Hurley/Gilbert

[superjohn]

I don't agree with a word of this. I love AG and I was so hoping he'd pick it up this year. He has struggled and his struggles have cost us games.

Coach Hurley rallied to his defense. He tried to make him the center of the team because he is the emotional center. Sadly, he had to make a move. The Houston loss was totally on him.

I don't know the real story and certainly don't want to speculate, but if the decision for him to not play tonight was his and his alone, I've lost all respect for AG. Sid was hurt. He let his teammates down. I hope he gets over this and gets back to the team. He's gone through too much to have it end this way.

Hurley was looking at a 10-9 team with a struggling point guard who isn't going to come back and play next year. He probably should have made the move two or three games earlier but he has tried so hard to get AG to play smarter. He is grown to love the kid and has grown to admire his toughness and his resolve. This wasn't easy for him to do. It was time. despite this, I really hope he comes back and finishes out the season with the team.

Don't lose all respect for AG, he's a good kid who has been though a ton of heartache in his career here but making Hurley out to be a bad guy here is so incredibly wrong and off-base from reality.

 

[husky429]

Refused??

He's implicitly refused by not changing his actions on the court. I doubt he's said "Coach, I refuse to stop playing selflessly." He may just not know how.

 

[gampelcrazies]

Gilbert didn't work out. It is what it is. Next man up.

 

[husky429]

Don't lose all respect for AG, he's a good kid who has been though a ton of heartache in his career here but making Hurley out to be a bad guy here is so incredibly wrong and off-base from reality.

Seriously. If anything Hurley is too nice. He takes pride in his non-transfer thing to a fault. There are guys on this team who would have been pushed out at most D1 programs. He's not a guy who cleans house--he sticks with the players.

 

[Jay-Bone]

This makes zero sense.

I remember when you wanted to run him off the team for not doing enough after the USF game when he shot 1-3 had 8 assists and 3 to's. Now thats really called making zero sense.

 

[nyhuskies13]

Don't lose all respect for AG, he's a good kid who has been though a ton of heartache in his career here but making Hurley out to be a bad guy here is so incredibly wrong and off-base from reality.

So coaching had nothing to do with it?

Hurley never adjusting Gilbert’s minutes or role until now had nothing to do with his prolonged struggles, lack of confidence, and criticism?

It’s like asking Mark Sanchez to throw 60 passes a game for 12 games, going 2-10, and finally benching him. You don’t think the coaching would have any influence on how hard that dude would get criticized???

 

[jdb50]

AG was not productive enough to keep dominating the ball. He could not improve his shooting, his free throw shooting or stop driving inside and getting stuffed or missing layups. He never adjusted his play which is on him.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I had a couple high abv's. Wouldn't be the first time. Carry on. Although NYHuskies is coming through crystal clear to me. Weird.

I've been enjoying a low stress Screwball PB Whiskey on the rocks. Much like the UConn lineup and rotation tonight, it made sense and worked. For the love of my liver's lifespan this better not be Mojo. But I will drink it Saturday.

 

[HooperScooper]

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

From Borges:

Asked if Gilbert was doing alright, Vital simply responded: “Yeah, he’s good.“

Gilbert wasn’t at the game but is still on campus. It appears he has not left the program, and there seems to be a good chance he plays again for UConn this season.

 

[nyhuskies13]

So coaching had nothing to do with it?

Hurley never adjusting Gilbert’s minutes or role until now had nothing to do with his prolonged struggles, lack of confidence, and criticism?

It’s like asking Mark Sanchez to throw 60 passes a game for 12 games, going 2-10, and finally benching him. You don’t think the coaching would have any influence on how hard that dude would get criticized???

And that’s my point. Adjust the gameplan for that guy. Run the rock, throw shorter passes, and have quick drop backs. (Sorry Jets fans)

don’t just tell Al to keep doing what he’s doing for an entire season. I’m agreeing with most of you. Hurley’s too nice. Waited too long. Was too loyal to this idea of what Al could have been

 

[Jay-Bone]

From Borges:

Asked if Gilbert was doing alright, Vital simply responded: “Yeah, he’s good.“

Gilbert wasn’t at the game but is still on campus. It appears he has not left the program, and there seems to be a good chance he plays again for UConn this season.

Excellent news. I want him on the team and am satisfied with him coming off the bench. This could be a combination of his grandmother dying, attacks on twitter, not living up to his own expectations, and the reality of being surpassed. Love the kid and encourage him back in blue. Forget the morons.

 

[Dove]

And that’s my point. Adjust the gameplan for that guy. Run the rock, throw shorter passes, and have quick drop backs. (Sorry Jets fans)

don’t just tell Al to keep doing what he’s doing for an entire season. I’m agreeing with most of you. Hurley’s too nice. Waited too long. Was too loyal to this idea of what Al could have been

There is no freaking way Hurley encouraged AG to drive through trees to the basket over and over. He has become the worst layupper in UConn history.

