Need to get so much better

[UCfor3]

I think Hurley is better than an OK recruiter. I think he is a good recruiter. UConn has not recruited at this level in probably 10 years.

Agreed. With that said, his roster construction needs to improve. More skilled, offensively versatile players, less raw devlopmental players with high ceilings but low floors. Also, more guards and wings with guard skills. You can never have too many in college basketball.

 

[freescooter]

I think Hurley is better than an OK recruiter. I think he is a good recruiter. UConn has not recruited at this level in probably 10 years.

You mean because he got one guy who plays limited minutes, one who he says isn’t that good, and a couple who rarely see the floor. He is an over rated recruiter, a bad game coach and clearly he is in year 4 without a 3 point threat.

My view is he is a young guy on the make with a very limited upside. He got a big contract, but didn’t really earn it. And if his name was Danny Jones, he’d still be at URI.

 

[ASweet3781]

You mean because he got one guy who plays limited minutes, one who he says isn’t that good, and a couple who rarely see the floor. He is an over rated recruiter, a bad game coach and clearly he is in year 4 without a 3 point threat.

My view is he is a young guy on the make with a very limited upside. He got a big contract, but didn’t really earn it. And if his name was Danny Jones, he’d still be at URI.

Big contract but didn’t earn it is becoming the new school alma mater.

 

[KingAG]

You mean because he got one guy who plays limited minutes, one who he says isn’t that good, and a couple who rarely see the floor. He is an over rated recruiter, a bad game coach and clearly he is in year 4 without a 3 point threat.

My view is he is a young guy on the make with a very limited upside. He got a big contract, but didn’t really earn it. And if his name was Danny Jones, he’d still be at URI.

I mean he recruited and produced a lottery pick in his first couple of seasons. He recruited a top 10 finalist for the big man award and he’s only a sophomore

 

[Tenspro2002]

To me, there are three pillars that make a great coach: 1) be a great recruiter, 2) build a complementary roster, and 3) be a great in-game coach. Hurley is OK at all three, but we're a limited program if he's not great at any one of those pillars.

I don't see how you can say he's not already great at #1.

I think the problem is you need to be great at two of those, and so far we've had an imperfectly fit roster and can't paper over it with exceptional in-game coaching.

 

[Ts5034]

Agreed. With that said, his roster construction needs to improve. More skilled, offensively versatile players, less raw devlopmental players with high ceilings but low floors. Also, more guards and wings with guard skills. You can never have too many in college basketball.

More shooters as well. Hawkins was advertised as a shooter, Karaban is supposed to be a shooter. I think Hurley was expecting more from Polley this season, as we all were. That has been a little bit of a let down. Not to beat a dead horse either, but I think the entire staff thought Diggins was going to be further along in his development at this point as well. Im not going to try to make sense of that. Regardless, recruiting has been solid, and that must continue.

 

[UCfor3]

More shooters as well. Hawkins was advertised as a shooter, Karaban is supposed to be a shooter. I think Hurley was expecting more from Polley this season, as we all were. That has been a little bit of a let down. Not to beat a dead horse either, but I think the entire staff thought Diggins was going to be further along in his development at this point as well. Im not going to try to make sense of that. Regardless, recruiting has been solid, and that must continue.

We are like a football team that tries to manage the game because we lack firepower and try to win low scoring games with defense and ball control. It's unpleasing and ugly to watch at times and seldom works against the better teams. I want to win more than anything but I'm also sick of having a team that is so ugly to watch offensively from a pure entertainment standpoint. It predates Hurley and has been going on for eight years.

 

[Ts5034]

We are like a football team that tries to manage the game because we lack firepower and try to win low scoring games with defense and ball control. It's unpleasing and ugly to watch at times and seldom works against the better teams. I want to win more than anything but I'm also sick of having a team that is so ugly to watch offensively from a pure entertainment standpoint. It predates Hurley and has been going on for eight years.

I understand what you are saying, but today was the first time where we played bad to the point where we just didnt have a chance to win. We played poorly in the Creighton loss, but we were in that game until the end. Im trying to see this glass half full.

The most frustrating part is It feels like we are just one player away, and It’s felt like that for the last few years now. That is the best way to describe how my outlook is on things.

