Mahaney In A Different Role?

[REB1094]

I’m pretty confident that as Mahaney learns the offense, he will quickly improve. The offense moves slower when he’s leading it, which I feel comfortable chalking up to him still learning what he’s supposed to do

Last night he missed an open layup that he’s going to make 95% of the time. That 1 mistake was the difference between 10 points on 40% and 12 points on 50%

He made 37.5% of his threes on high volume at SMC. So I also believe that he can shoot and the efficiency will improve as he gets more comfortable

My favorite part is that he takes care of the ball. Sure he’s moving slowly right now, but he’s not turning it over. 9 assists to 1 TO so far this season for a 9.0 A/TO. For reference - Diarra is 1.6, Solo is 2.5, Nowell is 1.5, Ross is 1.5

He’ll get better. Patience is key. Unless we lose a game we should have won because of him, we stay the course!

 

[Mr. French]

Seems like he drives iso or passes around the perimeter. Hope he figures it out, but he’s been here for 6 months. Color me doubtful

This is one of those wild things where you say something to emphasize your point but it does the opposite.

 

[gtcam]

I understand the rose colored glasses about Nowell given his rep coming out of Philly. But I'm not really seeing anything special right now. He has gotten a little run at the point, close to 8 minutes a game, 31 minutes total, three quarters of a full 40. He has 3 assists and 2 TOs. His defense isn't anything special.

To me, he looks like a freshman getting his feet wet. Comparing him to Mahaney who has a 9-1 TO/Assist ratio isn't fair to either. Mahaney is the better player and will be for some time. Nowell is promising and the more

A real PG does PG things - that's Nowell - did you watch him play AAU? I did many times, and the kid is pure PG with an above average perimeter shooting acumen.
AM is no way a PG and looks like he never played the position
Ball is not a PG - his court vision is not there.
UConn has HD and Nowell, period.
AM will have a role, but it can't be as a PG but as a SG.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

My sense with Diarra is lots of his sloppiness is due to trying to make things happen with a group that isn’t getting the offense. More improvising leads to more guessing leads to more mistakes. Last year he was pretty clean at 1 turnover a game in 19+ minutes in that symphony. I’m staying bullish on Hassan. My guess is Hurley exhausts trying AM at the starting PG, and if it just doesn’t work out Hassan is the guy.

Once the pace naturally slows down against good teams in the half court, so will Hassan. He’ll be fine. He needs to start hitting open threes at the same rate he did last year.

We cannot play Solo, Ross, or Nowell there regularly. Solo has no dribble game whatsoever, he’s purely spot up at this point. That’s something he needs to develop if he wants any chance of NBA. I was actually hoping to see a bit more with him on the dribble after all the glowing feedback from the summer. I see these options only in cases as breathers, unique matchups or big leads.

One of the things that stunts a guy like AM with the roll and lob is that he may not be able to see it as well. Our guards were huge last year. He has shown some improvement in taking it to the rim on both sides of the lane, so if he can show that as a regular threat it does set up the lob nicely. Liam would be the guy to set up the lob well but once he commits to the rim he doesn’t see anything else but the rim. Love his game but his passing so far has been pretty meh. As a whole this group this team doesn’t see the floor as well as last year - hard to tell how much of it is reps versus instincts.

One of Hass's TOs was from slipping on a wet spot on the floor. Two others were on drives to the lane where he should have just been "selfish" and shot a layup attempt but instead he tried to dish an assist.

I'm pretty sure the coaches will review this game tape with him and the forced passes on drives into the lane will decrease going forward. He finishes strong and needs to either make those shots or draw fouls.

 

[JerseyAlum]

The way people overlook facts and exhibit recency bias is one of the funniest things about the 'yard.

Last year, Hass had 95 assists, 43 TOs, for a more than respectable 2.2:1 ratio. For comparison, TNewt had a 2.5:1 ratio. Castle was 1.94:1.

So far this year, prior to last night's game, Hass had 24:8 ratio (including the URI game), which is an improvement over last year.

