Hurley Postgame

[UCfor3]

Good points. I thought about it as I was typing. Taking out the best 3 point option is not where I normally would go but Hawk has been in a slump for a while now and he gets down on himself too much for me to believe he can be clutch in that situation. In the Providence game at the end of the half where he fouled the player you could see how visibly upset he was. Then he lost his dribble resulting in that half court violation and he was inconsolable. Joey is streaky which arguably could be the result of a mental block but this kid seems to be able to dismiss self failure so I leaned towards him.

But the point you make about not having Hawk in the game for that last shot impacting a player with poor self confidence is spot on. The kid by all accounts is a great kid and the last thing you want to do is mess someone up for an unknown. Unfortunately Hawk was the one who took that last shot and the result probably will impact him more than if he was not in during that moment. And that's the dilemma for a coach who has to make the call in these situations.

Sure is. They have to deal with nitwits like us 2nd guessing him. Lol. I remember Hawk really being affected by his turnover in the Auburn game last year. Yeah, it was his first game or one of them, but he was really down after even though we won. He wants to play well so bad. You just hope that pressing doesn't become a thing. We all will be watching his first 3 in the tourney hoping he buries it(not off the glass). Would probably do wonders. Some people are like DBs or closers. Shake it off. Others it hits a little harder.

 

[FatElvis]

What’s your answer? I know you have one. Enlighten us…

You give me too much credit because I have no idea, JustbrewitMan. All I know is we look and play scared at the end of close games and have the record to prove it.

I will say not taking a timeout last night made no sense to me. Easy to say now but they've been doing much better with set plays lately so why not draw something up there?

 

[Frank06830]

Compare and contrast Hurley Post vs Smart’s Post Game to learn what happened. Another disappointing loss where a winnable game was lost to a better coach. Look at Shaka’s comment to learn and grow.



Some key points

• Putting Prosper on Hawkins was the key. We can not win if Hawkins hits 5 3’s
• Defensive stops. Emphasized defensive stops. His ability to get heightneed and prolonged defensive intensity is amazing IMHO.” All about the defense “
• coming into the game bothered by We own the Garden” quote as a #1 seed coming. Used it to get his players up and defiant. They did By shutting down the guards..Hawkins,Newton.

But irregardless of all this a 2 point win would not have happened , Joplin hadn’t had a career night, Ben Gordon incarnate. 17 points, 4-5 from the 3.
Joplin has not had a double digit scoring game since January 28TH!!!!

Look at Shaka’s post game. Revelations you did not get from Harley’s BS






.

 

[JMick]

What’d he say about Hawkins? I am genuinely unaware

It was a really weird quote from Monday. He was asked something about Hawkins and the step he's taken from last year and Hurley blurted out that he was only playing Hawkins early in the season last year so he wouldn't transfer.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Hard disagree.

There was never any point in bringing up the dumpster fire and there certainly isn't any reason to do it anymore, it's year 5. Most new coaches are taking over a mess, it's why the previous guy got fired...

Xavier wasn't NCAA tournament eligible for the previous 4 seasons and now they're playing for the Big East championship and a NCAA 3 seed in year 1 under Sean Miller if he wins tonight. I haven't heard him make any excuses and he has a built in one with no Zach Freemantle. Shaka is in year 2 and won the Big East outright, playing for a Big East tournament championship tonight, locked up a 2 seed and they were picked to finish 9th in the Big East this season.

Also, UConn isn't a stepping stone program.

This is right on. There is no excuse in year 5 for mentioning the prior regime. Also, he‘s had some pretty good players even last year, with Whaley, Martin and Cole. Those new hire examples show what can be doing ne. Marquette’s roster isn’t littered with 5 stars. They’re just players. Kolek came from George Mason.

That said, it’s time to buckle up and ride. Focus on the present not the past. Keep guys in the moment. They have an opportunity to re-establish UConn in the spotlight.

Git ‘er done.

 

[freescooter]

Speaking of ill timed quotes.

I guess everyone was out celebrating Thursday night after the game, FS1 did a brief interview with Hurley that I thought would produce its own thread.

He actually, in praising Ed Cooley, told a national television audience he made Providence the best team in New England and " we are trying to get to where they are". He then finished by saying what a downtrodden program we were when he took over.

Now, why on earth would you even contemplate saying that to the cameras, even if you truly believed it. Are you greasing the skid for another post season nosedive? Auditioning to be Ed's bench coach if you flame out here?

Why?

Looking to get the PC job when Cooley goes to Georgetown I assume.

