Mahaney

[Palatine]

His "good" game was mediocre. We've gotten enough sample size: doesn't have enough size, doesn't have enough strength, doesn't run the offense. SH cleared out and 1v1 when he was in.
I hope he makes some big shots somehow, but you can't play him if you want to defend or run the offense with anything close to the efficiency we have come to expect. It's just not there and that's ok!

I don't know if you have been watching any the of Huskies games this year? Mediocre is a HUGE improvement over the usual contribution from the back up point guard. I for one was delighted.

 

[RichZ]

I was happy with his shooting yesterday, but still wonder what he's doing here. Watch a few games from the past two seasons. When the team is ON, there's almost no dribbling. Everybody weaves and the ball moves primarily by passing. Now watch a a bunch of Mahaney minutes. He dribbles around the perimeter, or he stands in one spot and dribbles. In my eye, he doesn't fit the formula that made the last two teams great.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Can we stop this? Saying he was misevaluated is not “petty criticism” it’s an obvious fact that is completely fair for discussion on a message board as long as people aren’t getting weird or personal about it. You think the coaching staff doesn’t know they misevaluated the guy who they recruited to be their starting PG and is averaging 12 minutes and 4 points a game? That doesn’t mean we all can’t hope he performs well in his current role.

Was Sanogo mis-evaluated 3 years ago, was Clingan mis-evaluated as a freshman, was Hurley mis-evaluated by the Lakers? Your pettiness is just off the charts. Please stop.

 

[Umami Zen]

Outside of the physicality of playing vs BE guards (BET) and with freedom of movement in NCAA Tournament games. I could see Mahaney giving us some valuable spot minutes off the bench . Doesn't have to be spectacular-Just steady- while Hass grabs a few minutes on the bench resting. Can knock down FTs and an occasional open jumper.

 

[ctbro1999]

Outside of the physicality of playing vs BE guards (BET) and with freedom of movement in NCAA Tournament games. I could see Mahaney giving us some valuable spot minutes off the bench . Doesn't have to be spectacular-Just steady- while Hass grabs a few minutes on the bench resting. Can knock down FTs and an occasional open jumper.

Yeah, I can see him actually playing better in the NCAAT against non-BE teams. I mean if he can give us 8-10 minutes a game where Diarra can rest and knock down a couple buckets and handle the ball well, I'll be thrilled, and I think that's all we can realistically expect from him as far as contributions moving forward.

 

[gtcam]

Was Sanogo mis-evaluated 3 years ago, was Clingan mis-evaluated as a freshman, was Hurley mis-evaluated by the Lakers? Your pettiness is just off the charts. Please stop.

Sanogo - maybe but I don't remember any issues
Clingan - not by people who could see that 7'2" with a decent BB IQ would step in and help
Dan Hurley - yes - JJR says hi

I don't know if you have been watching any the of Huskies games this year? Mediocre is a HUGE improvement over the usual contribution from the back up point guard. I for one was delighted.

I think Gutter King was trying to say was the performance was mediocre for a PG in general. I fully agree that AM's play Saturday was definitely one of his better outings and it gives me a bit of hope but at the same time I need to pause and remember who the opponent was and the situation.

AM received his NIL and he has not produced anywhere near the level he did at St Mary's or live up to Dan Hurley's preseason hype. UConn needs to hit the portal to get a larger, physically strong PG (6'4" plus) that is a seasoned veteran that can drive and score or dish off that drive effectively.

 

[Son of Robert]

I for one am hoping Mahaney can find his game this post season. He really could make a difference. He is a little light on the athleticism, but he is a tougher player than some will give him credit for (example, his drive yesterday, and subsequent free throws). As Hurley said, the kid has hung tough all season, hasn't complained, he keeps working, and he's right in the mix with the team chemistry. All solid stuff. If he can get it going offensively, he is a three level scorer, that can put points up.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Was Sanogo mis-evaluated 3 years ago, was Clingan mis-evaluated as a freshman, was Hurley mis-evaluated by the Lakers? Your pettiness is just off the charts. Please stop.

This is such a weird take. A.) Sanogo was a freshman starter, Clingan was never meant to be a starter and was a stud off the bench on a national championship team, and I genuinely have no clue what point you’re trying to make about Hurley and the Lakers.

B.) saying he was misevaluated is not a shot at Mahaney at all. It is saying that Hurley and the staff made a mistake. Even his absolute biggest supporters should be able to admit he’s not a point guard. It’s not a shot at Mahaney. He was never a point guard but the staff thought they could make him in to one.

If you think any critique of the team is off the chart pettiness, you’re in the wrong place.

 

[UCan3]

He had a good game yesterday. He was still reluctant to shoot open shots, but definitely better. Shooters need to shoot.

Um, I’ll take 10 points all day long…

 

[giddyup]

Time to put your best players on the floor as long as possible without running the tank to empty. You play Mahaney or Norwell when it’s an absolute necessity, not a second longer, and hope they are a net positive.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Um, I’ll take 10 points all day long…

Need that more than one game. To do that he needs to shoot when open.