 

[Kenny11]

I want Gilbert to finish the season on the team. His 4 years here have been incredibly painful and difficult and he is known as great person to his teammates, coaches and everyone that has gotten to know him. I’m fine if he starts or doesn’t start..whatever..but he should be a part of the team and have a senior night. A few years ago he was a McDonald’s all American and most likely thought he was on the path to an nba career, a good chance at acquiring generational wealth...for all of that to be taken from him because of injuries is really sad and can be damaging. He could’ve left uconn several times. He didn’t. I don’t know what happened after the Tulsa game. But it should be fixable.

 

[Jay-Bone]

There is no freaking way Hurley encouraged AG to drive through trees to the basket over and over. He has become the worst layupper in UConn history.

You understand there's something between encouraging and correcting, or not?

 

[joober jones]

I really don't like the sound of "held out of practice"

 

[Dove]

You understand there's something between encouraging and correcting, or not?

I have stated in the past...maybe once...that Vital is leaving and will want to make his mark. Will try too hard and hurt this team. This has happened.

I feel the same with Alterique. He, too, wants to make a mark on his way out. There is no correcting. Just drilling what Hurley wants and if Hurley doesn't get it then AG gets punished. It's happening.

I do not know what happens at practice or just after practice in Hurley's office. I do not know the relationships are like between Hurley's young guys and Ollie's old guys.

 

[AdamaNation]

He's implicitly refused by not changing his actions on the court. I doubt he's said "Coach, I refuse to stop playing selflessly." He may just not know how.

Your last sentence kept me from one word responding with “implicitly?” That would indicate an air of purposeful decent.

 

[Watchdog]

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.

That's assuming you know the exact extent of Gaffney's injury and how much/little it affected his ability to move, cut, play defense, etc. It also assumes you believe BA and CV would be better at the point than AG during the time it took for JG to come back from the injury ready to play at this level.

 

[KingAG]

He deserves a senior night

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I would hate to see AG's career end like this, but if his heart is not into it, then he should go. If he wants to come back and contribute, Hurley should take him.

The part I struggle with is, Temple sucking aside, that the ball movement was much better without AG. Which raises two questions:

1) Was Hurley encouraging AG to play the way he did? And if so, why?

or

2) Was AG playing this way against Hurley's wishes? And if so, why did Hurley let this go on so long?

 

[glastonbury50]

Hurley allowed Gilbert to play Gilbert's game. Gilbert's game fell short of winning. Hurley adjusted. No betrayal.

This is right on. If Gilbert had lived up to the hype we would have had far more success and Hurley had no choice but to roll with him. Also tough for op to have such a hot take without knowing the facts yet. Very quick to blame Hurley. I trust Dan Hurley to do the right thing.

 

[Towney007]

From the sounds of the players’ tone and what they said and what Dan said - they’re fine. To me - it sounded like guys who were relieved.

 

[Towney007]

As for Gilbert - he came in w/ a pedigree but he never played up to it. Injuries didn’t help things but even back then - there was a lot of speculation that he could be a bust for basically, well... all the things you’ve seen that drive you nuts about him.

Great kid. Dealt a bum hand. But he’s played enough basketball here for me to be ok with saying a lot of the hype around him was wrong. It happens. But a lot of the optimism around him was people chasing that five star rating like a dog chasing a car. He wasn’t very good and isn’t likely getting better.

From what I heard - it wasn’t good this weekend either. So it is what it is and the rest of the team seemed to be pretty fine with it, if not motivated because of it. And the production even though it was against Temple - was just different. There’s no getting away from it. And the less he’s been involved, the better everyone has played.

you can do with that what you want.

 

[glastonbury50]

Not sure what's more maddening, watching a guy who's busted his butt (and shoulder) for this team not living up to expectations, or reading posts ripping him apart because of it.

Nice win tonight, but let's not pretend some obvious truth got revealed because we beat a mediocre team at home. Dare I remind anyone we shot 35% from the field and 24% from 3. The only difference is we won.

Its high level basketball man. Be ready for criticism bc its gonna happen at some point in life through bball or the workforce. As long as there is a fanbase they have the right to critique and criticise. That being said I love Al the person, but he's been extremely frustrating to watch this year.

 

[Ts5034]

Seriously. If anything Hurley is too nice. He takes pride in his non-transfer thing to a fault. There are guys on this team who would have been pushed out at most D1 programs. He's not a guy who cleans house--he sticks with the players.

Exactly, thats why I highly doubt Hurley and the coaching staff are pushing Gilbert away in late January of his Senior season.

