Hurley/Gilbert

[nyhuskies13]

Have been critical of AG this year from his play on the court, but respect him more than anyone on the team for his loyalty and devotion to the program. Really, really hope he returns and gets an opportunity to shine.

Watching tonight, you can’t help but wonder if Hurley set Al up for disappointment through his season-long, blind loyalty and the long leash he gave him. Instead of sitting him early this season after mistakes and slowly reducing his minutes while developing Gaffney and letting JG play through mistakes, Hurley continued to make Al the focal point of the team.

And the criticism grew not just because Al struggled, but because Hurley’s stubbornness allowed Al to make a multitude of mistakes over 30+ minutes per game instead of few in 20-24 minutes. It’s hard for kids to comprehend when your coach, who continued to tell you to keep doing what you’re doing, sits you at the end of Game 19 of the season and tells you a freshman would start in Game 20. This just feels horrible mismanaged on Hurley’s part.

 

[Jay-Bone]

It definitely should've been done more gently. Hurley ripped him off like a band-aid.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Have been critical of AG this year from his play on the court, but respect him more than anyone on the team for his loyalty and devotion to the program. Really, really hope he returns and gets an opportunity to shine.

Watching tonight, you can’t help but wonder if Hurley set Al up for disappointment through his season-long, blind loyalty and the long leash he gave him. Instead of sitting him early this season after mistakes and slowly reducing his minutes while developing Gaffney and letting JG play through mistakes, Hurley continued to make Al the focal point of the team.

And the criticism grew not just because Al struggled, but because Hurley’s stubbornness allowed Al to make a multitude of mistakes over 30+ minutes per game instead of few in 20-24 minutes. It’s hard for kids to comprehend when your coach, who continued to tell you to keep doing what you’re doing, sits you at the end of Game 19 of the season and tells you a freshman would start in Game 20. This just feels horrible mismanaged on Hurley’s part.

I get the frustration that Gilbert made the same mistakes over and over again. But Hurley clearly felt Gaffney wasn't ready to take over or take big minutes for a good chunk of the season. Especially coming off the injury in the pre-season. Hurley was in a tough spot with that.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

did i miss something? was gilbert hurt or just a DNP coach's decision?

 

[RayRay]

I hate the anticipation of waiting to hear officially, but the writing seems to be on the wall that he's out

 

[husky429]

Have been critical of AG this year from his play on the court, but respect him more than anyone on the team for his loyalty and devotion to the program. Really, really hope he returns and gets an opportunity to shine.

Watching tonight, you can’t help but wonder if Hurley set Al up for disappointment through his season-long, blind loyalty and the long leash he gave him. Instead of sitting him early this season after mistakes and slowly reducing his minutes while developing Gaffney and letting JG play through mistakes, Hurley continued to make Al the focal point of the team.

And the criticism grew not just because Al struggled, but because Hurley’s stubbornness allowed Al to make a multitude of mistakes over 30+ minutes per game instead of few in 20-24 minutes. It’s hard for kids to comprehend when your coach, who continued to tell you to keep doing what you’re doing, sits you at the end of Game 19 of the season and tells you a freshman would start in Game 20. This just feels horrible mismanaged on Hurley’s part.

We didn't have many other options. JG needs to be brought along slowly still. But it's obvious he is more suited to our style of play.

I'm sure the coaching staff told AG what changes he needs to make to be the most effective version of himself for this team. It's apparent tonight that the way that AG is comfortable playing is not suited for the rest of this team's strengths. And a good PG makes everyone better. We're not a slow, dribble the ball out, iso heavy team. And AG shouldn't be a slow, dribble the ball out, iso heavy player. Our guys are at their best moving the ball and finding the best shot whenever it comes in the shot clock 28 seconds or 2 seconds. AG has just refused to play that way. Mental errors.

 

[Jay-Bone]

In before Chief comes and posts AG never passed this year.

 

[HooperScooper]

did i miss something? was gilbert hurt or just a DNP coach's decision?

Gilbert was held out of practice Tuesday, and the decision was made for him to take a break. Team sources expect Gilbert will eventually return to the team this season, but there is no timetable. He was not at Gampel Pavilion Wednesday.

