Hurley Post Game On Ross

[ctbro1999]

Hurley has said we might see McNeeley on ball more. I’m not sure how good his handle is but might be better than Ross. That would take some pressure off Ross and make our starting 5 really big.

I think positional size was definitely an advantage last year, especially at the guard positions. 6'4" Spencer/6'5" Newton/6'6" Castle....very few opponents could match our backcourt size and length, and it definitely caused issues for many opponents.

A 1-3 of Ball (6'4" but 6'9" wingspan), Ross (6'7"), and McNeeley or Stewart (both 6'7") would create similar matchup problems.

 

[navery12]

If Ball is able to play PG that opens up a ton of fun lineup combinations and more minutes for our best players. I've been skeptical but I hope he can do it. I don't doubt anything about Dan Hurley and his players though

 

[3rdbass]

Hurley has said we might see McNeeley on ball more. I’m not sure how good his handle is but might be better than Ross. That would take some pressure off Ross and make our starting 5 really big.

You mean Ball as PG, McNeeley as SG? Maybe but I think Ross has a pretty good handle. Exciting times and unlike last years team were the strength was at Guard this year's team it is at the forwards position.

 

[DogMania]

Hard not to get excited about this team. Add Ross to the mix even if he's half of what Hurley is saying shows how talented and deep this roster is. At his length, he's going to be a matchup nightmare on both ends of the floor if he's one of the guards. Imagine him on the floor with McNeeley and Karaban at the 4 & 5, all 6-7. That's a lot of length disrupting passing lanes, defense rebounding and weakside & on assignment blocks. On offense, 2 or all them will have length to shoot over their defenders and chase after some offensive rebounds. Not to mention all three have plus handles and are good passers.

Early on, their team D and technique to keep players in front of them, hedging and switching will be a work in progress, but once it all clicks, having 2 to 3 of these three on the floor will be a scary proposition for most teams. This depth plus that of the guards should keep the level of play and energy high. Most teams try to weather those segments in the game where key players are on the bench to catch their breath or due to foul trouble. The staff has such an array of talented multi-positional players, that throughout the majority of the 40 minutes they'll have multiple scoring threats and solid defenders to keep the productivity high and pressure on their opponent.

Based on what Hurley said there will be a number of players that will get a lot of run any given game, which will mean some of those same players in the mix might have moderate minutes depending on who's playing better and matchups. I can see games where the PT for Diarra, Stewart, Mahaney and Ross will differ from game to game.

We know Karaban, Samson, Reed, Ball and McNeeley will all get lots of PT most games. It's those prior 4 and maybe add Nowell into the mix that will end up competing for PT each night. I included Diarra because his PT could be impacted if Ross carves into the minutes at the guard position. The way Ball is playing, hard to see him not getting big time minutes every game. It will be interesting to see how Hurley divides up the minutes as the season goes on.

 

[3rdbass]

Hard not to get excited about this team. Add Ross to the mix even if he's half of what Hurley is saying shows how talented and deep this roster is. At his length, he's going to be a matchup nightmare on both ends of the floor if he's one of the guards. Imagine him on the floor with McNeeley and Karaban at the 4 & 5, all 6-7. That's a lot of length disrupting passing lanes, defense rebounding and weakside & on assignment blocks. On offense, 2 or all them will have length to shoot over their defenders and chase after some offensive rebounds. Not to mention all three have plus handles and are good passers.

Early on, their team D and technique to keep players in front of them, hedging and switching will be a work in progress, but once it all clicks, having 2 to 3 of these three on the floor will a scary proposition for most teams. This depth plus that of the guards should keep the level of play and energy high. Most teams try to weather those segments in the game where key players are on the bench to catch their breath or due to foul trouble. The staff has such an array of talented multi-positional players, that throughout the majority of the 40 minutes they'll have multiple scoring threats and solid defenders to keep the productivity and pressure on their opponent.

Based on what Hurley said there will be a number of players that will get a lot of run any given game, which will mean some of those same players in the mix might have moderate minutes depending on who's playing better and matchups. I can see games where the PT for Diarra, Stewart, Mahaney and Ross will differ from game to game.

We know Karaban, Samson, Reed, Ball and McNeeley will all get lots of PT most games. It's those prior 4 and maybe add Nowell into the mix that will end up competing for PT each night. I included Diarra because his PT could be impacted if Ross carves into the minutes at the guard position. The way Ball is playing, hard to see him not getting big time minutes every game. It will be interesting to see how early divides up the minutes as the season goes on.

Mahaney will get minutes before Nowell just do to his shooting. He will rebound in that area I'm sure.

 

[ddent68]

You mean Ball as PG, McNeeley as SG? Maybe but I think Ross has a pretty good handle. Exciting times and unlike last years team were the strength was at Guard this year's team it is at the forwards position.

I mean a more positionless line up. I thought Ross’s handle looked a little suspect in the exhibition. I know he played point in his younger days but I don’t think we need to put labels on these guys. Hurley suggested Liam might handle it more and we know Alex can facilitate. Ross might be fine bringing it up as well as Solo I don’t know but Dan definitely liked the big line ups and he said so. Hurley made it apparent that he needs to get Ross on the floor and that will have to come at the expense of the traditional point guard position.

