Dog]

Gaff was bad this whole tournament. Bone-headed passes, poor ball handling, the ball just dying in his hands during half court sets ending with a forced shot - all things your pg can't do. Really hope it was a fluke, but I think we have to see some more Diggins these next two games.

 

[king conn]

Gaffney has the ballhandling ability of a power forward

Hawkins has the ballhandling ability of a center.

It's Diggins or bust as far as getting Cole any help in that all important aspect.

 

[That Guy]

You hate to see it because Gaffney was one of the only bright spots vs. Maryland. It looked like he was ready to take the next step and become a really solid player for us after an offseason of work, but it just hasn't materialized for some reason.

 

[GHSWolverines]

Before big east play, Hurley needs to find spot minutes for Diggins. And I am not talking about garbage time. Every pup needs to be off their leash.

 

[jibsey]

Hawkins has a high dribble, his handle a weak point. We need to screen and set him up to shoot. I’m up for Diggins to try it on, what can we lose? At least in the cupcake games coming up.

 

[JB75]

PG is the most important position in CBB... an extension of the coach on the floor. It's concerning we can't be confident in a Junior to manage back-up PG duties because of his lack of a handle, ball security, and decision-making.

I love Gaff's shooting(3 pt and FT), defense, and ability to attack the rim. But as a PG, the first thing you need to be successful is an above average handle. Gaffney simply does not have that. It was a concern when he got here and it has not improved. I can't recall him ever breaking anyone down off the dribble, or even attempting to.

I've never seen him confidently handling the ball and facing up his man to see the court. Instead, he often puts himself between his man and the ball when dribbling. This really just invites pressure from the defender when he should be the one confidently handling the ball and sizing up the defense. Playing against good defensive guards (MSU/VCU) or teams that press (Auburn) will expose you of you don't have a strong handle, and that was the case this week with Gaffney.

Gaff started off the year strong against the cupcakes, and I thought he'd finally turned a corner. But he was a huge disappointment all 3 games in Atlantis against real competition.

Cole desperately needs some help. The team sorely lacks someone (other than Cole) who can break down a defender off the dribble or create their own shot. You need more than 1 guy who can keep the defense honest and burn you if the defender gets overly aggressive.

Before the season, Hurley must have been confident that Jackson could handle the ball as a pseudo-backup-PG with Gaffney. But neither of those guys is a threat to create their own shot.

I don't know if Diggins is the answer since he couldn't see the floor for a minute.

I'd like to see more of Hawkins. He's not a PG, but his handle is solid and he's got the quickness and athleticism to blow by a defender. While that's asking a lot from a freshman, I think it's time to put as much as we can on this kid's plate to see how special he can be.

I'm resigned to the fact that Gaffney simply is who he is at this point, and can't be trusted to be a second scoring threat off the dribble that this team lacks. Gaffney is certainly serviceable and will have great games this year. But when we need a bucket against good teams, we need a reliable ball handler and consistent 3rd scoring option after Cole and Sanogo.

If the team wants to reach it's ceiling by March, take off the training wheels for Hawkins now, give him more of Gaffney's minutes, and let him develop a better feel for the college game so that by the end of the year, he's the equivalent of special sophomore instead of a freshman.

Couldn’t of said it better myself. We absolutely need to give diggins some run agsinst weaker competition these next 2 games to see what he’s got.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I’ve come to realize that Hurley is a stubborn coach. I’m not a Hurley hater by any means, he does a lot of things exceptionally well, as we all know, but Atlantis has me infuriated with some of his decision making, particularly not playing Hawkins more, and especially when we needed another 3 point threat on the floor. Saying this, it gives me no confidence that he will give Diggins a chance. In Hurleys mind, he already went into the season with a predetermined idea of who his 9 man rotation would be, and he will run that 9 man rotation into the ground before inserting someone like Diggins over Gaff or Johnson over Akok. I realize this post comes off harsh, but I’m actually really concerned about how far we can go if Hurley doesn’t adapt and make some necessary coaching changes during games.

Stubborness is a key trait in most great and successful people across all walks of life. When others stop or quit or don't see results, the great ones see progress in the process and keep trudging along until there are results. Hurley is hardly the first coach to stay with a rotation or a player who isn't yielding results as quickly as us fans would like.

Stubborness is also a key trait in many who fail. When others see a particular choice as not being successful and not leading to success, they adapt and change while those who are stubborn keep doing the same thing expecting different results.

You become wildly successful or become the definition of insanity.

For Hurley this is where us fans have to trust assistant coaches are giving Hurley the best advice they can and the rest of Hurley's influencers are helping him through this as well.

 

[RayRay]

Stubborness is a key trait in most great and successful people across all walks of life. When others stop or quit or don't see results, the great ones see progress in the process and keep trudging along until there are results. Hurley is hardly the first coach to stay with a rotation or a player who isn't yielding results as quickly as us fans would like.

Stubborness is also a key trait in many who fail. When others see a particular choice as not being successful and not leading to success, they adapt and change while those who are stubborn keep doing the same thing expecting different results.

You become wildly successful or become the definition of insanity.

For Hurley this is where us fans have to trust assistant coaches are giving Hurley the best advice they can and the rest of Hurley's influencers are helping him through this as well.

Very well said and also true. As I said, I’m not the expert, and we all have to trust the process. It can get frustrating as fans which is how I felt with a couple things in Atlantis. I really feel we could have beat MSU, but overall, a successful trip and we won difficult games that will prove absolutely huge come March.

 

[8893]

Very well said and also true. As I said, I’m not the expert, and we all have to trust the process. It can get frustrating as fans which is how I felt with a couple things in Atlantis. I really feel we could have beat MSU, but overall, a successful trip and we won difficult games that will prove absolutely huge come March.

