Hawkins

[Kenny11]

Couldn't agree with you more
He has the handle, I've seen it in games in past 2 plus years and at occasional practices but I think it is now a confidence thing in a game situation. I've seen this during my coaching career - like stage fright - and nearly all can shake it.
It's the coaching man, its the coaching

I’m sure in practice his handle is pretty good. Last night he dribbled twice between his legs to get defender on his heels before pulling up for 3. It was a nice move. He loses the ball constantly because he’s playing nervous as hell.

 

[Storrs South]

I was hoping last night would be the start of a series of easier games that Hawkins would have the space to work through things but obviously that didn't play out. But now with the PC game off, games against the lower teams of the conference should, emphasis on should, give opportunities for this team to open up some leads early to give him the ability for a longer leash that he hasn't been afforded since Tyrese missed some time.

 

[UConnSwag11]

I also noticed that his off-ball movement is not very good. He just stands on the wing and waits to get the ball. We run a lot of off ball screens and sets to get Polley open looks, hopefully we can start running a few for Hawkins too.

I'm sure a lot of his poor positioning on offense is due to the fact that in high school they'd just give him the ball and let him do his thing. Here, he needs to learn to get open without the rock in his hand (although the ability to breakdown a defender 1-on-1 is more than welcome given our lack of individual play makers).

I think it's more of they're not running anything for him plus nerves. If they were running sets for him he'd be running. He can be a great scorer if we put him in the right spots

 

[UconnU]

We need to continue to play him through the mistakes. We can’t get zero experience out of this freshman class. Who knows what our team will look like next year. Just don’t put him in a position to do a lot of dribbling. Run him off screens, use him as a catch and shoot threat. His defense has been excellent.

 

[Kitaman]

The good thing is being a freshman whatever he gives us is a true bonus.

Its obvious he needs more playing time, and be allowed to play through his mistakes. AJ made some terrible passes, but was allowed to remain in the game, they were basically ignored. I won't talk about Gaffney's leash. With Hawkins he may get one allowed turnover, but rarely 2.

Just saying it would nice to allow Hawkins to get comfortable on the court, which can only happen with more PT. I'd like Hurley to unleash him, instilling confidence. Just needs one breakout game if you ask me.

 

[OkaForPrez]

He has a beautiful shot and is aggressive taking the ball to the rim. He needs to keep shooting but Hurley needs to have Hawkins run through screens and move without the ball like Rip. Hawkins can't dribble right now but he can shoot. To utilize Hawkins efficiently, we can't give him the ball outside the three-point line with under 10 seconds left on the shot clock and force him to make a decision. Have him run through screens and get a clean look for three, mid-range, or layup. That will boost his confidence and help the team out

The problem is hawk is coming in when RJ goes out and we can’t run offensive sets without him.

 

[UConnStats]

I think it was actually the Auburn game, but yeah, his body language appears different since that incident.

It was! Bad memory there on my part

 

[Sibeerian]

I now believe that he needs some one on one mentoring.

Ted Lasso.

 

[Peacefrog]

Ted Lasso.

Or maybe even Led Tasso

 

[Sibeerian]

 

[RichZ]

Seems very mechanical with his handle. Almost stiff. If he could get by people, it would open up his shooting drastically.

I was really tired last night, and had to get up early this morning to freeze one of my left ones off on the river, so this didn't get into the "ThoughtZ" post, but I've noticed over several games where Hurley's trying to give Hawkins minutes. that he has the same issue with ball handling that AJax and Gaffney have. When pressured -- or even in close proximity to a defender -- they all tend to dribble far from their body, with an extended arm. And it leads to loss of control and eventually loss of possession.

 

[inWV]

The worst thing to happen to Hawkins (and arguably the team) this year was him losing that ball against Michigan State. That really stripped him of his confidence. I don’t think his handle is as bad as it has looked, but he’s just so jittery out on the floor since the MSU game. He was looking ready to give us 10 PPG before that.

I think Donny Marshall recognizes this and sees the need for confidence, hence his comment about how he wishes Hurley would let him play rather than punishing him for his mistakes. This is clearly a kid who needs to be built up and is living inside of his own head.

