I’ve defended Hurley thus far

[Giddyup5]

Let’s be honest. There is a higher percentage chance that Hurley improves his deficiencies than us buying him out AND finding someone else who is significantly better.

 

[AdamaNation]

I think the roster construction stuff will look different soon with Floyd, Karaban and Castle, not to mention (and I EXPECT this) Diggins growing into a lead guard type role. Our guards not being as good at certain things is probably surprising some people, including Hurley. I imagine he expected Jackson, Hawkins, Gaffney and Akok to all be giving him much more than they are offensively.

Hah. Will they play though?

 

[AdamaNation]

Let’s be honest. There is a higher percentage chance that Hurley improves his deficiencies than us buying him out AND finding someone else who is significantly better.

I agree. He is actually getting better. I saw a zone today! I wish Akok was ready. Sadly he and gaff are major issues now. I’d like to see springs get some run. He’s bigger.

 

[huskyfan224]

Man, people are coo coo for Cocoa Puffs on here

 

[KingAG]

I’m honestly not really worried about Hurley. I think the climb may just take longer than some anticipated. The peak is going to be oh so sweet though

 

[jdb50]

Don't know who our strength and conditioning coach is but he should be on the hotseat. We could not control Dixon at all. He had his way inside physically and never looked tired. Martin looked like Hawkins standing next to Daniels and that is with a shirt on. This has been the story for years now.

 

[HooperScooper]

Why do people think we'll miss the tournament because we lost on the road AT freaking Villanova.

Os it because we lost 2 games in a row?

Here's a list of teams in the Big East that have not lost 2 games in a row this season:
Providence.

End of list.

Here's a list of teams that have had 5-game winning streaks in conference play this season:
Providence
Villanova
UConn

Does that make you feel better?

I think people are worried because the Huskies generally haven't played well in the last 2-3 weeks and now they have Marquette this Tuesday, who is playing very well, at Xavier on Friday and then at St. John's on Sunday. If they continue how they've been playing a 2 game skid could easily become a 5 game skid 8 days from now.

Plus they haven't looked like they've improved as the season has gone along. That's what I'm concerned about. Where's the development? This was a staple of UConn teams in the past and people are expecting that. There's still time but they better start soon.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

so far…

Recruiting Grade: A-/B+
Adjustments in game: Grade: D/F
Culture: Grade: A-
Roster construction (lack of guards): D+/C-
Pushing players’ right buttons a la JC (they play scared/tight) - D

Recruiting Grade: A-/B+ - I really like our roster. UConn is not a national championship caliber team yet, but this team can match up with anyone.
Roster construction: B - players not developing as hoped is different from poor roster construction. We have the team we need to make the Sweet 16
Culture: B+ - good effort, play hard, seem to have confidence most of the time
Pushing players right buttons: B- - I think he honestly forgets his rotations in close games and we end up with exhausted players or weird lineups.
Player Development - B+ - players are getting better.
Adjustments in game: F - He is not in the A10 anymore where he can just out-recruit the other teams. Everyone UConn plays but maybe Butler and Georgetown has good talent. Hurley is getting outcoached almost every game. What happens when Stubblefield and Anderson upgrade the talent at Depaul and St. Johns?

 

[JamesinGR]

But forbearance time is officially over.

He needs to have his seat turned up to blast furnace levels of hot. I can deal with losses but the sheer number of times his teams are simply unprepared in ALL PHASES is too much to continue to overlook.

If we miss the tournament this season I’d not be opposed to moving on. Because right now the program is going nowhere.

Another thing - he’s shown zero professional growth from his URI days. Zero. Doesn’t seem to understand he’s dealing with a whole other level of talent and competitive drive in the high major ranks.

Starting to wonder if he’s a better recruiter than coach.

 

[shizzle787]

Why do people think we'll miss the tournament because we lost on the road AT freaking Villanova.

Os it because we lost 2 games in a row?

Here's a list of teams in the Big East that have not lost 2 games in a row this season:
Providence.

End of list.

Here's a list of teams that have had 5-game winning streaks in conference play this season:
Providence
Villanova
UConn

Does that make you feel better?

Considering who we beat on that winning streak-no. However, everyone is overreacting to a game we would lose 9/10 times at least.

