Georgetown Post Game Thread

[dennismenace]

Saw the pic of Boat above. Wonder if he stopped in give the guys a little "Boat pep talk".

 

[UCTitleTown]

I didn't think Nowell was that bad, in fact I thought it was the best he looked all year. That pass to a cutting Karaban was nice.

I'd say a mixed bag, and if you know me, I've advocated for him a ton. Definitely played like a freshman. High dribble he has always concerns me from a point guard.

 

[dennismenace]

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

For once he looked both aggressive and confident. He has all the tools for the next level. Is it 45" vertical? Needs another year.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

People really thought we played well? I guess we did the last 9 minutes of the game but I thought we were really bad up until then. Georgetown didn't have Sorber or their 6th man for the game and Fielder fouled out pretty early in the second half. We were a sieve on defense, AK was a ghost again until garbage time. Tarris was really good and Solo was good but that wasn't a good effort from the rest of them through 31 minutes at home against a Georgetown team with basically 5 players.

Finallly! I kept waiting for someone who saw the same game as me. We gave up so many layups, it’s embarrassing. Alex is concerning. Folks, this slump of his is now almost month's (plural) long. Nowell looked shaky when dribbling under pressure, albeit he had a couple of nice dimes. Ross looked robotic. Samson was MIA for most of the game (layups against a guard are not impressive). We should score 90 plus. That’s our forte. But against a good team, we score 93 and lose by 20. I am happy we won. But until I see us tighten up our D, not gonna get excited.

 

[sdglast]

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.

I don't disagree that they attacked him. However, he is a freshman who has barely played, so I expect an experienced player like Epps to go at him. The kid needs some reps before you can draw a conclusion. My issue with Mahaney is that he's a junior. 3 years in college basketball, so to me, he is what he is. I think Nowell can make it here, maybe not as a starter, but you can't go into next season assuming he is your starter and getting 30 minutes. You need to get someone in here who you know can play the position on both ends of the floor and let the best player play next year. My attitude on Nowell is play him the rest of the way as the first guard off the bench and see what you have at the end of the season. It's similar to Abraham over Ross--it can't be any worse than it is, so play the young guy.

 

[BGesus4]

How could they not get Reed more touches with Peavy guarding him most of the game? He generated a lot of offense off of rebounds and transition but he is such an asset in the post. I don’t think there are more than a handful of bigs in the country that are harder to stop in the post.

 

[giddyup]

Finallly! I kept waiting for someone who saw the same game as me. We gave up so many layups, it’s embarrassing. Alex is concerning. Folks, this slump of his is now almost month's (plural) long. Nowell looked shaky when dribbling under pressure, albeit he had a couple of nice dimes. Ross looked robotic. Samson was MIA for most of the game (layups against a guard are not impressive). We should score 90 plus. That’s our forte. But against a good team, we score 93 and lose by 20. I am happy we won. But until I see us tighten up our D, not gonna get excited.

Our D is Swiss Cheese. Can’t defend the 3 and can’t keep men on front of them. We are just too foot slow and short. We should have mixed in zone a long time ago.

 

[sdglast]

For once he looked both aggressive and confident. He has all the tools for the next level. Is it 45" vertical? Needs another year.

I thought Solo took it to the basket with much more aggression. He sought out contact and went to the line. That's where it starts for him. You can't just float around the 3 point line--you need to aggressively attack the rim because players are going to overplay him out there. I would love to see him develop that midrange pullup because then he becomes such a dangerous player off the bounce. He's not the biggest guy height wise, but you gotta attack the basket and get into the body of the defensive player to draw contact. Too many times he has faded away when he attacked the basket, taken difficult shots, and never got to the foul line. Last night, his takes were much more aggressive. Frankly the entire team did a much better job of getting to the basket, and it showed in the shooting percentage. They need to do that against Providence as well.

 

[sdglast]

Our D is Swiss Cheese. Can’t defend the 3 and can’t keep men on front of them. We are just too foot slow and short. We should have mixed in zone a long time ago.

I agree with the defense comments. Every team has taken it to the basket at will against UConn. I think it's really a mix of lack of height at the guards and lack of foot speed at the forward positions. And Karaban last night looked like he was in a fog--slow to react defensively and not aggressive enough on the glass. He has to be MUCH better moving forward.

 

[djct1999]

I don't disagree that they attacked him. However, he is a freshman who has barely played, so I expect an experienced player like Epps to go at him. The kid needs some reps before you can draw a conclusion. My issue with Mahaney is that he's a junior. 3 years in college basketball, so to me, he is what he is. I think Nowell can make it here, maybe not as a starter, but you can't go into next season assuming he is your starter and getting 30 minutes. You need to get someone in here who you know can play the position on both ends of the floor and let the best player play next year. My attitude on Nowell is play him the rest of the way as the first guard off the bench and see what you have at the end of the season. It's similar to Abraham over Ross--it can't be any worse than it is, so play the young guy.

