Hurley mentions Possible Starting Lineup Change

[mauconnfan]

It doesn't matter who starts. What is important is the allocation of playing time ..Obviously. if Bouknight and Adams continue to play well they will earn more minutes. This minutes will likely come from the playing time of S, Wilson, possibly Whalley and Gilbert.

Gilbert? LOL. He''s playing well as a PG now for a couple game as we've asked and he's by far our best ball handler and our best defender out of the guards but yeah, let's take his minutes away. Wow.

 

[auror]

Well you miss the defensive end he's been fine there sometimes very good. Not physical I agree but long arms deflects passes, gets in lanes can shut down players. Books our best offensive player he's not our best player, yet. His defense was solid yesterday but still loses his guy more than he should. But even there he seems to be improving game to game. No doubt he deserves more minutes and maybe even a starting spot.

Badams has been twice as good on defense. And better at creating and finishing and drawing fouls and has shot the same % from 3. Bouk has been more efficient on offense despite using 10% more possessions when he's on the floor. You mention deflections and getting in lanes, Bouk has literally double the steal rate of Polley. Quadruple the offensive rebounding rate. Double the defensive rebounding rate. Polley is solid and can shoot. Not a starter quality player when we have better options, unless he's needed (when we play a zone team like last night).

Polley didn't show up in the play by play a single time in the last 15 minutes of game time. I went back and looked and after his missed 3 with 15:40 left he didn't take a single shot, get a single steal, commit a single foul, have a single assist, or grab a single rebound. I think he played 8 minutes or so during that stretch. He had 2 deflections, but they both immediately went out of bounds off him. One was proactive, 1 was desperation because he was getting beat on a back cut.

 

[CbbisGreat]

Please look up the definition of the word possibly . If ( as I stated Adams and Bouknight continue to earn more minutes ) then this will result in other players having a decrease in minutes

 

[Kembacity]

Meh. Keep Polley in lineup but don't be afraid to go to bench.

Polley has better length I passing lanes and closing out than Bouk or Adams.

But, should offense go 3&4 possessions with little results, bring on the subs.

I agree with this, and I feel like the type of player you bring off the bench matters. I like Polley starting even if we pop in BAdams or Bouk quick, because I think that both have brought a sort of "sparkplug" energy to the court when they see it that Polley doesn't have. Polley I am loving even though he isn't throwing up 25 a game, his shooting and his size I think are needed. He is a boring constant contributor, and I mean that in a good way. I think guys like that are ideal to start the game, while guys like Adams/Bouk can come into the game and just flat out stun an opponent in a close game and suddenly they are on their heels and staring at a 10-0 trademark UConn run

 

[auror]

I agree with this, and I feel like the type of player you bring off the bench matters. I like Polley starting even if we pop in BAdams or Bouk quick, because I think that both have brought a sort of "sparkplug" energy to the court when they see it that Polley doesn't have. Polley I am loving even though he isn't throwing up 25 a game, his shooting and his size I think are needed. He is a boring constant contributor, and I mean that in a good way. I think guys like that are ideal to start the game, while guys like Adams/Bouk can come into the game and just flat out stun an opponent in a close game and suddenly they are on their heels and staring at a 10-0 trademark UConn run

We've been complaining about slow starts for years, and you want to keep the 2 guys with our best energy on the bench because they can bring energy when they sub in. How about we get that energy right away and for as many minutes as possible each game? Instead of the guy who does nothing but shoot sometimes wide open 3s and floats up and down the court and competently stands near his guy on defense.

 

[jibsey]

I like Bouk off the bench at first. Get a lead then he comes in and hammers them. Eventually he’ll play starter minutes.

 

[mauconnfan]

Badams has been twice as good on defense. And better at creating and finishing and drawing fouls and has shot the same % from 3. Bouk has been more efficient on offense despite using 10% more possessions when he's on the floor. You mention deflections and getting in lanes, Bouk has literally double the steal rate of Polley. Quadruple the offensive rebounding rate. Double the defensive rebounding rate. Polley is solid and can shoot. Not a starter quality player when we have better options, unless he's needed (when we play a zone team like last night).

Polley didn't show up in the play by play a single time in the last 15 minutes of game time. I went back and looked and after his missed 3 with 15:40 left he didn't take a single shot, get a single steal, commit a single foul, have a single assist, or grab a single rebound. I think he played 8 minutes or so during that stretch. He had 2 deflections, but they both immediately went out of bounds off him. One was proactive, 1 was desperation because he was getting beat on a back cut.

Here's how I answer. CV has a lot of steals too. Sometimes it's actually good for the team though if you guard your own guy too. It's simple on the board you like someone they're the best you hate someone they suck at everything. Getting a used to the crap around here. Everyone has had their minutes that have helped us win some games, everyone not just who you point to. So it may not be time for anyone to lose their job but both Bouk and BA want some of that, and they deserve it. But not by pounding on everyone else because they suck.