 

[bendm]

1) Was Hurley encouraging AG to play the way he did? And if so, why?
or
2) Was AG playing this way against Hurley's wishes? And if so, why did Hurley let this go on so long?

in other words, hurley was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. surprise surprise.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Need a wrestling heel turn by AG.

Next game at Memphis, home of some of the best wrestlers and storylines. AG lays out Dan Hurley 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.

A remake of the Tupelo MS concession stand brawl that was the birth of hard core.

Seriously. If anything Hurley is too nice. He takes pride in his non-transfer thing to a fault. There are guys on this team who would have been pushed out at most D1 programs. He's not a guy who cleans house--he sticks with the players.

Name names or shut up
i will
Based on last year only Whaley , and Adams looked like they they might be over their heads.He recruited Adams and Whaley has surprised us all.
I know he didn’t like Wilson but my god only an idiot which chase an athlete like that unless he was a serious behavioral problem.
He loved Gilbert so much he recruited a transfer instead of a Juco.
He wasn’t chasing Vital who he also loves. He is a coach’s type of player..
He certainly wasn’t chasing. Polley his best shooter or Carlton his only 5.
So please put that BS to bed.
So he chases Whaley and Springs becomes ineligible ,boy are we screwed.
All the players he has are legimate players .

 

[husky429]

A remake of the Tupelo MS concession stand brawl that was the birth of hard core.

Name names or shut up
i will
Based on last year only Whaley , and Adams looked like they they might be over their heads.He recruited Adams and Whaley has surprised us all.
I know he didn’t like Wilson but my god only an idiot which chase an athlete like that unless he was a serious behavioral problem.
He loved Gilbert so much he recruited a transfer instead of a Juco.
He wasn’t chasing Vital who he also loves. He is a coach’s type of player..
He certainly wasn’t chasing. Polley his best shooter or Carlton his only 5.
So please put that BS to bed.
So he chases Whaley and Springs becomes ineligible ,boy are we screwed.
All the players he has are legimate players .

Wow, you're pleasant. You keep saying "chasing" and I don't think you know how that word is properly used. Because what you're writing makes no sense. Why would Hurley chase a current player? You chase recruits.

Anyways, if you don't know that Whaley was told he likely doesn't have much of a future on this team, but he chose to stay anyways, you haven't been reading the 'yard. Hasn't exactly been a secret. A lot of D1 coaches pull the scholarship for kids in that position. Whaley's strength increases and growing from a non-factor into a serviceable (albeit still deeply flawed) player is a testament to the coaches allowing him to stay, and working with him despite their concerns.

 

[Watchdog]

I would hate to see AG's career end like this, but if his heart is not into it, then he should go. If he wants to come back and contribute, Hurley should take him.

The part I struggle with is, Temple sucking aside, that the ball movement was much better without AG. Which raises two questions:

1) Was Hurley encouraging AG to play the way he did? And if so, why?

or

2) Was AG playing this way against Hurley's wishes? And if so, why did Hurley let this go on so long?

Who knows about 1 or 2, but to me all evidence points to 3.
3) Hurley cares about his players and he and his staff work with them to develop them to their fullest potential.

Maybe I'm wrong but I believe he recognized AG's work ethic and drive to bring UConn back to its former greatness and believed AG could have a great year and go out in style. Look how much AG improved as last year went on until he ran into that pick against WSU and Hurley undoubtedly believed AG could build on that this year. He supported him to the nth degree when fans started being hyper critical of AG earlier this year and made a point of urging the fans to cheer him on (as he did in Charleston) on a number of occasions when AG looked like he might be turning the corner.

Also consider how much IW and BA improved from last year. Think back about how many on this board believe Hurley should have cleaned house of KO recruits and how many have relentlessly criticized CV for his "hero ball". It looks to me like Hurley really is building a culture and I don't say that because of tonight's win. We've had three bad games this year and we've played some pretty good teams. Compare that to the last three years. If the recruits they're bringing in plus Cole and Springs develop as the players have in Hurley's first year and a half I think there'll be a lot of Happy Husky Fans going forward.

 

[metsfan2323]

I would hate to see AG's career end like this, but if his heart is not into it, then he should go. If he wants to come back and contribute, Hurley should take him.

The part I struggle with is, Temple sucking aside, that the ball movement was much better without AG. Which raises two questions:

1) Was Hurley encouraging AG to play the way he did? And if so, why?

or

2) Was AG playing this way against Hurley's wishes? And if so, why did Hurley let this go on so long?

Having AG come back next year to be our third or fourth string point guard (Bouk can play point too) is probably not the best use of a scholarship, or AG's talents, especially when there is no guarantee Polley will be ready to play next season. (need to find a shooter)