Hurley Planning on an 8 man rotation

[SaeHusky]

From today's Courant:
Hurley plans an eight-man rotation where all eight get starter minutes, including the first guard, first forward and maybe the first guard/wing off the bench playing significant roles.
“You want to be in the top eight,” he said, “and if you don’t earn the top eight, you settle into the role we need you in.”

Seems like the 8 are probably: Cole, Hawkins, Gaffney at guards, Martin and Jackson at wing forward, and Whaley, Akok, and Sanogo in the front court.
Perhaps Polley will be sprinkled in here and there. Diggins, Springs, Johnson, and Floyd (Hoping he just redshirts) are probably not going to get many minutes to begin the year

 

[UofCT]

I can see Johnson replacing Akok.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I just can't see Polley coming back and not having a role. But maybe Jackson and Hawkins have played significantly better.

 

[ucp990411]

Going to some awfully upset players. As I have stated before, team chemistry might be an issue

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I just can't see Polley coming back and not having a role. But maybe Jackson and Hawkins have played significantly better.

I keep forgetting about Tyler when I project and think about the upcoming season. He’s been recruited over each of the last 4 seasons but there is always room for a 6’9 guy who can hit over 35% of his threes.

 

[uchusky32]

Polley/Jackson polar opposites. If Jacksons shot, supposed, improvement doesn't show itself in games could be outside the 8. But Polley has to play some D and rebound. If he doesn't do that then he's outside the 8.

 

[gtcam]

an 8 man rotation with 12 kids who can play may not be the best solution and it will cause chemistry issues
Dan Hurley better talk to some coaches who have handled this situation on the D1 level because this is all so new to him

 

[BPT2Storrs]

The article says 8 will get “starter minutes” not that the others won’t play. The guys not in the top 8 just need to earn there minutes. Hopefully this lights a fire and ultimately everyone gets better because of it.

 

[NJHoops]

Eight guys will get starter-like minutes (more or less), ten guys will be around double digit minutes. Five players are not going to sit around doing nothing. C’mon, now.

 

[businesslawyer]

Coaches make statements all the time for purposes other than that they are true. Motivating players. Relaxing fanbases. Getting reporters off their backs.

I get why people want to analyze these statements, but remember that Hurley doesn't necessarily believe these words as they come out of his mouth, and that's before even considering how much his view of the team could change between now and the trip to the Bahamas.

 

[ucp990411]

Starter like minutes means to me close to 25 minutes a game. 8x25=200. If I was a starter I want more than 25 minutes.

 

[superjohn]

Going to some awfully upset players. As I have stated before, team chemistry might be an issue

This is the best possible thing for the team, for any team. UConn went all these recent years with no real competition for minutes and they weren't any good because of it we, they finally have it now. There's a lot of very good players who are going to battle for minutes, that's what pushes teams to be better.

 

[8893]

Coaches make statements all the time for purposes other than that they are true. Motivating players. Relaxing fanbases. Getting reporters off their backs.

I get why people want to analyze these statements, but remember that Hurley doesn't necessarily believe these words as they come out of his mouth, and that's before even considering how much his view of the team could change between now and the trip to the Bahamas.

Yeah Hurley is even less reliable than Calhoun in terms of the odds of getting anything meaningful or truth-based out of his comments. I have found it most healthy to put zero stock in what he says, and a lot of stock in what he does.

 

[TheChamps990411]

I keep forgetting about Tyler when I project and think about the upcoming season. He’s been recruited over each of the last 4 seasons but there is always room for a 6’9 guy who can hit over 35% of his threes.

Problem is he doesnt do much of anything else and is a horrendous defensive player so when does he get minutes? I mean hes got to see minutes because he can shoot but his minutes will need to be first half let him get a few shots and if hes hot he gets more if not he rides the pine the rest of the night.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Starter like minutes means to me close to 25 minutes a game. 8x25=200. If I was a starter I want more than 25 minutes.

This wont be for the season. I think the 8 will make up the rotations hes going to work until he finds one that really clicks and thatll be the 5 going forward and theyll ultimately see the most minutes.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Obviously not wishing for it, but with the intensity of practices and games you have to figure there'll be one or two guys at least nicked up enough to be out for some games. We'll need and be better off with a long and effective bench. Let's wear out other teams with physicality and running fast!