 

[QDOG5]

Did you not watch the game the last time we played them? AJax held him to like one shot.

Kolek had 17 and 4 when we beat them and 17 and 6 last night. imo, there are better ways to deploy AJax defensively.

 

[dennismenace]

He’s done a really excellent job rebuilding a dumpster fire and he is not a “bad coach”. He is just not an elite level coach this can get the extra something special out of his teams. He doesn’t perform well as the stakes go up and it’s a well established pattern. In year 5 you are getting what you’re going to get… talented teams that are very competitive but can’t take the next step. Perhaps in a year where we are super loaded, the talent overcomes the coach’s limitations. Hurley should really hire JC for a few months and go through the season, examine every decision and learn from a master.

The AD should sit down with all the coaches on this team together and review the decision and arrive at a list of recommendations from each coach. I'm pretty sure that if everyone is allowed to be honest for the overall benefit of the team and players individually there would be plenty of robust commentary. I think we have a pretty awesome bench of coaches. It would be fascinating to hear a round table discussion.

It always seems to come down to decisions and failing to learn from mistakes or what is not working.
Lack of flexibility due to "systematic approach." This failure to adjust is what the opponent coaches are feeding on. They see what we (team) do and find ways to overcome it with strategy. We are too slow in changing or refusing to recognize this and don't change at all. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting the outcome to be different.

Chance isn't painful; it's resistance to change that's painful. Every son has to become his own man at some point. The answer isn't JC or Senior Hurley. It's working with that brain trust of coaches and being open minded.

 

[Richmondhsky]

He’s done a really excellent job rebuilding a dumpster fire and he is not a “bad coach”. He is just not an elite level coach this can get the extra something special out of his teams. He doesn’t perform well as the stakes go up and it’s a well established pattern. In year 5 you are getting what you’re going to get… talented teams that are very competitive but can’t take the next step. Perhaps in a year where we are super loaded, the talent overcomes the coach’s limitations. Hurley should really hire JC for a few months and go through the season, examine every decision and learn from a master.

Delusional!

You all were the same people tearing JC up for not having a true offense etc. The difference was and is JC didn’t give a rats ass what you nor the media thought. Examine every decision? Did the CEO of your company act as introspective as you suggest and hang out with his or her predecessor?

 

[dennismenace]

Looking to get the PC job when Cooley goes to Georgetown I assume.

Speaking of ill timed quotes.

I guess everyone was out celebrating Thursday night after the game, FS1 did a brief interview with Hurley that I thought would produce its own thread.

He actually, in praising Ed Cooley, told a national television audience he made Providence the best team in New England and " we are trying to get to where they are". He then finished by saying what a downtrodden program we were when he took over.

Now, why on earth would you even contemplate saying that to the cameras, even if you truly believed it. Are you greasing the skid for another post season nosedive? Auditioning to be Ed's bench coach if you flame out here?

Why?

Thanks for your post; his comments speak volumes.

 

[tower1]

Granted, but the more puzzling question to me is why did they not focus on driving on their 3 players who had 4 fouls to get them out of the game?

This was so true !

 

[dennismenace]

Haha WELCOME BACK!!! Where ya been the last month ya Hurley hater?! Still giving us nothing of substance I see…

20 seconds of listening to this voice is all you need to know that what he lacks in substance he glosses over with volume and defensiveness

 

[tower1]

I'm thinking he chose his words poorly and was trying to say that preparing for a team like Marquette is difficult because it is "so hard to defend"

referring to giving up 12 3's - "the half a day prep that you get to play an offense like that...that hurt us with our man defense."
Then he says the zones stabilized them.

I didn't get to see the game but does he address why Clingan only played 10 minutes, with 1 foul?

We do not defend the 3 point shooters, we give them too much room and don't even put our hands up to defend. And true were the hell was Clingan. Hurley relies too much on players turning the ball over too much.

 

[tower1]

Hard disagree. In year 5 you don’t have what you are going to get. He spent some years putting out fires, developing guys, earning a reputation, developing a culture. So though his year two recruits were his guys, he hadn’t yet established a track record so he couldn’t attract the best possible recruits. This year‘s recruiting class and next year’s recruiting class are downright nasty, I think he’s going to do pretty well with them. The uptick in recruiting seems to correspond with year-to-year improvement. Let that compound for a few more years, I’m optimistic.

