Providence Post Game Thread

[cp176]

From the looks of things here most posters state the obvious areas that we are weak in. And they are obvious. It’s like the classic dead horse beat down. I see them - Danny sees them we all see them. I really love how hard this team plays. They could have quit, they didn’t. They could have pouted and cried, they didn’t. The coaching staff is responsible for this. A lot of criticism of the refs as well and yesterday I‘m pretty happy that they were the ones doing the game. I wish McNeeley was playing, I wish that we were deeper, but I really enjoy watching this team play.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I just think it comes down to a lack of size (not just height) in the backcourt, and to a lesser extent at power forward. Hurley is also so committed to limiting the number of 3-point attempts that we refuse to help off of shooters on penetration and we crowd guys on the catch, inviting them to drive by us.

It’s why our gaudy shot blocking numbers are an illusion. When teams are taking as many shots near the basket as they are against us, even an average block percentage will produce a lot of blocked shots. Along with those blocks comes all of the bad stuff that comes from too much penetration (high shooting percentages, offensive rebounds, dishes for easy dunks, fouls, etc.).

The 133 teams with better DRtg's than UConn's have somehow figured out how to guard the 3 and the 2 better than UConn does.

 

[CTBasketball]

Its a roster build issue. Diarra is a high quality defender. Except for rebounding from Samson, our center tandem is a plus defensively. Ross, McNeeley and Karaban are average. Stewart subpar. Mahaney and Ball are woeful. 2-4 its just kind of whatever happens happens.

Don’t lump Mahaney and Ball together. Metric speaking Ball is a 3x worse defender than Mahaney.

It’s also not a roster build issue. We have a few players that just don’t get it and are struggling to be coached defense. Hurley is trying to keep playing them for the sake of the sophomore class.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I'm being dead serious, but I only tuned into the second half. I'm assuming it was better earlier?

Maybe low battery in the hearing aid?

 

[CL82]

Total team win.

If we've got six guys scoring double figures, we are a tough team to beat. Talk about everyone's stepping up while Liam is out. Shooting 56% overall, and an insane 72.7% in the second half is the stuff of nightmares for opponents. (On the other hand, this was providence and the fact that they took us to the woodshed in the first half is concerning.)

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Including getting beat consistently off the dribble. Hard to believe that here we are, halfway thru the regular season, and he cannot figure out how to solve this defensive issue.

You just keep beating your dead horses, my man…even if they are not true in the specific games you’re referring to.

 

[HuskyNan]

Diarra is improving as the season goes along, adjusting to his new role. What's our record for assists in a season?

Taliek Brown, 253 assists in one 39 game season, 2003-04. Diarra has 98 assists in 15 games. From the media guide

 

[mauconnfan]

Great win, 2nd half response was wonderful to see. Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at halftime with Dan very unhappy.

Mahaney and Reed co-MVPs terrific coming off the bench and bringing huge energy. Tarris blocking that shot after following a guard who beat him was amazing, he’s so much more athletic than we think. He brings a toughness we lose with Samson Johnson, although he did have a good start as well. Need Mahaneys offensive abilities especially with McNeeley out. I mean yeah he gets beat on D but my question to those who harp on it, who doesn’t on this team? You can see how happy the team and coaches are when he is playing well because they see him in practice and know he’s a real good player who has struggled a lot this far. Hope this was a coming out for Aidan.

Ross continues to disappoint he’s not the defensive presence you hope, he’s not scoring except for the occasional put back. Stewie deserves his minutes 5/5 yesterday he at least is involved and hitting the boards.

Solo was solid, another 4 rebounds makes 10 in the last 2 which is important. Needs to finish better when he pulls up for mid game and lay ins but he’s getting there.

Diarra a tremendous 2nd half after a very bad 1st half in which he looked like he couldn’t make a decision with the ball, and when he did it wasn’t good. Amazing turnaround into a more confident decision maker and killer on the free throw line as well as the other end.

Samson had a great start but suddenly they changed their look defensively and he was lost. He is so frustrating rebounding he never gets into box out position continuously facing the offensive rebounder and unable to get a rebound. He is good for some matchups and does some good things but still we are better with Reed mostly.

Another fun thing to watch was how in to the game Braylon Mullins and especially his dad were. Dad didn’t sit down after the comeback started and even power fisted a couple made buckets during the comeback, Braylon as well. Already Huskies I love it!!

Nice tough win they will all be like this until Liam returns. Hold on tight!

 

[REB1094]

Need Mahaneys offensive abilities especially with McNeeley out. I mean yeah he gets beat on D but my question to those who harp on it, who doesn’t on this team?

Ross continues to disappoint he’s not the defensive presence you hope, he’s not scoring except for the occasional put back. Stewie deserves his minutes 5/5 yesterday he at least is involved and hitting the boards.

Solo was solid, another 4 rebounds makes 10 in the last 2 which is important. Needs to finish better when he pulls up for mid game and lay ins but he’s getting there.

