Jeff Goodman in Storrs | Page 4 | The Boneyard

Jeff Goodman in Storrs

WhereistheDove? said:
Maybe this is where we differ. I have no idea what Hawkins "doing his thing" looks like. You seem to be throwing it in as a given that he will play well. I hope he does and I think he will make a big leap, but let's be honest, if we get the Hawkins of last year, we are not in a good spot.

Compare that to the point guard spot, where the two players who will play the lion's share of minutes at the point are Newton, who has been a high-level starter in a decent conference for three years (albeit on bad teams), and Andre, who played the point pretty extensively last year (and quite often when RJ was on the court as well).

I get what you're saying about point guard being more important and I don't disagree with that, it's just really odd to me with two proven players (not counting Diarra as proven) that can handle that position to be more concerned about it than the 2 and the 4 where we have a combined zero proven players.
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Because I think it's a given Hawkins will play well, he's too talented not to. Uber talented scorers tend to make a leap in their second season.

I don't agree that Jackson played the point pretty extensively last season. I watched every game and didn't see that.

Nahiem is a proven 2 starter in the ACC on a team that made the NCAA's the last two seasons and Hurley and NBA people think Hawkins could be a first round draft pick after this upcoming season.

As for your last paragraph. We agree it's the most important position, we disagree on there being two proven point guards (Newton is proven for 1 season at East Carolina.) They certainly aren't proven in terms of giving us what UConn needs from a UConn point guard. Again, I didn't see Jackson manning the point extensively last season and it's Newton's first year here. It's rare we've ever seen a UConn point guard be ready in their first year handling the position. I think he'll end up being pretty good but after following the team religiously the past 30-35 years I need to see it to believe it from a first year UConn point guard.
 
superjohn said:
I think we all know point guard is the biggest concern. Newton had really good numbers last year for a really bad team, he might be a very good point guard for UConn but it's his first year in a new system at a higher level. Andre Jackson has great vision and can feed the post and lead the break but I'm not at all ready to believe he can run the team and manage the entire game. Diarra is a nice gritty back up point. There's pieces all over the court but they'll need someone to stir the drink. Despite his lack of size and athleticism RJ was a really good floor general for us.
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Definitely do not want Jackson at the point. We need to figure out if Newton is our PG by PK85.

Piping hot takes: Karaban and Sanogo over-perform this year and Hawkins and Jackson underperform. Newton is our leading scorer. One of Alleyne or Diarra falls out of the rotation.
 
I absolutely want Andre initiating the offense. Whether I want him finishing off possessions with the shot clock expiring is a different matter. It completely depends on him adding a mid range jumper off the bounce or a consistent floater.
 
Like Bouknight Hawkins can put up points in a hurry. Want him to attack the rim on the dribble as he is good from the line. He will turn it over but he should still do that. Jackson is bringing the ball up at times and distributing, so I guess that makes him part point guard.
 
jibsey said:
Like Bouknight Hawkins can put up points in a hurry. Want him to attack the rim on the dribble as he is good from the line. He will turn it over but he should still do that. Jackson is bringing the ball up at times and distributing, so I guess that makes him part point guard.
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We do best when our PG is a scorer: Jackson doesn’t meet that criteria. He should be playing the 3.
 
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Chin Diesel said:
Definitely over 30 but most likely less than 35.
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This is where I see it - I think 12-14 for Hawkins and 18-20 for Sanogo, you end up getting close to it.
 
superjohn said:
Role player+ if things break right for him.

What is Hawkins if things don't break right for him?
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I’d say about what he was last year, but obviously better in some capacities.

His role on the team if things break right for him will be as a volume shooter coming off screens and in transition, but I think people are kidding themselves if they think he’ll suddenly handle the ball like Bouknight. Jackson/Newton/Diarra will do much more ball handling than Hawkins.
 
tennmike said:
Even more worrisome is Goodman's use of the word "needs" in his description of the 35 points Hawkins and Sanogo must score. As one who has purportedly watched a practice, apparently he's not too high on the rest of the team.
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It’s also Jeff Goodman…lol
 
AZHuskiePop said:
Affirmative
for guys that big
The first and biggest question is athleticism
quickness , hands , Hops etc. plus
footwork .
The second is Physical Strength
The third is stamina
and Basketball IQ should be a given
If he has 1-4 an NBA team can develop 2-3
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Good list I would expand by one:

5. Use the glass
 
This team is one of those teams that needs a floor General who is a alpha.
We have 2 unknown new pieces at the point. Jackson is not a point.

I would like to believe all of us faithful fans who have been following this team for a long time know how essential a true point guard is to success.

I don’t think we have one. I pray I’m wrong but I don’t see it. And stop with the Jackson BS

Goodman saying we need 35 from Hawk and Adama says all ya need to know. Plus Hurley keeping the local media away from practice is not a good sign.
 
Captbluefin said:
This team is one of those teams that needs a floor General who is a alpha.
We have 2 unknown new pieces at the point. Jackson is not a point.

I would like to believe all of us faithful fans who have been following this team for a long time know how essential a true point guard is to success.

I don’t think we have one. I pray I’m wrong but I don’t see it. And stop with the Jackson BS
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I agree. If Jackson is our best option at the point we could be in trouble unless he absolutely balls out and surprises us all.
 
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Captbluefin said:
This team is one of those teams that needs a floor General who is a alpha.
We have 2 unknown new pieces at the point. Jackson is not a point.

I would like to believe all of us faithful fans who have been following this team for a long time know how essential a true point guard is to success.

