Just got back from the game, my initial reactions | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Just got back from the game, my initial reactions

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mauconnfan said:
Where have you been? For years very good UConn teams have struggled in exhibition games, especially the first one. Many have struggled against UNH, Maine and others alike ear;y regular season and still gone deep in tourneys. To even be forecasting the season after today is ridiculous.
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Not really forecasting the season, but we still have a lot of work to do. I definitely think we'll be better than last year. We have more talent. I really liked the potential that some of the players showed.
 
Allis said:
Not really forecasting the season, but we still have a lot of work to do. I definitely think we'll be better than last year. We have more talent. I really liked the potential that some of the players showed.
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For sure, you never look at these games as a barometer of where we're at, it's much more an exercise of looking at our potential ceiling and that is sky high in my opinion after seeing Adams miller and Gibbs for the first time.
 
I'd also like to add that the team chemistry has seemed to improve. I think that will help Purvis' game. Once the energy gets going, Purvis comes in and flourishes. So, it'll be important to to have 2 or 3 players that can create that and then Purvis can help continue it. I think Adams will be one of the players to bring the energy.
 
This was a practice game with new practice players. Can't see how any conclusions can be made, however observations are valid.

Its the first practice game . . . . . . . . . . . . just saying.
 
Allis said:
I don't know. Tampa is a Division II team and even if they were the best DII team out there, a top level DI team should be able to cream them and that's not really what happened here IMO.
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It's a freak'n exhibition
Calm down
 
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upstater said:
I agree with you that Phil was moving around better than I ever saw him. But I wonder if it's because he had more space against that small team.
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13 of 24 from the line will lose you a lot of games. They know that and will work on it.
 
This game means as close to nothing as we`ll ever get. Ill take nothing from this game other than it just being nice to see the ol`boys again and the new guys for the first time. This team will be better Dec 1st than they are on Nov 1st and better Jan 1st than they are Dec 1st and so on.
 
Loved Miller. He will thrive on this team with the other offensive option we have. Once the chemistry kicks in I think we will have a wealth of scoring threats. Gibbs, Purvis, Adams and DHam can all knock 3s down. Omar can too.

Enoch looked like a freshman in his first game. It'll take him a while to get comfortable. But he runs the court well and has size and athleticism. I love that we can ease him in with behind Brimah, Miller and Nolan.

Jalen Adams is going to be every bit as good as we have heard. Wait until he is acclimated to the speed and physicality of the college game.

I did NOT like Brimah getting pushed around under the basket. On 3 occasions he was in prime rebounding position and the ball came his way. He was shoved right out of there and Tampa got the ball. Should have been a rebound and dunk/layup each time for him.

Some of you who are making definitive statements about players and the team after ONE freaking exhibition game need to chill. We have seen experienced and talented teams struggle in the early season over the years. Thank goodness college hoop season is back. I am already looking forward to Uconn hoops on Saturday followed by Uconn football on TV. Love this time of year.
 
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A lot of short sighted analysis here. First, Miller is going to be an obvious impact player and exceeded my expectations, which were high to begin with. Second, we have enormous depth and scoring will be shared greatly, which is much better than relying on single player (a la Boat) carrying the scoring load. I personally liked what I saw from Rodney, as he seemed like he picked up where he left off but also knew there would be more than him and boat to get points on the board. No, he didn't score 30pts, nor should he when sharing the floor with other great guards who are all contributing in equal fashion. DHam played well and got tons of boards. Also, it's obvious we have a serious star in Adams. Calhoun also looked good, and used his minutes off the bench efficiently. Yeah there was a couple errant airball's, but he still went something like 3 for 5 with some boards. Super stoked to see that. However the biggest take away here should be, to not form any major conclusions over an exhibition game, and the first one at that. The guys are still developing chemistry, the freshman feeling their way, Ollie experimenting with different lineups, etc. But, my feelings are the same as before tip off, which is this is a solid top top 15 team, with depth that can go deep in March if the chemistry comes together.
 
HarryAGampel said:
Anywhere to find a Box Score for the game?
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Here you go...
PTS REB AST PF
ADAMS, Jalen
14 6 3 1
AMILO, Nnamdi
1 1 0 0
ENOCH, Steven
0 2 0 3
FOXEN, Christian
0 0 0 0
NOYES, Mike
0 0 0 1
MILLER, Shonn
18 6 0 2
PURVIS, Rodney
14 4 1 3
CALHOUN, Omar
11 4 2 2
HAMILTON, Daniel
10 8 2 3
GIBBS, Sterling
8 1 5 3
BRIMAH, Amida
6 3 0 3
NOLAN, Phillip
4 3 0 3
CASSELL JR., Sam
2 0 1 2
FACEY, Kentan
0 4 0 0


TOTAL
Points 88
Field Goals 33-68, 48.5%
Free Throws 13-24, 54.2%
3-Pointers 9-20, 45.0%
Off. Rebounds 14
Def. Rebounds 32
Total Rebounds 46
Assists 14
Blocks 9
P. Fouls 26
T. Fouls 0
Turnovers 12
 
I take it Miller was the sherpa for this game?

Will we have mojo sherpas this season?
 