 

[shizzle787]

What does disappoint me though is we are still at the point where we expect to lose to Nova.

 

[Huskybass]

I’m honestly not really worried about Hurley. I think the climb may just take longer than some anticipated. The peak is going to be oh so sweet though

Hope is a dangerous thing.

 

[KingAG]

Hope is a dangerous thing.

It’s all we have in sports

 

[CardiacAndre7]

You all remember that year we finished 8th in the BE and went .500 down the stretch? Calm down.

What an absolutely nutty thing to reference. There is no one on this roster in the same stratosphere as Kemba, or even Lamb for that matter. Shabazz as a freshman is probably on Cole’s current level. Roscoe, Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel were great role players as well.

 

[KingAG]

What an absolutely nutty thing to reference. There is no one on this roster in the same stratosphere as Kemba, or even Lamb for that matter. Shabazz as a freshman is probably on Cole’s current level. Roscoe, Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel were great role players as well.

Agree with your point. Saying freshman Bazz is on coles current level is absurd

 

[olehead]

Why do people think we'll miss the tournament because we lost on the road AT freaking Villanova.

Os it because we lost 2 games in a row?

Here's a list of teams in the Big East that have not lost 2 games in a row this season:
Providence.

End of list.

Here's a list of teams that have had 5-game winning streaks in conference play this season:
Providence
Villanova
UConn

Does that make you feel better?

Context is everything. Who did We beat during that five game winning streak?

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Agree with your point. Saying freshman Bazz is on coles current level is absurd

I think Cole on that team would produce similar numbers to Bazz. Bazz was so ready year one, but obviously Kemba was an absolute alpha. Switch their situations I think you see similar results. I guess i’d amend by saying SR. Cole is a better player, but I think they wouldn’t be far off.

 

[KingAG]

I think Cole on that team would produce similar numbers to Bazz. Bazz was so ready year one, but obviously Kemba was an absolute alpha. Switch their situations I think you see similar results. I guess i’d amend by saying SR. Cole is a better player, but I think they wouldn’t be far off.

I think the further we are removed from players, specifically ones who’ve won championship, the more mystified they become. Meaning we tend to remember them as better than they actually were. I think that happens in all sports. I say this to say, I think cole may have produced similarly bazz’s role. But I don’t believe freshman Bazz would have performed as well as Cole is performing in his role. Concluding that Cole is the better player. Now we both know how this ends. Cole and Bazz shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence in terms of the players the actually became.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Context is everything. Who did We beat during that five game winning streak?

St John’s
Butler twice
Georgetown
Depaul

 

[freescooter]

When we hired Hurley an old friend who is a big URI fan, played for them in the day, told me Hurley wasn’t the guy. If he has better talent he will win but if he needs to get the most out of his guys he will spit the bit every time. I didn’t think so, but now I kinda do.

And it isn’t just losing 2 straight. It is St Johns taking us to OT. Struggling with DePaul, losing to Creighton. Being embarrassed by Villanova

 

[UC77]

But forbearance time is officially over.

He needs to have his seat turned up to blast furnace levels of hot. I can deal with losses but the sheer number of times his teams are simply unprepared in ALL PHASES is too much to continue to overlook.

If we miss the tournament this season I’d not be opposed to moving on. Because right now the program is going nowhere.

Another thing - he’s shown zero professional growth from his URI days. Zero. Doesn’t seem to understand he’s dealing with a whole other level of talent and competitive drive in the high major ranks.

He's the worst game coach. How can he tell Andre Jackson to pick his moments for acceleration when he's on one speed on the bench all the time instead of watching and adapting like Jay Wright? Villanova came out of a timeout and put up 5 points and buried UConn. This isn't high school and emoting from the bench ain't gonna get it done ...

 

[EnochRoot]

What an absolutely nutty thing to reference. There is no one on this roster in the same stratosphere as Kemba, or even Lamb for that matter. Shabazz as a freshman is probably on Cole’s current level. Roscoe, Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel were great role players as well.

And wasn't Shabazz primarily used as Kemba's backup that year (except for three guard sets)?

 

[CTBballfan243]

But forbearance time is officially over.

He needs to have his seat turned up to blast furnace levels of hot. I can deal with losses but the sheer number of times his teams are simply unprepared in ALL PHASES is too much to continue to overlook.

