Hurley on Ross

[HuskyWarrior611]

Playing well in ONE GAME does not make a STAR player.

Didn’t call him a star. He’s just not as unplayable as people in this thread make him out to be.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Well, arguments have been made in either direction, so let's see how the season plays out. In most cases the primary thing you want to see is a kid growing with the season, which hasn't been the case. General feeling here is that there is a place for JRoss, with a pretty clear ceiling. Seems like a great kid. I'm all for seeing him as part of this teams future as long as there are more options and insurance policies in place. Right now he doesn't look like a foundational player as much as an accessory, as way too many gaps in his game.

I'm sure if he comes out and lights it up out of the blue, one specific somebody will be ready to say I told you so .

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Sadly no lol...

As for Ross, I think he is blessed with more athleticism than JStew & apparently his response to coaching in practice is more favorable. Hurley knows if we fill in gaps in the mix with the portal, then not everyone is coming back. Maybe the game will slow down for Ross with PT, only can get experience by playing minutes.

I am much more of a JStew fan, but Dan Hurley sees the higher upside that Ross' quick twitch & lateral foot speed on D may bring. I see his point of view, though it wouldnt be my thinking. I dont think Dan Hurley can picture JStew ever playing D upto his standard, & if thats true, than giving Ross PT now is the right move from a defensive perspective & long term team development.

Ross biggest issue is that he brings nothing scoring wise right now. He’s clearly anxious whenever he is put in position to score based on the film.

The only way to fix that is to actively tell him to be aggressive and live with the mistakes as he figures out to become more comfortable scoring. Which I’m not sure is possible given the margin for error we’re in but it’s unlikely he’ll just flip a switch to become a great scorer. We’ll have to actively work with and challenge him to do it.

With Stewart, I don’t go as hard for him because his game doesn’t bring much outside of scoring. I haven’t seen as much of the intangibles that I do for Ross as far as working hard and being a team player rooting for your teammates. Not to say that he doesn’t do either, it’s just not on the level of Ross for both.

I’ve said this before, but it would probably be helpful to him if he got the plays Karaban got to become more of a creator. He’s showed a good knack for getting to the rim and finishing better than most on the team. Also has a general post game. But we haven’t done much but have him be a spot up 3 point shooter and then wonder why he drifts.

But he also has major turnover issues and defensive issues in general to go with it.

 

[Scrutineer]

These comments from Hurley are strange. Ross isn't going to turn into a physical specimen even if he's eating trenbologna sandwiches 24/7.

Ross has become much more "mature" physically since his freshman year so I don't know what he's talking about. He's no longer the "before" version of Charles Atlas.

To me his problem is lack of confidence, lack of surety about where he fits in offensively, whether he should be attacking the basket or taking outside shots, and thus he seems to always be forcing things.

 

[UConnStats]

Why are we cherry picking one game - in which he scored 2 points in 27 minutes along with the team low +/- - to justify Ross’ play? He has the worst dRAPM on the team, he can’t handle the ball, and has zero confidence in his jumper. Hurley can say anything he wants, but Ross has had plenty of opportunity and has only proven that he wasn’t ready for it.

 

[djct1999]

Doing a rewatch per @djct1999 request.

And here’s some notes based on his last game having more than 5 minutes, on the road against Marquette. I watched on YoutubeTV but if it’s possibly to go back and hyperlink the specific plays through the game available on the replay thread I will. (Teaser, you will be disappointed to find out not one pump fake was bitten on in his 27 mins of playing time).

Here at we see examples of both his handle AND passing (video should start at the play @2:25):


(Didn’t get start doing timestamps here yet but will see if I can edit this in)

Made a mistake inbounding the ball the first time Marquette pressured (but everyone makes that mistake these days)

35:46
Drives into the lane for a turnaround smooth pull up

Very next play
He provides great on ball pressure and nearly causes a turnover.

Very next play after break
Provides great help defense, guy just makes a really tough shot over him

40:27
Plays great post defense to cause a turnover then makes a nice pass to break the press that turns into Solo drawing a foul

42:30
Nice interior feed to Reed over a front that leads to a score

45:15
Draws a charge on Joplin

46:45
Beats his guy off the dribble and makes a dump off pass to Reed. Reed doesn’t finish though

48:51
Kam Jones hits a really tough contested 3 over him. The first points somebody scored on him all game.