 

[jibsey]

Bouknight can't carry this team by himself even if he plays 40 minutes. We need the contributions of everyone, and I expect highs and lows from a lot of these guys from game to game.

 

[auror]

It's simple on the board you like someone they're the best you hate someone they suck at everything. Getting a used to the crap around here. ...But not by pounding on everyone else because they suck.

Polley is solid and can shoot. Not a starter quality player when we have better options, unless he's needed (when we play a zone team like last night).

You're dramatizing my statement to call my post dramatic. I said the others were better at things than him, not that he sucks. He does suck at rebounding though. That one's true.

 

[MexicoHusky]

The only change that really needs to happen is we need more athleticism/strength at center. Unfortunately, we dont have that player on the roster. The recent decline of our program shows the most in this area. We just couldn't sign athletic/strong/quick bigs. There aren't enough of those guys to go around. The larger conf teams suck them all up. Hopefully Hurley and the new conference will change this.

 

[Huskybass]

Next year Cole, Bouk, BA, Akok and Carlton with Gaffney, Jackson, Polley, Whaley, Springs, Javonte Brown Ferguson off the bench

That's a killer squad that could make a deep run, and you didn't even include Sid, who could also be an impact player. It is fun to be a UConn fan again.

 

[Huskybass]

Nah he's proven to make shots coming off a screen heck even off balance. Has little do with his ability make a shot more about his rebounding and some consistent defense. There doesn't need to be any rush in making changes as of yet but people need to dig deep.

I agree. Polley is fine offensively and ok defensively, but he really needs to hit the boards hard. He is long enough that 5 rebounds per game should be expected at a minimum with starter's minutes.

 

[HuskylnSC]

I've said on other posts, Make Polly a situational 3 point shooter/zone buster where his limited skill set can be most effective. Start either adams or Bouk. Also an option is to use Vital as a microwave (as has been said here by others). He's ideal for coming the bench. Put Tom Moore in his ear to help him diagnosis the defensive weakness and turn him loose at about the 5 minute mark when the starter's adrenaline goes down. What a charge he can put into a game at that juncture.

But really I care about the last 5 players rather than the first 5 players.

 

[UCLJ0211]

Happy problem for a coach to have - four guys who can play competing for two spots on the floor.

Bouk is ultimately going to be the guy, but it may be best for his development to control his minutes. He has to be the microwave, hot from the moment he's on the court.

BAdams is the better Vital, bigger and more versatile. He's finding his confidence and chemistry with his teammates, it's great to see.

Vital and Polley will pass the torch at some point. 3 and D guys. I think Hurley wants more than that. But they'll be big contributors all season.

Until Bouk can be more consistent defensively his minutes will be slightly limited IMO

 

[inWV]

Vital's stat sheet is pretty stuffed. Leads the team in rebounds, pts, steals and FT %. Will be the guy UCONN wants at the line at the end of games. Don't see how he doesn't start and get starter's minutes.
The fact that Adams and Bouknight are playing well puts pressure on the starters to up their game. The possibility of playing four guards is certainly a possibility at times. Wilson seems to fit into the flow of the game as well. The team looks to be legit 8 deep, with Whaley and Gaffney also being available for spot minutes.
All of this is so much better than the alternative that we've seen over the past few years, which was hoping a couple of kids emerged over the season, only to see those hopes dashed. Having an argument over which of seven kids should start is better than only having three or four kids worthy of starting. If things aren't working for a couple of kids on a particular night, there are options other than just taking the loss.

 

[80shusky]

Start Bouk at the 3 to help with scoring early so they aren't working out of a hole all the time. The problem is what you do with Polley and Akok's minutes and who you start at the four. Polley gives you the offense but Akok gives you the defense. Polley of course would see time at the 3 also so you'd have both of them on the floor sometimes. I'd like to see them integrate Akok into the offense more and run some stuff for him. Hard to take Polley out though because he is scoring but Bouk would replace that production.
I'm sure Hurley already realizes Bouk is the most talented player on roster. He just hasn't decided how to handle that yet. Or isn't showing it yet.

 

[CL82]

You can almost guarantee that CV will generate some head scratching moments but you can also guarantee he'll make some great plays. It's minimizing the former that has been issue over the years. I think Hurley is doing a good job with it.

Bouk's talent demands minutes. Personally, I'm not troubled at all if he doesn't start. I don't think he is either.

 

[Hi-Low]

Bouknight is clearly our best offensive player, just has that rare natural scorers ability you can't teach. The benefit of him starting is we aren't as likely to open zero for our first 6 possessions as we have occasion to at times.

I guess it will Polley's spot as can't see anyone else not starting.

