Hurley Post Game On Ross

[Palatine]

Hurley has been telling us. But it sure was nice to see it with our own eyes. In some ways it reminded me of Calhoun saying Jeremy Lamb was this incredible shooter and "special player." But we didn't see it on the court... until we saw it on the court.

We saw it last night. The confident shooting, the high end athleticism translating on both ends of the floor, you could also see that his teammates believed in him. It was a WOW moment.

 

[dennismenace]

The one thing that’s always stood out these last couple of years is that most coaches prepare to play against the other team’s starting 5. With UConn you’ve got to play against a starting 10.

Endless permutations. Giving opposing coaches nightmares.

 

[Hunt for 7]

The reality is that Diarra got Ross going in the second half.

What senior leadership should do with young talent. He put him in a position to succeed and Ross took it from there. Actually a real old time point guard their job was to get the rest of the team involved.

Not sure how it happened matters as much as that it did happen. We saw a 6’7” player who is quick enough (and will be coached up defensively) that can cover an elite bigger two guard or even be quick enough to cover some point guards. I like what he brings to table more than his offense but he is effective on both ends of the floor.

We will need his defensive flexibility to become the team we want to become.

 

[JerseyAlum]

Grain of salt time; it was XL Center vs UNH

My 2 game thought is that Maheney has the best handle and best shot over Diarra. He played much better last night than last Wednesday for sure. Diarra did not. I did see him at time play incredible 1:1 defense but somehow the UNH player got the shot to fall in - Mahaney was a blanket at times. So defensive intensity is there, maybe not overall D.

Reed Jr > Johnson

S5 should be:

1. Maheney
2. Ross
3. McNeeley
4. Karaban
5. Reed, Jr.

That is some serious offense and defense and height. Would think by Baylor game this will be it.

 

[navery12]

Grain of salt time; it was XL Center vs UNH

My 2 game thought is that Maheney has the best handle and best shot over Diarra. He played much better last night than last Wednesday for sure. Diarra did not. I did see him at time play incredible 1:1 defense but somehow the UNH player got the shot to fall in - Mahaney was a blanket at times. So defensive intensity is there, maybe not overall D.

Reed Jr > Johnson

S5 should be:

1. Maheney
2. Ross
3. McNeeley
4. Karaban
5. Reed, Jr.

That is some serious offense and defense and height. Would think by Baylor game this will be it.

Solo Ball is not being benched, that is insane

 

[UC0NN]

Ross - I zeroed in on him the entire second half he was in the game. He tried to jump passing lanes and had a lot of near steals. He was so hyperactive on defense, I'm not sure how any player can have that much intensity while playing real minutes. Which he did. He guarded his man tight and you could see that quickness with his arms and legs - wow.

Now he wasn't exactly guarding Tristen Newton out there, but I'm sure he has in practice.

So yeah, it's a really small sample size. But, he's extremely active on defense with an insane intensity. Can he play this way longer term without fouling a lot? I have no idea. But you can definitely see that intensity, quickness, and length?

Kid can get to the rim it seems, but again small sample size. Last year he seemed to have a midrange game. Small sample size. Can he shoot 3s in games? We'll, we will find out over the next several games. Some guys just never miss 3s in shootaround like Bouknight, Clingan, Ball, etc.

So yeah, it's way too early to get caught up on Ross. But it was fascinating to see him play defense with his athleticism/quickness/intensity. I'm like wow. Despite Hurley saying he's been one of the best players on practice.

 

[temery]

Take your pissing matches to a DM and stop turning threads into a your own bitchy little conversations.

 

[HuskyFich]

The argument is: 1 good game vs New Hampshire is a great sign for his development but no indication that he’s instantly a sure fire top 10 pick and the most athletic player in UConn history.

Ahhh. I Didn’t say either of those things, and argued against one of them…but it’s okay, we can revisit this in February.

Dan Hurley said it. The eye ball test passes. Time will tell.