Alterique Gilbert, Sid Wilson sit out UConn men’s win over Temple

Alterique Gilbert sat out the UConn men’s game against Temple on Wednesday night due to “personal reasons,” the school announced four hours before the game. Sid Wilson also missed…

www.courant.com

 

[Dove]

Set him up for disappointment? Now I have heard it all.

AG entered the season most probably in his final season. That deserves respect and the starting job. Okay, the starting job was basically by default. And AG blew it almost every single night. He has peaked.

Set up for disappointment?!?

 

[Huskybass]

Have been critical of AG this year from his play on the court, but respect him more than anyone on the team for his loyalty and devotion to the program. Really, really hope he returns and gets an opportunity to shine.

Watching tonight, you can’t help but wonder if Hurley set Al up for disappointment through his season-long, blind loyalty and the long leash he gave him. Instead of sitting him early this season after mistakes and slowly reducing his minutes while developing Gaffney and letting JG play through mistakes, Hurley continued to make Al the focal point of the team.

And the criticism grew not just because Al struggled, but because Hurley’s stubbornness allowed Al to make a multitude of mistakes over 30+ minutes per game instead of few in 20-24 minutes. It’s hard for kids to comprehend when your coach, who continued to tell you to keep doing what you’re doing, sits you at the end of Game 19 of the season and tells you a freshman would start in Game 20. This just feels horrible mismanaged on Hurley’s part.

The short answer is AG has plenty of talent, and Hurley saw that. He rode that promise as long as he could. AG got less out of his talent than anyone I can remember. The talent was undeniably there, but the decision making outweighed the talent and dragged AG and the team down.

I hope he catches on somewhere overseas where he can play off the ball and be a real offensive spark and good on ball defender. He can still have a great pro career somewhere.

 

[nyhuskies13]

I get the frustration that Gilbert made the same mistakes over and over again. But Hurley clearly felt Gaffney wasn't ready to take over or take big minutes for a good chunk of the season. Especially coming off the injury in the pre-season. Hurley was in a tough spot with that.

For sure, and not saying he had 3 studs on the bench waiting to play.

But during that December cupcake portion of the schedule, it was a great opportunity to move Al to 25-30 minutes a game while playing JG. Al could still start, be a leader, and mentor Gaffney while playing a different role.

Hurley basically told Al to keep doing what he was doing and keep shooting. Maybe not in those words, but certainly through his actions as coach

let’s hope this is all a bad take and Al is back soon

 

[nyhuskies13]

Set him up for disappointment? Now I have heard it all.

AG entered the season most probably in his final season. That deserves respect and the starting job. Okay, the starting job was basically by default. And AG blew it almost every single night. He has peaked.

Set up for disappointment?!?

Yes, people would be less critical if he adjusted his role sooner.

Gilbert playing 20-25 minutes a game. The ball in someone else’s hands at the end of the game. Limit his over penetration by sitting him each time he made mistakes.

You don’t just let him make the same mistakes for 19 games, tell him it’ll be fine and keep doing what he’s doing, and then basically send a message that you no longer believe in him

That’s on the coach

 

[Justin M]

Have been critical of AG this year from his play on the court, but respect him more than anyone on the team for his loyalty and devotion to the program. Really, really hope he returns and gets an opportunity to shine.

Watching tonight, you can’t help but wonder if Hurley set Al up for disappointment through his season-long, blind loyalty and the long leash he gave him. Instead of sitting him early this season after mistakes and slowly reducing his minutes while developing Gaffney and letting JG play through mistakes, Hurley continued to make Al the focal point of the team.

And the criticism grew not just because Al struggled, but because Hurley’s stubbornness allowed Al to make a multitude of mistakes over 30+ minutes per game instead of few in 20-24 minutes. It’s hard for kids to comprehend when your coach, who continued to tell you to keep doing what you’re doing, sits you at the end of Game 19 of the season and tells you a freshman would start in Game 20. This just feels horrible mismanaged on Hurley’s part.

