Hassan Diarra takes expanded role in pursuit of 3rd ring

[HooperScooper]

Very good article from Borges on Diarra. Pretty long but worth a read.

"I've been living in the gym," he noted. "Coach has helped me out so much with my jump shot, with my arc. But I'm definitely ready to show how well I can shoot the ball from different spots on the court."

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/hassan-diarra-uconn-huskies-19838442.php

Alternate access:

‘He’s just got to be the ultimate UConn guy’: Hassan Diarra takes expanded role in pursuit of 3rd ring​

 

[mauconnfan]

Very good article from Borges on Diarra. Pretty long but worth a read.

"I've been living in the gym," he noted. "Coach has helped me out so much with my jump shot, with my arc. But I'm definitely ready to show how well I can shoot the ball from different spots on the court."

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/hassan-diarra-uconn-huskies-19838442.php

Alternate access:

‘He’s just got to be the ultimate UConn guy’: Hassan Diarra takes expanded role in pursuit of 3rd ring​

If he shoots good it’s a plus but he doesn’t have to. We have shooters and scorers all over honestly hope he doesn’t try to do more than he has to. Have to like how hard he is working nonetheless.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Good read, thanks for posting!

 

[Supes]

If he shoots good it’s a plus but he doesn’t have to. We have shooters and scorers all over honestly hope he doesn’t try to do more than he has to. Have to like how hard he is working nonetheless.

I think he needs to shoot well this season if he wants to hold on to the starting spot long-term. Not at a high volume, but at least good enough to be a consistent threat. There's just a lot of talent behind him, and if he can't score efficiently someone else will step up.

 

[Waquoit]

There's just a lot of talent behind him, and if he can't score efficiently someone else will step up.

I don't think anyone behind him can match his defense. He's relentless. He harasses other guys without losing his own man. We'll need that this year. He needs to shoot well enough that the other team can't cheat off of him. I'm confident he will.

 

[HooperScooper]

He needs to shoot well enough that the other team can't cheat off of him.

Didn't he already do this last year? Big improvement in his shooting last year from his first year here. If he improves even more we are in business.

 

[bendm]

1st in APG ~5apg
5th in PPG ~10ppg

 

[Waquoit]

Didn't he already do this last year? Big improvement in his shooting last year from his first year here. If he improves even more we are in business.

I think he has, I was responding to a comment. I've been a consistent Hass booster.

 

[Fan1978]

I think he has, I was responding to a comment. I've been a consistent Hass booster.

He improved his shot tremendously last year but seemed to fade a little late in the year

 

[Chief00]

Great to see the multiple paragraphs about the Red Fox NIL event with Hassan and Ernie D book signing dual event. Ernie was at the event with former NBA player and then NBA scout Kevin Stacom, who scouted hundreds of college players. Both Kevin and Ernie loved Hassan’s unselfish game, character and work ethic. It is a tribute to Coach Hurley and Hassan that two legends associated with our arch rival have the level of respect for our guy and program. But, of course Ernie told me today when I shared the article with him that he wished Hassan well but hoped PC would beat UConn.

 

[dogpause]

I think he just needs to do what he did last season, and do it a little better, Also, expand his leadership role.

His quickness inflicted lightning strikes on opposing teams. After Hass made his first appearance on the floor, the games was never the same, even the most hopeful teams.

I think he also enabled the bigs to learn on the job by compensating for their mistakes until they reached the next level. A lot a Hassan's contributionwas not codified in a box score. Everything he did, seememingly ocurred at just the right time. too

 

[Chief00]

I think he just needs to do what he did last season, and do it a little better, Also, expand his leadership role.

His quickness inflicted lightning strikes on opposing teams. After Hass made his first appearance on the floor, the games was never the same, even the most hopeful teams.

I think he also enabled the bigs to learn on the job by compensating for their mistakes until they reached the next level. A lot a Hassan's contributionwas not codified in a box score. Everything he did, seememingly ocurred at just the right time. too

Last year both Donovan and Hassan did lots of stuff not codified in the boxscore. Equally important Tristen Newton filled the boxscore with his multi dimensional contributions.

 

[dennismenace]

I don't think anyone behind him can match his defense. He's relentless. He harasses other guys without losing his own man. We'll need that this year. He needs to shoot well enough that the other team can't cheat off of him. I'm confident he will.

Agree on his importance on D which will be indispensable but we also have a terror on D as a backup in Nowell. I think they both will provide long evenings and afternoons for opponents. As great as the scoring potential is on this team it is also defense which takes opponents out of their game. I also can't wait for guys like Abraham to come in off the bench and stifle opponent scorers. This could be an amazing balancing act by DH in alternating bodies in and out to apply first offensive and then defensive pressure. Once they get this together it will demoralize other teams.

 

[Chief00]

I don't think anyone behind him can match his defense. He's relentless. He harasses other guys without losing his own man. We'll need that this year. He needs to shoot well enough that the other team can't cheat off of him. I'm confident he will.

Hassan’s ability to pick up the pace/intensity of the game transforms the game. I want him to start but that’s one concern I have - who else can do that coming off the bench - when our opponents are a little winded.

 

[AllHusky]

DISRUPTER

 

[Hoophound]

Hassan is important in so many ways. One is that Andrea Hurley cares about him so much, that she couldn’t bear to leave UConn because her bonus son wouldn’t be in her life.

Hass is a glue guy of the highest order. It is a huge bonus that he’s also turned out to have some serious talent and an even better work ethic. Just a great program guy. He’s going to have a great year and when he’s gone we’re all really gonna miss him.

 

[fatlucy]

If he shoots good it’s a plus but he doesn’t have to. We have shooters and scorers all over honestly hope he doesn’t try to do more than he has to. Have to like how hard he is working nonetheless.

He did a great job of playing his role last year without trying to do too much. I hope he continues and even improves on his ability to excel within the system.

 

[Waquoit]

Hassan’s ability to pick up the pace/intensity of the game transforms the game. I want him to start but that’s one concern I have - who else can do that coming off the bench - when our opponents are a little winded.

Why not Nowell?

 

[mauconnfan]

He did a great job of playing his role last year without trying to do too much. I hope he continues and even improves on his ability to excel within the system.

Yes he did but 6th man is different than the starting PG. I believe he’ll be fine but I would love to still have him as 6.

 

[CT2SC]

Yes he did but 6th man is different than the starting PG. I believe he’ll be fine but I would love to still have him as 6.

Mahaney is taking someone’s spot. Either Hass or Solo is going to be 6th man.

 

[Umami Zen]

Hass is the glue guy for this year's team. A natural leader. The guy that makes FTs when the game is on the line.

 

[Lambeau]

Based on performance to date, Solo is the starting shooting guard and leading scorer.

 

[Chief00]

Why not Nowell?

I don’t know enough about Nowell under the bright lights. What’s important about Hassan is that he can change the tempo/intentsity of the game on both offense and defense.