Observations from Open Practice

[CONN78SEJ]

Totally agree. He started for St Mary’s as a freshman and played against us in 2023 Tournament and lead St Mary’s in Scoring with 9 that game. that game was probably the toughest test and closest game Uconn had in the 2023 tournament. He played 36 minutes in that game.

Also think the misspelling of his name is odd, even after someone pointed it out.

So far, his name has been spelled three different ways. Lol

 

[Kitaman]

Now if I understand this right, it was "1" practice. How often have we all seen a game, and thought, "That player isn't very good" , or conversely, "Wow! That kid is a player!" Then after a half or whole season worth of games, the resume demonstrated otherwise.

My gosh! It was an open practice to see all the players, minus 1, and this thread has turned into a Mahaney Requiem.

He's learning a new system, and maybe he just had an off day. Give it a bunch of "real" games before we start drawing any conclusions on what we have with Mahaney and the rest of the team.

With that said, I loved reading most of the observations and wished I was there. There was a time when Hooper and I would sneak into Gampel and catch a closed practice...we had gotten to know a couple of the assistant coaches who would vouch for us so that we wouldn't get kicked out...and get a preseason look at the team. What we often saw those days wasn't always indictitve of how the team and players turned out through the balance of the upcoming season.

Granted this is a forum for opinions regardless if we agree with them or not, so let's give it some time and see if the Mahaney low bar projections or high bar ones turn out to be the case. Based on the little I know about him and his resume, I think he'll have some up and down games through the first half of the BE season as he adjusts to UConn's offensive and defensive schemes as well as the physicality of BE play, but will turn out to be an import part of our Three-peat success. Let's revisit this in 6 to 7 months from now when Aidan and his teammates have a solid body of work under their belts.

Is kinda of a info drought around here, consequently many here forget that:

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Remember Newton averaged 17 a game as a junior and it took him almost a full year to get completely adjusted

Mahaney’s curve should be quicker since the coaches have gotten even better since 22-23, but we need to give him some time

Great take. I remember thinking he was not gonna cut it half way through his first year with us. He turned out ok!!!

 

[ktuck911]

Hurley explained his absence in his comments at the end. I believe he said, " death in the family, back in Missouri for a few days."

Condolences to the young man and his family...

in hindsight, kinda glad we did see him yet... gives us more to look forward to.

 

[Hunt for 7]

He was also a freshman that year. He'll be a junior this year so he's better now. He also has better players, and more of them, around him now.

You seem to always have short term reactions to things you see. Like saying the U.S. Olympic basketball team wasn't good from seeing the exhibitions. Need to broaden your outlook some.

And you like calling out everything I say as opinion based. Too bad I can’t always be right. But I wonder what you were thinking when the US started slow in the first quarter of that first game. Then it took u a whole 7 minutes to find a week old post and take a shot. Your name fits well cuz it defines exactly what kind of troller you are.

But it’s early and we shall see. All I said was he is a good player who seems to be smaller than the height he is listed at and not by just an inch. So are you saying Dumas was not the guy that was giving us trouble in that game that would be an interesting take I could pick apart. You are the consummate troller and for some reason I am in your bulls eye. I will focus on picking all of your super accurate opinions and see how that goes.

 

[mauconnfan]

And you like calling out everything I say as opinion based. Too bad I can’t always be right. But I wonder what you were thinking when the US started slow in the first quarter of that first game. Then it took u a whole 7 minutes to find a week old post and take a shot. Your name fits well cuz it defines exactly what kind of troller you are.

But it’s early and we shall see. All I said was he is a good player who seems to be smaller than the height he is listed at and not by just an inch. So are you saying Dumas was not the guy that was giving us trouble in that game that would be an interesting take I could pick apart. You are the consummate troller and for some reason I am in your bulls eye. I will focus on picking all of your super accurate opinions and see how that goes.

You can disagree with Hooper all you want that’s all good but calling him a troller tells me a bit of who you are and how long you’ve been around, just sayin!

 

[gtcam]

And you like calling out everything I say as opinion based. Too bad I can’t always be right. But I wonder what you were thinking when the US started slow in the first quarter of that first game. Then it took u a whole 7 minutes to find a week old post and take a shot. Your name fits well cuz it defines exactly what kind of troller you are.

But it’s early and we shall see. All I said was he is a good player who seems to be smaller than the height he is listed at and not by just an inch. So are you saying Dumas was not the guy that was giving us trouble in that game that would be an interesting take I could pick apart. You are the consummate troller and for some reason I am in your bulls eye. I will focus on picking all of your super accurate opinions and see how that goes.

