Georgetown Post Game Thread

[Mike Honcho]

I think that was Ed Cooley. If I'm wrong though, that would explain things.

I think you're right. I tried to google it and an article came up about Ed's mom. The volume was down pretty low where I was so I probably misheard.

 

[AdamaNation]

If we start Reed this late in the season I am concerned Johnson will lose more confidence. I am ok as long as Reed is finishing games and gets more minutes but keep Johnson as starter

Yes. Start Sam. Give reed the minutes.

 

[Mike Honcho]

I'm the biggest Hass fan, and this is a really cool moment.

 

[Jetskies]

this team we played tonight was not st. johns.
Go UConn!

 

[DRBackup]

So what was going on with the broadcast ? UConn key losses - DePaul ? Uh, nope.

Liam leaves the game late, after a foul and they show him with 5. Then he's back in a couple minutes later. I'm like, WTF ?!?

 

[DRBackup]

First time in a while we actually looked good. Hope we can keep it up and get ourselves off the 8/9 line. Going on a run and getting a 7 would make a big difference

Except on defense. At times, the defense was horrendous

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Well, we've had good guards like Marcus Williams who didn't contribute much as freshman. But you can't expect a recruit to give you what Napier gave UConn. If only it were that easy.

It’s hard to remember because he didn’t finish the season (can’t remember if it was injury or suspension), but this has been dispelled before. He actually did get pretty good playing time.

 

[cp176]

Nowell is a freshman and still learning defensively. He is quicker than Mahaney, much stronger, and frankly more competitive. Mahaney is way to small to play in a physical league like the Big East. Frankly, I expected more from a junior who is in his 3rd year of college basketball. Nowell is far from perfect, but he has the physicality to play in the league. He is going to make freshman mistakes but no way am I playing Mahaney over him the rest of the year. If Mahaney played tonight, Georgetown would have attacked him every single time down the floor. He just doesn't have the size and strength to play in this league.

Sadly the types of defensive mistakes he made last night were the types of mistakes no one would let a high school kid make. I think that he is tough, strong for sure but I’m not impressed with the rest of his game. I know that he is a freshman but I expected more.

 

[cp176]

Hurley said tonight that he is changing his approach to his own offense. He thinks the players had become too robotic following the system. He wants more step back back and side steps from the arc. He also wants them to be freer and attack their man and bring him to the rim more. We saw that against Villianova and again tonight. This also my be a way to inject a little more personality into their play which he wants.

I hope so. Being a point guard has to be tough in this particular system unless the rest of the talent is exceptional. It takes to long for this group to get into their offense. When the ball comes across mid court, Diarra and whoever else plays the position has no other option right now but to wait for everybody start moving.

 

[Umami Zen]

Good to see the W in a game we should win without Sorber. Been awhile since Solo/Liam/AK were dropping some threes at the same time. Confidence building game for Reed. Defensive rotations still a weakness but Peavy was going to get his points. Kid is a bucket.

Rock fight in Providence. Keep the pedal to the metal. One down-Three to go.

 

[djct1999]

Hurley wants to trust him, but doesn’t yet.

It’s March.

 

[cp176]

I’m still thinking that Johnson, Stewart, Ross, and Diarra are the same players that we saw last year. Diarra was solid last year and he is the same guy. I think that Karaban of all of them profited the most by being surrounded by incredible talent. He is a significant piece just like last year but not great. I like him. I do think that Ball has come along nicely. He is an incredible shooter and it looks like the rest of his game is coming along even his defense. I would like to just be introduced to Abraham (if that’s his name). Maybe I’m dreaming, but I expected to see some progression from everybody on the roster. Regardless, I’m a UConn fan for life and want to see them win. I enjoyed the last 7 or 8 minutes last night when they got the ball up the floor and were a little less robotic.

 

[uconnyankee]

Reed needs to start. Please Dan, put your fondness for Samson behind you, all of Uconn Fandom is begging you.

I’m aligned with other post. Don’t care that Samson starts, but Reed should have bulk of minutes.

Use Johnson as change of pace and energy infusion. But giving him first play doesn’t really pose a risk.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Yes, unless he’s hiding some skills we haven’t seen. By this time he should have been able to put the ball on the floor, pull up or go to the hole. But nothing from him. And he’s gotten benefit of doubt from injury and inexperience but he looks healthy.

Does anyone remember what Diarra was like his freshman year. I think we need to understand freshman who can step in an be great or very good players at this level are rare. Nowell will be a very good major to high mid major guard by the time he is a junior. He was not great last night his defense needs major work but he will be able to run an offense get to the basket and be an efficient passer.

May never be a great shooter but he will be a better shooter than Diarra is by the time he leaves college.

 

[Sphinx]

Someone once said, "I'd like to believe there's a little good in everyone, but if there isn't, that would explain everything."

