Just plain terrible.

[mauconnfan]

First things first. Jalen needs to get the reigns to this team. It will benefit us in the future. Secondly, unless Gibbs decides to play defense (and that's if he's able to) he should slide into a Calhoun/Austrie spot-up 3pt shooter role.

As much as I say cut Gibbs' minute, the second KO does that I bet he starts team chemistry problems. He did it at Texas because he didn't play, he did it at Seton Hall because he got suspended and coaching staff wasn't on same page. He'll do it here.

Miller and Facey are severely undersized vs. bigger teams. It seems they out weigh us by 50 lbs. Brimah is Brimah and he won't change.

Purvis is the most confusing basketball player ever. Where is his high school confidence?

KO not taking responsibility for the tech is laughable. We all knew we weren't going to win the game though. A good team will lock it up defensively under 3 minutes and that's exactly what Maryland did. I don't see them being a national contenders, but that 1-2 combo of Trimble and Suilamon with quality bigs down low is something to be afraid of in March. They're well-coached too. Tough out for sure.

We got work to do. Again.

To throw Gibbs that deep is beyond ridiculous but hey that's what you see from this. You can't discuss Gibbs defense without talking about DHam's because it could be worst. He gets a pass though I get it! Gibbs is not that bad and neither is DHam they just both need to get better. Coaching staff at Seton Hall wasn't on the same page with Gibbs right? And the other 5 transfers? But it's Sterling, I mean we'd be 8-0 without him! LOL

Purvis is confusing agree. But his HS confidence was there for the run, need it more often.

KO can do what he wants, he's the coach. Should he take a little responsibility - yes. Does he have to? No it was 1 point. Maryland is well coached but so is our team, guys just need to step up. Their bigs out rebounded ours dramatically and you can't teach that size or will, or smarts rebounding the ball. We need people who go get it, Miller needs to do more of that.

 

[uchusky32]

Brimah gave us nothing on offense. We cant throw the ball into the paint. Miller is a Ivy league player who plays well against ivy league talent but was over matched against better talent. Maybe a better offensive center would allow him to be more effective.

RP doesn't play well in the first half of games and he only heats up when the game is out of reach. Scores in bunches.

Gibbs looks lost and slow. Our guards are getting blown by on D which gets our bigs out of position for Rebounds.

Dham consistently hedges off his man or is in the paint leaving 3pt shooters wide open. He's a volume scorer. Who can miss alot of shots early.

The bench isn't deep and needs not be on the floor long nor all together.

The coaching staff fails to see this, doesn't use timeouts, and doesn't ajust to the flow of the game.

Things must change quickly.

 

[djct1999]

Gibbs not being a pg is killing us. I think we all expected more there at this point. Adams is the answer but I'm not sure he's ready yet.

Not so sure. Adams may be a better, bigger, more athletic version of Gibbs but he may not be the answer. The answer is we need a pass first pg who faciliates the offense. To me, the answer is DHam. Everything, from start to finish, must go through him.

 

[djct1999]

If he is not the answer - start Enoch.

Yeah, because how many times did Enoch fail to rotate over and give Sulamion wide open dunks?

 

[Milo65]

1. Gibbs, Purvis, Hamilton means we have no true point card on the court. Adams needs to play
2. Because we are a 3 guard offense, this leaves an undersized Miller and a Charmin Soft Brimah to rebound
3. Brimah give us little on the offensive end which means teams can sell out on us on the perimeter and he is one dimensional on defense. A shot blocker that can be taken out of the game by spreading the floor.
4. Bench is overrated. Calhoun, Nolan, Cassel, and company brought nothing
5. Gibbs and Purvis are beaten defensively leading to guard penetration and easy buckets


Most important: I could always say that Allen, Rip , Gordon, Walker, Napier would/could take over the game carry the team. Hamilton showed flashes in the second half, but not enough.

 

[Nostical]

We have the talent. KO's rotations and bench maneuvers are stifling the team.