The best cure is a breakout game, but he’s not really getting the chance yet. That chance might fall into his lap with Gaffney playing himself off of the court.

He does need to play through some adversity. But UCONN really needed to win the SJU game. There are teams coming up where he can get more run.

 

[Conndog]

I am coming around to change my mind about Hawk and his need for personal coaching. I always have said it was lack of confidence due to immaturity and that he would grow out of it on his own. I now believe that he needs some one on one mentoring. He has the skills but as you said stage fright. I had seen it in the Air Force with our “Jeeps” - rookies straight out of tech school. Some would just about freeze and be so afraid that they were doing something wrong and the fighter plane would crash. Often those guys with the highest grades in tech school were the most chicken schiest.

Hawkins has the skills just like our “jeeps”.

How about Taliek to coach him?

 

[Son of Robert]

Patience is a good word here. Hawkins will be a very good player; he just needs to find his groove. There is a natural flow to these things, and he is well on his way.

 

[HuskyFich]

This is what makes good players great. It's his job to figure it out with support from the staff. Adversity is a good thing. Back when JC had the quick hook, we loved it...

 

[Palatine]

He's getting good open looks. You can't really do anything for him at this point. He has to figure it out himself.

 

[ARIDE]

He has a beautiful shot and is aggressive taking the ball to the rim. He needs to keep shooting but Hurley needs to have Hawkins run through screens and move without the ball like Rip. Hawkins can't dribble right now but he can shoot. To utilize Hawkins efficiently, we can't give him the ball outside the three-point line with under 10 seconds left on the shot clock and force him to make a decision. Have him run through screens and get a clean look for three, mid-range, or layup. That will boost his confidence and help the team out

The games has not slowed down enough yet for him but he is very close! He will be a very good option before season is over!

 

[Palatine]

The simplest thing to do is find the spot on the court were is almost automatic and get the ball to him there.

 

[Waquoit]

How about Taliek to coach him?

To shoot? I'm thinking no.

 

[wheelerdog]

They've got two weeks and four games left to figure this out.

 

[imno1]

How about Taliek to coach him?

You don’t think he’s getting coaching? He just needs to work harder on improving his handle. Hopefully he will become at least adequate with his dribble. Maybe not this season but over the summer.

 

[NJHusky]

I've got to believe this is an issue with many highly ranked but not top 20 kids that aren't playing at an elite prep place like IMG. They are far and away the best player on the court, so they just get the ball and score. Here, he's playing against lots of great athletes...some better than him and he needs to improve/refine some skills. He's learning to play against a level of play he's never experienced before. It's like being the smartest kid in your HS class and going to MIT where you realize...holy crap

 

[Conndog]

To shoot? I'm thinking no.

LOL!

 

[Deleted at users request]

Are you cool with him playing through his mistakes if it means we lose to St. Johns? Because he was making a lot of mistakes, and not making wide open jump shots.

And to me Akok is a better perimeter scorer than Tyrese is.

I would like him to have the same rope everyone else has. Since the beginning of the year he’s been on a tight leash.

Sorry when I said perimeter scorer I just meant being able to create and score out there. Not just shooting.

 

[freshler40]

I was really tired last night, and had to get up early this morning to freeze one of my left ones off on the river, so this didn't get into the "ThoughtZ" post, but I've noticed over several games where Hurley's trying to give Hawkins minutes. that he has the same issue with ball handling that AJax and Gaffney have. When pressured -- or even in close proximity to a defender -- they all tend to dribble far from their body, with an extended arm. And it leads to loss of control and eventually loss of possession.

Good observation! Watch Cole or other good ball handlers, they don't dribble with arms fully extended. Gaffney needs to drive more, finish, doesn't seem to have a good idea of what he wants to do but can finish well at times.

 

[uconnseth]

He's a good spot-up shooter (though last night he missed in some big momentum spots), but he's so weak with the ball that he can't take anyone off the dribble without losing it or getting blocked at the rim.

I actually don’t think he’s that good a basketball player - he’s just a shooter.