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- Dec 9, 2018
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We are officially halfway through the 2019-2020 season, and our AAC farewell tour is going about as predicted...with a whole lot of highs, lows, and about everything in between. So basically what a lot of us thought about this team has been true, there is a high variability (St. Joes L, Florida W, Wichita comeback, USF egg). I wanted to take a look at some of the individual and team observations/expectations at the mid point through the season, so here we are.
Team defense- For the most part, our defense has been our bread and butter, and the identity of our team. Ever since Hurleys first game, we knew that we would identify as a hard nose defensive unit that got after it. Aside from a few lapses, this has been true. Our full court pressure when we get down late in games has shown to be real effective, and I hope in the second half of the season we start pressing a bit earlier.
Team offense- I'm sure most of us knew defense was our clear strength, but probably not by this much. We aren't very good offensively as we lack shooters and creators, but I think our biggest surprise has been our lack of movement. Too much standing around watching a guard who can't create for others try to do such that. Too many forced shots late in the clock. We are good however when we get up and down the court, so hopefully in the second half of the year we continue to move with pace, and most importantly, with purpose. This should help us improve on the offensive side.
Hurley- Good not great. He's done some things we all like and agree with, and some things not so much. Give it time to get all his guys in there after a year or two. Would still go to war for him every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Vital- Vital has played as expected in my opinion. Our best all around player. Live with the good and the bad with him. Top two shooter, best hustler and rebounder. He is a great leader and I will always love how he plays with all his heart. He's given us great four years at UConn, amidst a tough four years. He deserves nothing but praise.
Gilbert- Probably the most disappointing part of the season goes to Gilbert. Finally healthy, we all might've expected too much for him, but hey that's what you get for being a Mcdonalds All American. His on ball defense is second to none, don't get me wrong, but offensively he makes the same mistakes over and over and over and over again that's getting tiresome to watch. Having a miserable shooting season so far, doesn't create well for others, and has a bad habit to turn it over amongst the trees. We do however, need him to play better, if we want to do anything in the second half of the year. College basketball teams will go as far as their guards will take them...hoping he can improve and I think he will.
Refs- Trash
Bouk- Started off great, Xavier game he was unreal. This kid will be a stud, we all know that. Defensively he has to be better and limit his fouls so we can play him in longer stints.
Gaffney- Not ready to contribute at a high level yet if we are being honest. Next year will be a big year for him.
Carlton- After his Most Improved Player award last year, we all had high hopes for him. He has played pretty poorly this year so far. He eats against the cupcake teams early in the year, but so far has been a liability against tougher competition...on both ends of the floor. His lack of ability to jump and finish around the rim has been the greatest surprise however, as all the news about him getting stronger arose in the offseason. He has been benched multiple times this year already, so hoping he can turn it around.
Whaley- This depends on how you though of him going into the year. Many thought he wasn't much of a factor at all, then many thought he can be a consistent contributor after the Harvard game. All in all, he has in fact improved immensely, and I like his mid range jumper, but still don't know how big of a contributor he will really be. Been mostly used to spell carlton or when Carlton gets benched.
Akok- WE ALL LOVE AKOK. Nothing else needs to be said here. Actually, he can improve on his offensive game for sure, and Hurley can improve getting him involved, but other than that we all love him and there is no room for Akok slander here lol.
Sid- Sid has been one of the most interesting and surprising story lines this year. From getting benched for 3 straight games, to electrifying the XL crowd not once, but twice, and helping us comeback to what would've been our best win in a long time...he's been all over the place. I personally like him and always thought he needed to play more, and with Polley out he will get more minutes and hopefully deliver like he did against WSU. Hurley has said he earned it and I'm happy for him. Very excited to see how his second half of the year goes.
Adams- Don't think he's truly ready to contribute either. Decent 12-15 minute guy off the bench, but with Polley out we NEED him to make shots. If he's not making shots he hasn't helped much this year. His mind seems to be moving quicker than his body sometimes. We will see if he can capitalize on his minutes in the second half of the year, and play within his role.
Polley- Truly feel for the kid. Awful what happened. Polley has been 0 to 100 this year. From laying complete eggs across the box score, to playing rejuvenated against Tulane...Polley has been a guy that we don't know what to expect from. Lights out shooter and his aggressiveness his last game could be a game changer for the young man. Wishing him a speedy recovery and hoping he can come back strong for next year.