Yes, he had a sloppy game last night, but the whole team did. He's not a "turnover machine". Even with last nights lousy game, he has a 2.1:1 AST:TO ratio.

Hurley expects huge jump from each player year to year. Last year's stats don't mean much in the context of 2024-2025 season so "recency bias" is also what Dan Hurley has as in his interviews he is all about the next year and last year means diddly.

URI was an exhibition game so stats do not carry or count. Maheney had a very good URI game as well if you want to be fair.

Not sure anyone said Haas was a turnover machine: He had 5 of 19 TOs while Maheney had zero. In the context of one game, that is meaningful, especially because we play Memphis next and while they don't have an especially tall team and basically play 7, they have some heads up guards.

But digging into last night's game: Diarra was 3-4 shooting for 75% FG, 5 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Steals, 1 Block, 5 TO, zero fouls. That's not bad since 2 Steals negate 2 TOs, and as mentioned one was slipping on the floor, so better yet.

Maheney was 4-10 shooting for 40% FG, 2 Reb, 1 Ast, 0 Steals, 0 Blocks, 0 TOs, 2 PF. Took care of the ball better than anyone else playing good minutes not named Liam.

So net net - Maheney had better ball control, but contributed far less than Diarra in the overall context. Still, Diarra will come off the bench next game.

 

[superjohn]

Hard to take away much of anything considering our schedule so far and considering we have 4 new starters two of which weren't on the team last season but we can get some idea about the strengths and weaknesses.

It's just a much different team at this moment and there's reason to believe they will do things a bit differently to get hopefully the same outcomes. We're not getting the ball movement/facilitating and it's especially glaring compared to last year with the alley oops being taken away. I think this will get better as they get more comfortable playing together but it won't get to the level it was last year. Cam, Tristen, and Steph were unique with their vision, handles and size.

Our outside shooting is better with these guys than last season and we can come at you in waves even moreso than last season. I think this will remain a constant with the shooting. Karaban (now), Solo, Liam and Mahaney are all much better shooters than Castle and Tristen. I think the depth of this team will continue to grow and shine. Nowell and Abraham won't get burn in some games but they also won't be permanently stapled to the bench either. We have 11 guys who can go.

We should probably stop comparing this team to last season. That was an all-time starting 5 and an all-time college basketball team. We can three-peat and we don't have to be as good as last year to do it and we don't have to play like them to do it.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Hurley expects huge jump from each player year to year. Last year's stats don't mean much in the context of 2024-2025 season so "recency bias" is also what Dan Hurley has as in his interviews he is all about the next year and last year means diddly.

URI was an exhibition game so stats do not carry or count. Maheney had a very good URI game as well if you want to be fair.

Not sure anyone said Haas was a turnover machine: He had 6 of 19 TOs while Maheney had zero. In the context of one game, that is meaningful, especially because we play Memphis next and while they don't have an especially tall team and basically play 7, they have some heads up guards. Diarra will likely come off the bench vs them.

I was responding to a post that literally said Hass was a turnover machine.

I wasn't comparing Hass to Aidan in my post. Just using Ast:TO stats to prove a point.

And FWIW, there's realistic and unrealistic expectations for improvement. Our "great" guards from last year had 2:1 and 2.5:1 Ast:TO ratios. Cam had an insane 4.9:1 ratio. Expecting Hass to improve on his 2.2:1 ratio to something like 4:1 is a bit of a stretch as his role is different/more in line with TNewt/Castle. 2.5-3:1 is probably an achievable goal and will reflect better decisionmaking. Of course, we need guys to make shots for a good pass to count as an Ast. Which is why getting the lob/inside game going is crucial.

 

[NJHusky]

This is one of those wild things where you say something to emphasize your point but it does the opposite.

Huh?

