jalen gaffney: year one to year two.

[ClifSpliffy]

what real improvement looks like.
year one: 31 games, 600 minutes.
year two: 23 games, 450 minutes.
both around 20 mpg.
some notable shooting highlights -
fg%: 80 pt improvement, 33% to 41%. (plus 50 on 2s, plus 100 on 3s)
fts%: 50 pt improvement, 77% to 82%

in 25% less minutes, he also roughly equaled year one for 2 attempts, 3 attempts, ft attempts, rebounds, and steals. actually, the only thing that went down was assists, while tov's were aboot the same pg, sooooo, more attempts pg at way higher success rates, factually speaking.
and, he was one of the very few who showed up to get points at our biggest game in years.
too obvious, the makings of a scorer.
Jalen Gaffney College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com (sports-reference.com)

 

[Fatroony5]

what real improvement looks like.
year one: 31 games, 600 minutes.
year two: 23 games, 450 minutes.
both around 20 mpg.
some notable shooting highlights -
fg%: 80 pt improvement, 33% to 41%. (plus 50 on 2s, plus 100 on 3s)
fts%: 50 pt improvement, 77% to 82%

in 25% less minutes, he also roughly equaled year one for 2 attempts, 3 attempts, ft attempts, rebounds, and steals. actually, the only thing that went down was assists, while tov's were aboot the same pg, sooooo, more attempts pg at way higher success rates, factually speaking.
and, he was one of the very few who showed up to get points at our biggest game in years.
too obvious, the makings of a scorer.
Jalen Gaffney College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com (sports-reference.com)

I’ll be curious to see if his role next season changes quite a bit. I like him off ball, he’s shown he has an ability to knock down shots when he can get his feet set and attack the rim. If he’s actually asked to do that more, he would probably jump up to a double digit scorer.

If/when diggins gets up to speed, we may see Gaffney on the court regularly with either Cole or Diggins running point. Little under sized there but it’s something I’d like to see a lot more (depending on who else is in that line up).

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

it seems like its all confidence with Gaffney. He shows flashes. At the end of the Maryland game when he was being aggressive he was effective. For whatever reason he slides back into this timid too lax play. I dont know what will keep the fire lit to get him to keep being aggressive but hoping next year, maybe when fans come back he keeps it up.

 

[tennmike]

I like his developing skillset and frame, but there's one thing that really bothers me. He seems incapable of starting the offense until the defense is fully set; I don't get it.

 

[BGesus4]

I’ve said this before Gaff has a lot of potential as a scorer. I don’t see his abilities as a great fit for a lead pg.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

I like his developing skillset and frame, but there's one thing that really bothers me. He seems incapable of starting the office until the defense is fully set; I don't get it.

does he have the keys to get into the office?

 

[HuskyBoi]

He has a soft touch with his layups and has ability to score after driving. And yes he is a confidence player, as we saw him drive multiple times only to pass it to someone else inside for no reason

 

[Chin Diesel]

I just expected a bigger jump in terms of impacting game.

 

[bendm]

not ideal that our 2 PGs are better when they arent actually playing PG

 

[Palatine]

Gaffney's play has been very uneven. Some really nice performances. Sometimes he disappears. His scoring touch is improved. But he only scored double digit points 4 times in 23 games. And for a point guard to average 1.5 assists a game in over 19 minutes a game is not very good.

He needs to figure out how to add some consistency to his game.

Jalen Gaffney 2023-24 Stats per Game - NCAAM - ESPN

The 2023-24 NCAAM season stats per game for Jalen Gaffney of the Florida Atlantic Owls on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

 

[rollskies]

He shows flashes of athleticism sometimes that really shock me. Some of the dunks / tough finish layups he did this year I didn’t even think he had in his bag.

Definitely has things to work on for next year as does every athlete ever, but i’m excited to see what he brings to the table next year.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

I like his developing skillset and frame, but there's one thing that really bothers me. He seems incapable of starting the office until the defense is fully set; I don't get it.

fair point as his 'dime success rate' is factually what it is. i could argue that his head, when on the floor, seems to be, literally, glued to coach dan's mouth, and other such jibberjabber, but that's just my opinion. his 'dime success rate' is factually what it is.
i do think that rasool kid feels kinda mark jackson'ish, and he and jalen together might be a winning combo. i like rj a lot, but i like him more as a scorer. jalen has a higher ceiling to my way of thinking. flying dunks coming from the backcourt can do that to a fellow.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

it seems like its all confidence with Gaffney. He shows flashes. At the end of the Maryland game when he was being aggressive he was effective. For whatever reason he slides back into this timid too lax play. I dont know what will keep the fire lit to get him to keep being aggressive but hoping next year, maybe when fans come back he keeps it up.

for many who attend college, athlete or not, mentally, big things often happen between sophomore and junior years. a sense of direction or purpose?

 

[Greathusky]

Needs to lower his dribble especially on penetrating the lane. He has been stripped more times than is acceptable for a point guard..

 

[JB75]

Eh - he’s ok. Doesn’t wow me at all. Will be surprised if Sool not starting by mid January next year

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Point guard takes time to learn. Even good points like Taliek and Ollie weren't that good until their junior year. I think Gaffney is coming along fine.

