Hurley press availability

[aceboon]

Stewart is more of a Karaban back up while Ross was mainly backing up McNeeley

...and Mahaney has been mainly a Diarra backup so not sure what's your point, they're gonna need a few players to step up and I was pointing out how Hurley didn't really have Jaylin at the top of his mind to do so during his media session. Also, Ross has subbed in for Solo at SG quite a bit.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Speak for yourself. This is what team sports are about. If you’re going to call someone else a casual fan for not having a nervous breakdown over McNeeley being out it seems fair to call you a casual fan for not looking forward to the games because he’s out.

Ok so you have the same expectations of this team without Liam. Is it more fun when you know your team is inevitable. As usual you take a comment and make it more than it is.

Did I say I was giving up, did I say that I am not going to watch, was it fun to watch Ollie with that confused look on his face.

And my quote had nothing to do with the person I was responding too “You call it hand wringing some might call it being more than a casual fan” I was saying I was more than a casual fan not making any comment on his status.

Was it fun when we were banned for a year and played for nothing.

If you have the same expectations for this team without Liam than with him then that is just plain stupid.

If you think watching your team getting hosed by the refs game in and game out is fun….

And I said some of the expectation I never said I was not looking forward to watching the game.

I said some of the fun. Not all of the fun.

But I will watch not be as upset if we do not play well.

And it will be less fun because this team was turning the corner and developing an identity.

That was much more fun to watch than losing three games in three days.

Make your point but don’t misquote me some does not mean none and not looking forward.

I root for UConn no matter the circumstances but if you are saying it’s not more fun when we are dominating and playing great basketball then do what you do. You completely took my statement and looked for a way to twist what I said to fit your insult. I guess that was fun for you….I can assure you casual UConn fan is not what anyone who knows me we even consider.

I have employees who avoid calling me the day after a UConn loss you have no idea really no idea and you were way more direct about my status as a casual fan.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Speak for yourself. This is what team sports are about. If you’re going to call someone else a casual fan for not having a nervous breakdown over McNeeley being out it seems fair to call you a casual fan for not looking forward to the games because he’s out.

Tried to respond but I guess I was too graphic.

Some does not mean all If your expectation of this team is the same without Liam than with him then enough said.

‘You call it hand wringing some might call it being more than a casual fan” Did I call him a casual fan or did I call myself not a casual fan.

Do your thing bigern after two years I expect nothing less.

 

[ctchamps]

I just finished a post about this same idea of playing with Reed and Johnson on the floor together. I think Reed can be a 17 pt a game player. Also I like the idea of the big lineup and running some screen and rolls with AK and Samson Johnson. I wonder how effective Ross would be as I think the defenders will go under the screens set for Ross which effectively takes the lob opportunity away. But I do really think without foul trouble we will see more Reed and Johnson on the court.

I have been touting Ross all year but because I saw the same thing Danny did he is our best perimeter defender. Now we really need him to be an offensive threat. I really think the combination of Samson Johnson and TRJR on the court together and Ross becoming a better offensive player the keys to dealing with this setback.

I might add Nowell as I mentioned in a post last week, I thought the lack of playing time was shoulder related one way or the other. I hope it is fully healed as before Hass went on this latest run I thought Nowell was our best PG. I still think he is our best option other than Hass.

Ross has been reluctant on offense. When he was on the court he was almost always the fifth option.

Look back last season to how Solo played on offense when he was a starter and when his role changed after Stephon returned and he came off the bench. He became hesitant to shoot.

It’s not just a situation where a player feels he’s going to be taken out of a game if he misses. The players must also feel they are taking away a better scoring option. That the coaches want other players taking the shots. So they are uncomfortable on offense right from the start.

I’m sure he will be coached to be more assertive.

 

[IndyLives]

Abraham will lead us to the Promised Land!

 

[Scoe]

Ha, my buddy texted me that Mahomes plays on a high ankle sprain. My response was Mahomes isn't normal. A lot NFL players aren't normal.

Ronnie Lott had his finger chopped off so he could play. Jack Youngblood played through the playoffs and the Superbowl on a broken leg.

Apparently the Indiana qb played the whole year with a torn ACL.