 

[UofCT]

Grain of salt time; it was XL Center vs UNH

My 2 game thought is that Maheney has the best handle and best shot over Diarra. He played much better last night than last Wednesday for sure. Diarra did not. I did see him at time play incredible 1:1 defense but somehow the UNH player got the shot to fall in - Mahaney was a blanket at times. So defensive intensity is there, maybe not overall D.

Reed Jr > Johnson

S5 should be:

1. Maheney
2. Ross
3. McNeeley
4. Karaban
5. Reed, Jr.

That is some serious offense and defense and height. Would think by Baylor game this will be it.

Ball???

 

[Stinger92860]

Well, I'll tell you what he did not look like last year - THAT. Wow

Hard to explain what I saw last year. Almost like his thought processes hadn't caught up to what his body could do yet ? And when I say spaz, I mean, like if someone with average athelticism was suddenly transported into Jayden's body. Like he hadn't figured out how to control his athleticism yet.

We certainly did not see this last year, but I do recall a game last year when he came in late. He drove into the lane and pulled up for a 10 foot jumper which he hit. I was surprised he could do that and it stuck with me. That shot is not easy. It requires ball control, footwork, body control, and a soft touch.

When on D, it looked like Ross was thinking too much and he seem super juiced. I said to my wife that he needs to slow down so he can go fast. I was wondering why Dan Hurley was sticking with him and I said Dan Hurley has seen something in practice And he wants to see if it translates into the game. I am super juiced myself now, as I want to see if he can make the jump this year. This could be special.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

When on D, it looked like Ross was thinking too much and he seem super juiced. I said to my wife that he needs to slow down so he can go fast. I was wondering why Dan Hurley was sticking with him and I said Dan Hurley has seen something in practice And he wants to see if it translates into the game. I am super juiced myself now, as I want to see if he can make the jump this year. This could be special.

I’ve never seen someone want the steal and breakaway dunk so bad. He came close a few times. Hell of a lot easier to reign in that intensity on D than it is to motivate someone who doesn’t have enough.

 

[AllHusky]

Exactly this. Ive been waiting to see Ross and he surpassed my expectation. He looks like the best athlete not only on the floor but that ive seen at Uconn ever. Yes im including Ajax. I have never seen a Uconn player at his size so quick off that first step. He may force his way into the starting lineup at some point as he gets more comfortable on the court. Defensively with his speed and length is an absolute nightmare to deal with and he should only get better as the season goes on. He can shoot, drive, defend and is an elite level athlete he can be as good as he wants to be and do so this season. What i saw on the floor tonight unless it was some sort of illusion is a special talent who has no business being in a uconn uniform next season. He should be a top 10 pick easily. He should be an explosive scorer at the next level. Ok overreaction criticisms are welcome.

Holy cow! Missed game last night, can't wait to see this with my own eyes.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Grain of salt time; it was XL Center vs UNH

My 2 game thought is that Maheney has the best handle and best shot over Diarra. He played much better last night than last Wednesday for sure. Diarra did not. I did see him at time play incredible 1:1 defense but somehow the UNH player got the shot to fall in - Mahaney was a blanket at times. So defensive intensity is there, maybe not overall D.

Reed Jr > Johnson

S5 should be:

1. Maheney
2. Ross
3. McNeeley
4. Karaban
5. Reed, Jr.

That is some serious offense and defense and height. Would think by Baylor game this will be it.

We saw the game with different eyes. I saw the game still close in the 2nd half when Diarra turned the game on both sides of the floor for 4-5 consecutive possessions.

I don’t see Mahaney playing within the offense (yet). Even his makes weren’t necessarily the right “read” yet.

You have to stay with him and hope more game action in the system turns the light on, but right now, as expected, Hass is facilitating better.

 

[controlfade]

We saw the game with different eyes. I saw the game still close in the 2nd half when Diarra turned the game on both sides of the floor for 4-5 consecutive possessions.

I don’t see Mahaney playing within the offense (yet). Even his makes weren’t necessarily the right “read” yet.