52:28
Ross misses an open 3

2nd half

1:06:45
There’s a scrum on the floor that Ross tries leaking out for. Marquette gets the ball and finds his open man for a 3.

1:18:32
Kam Jones beats him off the dribble after a screen for a layup

1:19:04
Kam tries to attack Ross again and this time Ross strips him on the drive to the rim causing a turnover

1:21:44
Kam Jones takes him to the rim. Makes a good tough contested floater

1:22:10
Ross gets the shot clock grenade and he should’ve put it up earlier but gets a violation instead

1:29:10
Gets a look underneath the rim he probably should be aggressive with. He ends up finding Solo open for a 3 instead so it works out.

1:30:35
Terrific defense again on a drive by Marquette’s Ross to force a miss.

1:31:01
Struggles to catch a pass from Samson on a cut to the rim and it causes a shot clock violation. (subbed out after this)

1:48:36
Goes for a steal on the inbound pass and misses. Still recovers enough to force a missed layup.

1:49:18
Emphatic block to close out the game.

A for effort!

 

[UofCT]

Based on productivity, Reed should absolutely be starting. That's the biggest misuse of this roster, imo.

Now I agree!

 

[Umami Zen]

Pretty sure Dan's messaging was meant for more guys than just Ross. Time to show some fortitude and onions.

 

[Storrs South]

It's not a perfect example and maybe not one that will get folks overly excited but Ross could be on a similar trajectory as Samson. First two years little to no production, looks raw but the talent is visible at various points then junior year you start to see notable contributions off the bench as we did last year.

We aren't there in practice so we won't know what the staff sees but I don't think these comments are that big of a deal. It's not like he's going to play 25 minutes today or in the near term and if he does that means something really good or really bad happened.

 

[alphasigko]

Didn’t call him a star. He’s just not as unplayable as people in this thread make him out to be.

We need to agree to disagree. Btw, are you his brother? Just askin'....

 

[Fatroony5]

Ross is the worst rated player in UConn’s “rotation” via Torvik & Evan Miya. The data and eye test back up the fact that he’s just not really able to contribute to a good team right now. I think Danny likes the idea of what he could be but it’s not translating at all to the games, he’s a net negative on both ends. The question becomes: can he make a big enough leap into his junior season to contribute on a top ten/final four caliber team. Like a top option off the bench on a title contending team. Hard for me to see that as things stand.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

Didn’t call him a star. He’s just not as unplayable as people in this thread make him out to be.

he's far from unplayable. Give him some prolonged run without fear of a quick hook (if Dan Hurley verbalized it to him) and maybe some pace so we can go up and down, and I think you will be winning THIS argument (cant stand with you on most of the others lol). Gotta read/react instead of thinking too much. We will find out soon enough if this is idle coach talk or real PT changes

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

I think you will be winning THIS argument (cant stand with you on most of the others lol).

Just chipping away one argument at a time until we get Solo Ball starting at PG.

 

[Fatroony5]

Impeccably said and hard to argue but like death and taxes, 611 will inevitably have spun out anecdote.

As for the Samson comparison, a 5 and guard is two different animals. 5s are harder to find, have more defined roles and often take longer to develop. And hate to say it but has Samson delivered amazing ROI as a backup 5 into an underwhelming starter as a senior? Not sure that’s the bar going forward.

If they want to keep the program at an elite level, have to make roster decisions that reflect that. Theres a lot of blame to go around and it’s honestly a bit unfair for us to be critiquing this kids game so much. Sometimes Hurley makes things worse by drawing so much attention to it and seemingly putting a little extra pressure on him. He’s an end of rotation player that now has a ten page thread about him lol.

 

[Beowulf]

in practice where things are a tick slower you can def see how he'd get rave reviews. with the athleticism. could see how maybe some more jumpers fall or it's easier to get to the lane, given how our perimeter defense has looked.

so maybe he is a year away from putting it all together. but i don't think you can guarantee him an extended run. you need ball/karaban/diarra/liam out there for as long as possible, and reed and samson split the 5. everyone else gets a crack, use it or lose it.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

Just chipping away one argument at a time until we get Solo Ball starting at PG.

