Jalen

[mauconnfan]

Jalen - prone to runs, but too many times they are runs of just awful decisions passing the ball. Same as last game except in the first half he had a run of 3-4 possession where he threw 3 terrible passes to the post where Amida and face has their guys and he's basically trying to throw over the defender, but giving away his pass. What was he thinking? I mean this is not a tough pass, ball fake high throw a bounce pass or ball fake bounce pass throw high or zip it in. He killed us and helped ignite fast breaks and open looks for Memphis. KO needs more out of this kid but for now he's still on the learning curve. And after a couple of those passes he's blaming others, one time Durham when he didn't even get it over hid defender.

Kid needs to be a leader and not a whiner. Maturity can't just be the nights you're winning (few and far between) or making shots it has to be there all the time. Time to be a positive leader and talk to these guys, not whine to them about what you want.

Think he will be a really good one but nights like tonight really show how long the road still is for this young man.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Jalen - prone to runs, but too many times they are runs of just awful decisions passing the ball. Same as last game except in the first half he had a run of 3-4 possession where he threw 3 terrible passes to the post where Amida and face has their guys and he's basically trying to throw over the defender, but giving away his pass. What was he thinking? I mean this is not a tough pass, ball fake high throw a bounce pass or ball fake bounce pass throw high or zip it in. He killed us and helped ignite fast breaks and open looks for Memphis. KO needs more out of this kid but for now he's still on the learning curve. And after a couple of those passes he's blaming others, one time Durham when he didn't even get it over hid defender.

Kid needs to be a leader and not a whiner. Maturity can't just be the nights you're winning (few and far between) or making shots it has to be there all the time. Time to be a positive leader and talk to these guys, not whine to them about what you want.

Think he will be a really good one but nights like tonight really show how long the road still is for this young man.

He hasn't come out of the game the last 2 games. Has limited number of players to pass to and doesn't get the calls he should. Jalen needs to limit turnovers yes. Don't forget how bazz was his sophomore year too. Jalen is the best one on the team and should be given a break given he's shouldering them

 

[husky429]

He's a sophomore. If he was a junior, this season could look different. We're seeing more and more flashes of brilliance, but he is still adjusting. Bazz, Kemba, even Boat were infuriating their sophomore year. Unfortunately, there isn't the same amount of wiggle room with Jalen if we're going to be successful.

 

[mauconnfan]

He hasn't come out of the game the last 2 games. Has limited number of players to pass to and doesn't get the calls he should. Jalen needs to limit turnovers yes. Don't forget how bazz was his sophomore year too. Jalen is the best one on the team and should be given a break given he's shouldering them

Oh I am in his corner, think he'd be much more consistent with Gilbert as expected. But the TO's hurt and when you make 1 or even 2 SLOW DOWN don't put yourself into position for more of them he's too good to have this happen. Whether he is the best and playing 40, he still needs to make the right decisions. A couple TO's a game I'm okay with but even he shouldn't be happy with tonight.

Also his shots looked good, just didn't go in I can't hammer on him for taking them as he usually takes good ones and I'm comfortable with him shooting.

 

[RichZ]

The three consecutive passes to the other team really hurt. They fueld Memphis late first half run, and basically sealed the game. Plus, the bigs the passes never reached were playing well. For him to pout that someone didn't catch a pass that never got half way to them is really bad.

 

[mauconnfan]

The three consecutive passes to the other team really hurt. They fueld Memphis late first half run, and basically sealed the game. Plus, the bigs the passes never reached were playing well. For him to pout that someone didn't catch a pass that never got half way to them is really bad.

You saw what I saw, can't happen even playing 40 - head up be the leader this team needs to badly. Hopefully he gets it soon, KO certainly has a teaching opportunity looking at the video tonight.

 

[Hugo]

I'm sure playing 40 minutes a game added to the recent concussion isn't helping him any. He's missing on his drives to the hoop, which he usually makes, as well as his jumpers. He's also not getting by his defender as he was earlier in the year. Part of this may be the higher level of competition, but he's the only real ball handler out there and the other team knows this and defends against him. There's a lot on his shoulders right now but it's something he needs to work through with some coaching help from the staff.

 

[mauconnfan]

I'm sure playing 40 minutes a game added to the recent concussion isn't helping him any. He's missing on his drives to the hoop, which he usually makes, as well as his jumpers. He's also not getting by his defender as he was earlier in the year. Part of this may be the higher level of competition, but he's the only real ball handler out there and the other team knows this and defends against him. There's a lot on his shoulders right now but it's something he needs to work through with some coaching help from the staff.

