Mahaney experiment

[TheHorde]

I tried to address both spots. I think Nowell is a better backup at PG and Ross gives us better long term backup at SG

Ross has good long term potential but imo hasn’t done enough yet to warrant more than 8-12 minutes of PT a game.

 

[Palatine]

I think everyone agrees that the Mahaney PG experiment needs to end, but I think it's unfair to say that he is a bust or a recruiting mistake by the staff. If anything I think it's been a coaching mistake trying to make him into a point guard when that's obviously not his skill set. I understand why they have tried it, and maybe they saw something in practice that they thought justified it, but the result has been destroying the kid's confidence. That's on the coaching staff, not him, and I hope they are able to adjust and find him the role that he can thrive in. They need to find his place within the offense, not as the facilitator of it.

Everyone does not agree. Hurley has put him on a short lease. But he is yet to play a conference game. It is too soon.

 

[uconnever]

Aiden is bad on defense and probably shouldn’t be running the offense, but he gets to the rim every game really well and then can’t finish. He looks good getting to the rim too, like it’s a strength of his. I think he will start to finish those and his shots will go in as well. He not scoring because his confidence is shot from his poor defense and inability to run the offense. He’s a scorer plain and simple and is just overwhelmed trying to do more than that. He can score at this level, that I’m sure of.

 

[bazzdog]

He was fine against Baylor. Bit of boom or bust though. If he can hit shots, he can get minutes.

Yea
He’s gonna have some games where he helps by hitting shots and solid play
Other games he get a little lost out there
But I guarantee he will win a game or two for us down the road ….

 

[housekeys]

Aiden is probably one of the better play makers on this team. But as others point out, not at the point (Pun in tended). It is all mental at this point (Pun not intended), as illustrated by the 10 second call.

Having said that, he has this fans full support. I am glad he is playing for UConn, and expect much better things going forward.

 

[NJHusky]

Aiden is bad on defense and probably shouldn’t be running the offense, but he gets to the rim every game really well and then can’t finish. He looks good getting to the rim too, like it’s a strength of his. I think he will start to finish those and his shots will go in as well. He not scoring because his confidence is shot from his poor defense and inability to run the offense. He’s a scorer plain and simple and is just overwhelmed trying to do more than that. He can score at this level, that I’m sure of.

Why r u so sure he can score at this level? And don’t say st Mary’s…that’s not on a NC level

 

[Husky Alien]

The comparison to Tristen Newton's start at UConn is not a good one. Tristen had a 20-point triple-double in his first 11 games here. He averaged 4.4 APG. Shot 35% from deep on volume and was rebounding the hell out of the ball. Tristen had a funky start. He also got to the line during that time--literally--9x as much as Aiden has. The writing on the wall said that Tristen was a starting-caliber player. All-American and national champion? No, but who would predict that seriously? He was a good player making some boneheaded mistakes in a new system.

What Aiden has shown is he could be successful in a Joey-California-esque role. That is a HUGE change in expectations for him and our coaches, no doubt. Right now, in this new role, he's struggling to even do that basics you'd expect from a scholarship basketball player.

I do believe Mahanay can become a valuable player for us, but it's becoming apparent he needs to be in a different role than he was recruited for, and the coaches have already started adjusting accordingly until Nowell got hut. He will play off-ball where he belongs once Nowell is back to spell Hass for 10-15 a game. Let him run off screens, drain 3s, and move in transition. He'll be an efficient complimentary piece when we get him there.

I liked your post. Yes, TN did turn it around during the BE part of the schedule and became a valuable part for his stay here, but the comments that some one is not as good as predicted comming in is embarrassing as a fan, it happed to TN. Especially when they use degrading words. Let's just hope that AM does the same for us as TN, Cam and JC have. We know he is playing out of position and the coaching staff will quite sure make that change. As you said, we will need him come March. Let's give AM support and time, he is a player.

 

[Jaydumo20]

It seems he is a little out of his league in terms of athleticism. I feel like he struggles with the size and quickness of who is guarding him and who he is guarding. I dont think that is a coaching issue or a position issue.