The saying can be adapted to this UConn team, "I'd like to believe there's untapped potential in everyone, but if there isn't, that would explain everything."

 

[Edward Sargent]

Damn, I wonder what poster already said this on the board. Lol (except I’m thinking moreso 20+)

Danny is really recruiting some of these kids hard - first the comments about Ross playing more now Solo

 

[uconnyankee]

We have to stop this Nowell stuff. Had an open 3 and missed the gym. At his size he can back up at point guard, but I do think he can find players for assists and he would probably steal balls on defense. Just not a starting guard for us. Please.

Why do people suggest Nowell’s size is some limiting factor. He’s listed at 6’0”. That’s two inches taller than one of UConn’s best PG’s with similar build.

I don’t know that he’ll be as good as KEA, but his size isn’t an issue. He needs more experience. If Hass goes down Nowell is going to see significant time on floor. Need to get him some more time here and there.

 

[MrJoe]

We are an average team with above average talent that doesn’t mesh well , which sometimes happens . If we win next three avoiding Xavier in 4/5 and Johnies in semis ( assuming Creighton win) confidence will build and we could be that dreaded team that no one wants to play with a wide range of outcomes. In that scenario we could lose ugly in opening round or be in a two point game at the last tv timeout of a sweet 16 matchup. … fyi same statement could be made for 10-12 teams

 

[Edward Sargent]

I'm the biggest Hass fan, and this is a really cool moment.

Watchout I think you might see the Diarra brothers in coaching fairly quickly

 

[djct1999]

I don't disagree. I don't think Nowell has done anything to suggest he should be given the starting job next year. I am simply stating I have seen enough of Mahaney to know that he borderline unplayable at the moment, so ride with Nowell and see where it goes.

It’s a lose lose, but sure, give Nowell the chance. That said, I am beyond curious as to how people thought he played well. They literally attacked him every time on the defensive end and he got exposed every time on the defensive end. It was that bad. Playing defense like that won’t get you any time in Danny’s program. With that, and with the type of guards in this league that are already exposing our backcourt, makes Nowell unplayable in any meaningful role.

 

[freshler40]

Hurley said tonight that he is changing his approach to his own offense. He thinks the players had become too robotic following the system. He wants more step back back and side steps from the arc. He also wants them to be freer and attack their man and bring him to the rim more. We saw that against Villianova and again tonight. This also my be a way to inject a little more personality into their play which he wants.

Our offensive sets are an easy read. The above thoughts open the door for more creative action. Pace of play needs to improve, as too much dribbling to no effect creates shot clock panic. Play to a 20 second or less shot clock.

Loved seeing more penetration but this needs to be done with better ball handling, less straight-line driving, finishing well and vision. Mcneeley can do this. We did finish inside much better in the second half but GT was without a working center. We missed a lot of Reed opportunities in the low post but did use this option more than in recent games. He has great down low quick moves, hands and finishes well. He loves trench action and passed out well when double teamed. He had a great game for any center at this level.

Teams that haven't played us or experienced Big East toughness will have trouble with our style of play.

 

[freescooter]

And we need him to give Diarra a rest. We can’t do crap with an injured and exhausted Diarra down the stretch. We also won’t be able to effectively get past midcourt against St John’s, the good SEC schools, Michigan State etc. We just have to find a ballhandler. I don’t understand the resistance to it. It’s game after game of struggling to handle the ball. It has to happen or we are checking out real quick in March. Saying Nowell isn’t the answer is saying there is no answer. There is no other possible solution. Accept it.

I think you hit it. This year there is no answer.

 

[homunculus]

Finally. Poor reffing to our benefit. You take it and try to build off this game.

Finally calling the hacking and holding that occurs in every game is not poor reffing to our benefit. They were still awful. Surprise, surprise, fouls that are committed against us are called for once, and we cover.

 

[freescooter]

Does anyone remember what Diarra was like his freshman year. I think we need to understand freshman who can step in an be great or very good players at this level are rare. Nowell will be a very good major to high mid major guard by the time he is a junior. He was not great last night his defense needs major work but he will be able to run an offense get to the basket and be an efficient passer.

May never be a great shooter but he will be a better shooter than Diarra is by the time he leaves college.

Um, nobody remembers what Diarra was like as a Freshman unlesss you were a Texas A&M fan. FWIW he played in 18 games, led the team in steals and shot 32% from 3.
I don’t get Hurley’s obsession with small guards. Nowell has the same defensive limitations that Cole had without the scoring.

 

[REB1094]

Danny is really recruiting some of these kids hard - first the comments about Ross playing more now Solo

I don't think that's the case with Solo. He's a sophomore averaging 15 points a game and is one of the best shooters in the country. He should be on everyone's list of breakout candidates going into next year. If he can develop a scoring game off the dribble, I don't see why he wouldn't be a strong NBA prospect

Very efficient 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists last night