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Polley/Jackson polar opposites. If Jacksons shot, supposed, improvement doesn't show itself in games could be outside the 8. But Polley has to play some D and rebound. If he doesn't do that then he's outside the 8.

If Jackson had Polley’s shot he would have been gone already
If Polley had Jackson’s athleticism he would be gone also .
So we would have two less guys to worry about playing time.
Their imperfections are fine with me me because watching kids work on improving their weaknesses and growing as players is one of the things I love about college basketball.
It’s a long season and unforeseen things happen. It will work out.

 

[navery12]

From today's Courant:
Hurley plans an eight-man rotation where all eight get starter minutes, including the first guard, first forward and maybe the first guard/wing off the bench playing significant roles.
“You want to be in the top eight,” he said, “and if you don’t earn the top eight, you settle into the role we need you in.”

Seems like the 8 are probably: Cole, Hawkins, Gaffney at guards, Martin and Jackson at wing forward, and Whaley, Akok, and Sanogo in the front court.
Perhaps Polley will be sprinkled in here and there. Diggins, Springs, Johnson, and Floyd (Hoping he just redshirts) are probably not going to get many minutes to begin the year

Hurley has already said Polley will be playing starter like minutes, so if there's 8 he's gonna be one of the 8

 

[UCPharma11]

Going to some awfully upset players. As I have stated before, team chemistry might be an issue

Get outta here with the bad mojo. Team>> individual.

 

[Guapo]

Best use of Polley is as a hot hand.

Let him take a few shots; if he’s hot he stays in and if he’s not he needs to get off the court

 

[Kitaman]

I'm not convinced he means 8. I suspect he's keeping the competitiveness juices high.

But that's just me.

 

[Tampahusky]

I see 8 man rotation come tourney time but we have so many cupcakes early I see a lot of players eating

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Starter like minutes means to me close to 25 minutes a game. 8x25=200. If I was a starter I want more than 25 minutes.

You sound like a guy who would be disruptive to team chemistry.

 

[ucp990411]

You sound like a guy who would be disruptive to team chemistry.

Not me. I am a team player.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I'm not convinced he means 8. I suspect he's keeping the competitiveness juices high.

But that's just me.

Also could mean 8 man rotation but not necessarily the same eight every game.

As others have mentioned, Sanogo, Whaley and Cole are penciled in. Martin looks to be solid as the #4. Short of foul trouble I see each of them getting 20+ every game. I think Sanogo, Whaley and Cole will be north of 25 minutes. So, I'll go 27+27+27+22. That's 103.

That leaves the four of Akok, Jackson, Polley, Gaffney and Hawkins fighting for the minutes for four spots each night and a total of 97 minutes. IF all five played equally that's still 19 minutes apiece each game. Not unreasonable to see one of those five just not clicking or meshing with team based on opponent and some nights getting 20+ minutes and some nights getting 6-8.

Diggins has been dinged up and seems to be the obvious choice of odd man out of the guards. Springs is odd man out up front. Between Akok and Johnson between a rotation player, I'll go with Akok. If Floyd can give anything this year, it's a bonus.

Also, as should be stated every season, injuries have a marvelous way of making it all work out.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I don't believe this.

Our team is deeeeep and if we have a shortened bench, it wouldn't be until deep into the BET and March Madness.

 

[McLovin]

Hurley recruits winners. Maybe Kentucky & Duke who are filled with a bunch of prima donnas would have “chemistry” issues over playing time. But Hurley recruits high character. Don’t expect someone not getting minutes to effect the team chemistry.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

Eight guys will get starter-like minutes (more or less), ten guys will be around double digit minutes. Five players are not going to sit around doing nothing. C’mon, now.

Why not? I am pretty sure the two best teams in the country last year played no more than 8 guys meaningful minutes. Having a 10 man rotation just so guys aren't "sitting around doing nothing" does not seem like the best way to win basketball games.

 

[elmcityboy]

i think calling his plan an "8-man rotation" is a little misleading -- if you watch the entire media availability, he talks about playing 10 guys, with the first big, first guard, and first wing off the bench getting starter-level minutes. seems to indicate that these roles are going to be flexible and will have a lot to do with how guys (especially the freshmen) distinguish themselves in the coming weeks.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Hurley has traditionally leaned on small lineups, so I would think the forwards will be the ones getting cut back. Carlton averaged 11 mpg last year (which doesn't include a couple of DNP's) yet he is good enough to be recruited by one of last year's Final Four teams.