Middlesex Chamber Hurley Breakfast - Oct 7th

[BigErnMcCracken]

This is going to be a good thread.

 

[8893]

I had an entirely different read on that quote, I took it as a really good sign that we'll have 2 legit PGs. I didn't really view Diarra as much of a factor and figured he wouldn't get more than 10 minutes but if he's pushing for starter minutes that's a good thing for this team

I am putting it together with what has been reported by Dauster and others, that Newton hasn't really impressed, and that Hurley sees him playing off the ball more.

I am happy to hear that Diarra may be more of a factor than expected and agree that that is a strength, as compared with last year's lack of depth at PG.

My number one takeaway continues to be that Hurley is all-in on Andre running the point and the team. I hope he can put it all together to fulfill those pretty lofty expectations.

 

[navery12]

I am putting it together with what has been reported by Dauster and others, that Newton hasn't really impressed, and that Hurley sees him playing off the ball more.

I am happy to hear that Diarra may be more of a factor than expected and agree that that is a strength, as compared with last year's lack of depth at PG.

My number one takeaway continues to be that Hurley is all-in on Andre running the point and the team. I hope he can put it all together to fulfill those pretty lofty expectations.

I guess that's fair. I don't put much stock into Newton playing off the ball, and certainly not as a negative thing. That's the best lineup for the team, we're wasting Andre if he's not using his playmaking and is just spotting up from 3 in the corner where the defenders won't even respect his shot

 

[McLovin]

IMO Hurley’s quote about PG is an attempt to motivate Newton through the media. My guess is Newton is still the starter the majority of the season. Although this makes me feel like we see Hassan start at PG in all 4 games before the PK and Newton takes over from there. Either way, I’m not concerned.

 

[UofCT]

Just start Joey California at PG.

 

[8893]

I guess that's fair. I don't put much stock into Newton playing off the ball, and certainly not as a negative thing. That's the best lineup for the team, we're wasting Andre if he's not using his playmaking and is just spotting up from 3 in the corner where the defenders won't even respect his shot

I agree that we don't want Andre camped at the 3-point line. He's a unique player with some incredible gifts, but also some limitations that make him hard to fit in a traditional lineup. And I am definitely guilty of seeing things more through that lens, simply because I do not have as much experience observing successful non-traditional lineups in college basketball.

One thing I do understand is that my feelings about it are irrelevant, and that the team will be built around Andre no matter what.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I owe @coachn an apology. It looks like we do not have a traditional point guard, which I assumed Newton would be.

I hesitate to say that this and the apparent lack of toughness are "concerning," not only because I don't want it to be confused for shtick, but because it's early and because I don't put a lot of stock in Hurley's public statements. But I will say that it doesn't sound like a traditional UConn team. Should be a very interesting season.

Here's another way to view it.

Hurley has always wanted to win with toughness. His way has garnered a big fat zero NCAA wins.

Maybe if the team isn't tough enough he will have to coach in a way where skill gets the win.

 

[gtcam]

Personally. after watching Newton play a few times last year, I didn't think he was a high level PG - the kid has athleticism and spurtability but scored a lot in garbage time and was tending to play hero ball. That doesn't mean he cannot become the PG that Dan Hurley wants running the show. A lot of BYers were thinking he was the second coming of .................... but I was given crap for cautioning everyone after he decided to come to Storrs
Again, he may turn into the real deal at PG and I want to see that occur because it would make the team that much stronger. Dan Hurley might be playing head games with him through the press and/or perhaps one of the other 2 PG xfers is better than advertised. This will be an interesting development.
I was hoping for a better report on Clingan but I understand he is a project
This is going to be a very intriguing year for UConn hoops - I can see huge successes but also could see a lot of growing pains, especially early.
Cant wait

 

[wheelerdog]

Joey California!

 

[REB1094]

I’m still in the camp that Newton is our starting PG averaging 12-15PPG

 

[husky429]

I’m still in the camp that Newton is our starting PG averaging 12-15PPG

Going from 17 a game on a terrible team where he has incredibly high usage to 15 on a much better team with 10x as many weapons... seems unlikely.

10-12 and greater effeciency would be more than enough for us to be successful.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I’m still in the camp that Newton is our starting PG averaging 12-15PPG

Put me in the camp saying you may be right.

Also, put me in the camp that if you are right there's a chance this is a near undefeated team that is just blowing out every opponent and also a chance him scoring that much means the team is underperforming and he is shouldering too much of the scoring.

My final camp on this hot take is I think there is a much higher chance of it being the latter than the former.

In summary, if he is scoring that much, I think it's more likely this team is underperforming expectation than it is an indication this is a phenemonally performing team exceeding expecations.

 

[8893]

I’m still in the camp that Newton is our starting PG averaging 12-15PPG

In the multiverse there are endless possibilities, including that one.

In terms of the field general/coach-on-the-floor/play-making role that many of us typically associate with PG, I think it's pretty clear that will be Andre's role on this team. If Hurley is accurate that whoever doesn't start as between Diarra and Newton will still be playing starter's minutes, that means that they will be sharing the position.

