Musketeers -- isn't that 2 candybar opponents in a row? ThoughtZ™

[RichZ]

1. 3 minutes in, and we already had 3 blocks. Ended with 10,
2. Our shooting was definitely off tonight especially from 3. I think the whole squad needs a lot of 3 point practice.
3. The mouseketeers out shot us by a disheartening 54 to 33% from 3.
4. Rebounding helped offset our poor shooting, as we out boarded them by 8, including a 7 board edge on the offensive board.
5. Both teams shot a lot of FTs, and and both shot well from the line. But they were 18 of 21 from the line, while we shot an otherworldly 20 for 21!
6. Arguably we won this game on the right side of the box score. Rebounds 35 to 27. Assists 21 to 9. Steals 7/3. Blocks 10/2. Turnovers. 7 to their 10. All our starters scored in double figures. Including 3 of 20 points or better, compared to two 20 point scorers including one bench player for Xavier. Only 3 of their starters hit double digits. And we committed 16 fouls to their 20.
7. Mahaney in for 3 minutes in the first half. Our lead shrank by 6 in that 3 minutes. Was he involved? No, and that may be the issue. The only entry in his stat line that wasn't zero was the 3 for the minutes he was on the floor. He seems overwhelmed, and his confidence has to be shot. Sure hope he finds a way to turn it around.

 

[upstater]

1. 3 minutes in, and we already had 3 blocks. Ended with 10,
2. Our shooting was definitely off tonight especially from 3. I think the whole squad needs a lot of 3 point practice.
3. The mouseketeers out shot us by a disheartening 54 to 33% from 3.
4. Rebounding helped offset our poor shooting, as we out boarded them by 8, including a 7 board edge on the offensive board.
5. Both teams shot a lot of FTs, and and both shot well from the line. But they were 18 of 21 from the line, while we shot an otherworldly 20 for 21!
6. Arguably we won this game on the right side of the box score. Rebounds 35 to 27. Assists 21 to 9. Steals 7/3. Blocks 10/2. Turnovers. 7 to their 10. All our starters scored in double figures. Including 3 of 20 points or better, compared to two 20 point scorers including one bench player for Xavier. Only 3 of their starters hit double digits. And we committed 16 fouls to their 20.
7. Mahaney in for 3 minutes in the first half. Our lead shrank by 6 in that 3 minutes. Was he involved? No, and that may be the issue. The only entry in his stat line that wasn't zero was the 3 for the minutes he was on the floor. He seems overwhelmed, and his confidence has to be shot. Sure hope he finds a way to turn it around.

At this point, make Mahaney our off guard Joey C. 3-pt. specialist.

I fear however that the defensive deficiencies of our starting 5 require that Ross comes in to shut people down, like a Rashamel Jones or a Roscoe Smith. But unlike Jones and very much like smith, Ross looks lost on the offensive side. But he keeps getting minutes for defense.

This means the benefit of having another Joey C. on the bench is lost to us.

 

[Huskybass]

They certainly were the "3" Muskateers, hitting an amazing array of them on the road, against a very good team...and all without their best player.

 

[Inyatkin]

I'm pretty sure out guys practice shooting plenty.

 

[Waquoit]

I will suggest one flaw. The guards need to realize that Reed and Johnson require two different types of lob passes to finish the play. Tarris isn't the leaper Samson is.

 

[RuffRuff]

At this point, make Mahaney our off guard Joey C. 3-pt. specialist.

I fear however that the defensive deficiencies of our starting 5 require that Ross comes in to shut people down, like a Rashamel Jones or a Roscoe Smith. But unlike Jones and very much like smith, Ross looks lost on the offensive side. But he keeps getting minutes for defense.

This means the benefit of having another Joey C. on the bench is lost to us.

Develop Ross offensively or develop Mahaney defensively, that is the question. I’d always go with the 6’7” athlete.

Crazy to see the pups are leading the country in blocks per game this deep in, at 7.1/game, just ahead of SDSU and Auburn. In a year our biggest concern was how to rim protect with Cling gone, ironic we lead the nation in blocks.

 

[RuffRuff]

I will suggest one flaw. The guards need to realize that Reed and Johnson require two different types of lob passes to finish the play. Tarris isn't the leaper Samson is.