If we miss the tournament this season I’d not be opposed to moving on. Because right now the program is going nowhere.

Another thing - he’s shown zero professional growth from his URI days. Zero. Doesn’t seem to understand he’s dealing with a whole other level of talent and competitive drive in the high major ranks.

UConn can’t shoot and doesn’t have a consistent outside shooter that can knock down shots at crunch time. It’s really that simple. Villanova knock down shots when they needed to. UConn couldn’t

 

[tentoes4rings]

When we hired Hurley an old friend who is a big URI fan, played for them in the day, told me Hurley wasn’t the guy. If he has better talent he will win but if he needs to get the most out of his guys he will spit the bit every time. I didn’t think so, but now I kinda do.

And it isn’t just losing 2 straight. It is St Johns taking us to OT. Struggling with DePaul, losing to Creighton. Being embarrassed by Villanova

And we were VERY lucky to even push that St John’s game to OT. Needed a defensive rebound and an old fashioned three very late.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I think the further we are removed from players, specifically ones who’ve won championship, the more mystified they become. Meaning we tend to remember them as better than they actually were. I think that happens in all sports. I say this to say, I think cole may have produced similarly bazz’s role. But I don’t believe freshman Bazz would have performed as well as Cole is performing in his role. Concluding that Cole is the better player. Now we both know how this ends. Cole and Bazz shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence in terms of the players the actually became.

Yeah, I mean i’m not trying to come off as a Cole hater at all. He’s far and away our most important and impactful player, which is unfortunate for him. Bazz was just so creative and forceful in his movements, and I think that’s one are where Cole lacks. He hesitates too much when getting past his defender, and often gets caught in two minds. I think that has to do with no one moving to give him a passing lane though. The team is just so static.

 

[August_West]

Being disappointed is understandable and justified, coaching needs to get better right now but putting Hurley on the hot seat is a huge over reaction.

Hurley isn’t and shouldn’t be on a hot seat or even close.

That’s a true statement.

And also a sobering one if you weigh it.

 

[Brochacho]

The thing with Hurley is he crushes the bad teams, but struggles with anything that resembles a tournament team. We win 36% of the time vs Kenpom top 100 teams and 90% vs 101+ Kenpom teams. Record vs top 100 Kenpom by year:

2019: 4-15 (21%)
2020: 5-9 (36%)
2021: 8-8 (50%)
2022: 4-6 (40%)

I was hoping we could continue the upward trend. Plenty of games left, but I hope he continues to improve and recruit better players.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Threads like this are embarrassing to the fan base.

We are not firing our head coach. He’s brought us out of the cellar of darkness so much faster than we could’ve anticipated. He’d be the best available Head coach available if we did.

There’s problems, he needs to solve them. This team is seriously flawed, but also tournament bound. I’m guessing he’s learned that hurt feelings need to be part of the job if he wants to improve the roster. The S16 and E8 expectations start next year, there won’t be any excuses with a roster full of his experienced guys.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Yeah, I mean i’m not trying to come off as a Cole hater at all. He’s far and away our most important and impactful player, which is unfortunate for him. Bazz was just so creative and forceful in his movements, and I think that’s one are where Cole lacks. He hesitates too much when getting past his defender, and often gets caught in two minds. I think that has to do with no one moving to give him a passing lane though. The team is just so static.

RJ Cole is not the problem by any means. He’s not a perfect player but if he had a good PG with him, he’d look even better. He’s a great shooter off the ball, when his feet are set behind the line. Unless Diggins gets developed into a reliable player who can give us 10 plus quality minutes per game, I don’t see this team going very far in March.

 

[jibsey]

It's the Big East. It's a gauntlet. We've won all the games we're supposed to win except for Creighton (and maybe Providence but turns out nobody can beat them so...). One tough loss where we played poorly is what it is and doesn't reflect on the coach much. If the Creighton loss had been stuck in the middle of the 5 game winning streak is anyone calling Hurley's seat hot today?? We're 6-4 and favorites in 6 of the next 8 games. We'll lose more than 2 probably because we're only small favorites in a couple, but it's wild the doomsayers. Kansas lost by 20 at home the other day. Baylor lost 3 of 6. We lost by 11 on the road.

Game wasn't that close actually.