Hurley Post Game Quotes

[Towney007]

And they don't 'lack intensity'. They lack foot speed, the ability to finish, general athleticism and were raised in a college basketball culture where as soon as you were down by double digits, you waived the white flag, didn't have to go to the weight room, where summer workouts were totally optional and they weren't taught how to run offenses, defensive schemes or anything relative to being a successful college basketball program.

At least they were told to go to class, so there's that.

 

[Kenny11]

Almost all of those reasons have to do with the inherent shortcomings of players that the coach did not recruit

Players the coach did not recruit: Vital, Gilbert, Wilson, Polley, Carlton, Whaley. St. Joseph's would kill to have these guys on their roster and most coaches in our current conference would love to have these guys (besides Whaley). Sure, some may not be perfect for Hurley's system, but he has enough talent to work with and have a good season. The "losing culture" thing is mostly a myth. You can't use that excuse 2 years in a row.

 

[Towney007]

Players the coach did not recruit: Vital, Gilbert, Wilson, Polley, Carlton, Whaley. St. Joseph's would kill to have these guys on their roster and most coaches in our current conference would love to have these guys (besides Whaley). Sure, some may not be perfect for Hurley's system, but he has enough talent to work with and have a good season. The "losing culture" thing is mostly a myth. You can't use that excuse 2 years in a row.

A myth? It's literally been rubbing it's nuts all over your face for four years now.

 

[intlzncster]

And they don't 'lack intensity'. They lack foot speed, the ability to finish, general athleticism and were raised in a college basketball culture where as soon as you were down by double digits, you waived the white flag, didn't have to go to the weight room, where summer workouts were totally optional and they weren't taught how to run offenses, defensive schemes or anything relative to being a successful college basketball program.

At least they were told to go to class, so there's that.

I don't know, Borges mentioned Hurley commenting on Alterique. And he often calls them too nice.

But we are obv in agreement on the rest.

 

[Tenspro2002]

And they don't 'lack intensity'. They lack foot speed, the ability to finish, general athleticism and were raised in a college basketball culture where as soon as you were down by double digits, you waived the white flag, didn't have to go to the weight room, where summer workouts were totally optional and they weren't taught how to run offenses, defensive schemes or anything relative to being a successful college basketball program.

At least they were told to go to class, so there's that.

A lot of these guys are soft, we know that. I don't know what people expect Hurley to do to change their personalities, other than bringing in new personnel.

Hurley did the karmically-correct thing by bringing everyone back last year, but you can guarantee he's wishing he could accelerate the roster turnover without having to be a ____ and kick guys out.

 

[Kenny11]

A myth? It's literally been rubbing it's nuts all over your face for four years now.

So players have never gone through a bad season, had a coaching change and then had some success? Or are they permanently ruined from what they went through?

 

[Tenspro2002]

So players have never gone through a bad season, had a coaching change and then had some success? Or are they permanently ruined from what they went through?

Or the previous coach had no idea what he was looking for in terms of the personalities and talent of his recruits.

 

[Towney007]

I don't know, Borges mentioned Hurley commenting on Alterique. And he often calls them too nice.

But we are obv in agreement on the rest.

I think it's fair to say with a few of them. It's part of what makes them not good basketball players.

I wouldn't say that about say... Vital. He tries. Too much, really; but he tries. He's just not very good.

In fact, he might be the most incarnate Ollie guy we have. Say some inspirational stuff in interviews. Dive for balls. And use those two things as an excuse to literally work on not a single, solitary other thing that needs working on in his game. As long as the smoke screen is up, all is good!

But yeah.

 

[intlzncster]

Hurley did the karmically-correct thing by bringing everyone back last year, but you can guarantee he's wishing he could accelerate the roster turnover without having to be a ____ and kick guys out.

Def wants diff players, but it wasn't just karma. It was setting a tone for the type of culture he wanted to have -- ie loyalty and family. Couldn't preach that and kick guys out the door. Would have lost everybody day 1.

Latest 2 recruits have commented on family atmosphere, so it's working.

 

[Towney007]

So players have never gone through a bad season, had a coaching change and then had some success? Or are they permanently ruined from what they went through?

I think part of it is them being ruined. A lot of bad habbits don't get broken over night - if you can even break them, period. Drug addicts die all the time - and do so knowing none of their actions make rational change AND even WANTING to stop doing drugs.

The other part of it is them just not being very good - and their mental blocks being a contributor to their limitations as players. I mean outside of Gilbert who came in as a McDonalds All American - none of these guys came in with any sort of pedigree other than us trying to relentlessly talk ourselves into them being good or having upside somehow.

 

[Kenny11]

Or the previous coach had no idea what he was looking for in terms of the personalities and talent of his recruits.

Ok and you are mostly right. But that isn't what Hurley said...He says that they are too accustomed to losing and accept losing because they are used to it. I don't buy that.

 

[intlzncster]

I think it's fair to say with a few of them. It's part of what makes them not good basketball players.