Samson is pogo stick getting up - he elevates at the speed of light. This is a body mass thing. Hard to be vertically agile at 265.

 

[Waquoit]

Samson is pogo stick getting up - he elevates at the speed of light. This is a body mass thing. Hard to be vertically agile at 265.

Exactly, they need to put him in a position to succeed. I saw it happen twice, perhaps the dump off for the lay-up is the choice for Tarris.

 

[RuffRuff]

Exactly, they need to put him in a position to succeed. I saw it happen twice, perhaps the dump off for the lay-up is the choice for Tarris.

Totally different profiles. Tarris is not going to be spending his time with his head at the rim as much as he is going to command a lot of real estate.

What I really liked last night and I’m sure Dan Hurley is planning around it is the two man game with Liam and Tarris. If Liam can get into the lane and draw the help side big, leaves Tarris down low for easy buckets. Ideally would also be an opp to kick out to either AK or Solo. Watch for Liam’s assists numbers to grow nicely over the remainder of the year. He had 4 assists in 20 minutes last night, 4 and 3 in the two previous. You can see this is clicking for him. Would also be great to see him get some lobs to SJ, as it seems like Hass is the only one that has a feel to feed him right now. Liam has the advantage of often being taller than his defender.

 

[Dogdeacon]

At this point, make Mahaney our off guard Joey C. 3-pt. specialist.

I fear however that the defensive deficiencies of our starting 5 require that Ross comes in to shut people down, like a Rashamel Jones or a Roscoe Smith. But unlike Jones and very much like smith, Ross looks lost on the offensive side. But he keeps getting minutes for defense.

This means the benefit of having another Joey C. on the bench is lost to us.

There was at lease one possession where Ross brought the ball up. IF he can do that for 5 minutes and defend we have another answer at PG - at least until Nowell is readier.

Agree 110% that Mahaney is a SG scoring off the bench only. He is so hesitant once he gets to halfcourt and the defense knows this. He's capable of getting to the rim, but that's not running UConn's offense and if Mahaney misses on his first drive then he's unlikely to try again. Just can't play Mahaney at PG despite Hassan needing a breather now and then and that's why we didn't see him in the 2nd half.

 

[NJHusky]

I will suggest one flaw. The guards need to realize that Reed and Johnson require two different types of lob passes to finish the play. Tarris isn't the leaper Samson is.

I was thinking the same thing during the game!

 

[RuffRuff]

There was at lease one possession where Ross brought the ball up. IF he can do that for 5 minutes and defend we have another answer at PG - at least until Nowell is readier.

Agree 110% that Mahaney is a SG scoring off the bench only. He is so hesitant once he gets to halfcourt and the defense knows this. He's capable of getting to the rim, but that's not running UConn's offense and if Mahaney misses on his first drive then he's unlikely to try again. Just can't play Mahaney at PG despite Hassan needing a breather now and then and that's why we didn't see him in the 2nd half.

Has zero PG instincts or traits. That experiment is done. Picking him up to play that role is truly a head scratcher. PG is being a quarterback, chip on shoulder type. AM looks scared most of the time.

 

[housekeys]

Mahaney can do more than just shoot on offense. He can take his man off the dribble, drive into the lane etc. In my short time of watching him, that is. He is hesitant and lacks confidence, but he seems to do those moves with ease.

Unfortunately, it seems UConn does not play in such a way that we need an individual to play that type of 1 on 1 game. Well, unless the offensive set that we run shuts down and the clock forces us to make a play. McNeeley and Ball are perfect for such situations. I actually think AM could do that as well. But again, that is not the goal of the team (run the clock down). My understanding is that is how he was used at St Mary's. A deliberate offense that ultimately looked to AM to get a basket. He delivered. Also his defense is a bit suspect.

I still feel he is an excellent player who is struggling. It is a very interesting sub-plot to this year's team. I will enjoy immensely the potential turn-around of this player. Either way I am happy he is a UConn player.

 

[Waquoit]

In a year our biggest concern was how to rim protect with Cling gone, ironic we lead the nation in blocks.

In a way, I think Clingan's absence could be a factor in our total. Perhaps UConn is getting more chances for blocks because the opposition thinks the paint is open for business now. OTOH, doesn't seem we have an above average number of blocks on the perimeter?