Observations from Open Practice

[Hunt for 7]

View attachment 102727

Let’s have cake!

 

[EZPass]

Aiden is a 3 level scorer and a ball screen handler. His old team had no lob threats from what I can tell. Hot take: He’ll average as many assists as Hass.

Ughh I didn’t even realize I’ve been spelling Aidan wrong. Silly to do that and then hype him up with a hot take.

Happy belated Aidan!

 

[Vancat]

Attended and got scammed in the parking garage. $15 not $5.
Agree Roth, and Abraham were exceptional.
Roth, Stewart, Ball light years ahead of ahead of the 2 Ms.

Making up for those of us who came early and paid $0, I guess

 

[AntG168]

“Aiden” is gonna be the new “Tristan”

 

[CONN78SEJ]

mehenay is a combination that has not been attempted yet

I heard he’s from Croatia, family changed the name from Mehenovic.

 

[mauconnfan]

Agree completely. Your observations match mine exactly. Reed is going to be key. Aiden appeared less than advertised. Solo or Nowell will need to step up if we are going to stay elite. I think McNeeley will get there but he’s not there yet . Potential for this team is great but may struggle early with tough schedule to start.

So the guy who averaged 31 minutes a game for 2 years at St Mary’s is not going to be the player we need after one practice in early August? If Ball or Nowell don’t step up we’re doomed? 1 practice?

Lol

 

[Umami Zen]

So the guy who averaged 31 minutes a game for 2 years at St Mary’s is not going to be the player we need after one practice in early August? If Ball or Nowell don’t step up we’re doomed? 1 practice?

Lol

Mahaney is playing within a new offensive scheme in a new role with new teammates and a new coach. He has a proven D1 track record that includes some NCAA Tournament experience. The 2025 Big Dance version of Aidan will be dramatically different than the August version of Aidan. He's just getting started. Went in portal-Danny wanted him .Nuff said.

Betting that he will make the necessary adjustments to UConn/BE to be a key guy for us.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Only player I care about wasn’t there? Awesome. Wow. Super lame at best.

Are you talking about Tarris? If so, you can't be serious with this post...Hurley announced at the end of practice he was excused to go to Missouri for services because of a death in the family.

 

[Chin Diesel]

He was Van Halen's first lead singer.

Handle/Post.

Exactly how Spicoli would answer the question.

 

[6in25]

Are you talking about Tarris? If so, you can't be serious with this post...Hurley announced at the end of practice he was excused to go to Missouri for services because of a death in the family.

I think he was talking about Steph Castle. Are you gonna tell him, or should I?

 

[uconnever]

Who’s a piece player? We learned that this weekend?

No, watching him over the course of his career, I saw a good player that I expect to have a lot of up’s and downs this year and some disappearing acts. Capable of hitting a big shot, but no star. More Joey California than Cam Spencer and there’s nothing wrong with that. The thing that works in his favor is he’s got time on his side.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Handle/Post.

Exactly how Spicoli would answer the question.

He would call us all……starts with an “f”.

 

[HooperScooper]

???????????????

Oops. I messed that one up! Auto correct even though I went back and changed the auto correct to "Mahaney" like 3 times. So nobody should be spelling it incorrectly on here if it's auto correcting to Mahaney!

 

[bendm]

i'm moving Diarra and Samson back into my projected starting lineup until the next open practice reviews come out:

Diarra 25 / Aidan 10 / Nowell 5
Liam 25 / Aidan 10 / Nowell 5
Stew 10 / Ball 20 / Ross 10
Alex 25 / Stew 15
Samson 20 / Reed 20

25: Diarra / Liam / Stew / Alex
20: Aidan / Ball / Samson / Reed
10: Nowell / Ross

 

[RuffRuff]

Mahaney is playing within a new offensive scheme in a new role with new teammates and a new coach. He has a proven D1 track record that includes some NCAA Tournament experience. The 2025 Big Dance version of Aidan will be dramatically different than the August version of Aidan. He's just getting started. Went in portal-Danny wanted him .Nuff said.

Betting that he will make the necessary adjustments to UConn/BE to be a key guy for us.

Totally agree with this, he’ll have a ramp up period and it’s going to require patience. The differences between him and Newt is that we have options this year, whereas Newt was a need. He’s also significantly smaller. Newt was a 6’5 PG. This may contribute to the ramp up in a physical BE. We shall see - part of the entertainment value of this year is seeing how it all plays out.