Cmon boys - take this little kids brawl to a PM
Thanks

 

[Umami Zen]

Aidan has shown at the D1 level he can consistently deliver. UConn and BE is a step-up in competition and as with other transfers-portal adds (except Cam)- There is an adjustment period. With so much talent around him on this roster-No one is expecting him to be the Man. But I do think he'll be a valuable contributor as he continues to adjust to his new role and the speed and athleticism of the BE and UConn's competitive OOC schedule(ie Maui Classic/Baylor ,etc.)

Not worried

 

[KingAG]

Remember when rumors about Tristen not being as good as everyone had thought started circulating in his first summer here? Some people never learn. Aiden is learning the hardest most important position in Hurleys system. He’s not replacing Cam. He’s replacing Newton. Give him time.

For what it’s worth HE WASNT EVEN BAD

 

[EZPass]

Tristen actually had one of my favorite games of his pretty early into his UConn career…against Oregon.

Cam for sure showed something @ an open practice last July. Steph also passed the eye test, but that one is just my opinion.

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.

 

[6in25]

I watched practice closely and to me, AM stuck out as struggling a little. There are so many factors involved and I wonder if practicing in front of thousands of fans had anything to do with it. Still, I'm so pumped for this kid. I can't wait to see what Danny and the boys are able to do with him. Trust the process!

 

[Tenspro2002]

I wouldn't worry about Mahaney's shooting or play, he's a career 38% three point shooter on a bad offensive team where he had to take tough shots. He passes the eye test as a player and shooter in his college career.

He had plenty of moxie in their 2nd round game against us, Cam-like, as a freshman. He can handle this level of competition mentally and physically.

 

[HooperScooper]

And you like calling out everything I say as opinion based. Too bad I can’t always be right. But I wonder what you were thinking when the US started slow in the first quarter of that first game. Then it took u a whole 7 minutes to find a week old post and take a shot. Your name fits well cuz it defines exactly what kind of troller you are.

But it’s early and we shall see. All I said was he is a good player who seems to be smaller than the height he is listed at and not by just an inch. So are you saying Dumas was not the guy that was giving us trouble in that game that would be an interesting take I could pick apart. You are the consummate troller and for some reason I am in your bulls eye. I will focus on picking all of your super accurate opinions and see how that goes.

Thanks. Everyone can have opinions on here and are free to express them. That's what the board is for. What I disagree with is people who watch a small sample size and then have a "chicken little, the sky is falling reaction" instead of having a longer term more realistic reaction. I realize some people are negative a lot and that's their nature. I also think that because of social media these days everyone always rushes to have a take, whether positive or negative. The media does it too. I listen to sports radio and they do this all the time and I just shake my head sometimes that they react to the littlest things.

We have a lot of data points to look at for UConn basketball in the last few years to know that Mahaney will be fine. Some people killed RJ Cole the first year. He ended up fine. Some people killed Tristen Newton the first part of his first year. He ended up being more than fine. So it just bothers me to see the negative reactions that aren't really warranted.

And for the record, your take on the U.S. men's basketball Olympic team was similar and that is what precipitated my reaction to your post on Mahaney. Have some faith.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Just read this thread. I tend to avoid these as they tend towards exaggerations on the negative and the positive. My takeaway, having not seen the practice but read the reports: We have lots of good players. It's not all clear how Dan is going to integrate them to create a Team. But he's certainly been good at that in the past, so I'm not worried.

 

[KingAG]

This thread is why coaches don’t often do open practices this early. You’d be surprised to find out the guys in the past that looked bad in August .

 

[Chin Diesel]

Tristen actually had one of my favorite games of his pretty early into his UConn career…against Oregon.

Cam for sure showed something @ an open practice last July. Steph also passed the eye test, but that one is just my opinion.

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.

One thing which quickly happened was Newton often was at his best when the lights were brightest. Very early on it was apparent the moment wasn't too big for him. Did he have some stinkers? Without going through every box score, I'm sure he did, but he wasn't rattled or intimidated.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Remember when rumors about Tristen not being as good as everyone had thought started circulating in his first summer here? Some people never learn. Aiden is learning the hardest most important position in Hurleys system. He’s not replacing Cam. He’s replacing Newton. Give him time.

For what it’s worth HE WASNT EVEN BAD

Right...I never said he was bad during any of my posts in this thread. I even clarified my assessments of his performance a couple times already & how it wasn't a concern.

But...there were some on this board who had sharpie-penned Mahaney in as on of our starters.

He may indeed end up being a starter on Game 1 or at some point during the season, but on a gorgeous sunny Saturday in early August during an open practice at Gampel, he didn't separate himself as a no-brainer starter for a squad looking to Threepeat.