 

[inWV]

The way Hurely builds the offense avoids putting square players in round holes. The offense evolves was the players' individual games evolve. If Ross is indeed breaking through, of course they are going to design sets and player combos to take advantage of that. As a player, I would take playing less minutes in an offense that is taking advantage of my skills and putting me in a position to succeed when I am on the court, rather than playing 40 minutes in an offense that features just a couple of players and doesn't work half the time.

 

[NewBlood]

Hurley sees the best opponents relying on 3 point game. Having length outside is a major game changer

Give him length, he will build a defensive fire

 

[HuskyBoi]

Hurley would never say this if he didn't know for damn sure the player can back it up.
In Hurley we trust

 

[Lambeau]

Last years' guards were reputedly tall, but Cam and Tristen were 6'3" at the NBA Combine, almost same as Aidan at 6'3", Hass at 6'2".
Interestingly, Casle was 6'5 1/2" and Solo 6'3", but Solo has a slightly longer wingspan at 6'10" to 6'9", so similar as a functional defender.
If you play Ross, McNeeley, and Solo together, as Danny is threatening, the perimeter defense is huge.
But even without Ross, the backcourt is bigger than last year, since Aidan and Hass won't play together.

 

[husky429]

Last years' guards were reputedly tall, but Cam and Tristen were 6'3" at the NBA Combine, almost same as Aidan at 6'3", Hass at 6'2".
Interestingly, Casle was 6'5 1/2" and Solo 6'3", but Solo has a slightly longer wingspan at 6'10" to 6'9", so similar as a functional defender.
If you play Ross, McNeeley, and Solo together, as Danny is threatening, the perimeter defense is huge.
But even without Ross, the backcourt is bigger than last year, since Aidan and Hass won't play together.

You're assuming that Aidan and Hass would be their loisted heights at the combine. They wouldn't. Everybody gets a 1 or 2in boost on the official roster.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

there is a line between coach speak....and Truth.

He mentioned Ross four different times in 12 minute presser, without being asked.

He was asked about Hassan not starting and he talked about Ross.

He is either trying to a) build his confidence, b)set high expectations or 3)Dan Hurley genuinely believes it.

I think all 3 might be true on this one, though choice b) can definitely backfire

 

[Kitaman]

I'm sure glad I don't have to decide who plays how many minutes. We're talented, we're deep, we have great kids, I love them all and I enjoy watching them all

Hurley has to be the greatest salesmen in college basketball. Keeping this much talent on a team season after season and still keep the harmony, peace, joy and unity, makes Hurley the top Coach in the land. I don't see any coach that can manage to keep his bench players intact, committed and loyal.

I suspect his sales pitch is a 'Championship Family' style pitch. Makes sense if so, because he's the only Coach in the Nation qualified to sell this.

 

[caw]

So, when Ball and Ross played together in high school, did either play PG? I can't recall.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Last years' guards were reputedly tall, but Cam and Tristen were 6'3" at the NBA Combine, almost same as Aidan at 6'3", Hass at 6'2".
Interestingly, Casle was 6'5 1/2" and Solo 6'3", but Solo has a slightly longer wingspan at 6'10" to 6'9", so similar as a functional defender.
If you play Ross, McNeeley, and Solo together, as Danny is threatening, the perimeter defense is huge.
But even without Ross, the backcourt is bigger than last year, since Aidan and Hass won't play together.

You really have to use the eye test. Example I guarantee at the combine without shoes Taris will measure at least two inches taller than Sanogo. I have not looked at what Taris is officially listed at but I think it is 6’10”, Sanogo I know was listed at 6’9” at UConn and I think at the combine he was measured below 6’7” w/o shoes. I am not saying Taris is or will be better than Adama but to my eye he is at least two inches taller than Sanogo. I also like how wide he is.

The great Al Maguire coined the term aircraft carrier for big men that take up space in the lane. Taris and of course DC are aircraft carriers. The width makes a difference especially when it is coupled with length. DC had both of those and so does Taris. Hurley got it right between Samson and Taris we will be fine at center.

He knows his challenge is finding the right guard combos. Karaban and McNeeley are going to play the most minutes followed by I am guessing Ball. The 40 minutes at center are spoken for. I think 60 minutes a game between AK and Liam is a lock. So 100 of the 200 minutes are spoken for. The battle for the remaining 100 minutes will be a war.

Practices will be intense. Worried about to intense then a practice injury but it seems every one of our great teams even under JC seemed to have more injuries in practice than games.

 

[Northbound]

As long as we don’t hear “Ferrari sitting in the garage” - th

there is a line between coach speak....and Truth.

He mentioned Ross four different times in 12 minute presser, without being asked.

He was asked about Hassan not starting and he talked about Ross.

He is either trying to a) build his confidence, b)set high expectations or 3)Dan Hurley genuinely believes it.