So much negativity. I wish someone could legally set up an exchange with one simple bet … “will UConn make the S16?”. All those who say we are going nowhere should put their $ where their mouths are and have to bet no … not just vent their negativity. Instead of posting the same stuff again and again, people can put more and more money on their side of that bet. Me, I’d lay even money that UConn will play in the Sweet 16 this year.

And Hurley’s quote, who cares? If Hurley said all of the right things, was 3 inches taller, and super smooth and handsome, he’d probably be somewhere else. He’s one of the few guys I suspect can do really well and have no intention of leaving Connecticut.

You sound like an Edsal fan !

 

[alleyoops55]

20 seconds of listening to this voice is all you need to know that what he lacks in substance he glosses over with volume and defensiveness

? Not sure what/who you’re talking about but I was referring to uconnnikki who is only seen on here bashing Hurley…amongst many others who only come out after a loss…

 

[LStudfellow]

I don't like the quote. Sounds like an excuse. I guess Marquette had two more hours to prepare and that's why they won. What I dislike more is Hurley starting the game with AJax on Kolek. AJax is an awesome off ball defender. He creates chaos and gets steals and deflections. But in man to man, especially against crafty point guards who can create their own shot, he will get in foul trouble. Hurley should have started Newton on Kolek and then had Alleyne and Diarra follow up. I like putting Jackson on a shooter not a penetrator.

Did you not watch the game the last time we played them? AJax held him to like one shot.

You both make good points. Starting the game with AJax on Koler makes perfect since AJax did do a great job against him in the home game on February 7th. The thing is, the way THIS game played out in the first half, it makes sense that Hurley and staff would decide to put someone else on Kolek to start the 2nd half to try and keep AJax from picking up a quick 3rd foul.

This is where the 2nd part of the move makes no sense and I disagree with part of your point QDOG5 - not only has Newton proven to be a poor defender in multiple games this year against guards who are good at driving the ball, but he already proved he could not handle guarding Kolek in our first game against them in Marquette.

So here is where our coaching decisions are really infuriating. Why stick with the mantra "our 1st half starters have to also start the 2nd half!" This mentality hurt us during our 2-6 stretch where teams took advantage of us time and time again to start the 2nd half. Same thing last night. Want to switch AJax off of Kolek to start the 2nd half? Makes sense. But why not put Alleyne on him right away there... a much better defender than Newton... and he played better in the first half than Newton anyway. Being so inflexible AGAIN put us into a hole literally right out of the gate in the 2nd half and we were forced to play catch up the rest of the game.

Sorry, but that kind of inflexibility and inability to adapt to what is actually going on in the game is poor coaching. Yes, going to the zone down 10 was a nice adaptation (although Marquette did miss 3 open 3's in a row because of it) but why the inflexibility on having to start Newton in the 2nd half AND put him on Kolek when we already know he couldn't stop him??? Marquette scored 15 points in the first 4 1/2 minutes of the 2nd half, by the way... And the initial move with switching AJax to Newton was a big part of the reason. Just plain stupid.

 

[UCfor3]

Lolololol

Lolololo. See, I can add nothing too.

 

[1999GoodSon]

What is this?

I don't care what he says anymore. What's killing me is what he doesn't say. Like down 2, with 9.7 seconds left - he doesn't say TIMEOUT!
Who in their right mind doesn't call a TO right there?

 

[auror]

I don't care what he says anymore. What's killing me is what he doesn't say. Like down 2, with 9.7 seconds left - he doesn't say TIMEOUT!
Who in their right mind doesn't call a TO right there?

UNC Basketball: Peeling back the layers of Roy Williams’ late-game timeout usage

This exercise probably raises more questions than answers, but here are some numbers to chew on.

www.tarheelblog.com

 

[1999GoodSon]

UNC Basketball: Peeling back the layers of Roy Williams’ late-game timeout usage

This exercise probably raises more questions than answers, but here are some numbers to chew on.

www.tarheelblog.com

So 3 years ago some guy wrote an article about another coach's use of timeouts. Under Friday's circumstances you call a timeout. 9.7 seconds, down 2, a trip to BE championship, you bring the guys in and draw up a play.

 

[homunculus]

Delusional!

You all were the same people tearing JC up for not having a true offense etc. The difference was and is JC didn’t give a rats ass what you nor the media thought. Examine every decision? Did the CEO of your company act as introspective as you suggest and hang out with his or her predecessor?

Don’t you miss the days when Calhoun was our coach, who never misused or overlooked players, always ran the clock at the end of games to perfection, never got T’d up for throwing temper tantrums on the court, and was beloved and respected by the media and all the other fans in the country because of his knack for clearly and eloquently saying all the right things? Isn’t revisionist history great?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

What is this?