 

[Deepster]

I'll pile on.

Two things that every great UConn team has had that this team lacks....

1) A game manager in the backcourt. El Amin, Ollie, Sheffer, Taliek, Kemba, etc, etc, etc. Some guys were true PG's, some were more hybrids, but they all managed the flow of a game. There is NONE of that right now. The flow and tempo of our offense and our ability to go in and impose our brand of basketball on another team is non-existent.

2) Team defense. A UConn staple. The ability to stifle a team for an 8-10 minute stretch. I'll attribute this to these guys just not having enough minutes together and hope Ollie can do what Calhoun did in getting them to peak in mid-to-late Feb....but I'm not holding my breath right now.

 

[upstater]

To throw Gibbs that deep is beyond ridiculous but hey that's what you see from this. You can't discuss Gibbs defense without talking about DHam's because it could be worst. He gets a pass though I get it! Gibbs is not that bad and neither is DHam they just both need to get better. Coaching staff at Seton Hall wasn't on the same page with Gibbs right? And the other 5 transfers? But it's Sterling, I mean we'd be 8-0 without him! LOL

Purvis is confusing agree. But his HS confidence was there for the run, need it more often.

KO can do what he wants, he's the coach. Should he take a little responsibility - yes. Does he have to? No it was 1 point. Maryland is well coached but so is our team, guys just need to step up. Their bigs out rebounded ours dramatically and you can't teach that size or will, or smarts rebounding the ball. We need people who go get it, Miller needs to do more of that.

I'd be lying if said I had hope that Gibbs's defense will improve.

 

[David 76]

It you think Brimah's defense was one of our big problems yesterday, I don't know what to say other than you hate Brimah.
We have so many problems you can't limit it to one or two people. Who plays great defense? Purvis sometimes, not really anyone else. Who consistently plays great offense? DHam and who? Who plays good help defense?

 

[Candyman]

Gibbs is a terrible defender. Plain and simple.

I will say this its hard for Gibbs to run the offense when everything goes thru DHam. Without the ally-oop play his drives to the middle ends with him shooting, even if its not there he will force it. He killed us in the first half on so many bad shots that lead to fast breaks for them. In general we took so many bad rushed shots in that first half.

DHam played like an All-American in the 2nd half, was aggressive and taking good shots. I'd rather see him on the wing then being our main facilitator. I really miss the back screens to free our shooters. We do no off the ball picks anymore. I'd love to see Purvis or Gibbs running around picks like the old Calhoun offense. Instead we run our bigs up top to set high screens and their out of position for off rebounding. Plus they always double the dribbler and force him way out.

 

[Vuce]

I said it in the chat room last night and some have mentioned it here. I think our PG problem is pretty obvious. We need Gilbert badly - but he wont be around until next year. Gibbs will not get it done and Adams needs to play more. I keep thinking that KO wants to be liked by all his top 11 players too much. He needs to shorten his bench to about 8 players and dig deeper only when there is foul trouble or there is a blowout. We need to get nastier too on the court on the defensive end and rebounding. It was astonishing to see a Maryland player get by his man and just go to the rim with no resistance. That's not Uconn basketball. Ohio state is not having a great year but if we play like we did last night in the first half, that game is up for grabs.

 

[Gurleyman]

It you think Brimah's defense was one of our big problems yesterday, I don't know what to say other than you hate Brimah. We have so many problems you can't limit it to one or two people. Who plays great defense? Purvis sometimes, not really anyone else. Who consistently plays great offense? DHam and who? Who plays good help defense?

For what it's worth, I like how Adams brings great energy on the defensive end - he's a freshman so he gets beat once in a while, or plays too hard and picks up cheap fouls (thinking about Jay Bilas quote "not every possession is the Alamo" more so than the cheap one yesterday), but I don't question his effort or even his attention to detail. He fights around screens when he's supposed to, and sticks with shooters when he's supposed to. You don't see very many freshman mental mistakes from him, and you never see a lack of effort.

