Mahaney In A Different Role?

[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.

 

[jibsey]

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 thinks 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 who does hit 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 the 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.

Don’t you think that his defense will be a big factor in this? If he can defend at the highest level I think he retains a lead role. Hurley= Defense wins championships.

 

[NJHusky]

Don’t you think that his defense will be a big factor in this? If he can defend at the highest level I think he retains a lead role. Hurley= Defense wins championships.

If defense matters that much Hass should be playing 30 min. In 4 games against cupcakes Am Has 4 reb and 1 steal. Hass has 5 stl. 3 block and 10 reb

 

[willie99]

We've played 4 games, it's November, he'll find his grove

I don't worry about no chemistry and lack of gelling until February

Damn, some 21 short months ago "Hurley couldn't win in the post season" and "Hurley can't win a close game". We were arrogant and spoiled

The "yard" has been critical in 2023, 2014, 2011, 2004, 2003, 2002, every year we don't win it all, and as far back as I can remember.

I remember fans in the 90s saying that if we ever want to win a title, Calhoun has to go. He's taken us as far as he was capable of taking us

Enjoy the ride boys, we're blessed. We have had great coaches who happen to be very loyal, we have a great basketball family and we have more titles than any fan base is entitled to.

As for Aiden, he'll have his breakout game just like Joey C did, and we're all going to fall in love with him too

 

[Hunt for 7]

Don’t you think that his defense will be a big factor in this? If he can defend at the highest level I think he retains a lead role. Hurley= Defense wins championships.

Yes of course I do. But Hurley kind of changed that way of thinking when we lost in the ncaa tourney in 22. I just think he really believes in this kid and he is going to give him a long run at starting.

What I like is Diarra coming off the bench and instantly elevating the defensive intensity so if we don’t start Mahaney or Diarra do we really start a back court of Ball and Ross.

I am also on record as being a big Ross fan and he might get there by the end of the year as he still appears to be rushing at times and then after getting all day to set up and make the first corner three he decided to just take his time on that three giving the defender time to recover and get back to him when he took his time to get that three off that got blocked.

I just don’t think there is enough of a sample size. I remember we were kind of doubting that 22-23 team until we went out and dominated the PK tourney.

 

[Deleted at users request]

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 thinks 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 who does hit 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 the 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.

I will say I don’t agree with the notion that we have to give Mahaney every chance or else we ruin are portal reputation.

This board has spent years saying people earn every minute of playing time and that’s our pitch but now we have to give out playing time in this situation to worry about to not scare away future transfers?

This isn’t even directly at you Hunt, just have seen both notions multiple times.

It would also not make sense to only apply that rule to our talented NBA potential HS recruits and give the transfers who don’t have likely NBA futures every chance on the other end of the stick.

 

[Fan1978]

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.

You need someone who can dribble the ball in your 5. Solo is great with his between the legs dribbling going no where. At this point, he is a 3 point shooter and has zero ability to break even low level competition off the dribble and get to the rack or create for others. Frankly, this is the teams major weakness. mahaney and diarra can take people off the dribble but its not their strength. Nowell will be the best so hopefully he progresses quickly.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I will say I don’t agree with the notion that we have to give Mahaney every chance or else we ruin are portal reputation.

This board has spent years saying people earn every minute of playing time and that’s our pitch but now we have to give out playing time in this situation to worry about to not scare away future transfers?

This isn’t even directly at you Hunt, just have seen both notions multiple times.

It would also not make sense to only apply that rule to our talented NBA potential HS recruits and give the transfers who don’t have likely NBA futures every chance on the other end of the stick.

This will be interesting to watch run its course. One thing for sure now that he has built this monster program, with 10 players that could probably play 25+ minutes at all but maybe 5-7 other schools it becomes harder and harder to manage.

One image I will take away from the ET A&M game was when they zoomed in on him toward the end of the game he was shown rubbing his downward turned head deep in thought, no way to know what he was thinking about but the poker player in me thinks it was rotations and which ones give us the best chance to execute the offense the way he wants it to run and also hold up on defense.

My reasoning is he suddenly snaps out of it and calls out Singare to get in the game. I think Singare has been lost in the shuffle as right now, the only for sure things I have seen are:

1) Thank goodness Alex came back
2) Liam is dog and is already an elite CBB player
3) The center rotation is set.

Hurley clearly has a lot on his mind.

 

[Deleted at users request]

This will be interesting to watch run its course. One thing for sure now that he has built this monster program, with 10 players that could probably play 25+ minutes at all but maybe 5-7 other schools it becomes harder and harder to manage.

One image I will take away from the ET A&M game was when they zoomed in on him toward the end of the game he was shown rubbing his downward turned head deep in thought, no way to know what he was thinking about but the poker player in me thinks it was rotations and which ones give us the best chance to execute the offense the way he wants it to run and also hold up on defense.

My reasoning is he suddenly snaps out of it and calls out Singare to get in the game. I think Singare has been lost in the shuffle as right now, the only for sure things I have seen are:

1) Thank goodness Alex came back
2) Liam is dog and is already an elite CBB player
3) The center rotation is set.

Hurley clearly has a lot on his mind.

I agree with all your observations. This team would be lost with Alex right now. I wonder if Hurley wishes he brought in more of a pure PG right now.

I don’t know if his plan was to always play Mahaney there or if Solo just played so well that he moved Mahaney there to fulfill his commitment to him with Solo breaking out.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Maybe folks see the conversation is more important that appeasing the Boneyard spelling nazis . You and Hooper an alliance walking around her with your patrol sticks? Maybe this calls for a Boneyard spelling bee!!!

Some stuff from the StM board on Mahaney:

God is a Gael-Mahaney

Interesting take on Mahaney at UConn from ESPN after this writer visited practices (of 4 schools) and spoke with those involved: https://www.espn.com

www.tapatalk.com

One poster noted an ESPN article talking through watching a practice wondering who was going to create offense in the half court. I expect this team to struggle often in the half court and some bumps coming.

That was exactly what I was saying. I have never once before commented on a spelling error, but it is a BY thing.

 

[t8per]

I want to start this off by saying I am not claiming to undermine the thinkings of a back to back national champion head coach...

But my eyes are telling me that our best 5 are:

Diarra
Solo
McNeeley
Karaban
Tarris Reed

With a second unit of:
Nowell
Mahaney
Ross
Stewie
Samson

With the first unit, Diarra wouldn't be asked to do too much, just facilitate and defend. I think this could help reduce turnovers.
With the second unit, Mahaney would be asked to score more and facilitate less, which I think suits his game better.

It'll be interesting to see what our starting lineup looks like for the start of conference play