 

[Scoe]

Not going to lose sleep but it does take some of the expectation/fun out of watching and waiting for the next games. Some does not mean all of the expectation. Watching this game is still at the top if my to do list tomorrow. Don’t expect we will play better without Liam. No I do not. Would it be a pleasant surprise yes. Will I be rooting for all the players that need to step up. Of course.

Wimp

 

[Pmac923]

We beat Baylor without Karaban who is just as important as McNeeley. I see no reason we can’t win all these Big East games without McNeeley. Most Big East games come down to rebounding and defense. We’ve been here before.

 

[tomtom80]

i think the team will be fine. The real disappointment is, as a (casual) fan, when our super stars even loosen a game of playing time in what most likely will be their last season, we loose the chance to enjoy their heroics. I don’t watch the NBA so this is it for fans like me

 

[Hunt for 7]

Wimp

Thank you this must be like it feels to get a hickey from Kanicky. Seasons greetings to you as well…..

 

[ucp990411]

...and Mahaney has been mainly a Diarra backup so not sure what's your point, they're gonna need a few players to step up and I was pointing out how Hurley didn't really have Jaylin at the top of his mind to do so during his media session. Also, Ross has subbed in for Solo at SG quite a bit.

Mahanney has been playing some with Diarra and seems to be more comfortable in that role. With Nowell back I expect him to get minutes as Hassan’s backup. And yes, Ross has subbed for Solo. I don’t think DH sees Stewart as a great option at the 3. It will be interesting to see which combinations are used.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Ross has been reluctant on offense. When he was on the court he was almost always the fifth option.

Look back last season to how Solo played on offense when he was a starter and when his role changed after Stephon returned and he came off the bench. He became hesitant to shoot.

It’s not just a situation where a player feels he’s going to be taken out of a game if he misses. The players must also feel they are taking away a better scoring option. That the coaches want other players taking the shots. So they are uncomfortable on offense right from the start.

I’m sure he will be coached to be more assertive.

Agreed his value has been on defense. He has made a few threes but he was wide open. Some of the semi challenged shots have been rushed and then looked like scuds. But I think he has it in him. Pro scouts don’t ask about freshmen after watching practices unless they see something more than a very good defensive player.

As Hurley said this all depends on how the Sophomores, Mahaney and the other freshmen mostly Nowell step up or don’t step up.

But we need another reliable ball handler that can penetrate and finish or pass. Love AK but he is a straight line penetrator he sees a gap and then goes. He does not create the gaps off the bounce. Hass and Liam have been our only offensive players to do that. Nowell could be that but get ready for some freshman mistakes. When Ross does it he leaves his feet before knowing where to go with the ball if his shot is not there.

But we have to win games or the quad 2 losses can pile up and really hurt our seeding. Clearly the BE is having a down year. Even without Liam we probably are better than every team except Marquette and St Johns. Georgetown is also playing well and Xavier played us tough at home.

January games:

@Xavier, @Georetown and @ Villanova.

At home against Providence , Creighton, Butler and DePaul.

7 games before he comes back maybe.

 

[Scoe]

Thank you this must be like it feels to get a hickey from Kanicky. Seasons greetings to you as well…..

I'm just joking with ya, ya this sucks especially since I'm going to the game, was so looking to seeing McNeeley play but it's life so gotta stay strong and get through this.

 

[HooperScooper]

Without Leeham every game is more difficult. But you have to win with what you have.

Leeham? That's a new one. I'll add it to the list.

 

[Tenspro2002]

“if Aidan is going to get a chance to play more off the ball here, thats more of an opportunity for Ahmad.” said Hurley.

That is a pretty significant statement.

To me it seems that there was some understanding that Aidan was coming to UConn to be a point guard.

Eh, I think that's reading into Hurley's language too closely. He was most likely using "here" as a version of "now."

 

[FearThePups]

I can almost 100% assure you we won't see Karaban in the back court. That is just a weird take. You really going to put Ball on the bench in that lineup when we need shooters out there?

I guess you don't consider Karaban a shooter. Have you been paying attention the last 2 years?

 

[jibsey]

Presser today should be fun.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Presser today should be fun.

Yup!