Brimah also had a very good rebounding game yesterday. 7 in 18 minutes, several of which were out of his area or in heavy traffic. He pulled down one long one off a missed FT yesterday late from a maze of five people that I don't know how he got. He had to go full extension reaching back to get a paw on it and pulled it in. Offensively, he is what he is - limited with the occasional bonus points (he did make a face up jumper yesterday), but our other four starters are all proven double digit scorers and plenty of teams, including our own, have been successful with defensive role players surrounded by scorers.

 

[junglehusky]

Lots of core areas to address, among them Ollie, defense, rebounding. But I feel like if we had a couple guys we could depend on to set the tone on both ends and get and keep a duck*ing lead in the first half we'd be most of the way there. You'd think Purv would fit that role by now but he's not. If we have that, we probably have 2-3 wins instead of 3 losses and are ranked. If we have that the coach doesn't have to give a paint-peeling halftime speech that the players are probably now immune to. If we have that our deficiencies are less of a problem,. If we have that maybe KO doesn't get a brainfreeze technical at a critical juncture.

I wish we had that.

 

[Dogdeacon]

This may be nitpicking at a shrub in the dysfunctional forest, but it seemed that Maryland switched every pick or screen last night and UConn's guards reaction to the switch was to dribble at the help defender while going backwards. Never occurred to them to cross over since it was usually a big guy hedging? And then this simple defensive philosophy stifled UConn's offense for 3/4 of the game.

 

[tzznandrew]

This may be nitpicking at a shrub in the dysfunctional forest, but it seemed that Maryland switched every pick or screen last night and UConn's guards reaction to the switch was to dribble at the help defender while going backwards. Never occurred to them to cross over since it was usually a big guy hedging? And then this simple defensive philosophy stifled UConn's offense for 3/4 of the game.

And the sort of thing we know Ollie teaches since Bazz and Boat did it in the last 3 years consistently.

 

[intlzncster]

Again you can't discount his blocks during the run, they were critical. But you can't dismiss the stupid 3rd foul when Trimble was out of control and he fouled him just because. If he puts his hands straight up he throws up a prayer and he gets the rebound (maybe lol). For every good thing I can name 2 plays on defense which he was late or not around. Rebounded better especially early but I can't even name a play on the offensive end where he did anything. This team can't be struggling in half court playing 4 on 5 basketball it's that simple. He never gets position to rebound in the offensive end against good, big guys. Always swinging away from behind. And the one time he gets the ball in scoring position on the low block he throws up a very weak 4 foot air ball, is this good for our offensive flow.

"half decent" games being acceptable is making this team what it is. Gibbs needs to step up too, Miller needs to do more, Adams needs to be more consistent and finish, Rodney more consistent, DHam needs to finish around the rim in the first half and he also really needs to get a left hand to be great. I mean many guys played ok and are going to play better I believe, they've done it before. But AB, same guy like it or not. Block some shots, miss his assignment because he's thinking whether or not to block the shot and then run down the other end and get nothing against good teams. Not even a damn pick of impact ever. What do you want me to say, he's going to be fine?

Knock Knock...no one's home!

While some of these things are true. Brimah needs to be in the starting lineup. Their biggest problem right now is our defense. As others have said, it's a layup line without him in there. We can't get stops, which leads to a lack of transition points, which leads to being forced into a half court offense. They had ZERO fast break points at the half yesterday. Half court offense is clearly not UCONN's strength. And it's not just Brimah in there either; there isn't much offense being run, as the PG situation is unsettled. They aren't cohesive in the half court right now.

As you said, Brimah needs to eliminate the dumb foul, because they need him on the floor.

 

[Pmurph678]

DHAM is great an all, but his offense is so limited for being as skilled as he is. How many times is he going to drive to the bucket, pump fake 4 times and put up some awkward shot.

It works surprisingly well, but it doesn't translate against solid opponents.