I retract any perceived endorsement of this and your other "theories", other than that Ross may surprise. Maybe he will be Gaffney-esque ? lol

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

I retract any perceived endorsement of this and your other "theories", other than that Ross may surprise. Maybe he will be Gaffney-esque ? lol

You don’t want to know what my dream rotation is for next year lol

 

[navery12]

You don’t want to know what my dream rotation is for next year lol

I consider myself a glutton for punishment, so I actually do want to know...

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

I consider myself a glutton for punishment, so I actually do want to know...

Solo
Mullins
Ross
Stewart
Reed

Nowell
Adams
Abraham
Reibe/Singare

Go into the summer letting Solo know it’s his show next year with a development plan for things to work on to be ready. That lineup is a tall, long, athletic, talented veteran group of upperclassmen with multiple years of experience together and in the program sans Mullins. Would come with great chemistry.

Solo is the guy. Mullins comes in with the 3 part and Hurley will work with him to get the D (pause). Ross and Stewart are the 2nd and 3rd options with Ross as the secondary ballhandler and playmaker. Reed obviously manning the paint.

Ahmad is the first guy off the bench with 20-25 mins a game in a role similar to Bazz and Kemba where he moves Ball to the 2 for stretches and maybe even closes games.

Adams gets time here and there as another guard off the bench at the 2/3. 1 if absolutely necessary if Ball and Nowell are in foul trouble.

Abraham subs in at the 3/4.

Reibe and Singare man’s minutes at center situationally. Singare for defense, Reibe for offense. Maybe even find minutes for Reibe at the four with his offensive skills at times we may want to go big.

Very deep, talented, veteran roster with a lot of options to go small or big, Offense/defense, etc.

That’s my crazy, mad, and sure to get clowned on this board vision for next year.

 

[pj]

Solo
Mullins
Ross
Stewart
Reed

Nowell
Adams
Abraham
Reibe/Singare

Go into the summer letting Solo know it’s his show next year with a development plan for things to work on to be ready. That lineup is a tall, long, athletic, talented veteran group of upperclassmen with multiple years of experience together and in the program sans Mullins. Would come with great chemistry.

Solo is the guy. Mullins comes in with the 3 part and Hurley will work with him to get the D (pause). Ross and Stewart are the 2nd and 3rd options with Ross as the secondary ballhandler and playmaker. Reed obviously manning the paint.

Ahmad is the first guy off the bench with 20-25 mins a game in a role similar to Bazz and Kemba where he moves Ball to the 2 for stretches and maybe even closes games.

Adams gets time here and there as another guard off the bench at the 2/3. 1 if absolutely necessary if Ball and Nowell are in foul trouble.

Abraham subs in at the 3/4.

Reibe and Singare man’s minutes at center situationally. Singare for defense, Reibe for offense. Maybe even find minutes for Reibe at the four with his offensive skills at times we may want to go big.

Very deep, talented, veteran roster with a lot of options to go small or big, Offense/defense, etc.

That’s my crazy, mad, and sure to get clowned on this board vision for next year.

Why is that roster better than this year's roster? It swaps Mullins for NcNeeley, Stewart for Karaban, Reibe for Samson, Ross for Diarra. That's no better than an even trade.

 

[Fatroony5]

Solo
Mullins
Ross
Stewart
Reed

Nowell
Adams
Abraham
Reibe/Singare

Go into the summer letting Solo know it’s his show next year with a development plan for things to work on to be ready. That lineup is a tall, long, athletic, talented veteran group of upperclassmen with multiple years of experience together and in the program sans Mullins. Would come with great chemistry.

Solo is the guy. Mullins comes in with the 3 part and Hurley will work with him to get the D (pause). Ross and Stewart are the 2nd and 3rd options with Ross as the secondary ballhandler and playmaker. Reed obviously manning the paint.