 

[CheshireCat]

To me, there are three pillars that make a great coach: 1) be a great recruiter, 2) build a complementary roster, and 3) be a great in-game coach. Hurley is OK at all three, but we're a limited program if he's not great at any one of those pillars.

“And that is why you fail”
- Yoda

Try again. Glad you’re not the AD.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I don't see how you can say he's not already great at #1.

I think the problem is you need to be great at two of those, and so far we've had an imperfectly fit roster and can't paper over it with exceptional in-game coaching.

Part of #1 bleeds in to #2. Part of being a great recruiter is getting the players you want to build up a roster. As others have said, there are at least 3 top-75 players who can't get off the bench. That's not great for ID'ing talent. It's okay to get high ceiling players but a few who are ready from day one are also good to have on the roster.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Part of #1 bleeds in to #2. Part of being a great recruiter is getting the players you want to build up a roster. As others have said, there are at least 3 top-75 players who can't get off the bench. That's not great for ID'ing talent. It's okay to get high ceiling players but a few who are ready from day one are also good to have on the roster.

Yeah, the boundaries between #1 and #2 are fuzzy.

I took #1 to mean "can you get the guy you want to come here?". And Hurley has been exceptionally successful at that.

I took #2 to mean "do the guys who come here fit together into a coherent team with complementary strengths and weaknesses?" That has been more of a problem.

 

[rip7774]

We are like a football team that tries to manage the game because we lack firepower and try to win low scoring games with defense and ball control. It's unpleasing and ugly to watch at times and seldom works against the better teams. I want to win more than anything but I'm also sick of having a team that is so ugly to watch offensively from a pure entertainment standpoint. It predates Hurley and has been going on for eight years.

I was saying this exact thing to my kids during the game. It’s like going back in time & trying to win a FB game 13-10.

A lot has to go right to work & never gonna happen against the greats like Mahomes or likely a Nova (they’re good not great this year). #RockFightHurley

 

[UCTitleTown]

This wash a measuring stick game. This team just isn't that good. Expectations have been substantially lowered for this season. The talent is there, but not gelling and the lack of ball handlers is glaring.

 

[Banta55]

I am a broken record, but this is what I was concerned about after the Bahamas tournament-it was how poor Gaffney was. I was hoping it was just a 3 game slump, but I said on this board, if he can't provide anything, Cole is going to get burned out. Cole wasn't good today, but every shot and every pass and every defensive play he makes has that more pressure on it because no other guard can step in and do it nor can they spell him for 5-10 minutes.

I by no means am scapegoating Gaff for today's loss or other losses for that matter as there are plenty of other factors and players that contributed to those losses, but Gaff's non-productive play is taking it's toll, but now we are seeing the tangible effects.

Great post, some rationale thoughts..Not signing a transfer guard was obviously a mistake..

 

[ConnEd]

Our starting lineup has 3 guys in It that don't need to be guarded outside the paint. That puts a ton of pressure on Sanogo since two different guys can sag on him. And with our 4-out offense, two of those defenders also have the option to slide under all of the screens and motion. Putting Polley/Hawkins in for IW or AJ creates other issues because neither of those guys can guard at this level yet.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Two seasons in a row where our high water mark best win was at the very beginning of the season. Other teams are getting a lot better as the season progresses, we're getting a lot worse.

Not sure I totally agree with that sentiment.

Last year we had won 7 of 8 heading into the Creighton game and while it's not that we were world beaters, it seemed like we were poised to maybe contend for the BE title or make the 2nd weekend of the NCAAs.

Season before that we closed out winning 8 of 10, including beating a ranked Houston team at Gampel.

Hurley hasnt done himself any favors with his antics and today sucked but I'm going to withhold judgment until this season plays out.

 

[djct1999]

To me, there are three pillars that make a great coach: 1) be a great recruiter, 2) build a complementary roster, and 3) be a great in-game coach. Hurley is OK at all three, but we're a limited program if he's not great at any one of those pillars.

He is pretty close to great at one of those three!