 

[Chief00]

In some respects this is the deepest UConn team, I have seen. Would I trade it for last year’s team. - No. I would always rather have 7-8 guys very talented that have a chemistry together and Donovan was a difference maker before scoring a basket.
Having said that we got an unbelievable depth of talent, so Danny will have to be creative on how he gets the best players the most playing time. The chemistry of various combinations is not only unknown to our wonderful casual fans but also probably seasoned observers and even coaches. It is not only how good a guy is but who he plays well with.

 

[Hunt for 7]

You can disagree with Hooper all you want that’s all good but calling him a troller tells me a bit of who you are and how long you’ve been around, just sayin!

Not sure what you call a person who remembered a week old post about one minute after the game was over to point out it was incorrect.

Then misquotes me so he can take a shot. Please point out where I said Mahaney was not a good player. I never said that. I did say he was not 6’3” tall. But let’s stay away from that because why drag fact into an opinion based insult on what type of person I am and how long I have been around.

Remember when the WSOP had their November Nine’s final table. I quickly understood the BY has their 2011’s. I have been around as long as my profile says I have been around. But I learned the 2011 rule early on. In fact it may have been you in a DM that kind of gave me a heads up when I started to post. Thank you for that act of kindness it was and still is appreciated.

This whole back and forth is funny to me as I only posted it as I am not a fan of a team sport that has head coaches but they can’t coach because the players are running the show. That is my take on the NBA. It’s not enough that they are treated like highly breakable and need frequent games off to rest their bodies. My post was about the NBA player and their pension for being prima-Donna’s. Not a big fan of all that.

This coming from a guy who grew up with Walt Frazier as his boyhood idol.

 

[KingAG]

Right...I never said he was bad during any of my posts in this thread. I even clarified my assessments of his performance a couple times already & how it wasn't a concern.

But...there were some on this board who had sharpie-penned Mahaney in as on of our starters.

He may indeed end up being a starter on Game 1 or at some point during the season, but on a gorgeous sunny Saturday in early August during an open practice at Gampel, he didn't separate himself as a no-brainer starter for a squad looking to Threepeat.

Nobody outside of Alex did. It’s August.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Nobody outside of Alex did. It’s August.

Was this the case for people last year? Genuine question I wasn’t at the practice last year either.

 

[KingAG]

Was this the case for people last year? Genuine question I wasn’t at the practice last year either.

The open practice wasn’t in August last year.

Also everyone except Cam was a penciled starter. The roster make up is completely different. We have one returning starter

 

[uconn_jack]

Thanks. Everyone can have opinions on here and are free to express them. That's what the board is for. What I disagree with is people who watch a small sample size and then have a "chicken little, the sky is falling reaction" instead of having a longer term more realistic reaction. I realize some people are negative a lot and that's their nature. I also think that because of social media these days everyone always rushes to have a take, whether positive or negative. The media does it too. I listen to sports radio and they do this all the time and I just shake my head sometimes that they react to the littlest things.

We have a lot of data points to look at for UConn basketball in the last few years to know that Mahaney will be fine. Some people killed RJ Cole the first year. He ended up fine. Some people killed Tristen Newton the first part of his first year. He ended up being more than fine. So it just bothers me to see the negative reactions that aren't really warranted.

And for the record, your take on the U.S. men's basketball Olympic team was similar and that is what precipitated my reaction to your post on Mahaney. Have some faith.

Most people here (including myself) who were there and commenting on Mahaney aren't crapping on him, calling him a bust, or saying he won't be a great player for us. All we are saying is in this one practice, he didn't impress and didn't seem to have much of a presence (physically or otherwise). Most acknowledge this is probably him still adjusting, but I also do not think it's unfair to predict that based on his stature, the conference that he is coming from, and the eye test during this practice, that he may need more time than we expected for him to adjust to our system and the physicality of the conference. I think he will get there, but I also don't think he will close to what Cam was for us, he was unique. I think what someone said once that he will be something between Joey and Cam will probably be right, and that's great.

 

[Mister P]

 

[KingAG]

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

 

[uconnever]

Counterpoint: not this.

I can’t remember the last time a kid who was a proven commodity nationally like “Mahaney” was getting downplayed like this by our resident gurus. Some of these posts are going to age like milk.

Good piece player and that’s it! Love that he’s here, but he’s nothing special.

 

[coachn]

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.

 

[KingAG]

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.

Whose Roth?

 

[GlastonTim]

Big Daddy

 

[Sole]

The one that surprised me the most was Abraham… when we recruited him I thought he was a great athlete and defensive player who couldn’t score.. boy was on wrong on scoring.. he looks like he has a beautiful shot and can get to the rim.. he’s going to be a great player