Jaylin Stewarts time has come

[AllHusky]

Jaylin is a playmaker who needs to continue to gain experience and grow. Dixon in the lane, goes up, Stew blocks shot and grabs ball from Dixon. That's a play. His points speak for themselves. The more he plays the more he'll know what to do when, whether its onoffense or defense. As Kenny Rogers says:
"You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run"

 

[Umami Zen]

Jaylin went toe-to-toe with one of the top 5 SFs in the country/leading scorer. He's got continue to believe in himself and good things will happen. January games are going to be a launching pad for his sophomore bump. Just in time for Liam's return in a few weeks.

 

[Excalibur]

The issue is consistency. He was bad -- really bad -- in his limited minutes in the previous 3-4 games.

 

[AllHusky]

Agree on the consistency, however he makes plays on both sides of the ball. Plays that our alternatives can't or don't make. The more he plays, the more consistent he becomes. These are great coaches, Jaylin has the stuff, they'll get it out of him, and he'll get it out of himself. My comment on the Chat was that they need to force feed him to the lineup. Now is the opportunity with Liam out. When Liam returns, he might have a greatly improved teammate. He can't revert to a low minutes game. It is a chicken or the egg deal. Is he inconsistent because he gets inconsistent playing time, or does he get inconsistent playing time because he is inconsistent?

 

[TheHorde]

I think it’s a confidence and belief thing for him. I anticipate he’s going to have a nice stretch of games coming up while getting bigger minutes and knowing the staff is counting on him and will ride with him.

 

[tennmike]

The issue is consistency. He was bad -- really bad -- in his limited minutes in the previous 3-4 games.

I've watched every game for the last, seems like, 100 years and I have not noticed Jaylin looking worse than Ross. To my non "Hall of Fame" eyes, Stewart is the better all-around player. Same can be said about Reed and Johnson. And to those that love and appreciate Ball's game, his offense continues to be stellar...but he was awful defensively in the first half. Stop ball-watching and keep an eye on your guy. Uncontested backdoor cuts drive me crazy. Ok, I feel better now.

 

[jibsey]

Stew has some beautiful assists, very smart player in that respect.

 

[storrsroars]

The issue is consistency. He was bad -- really bad -- in his limited minutes in the previous 3-4 games.

Sometimes things just click. I wouldn't discount that happening here. And I really hope I'm right!

 

[AllHusky]

You have to be, there is no choice.

 

[jostar1]

After the game, Hurley acknowledged Stewart’s masterclass.
“We’re thrilled with the way (Stewart) played,” Hurley said.

“That’s encouraging both in the short term and the long term. When we get Liam back, if we can get J-Stew playing at that level, then Liam’s injury becomes a positive once we get (to) full strength.”

“I thought he played a great game. … He guarded the best offensive player in the country to start the game and in a lot of spots, and that best offensive player in the country (Dixon) did go 6-for-20 in the game, so I couldn’t ask for more from Jaylin Stewart. That’s gotta be a confidence-builder for him.”

“To be honest, I felt like myself,” Stewart said, per Hartford Courant’s Joe Arruda. “That’s what I was known for before college, (my) scoring.”

“It’s not easy stopping (Dixon) play after play, he’s probably the strongest player I’ve ever played. It was pretty difficult, but I hung in there.”

UConn's Key X-Factor Emerges Versus Villanova: 'I Felt Like Myself'

In college basketball, success in March often depends upon how your team navigated detours between November and February. In the end, injuries, bad losses, and

www.si.com

 

[AllHusky]

“To be honest, I felt like myself,” Stewart said, per Hartford Courant’s Joe Arruda. “That’s what I was known for before college, (my) scoring.”

Honestly, doing a good job on Dixon not bad to hang your hat on either. He's got to follow up in the next game with another strong CONSISTENT performance

 

[rip7774]

J Stew is a facilitator that can make things happen for himself or teammate via the drive by or powering through his man on a team pretty deficient on those kind of guys. Can’t understand Ross playing over him bc Ross‘ practice exploits sure don’t translate to games. Feels like we’re playing 4 on 5 when he’s out there while JStew can put pressure on the defense in a variety of ways.

Always been a fan of his diverse game, more jStew and maybe soon Nowell! #TeamShotCreators

 

[gtcam]

He had a very strong game and it was long overdue.
The secret is can he continue this type of play consistently?
We all hope the answer is yes
His D vs Dixon was impressive to say the least.

 

[jibsey]

I actually think that Stew can put the ball on the floor, drive to the rim and either attempt the shot or pass off for assists. In a late game situation. He would have to practice and become comfortable with it but he’s more athletic than Alex doing it.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

Hurley always favors defense wayyy above offense

Ross and Samson getting time over Stewart and Reed despite what we all see Stew and Reed do on offense would be solid examples

 

[microfich]

It generally starts to click for sophs around this time unless a guy's a bonehead or lacking in skills - that's not Stew. Given our complex offense and the learning curve on defense it's not surprising for a four star to have growing pains in some areas.

