I’m starting to wonder if the staff over indexed on elite “processing” with Mahaney at the sake of physical tools. You can’t teach size, speed and physicality, all of which he’s showing a severe shortage in competing with better athletes. People keep talking about TNewt needing a year to figure it out, yet fail to recognize he had plus physical traits for his position. The only way Mahaney becomes a net positive and not a liability is if he demonstrates intangibles that overcome the physical shortages. I honestly don’t know how they make it work.
I too am starting to wonder if they mis-evaluated Mahaney's skill (and lack of) set. He doesn't process things quick enough, is not strong enough or quick enough on offense to be an effective lead guard. He's a terrible defender, clear liability on that end of the floor. He can't get the minutes he's getting if that's what he's going to bring to the table most games. But what is the alternative?
Hass is best suited as an off the bench change of pace, though when he plays his best, he's an important contributor. And of course he can't play 40 minutes.
I think Mahaney is best suited in the Joey Cal role, but Hurley and the staff seemed to have brought him in for a role he's not suited for. I don't remember what other lead/combo guards were in the portal, but they would have been better off with a more physical one that could defend, handle, pass and drive the paint.
Some might wonder if they should have taken Koby Brea, but he's not a lead guard, albeit a prolific scorer. He would not have provided what UConn needs.
So what can they do? Either continue to put Aidan out there and try to develop him, or see what Nowell can do once he's healthy, and use Mahaney more in that Joey Cal role till he proves himself. Maybe mix Ross in as a big lead guard since he can handle it well. He certainly wouldn't defend a guard any worse than Aidan.
I really don't know what the answer is when we face teams with athletic guards. It's clear so far that Mahaney is a liability that must get better. It probably won't help him this season, but he needs to hit the weight room hard and get stronger, and needs a lot of work on his balance and foot work to improve his quickness and lateral movement. I watched him closely, and he's extremely bad at reversing direction once he's moving the other way. He is what he is, but can get better, but doubt he will improve enough in those areas for this season.
It's likely their best option is try to coach him up as best they can and provide better help (hedge defense was not good today) for him on D. Just no real answer when teams isolate a more athletic guard on him that drive right by him.
Don't we have an open 2024/25 scholarship? Any available mid-season ready to play Euro lead guards out there?
. I'm kidding...well sort of.