 

[SubbaBub]

Brimah
Miller
Hamilton
Purvis
Gibbs (Oleander remix)

That is the starting five, Adams comes in for whichever of Rodney or Sterling is missing open shots or jacking up dumb ones. This shouldn't take more than 2 minutes gametime. Or pull the JC 10 second sub for something egregious.

Calhoun comes in for minutes if either is really off on their shot like Gibbs was last night. That's your back court.

Enoch comes in for Brimah if he gets in foul trouble. Nolan only to rest one of them.

Facey comes in for Miller if he gets in foul trouble.

Use the three guards to spell Hamilton.

I don't think the small lineup can guard or rebound well enough to use on purpose. So Hamilton at the 4 doesn't work for me.

This team needs guys on the court that will rebound and rotate on defense. Staying in front of the ball handler or fighting through screens might be too much to ask.

Taking bad shots or missing too many open ones should earn time on the bench.

 

[Mots010]

I wish Dham had a little back-to-the-basket game, similar to that Euro dude on St Joe's in 2014. That guy destroyed us with post ups and dishing when help came.

 

[Stinger92860]

This guy wouldn't improve his offensive game if he lived with Pete Newell and his staff every summer. What are you guys watching. If he was any good at all on offense and even if Coach Miller does suck he'd be better for he fact he's played 2 1/2 years - he's not. It's not coaching he's no good on that end because he retains zero and has no natural instincts except blocking shots. It's the sam thing on both ends, either block a shot or get beat on a pick and roll, or late to help. The offense isn't as good!

He's not getting better and it's not on the staff. Purvis is better, Hamilton is better, Facey is even better, Enoch will be better. He is what he is accept it because it's not getting better. Keep hammering Gibbs!

What has me shaking my head, is the Brimah jump-hook, where he does not leave the ground and his release point is near his head. That gets blocked 80% of the time. Its the same move he has had for 2.5 years. Are you telling me we can't teach him how to extend and jump in one motion? If he can't at least try to do that then you tell him to forget about that "move".

 

[buddy]

Maryland's players, and most of the P5 teams that UConn has/will face, have bigger, stronger guys. UConn gets pushed around because they don't have the body strength to compete. Recruiting needs to focus on strength and bulk down low. UConn cannot establish a presence there and it is very costly.

 

[uconngb]

Yep I said he was awful first 5 minutes, didn't guard too many people but no the only one there. But overall not bad, not our worst player on the court tonight that's for sure.

I think he was relative to what our expectations are. He has really under-delivered in every non-cupcake game. I think he should be shown the bench and maybe be used as a John Gwynn-like offensive weapon coming off the bench. He does not deserve to start. Brimah, unfortunately, is the best of a bunch of bad options in the middle.

 

[intlzncster]

UConn gets pushed around because they don't have the body strength to compete. Recruiting needs to focus on strength and bulk down low. UConn cannot establish a presence there and it is very costly.

You mean like Enoch? The only problem is that he is raw. Our guys have a bigger problem with getting in the right position (technique wise). It's not like they're establishing great position and THEN getting pushed off it. They don't even go to where they are supposed to be (mental).

 

[lange10]

Our half court offense is putrid. I think that is the biggest issue, to be honest. Defense and rebounding is about desire and effort. But if we continue to run this atrocious half-court offense of "pass the ball around the perimeter until Dham creates for himself 1 on 3 and hope he makes a forced shot in the paint" (which I'm not faulting Dham for by the way. He has been great and if we ran a real offense, his FG% would be much higher) we aren't getting past the first weekend in March. Gibbs shoots 45% from 3 but can't get an open look off a screen? Miller is a great offensive threat in the low block but never gets the ball. When teams go zone (in which you want to attack the gaps and get the ball in the middle) we don't have a man at the free throw line to dissect the D. We don't run inbounds plays...ever. I don't know what is happening in practice.