Stew was my favorite frosh last year from the start - so many ways to score at first glance. Since last November he's often shown the multiple ways he can impact a game leaving us salivating for more.

He looked so composed during the Dixon match-up - it was very relaxing to watch if you know what I mean.
While I wish he had some spin, his 3 ball is acceptable if not dependable. (I know, even Rashad had a flat ball and that worked out.) If the time gained from Liam's absence gives him more freedom to attack and get to the line, we'll be very happy.

 

[Hunt for 7]

If Liam is healthy what position does Stewart play when he comes off the bench. Liam and AK are going to play 30+ minutes a game because they have too. So what happens if we play Stewart more.
Where does he play?
Does Liam slide to playing guard?
What happens to Balls minutes in that situation?

There is a lot of love for Stewart right now, which I understand but when we are healthy what is our rotation to get him on the floor more. Is there an easy answer I am missing?

 

[HuskyHawk]

If Liam is healthy what position does Stewart play when he comes off the bench. Liam and AK are going to play 30+ minutes a game because they have too. So what happens if we play Stewart more.
Where does he play?
Does Liam slide to playing guard?
What happens to Balls minutes in that situation?

There is a lot of love for Stewart right now, which I understand but when we are healthy what is our rotation to get him on the floor more. Is there an easy answer I am missing?

Yes. Ball would play a little less. Liam some at SG. Alex would be helped by playing fewer minutes.

 

[jake14mw]

When did he become a defensive stopper? All of a sudden out of nowhere in this game he's playing lock down D on one of the best scorers in the country. Honestly, where has that been? Was it just that he matched up well against this one player that has a unique combination of size strength and skills? He was incredible against him.

 

[controlfade]

If Liam is healthy what position does Stewart play when he comes off the bench. Liam and AK are going to play 30+ minutes a game because they have too. So what happens if we play Stewart more.
Where does he play?
Does Liam slide to playing guard?
What happens to Balls minutes in that situation?

There is a lot of love for Stewart right now, which I understand but when we are healthy what is our rotation to get him on the floor more. Is there an easy answer I am missing?

Stewie can easily get 22-25 minutes a game playing the 3 ,4 or even a little 2, it would limit Ross to 5-7 minutes at most.

 

[jibsey]

Yes. Ball would play a little less. Liam some at SG. Alex would be helped by playing fewer minutes.

Question. If Liam is shooting guard does that reduce his rebounds? I think not that much because Cam Spencer got a lot from that spot.
BTW, Stew at the 2? If his handle could handle it, yes.

 

[ctchamps]

If Stewart can play great defense at the three and Liam the two that would significantly improve this team. But it remains to be seen.

 

[AllHusky]

If Stewart can play great defense at the three and Liam the two that would significantly improve this team. But it remains to be seen.

This scenario would be ideal. Stewart brings more at the 3 than Mahaney at the 2. Wouldn't you prefer McNeeley over Mahaney at the 2? What can Aidan do that Liam can't? So Solo gets 25 at the 2, Liam gets 10 at the 2 and 20 at the 3, with Stewart the other 20 at the 3/4. Do we consider the 3 and 4 interchangeable with AK, Liam and Jaylin sharing those two positions?

Last things, would like to see:
1. how a Zone would work for us, and
2. consider Samson and Tarris on the floor at the same time. It's happened a few minutes here and there, but if they can manage fouls, might be worth a little more time against certain teams. Did they share the floor at all against Villanova when Dixon and Boakye(sp?) were playing?

Thought we would seem some creative defense employed in Villanova game.

 

[Deepster]

I think it’s a confidence and belief thing for him. I anticipate he’s going to have a nice stretch of games coming up while getting bigger minutes and knowing the staff is counting on him and will ride with him.

You have to remember, he came onto maybe one of the best teams of all time, with a roster full of talented alpha dogs. It's hard for a young kid to push his confidence through on a team like that. You can almost see him and Jayden both hanging out, acting similarly together off a bit to the side to this point. And, like everyone now says, it's time.

 

[TheHorde]

You have to remember, he came onto maybe one of the best teams of all time, with a roster full of talented alpha dogs. It's hard for a young kid to push his confidence through on a team like that. You can almost see him and Jayden both hanging out, acting similarly together off a bit to the side to this point. And, like everyone now says, it's time.

I think Danny needs to stop with the “skittish” comments on Stewart. I don’t think that type of thing motivates him. Some guys need a kick in the butt while others need the pat on the back or words of encouragement. And if Stewart has played “skittish”, then what does that make Ross, or further back, Mahaney?