I feel 100% the same after watching these three games here. He is very stubborn and it was very frustrating to watch. Especially when he is undaunted by five to ten terrible sequences and then puffs his chest and struts the sidelines like his plan is working perfectly when we finally have a sequence in which things go our way—even if not the way planned.

But as @Chin Diesel notes, it’s the same quality that drives the great things about him. I just wish he would make more adjustments based on the game being played, and not based on the plan he had going into the game.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I feel 100% the same after watching these three games here. He is very stubborn and it was very frustrating to watch. Especially when he is undaunted by five to ten terrible sequences and then puffs his chest and struts the sidelines like his plan is working perfectly when we finally have a sequence in which things go our way—even if not the way planned.

But as @Chin Diesel notes, it’s the same quality that drives the great things about him. I just wish he would make more adjustments based on the game being played, and not based on the plan he had going into the game.

This would be nice.

I don't mind sticking with the game plan part of the game; it's his personnel decisions on how to execute the game plan which needs more flexibility.

 

[navery12]

I really don't understand these takes on the rotation/Hurley. Maybe he doesn't make changes fast enough for people here, but we have tons of evidence now of him integrating freshman into the rotation throughout the season. And he's been very open about how he's going to do it now that we have enough talent where they don't need to be thrown into the fire right away

 

[wheelerdog]

We're 6-1. The sky's not falling.

 

[MDHuskFan]

Gaff looks good when he’s out there basically being a 2 guard. Problem is that when he comes in & RJ is there, he often has some ball handling duties to let RJ play off ball, and he struggles there. A lot

 

[Chin Diesel]

We're 6-1. The sky's not falling.

We're 2-1. The first four were glorified scrimmages.

Each of the three games could have been a win; each could have been a loss. Made horrible decisions at end of game against each opponent. Leaving Atlantis with a bunch of question marks which need fixing to finish high in the BE and make it to second weekend of NCAAT.

 

[8893]

I really don't understand these takes on the rotation/Hurley. Maybe he doesn't make changes fast enough for people here, but we have tons of evidence now of him integrating freshman into the rotation throughout the season. And he's been very open about how he's going to do it now that we have enough talent where they don't need to be thrown into the fire right away

It’s a very simple point: we have a glaring lack of ball handlers and shooters. Right now it appears that RJ is the only one who can do both well, but he needs help.

Many here, including Hurley, believe that AJ is the best option for that help, even though he doesn’t shoot well or have a great handle. They like the fancy passes even if they seldom result in scoring plays. Of course everyone loves the rebounds, but that still doesn’t help the shooting or handling issues. Have him play the three then, perhaps? But no way Martin is giving up his minutes on a Hurley team, nor should he at this point. So we have AJ set as our starting two guard. Do you think he is going to change that? As I said last night, I hoped so, but now I question that. It’s not like AJ was providing senior leadership out there at crunch time, which is what the ostensible reason would be for holding out the freshmen.

And they believe that Gaffney is the second-best option for that help, most evidence to the contrary now in his third season here.

I get that it’s early yet and that Hawkins and Diggins were both a little delayed by injuries, and I don’t expect them to be glued to the bench for the season; but I don’t think that the AJ experiment Is going to end as soon as you seem to expect, or that Hawkins will be able to crack the starting lineup as soon as we both had hoped.

I have no idea what it will take for Diggins to get quality minutes, but I think that will take a bit longer still.

 

[navery12]

It’s a very simple point: we have a glaring lack of ball handlers and shooters. Right now it appears that RJ is the only one who can do both well, but he needs help.

Many here, including Hurley, believe that AJ is the best option for that help, even though he doesn’t shoot well or have a great handle. They like the fancy passes even if they seldom result in scoring plays. Of course everyone loves the rebounds, but that still doesn’t help the shooting or handling issues. Have him play the three then, perhaps? But no way Martin is giving up his minutes on a Hurley team, nor should he at this point. So we have AJ set as our starting two guard. Do you think he is going to change that? As I said last night, I hoped so, but now I question that. It’s not like AJ was providing senior leadership out there at crunch time, which is what the ostensible reason would be for holding out the freshmen.

And they believe that Gaffney is the second-best option for that help, most evidence to the contrary now in his third season here.

I get that it’s early yet and that Hawkins and Diggins were both a little delayed by injuries, and I don’t expect them to be glued to the bench for the season; but I don’t think that the AJ experiment Is going to end as soon as you seem to expect, or that Hawkins will be able to crack the starting lineup as soon as we both had hoped.

I have no idea what it will take for Diggins to get quality minutes, but I think that will take a bit longer still.

Yes, just as I told you last night there's zero reason to believe that Hawkins won't be starting by the end of December. The AJ experiment doesn't need to end for Hawkins to start, there's plenty of minutes to go around.

I think you're massively overreacting to the few games you saw in Atlantis, mid tournament is not the time to start making changes. You experiment with the next few cupcakes and figure out what works and make changes after that. It's happened every year Hurley has been here, there's no reason to think it won't happen again

 

[8893]

Yes, just as I told you last night there's zero reason to believe that Hawkins won't be starting by the end of December. The AJ experiment doesn't need to end for Hawkins to start, there's plenty of minutes to go around.

I think you're massively overreacting to the few games you saw in Atlantis, mid tournament is not the time to start making changes. You experiment with the next few cupcakes and figure out what works and make changes after that. It's happened every year Hurley has been here, there's no reason to think it won't happen again

Who does Hawkins replace in the starting lineup then? Hurley has made it clear that he likes having AJ start because he is so “disruptive”—even if that means having an anemic offense that is in a five-to-ten point hole by the five minute mark.