 

[boog204]

1. Gibbs, Purvis, Hamilton means we have no true point card on the court. Adams needs to play
2. Because we are a 3 guard offense, this leaves an undersized Miller and a Charmin Soft Brimah to rebound
3. Brimah give us little on the offensive end which means teams can sell out on us on the perimeter and he is one dimensional on defense. A shot blocker that can be taken out of the game by spreading the floor.
4. Bench is overrated. Calhoun, Nolan, Cassel, and company brought nothing
5. Gibbs and Purvis are beaten defensively leading to guard penetration and easy buckets


Most important: I could always say that Allen, Rip , Gordon, Walker, Napier would/could take over the game carry the team. Hamilton showed flashes in the second half, but not enough.

1. Is Adams a point guard though? He had a nice dish to Miller but he also made some awful decisions (he's a frosh, I know) so I'm not sure he's ready to take the reins. I agree that none of the three guys are a point.
2. Agreed... The Miller = Dennis Rodman hyperbole is looking a bit foolish.
3. Agreed but that's the give and take with AB. If our offense plays like it can, you can deal with a one-dimensional player.
4. Agreed... None of them are athletic or skilled enough to really help and Enoch is too raw just yet. I think we were all hoping either Omar or Cassell could give us something but both are pretty lost and/or flawed.
5. x1000... Blown away by how poorly our perimeter D is. Add DHam there; he is just as bad. Some of the worst perimeter D I've ever seen by a UConn team.

 

[tzznandrew]

Maryland's players, and most of the P5 teams that UConn has/will face, have bigger, stronger guys. UConn gets pushed around because they don't have the body strength to compete. Recruiting needs to focus on strength and bulk down low. UConn cannot establish a presence there and it is very costly.

You do realize that our recruiting is on par with--or better than--all P5 schools not named Kentucky, Duke, UNC, and Kansas, right?

 

[boog204]

You do realize that our recruiting is on par with--or better than--all P5 schools not named Kentucky, Duke, UNC, and Kansas, right?

He's not wrong though in saying that prior to this year we haven't recruited many tough big men. Miller, Enoch, and Diallo (on paper) are a welcome change from years of Amida, Nolan, Olander, and to a lesser extent AO and Drummond, etc. Both of these guys, while physically imposing, were pretty soft as well.

 

[tzznandrew]

He's not wrong though in saying that prior to this year we haven't recruited many tough big men. Miller, Enoch, and Diallo (on paper) are a welcome change from years of Amida, Nolan, Olander, and to a lesser extent AO and Drummond, etc. Both of these guys, while physically imposing, were pretty soft as well.

To be fair, though, we got Brimah, Facey, Nolan, etc. while we were in the Big East.

 

[gtcam]

The frontcourt coaching is becoming a concern. We used to be able to count on raw, unheralded bigs developing over their 4 years here. Are Nolan, Facey, and Brimah significantly better than they were when they got here?

Who here is coachable to turn it on immediately? None of these guys. UConn LOVES to recruit the wings and the PGs but a quality big man? Christ, NG was the best big man during the tourney run and Dan Hurley will again lead the team in rebounding.
Enoch may have potential and I still see some real good in Facey, AB is AB (a Thabeet in sheeps clothing) and PN is a senior.
I am on the side that KO is not the reason for the loss and I call the technical unfortunate - it didn't lose the game
This team lacks a PG, a leader, and all kinds of toughness and desire
A bunch of nonchalant guys who (with exception to Dan Hurley, JA, SE and Kelis Fisher) have thus far shown a complete lack of "getting your hands dirty" desire and attitude.
I am hoping that JA turns out to be that person next year. Maybe he can start NOW!!!

 

[intlzncster]

Who here is coachable to turn it on immediately? None of these guys. UConn LOVES to recruit the wings and the PGs but a quality big man? Christ, NG was the best big man during the tourney run and Dan Hurley will again lead the team in rebounding.

No he wasn't. He played sparely (and well) at the 4. That's it. It was Daniels by a mile. And I certainly didn't see NG guarding the Julius Randles or Patric Youngs of the world.