You have to stay with him and hope more game action in the system turns the light on, but right now, as expected, Hass is facilitating better.

I couldn’t agree more, Mahaney looks out of place. I do expect his offense will come around and play better within the system. The scary part is he’s a defensive liability so far. Him getting beat on inbounds plays for layups is disappointing. Even pressing full court guy would make 2 dribbles and blow bye him.

 

[Samoo]

Take your pissing matches to a DM and stop turning threads into a your own bitchy little conversations.

Preach!!!

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I couldn’t agree more, Mahaney looks out of place. I do expect his offense will come around and play better within the system. The scary part is he’s a defensive liability so far. Him getting beat on inbounds plays for layups is disappointing. Even pressing full court guy would make 2 dribbles and blow bye him.

Not sure I agree on the press. He was largely pretty effective pressing and keeping his guy in front of him, which candidly surprised me a bit given he doesn’t have the best lateral quickness. He's clearly still learning the offense but is largely taking good shots. Not sure he’s entirely cast right as a facilitator, but Hurley clearly thinks so, so I’ll defer judgement.

 

[HooperScooper]

“One thing about this program is development is a key piece,” Ross said Saturday night at the XL Center, where he made his season debut and was spectacular for a second-half stretch of UConn’s 92-53 victory over New Hampshire.

“So last year, it’s not like I was just rotting on the bench behind a bunch of great players. I play against these guys every day. I learn from them every single day.”

Just what you like to hear. Good culture Hurley has going.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Jayden Ross potentially looks like the best NBA prospect on our team, like right now.

He is doing whatever he wants and his athleticism is so far above everyone else…ajax like.

you mean after Alex of course!

 

[metsfan2323]

Ross' stellar play (and Reed's) makes the chances of a 3peat very real. This team is loaded, the deepest 1-12 we have ever had IMO.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Ross looked absolutely amazing last night on both ends of the floor. That improves the overall quality of a very deep team. There is nobody getting any playing time who doesn't look like they belong on the #3 (at this time) team in the nation. Nowell and Abraham can both play.

The big lineup that was mentioned - Ross, Ball, McNeeley, Karaban and Johnson/Reed Jr. would be really long and with a ton of shooting and offensive options. Ball I think can handle the point on the offensive side. My prime concern would be guarding a very quick & deceptive point guard without a Clingan guarding the paint. The kind of guy who can break down a defense routinely, and a Diarra or even a Nowell would be needed.

It'll be a fun year. If it jells it'll be amazing.

 

[Waquoit]

“So last year, it’s not like I was just rotting on the bench behind a bunch of great players. I play against these guys every day. I learn from them every single day.”

Last year, whenever he got the call he always seemed to hit his marks on both sides of the floor. He was true to the bench guy credo "First, do no harm." A year later he's ready to give us more. We really got some guys.

 

[jibsey]

Ross' stellar play (and Reed's) makes the chances of a 3peat very real. This team is loaded, the deepest 1-12 we have ever had IMO.

Yes, let’s just see how Ross looks against the big boys in a couple weeks.

 

[gsmooth]

“One thing about this program is development is a key piece,” Ross said Saturday night at the XL Center, where he made his season debut and was spectacular for a second-half stretch of UConn’s 92-53 victory over New Hampshire.

“So last year, it’s not like I was just rotting on the bench behind a bunch of great players. I play against these guys every day. I learn from them every single day.”

Just what you like to hear. Good culture Hurley has going.

That is a really good recruiting soundbite for the coaches to utilize.

 

[JerseyAlum]

We saw the game with different eyes. I saw the game still close in the 2nd half when Diarra turned the game on both sides of the floor for 4-5 consecutive possessions.

I don’t see Mahaney playing within the offense (yet). Even his makes weren’t necessarily the right “read” yet.

You have to stay with him and hope more game action in the system turns the light on, but right now, as expected, Hass is facilitating better.

Oh definitely - I was on an iPhone watching in landscape while also watching some TV with the wife. So my bad - I should not be posting if I cannot follow well.