only 20 mpg, yet climbing the big east stat leaders board. | The Boneyard

only 20 mpg, yet climbing the big east stat leaders board.

ClifSpliffy

surf's up
Joined
Nov 9, 2018
Messages
9,506
Reaction Score
14,289
u know who. let's review, shall we?
20th in steals.
16th in defensive win shares
14th in defensive box plus/minus
14th in assists per game
13th in free throw percentage
13th in win share per 40
11th in made free throws
11th in free throw attempts
11th in steal percentage
9th in total assists
9th in defensive rating
5th in assist percentage.
for the entire league.

only 20 minutes per game, yet yesterday showed that it will be going up.
garuntee.
i find it hilarious that some here can't comprehend that, not next april ('22), nor the april after that ('23), but at the april in 2024 (!) he could be leading us into the ncaa tourney.
the man will be tearing up the UConn record for games played if he stays.
65 games in, he hasn't missed one, to my recollection. sweet.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
22,558
Reaction Score
7,494
Gaffney was the one UConn player yesterday consistently taking crap from the UConn fan base, during what was a solid game. While Hawkins can go a half just killing us with turnovers and inability to make a shot, and AJ can do stupid things.

Our fan base puts way too much weight on recruiting rankings, and not enough on their eyes
 
Joined
Apr 14, 2020
Messages
4,906
Reaction Score
22,346
Gaffney was the one UConn player yesterday consistently taking crap from the UConn fan base, during what was a solid game. While Hawkins can go a half just killing us with turnovers and inability to make a shot, and AJ can do stupid things.

Our fan base puts way too much weight on recruiting rankings, and not enough on their eyes
Gaff was solid yesterday as a secondary ball handler and as a primary when Cole was catching a breather. Quietly efficient yesterday when we needed him. Also seemed a little more focused on D
 
Joined
Oct 26, 2018
Messages
6,758
Reaction Score
23,733
would be very happy if gaff came back for a super senior season. even if we lose hawk, sanogo and aj by then we'd be very good, not to mention the monster recruiting class headlined by castle

digg (jr)
gaff (ssr)
karaban (so)
samson (jr)
clingan (so)
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2015
Messages
3,523
Reaction Score
10,169
u know who. let's review, shall we?
20th in steals.
16th in defensive win shares
14th in defensive box plus/minus
14th in assists per game
13th in free throw percentage
13th in win share per 40
11th in made free throws
11th in free throw attempts
11th in steal percentage
9th in total assists
9th in defensive rating
5th in assist percentage.
for the entire league.

only 20 minutes per game, yet yesterday showed that it will be going up.
garuntee.
i find it hilarious that some here can't comprehend that, not next april ('22), nor the april after that ('23), but at the april in 2024 (!) he could be leading us into the ncaa tourney.
the man will be tearing up the UConn record for games played if he stays.
65 games in, he hasn't missed one, to my recollection. sweet.
I'm a Gaff guy. Thought he was going to win the Cole/Gaff battle last year. I was wrong last year. Even wronger this year.

At this point the issue with Gaff is his lack of development. Yes, he's a moderately good backup. But he should be more than that as a junior.

Again, I'm a Gaff guy. But he needs to do more given his experience level.
 
Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
16,615
Reaction Score
25,597
Gaffney has skills, showed me last year. Essential to team success. He can shoot better than he has.
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
33,760
Reaction Score
97,834
I'm a Gaff guy. Thought he was going to win the Cole/Gaff battle last year. I was wrong last year. Even wronger this year.

At this point the issue with Gaff is his lack of development. Yes, he's a moderately good backup. But he should be more than that as a junior.

Again, I'm a Gaff guy. But he needs to do more given his experience level.
This is spot on. He shows potential every once in a while, but he also shows head scratching play as well. Yesterday he was solid for a back up no issues with what he brought for who he is. Just wished he brought it all the time and found a way to be more consistent. He even got screwed on 2 fouls called his way that should’ve been on 5.

9th in defensive rating? Dying to see how they come up with that number. Polley’s probably 10th then lol.
 
Joined
Sep 16, 2011
Messages
49,885
Reaction Score
174,210
u know who. let's review, shall we?
20th in steals.
16th in defensive win shares
14th in defensive box plus/minus
14th in assists per game
13th in free throw percentage
13th in win share per 40
11th in made free throws
11th in free throw attempts
11th in steal percentage
9th in total assists
9th in defensive rating
5th in assist percentage.
for the entire league.

only 20 minutes per game, yet yesterday showed that it will be going up.
garuntee.
i find it hilarious that some here can't comprehend that, not next april ('22), nor the april after that ('23), but at the april in 2024 (!) he could be leading us into the ncaa tourney.
the man will be tearing up the UConn record for games played if he stays.
65 games in, he hasn't missed one, to my recollection. sweet.
In our non-cupcake games Gaffney is 7-25 fg, 0-10 on threes, 12 assists, 10 turnovers.
 