 

[jibsey]

This is not the time for what happens next year but I definitely see Mahaney back here but not starting. Not so sure about about who else would be point guard. Hurley does not like where he currently is with that position we can all be certain.
Out on a limb, Mahaney is going to give us something good in the post season. There, I’m on record.

 

[Conndog]

My wish for Mahaney (who I like) is for him to improve defensively. From what I’ve seen, most times when he fouls someone, he is pushing or holding the other player & using his hands. Is he too close initially to who he’s defending and thus has no space to react? It looks like he could stand a little farther away and maybe also diagonally a bit more too. He isn’t good at keeping his man from going to the basket.

 

[Dogdeacon]

This is such a weird take.

The point is your points have been said ad nauseum, we get it. The team is where it is and NOW is the time to look for positives with the current roster. Thoughts that Mahaney's strengths are applicable to NCAA games are interesting/worth discussion. We can all agree that the Huskies have to play their A game to advance deep into tourney, is that thought & how that may best occur not worth considering?!

The other point that flew over your head is yes even Sanogo, Hurley, Clingan struggled at times in their careers, Clingan developed incredibly DURING his freshman year with this same coaching staff - Sanogo's hands improved exponentially over 3 years - progression, development is possible.

 

[Deepster]

I mean, let's be honest. We've reduced the expectations on Mahaney from "the next Joey C/Spencer" to can he give us 10 minutes to rest Diarra without screwing things up. I would hope that, at this point, he can at least give us that.

 

[Kowalski]

I mean, let's be honest. We've reduced the expectations on Mahaney from "the next Joey C/Spencer" to can he give us 10 minutes to rest Diarra without screwing things up. I would hope that, at this point, he can at least give us that.

Reduced from Spencer but there are few guards that are that good. But I think he can legitimately give us as much or more than Joey C, and that was pretty good.

 

[AllHusky]

Do you realize these posts have no impact on the actual games, so it doesn’t matter if we “bring our best” or not?

Absolutely not true!!

 

[NickDanger]

Absolutely not true!!

So you think there is some sort of magical transmission from our posts to how the team plays?

 

[GHSWolverines]

stats through 31 games:
Games Played: AM - 31, AN - 17
Minutes: AM - 12.2, AN - 6.9
Points Per Game: AM - 4.4, AN - 1.6
Assists: AM - 1.3, AN - 1.2
TO's: AM - 0.6, AN - 0.5
FG%: AM - 37.2, AN - 35.7
3P%: AM - 33.9, AN - 18.8

The numbers are somewhat dismal but AM probably should be the one to give HD some rest over AN.

 

[UCan3]

Need that more than one game. To do that he needs to shoot when open.

I think it’s a fair point but it’s been more than one game where he’s looked a lot more solid w/ ball handling and driving to the hoop / dish.

He may be just finding his way on this team and while slow, I’ll take it. The real season starts Thursday and hopefully ends with a UConn parade

 

[CONN78SEJ]

stats through 31 games:
Games Played: AM - 31, AN - 17
Minutes: AM - 12.2, AN - 6.9
Points Per Game: AM - 4.4, AN - 1.6
Assists: AM - 1.3, AN - 1.2
TO's: AM - 0.6, AN - 0.5
FG%: AM - 37.2, AN - 35.7
3P%: AM - 33.9, AN - 18.8

The numbers are somewhat dismal but AM probably should be the one to give HD some rest over AN.

33.9% from beyond the arc is dismal????

 

[kansashusky]

It was Seton Hall.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

This is such a weird take. A.) Sanogo was a freshman starter, Clingan was never meant to be a starter and was a stud off the bench on a national championship team, and I genuinely have no clue what point you’re trying to make about Hurley and the Lakers.

B.) saying he was misevaluated is not a shot at Mahaney at all. It is saying that Hurley and the staff made a mistake. Even his absolute biggest supporters should be able to admit he’s not a point guard. It’s not a shot at Mahaney. He was never a point guard but the staff thought they could make him in to one.

If you think any critique of the team is off the chart pettiness, you’re in the wrong place.

My “take” (and I wonder about the intelligence of people who use that word) is that Mahaney might very well improve dramatically as a Husky the more he plays. Wouldn’t be the first time a talented transfer sat on the bench and never panned out.

 

[NJHusky]

33.9% from beyond the arc is dismal????

For a supposed scorer, yes….especially when you include the cupcakes

 

[FfldCntyFan]

At one point you could hear the crowd collectively yell SHOOT IT! to Mahaney when he had an open look. Lol. Pretty sure he did finally shoot it, too.

He is one of a couple players who has been afraid to take a shot (I imagine some will be able to figure out who the other is, but many on here are a bit too obtuse to realize). If Mahaney does get some confidence back we may have a chance to win some tournament games, both BE and NCAA. If not, we'll need to lean on HD until his knee gives out.