 

[Kenny11]

I like his developing skillset and frame, but there's one thing that really bothers me. He seems incapable of starting the office until the defense is fully set; I don't get it.

This is maddening. There are so many possessions where he's dribbling and basically standing still or doing some light probing until there's about 11 seconds left on the clock.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

I’ll be curious to see if his role next season changes quite a bit. I like him off ball, he’s shown he has an ability to knock down shots when he can get his feet set and attack the rim. If he’s actually asked to do that more, he would probably jump up to a double digit scorer.

If/when diggins gets up to speed, we may see Gaffney on the court regularly with either Cole or Diggins running point. Little under sized there but it’s something I’d like to see a lot more (depending on who else is in that line up).

jalens listed height is 6'3, the exact average height for an nba guard, yet he sooo looks like a spindly kid. that will change.

 

[mauconnfan]

I saw some great things, but certainly not enough. 2-3 games stand out in my mind, others ok while many not much. Better shooter it would seem, decent at times getting to the hoop. Still is not a good defender vs any quick guards always trailing them and hurting the overall defensive rotation really needs to improve there. I mean the few games he was good he was really good. But consistency is a must. I will only be repeating the need to dribble going nowhere is bothersome at times, offense staring too far back. Just needs to be consistently better in many areas, but showed potential.

 

[Jorgensen]

If he can develop a mid-range pull up J like AJ Price, and learn to find an open man on his drive if the lane collapses he will be an asset on offense.

Until then I agree, he seems to only wait for a D to set up, shoot a 3 if he is wide open, or take it all the way in and whatever happens, happens.

I hope he can work on some versatility. He’s clearly shown the athleticism to do it.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

2p% - Improved from 40.0% to 44.8%
3p% - Improved from 26.4% to 36.2%

I said in another thread, he's a totally different player when he's forced to be assertive. Good chance there will be more opportunities for that his junior year with Bouk in the NBA.

 

[businesslawyer]

It was a very, very strange year for him. He regressed a great deal in terms of running the offense. On the other hand, on days he got his offense going he looked improved with his #2 guard skills. It is what it is.

 

[PAHusky]

He's a good Robin who was forced into trying on Batman's cape a few times with this team.

Do I think he's turning into junior year Kemba next year? No. Do I think Gaffney is going to surprise a lot of people with the jump he makes next season? Yes. I think he's going to make the "the back up QB is always better" guys who are already writing him off in favor of Diggins starting next year eat crow. I think the game has slowed down for him a lot and will continue to do so. I think he's got good to sometimes great vision, he's got decent form on his shot and he's getting more confident getting to the rim.

I'm buying shares in Gaffney.

 

[Huskybass]

not ideal that our 2 PGs are better when they arent actually playing PG

While I understand that its disappointing that both seem to play better off the ball, Cole rarely has any trouble breaking a press and he brings veteran confidence. Cole can distribute, he has something like 500 D1 assists, but he certainly is more of a combo guard than a true point.

 

[imno1]

People often ask me what I like most about Gaffney. I say the hair

 

[Kitaman]

This is maddening. There are so many possessions where he's dribbling and basically standing still or doing some light probing until there's about 11 seconds left on the clock.

I was going to blame coaching for allowing this, but then remembered Calhoun allowed Austrie to put dents on the court.

I just don't understand how this is allowed to happen. Moore, Taliek and Hurley were all point guards.

 

[TheChamps990411]

what real improvement looks like.
year one: 31 games, 600 minutes.
year two: 23 games, 450 minutes.
both around 20 mpg.
some notable shooting highlights -
fg%: 80 pt improvement, 33% to 41%. (plus 50 on 2s, plus 100 on 3s)
fts%: 50 pt improvement, 77% to 82%

in 25% less minutes, he also roughly equaled year one for 2 attempts, 3 attempts, ft attempts, rebounds, and steals. actually, the only thing that went down was assists, while tov's were aboot the same pg, sooooo, more attempts pg at way higher success rates, factually speaking.
and, he was one of the very few who showed up to get points at our biggest game in years.
too obvious, the makings of a scorer.
Jalen Gaffney College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com (sports-reference.com)

Meh!

 

[hardcorehusky]

Last year he looked like he wanted no part of the court at MSG versus Indiana. Against Maryland, he was our most aggressive player. Without Bouknight, it will help him mentally more than anything else. Being a go to guy will be easier for him than fitting in.

 

[jibsey]

He was more effective driving to the rim in that last game than anyone, At game end Hurley picked him to do it, not Bouk.

 

[Mr. French]

I’ve said this before Gaff has a lot of potential as a scorer. I don’t see his abilities as a great fit for a lead pg.

This is 100% true. He is tough to watch as a PG, he just doesn't have the instincts from what I see. He drives me nuts with decisions and passes/not making certain passes.

I think Cole will be the PG and Diggins will get plenty of minutes there with Gaffney being more of the 2/combo to attack. Gaffney's athleticism and (when he uses it) aggressiveness to the rim is missing with Cole so it's a good combo if Diggins is ready to step into a Shabazz-like frosh role.