If AG was the player that everyone anticipated and hoped he would be, then you’re patient as Hurley and you hope he breaks out of it, and you’re in win now mode...The last 4 games have resulted in a hard pivot from bubble post season birth to another year of rebuild. After that happens you focus on growing your young guys...every wins an added bonus.

I wouldn’t say Danny mismanaged it as much as he could've made the call to go younger earlier, but then you jeopardize mismanaging guys you think will lead the program the next 4 years

 

[Huskybass]

Yes, people would be less critical if he adjusted his role sooner.

Gilbert playing 20-25 minutes a game. The ball in someone else’s hands at the end of the game. Limit his over penetration by sitting him each time he made mistakes.

You don’t just let him make the same mistakes for 19 games, tell him it’ll be fine and keep doing what he’s doing, and then basically send a message that you no longer believe in him

That’s on the coach

AG had plenty of opportunities to do well. He rarely did. It got to the point where Hurley had to make a change. There's no script on this, it evolved the way it did through no fault of Hurley's. He stayed with AG as long as he could. Too long, perhaps.

 

[superjohn]

Have been critical of AG this year from his play on the court, but respect him more than anyone on the team for his loyalty and devotion to the program. Really, really hope he returns and gets an opportunity to shine.

Watching tonight, you can’t help but wonder if Hurley set Al up for disappointment through his season-long, blind loyalty and the long leash he gave him. Instead of sitting him early this season after mistakes and slowly reducing his minutes while developing Gaffney and letting JG play through mistakes, Hurley continued to make Al the focal point of the team.

And the criticism grew not just because Al struggled, but because Hurley’s stubbornness allowed Al to make a multitude of mistakes over 30+ minutes per game instead of few in 20-24 minutes. It’s hard for kids to comprehend when your coach, who continued to tell you to keep doing what you’re doing, sits you at the end of Game 19 of the season and tells you a freshman would start in Game 20. This just feels horrible mismanaged on Hurley’s part.

Yep, Hurley set all of this up to embarrass Gilbert and to not win games this season. When he said in preseason that Alterique would be 1st team all-conference it was a part of the plan. When he blasted the whole fanbase because of some twitter comments directed at Alterique, it was a part of the plan. When he doubled down on it and said we aren't going anywhere as a team without AG, it was a part of the plan...it had nothing to do with Gaffney being set back because he missed all of preaseason, it had nothing to do with Gaffney not looking ready to play point. This was all an evil plot cooked up by Hurley for maximum amount of losses and ultimate embarrassment for AG.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Need a wrestling heel turn by AG.

Next game at Memphis, home of some of the best wrestlers and storylines. AG lays out DH with a blindsided chair somewhere in the second half.

Pulls of his UConn jersey and has a Memphis jersey underneath. Teams with Prescious for a monster second half comeback against UConn.

If this happened, I literally wouldn't blink an eye or think I never saw this coming.

 

[Dooooooomed]

If you're held out in practice, and are still on-campus for the game, you still sit on the bench. This along with Hurley's presser makes it seem like the team will be moving out without him.

 

[nyhuskies13]

AG had plenty of opportunities to do well. He rarely did. It got to the point where Hurley had to make a change. There's no script on this, it evolved the way it did through no fault of Hurley's. He stayed with AG as long as he could. Too long, perhaps.

That’s sort of my point. He never adjusted Gilbert’s role. He kept him as the focal point for too long. It took 19 games and a 10-9 record for him to realize he needed to make a change?

People have been saying the same thing since early Charleston. And that frustration led to the over criticism of Al. Hurley stubbornly allowing him to do the same thing over and over did not do him any favors.

 

[AdamaNation]

We didn't have many other options. JG needs to be brought along slowly still. But it's obvious he is more suited to our style of play.

I'm sure the coaching staff told AG what changes he needs to make to be the most effective version of himself for this team. It's apparent tonight that the way that AG is comfortable playing is not suited for the rest of this team's strengths. And a good PG makes everyone better. We're not a slow, dribble the ball out, iso heavy team. And AG shouldn't be a slow, dribble the ball out, iso heavy player. Our guys are at their best moving the ball and finding the best shot whenever it comes in the shot clock 28 seconds or 2 seconds. AG has just refused to play that way. Mental errors.