I don’t think we have one. I pray I’m wrong but I don’t see it. And stop with the Jackson BS

Goodman saying we need 35 from Hawk and Adama says all ya need to know. Plus Hurley keeping the local media away from practice is not a good sign.
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If this were a bit it would be a great post. It's like a murderers row of perennial ridiculousness. Almost too on the nose.

(Keeping the local media away from practice but allowing the national media to attend seems to be problematic for one of the dumber implications you're making.)
 
Captbluefin said:
This team is one of those teams that needs a floor General who is a alpha.
We have 2 unknown new pieces at the point. Jackson is not a point.

I would like to believe all of us faithful fans who have been following this team for a long time know how essential a true point guard is to success.

I don’t think we have one. I pray I’m wrong but I don’t see it. And stop with the Jackson BS

Goodman saying we need 35 from Hawk and Adama says all ya need to know. Plus Hurley keeping the local media away from practice is not a good sign.
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Oh good grief
 
Jackson has the best court vision on the team, has an adequate handle, and a willing passer. Sounds like the traits of someone who could run the point to me.

I would certainly like to see him cleanup the careless turnovers caused by some of his passes but I expect that to tighten up this year.

It’s asinine that people think this means the team will struggle if he needs to play at the point. You put the ball in the hands of your best playmakers and he is one of them, period.
 
NJHoops said:
I can no longer tell the difference between people doing bits and people being sincere.
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Joining Welcome Home GIF
 
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On Hawkins, this is the same kid that put up 16 in 16 minutes on one of the best teams in the country. My thoughts are well known on how Hurley handled him, but he has all the ability to be one of the best scorers in the league with the extra responsibility. I would not be surprised to see him put up 15 to 17 and becoming a lottery pick.

I was hoping to hear more about how AJ was doing from Goodman.

We should have more than enough ball handlers this year compared to last year.
 
HuskyPride87 said:
Jackson has the best court vision on the team, has an adequate handle, and a willing passer. Sounds like the traits of someone who could run the point to me.

I would certainly like to see him cleanup the careless turnovers caused by some of his passes but I expect that to tighten up this year.

It’s asinine that people think this means the team will struggle if he needs to play at the point. You put the ball in the hands of your best playmakers and he is one of them, period.
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I also got on Jackson about his turnovers but he already cleaned that up towards the second half of last season.

And this year the roster top to bottom will have better finishers who can keep up with Jackson when he's seeing the play two steps ahead and passes to give people a chance to score.

Last year some of his best reads and passes, his teammates weren't skilled enough to make a play.
 
BigErnMcCracken said:
If this were a bit it would be a great post. It's like a murderers row of perennial ridiculousness. Almost too on the nose.

(Keeping the local media away from practice but allowing the national media to attend seems to be problematic for one of the dumber implications you're making.)
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Really? I would’ve thought you would’ve considered it a huge concern.
 
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Hawkins and Sanogo getting to 35 probably depends more on tempo than anything else. If we play fast, they'll do it.

Newton is going to be an excellent point guard. It may take until March to build chemistry with the team, but I believe in him. He'll make his case to the NBA before all is said and done.

Who's gonna step up as the fifth starter is what I'm curious about. Or will we mix and match Samson, Karaban, and Nahiem? Will Richie Springs play? What of the Israeli and Greek additions? The interesting part of the season will be the #5-#8 players in the rotation. The top four players are really gifted.
 
pj said:
Hawkins and Sanogo getting to 35 probably depends more on tempo than anything else. If we play fast, they'll do it.

Newton is going to be an excellent point guard. It may take until March to build chemistry with the team, but I believe in him. He'll make his case to the NBA before all is said and done.

Who's gonna step up as the fifth starter is what I'm curious about. Or will we mix and match Samson, Karaban, and Nahiem? Will Richie Springs play? What of the Israeli and Greek additions? The interesting part of the season will be the #5-#8 players in the rotation. The top four players are really gifted.
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I expect Karaban to be a stud. His high school pedigree (27 pts/game in NEPSAC, 19 pts/game in Peach Jam) signify to me he will have an immediate impact.
 
NJHusky said:
Our last point guard transferred from Howard. I don’t think the jump will be as big from ECU, regardless of the RS year.
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I'm aware and he had a full season to practice with the team before taking over the point guard duties. Big East season 2 Cole was first team All-Big East, he was solid year 1 but there were warts and things he had to figure out.

Fingers crossed Newton is ready to run things day 1 but it usually takes some time.
 
Captbluefin said:
This team is one of those teams that needs a floor General who is a alpha.
We have 2 unknown new pieces at the point. Jackson is not a point.

I would like to believe all of us faithful fans who have been following this team for a long time know how essential a true point guard is to success.

I don’t think we have one. I pray I’m wrong but I don’t see it. And stop with the Jackson BS

Goodman saying we need 35 from Hawk and Adama says all ya need to know. Plus Hurley keeping the local media away from practice is not a good sign.
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This is a very good point, notice who was at practice this week. When I wanted a fluff piece about some disappointing players I'd definitely go to noted UConn hater Jeff Goodman
 
superjohn said:
I'm aware and he had a full season to practice with the team before taking over the point guard duties. Big East season 2 Cole was first team All-Big East, he was solid year 1 but there were warts and things he had to figure out.

Fingers crossed Newton is ready to run things day 1 but it usually takes some time.
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The things Cole needed to figure out were pace, floor spacing and finishing at the rim due to his size.

Newton was playing in the AAC which is a level up in competition and doesn't have to adjust for his size.
 
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