 

[kobebeanbryant]

To me, there are three pillars that make a great coach: 1) be a great recruiter, 2) build a complementary roster, and 3) be a great in-game coach. Hurley is OK at all three, but we're a limited program if he's not great at any one of those pillars.

1. Great
2. Bad
3. Terrible

 

[Hoopcrazee]

We are pretenders...ugh!

 

[UCLJ0211]

I am a broken record, but this is what I was concerned about after the Bahamas tournament-it was how poor Gaffney was. I was hoping it was just a 3 game slump, but I said on this board, if he can't provide anything, Cole is going to get burned out. Cole wasn't good today, but every shot and every pass and every defensive play he makes has that more pressure on it because no other guard can step in and do it nor can they spell him for 5-10 minutes.

I by no means am scapegoating Gaff for today's loss or other losses for that matter as there are plenty of other factors and players that contributed to those losses, but Gaff's non-productive play is taking it's toll, but now we are seeing the tangible effects.

At least he has a nice haircut

 

[giddyup]

A recruiter, B- composition, gentlemen’s C in-game. 4 years in, Houston… we have a problem.

 

[Demo Square]

Hey Guys, I'm retired & watch a lot of college hoops. So I have seen MANY great, versatile three-point shooters playing across the nation this year. They ARE out there - but usually not in the Big City Eastern Recruiting Fields (scorers do but not great shooters usually). And they ARE NOT wearing UConn on their jerseys - haven't in many years. When we see the shots falling regularly from at least three Huskies, & guys getting hot, & Hurley getting the ball to the hot shooters again & again consistently - Then we can call Hurley a recruiter & in-game coach who can adapt on the fly. Not before. Right now, UConn has a shot at a very versatile, good shooting junior guard recruit named James Johns down at LUHI on the Island. I saw him get 5+ three-pointers five games in a row. And he can handle the ball, drive & also score creatively, has hops & can D up too. He has great confidence. If Hurley misses out on a guy like Johns next year?...... Results are still up & down, & the jury is still out on Hurley the recruiter. The Huskies are on the way up again, but not to "Big Dawg" championship level yet. There is a HUGE talent difference between Top 12 teams & this year's Huskies, especially in the backcourt & wings. The offense of these current personalties does not flow. Point guard position is thin & limited - we need longer, stronger guards who don't get tired (like an Ivey from Purdue). Our front court & back courts are like two different worlds that rarely interact in a timely fashion - always out of phase. No consistent outside shooters, a young Sanogo who still must learn to pass it out of double teams & the game of basketball. Not enough clear outs for Jackson (give him the green light to score, Hurley!, & working on his shooting form). Lotsa depth but also..lotsa flaws in every player. Polley to the bench. Gaffney, garbage time only. Where is Martin? Can Hurley make these guys any better than they are this year? Can the players improve under Hurley's system? Can they work better together for 40 minutes? Good question. Let the shots fall from future Huskie skies! - Father Demo

 

[LIuconn]

I said around here Cole would be gassed in Feb if he has to do everything for 35 min a night. I was told they’re 19-21 year olds and not to worry about it. And here we are

 

[Demo Square]

Hey LIuconn, To yours & others' points here about UConn backcourt getting gassed? You are all completely right. And there are coaches out there who specifically look for recruits who don't get tired - & who can shoot & play D full-court all day! Little Ricky Pitino was the first to use the three-point shot as a primary weapon in college. (he learned it from legendary St. Agnes (NY) coach Frank Morris). Paul Westhead followed at Loyola Marymount. Rick combined it with shooters who could also defend full-court..... & never get tired. That's been the secret to his instant successes at every college stop he's made - recruiting the players he needs for his 40-minute full-court game. Look where he's taking Iona right now - 19-3, NCAA bound. What a turnaround! IN ONE YEAR DANNY! Ricky's first disciple Billy Donovan (who played for Morris in HS) used the same formula successfully at Marshall & Florida. And now, that a hole Auburn crook of a coach Bruce Pearl is using the same formula - look at his never-tired recent recruits! But that's next-level recruiting, beyond Hurley's scope at this point (though I'm glad he beat Pearl earlier this year). Hurley needs to START WITH SOME GREAT SHOOTERS. Then go after the indefatiguable, long & rangey guards. Ray Allen, Kemba Walker, Wes Biaosuknia, & Shabazz Napier were all examples of the kind of athletes we are talking about here. Gym rats who played both ends all day & night, & who truly loved the game of basketball - another HUGE issue among many of today's players - love of the game. Many of these current "genetic-lottery winners" don't even like hoops - and it's showing as much as Cole getting winded in the second half. Hurley's gotta step up his recruiting plans. vision, territory. -FATHER DEMO-

