Silas was more the solution than the problem. He had 17 pts 8 assists and a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio. His defense wasn't his best, but it was better than anyone else's on the perimeter, FWIW. If you believe he was more of the problem, your entitled to that opinion, but what would you think about the combined performances of Solo, Alex, and Braylon going 6-31 (3-17 3pters)?
I figured but we collectively stopped at a certain point that confuses me
Alex is not getting drafted anywhere near the 1st round this year, just like last year and the year before. This narrative that he made a mistake staying is just foolish. He didn’t have a choice.
I don't think he's lost the team, because we've seen a whole bunch of dud games over the course of the season, including several narrow wins. What I would like to know is, what is the collective mindset of the team, including the coaching staff? How does the #4 team not come fully prepared and engaged for a game such as tonight? Credit to Marquette for continuing to improve over the final stretch of their season, but they should not have been given even an inkling that they could win this game. This UConn team has been wildly inconsistent though, and we never know which team will show up on any given night, and whether they'll squeak out a win against a lesser opponent, lose, or possibly score an occasional dominant victory.
Not making adjustments to fit his personnel is once again biting Danny. Continuing to start Solo and Mullins is a disaster. That puts two very minus defenders AND gunners on the floor at the same time. I understand he’s a loyal guy but we’ve seen his loyalty hurt the greater good many times. This year is one of those times. He’s given Solo more than enough time to show he’s more than just a volume scorer. He’s failed in return.
That has been my concern going all the way back to the beginning of January. People on here and Rob Dauster kept saying "oh Solo will pick up his 3pt shooting percentage". My response was, "I hope so, but are you sure?" If people look at the beginning of this season and the BET from last year, he has struggled from 3pt land. You are correct that this team, not just limited to Solo, has gone cold from 3pt land at the same time in multiple games. What concerns me more is that these are wide open looks (i.e. Braylon today). Boog204 said it in his post above which was a cold splash of reality. This team, besides Silas, cannot dribble drive to the basket so they are overly reliant on the 3 pt shooting. If Braylon shoots a smidge under his 3 pt shooting % today, UConn would have been up by double digits in the first half.
There is no go to guy. Silas can be that next year, but still working through it at the moment.
A versatile big man would be nice too
Box of chocolates
He hasn’t shot consistently all year
We don't exactly have a lot of options. Jaylin is out and Ross played 22 minutes, Solo played 24. Ross was a lot less bad than AK, Mullins, and Solo and provided some energy plays but he went back to his bad habit of biting on pump fakes. Malachi has zero confidence.
No, if we are not a 1 we are a 2
Mullins has been so disappointing compared to his freshmen peers. He’s a one trick pony. Shot chucker and zero defense. Basically Solo Ball with NBA hype.
I agree they stink but legitimately bad is a stretch for Marquette
Solo is at 30% this season. Karaban and Silas at 41 though Silas doesn’t shoot as many.
No.
Driving skills aren't great - he shies away from contact, and a big part why we don't get to the line. His two drives today were pretty embarrassing. His middy game is solid, but seems to abandon it for threes a lot. One of the more frustrating players I've seen in a Uconn uniform.
I completely understand that. But when something is CLEARLY not working you at least have to try something else.
Aren’t two points better than none? Someone tell the coaches and players
The whole strategy from the get go was confusing. There are exactly two things to know about Marquette: they force turnovers and don’t rebound. Every Shaka Smart team is like this, it never changes.
My point was that there was no urgency. Waiting to hand to ball to Silas as the clock is ticking away a force a forced shot