 

[Connecticut13]

I’m still in the camp that Newton is our starting PG averaging 12-15PPG

Love the optimism, but no way he's close to 15 PPG. And that's not a knock on him at all, but just an acknowledgment of the scoring options around him. At best, he'd be the number three scoring option behind Sanogo and Hawkins.

 

[Palatine]

One way to build toughness is to make the players compete for everything. I think a hard PG competition will make both Newton And Diara tougher. My guess is that this is a way to light a fire under Newton. I fully expect him to be the starter

The Springs comments reminds of Calhoun saying, right now Justin Brown is out starter at center.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I agree that we don't want Andre camped at the 3-point line. He's a unique player with some incredible gifts, but also some limitations that make him hard to fit in a traditional lineup. And I am definitely guilty of seeing things more through that lens, simply because I do not have as much experience observing successful non-traditional lineups in college basketball.

One thing I do understand is that my feelings about it are irrelevant, and that the team will be built around Andre no matter what.

Him at the free throw line against zone defenses is my dream

 

[Dove]

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I know every year almost every team's coaches always talk about "we'll have great depth" during pre-season. Then it almost always ends up being a 6-7 player rotation.

However, this is one team/season that I really really think the odds are very high that we'll legitimately see a 8-10 player rotation (each getting significant double-digit-ish minutes) vs. our weak competition, and 7-9 player rotations vs. our tougher comp.

Let's get this season started!!!

 

[BGesus4]

Joey California!

I believe he meant to say, Sunshine

 

[bmayuc]

If you have maybe sorta 2 PGs you have definitely 0 PGs.

This team is going to struggle at the end of the shot clock to find shots and make plays, so everyone build that into your mental model right now...
This team will score in transition, through set plays, and offensive putbacks, but creative playmaking will not be a strength...

 

[NJHoops]

Mental toughness. You can have all the skill in the world, but if you’re not resilient and ready to fight through struggles, what’s it worth?

 

[CardiacAndre7]

If you have maybe sorta 2 PGs you have definitely 0 PGs.

This team is going to struggle at the end of the shot clock to find shots and make plays, so everyone build that into your mental model right now...
This team will score in transition, through set plays, and offensive putbacks, but creative playmaking will not be a strength...

Try to think back to 2011 and 2014. We had 2 PG's then. Worked out alright.

 

[NJHoops]

Discussion without game evidence is exhausting.

Adama’s shooting 3’s-
great, love to see a player adding to his game!
that is so stupid, he’s going to live out on the three point line, just what the other team wants!

Competition for a starting spot-
must mean every option sucks!
cool, toughen up and fight it out!

Only one month to go…

 

[JustbrewitMan]

If you have maybe sorta 2 PGs you have definitely 0 PGs.

This team is going to struggle at the end of the shot clock to find shots and make plays, so everyone build that into your mental model right now...
This team will score in transition, through set plays, and offensive putbacks, but creative playmaking will not be a strength...

Bookmarking this post.

 

[sdb1989]

 

[8893]

Try to think back to 2011 and 2014. We had 2 PG's then. Worked out alright.

I don't think that's an apples-to-apples comparison. Kemba, Shabazz and Boat were all much more traditional point guards, with two of them playing alongside each other. That is a very traditional UConn look; it was also the case with Khalid and Ricky.

I think what Hurley is talking about is Andre running the point for most of the game, with either Newton or Diarra alongside him. In other words, I doubt Newton and Diarra will be on the court together.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I don't think that's an apples-to-apples comparison. Kemba, Shabazz and Boat were all much more traditional point guards, with two of them playing alongside each other. That is a very traditional UConn look; it was also the case with Khalid and Ricky.

I think what Hurley is talking about is Andre running the point for most of the game, with either Newton or Diarra alongside him. In other words, I doubt Newton and Diarra will be on the court together.

I don't think any of those 3 were necessarily traditional point guards. Boat certainly wasn't. Shabazz was probably the most in the traditional sense.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Try to think back to 2011 and 2014. We had 2 PG's then. Worked out alright.

Same with '99.

Even with '04 although BG wasn't a PG, he often handled the ball at end of game because Brown was such a bad FT shooter and Ben was lights out. Averaged 4.7 assists as a soph and 4.5 as a junior.

 

[superjohn]

I don't think that's an apples-to-apples comparison. Kemba, Shabazz and Boat were all much more traditional point guards, with two of them playing alongside each other. That is a very traditional UConn look; it was also the case with Khalid and Ricky.

I think what Hurley is talking about is Andre running the point for most of the game, with either Newton or Diarra alongside him. In other words, I doubt Newton and Diarra will be on the court together.

Yes and I don't really see the use in comparing Newton and Diarra to three of the best point guards/players we've ever had.

 

[8893]

I don't think any of those 3 were necessarily traditional point guards. Boat certainly wasn't. Shabazz was probably the most in the traditional sense.

My point is that none of them were like Andre, and he will be running the point most of the time, with one of the other two alongside him.