 

[temery]

Hey Guys, I'm retired & watch a lot of college hoops. So I have seen MANY great, versatile three-point shooters playing across the nation this year. They ARE out there - but usually not in the Big City Eastern Recruiting Fields (scorers do but not great shooters usually). And they ARE NOT wearing UConn on their jerseys - haven't in many years. When we see the shots falling regularly from at least three Huskies, & guys getting hot, & Hurley getting the ball to the hot shooters again & again consistently - Then we can call Hurley a recruiter & in-game coach who can adapt on the fly. Not before. Right now, UConn has a shot at a very versatile, good shooting junior guard recruit named James Johns down at LUHI on the Island. I saw him get 5+ three-pointers five games in a row. And he can handle the ball, drive & also score creatively, has hops & can D up too. He has great confidence. If Hurley misses out on a guy like Johns next year?...... Results are still up & down, & the jury is still out on Hurley the recruiter. The Huskies are on the way up again, but not to "Big Dawg" championship level yet. There is a HUGE talent difference between Top 12 teams & this year's Huskies, especially in the backcourt & wings. The offense of these current personalties does not flow. Point guard position is thin & limited - we need longer, stronger guards who don't get tired (like an Ivey from Purdue). Our front court & back courts are like two different worlds that rarely interact in a timely fashion - always out of phase. No consistent outside shooters, a young Sanogo who still must learn to pass it out of double teams & the game of basketball. Not enough clear outs for Jackson (give him the green light to score, Hurley!, & working on his shooting form). Lotsa depth but also..lotsa flaws in every player. Polley to the bench. Gaffney, garbage time only. Where is Martin? Can Hurley make these guys any better than they are this year? Can the players improve under Hurley's system? Can they work better together for 40 minutes? Good question. Let the shots fall from future Huskie skies! - Father Demo

Please use paragraphs

 

[That Guy]

To be honest, this season is going exactly how I expected. I thought we would be slightly worse than last year or just about the same. You can't lose a player like Bouknight and not replace him with a similar talent on an already offensively deficient team and expect great results. I thought going in, some guys would have to take massive leaps offensively for us (Gaffney and Jackson) or the freshmen would have to step up and perform. Neither of those things happened, and the only bright spots for me have been Sanogo and Cole. I'm not surprised with where we're at right now and I think this teams ceiling is the S16 if we can get a couple favorable matchups in the 1st and 2nd round through finishing strong and earning a decent seed.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Cole is gassed, we have no backup. Cole is the only guy who can take his man off the dribble but he's 5'11 so has to rely on a step back or wild layups...

We're streaky/bad from three and don't do any of the basic little things adequately like pick up/squeeze a loose ball or make a layup. Our only offense is to try to get it into Sanogo and score or hope RJ can create something. One of the easiest teams to scout I've seen....

Two seasons in a row where our high water mark best win was at the very beginning of the season. Other teams are getting a lot better as the season progresses, we're getting a lot worse. Hurley better step up recruiting even more and hit the transfer portal hard for guys who can drive and score and we've gotta hope the young current top recruit players we already have develop. This is embarrassing and should not be happening in year 4 of Hurley.

I think the biggest thing with Hurley and the guards is that he though Gaffney would be a good player at this point and serviceable back-up. That’s clearly not the case. So that led him to not playing Diggins more than 20 minutes this season and redshirted Floyd. He has to move on from Gaffney. He’s played Martin at the point more than Gaffney which is a good move

 

[UConnSwag11]

A guy who averages 9 and 6 put up 24 and 11 on our supposed great interior defense. Sanogo is so easily maneuvered down there.

Sanogo barely played in the first half. And in the second half he was playing with foul trouble. Defense starts at the perimeter