Mahaney enters the portal…

[RuffRuff]

Yup… the board and staff were ecstatic to get him. Kentucky fans were pissed. Mahaney was a huge get and one of the best portal guys last year. It didn’t work out; time to move on and not change the narrative.

Good for him - this sounds about the right fit.

I don’t include myself in that group - took a look at his numbers, watched some tape against athletic teams. The summer practice is where it really stood out. Will forever be curious to the decision making process on this one.

 

[Inyatkin]

Good for him - this sounds about the right fit.

I don’t include myself in that group - took a look at his numbers, watched some tape against athletic teams. The summer practice is where it really stood out. Will forever be curious to the decision making process on this one.

Hoping the Hurley-Nuggets thing is real so you get a shot to run the program. Then maybe we'd get somewhere.

 

[WrenchFan69]

The only university with its own beach!

Mitchell College owns a gorgeous beach in New London (lol)

 

[RuffRuff]

Hoping the Hurley-Nuggets thing is real so you get a shot to run the program. Then maybe we'd get somewhere.

I’m not calling myself an expert, this one wasn’t hard to spot. Small unathletic guys who shoot 38% from the field as a sophomore don’t typically translate. And her he is a banana slug. I do appreciate the recommendation.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I’m not calling myself an expert, this one wasn’t hard to spot. Small unathletic guys who shoot 38% from the field as a sophomore don’t typically translate. And her he is a banana slug. I do appreciate the recommendation.

UC Santa Barbara's nickname is Gauchos.

UC Santa Cruz is the Banana Slugs.

 

[superjohn]

I’m not calling myself an expert, this one wasn’t hard to spot. Small unathletic guys who shoot 38% from the field as a sophomore don’t typically translate. And her he is a banana slug. I do appreciate the recommendation.

If you're going to do this at least get the name right. He's visiting the Gauchos.

 

[John]

I’m not calling myself an expert, this one wasn’t hard to spot. Small unathletic guys who shoot 38% from the field as a sophomore don’t typically translate. And her he is a banana slug. I do appreciate the recommendation.

If you've never coached at a high level you really can't comment.

 

[RuffRuff]

If you've never coached at a high level you really can't comment.

Comment on what? A player eval?

You’re saying as people who haven’t coached high level hoops can’t have an opinion? Well then we should shut this board down because that’s all it is.

 

[CL82]

Why can‘t he play in Ireland?

Because of "the incident."

 

[UCTitleTown]

I never understood the decision of UCTitleTown to sign up for the Boneyard. I think he must have gotten posted over at another site.

Hopefully, you'll understand why I ignored you.

 

[UCTitleTown]

You never understood his decision to sign for the two-time defending champs? Who'd just done so well developing Joey C and Cam in the previous two seasons? Really?

Worked out amazingly for him.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Why can‘t he play in Ireland?

Because he can get started on the rest of his life at 23 with a degree from a prestigious university like UCSB, or he can bounce around rosters of C leagues for a decade and start his real career at 32. Does this really need to be explained to you?

 

[inWV]

Yup… the board and staff were ecstatic to get him. Kentucky fans were pissed. Mahaney was a huge get and one of the best portal guys last year. It didn’t work out; time to move on and not change the narrative.

Mahaney may have been OK in the SEC or Big 12. His skills didn’t match BE play, which often resembles a rugby scrum.

 

[Mr. French]

I'm surprised he isn't going home to SMC. He was successful there. Might have burned some bridges?

Maybe…but I’m guessing it’s just moving on.

 

[Lafayette]

UC Santa Barbara's nickname is Gauchos.

UC Santa Cruz is the Banana Slugs.

Funny reddit on the Banana Slugs: ~1986: Best part about this: they repeatedly tried to force them to take the name 'Sea Lions' and even built a statue to that end, and the student body politely told them to off.

 

[boog204]

Mahaney may have been OK in the SEC or Big 12. His skills didn’t match BE play, which often resembles a rugby scrum.

His physicality didn’t match. Kid is definitely skilled.

 

[Deleted at users request]

His physicality didn’t match. Kid is definitely skilled.

He was in the wrong role here. I hope the coaching staff has learned its lesson on that.

 

[bfs3]

Because of "the incident."

Well done.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Worked out amazingly for him.

Have you ever heard the phrase “hindsight is 20/20”?

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Do those level schools have NIL or you just get to play and finish degree

The fact he is looking at this level is a good indication he was over his head in the BE and should not have been considered. Maybe he played his best game ever when we played St Mary’s?

I don’t necessarily agree , Don’t confuse style of play with quality of play .
He had a lot talent but wasn’t prepared for the physical nature of what’s permitted in the Big East. i also suspect he is a better shooter than we saw . I think he put a lot of pressure on himself coming into a two time NC that dug a hole for itself right from the beginning.
His game revolves around his ability to hit the three . As that makes it easier for him to get to the hoop . He obviously needs to get stronger but I can see the basic skills of a very good offensive player. Unfortunately they never actualized here especially the shot but that team was under more pressure than normal for even for us . I wouldn’t be shocked if if he was All Conference in A pretty good league.

 

[Zonepress]

seems like a lot of analysis
I go with the eye test he wasn’t good enough to play more than he did

 

[3rdbass]

seems like a lot of analysis
I go with the eye test he wasn’t good enough to play more than he did

I think it is more about playing the wrong position. He was always a SG who could create offense off the dribble to score. He was never a PG and shouldn’t been used there.

 

[DogMania]

He was in the wrong role here. I hope the coaching staff has learned its lesson on that.

I guess this is as good as any spot in the thread to jump in. I don't recall any role player getting so much attention on the BY as Mahaney.

Most of us were excited when we landed him, but he turned out to not be a good fit for what we needed. He was clearly a misevaluated player, that (as in the coaching staff's decision) likely cost us the chance to 3-peat. I realize we were late to the portal party due to playing and winning the last game, but the staff clearly knew it needed to add at least another lead guard who could start the offense and defend. It was not like it was a mystery that Newton and Castle were moving on. I'm surprised there wasn't any video that would have given them the inkling that Aidan didn't have the physicality to defend his position and handle on the ball pressure.

He showed flashes of creating for himself and being crafty with the ball taking it to the basket. Showed a nice touch off the window. He simply was not strong, big or physical enough to handle Big East and High Major competition.

He was a team player who always worked hard. I feel bad about how much negativity he received here, and wish him well and hope he thrives wherever he has landed.

 

[ju6381]

Mitchell College owns a gorgeous beach in New London (lol)

Sure does! I did a semester on that beach!

 

[ToolzieFan]

I saw in another thread that Mahaney is actually transferring to UCSB. Has anyone seen this elsewhere? I must have missed it.

Can UCSB Be the Reset Button Aidan Mahaney Needs After UConn Stint? | College Sports Network

After a tough year at UConn, Aidan Mahaney transfers to UCSB, hoping to revive his career under Coach Pasternack after standout seasons at Saint Mary's.

collegefootballnetwork.com