He's a good enough athlete to be a good player. We've had great uconn players who weren't great athletes. A certain one year husky legend comes to mind

 

[kobebeanbryant]

What I don’t understand is in this new portal era why are we trying to project a player into a fundamentally new role that they have no prior experience with.

If we are truly a top flight NIL program, we could have gone out and gotten a bonafide pg that was plug and play.

 

[3rdbass]

I’d argue we should or could play Liam or Stewart some effectively at 2 guard. I’d argue that what they’d give up in foot speed compared to Mahaney or Ball they’d make up for in length to bother shooters on the perimeter and in additional rebounding to take pressure off Samson and Alex. We’ve had outstanding rebounders at the 2 and the 3 the past couple of years, and I feel like that’s a spot where we could add some, even if it’s for 5 minutes a game. I just really think Stewart needs 20 minutes a game for us to get where we want to be.

Mahaney is slower than Stewart snd McNeeley. Thay is his biggest problem. If he isn't shooting well and creating cutting he isn't worth playing.

 

[3rdbass]

He's a good enough athlete to be a good player. We've had great uconn players who weren't great athletes. A certain one year husky legend comes to mind

Yeah but Cam was lot bigger body and more instinctive player. I just don't see anything Mahney does well enough to warrant time.

 

[3rdbass]

What I don’t understand is in this new portal era why are we trying to project a player into a fundamentally new role that they have no prior experience with.

If we are truly a top flight NIL program, we could have gone out and gotten a bonafide pg that was plug and play.

I guess Dan thought he saw a position less offnae existing with a good scorer playjng point. Problem is he didn't realize his lack of size and speed would be a huge detriment to it. Also he isn't quite the shooter we thought he might be.

 

[TheHorde]

Mahaney is slower than Stewart snd McNeeley. Thay is his biggest problem. If he isn't shooting well and creating cutting he isn't worth playing.

I’d agree. That’s why I’m not sure UConn would lose much if anything as far as on ball defense goes with having Liam or Stewart guard the guys Mahaney and Ball are guarding.

 

[jibsey]

Compare Stewart’s production to Ball’s last night when they both played 19 minutes. I love Ball’s potential, and think he should obviously be playing more than Ross at this point. But Stewart should be playing as many minutes as Ball. Stewart not only scores, but rebounds, gets some assists, blocks a shot or two, can get a steal or two, and plays better defense than I think he’s given credit for.

What do you think is going on here? Stew has merited more PT for awhile.

 

[rcarj]

People give up on players too easily.

Same thing happened with Tristen Newton.

Also Joey Calcaterra.

Heck, people wanted to permanently bench Andre Jackson Jr. during January of his junior year.

I don't know if the PG experiment is over, it would not surprise me if he played PG better as the weeks go on, but I do think at the very least he could be the sharpshooter they need at off guard.

Too early to give up though

Please don’t compare anything abt Mahaney to Tristen Newton.

 

[Gurleyman]

I guess Dan thought he saw a position less offnae existing with a good scorer playjng point. Problem is he didn't realize his lack of size and speed would be a huge detriment to it. Also he isn't quite the shooter we thought he might be.

Thing is we had to have him scouted him heavily before we played them in the NCAAs. A dozen games worth of film at least. We’d have looked for any weaknesses in his game to attack and what strengths of his we needed to take away. Shouldn’t have been a surprise what he brought to the table. And he began the year as a starter so he must have looked ok in practice and then when the lights came on it went south.

There’s time to figure out a role - but Ross and Stewart are stepping up and Nowell might seize some minutes. I feel like a shooter backing up Ball is a role there to be had.

 

[upstater]

Please don’t compare anything abt Mahaney to Tristen Newton.

There's a comparison to be made.

Not in terms of their abilities.

But in terms of people making declarations in December.

For instance, you would find something said like this...

"Please don't compare Tristen Newton to RJ Cole..."

Circa January of 2022...