 

[NJHusky]

I’m pretty confident that as Mahaney learns the offense, he will quickly improve. The offense moves slower when he’s leading it, which I feel comfortable chalking up to him still learning what he’s supposed to do

Last night he missed an open layup that he’s going to make 95% of the time. That 1 mistake was the difference between 10 points on 40% and 12 points on 50%

He made 37.5% of his threes on high volume at SMC. So I also believe that he can shoot and the efficiency will improve as he gets more comfortable

My favorite part is that he takes care of the ball. Sure he’s moving slowly right now, but he’s not turning it over. 9 assists to 1 TO so far this season for a 9.0 A/TO. For reference - Diarra is 1.6, Solo is 2.5, Nowell is 1.5, Ross is 1.5

He’ll get better. Patience is key. Unless we lose a game we should have won because of him, we stay the course!

The 9:1 ast/to ratio is a bit misleading imo. What’s troubling about that is he only has 9 assists total for the year through 4 games. That’s not a good stat for a lead guard. Hass has 18 total assists, though with a little sloppy play from yesterday skewing the ratio imo.

And on the defensive side it’s not close. Hass has 5 stl. 3 block and 10 reb. Am has 1 stl and 4 reb.

 

[sledog]

He seems rather slow - espesc covering on D.

 

[HooperScooper]

This thread reminds me of the "We need a point guard" thread from 2 years ago. That turned out just fine so I'll put my faith in Hurley figuring this out again.

We need a point guard

I am stunned that someone built a team without a point guard and thought it would work. And that he thinks he can do it again next year. If Seton Hall doesn’t lose KR in the first half, we’re 0-2 against Seton Hall this year - we can only score against them in spurts and when they start to...

www.the-boneyard.com

 

[uh-no]

This thread reminds me of the "We need a point guard" thread from 2 years ago. That turned out just fine so I'll put my faith in Hurley figuring this out again.

We need a point guard

I am stunned that someone built a team without a point guard and thought it would work. And that he thinks he can do it again next year. If Seton Hall doesn’t lose KR in the first half, we’re 0-2 against Seton Hall this year - we can only score against them in spurts and when they start to...

www.the-boneyard.com

that might be the most poorly aged post in the history of TB.

 

[Mr. French]

Huh?

You said “he’s been here 6 months. Color me doubtful.” Which emphasizes 6 months as a long time to get acclimated. You’re underestimating the transition.

The reality is, in my humble opinion, that he’s “ONLY been here 6 months. Color me optimistic” he’ll figure it out.

Neither of us knows the right answer yet, I just think you saying 6 months like it made your point clear was odd to me.

 

[RuffRuff]

This thread reminds me of the "We need a point guard" thread from 2 years ago. That turned out just fine so I'll put my faith in Hurley figuring this out again.

We need a point guard

I am stunned that someone built a team without a point guard and thought it would work. And that he thinks he can do it again next year. If Seton Hall doesn’t lose KR in the first half, we’re 0-2 against Seton Hall this year - we can only score against them in spurts and when they start to...

www.the-boneyard.com

Here here! With you - have to put your faith in the staff to figure it out and enjoy the ride. They’re smarter than any of us and the best out there. All we can do is run our speculative banter on the Yard!

 

[Khal Drogo]

Can Ross or Stewart handle the ball well enough to bring the ball up..especially against pressur?

No

 

[Palatine]

A real PG does PG things - that's Nowell - did you watch him play AAU? I did many times, and the kid is pure PG with an above average perimeter shooting acumen.
AM is no way a PG and looks like he never played the position
Ball is not a PG - his court vision is not there.
UConn has HD and Nowell, period.
AM will have a role, but it can't be as a PG but as a SG.

Virtually every player on UConn was a star in high school. Sam Johnson's high school video is insanely good. That's also true for many of our opponents. I assume Nowell was a elite high school player. He won championships in Philly. He has a great pedigree. I have watched Nowell play at UConn. My eyes tell me that he has a lot to learn. That he would be outclassed at this point in his career as a starting PG for UConn.

Many on this web site said that we we didn't have a point guard when Newton was here. Mahaney averaged less than 3 assists per game in his two years at St Mary's. So AM is more combo guard than point guard. So is Ball. But neither is being ask to be a pure PG in Hurley's system. But that doesn't mean one or both can't develop serious skills.