I think all 3 might be true on this one, though choice b) can definitely backfire

Correct on B the phrase “Ferrari sitting in the garage” comes to mind. Rodney was sunk after that perceptually.

 

[jibsey]

2 questions. Is Ross back Saturday, and how is it possible for a guy who has barely played last year to be our best player? Wouldn’t his talent in practice have forced a few more minutes last year?
Sorry that was 3 questions.

 

[superjohn]

2 questions. Is Ross back Saturday, and how is it possible for a guy who has barely played last year to be our best player? Wouldn’t his talent in practice have forced a few more minutes last year?
Sorry that was 3 questions.

He's not our best player.

 

[inWV]

there is a line between coach speak....and Truth.

He mentioned Ross four different times in 12 minute presser, without being asked.

He was asked about Hassan not starting and he talked about Ross.

He is either trying to a) build his confidence, b)set high expectations or 3)Dan Hurley genuinely believes it.

I think all 3 might be true on this one, though choice b) can definitely backfire

Hass is a nice defender and plays well within the offense, but is limited from the perimeter.

 

[Rico444]

2 questions. Is Ross back Saturday, and how is it possible for a guy who has barely played last year to be our best player? Wouldn’t his talent in practice have forced a few more minutes last year?
Sorry that was 3 questions.

Yeah I'm really interested to see how he looks when he's back. I'm not saying Dan is exaggerating, but Ross didn't even see the court for the majority of the season last year, and now he's starting? It's possible, but Hurley also said that Samson had wall potential, so there is a history of coach speak from him.

 

[HooperScooper]

Last years' guards were reputedly tall, but Cam and Tristen were 6'3" at the NBA Combine, almost same as Aidan at 6'3", Hass at 6'2".

You're comparing 2 different height measurements. In college the players' heights are listed with shoes on, which generally adds 1" to 1.5" to a player's height in bare feet. And if a player is in between an inch (e.g. 6-5.5) they round up.

At the NBA Draft Combine they measure players in bare feet. Before the last 2 years they measured both in bare feet and with basketball shoes on. (see 2022 NBA Draft Combine Measurements - Draft Combine Anthrometric | Stats | NBA.com).

For example, Karaban was measured at 6-6.5 in bare feet at the draft combine. With shoes he's probably 6-7.5. He's listed by UConn at 6-8.

 

[superjohn]

You're comparing 2 different height measurements. In college the players' heights are listed with shoes on, which generally adds 1" to 1.5" to a player's height in bare feet. And if a player is in between an inch (e.g. 6-5.5) they round up.

At the NBA Draft Combine they measure players in bare feet. Before the last 2 years they measured both in bare feet and with basketball shoes on. (see 2022 NBA Draft Combine Measurements - Draft Combine Anthrometric | Stats | NBA.com).

For example, Karaban was measured at 6-6.5 in bare feet at the draft combine. With shoes he's probably 6-7.5. He's listed by UConn at 6-8.

For some reason Clingan and Edey were listed basically their real barefoot height in college and now the NBA. They always would've been listed as 7'3 and 7'5 in the past for both college and the NBA.

Basically the majority of the new players in the NBA have shrunk according to college listings and now NBA listings. The veteran players in the league all have that built in 1.5 inch height increase.

 

[DRBackup]

2 questions. Is Ross back Saturday, and how is it possible for a guy who has barely played last year to be our best player? Wouldn’t his talent in practice have forced a few more minutes last year?
Sorry that was 3 questions.

Attitude, approach, preparation, mindset, maturity. Go watch a game from last year that Ross got into. He seems like a spaz. He was immature. Maybe he got it on his own, maybe someone got in his ear and then he got it. But he decided he to dedicate himself to getting better, maybe in the weight room, etc. That's what made MJ the best ever - his competitiveness drove him to work harder than everyone else all the time. If you start with his talent and do that, you end up the GOAT.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Last years' guards were reputedly tall, but Cam and Tristen were 6'3" at the NBA Combine, almost same as Aidan at 6'3", Hass at 6'2".
Interestingly, Casle was 6'5 1/2" and Solo 6'3", but Solo has a slightly longer wingspan at 6'10" to 6'9", so similar as a functional defender.
If you play Ross, McNeeley, and Solo together, as Danny is threatening, the perimeter defense is huge.
But even without Ross, the backcourt is bigger than last year, since Aidan and Hass won't play together.

It would not surprise me if Aiden's 6'3" is as legitimate as Cam's 6'5" that he was listed as last season.

 

[bendm]

If Ball is able to play PG that opens up a ton of fun lineup combinations and more minutes for our best players. I've been skeptical but I hope he can do it. I don't doubt anything about Dan Hurley and his players though

yeah i think ball would be just fine as our de facto "point guard" just b/c he can defend other PGs. otherwise in a positionless offensive system based on constant ball movement we dont need a traditional PG to run the offense. we'll have four guys on the floor at any given time that can bring the ball up and break a press. id say we only need a traditional C for defensive purposes and we have two.