Joined
Sep 16, 2011
Messages
49,885
Reaction Score
174,210
Gaffney was the one UConn player yesterday consistently taking crap from the UConn fan base, during what was a solid game. While Hawkins can go a half just killing us with turnovers and inability to make a shot, and AJ can do stupid things.

Our fan base puts way too much weight on recruiting rankings, and not enough on their eyes
Gaffney was 2-9 yesterday with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers, 0 steals, 0 blocks in 30 minutes. He was being criticized because he wasn't playing well and hasn't played well in any of the non-cupcake games. The late driving NBA and 1 was great as was the 5-5 ft's but the criticism is warranted. He hasn't been good and he's a junior.
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2012
Messages
2,891
Reaction Score
11,805
Gaff is an ok backup just expected that by his Jr. year would have been more than shown so far.

Not sure I ever see him as the lead PG for UConn, we'll see what the rest of the season holds.

He had an ok game against the Bonnies but 2-9, 0-4 from 3, 3 turnovers, 4 assists was not all that good honestly. He makes his free throws I'll give him that, but his overall stats for the season are inflated against the 6 cupcakes.

In our 5 legit games so far this year he's 0-10 from 3 with 12 assists & 10 turnovers.
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2015
Messages
3,523
Reaction Score
10,169
This is spot on. He shows potential every once in a while, but he also shows head scratching play as well. Yesterday he was solid for a back up no issues with what he brought for who he is. Just wished he brought it all the time and found a way to be more consistent. He even got screwed on 2 fouls called his way that should’ve been on 5.

9th in defensive rating? Dying to see how they come up with that number. Polley’s probably 10th then lol.
A follow up on my point. Ignore Gaff's stats. Continue to simply compare Gaff and Cole. In November 2020 you could make some kind of argument for Gaff over Cole. Maybe not statistically. I think Cole always had an edge on Gaff statistically. But you could look at Gaff and make the argument that he was a better athlete. In the long run he'd be better than Cole. Gaff is still a better athlete, but that argument is absolutely gone.

In roughly a year Cole has improved on all his weaknesses. Cole still has weaknesses, but he has either reduced them or found ways to stay out of situations to expose those weaknesses. Gaff has improved as well, but it's much harder to see.

I'm worried that next year we will be watching Gaff get jumped by Diggins.
 
Joined
Nov 24, 2021
Messages
183
Reaction Score
1,418
Gaff is an ok backup just expected that by his Jr. year would have been more than shown so far.

Not sure I ever see him as the lead PG for UConn, we'll see what the rest of the season holds.

He had an ok game against the Bonnies but 2-9, 0-4 from 3, 3 turnovers, 4 assists was not all that good honestly. He makes his free throws I'll give him that, but his overall stats for the season are inflated against the 6 cupcakes.

In our 5 legit games so far this year he's 0-10 from 3 with 12 assists & 10 turnovers.

Agreed. I think he's actually taken a step backwards this year...but a ton of season left for him to get it going.
 
Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
27,499
Reaction Score
68,966
Gaffney was 2-9 yesterday with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers, 0 steals, 0 blocks in 30 minutes. He was being criticized because he wasn't playing well and hasn't played well in any of the non-cupcake games. The late driving NBA and 1 was great as was the 5-5 ft's but the criticism is warranted. He hasn't been good and he's a junior.
And a monster three point play, down the stretch, when our lead was in jeopardy.
 
Joined
Jun 26, 2021
Messages
1,079
Reaction Score
3,809
Gaffney was the one UConn player yesterday consistently taking crap from the UConn fan base, during what was a solid game. While Hawkins can go a half just killing us with turnovers and inability to make a shot, and AJ can do stupid things.

Our fan base puts way too much weight on recruiting rankings, and not enough on their eyes
I gave you a like but I do have to question why you included AJ in the same breath with Hawkins horrendous 1st half. AJ played one of his better games yesterday. Does he turn the ball over a bit? Yes, but he does so many other different things well. Shooting is not one of them yet. Lol
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
22,558
Reaction Score
7,494
I gave you a like but I do have to question why you included AJ in the same breath with Hawkins horrendous 1st half. AJ played one of his better games yesterday.

He did. But there were at least two instances where he refused to make an easy pass, and instead tried to make a spectacular one. One led to a turnover and one luckily didn't but might have. The point wasn't to knock AJ -- just making the point that people don't want to reward solid -- not losing your man, not missing free throws and not making uncontested turnovers. Instead, we want spectacular. UConn has won a lot of games and championships with solid.
 
Joined
Jun 26, 2021
Messages
1,079
Reaction Score
3,809
He did. But there were at least two instances where he refused to make an easy pass, and instead tried to make a spectacular one. One led to a turnover and one luckily didn't but might have. The point wasn't to knock AJ -- just making the point that people don't want to reward solid -- not losing your man, not missing free throws and not making uncontested turnovers. Instead, we want spectacular. UConn has won a lot of games and championships with solid.
That should come by tournament time. We have plenty of time till then to improve. Baring any major injuries.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
22,558
Reaction Score
7,494
That should come by tournament time. We have plenty of time till then to improve. Baring any major injuries.