"What is this?," huh?

That you've posed the question leads me to respond, "It depends..."

Considered at face value and on its plain language, it struck me as a cringeably bad quote from a guy who isn't known as a good speaker during interviews.

It appears as though others regarded it somewhat similarly...

That is about as bad of a quote as you'll find.

I'm thinking he chose his words poorly...

I'm not as much of a Hurley hater as a lot of folks around here but a quote like that's a bad look.

Hurley often has foot in mouth disease. He's a hyper guy and needs to pause for a second and think before speaking.

That’s a mind boggling quote

I don't like the quote.

Not a good answer at all

Dan is an awkward guy in front of the press. He says dumb things all the time.

I saw that quote last night and didn't think it was appropriate either. Pretty lame.

I liken Hurley to a fine cheese that hasn’t aged enough.

I was floored when I heard that last night.

For you, I'd regard it as a triple blessing: a bailout after all of your stupid comments last night; a dream come true gaffe that you could exploit; and a rallying cry for those who want to keep complaining about last night's game and/or a coach they dislike.

How cheeky of you to ask, so casually, "What is this?"

Terrible in support of the team's upcoming success, but otherwise well-done in re-igniting the bad energy of last night's post-game thread while continuing your bid to become the alpha negative cheerleader.

Note to @freescooter: Behold one of the guys lapping you. You are more long past expiration date than Jimmy B. The flame you hold high is a Bic disposable that you have to turn upside down, shake a few times, and flick more than a few times to briefly catch anything more than a spark. He doesn't get so overexcited when he thinks he's got a winner that he leaves out a key word or gets tripped up by autocorrect. Nor does he need to launder his creamed shorts.

 

[auror]

So 3 years ago some guy wrote an article about another coach's use of timeouts. Under Saturdays circumstances you call a timeout. 9.7 seconds, down 2, a trip to BE championship, you bring the guys in the guys and draw up a play.

What makes Saturday's conditions unique?

Roy Williams, one of the greatest coaches of all time with 3 titles and 900 wins, was famous for often not calling timeouts in this scenario because it doesn't let the defense plan for a way to disrupt you or setup a junk defense/trap and maximizes your remaining time left. In general, teams score much more efficiently in free flowing offense than off an opponent make or dead ball. Late game is a little different because usually the opponent is locked in. But teams should practice these situations often, so there should be some sort of play ready to go and you don't need to call a timeout.

The article shows that for Roy, the points per possession are basically identical either way, because usually in both scenarios it comes down to a guy making a contested shot or not.

 

[superjohn]

Don’t you miss the days when Calhoun was our coach, who never misused or overlooked players, always ran the clock at the end of games to perfection, never got T’d up for throwing temper tantrums on the court, and was beloved and respected by the media and all the other fans in the country because of his knack for clearly and eloquently saying all the right things? Isn’t revisionist history great?

I miss the days of winning Big East regular seasons, winning Big East tournaments, and winning NCAA tournament games. I'm sure most of us miss that, it would be nice to get back to doing those things.

 

[uconngb]

I miss the days of winning Big East regular seasons, winning Big East tournaments, and winning NCAA tournament games. I'm sure most of us miss that, it would be nice to get back to doing those things.

This

 

[wheelerdog]

He's terrible with the media. Full stop.

 

[1999GoodSon]

Right. So you think they are gonna be loose this week playing a 14 seed???

Especially if that #14 is Colgate. All they have is the top 3 point shooting team in the country. Complete trap game for us.

 

[wingsfan055]

Bad look. Sounds like a coach who is not good at in-game adjusting.

 

[Kemba15]

I miss the days of winning Big East regular seasons, winning Big East tournaments, and winning NCAA tournament games. I'm sure most of us miss that, it would be nice to get back to doing those things.

We’re getting there. We were a total laughingstock when he took over. Probably in the 150-200 range. Now we’re top 15 in his 5th season. That’s incredible growth, no?

 

[homunculus]

I miss the days of winning Big East regular seasons, winning Big East tournaments, and winning NCAA tournament games. I'm sure most of us miss that, it would be nice to get back to doing those things.

Same. We UConn fans have had some glory days, and I for one believe we are on the verge of getting back there.

Hurley deserves plenty of criticism. Fair game. I just find it ironic - the amount of bandwidth spent here on warts and weaknesses that Jim Calhoun also had.