Refused??

 

[Chin Diesel]

This I will always say in a player's defense. Injuries are a bitch and can rob a player of all the skills and abilities they have when healthy. Some learn to adapt and become a new player, others can't.

Linking to the football team, I remember a horribly injured Jimmy Bennett trying to guard speed rushers as a left tackle after multiple knee injuries. His body just couldn't produce. A few years later Tommy Hopkins was benched after multiple injuries because he whiffed on a block out in the open.

I give AG the Greg Oden, injuries forever prevented us from knowing what could be. However, the "what is" AG can be isn't good enough for this team to be its best.

 

[AdamaNation]

Gilbert was held out of practice Tuesday, and the decision was made for him to take a break. Team sources expect Gilbert will eventually return to the team this season, but there is no timetable. He was not at Gampel Pavilion Wednesday.

Alterique Gilbert, Sid Wilson sit out UConn men’s win over Temple

Alterique Gilbert sat out the UConn men’s game against Temple on Wednesday night due to “personal reasons,” the school announced four hours before the game. Sid Wilson also missed…

www.courant.com

Sounds eerily similar to jumpman aka KW.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Have been critical of AG this year from his play on the court, but respect him more than anyone on the team for his loyalty and devotion to the program. Really, really hope he returns and gets an opportunity to shine.

Watching tonight, you can’t help but wonder if Hurley set Al up for disappointment through his season-long, blind loyalty and the long leash he gave him. Instead of sitting him early this season after mistakes and slowly reducing his minutes while developing Gaffney and letting JG play through mistakes, Hurley continued to make Al the focal point of the team.

And the criticism grew not just because Al struggled, but because Hurley’s stubbornness allowed Al to make a multitude of mistakes over 30+ minutes per game instead of few in 20-24 minutes. It’s hard for kids to comprehend when your coach, who continued to tell you to keep doing what you’re doing, sits you at the end of Game 19 of the season and tells you a freshman would start in Game 20. This just feels horrible mismanaged on Hurley’s part.

Gaffney had two ankle injuries that put Hurley in a corner plus he was hurting our strength which was team D

 

[nyhuskies13]

Yep, Hurley set all of this up to embarrass Gilbert and to not win games this season. When he said in preseason that Alterique would be 1st team all-conference it was a part of the plan. When he blasted the whole fanbase because of some twitter comments directed at Alterique, it was a part of the plan. When he doubled down on it and said we aren't going anywhere as a team without AG, it was a part of the plan...it had nothing to do with Gaffney being set back because he missed all of preaseason, it had nothing to do with Gaffney not looking ready to play point. This was all an evil plot cooked up by Hurley for maximum amount of losses and ultimate embarrassment for AG.

How long do you keep doing the same thing and losing without adjusting your approach?

I guess the answer is 19 games, a 10-9 record, and last place in the league

It just didn’t have to be all or none with Al. Hurley didn’t have to play him 35 minutes a game through this late in the season in hopes that he was right.

 

[superjohn]

That’s sort of my point. He never adjusted Gilbert’s role. He kept him as the focal point for too long. It took 19 games and a 10-9 record for him to realize he needed to make a change?

People have been saying the same thing since early Charleston. And that frustration led to the over criticism of Al. Hurley stubbornly allowing him to do the same thing over and over did not do him any favors.

We played ranked teams Nova, Wichita, and Houston to a standstill or better until there was like 3-4 minutes left in the game. I'm sure Gilbert would've handled it really well if he was sent to the bench with 3 minutes left in all three because he can't make the correct plays at the end of games. Especially knowing what we know now.

 

[Jay-Bone]

How long do you keep doing the same thing and losing without adjusting your approach?

I guess the answer is 19 games, a 10-9 record, and last place in the league

It just didn’t have to be all or none with Al. Hurley didn’t have to play him 35 minutes a game through this late in the season in hopes that he was right.

You're fighting a losing battle on here. They don't want to concede that there could've been a middle ground. They want the all or nothing. The nothing is a better fit for them now and the distant future. They don't understand how bad Temple is. Just chuckle and know you tried.