I agree that AJ both should and is likely to keep improving. I'm less concerned that he be willing to take 3s than I am that he has to be willing to take his share of shots. He's at all times either guarded by someone significantly smaller than him, without the hops, or slower than him if his size. Take bigger guys off the dribble. Post up smaller guys. If he wants to play close to 30 minutes, find ways to average close to 10 a game. LIke the way Gaffney found a way to get to 9 yesterday without being able to hit a jumper.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 16, 2011
Messages
49,885
Reaction Score
174,210
And a monster three point play, down the stretch, when our lead was in jeopardy.
Yes, which I mentioned and he made his 5 ft's but we don't have to pretend he's been good in these games. Hopefully he starts playing better, he has the talent and experience to do so.
 
Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
6,691
Reaction Score
15,552
u know who. let's review, shall we?
20th in steals.
16th in defensive win shares
14th in defensive box plus/minus
14th in assists per game
13th in free throw percentage
13th in win share per 40
11th in made free throws
11th in free throw attempts
11th in steal percentage
9th in total assists
9th in defensive rating
5th in assist percentage.
for the entire league.

only 20 minutes per game, yet yesterday showed that it will be going up.
garuntee.
i find it hilarious that some here can't comprehend that, not next april ('22), nor the april after that ('23), but at the april in 2024 (!) he could be leading us into the ncaa tourney.
the man will be tearing up the UConn record for games played if he stays.
65 games in, he hasn't missed one, to my recollection. sweet.
B please! He had a decent game yet again against a mid major. Woopite frikken doo!
 

wheelerdog

#OneForTheThumb
Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
1,215
Reaction Score
6,319
My one complaint about Jalen is the untimely turnovers. But I agree that he does a lot of positive things that seem to go unnoticed.
 
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
1,046
Reaction Score
4,850
I think the one thing he doesn't get credit for sometimes, is he's good for getting teammates an easy bucket a few times a game in the half-court offense. Should have had another one but Akok couldn't handle the pass so it became a turnover for Gaff instead of an assist.

I think he is sometimes hurt by UConn's size. He is much better in space.

I like Gaff a lot, but he's playing PG a lot which comes with more scrutiny. To compare what he is right now, he's the shortstop that makes the play that makes your jaw drop, but way too many times throws the ball into the stands on the routine play. He has to be able to feed the post consistently and make the basic play more often. As good as the 3-pt play was, he has to make the basic plays/passes more consistently.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
22,558
Reaction Score
7,494
I think the one thing he doesn't get credit for sometimes, is he's good for getting teammates an easy bucket a few times a game in the half-court offense. Should have had another one but Akok couldn't handle the pass so it became a turnover for Gaff instead of an assist.

I think he is sometimes hurt by UConn's size. He is much better in space.

I like Gaff a lot, but he's playing PG a lot which comes with more scrutiny. To compare what he is right now, he's the shortstop that makes the play that makes your jaw drop, but way too many times throws the ball into the stands on the routine play. He has to be able to feed the post consistently and make the basic play more often. As good as the 3-pt play was, he has to make the basic plays/passes more consistently.

I hear you. But he's friggin Mark Belanger compared to AJ or Hawkins with the ball.
 

XLCenterFan

CT, NE
Joined
Feb 25, 2018
Messages
3,539
Reaction Score
13,456
Gaffney was the one UConn player yesterday consistently taking crap from the UConn fan base, during what was a solid game. While Hawkins can go a half just killing us with turnovers and inability to make a shot, and AJ can do stupid things.

Our fan base puts way too much weight on recruiting rankings, and not enough on their eyes
Not true. I’ve been singing his praises for a while now. I was wrong, but I was calling for him to start over Cole last year. Your takes have been off today. I’ll give you a day pass.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
22,558
Reaction Score
7,494
Not true. I’ve been singing his praises for a while now. I was wrong, but I was calling for him to start over Cole last year. Your takes have been off today. I’ll give you a day pass.
??? I’m confused. When I say the fan base, you hear you? I heard at least 4 or 5 different people at the game yesterday yelling for Gaffney to come out. Unless you’re telling me I didn’t hear that.
 
Joined
Sep 29, 2019
Messages
870
Reaction Score
1,874
Best thread title I have seen on the Yard in a long time. So true in so many ways and truly a measure of how we are climbing.

I think I may have just seen us pull (if not put) away a fighting back team against the Bonnie's. We had Auburn near screwed but let them back in IMO. We may have done so before under Hurley but struggled and this one seemed to be a bit more of a little team statement if anything else. Perhaps it was timed by the coaches to ramp us up for BE play. Dunno.

Granted we are not like Calhoun teams put them away but nonetheless, we struggled to beat UMES and the Bonnies were ranked this season. Just sayin'.

Edit: Thanks for the great and inviting thread post @ClifSpliffy
 

Online statistics

Members online
60
Guests online
1,266
Total visitors
1,326

Forum statistics

Threads
158,824
Messages
4,169,786
Members
10,043
Latest member
Simon


.
Top Bottom