The season will play out how it plays out. For right now. November 20th. Hurley is getting minutes for Nowell. That may become harder as the competition steps up. Nowell may step up as well. That happens. But there is a reason that Hurley is starting Mahaney. He obviously believes that Mahaney brings a lot to the party, enough to start. And judging by the way Mahaney is being used, Hurley thinks that he can handle, at least, some of the point guard duties.

 

[NJHusky]

Virtually every player on UConn was a star in high school. Sam Johnson's high school video is insanely good. That's also true for many of our opponents. I assume Nowell was a elite high school player. He won championships in Philly. He has a great pedigree. I have watched Nowell play at UConn. My eyes tell me that he has a lot to learn. That he would be outclassed at this point in his career as a starting PG for UConn.

Many on this web site said that we we didn't have a point guard when Newton was here. Mahaney averaged less than 3 assists per game in his two years at St Mary's. So AM is more combo guard than point guard. So is Ball. But neither is being ask to be a pure PG in Hurley's system. But that doesn't mean one or both can't develop serious skills.

The season will play out how it plays out. For right now. November 20th. Hurley is getting minutes for Nowell. That may become harder as the competition steps up. Nowell may step up as well. That happens. But there is a reason that Hurley is starting Mahaney. He obviously believes that Mahaney brings a lot to the party, enough to start. And judging by the way Mahaney is being used, Hurley thinks that he can handle, at least, some of the point guard duties.

What about as the backup pg for 10-12 min a game?

 

[controlfade]

This thread reminds me of the "We need a point guard" thread from 2 years ago. That turned out just fine so I'll put my faith in Hurley figuring this out again.

We need a point guard

I am stunned that someone built a team without a point guard and thought it would work. And that he thinks he can do it again next year. If Seton Hall doesn’t lose KR in the first half, we’re 0-2 against Seton Hall this year - we can only score against them in spurts and when they start to...

www.the-boneyard.com

Ty , there will be some growing pains but I have 100% trust in Dan Hurley

 

[REB1094]

This thread reminds me of the "We need a point guard" thread from 2 years ago. That turned out just fine so I'll put my faith in Hurley figuring this out again.

We need a point guard

I am stunned that someone built a team without a point guard and thought it would work. And that he thinks he can do it again next year. If Seton Hall doesn’t lose KR in the first half, we’re 0-2 against Seton Hall this year - we can only score against them in spurts and when they start to...

www.the-boneyard.com

I am SO ashamed of myself for this post -

"Tristen Newton was one of the most nationally coveted PG transfers in the portal last year. Sometimes it just doesn't work out. At the time, it was a great pickup. Can't forget he's averaged 18 a game in the 4 games before this (3W 1L) including a triple double"

 

[3rdbass]

Offense doesn’t run as smooth with him at the point. He seems physically limited even against this level of play, especially on D.

Yeah his defense has been awful all year long and is probably the major reason why he isn't playing more.

 

[RuffRuff]

Jay Bilas on UConn: ‘They’re really good right now but they’re going to be way better in January and February’

Jay Bilas on UConn: 'They’re good now but they’re going to be way better in January or February'

www.nj.com

 

[3rdbass]

I understand the rose colored glasses about Nowell given his rep coming out of Philly. But I'm not really seeing anything special right now. He has gotten a little run at the point, close to 8 minutes a game, 31 minutes total, three quarters of a full 40. He has 3 assists and 2 TOs. His defense isn't anything special.

To me, he looks like a freshman getting his feet wet. Comparing him to Mahaney who has a 9-1 TO/Assist ratio isn't fair to either. Mahaney is the better player and will be for some time. Nowell is promising and the more minutes he gets the faster he will progress but that's about it for now.

His defense is a lot better than Mahaney's were people just blow by him almost at will. Mahaney needs to work on his Defense if he wants to stay on the court. He didn't come back in on the 2nd half even when we were struggling due to this.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I agree about Nowell. With so many people going on about how good he's been and that he should be in the PG rotation, I keep trying to find what I've been missing because I don't see it. Don't get me wrong, I like him and think he will be a great player for us, but what I see is a competent, promising freshman, not a kid who is ready to take the reins of a top 10 team.