I wouldn't say that about say... Vital. He tries. Too much, really; but he tries. He's just not very good.

In fact, he might be the most incarnate Ollie guy we have. Say some inspirational stuff in interviews. Dive for balls. And use those two things as an excuse to literally work on not a single, solitary other thing that needs working on in his game. As long as the smoke screen is up, all is good!

But yeah.

Definitely not a 100% of players thing. But even Bouknight, who hasn't played, acknowledges he need he needs to work on his motor.

I personally love Vital because he managed to give max effort through the Ollie years, when it made a whole lot more sense to just be depressed. I recognize he's just very limited as a player. From both a physical and mental perspective.

 

[Towney007]

Hurley did the karmically-correct thing by bringing everyone back last year, but you can guarantee he's wishing he could accelerate the roster turnover without having to be a ____ and kick guys out.

My hope generally for this year is progress and improvement from the guys who are going to be here another 2-3 years. That's the benchmark. Whatever we get out of the older guys is what we get.

But what I think you'll see - and to your point - is their BS isn't going to hold up this year. If Gilbert wants to keep playing terribly - Bouknight or Gaffney WILL get more and more of his minutes. And in a few cases, there will be guys who will never see the court. And that'll be them getting the message. And then looking for spots in other programs.

Last year Hurley had what he had. At this moment in time, that hasn't changed, but as the year progresses -he will. And playing time won't be gifted. And they'll have to compete.

 

[Towney007]

And when you look forward to next year:

-Andre Jackson is going to take a ton of playing time away from people.
-Javonte Brown Ferguson and Richie Springs probably make it so Carlton's time is diminished - and Whalley's might be completely wiped off the map.
-RJ Cole will start at guard. Maybe that helps make Gilbert better because he doesn't have to play point. Maybe Bouknight takes a big step forward. Gaffney steps forward...

Next year the roster squeeze for these guys is going to be really, really real.

 

[Excalibur]

Are lack of intensity, lack of game plan and lack of defense inherent shortcomings of players?

With respect to the lack of intensity and lack of defense, after 2+ seasons, yes.

I don't much care for calling them Ollie's guys and I've tried to avoid saying that directly, but you can't avoid the fact that these players have proven themselves to be what they are, and other than Akok (the only guy who had energy from the tip last night) and Adams (who was never going to be anything but a complementary player), the current coach didn't recruit any of them.

As for the game plan, I'm sure it was for us to keep our hands down on defense and not pressure the ball.

When you look at the roster (the guys who played last night), how many guys are high major players, either from an athletic or skill standpoint? Do we have anybody that has high major skill and athleticism?

 

[goskis2018]

The problem I have is Danny knows what he has with these guys. Why is our defense so pourous and our offense lacking a plan? By now we should be able to at least run plays. We don't attack on offense. Really disappointing. Not looking forward to Florida at all!

That's the most disappointing part of this loss for me, it really puts a damper on Florida. Fans that were willing to give the boys the benefit of the doubt and have Gampel rocking for Florida will now look at this team and see the losing program from the past few years staring back at them. Embarrassing result, plain and simple.

 

[Excalibur]

Polley was 4 of 5 from the field, 4 of 4 from 3. Including him with the other two culprits is inaccurate.

And he did absolutely nothing while SJU was running away in the first half. That's part of my point about talent. There is nobody out there who you can rely on to get a basket to stop the run.

 

[MattMang23]

I agree. I mentioned in another thread how I hope this isn’t a second half team for the entire season.

Hey, at least it’ll make my viewing a bit easier. I won’t need to turn the game on until an hour in. I’ll show up when the team does.

 

[Hoophound]

I hate to say it given the problems he’s had, but AG is the big issue here. He just isn’t very good and when your PG is the weak link, you have serious problems. Your “star” player throwing up one 25% shooting night after another is going to lead to a lot of losing. It sucks the energy out of everyone to have the leader and guy with the ball in his hands suck so bad. All you can do out there as a player is hope he starts playing better or hope he passes the ball so someone else can make a shot. Polley taking so few shots given he made 80% is a travesty. It is on the coach as well, because he allowed it.

 

[intlzncster]

Players the coach did not recruit: Vital, Gilbert, Wilson, Polley, Carlton, Whaley. St. Joseph's would kill to have these guys on their roster and most coaches in our current conference would love to have these guys (besides Whaley). Sure, some may not be perfect for Hurley's system, but he has enough talent to work with and have a good season. The "losing culture" thing is mostly a myth. You can't use that excuse 2 years in a row.

You can have 1 of those guys and do something with him. But put them all together and you get a turd burger of apathy.

 

[Excalibur]

We are down by 3 and they hit a three. ST. Joes is in foul trouble and they can’t stop our dribble penetration. Vital comes back down court and jacks up a quick three. Hilarity ensues and we spend the last four minutes of the game turning the ball over, and throwing up quick jump shots.

