Good article about McNeeley & team play...

[alexd]

The biggest concerns facing UConn men’s basketball entering February

With Liam McNeeley’s return from injury imminent, how have the Huskies fared in his absence?

www.theuconnblog.com

 

[jibsey]

For some reason when Liam returns I don’t expect that the team will flip a switch and start winning right away. It might be end of Feb before we notice a big effect. I have no proof, just a feeling about it.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I think we will see improvement because he will open up the floor for our inside game, and for AK and Solo from 3. Also, dont forget that Liam can slash to the hoop. Even if his shot is rusty, which should be, he should see his fair share of FT's. And if nothing else, he is an improvement defensively the second he ties his sneakers.

 

[gsmooth]

I think we will see improvement because he will open up the floor for our inside game, and for AK and Solo from 3. Also, dont forget that Liam can slash to the hoop. Even if his shot is rusty, which should be, he should see his fair share of FT's. And if nothing else, he is an improvement defensively the second he ties his sneakers.

But Liam when he returns won't be the Liam before his injury. It will take time for him to ramp up and get back to that level. Once he gets back to the pre injury level I think what you said will ring true.

Listen, I hope you correct and I am wrong and that Liam picks up where he left off.

 

[DogMania]

But Liam when he returns won't be the Liam before his injury. It will take time for him to ramp up and get back to that level. Once he gets back to the pre injury level I think what you said will ring true.

Listen, I hope you correct and I am wrong and that Liam picks up where he left off.

He'll probably have a little rust, but it's not like he has forgotten to play basketball. He's got an extremely high BBIQ and is a gifted all around player. I'd be shocked if his return doesn't have an immediate overall impact on the team.

 

[DogMania]

In refence to Hurley’s comments about teams restricting movement, I understand and have observed teams bumping, grinding and clutching our players off the ball, but there are many times it seems players are slow in setting screens, moving too slowly to or unsure of where they're supposed to be in the motion offense, not delivering the ball quickly enough to the right open teammate or turning the corner splitting the gaps driving it into the paint, to create the high percentage scoring opportunities the offense is designed to do.

The motion offense just doesn't look like it did last year. Granted that team had incredibly talented and experienced players, but this year's team should be good enough to execute it better. Now there are times they do execute beautifully, but just not consistent enough, especially when they have to reach further into the bench.

Don't get me wrong, I'm hopeful they'll get better. I do wonder if they could use an alternative offense at times so that teams don't get used to defending their movement. Also might help to add some wrinkles to their defense as well as occasional hard trapping or just something different than their doing all the time. Again just a change to catch teams off guard for a possession or two.

 

[Excalibur]

In refence to Hurley’s comments about teams restricting movement, I understand and have observed teams bumping, grinding and clutching our players off the ball, but there are many times it seems players are slow in setting screens, moving too slowly to or unsure of where they're supposed to be in the motion offense, not delivering the ball quickly enough to the right open teammate or turning the corner splitting the gaps driving it into the paint, to create the high percentage scoring opportunities the offense is designed to do.

The motion offense just doesn't look like it did last year. Granted that team had incredibly talented and experienced players, but this year's team should be good enough to execute it better. Now there are times they do execute beautifully, but just not consistent enough, especially when they have to reach further into the bench.

Don't get me wrong, I'm hopeful they'll get better. I do wonder if they could use an alternative offense at times so that teams don't get used to defending their movement. Also might help to add some wrinkles to their defense as well as occasional hard trapping or just something different than their doing all the time. Again just a change to catch teams off guard for a possession or two.

There isn't as much variation in our sets as there was last year. It seems like we're running the same motion over and over this year, whereas last year there were countless wrinkles, and in 2023 they made changes to get Sanogo post up opportunities.