Ahmad is the first guy off the bench with 20-25 mins a game in a role similar to Bazz and Kemba where he moves Ball to the 2 for stretches and maybe even closes games.

Adams gets time here and there as another guard off the bench at the 2/3. 1 if absolutely necessary if Ball and Nowell are in foul trouble.

Abraham subs in at the 3/4.

Reibe and Singare man’s minutes at center situationally. Singare for defense, Reibe for offense. Maybe even find minutes for Reibe at the four with his offensive skills at times we may want to go big.

Very deep, talented, veteran roster with a lot of options to go small or big, Offense/defense, etc.

That’s my crazy, mad, and sure to get clowned on this board vision for next year.

UConn in its last ten games: one of the worst in the country in turnover % & basically rolling out one guard who can dribble/run point. Turning it over 1/5 possessions, ranking 322 in the country… The solution? Less dynamic guards & don’t even start one!

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Why is that roster better than this year's roster? It swaps Mullins for NcNeeley, Stewart for Karaban, Reibe for Samson, Ross for Diarra. That's no better than an even trade.

Diarra and Karaban aren’t talented enough to be star players. They’re amazing role players but we invested in them being stars this year.

Players like Stewart and Ross have the ceiling to do more if we give them the opportunities, shots, and rope we gave them IN MY OPINION.

The roster in general if developed right is a lot more talented than this year and if we can successfully develop Solo into a lead guard we don’t have the size issue anymore. It looks more like 2023 or 2024 on the perimeter.

Replacing Diarra, Karaban, and Samson would be like replacing RJ Cole and Tyrese Martin.

You may be scared at first, but the talented players behind those guys can actually be a lot better once you give them room to do so. Do we really have to make it seem like Samson will be a big loss? Lol

 

[sdglast]

Why is that roster better than this year's roster? It swaps Mullins for NcNeeley, Stewart for Karaban, Reibe for Samson, Ross for Diarra. That's no better than an even trade.

One thing, Mullins and Stewart make UConn a much quicker team. I love McNeeley, but he is quick for a 4 but not as quick at the 3. Mullins has really good lateral movement and Stewart, if he can ever figure it out, has significantly more athleticism than Karaban. Add in Riebe, who is a high level offensive player who can shoot with range (centers will have to leave the post to guard him) and Adams who is quick and gets to the hole, and think the athleticism of next year's team will be much better (along with more height). I am with a lot of guys who believe Hurley has to dip into the portal get transfers to help out. A kid like Poplar at Villanova would be the ideal type of add--lanky 6'6 kid who can score, defend, and is athletic. This year's team just doesn't have the right mix and seems slow. Getting more athletic will help a great deal.

 

[Drfla]

If we can get Ross going and confident by the end of the season, he can be a great leader heading into a breakout junior year next to Solo.

The type of guy you'd want young guys to learn from and follow like Andre if we can make him productive.

I just don’t like false narratives on our players. The guy was a former point guard before he hit his growth spurt. Yall are making stuff up to trash on the kid.

He did a great job of both against Marquette. He’s simply struggling to score.

struggling to score AND rebound. Have to be unbelievably good at everything else if you don’t score and rebound.

P.S. He’s not even close to unbelievably good at everything else. Average comes to mind

 

[Drfla]

Diarra and Karaban aren’t talented enough to be star players. They’re amazing role players but we invested in them being stars this year.

Players like Stewart and Ross have the ceiling to do more if we give them the opportunities, shots, and rope we gave them IN MY OPINION.

The roster in general if developed right is a lot more talented than this year and if we can successfully develop Solo into a lead guard we don’t have the size issue anymore. It looks more like 2023 or 2024 on the perimeter.

Replacing Diarra, Karaban, and Samson would be like replacing RJ Cole and Tyrese Martin.

You may be scared at first, but the talented players behind those guys can actually be a lot better once you give them room to do so. Do we really have to make it seem like Samson will be a big loss? Lol

Don’t see Solo as a lead guard. Have you seen him run the fast break. It hurts the eyes. Last game he turned a 2 on 1 into a turnover.
Let’s not repeat the AM experiment with Solo.
Solo is a great shooter who has not been very successful attacking the basket.