One way to look at it will be if Hurley ends up trying to put the highest level of talent (NBA) on the floor most often. If that ends up being the directional lean, would think it includes a lineup McNeeley, AK and Stewart. This would also make up for lack of size/rebounding at the 5 and 1.

 

[RuffRuff]

i'm moving Diarra and Samson back into my projected starting lineup until the next open practice reviews come out:

Diarra 25 / Aidan 10 / Nowell 5
Liam 25 / Aidan 10 / Nowell 5
Stew 10 / Ball 20 / Ross 10
Alex 25 / Stew 15
Samson 20 / Reed 20

25: Diarra / Liam / Stew / Alex
20: Aidan / Ball / Samson / Reed
10: Nowell / Ross

Can’t see Alex only being on floor for 25 minutes in big games. My guess is that him and Hassan are closer to 30, and that Reed takes the larger share at the 5 by end of season.

I’d also flip Stew to less at the 4 and more at the 3. This of course unless Hurley doesn’t completely change the concept and moves to a more up and down concept to maximize depth, resting guys more to stay fresh.

 

[david]

Oops. I messed that one up! Auto correct even though I went back and changed the auto correct to "Mahaney" like 3 times. So nobody should be spelling it incorrectly on here if it's auto correcting to Mahaney!

Same thing happened to my post. I think temery might have put a filter on the site so you can’t misspell it. Going to test it by spelling Mahaney with a u: Mahaney.

Edit: yeah there’s definitely an autocorrect feature

 

[zepfan]

So the guy who averaged 31 minutes a game for 2 years at St Mary’s is not going to be the player we need after one practice in early August? If Ball or Nowell don’t step up we’re doomed? 1 practice?

Lol

Settle down. Go to a bar and look for a fight if you’re that angry over nothing. Yes, of course it’s based on one practice. And of course if he is as good as advertised then we are in better shape. But those were my observations of one look at him. But regardless, we will need one or both of Solo or Nowell to step up… time will tell. In the future I’ll be sure to cover all possibilities in my quick, of the cuff observation so as not to anger anyone of superior intellect. lol

 

[RuffRuff]

Settle down. Go to a bar and look for a fight if you’re that angry over nothing. Yes, of course it’s based on one practice. And of course if he is as good as advertised then we are in better shape. But those were my observations of one look at him. But regardless, we will need one or both of Solo or Nowell to step up… time will tell. In the future I’ll be sure to cover all possibilities in my quick, of the cuff observation so as not to anger anyone of superior intellect. lol

I got your back man if this turns into a brawl at Ted’s!!

Fairly amazing how sensitive members of this fanbase get when breaking down a player with any sense of critical objectivity.

Listen to the latest locked on, or dauster. There’s agreement with the take, how he develops is an unknown and clearly the staff believe. Just have to hope it plays out well, but let’s not think Hurley and staff aren’t capable of a miss here and there.

 

[HooperScooper]

Same thing happened to my post. I think temery might have put a filter on the site so you can’t misspell it. Going to test it by spelling Mahaney with a u: Mahaney.

Edit: yeah there’s definitely an autocorrect feature

Yup, my new one got auto corrected after I posted it.

So now can we get a "Aiden" to Aidan auto correct? "Tristan" to Tristen? "Sampson" to Samson? "McNeeley" to McNeeley? Might as well go old school and do an auto correct for "Rashard" to Rashad while we're at it. Would make my life on here so much easier. Lol

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Fact is that last year Dan took the boys to Europe, and in those scrimmages, it was very apparent to anyone watching that this team was special. Deep. Talented. Explosive. I watched this practice and it gave me the same vibe. You are going to have to have a special night, and then hope that we have a s---y night to beat us. And I think we are going to have 5-6 players averaging double digits and once again, we will go far in April.

 

[Vancat]

Oops. I messed that one up! Auto correct even though I went back and changed the auto correct to "Mahaney" like 3 times. So nobody should be spelling it incorrectly on here if it's auto correcting to Mahaney!

I thought it was a joke I didn't get.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Yup, my new one got auto corrected after I posted it.

So now can we get a "Aiden" to Aidan auto correct? "Tristan" to Tristen? "Sampson" to Samson? "McNeeley" to McNeeley? Might as well go old school and do an auto correct for "Rashard" to Rashad while we're at it. Would make my life on here so much easier. Lol

Try Dan Hirly or Jim Calhoon.

 

[Husky Alien]

Whose Roth?

I think he meant Ross....

 

[Husky Alien]

Mahaney aside. Solo Ball looked amazing. He’s a star.

I'm glad that you also see that Ball is going to be an amazing player for us. Ball is ready to ball.