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I streamed the game on Husky vision or whatever and agree with a lot of the observations in this thread. Miller looked awesome. He was active on defense and on offense without the ball. He is a stud. He is bigger and faster than I thought. Adams looks like he could be a star. Nice shooting stroke. Gibbs wasn't as electric as I thought he would be but had 5 assists so happy with that and he looked like he was searching a little bit so he will play better. Loved what I saw overall from Calhoun I'd like to see KO run some screens for him. I was hoping Facey would do more with his minutes. Brimah, meh. He blocked some shots though and altered others. Purvis looked good driving to the hoop. Would love to see more of that. My biggest takeaway was that KO pressed most of the game. Mostly soft but it was interesting. Not sure if he was just trying it out or wants to play that way. Free throw shooting was awful. Hopefully that will improve.
It seemed to me our perimeter defense wasn't as good as usual but interior defense looked better. Nice tune up though.
 
I think Omar wants to have a big senior year huh? I mean he was all over the court, maybe more than any time since his freshman year. It could be the fact he's healthy or just the fact the door is closing and reality is here - no matter couldn't help but like what we saw. He rebounded the ball, defended better and was active with the ball on the offensive end. Not many teams have a guy coming off the bench with his ability when healthy would be a welcome sight if the consistency stays with him.
 
mauconnfan said:
Reddick, Bacon, Hollis, Johnson all were pretty decent players. For a team picked 6th in a Divy2 league they looked better. Also they mentioned someone was not playing due to a broken nose vs SCSU
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Betcha South Florida will regret playing these guys if they do play.
 
mauconnfan said:
Reddick, Bacon, Hollis, Johnson all were pretty decent players. For a team picked 6th in a Divy2 league they looked better. Also they mentioned someone was not playing due to a broken nose vs SCSU
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Bacon is a freshman, I can't see him staying in Div 2 for 4 years. Kid's got game, I think he gets courted and snatched by a larger school, unless there are unknown factors (e.g. grades).
 
Assessments seem pretty consistent and exactly what I saw as well. Mau made an excellent comment in another thread that is relevant to comments about who will assert themselves as our alpha dog. He said Gibbs was making an effort to be a good teammate. I think that is true with all our 'stars' at the moment. The team is trying to find chemistry and know one feels the need to take over on every clutch possession or dominate the ball or lead the play every time. Their 'leaders' are trying to get everyone involved rather than dominating themselves. I don't think we'll see a single leader for a while by design, and, it may be that our leader will be the 'hot hand' game by game.
 
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I like there to be an alpha dog. I think it is necessary for going deep in the tourney. I hope Hamilton becomes that guy for his sake. If it ends up being Gibbs, Purvis or even Adams, that's ok too. I just don't see leader by committee resulting in championships.
 
My take is that UConn will have an extremely most excellent 8/9 man rotation come tournament time.
Starters: Brimah, Purvis, Miller, DHam Gibbs.

Miller and Dham should make up for some of Brimah's rebounding so let him patrol the paint.

Reserves: Adams, Calhoun and which other guys step up over the course of the season.

Remember Ollie is capable of using Miller at the 5. A lineup of Miller, DHam, Gibbs, Purvis, Adams is not out of the question. So, Ollie may never have to put a player on the floor who is not a star in his own right at this level during a big game.
 
pnow15 said:
My take is that UConn will have an extremely most excellent 8/9 man rotation come tournament time.
Starters: Brimah, Purvis, Miller, DHam Gibbs.

Miller and Dham should make up for some of Brimah's rebounding so let him patrol the paint.

Reserves: Adams, Calhoun and which other guys step up over the course of the season.

Remember Ollie is capable of using Miller at the 5. A lineup of Miller, DHam, Gibbs, Purvis, Adams is not out of the question. So, Ollie may never have to put a player on the floor who is not a star in his own right at this level during a big game.
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Completely agree. I think we will go small a lot and use DHam at the 4, because we have a lot of depth at the guard position.

I see Enoch grabbing the reserve big-man spot

SC Jr, Nolan and Facey to be phased out of the rotation eventually, playing sparingly with foul trouble / need a spark / injuries.
 
partyATkemba said:
Completely agree. I think we will go small a lot and use DHam at the 4, because we have a lot of depth at the guard position.

I see Enoch grabbing the reserve big-man spot

SC Jr, Nolan and Facey to be phased out of the rotation eventually, playing sparingly with foul trouble / need a spark / injuries.
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Nolan will not be phased out and may end up playing more than some would like. Probably because he brings more than some identify with! ;)
 
mauconnfan said:
Nolan will not be phased out and may end up playing more than some would like. Probably because he brings more than some identify with! ;)
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I agree Nolan has value, and Ollie selectively knows how and when to apply him. He's an experienced senior and along with Omar will be guaranteed court time.

People just need to realize Phil has limitations but can still offer contributions. My big gripe is that they still aren't putting stickum on his hands. Fix those hands and he will contribute a whole lot more.

Also if people notice, Phil is a leader and a very good teammate. He shows no signs of jealousy or resentment towards Miller or Amida, Teammates supporting each other is more important than fan support.
 
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