For all of the god-awful play in the first half, we probably win the game if that stretch turns out differently, and it was all on Vital. He put his hands down on D and gave up a 3. Then he walks down and jacks up a bad 3. Then he commits a silly foul on the other end (1-2 FT). Now we're down seven and in panic mode.

 

[JB75]

Polley was 4 of 5 from the field, 4 of 4 from 3. Including him with the other two culprits is inaccurate.

Polley May have had a couple big threes late but he barely grabbed any boards , was pretty much an enigma throughout the game and did not box out a st joes guy in final three minutes which led to a huge offensive rebound He wasn’t as bad but he definitely was part of the problem

 

[intlzncster]

Polley May have had a couple big threes late but he barely grabbed any boards , was pretty much an enigma throughout the game and did not box out a st joes guy in final three minutes which led to a huge offensive rebound He wasn’t as bad but he definitely was part of the problem

Polley's only rebounds randomly bounced into his hands.

 

[JB75]

I like this. When upperclassmen embarrass themselves and the team sit their a__ down and keep doing to embarrass them. He has to send the message that HE WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS. PERIOD. I think it is time that HE look in the mirror and ask himself if HE is being "a nice guy" by not yanking them out of the game and keeping a short leash on non hustlers. Also agree with the commentary above on the lack of timeouts and other adjustments which he waited far too long to make in the first half.

He did bench Carlton for almost 10 mins in first half tho

 

[Towney007]

I hate to say it given the problems he’s had, but AG is the big issue here. He just isn’t very good and when your PG is the weak link, you have serious problems. Your “star” player throwing up one 25% shooting night after another is going to lead to a lot of losing. It sucks the energy out of everyone to have the leader and guy with the ball in his hands suck so bad. All you can do out there as a player is hope he starts playing better or hope he passes the ball so someone else can make a shot. Polley taking so few shots given he made 80% is a travesty. It is on the coach as well, because he allowed it.

Well it's worth noting we haven't had a really good point guard in forever - which is crazy to say at UConn. And even the more I watch of Gilbert - the more I think he's a 2-guard. Or would be better suited to be there.

 

[JB75]

And when you look forward to next year:

-Andre Jackson is going to take a ton of playing time away from people.
-Javonte Brown Ferguson and Richie Springs probably make it so Carlton's time is diminished - and Whalley's might be completely wiped off the map.
-RJ Cole will start at guard. Maybe that helps make Gilbert better because he doesn't have to play point. Maybe Bouknight takes a big step forward. Gaffney steps forward...

Next year the roster squeeze for these guys is going to be really, really real.

Exactly exactly exactly. And once bouknight and akok get going , Polley and sid are going to be in fir a reality check this year.

 

[8893]

With respect to the lack of intensity and lack of defense, after 2+ seasons, yes.

I don't much care for calling them Ollie's guys and I've tried to avoid saying that directly, but you can't avoid the fact that these players have proven themselves to be what they are, and other than Akok (the only guy who had energy from the tip last night) and Adams (who was never going to be anything but a complementary player), the current coach didn't recruit any of them.

As for the game plan, I'm sure it was for us to keep our hands down on defense and not pressure the ball.

When you look at the roster (the guys who played last night), how many guys are high major players, either from an athletic or skill standpoint? Do we have anybody that has high major skill and athleticism?

Fair points, but as with most things I think the truth is somewhere in between. No, the cupboard was not full nor is it now, but at a minimum Alterique, Akok and Wilson were billed as having that potential from either a skill or athletic standpoint. And for the most part, the rough start to this season aside, I like how Josh has developed under Hurley.

Bottom line is that it's time for Hurley to own the culture of this team now imo. I'm not asking for miracles, just an effort that makes me not want to sell my Florida ticket, which is what I am doing now. The effort I seen from this team so far this season doesn't merit taking up that much of my Sunday. It's up to Hurley to change that, no matter who's on the floor.

 

[superjohn]

And when you look forward to next year:

-Andre Jackson is going to take a ton of playing time away from people.
-Javonte Brown Ferguson and Richie Springs probably make it so Carlton's time is diminished - and Whalley's might be completely wiped off the map.
-RJ Cole will start at guard. Maybe that helps make Gilbert better because he doesn't have to play point. Maybe Bouknight takes a big step forward. Gaffney steps forward...

Next year the roster squeeze for these guys is going to be really, really real.

Agreed but Gilbert isn't going to be here next year.

 

[intlzncster]

Well it's worth noting we haven't had a really good point guard in forever - which is crazy to say at UConn. And even the more I watch of Gilbert - the more I think he's a 2-guard. Or would be better suited to be there.

He's sort of like Boat that way. Minus the dawg.

 

[navery12]

Can try and dispute the losing culture comments all you want but we got down by 15 early and they folded and let the lead balloon up to 27. That's the difference in the game.

That's the point of the game where your senior guards need to step up and settle everyone down, but instead they're jacking up contested shots with 25 seconds on the shot clock. That's the losing mentality from previous years