Him being a freshmen is an excuse. The fact he hasn’t been able to see the court in a year where we needed a second pg desperately is telling. Stop making excuses. What’s his upside? Donnell Beverley? The fact is guys like Mahaney, Ross, Nowell, Singare, etc have all shown, in limited time or more, that they are marginal role players at best. I watch every game and every time one of these kids is on floor, w the exception of Singare, I cringe for their sake. Take that 5 sec call on Ross as an example. That doesn’t happen to any regular in the rotation. He has low processing speed. Why? Because this level, even vs a depleted Hoya team, is too fast for him to have any sort of impact. Ditto for Nowell. Ditto for Mahaney. All three look as if they are playing in panic mode and in the Big East, are in over their heads.

 

[UCfor3]

Nowell is an asset and I don’t believe anyone thinks he should start. He’s a freshman who needs more run like he did tonight. There will be bumps in the road but you can project what Nowell can become and it’s a solid / good PG. People need to temper expectations and understand some players need time to develop. We can’t recruit ‘finished products’ most of the time. Unfortunately, Hurley stuck with Mahaney too long, which stunted Nowell’s growth.

Twice he started giving Nowell more run and twice Nowell got hurt stalling the momentum. Hurley kept having to go back to Mahaney by neccessity.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

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.

We are going to change the offense that was ranked in the Top 5 for most of the season to play 90's style ISO ball? Why?

 

[UCfor3]

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.

I know if he will be as good as KEA. He won't. KEA was special right away and you could just see he was a difference maker. Doesn't mean Nowell still can't be a contributor though.

 

[djct1999]

We are going to change the offense that was ranked in the Top 5 for most of the season to play 90's style ISO ball? Why?

Aren’t you a guy that constantly complains that Hurley doesn’t make adjustments. This is an adjustment made primarily because the offense has stagnated because our lead guard is playing on one leg.

No one is to blame for this , but Hass’s injury is the biggest reason why we have struggled. If he was healthy, we would be top 15.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Much needed win to steady the ship. Nice effort all around. Reed dominating is the difference

Ok but let's please acknowledge that it's matchups with Reed. He's playing a team that had an injured center, so shifted a quick, undersized power forward to center. He fouled out very early. They simply didn't have anyone who could match up. It won't look that way against Creighton, where Samson will be a better option.

Happy we have both those guys and can use each in favorable matchups.

 

[SCNCHuskie]

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

Not all. I do not care who starts, the difference is minute differential. Johnson had 13 minutes, Reed had 27. Which center plays the most should depend on matchups.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Nowell with solid first half minutes led to Diarra getting some rest and having a very good second half.

This is why I also want Karaban on the pine 5-7 minutes a half with Stewart at the 4. Stewart is a much better 4 than 3 and Alex needs the rest. It might help him finally get his shot back if he played fewer minutes.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

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 saw this. All of our sophs still have analysis paralysis on offense. Our PGs arent strong, but look extra weak when we have no movement bc there seemed to be alot of hesitation , rather than read/react, trying to figure out where you go next in a set. As a result the off ball screens are missing quite alot (watch tape of Cam setting back screen compared to now), & offense is stagnant.

As a coach, I have experienced this where the players just dont have the BBIQ to execute what previous teams may have thrived in. Our guys dont seem to get into the flow state in our varied euro sets with the misdirection/handoffs quick enough. Simplifying to get the ball to the block/paint and kick or post is basic but it can work. Nice adjustment

 

[upstater]

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.

He was suspended his junior year, which was AJs freshman year.

He did well with assists for the 14 minutes he played, but averaged 2 pts a game.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

He was suspended his junior year, which was AJs freshman year.

He did well with assists for the 14 minutes he played, but averaged 2 pts a game.

What happened his freshman year? He didn’t end up finishing it.

And yeah he wasn’t much of a scorer but he was a magical passer. Which when playing next to guys like Ben, Rashad, Emeka, Charlie etc. is all you really need to do lol

 

[superjohn]

He was suspended his junior year, which was AJs freshman year.

He did well with assists for the 14 minutes he played, but averaged 2 pts a game.

Marcus Williams is the best passer we've ever had and you could see it right away as a freshman. Unfortunately he missed the second semester of his freshman season because of academics.

 

[homunculus]

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.

And yet the one single player on this team who is known for iso ball scoring, and has literally been struggling on offense all season directly because of a failure to adapt to the complex “robotic” system, was a DNP tonight against probably the single best team on the Big East schedule to get him going. Maybe there is a lot more going on behind the scenes and in practice than is ever exposed publicly.

 

[cullaville]

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

I heard that was about Cooley also

 

[dennismenace]

I agree with the defense comments. Every team has taken it to the basket at will against UConn. I think it's really a mix of lack of height at the guards and lack of foot speed at the forward positions. And Karaban last night looked like he was in a fog--slow to react defensively and not aggressive enough on the glass. He has to be MUCH better moving forward.

Maybe he needs to play a few damn less minutes (3-5 min subs) . Hurley fancies him a coach on the floor. No doubt. But you don't have to abuse him for your comfort.