Let's hope for some improved guard play in the second half of the season that can help us finish out these close games and earn some tight wins. Good god I'm bored at work right now.
Go 'Skies
Team defense- For the most part, our defense has been our bread and butter, and the identity of our team. Ever since Hurleys first game, we knew that we would identify as a hard nose defensive unit that got after it. Aside from a few lapses, this has been true. Our full court pressure when we get down late in games has shown to be real effective, and I hope in the second half of the season we start pressing a bit earlier.
Team offense- I'm sure most of us knew defense was our clear strength, but probably not by this much. We aren't very good offensively as we lack shooters and creators, but I think our biggest surprise has been our lack of movement. Too much standing around watching a guard who can't create for others try to do such that. Too many forced shots late in the clock. We are good however when we get up and down the court, so hopefully in the second half of the year we continue to move with pace, and most importantly, with purpose. This should help us improve on the offensive side.
Hurley- Good not great. He's done some things we all like and agree with, and some things not so much. Give it time to get all his guys in there after a year or two. Would still go to war for him every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Vital- Vital has played as expected in my opinion. Our best all around player. Live with the good and the bad with him. Top two shooter, best hustler and rebounder. He is a great leader and I will always love how he plays with all his heart. He's given us great four years at UConn, amidst a tough four years. He deserves nothing but praise.
Gilbert- Probably the most disappointing part of the season goes to Gilbert. Finally healthy, we all might've expected too much for him, but hey that's what you get for being a Mcdonalds All American. His on ball defense is second to none, don't get me wrong, but offensively he makes the same mistakes over and over and over and over again that's getting tiresome to watch. Having a miserable shooting season so far, doesn't create well for others, and has a bad habit to turn it over amongst the trees. We do however, need him to play better, if we want to do anything in the second half of the year. College basketball teams will go as far as their guards will take them...hoping he can improve and I think he will.
Refs- Trash
Bouk- Started off great, Xavier game he was unreal. This kid will be a stud, we all know that. Defensively he has to be better and limit his fouls so we can play him in longer stints.
Gaffney- Not ready to contribute at a high level yet if we are being honest. Next year will be a big year for him.
Carlton- After his Most Improved Player award last year, we all had high hopes for him. He has played pretty poorly this year so far. He eats against the cupcake teams early in the year, but so far has been a liability against tougher competition...on both ends of the floor. His lack of ability to jump and finish around the rim has been the greatest surprise however, as all the news about him getting stronger arose in the offseason. He has been benched multiple times this year already, so hoping he can turn it around.
Whaley- This depends on how you though of him going into the year. Many thought he wasn't much of a factor at all, then many thought he can be a consistent contributor after the Harvard game. All in all, he has in fact improved immensely, and I like his mid range jumper, but still don't know how big of a contributor he will really be. Been mostly used to spell carlton or when Carlton gets benched.
Akok- WE ALL LOVE AKOK. Nothing else needs to be said here. Actually, he can improve on his offensive game for sure, and Hurley can improve getting him involved, but other than that we all love him and there is no room for Akok slander here lol.
Sid- Sid has been one of the most interesting and surprising story lines this year. From getting benched for 3 straight games, to electrifying the XL crowd not once, but twice, and helping us comeback to what would've been our best win in a long time...he's been all over the place. I personally like him and always thought he needed to play more, and with Polley out he will get more minutes and hopefully deliver like he did against WSU. Hurley has said he earned it and I'm happy for him. Very excited to see how his second half of the year goes.
Adams- Don't think he's truly ready to contribute either. Decent 12-15 minute guy off the bench, but with Polley out we NEED him to make shots. If he's not making shots he hasn't helped much this year. His mind seems to be moving quicker than his body sometimes. We will see if he can capitalize on his minutes in the second half of the year, and play within his role.
Polley- Truly feel for the kid. Awful what happened. Polley has been 0 to 100 this year. From laying complete eggs across the box score, to playing rejuvenated against Tulane...Polley has been a guy that we don't know what to expect from. Lights out shooter and his aggressiveness his last game could be a game changer for the young man. Wishing him a speedy recovery and hoping he can come back strong for next year.
Let's hope for some improved guard play in the second half of the season that can help us finish out these close games and earn some tight wins. Good god I'm bored at work right now.
Go 'Skies