my musing on Hurley and team

[HailUConn]

I truly think that there is a silver lining in these early season losses.

We all know that We have THE best coaches in college. They've proven to us that they are best at what they do.
We also know that tough defense is the hallmark of Hurley's teams. He preaches the hard-nose defense. That's what we've seen in his early years at UConn.
We also know that our last 2 teams have been absolutely offensive monsters, and one of main hypes for the past 2 seasons' success is to run a plethora of sophisticated sets devised by our coaching staff. It's been often reported or perceived that Hurley has switched from defense oriented to more offense.
We also know that we lost 80% of starters, and now our team is young and inexperienced albeit talented.


Is it possible that our coaches' top priority is the integration of new pieces into these offense schemes and that's been the singular main focus in team practices?
Is it also possible that Hurley did not have to instill defense in past 2 years, because we are so blessed to have best perimeter defenders: AJax on 23 team and Castle on 24 team with Clingan as rim protector, and now the poor defense or lack of it altogether is showing out because we don't have the players except Diarra?

So the silver lining is that our defense has been exposed again and again, it behooves Hurley to re-evaluate, and focus more on defense while slowly and steadily bring these young/new players along in offense? I remain optimistic and trust Hurley, Murray and Kamani will figure it out as the season progresses.

 

[husky429]

I truly think that there is a silver lining in these early season losses.

We all know that We have THE best coaches in college. They've proven to us that they are best at what they do.
We also know that tough defense is the hallmark of Hurley's teams. He preaches the hard-nose defense. That's what we've seen in his early years at UConn.
We also know that our last 2 teams have been absolutely offensive monsters, and one of main hypes for the past 2 seasons' success is to run a plethora of sophisticated sets devised by our coaching staff. It's been often reported or perceived that Hurley has switched from defense oriented to more offense.
We also know that we lost 80% of starters, and now our team is young and inexperienced albeit talented.


Is it possible that our coaches' top priority is the integration of new pieces into these offense schemes and that's been the singular main focus in team practices?
Is it also possible that Hurley did not have to instill defense in past 2 years, because we are so blessed to have best perimeter defenders: AJax on 23 team and Castle on 24 team with Clingan as rim protector, and now the poor defense or lack of it altogether is showing out because we don't have the players except Diarra?

So the silver lining is that our defense has been exposed again and again, it behooves Hurley to re-evaluate, and focus more on defense while slowly and steadily bring these young/new players along in offense? I remain optimistic and trust Hurley, Murray and Kamani will figure it out as the season progresses.

And Tom.

 

[CT2SC]

It’s just really tough to stay at the top. There’s a reason no one three peats.

I remember Burrell’s last year we had a great soph class including Donyell but they weren’t ready yet. I think we ended up in the NIT despite having a really talented roster. The following year we won the BE and were a one seed. Stew, Ball, Ross, Nowell, Reed likely need a season to grow as players before we are a serious contender again.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I truly think that there is a silver lining in these early season losses.

We all know that We have THE best coaches in college. They've proven to us that they are best at what they do.
We also know that tough defense is the hallmark of Hurley's teams. He preaches the hard-nose defense. That's what we've seen in his early years at UConn.
We also know that our last 2 teams have been absolutely offensive monsters, and one of main hypes for the past 2 seasons' success is to run a plethora of sophisticated sets devised by our coaching staff. It's been often reported or perceived that Hurley has switched from defense oriented to more offense.
We also know that we lost 80% of starters, and now our team is young and inexperienced albeit talented.


Is it possible that our coaches' top priority is the integration of new pieces into these offense schemes and that's been the singular main focus in team practices?
Is it also possible that Hurley did not have to instill defense in past 2 years, because we are so blessed to have best perimeter defenders: AJax on 23 team and Castle on 24 team with Clingan as rim protector, and now the poor defense or lack of it altogether is showing out because we don't have the players except Diarra?

So the silver lining is that our defense has been exposed again and again, it behooves Hurley to re-evaluate, and focus more on defense while slowly and steadily bring these young/new players along in offense? I remain optimistic and trust Hurley, Murray and Kamani will figure it out as the season progresses.

I remember the quote after either the URI or scrimmage or 1st game about most of the practice work up to that point was on the offense. They were just really starting to work hard on D.

It'll get better. It has every year since Hurley's been here.

 

[CL82]

I remember the quote after either the URI or scrimmage or 1st game about most of the practice work up to that point was on the offense. They were just really starting to work hard on D.

It'll get better. It has every year since Hurley's been here.

Agreed, but the lack of a true point guard may not get any better. Hopefully, at least one of our starting centers can learn to use their fouls strategically. Right now, those are our two biggest issues.

 

[Marat]

Agreed, but the lack of a true point guard may not get any better. Hopefully, at least one of our starting centers can learn to use their fouls strategically. Right now, those are our two biggest issues.

Hurley admitted that Nowell needs the minutes, and we'll have to live with him learning on the job. But, it will pay off later this season. His defense and distributing is already good.

 

[Hi-Low]

DH & Team (and fans) were maybe a little 'high on own supply' going into this season....the reality is lost 4 starters now on NBA rosters. Will take some time this year and maybe will just be good, not great...who knows.

That said should have had the W against Memphis but for a horrible foul call on McNeeley & resulting DH T.....and then who knows but I think beat Mich St and be playing Auburn today. PG is the weak spot but hopefully Nowell a quick learner. McNeeley looks special, AK a stud and a couple of others will step up as season moves along....I think we'll be in the mix and very relevant come Feb/Mar. I'll take it

 

[J187Money]

I have to believe that when you are winning games by 40 having a coach pound on you must be tough for most kids (even the RKGs that we have on the team) to listen to. DH has some work to do, but the players also will realize that when DH says it isn't good enough, this is what he means. I expect us to get much better in the coming weeks.

 

[Rico444]

I don't know how good we'll be by the end of the year, but I fully expect our defense to dramatically improve from where it is now. Hurley has been able to turn most players he coaches up into good defensive players.

 

[uconngb]

I don't know how good we'll be by the end of the year, but I fully expect our defense to dramatically improve from where it is now. Hurley has been able to turn most players he coaches up into good defensive players.

I admire the optimism, but the defense can’t get any worse so we’re starting from a VERY low bar