He made some nice passes too besides the TO's. He is getting a lot thrown in his shoulders with this team no doubt. Should make him stronger hopefully in the long run.

 

[gtcam]

Jalen certainly didn't have his good game tonight - offensively and defensively
Yes he played a lot of minute but there isn't anyone else and if he had his preference he would probably want to play the full game.
There was no excuse for his numerous passes to the other team or him jacking up shots prematurely. He is a sophomore and will learn
As has been said - Kemba, Bazz, Boat, TB - they all had rough sophomore stretches
This team, as is now, has very very limited options and no depth
I agree with Mau - JA cannot become a complainer and as the designated leader - he needs to be positive
Would love to see CV become an effective PG

 

[blackbird]

Jalen isn't perfect and is going to have his poor stretches and poor games. He's also our only consistent player, and defenses are going to recognize this in league play..making this all the more difficult for him.

You don't want to not criticize him because I think that almost limits Jalen in how great he can be. He needs to be pushed into being great, just like all greats do. And this year will probably teach him a lot about himself. But there is a part of me that wants to give him a break...he is just a sophomore and he's not superman.

 

[Kitaman]

Jalen ain't right. Could be the after effects of the concussion, but playing full games with no rest I really think makes things worse. His frustration is becoming more demonstrative with each loss.

He is gassed and in that mode poor decisions, sloppy play, bad shots and other performance problems result. Add to that he has to also play defense, run the team and carry the burden of scoring, assists and be the leader its amazing at his age (i.e. limited D1 experience) that he is playing as well as he is.

Ollie needs to find a way to rest him, we ain't going to win against decent competition anyways, so why 'kill' the kid? He's young and this year will definitely make him stronger, better, wiser and hopefully an All American.

Lastly lets not complain too much if he were too good he would declare this year (especially after these circumstances). So its really a blessing in disguise.

 

[uchusky32]

The kid is how old? 1 game every 2/3/4 days?. Mentally tired yeah maybe physically tired. But next year will be his year to prove what many here believe he is. For me his lack of toughness going to the rim and very questionable D and decision making is scary. And I'm not sure KO's demeanor, letting them try to play through it is helping. To me I see a team that plays without energy, isn't accountable and doesn't value possessions. That has been their MO for 2 seasons.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

Jalen is trying to shoulder the burden of dragging a group of role players to wins.
He's pressing trying to do too much. He knows what is and isn't around him.
Had a bad night last night. There is no one around him that can pick him up when those nights happen.

Next year we will see what we were hoping to see this year.

 

[Kembacity]

Last night he looked bad, like checked out bad. I didn't see the first 10 minutes so maybe it was brutal enough to break him, but we need him to be more sturdy. Miss 5 shots, turn the ball over, but keep his head up and play hard. I saw him hanging his head and looking tired at the beginning of the second half, that I don't like at all

 

[donyell34]

Jalen - prone to runs, but too many times they are runs of just awful decisions passing the ball. Same as last game except in the first half he had a run of 3-4 possession where he threw 3 terrible passes to the post where Amida and face has their guys and he's basically trying to throw over the defender, but giving away his pass. What was he thinking? I mean this is not a tough pass, ball fake high throw a bounce pass or ball fake bounce pass throw high or zip it in. He killed us and helped ignite fast breaks and open looks for Memphis. KO needs more out of this kid but for now he's still on the learning curve. And after a couple of those passes he's blaming others, one time Durham when he didn't even get it over hid defender.

Kid needs to be a leader and not a whiner. Maturity can't just be the nights you're winning (few and far between) or making shots it has to be there all the time. Time to be a positive leader and talk to these guys, not whine to them about what you want.

Think he will be a really good one but nights like tonight really show how long the road still is for this young man.

Couldn't agree more Mau. Well said.

 

[RichZ]

I didn't see the first 10 minutes so maybe it was brutal enough to break him..

Quite the opposite. We were the better, quicker and more decisive team early.

Then Tubby made some adjustments, Jalen made some bonehead pass attempts, Purvis started taking shots that he shouldn't, early in the clock, and...

 

[Kenny11]

Jalen is clearly our best player but he still makes insanely lazy and dumb passes....he is also prone to falling asleep on defense too.
But without him, UConn would lose most games by at least 20.