Watch the game again. His defense was next nevel. He had several assists and a nice dribble penetration In traffic. But overall, he looks fast. Simple eye ball test.

 

[HooperScooper]

I am SO ashamed of myself for this post -

"Tristen Newton was one of the most nationally coveted PG transfers in the portal last year. Sometimes it just doesn't work out. At the time, it was a great pickup. Can't forget he's averaged 18 a game in the 4 games before this (3W 1L) including a triple double"

Hopefully we'll be bringing up this Mahaney thread in the same way next year.

 

[87Xfer]

I am SO ashamed of myself for this post -

"Tristen Newton was one of the most nationally coveted PG transfers in the portal last year. Sometimes it just doesn't work out. At the time, it was a great pickup. Can't forget he's averaged 18 a game in the 4 games before this (3W 1L) including a triple double"

What a trainwreck that thread was

 

[HooperScooper]

What a trainwreck that thread was

In retrospect aren't a lot of them?

 

[El Obrero]

What a trainwreck that thread was

The Hurley disrespect is the funniest part of that thread! It’s so easy now to forget the lack of confidence this board had in him as a coach going into March ‘23.

 

[NJHusky]

You said “he’s been here 6 months. Color me doubtful.” Which emphasizes 6 months as a long time to get acclimated. You’re underestimating the transition.

The reality is, in my humble opinion, that he’s “ONLY been here 6 months. Color me optimistic” he’ll figure it out.

Neither of us knows the right answer yet, I just think you saying 6 months like it made your point clear was odd to me.

Thx for clarifying. I get your point that you think he just needs time. I hope you’re right. But I think part of his issues are physical. He’s not overly big nor explosive and it shows, especially on D. I’ll also counter by saying he’s a jr and already had 2 years of d1 ball. Steph was a frosh, missed time with an injury yet figured out the offense, as did Cam (from the outset). Naheim was only here a year

I hope I am wrong and he turns into an AA/MOP like TNew.

 

[Mooch82]

Mahaney will have a major role as the lead guard or playing off-ball. As of now, he’s too good of a player to not be playing major minutes. Nowell might push for more time but I think he has a ways to go before starting.

If the lineup is to change, I think it should be
Ball, Ross, McNeeley, Karaban, Reed.

If you think our offense runs poorly with Mahaney at the point…I don’t think you want to see Solo.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Why? Because we beat 4 cupcakes by a combined 151 pts? I don't buy this one bit. We're so deep that we should be playing the 5 best suited at their position. So far, Mahaney is not one of the 5 best. This isn't a lucky rabbit's foot keeping him as a starter.

Let’s see what happens. Perhaps I could have added some qualifiers other than the one I did regarding injury. But if Hurley was inclined to change the starting line up why would he not have tried it during these buy games.

I agree that Mahaney is not one of the best five right now and yet he is still starting. So that tells me Hurley has him on a very long leash because he feels by February heading it to March he will hold up best under the pressure.

And I am on record as saying I do not think he (Mahaney) should be starting but clearly the coaching staff still thinks that is the best option.

We seem to have some form of this discussion every year and four games into his UConn career anyone on this board who claims they saw what Newton was going to become at that point, I would question their memory.

Then all of a sudden things started to click and we went in to win our first 14 games or so and yet if I recall there was still some of us wondering if Newton was the right choice at point. And it definitely started up again when we went through that January early February funk…..

The biggest difference on this team is that we certainly appear to have more options. From what we have see so far I would be fine with AM turning into a Joey C role but if that happens do we keep him after this year. Look at who we have coming in and with Nowell being a year into the program how does he fit next year.

My reasoning is Hurley has to consider everything, of course the focus is on this team and winning this year but when you build something like this every move has a reason and protecting the image that has now allowed us to keep very good players out of the portal and recruit 3 5* high school seniors is like walking a tight rope.

So the sum it up. I agree with your thought but it seems to me that Hurley does not and he will need a really good reason to change what he thinks.