 

[weyuo]

The season is still young. Hurley will figure out who is best on the court as the teams and situations change. Maybe one night it's best for Adams, Whalley or Wilson to play more. Some guys get hot, others have a lid on the hoop or get into foul trouble. There is nothing wrong with the starting lineup but I definitely see Polley or Carlton first ones out to change up strategies or protect from foul trouble. Bouknight is still new to the scene and needs to work on his D. He'll get his minutes. With this team I don't think it's as much as who starts as it is who finishes in a tight game.

 

[CZ BRAT]

In my eyes, the best line-up is inserting Boak at the 2, a true threat who opens up cleaner shots for "pure" shooter Polley and leaving our true microwave..Vital..coming off the bench.

 

[5rings]

I'm really happy BA has had something of a coming out party the past few games but he's nowhere near our best ball handler. I'd even put Vital ahead of him under real pressure. Until BA can beat a press against a good team without dribbling the ball off his foot out of bounds he still is who we think he is. My problem with BA is what happens if he misses his first shot. The body language is bad and he clearly gets down and it affects him and his teammates. I remember the game before he went off for 30 he missed his first shot and when they huddled Whaley had to almost forcefully pull him in. You never see that with Gilbert or Vital. Ever.

Akok is on another level when it comes to a great attitude. Bouk seems perfectly happy helping the team any way he can right now. Gaffney is clearly not ready for prime time but I like what I'm seeing from him so far. If Gilbert drives and kicks out like we know he can, he can probably average 7 assists and we'll only be wondering what seed we'll be come March.

 

[mauconnfan]

I agree. Polley is fine offensively and ok defensively, but he really needs to hit the boards hard. He is long enough that 5 rebounds per game should be expected at a minimum with starter's minutes.

Totally agree with this and have said it throughout my posts. It’s unacceptable for him to get less than 5.

 

[Stainmaster]

I trust whatever decision the guy who sees the kids in practice every day ends up making.

 

[ctchamps]

Bouknight is still not up to speed with his on player defense. Last thing I want to see is two quick fouls and him sitting for most of a half. Better to sub him in after opposing players are slightly tired. Better to have him available end of games. The Xavier game proved that. When he can play d without fouling it becomes a moot point.

It looked like Hurley was angrier at Akok and Josh than Tyler. Of course I was split screening the game with my son’s NFL game and he had sound on his game and my screen was smaller even though his eyes are better.

Glad everyone is on the Adams band wagon. Coachn and I called that one. I’m calling another. Tyler is starting to show aggression. Should he be getting more rebounds? Absolutely. But let’s not dismiss the changes he’s making. His improvement progression is being overlooked.

I’ll echo those comments about depth and flexibility with lineups. Hurley has both and who starts is less important than Hurley’s ability to create match up problems or adjust lineups to beat other teams.

 

[HHusky]

One of the least likely to "develope" over time is a player's motor. Don't expect Polley to become a board hound. I think he sits more.

 

[Bulldog]

All in on Bouknight starting. It’s not even close to crazy to say he’s the best player on the team so I can’t think of a valid reason why he shouldn’t start. That way it’d give Hurley his 3 guard lineup with Adams and Polley our first two off the bench. I don’t see any negatives in that scenario but then again I’m not the head coach of UConn. Danny will make the right call

I totally sgree with Bouknight starting and getting as many minutes he can comfortably handle. He’s just a superior talent that you have to take advantage of while you have him. Teams will know they have to control him from the get go. Freeing up Vital to get free more.
Figure out how you get JB his minutes. But get them. Let’s not pretend he’s one of four equals. Next year Jackson will present the same ‘problem’. Not a bad one to have.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Bouk’s just add water offense is perfect in the way he’s currently being used. He scores buckets without having to run sets. This allows us to continue to generate points as were resting the guys who are executing the offense. We can’t run 10 deep and grind teams down if that third rotation lineup can’t score.

 

[jibsey]

Watching KO, Hurley and in fact most college coaches they all follow the same formula, that is going with veterans in their programs. He is starting Polley, Gilbert and Vital, and Carlton. Get used to it. I used to beg on this board to give Enoch more time in favor of Brimah. Never happened. Akok starts because of size and position. I think Hurley might not want to wait till first timeout in certain situations though, getting a Bouk in there for maybe Vital. As long as the game stays tight early I like an effective sub rotation coming in with energy.

 

[SubbaBub]

JC has two jobs, rebound and keep defenses honest and not allowing them to extend on our guards who are interiorly challenged.

If you notice, the offense works better when JC gets a touch in the paint. Without it we'll all be complaining about our guards shot selection and inability to finish drives.

 

[WhartonHusky]

10 rebounds/game. Not so sure we should bench our leading scorer/ leading rebounder

You do realize Vital is NOT an efficient scorer and he doesn't grab that many contested rebounds. Bouknight can rebound just as well (given the minutes) and is already a more well rounded scorer. You lose nothing by replacing Vital with Bouk...it's a net positive. Let Vital feast on 2nd teamers.