I think these are all really good points

We crucify Aidan for his defense on here (most of the time deservedly so) but all of Aidan/Solo/Ross are traffic cones on defense (Ross had the performance against Gonzaga has been bad the last two games for on-ball defense), while at least yesterday PC’s entire gameplan was “find Karaban and score on him”. As long as they give enough effort defensively (never a problem with a Hurley team) and have enough offensive plays to balance it out (as Mahaney and Karaban did yesterday), then it should be fine. Not ideal, but fine.

Ross had a bad game but with Liam out I think we just need the 3 of Aidan/Stewart/Ross to combine for Liam’s production. Yesterday it all came from Mahaney but ideally it’s spread a little more to give us more options. Then when Liam is back they will have more confidence

I’m all for Solo trying those mid range shots and getting to the hoop. Guys will run him off the line as much as possible so that shot will always be available. +1 on great rebounding improvement

 

[cp176]

Great win, 2nd half response was wonderful to see. Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at halftime with Dan very unhappy.

Mahaney and Reed co-MVPs terrific coming off the bench and bringing huge energy. Tarris blocking that shot after following a guard who beat him was amazing, he’s so much more athletic than we think. He brings a toughness we lose with Samson Johnson, although he did have a good start as well. Need Mahaneys offensive abilities especially with McNeeley out. I mean yeah he gets beat on D but my question to those who harp on it, who doesn’t on this team? You can see how happy the team and coaches are when he is playing well because they see him in practice and know he’s a real good player who has struggled a lot this far. Hope this was a coming out for Aidan.

Ross continues to disappoint he’s not the defensive presence you hope, he’s not scoring except for the occasional put back. Stewie deserves his minutes 5/5 yesterday he at least is involved and hitting the boards.

Solo was solid, another 4 rebounds makes 10 in the last 2 which is important. Needs to finish better when he pulls up for mid game and lay ins but he’s getting there.

Diarra a tremendous 2nd half after a very bad 1st half in which he looked like he couldn’t make a decision with the ball, and when he did it wasn’t good. Amazing turnaround into a more confident decision maker and killer on the free throw line as well as the other end.

Samson had a great start but suddenly they changed their look defensively and he was lost. He is so frustrating rebounding he never gets into box out position continuously facing the offensive rebounder and unable to get a rebound. He is good for some matchups and does some good things but still we are better with Reed mostly.

Another fun thing to watch was how in to the game Braylon Mullins and especially his dad were. Dad didn’t sit down after the comeback started and even power fisted a couple made buckets during the comeback, Braylon as well. Already Huskies I love it!!

Nice tough win they will all be like this until Liam returns. Hold on tight!

Without Diarra on the court, they don’t win. He gets better and better every game.

 

[Waquoit]

Why is there such a negative reaction to this post? It’s 100% accurate. Unless our on-ball defense and defensive rotations get much better...

I can only speak for myself and I can tell you I'm already sick of you and him and all the other members of the Fellowship of the Miserable. You folks want to wallow in criticism after our 8th straight victory have at it. But the team is giving their all. Do you really think Hurley doesn't know exactly what he has this year, that you know better? I think you all sound stupid. You guys were all teed up to go off after this game but unfortunately for you, they ended up winning. Still, that didn't stop all the dead horses from being beaten all over again. I see a lot of spoiled and arrogence here and it's not the cutesie-poo look you think it is.

 

[NickDanger]

The ball and both feet have to be completely over for it to be an over and back violation. It was a bad call that ignored the rules of basketball.

No, you have the rule backwards. You’re not in the frontcourt until the ball and both feet are in. But once you are, if any of the three go into the backcourt, it’s a violation.

 

[mauconnfan]

Without Diarra on the court, they don’t win. He gets better and better every game.

No doubt did I say anything to the contrary? He was awful in the first half and like it or not it’s the truth. He had a great 2nd half but was also a big part of the bad first half by all. He was as rattled as the rest of the team and it can’t happen at the point.

 

[NickDanger]

No, you have the rule backwards. You’re not in the frontcourt until the ball and both feet are in. But once you are, if any of the three go into the backcourt, it’s a violation.

My apologies, since I thought it was obvious he made it into the front court, I thought you must’ve been misinterpreting the rule. But you actually thought he never made it into the front court.

 

[NickDanger]

Yes it did

I thought it was obvious he came completely into the front court

 

[NickDanger]

I'm confused. The ball and both feet went into the front court and then he stepped back and part of his foot was on the half court line. I thought that is a back court violation. I'd like to see the replay to see what happened and someone explain why it wasn't a back court violation.

It was one.

 

[NickDanger]

Thanks. You may be right. His right foot was still on the line and not completely in the front court. It was close.

No, his heel was up and not touching the line

 

[mauconnfan]

No, his heel was up and not touching the line

Watched it three times after it was a bad call.

 

[NickDanger]

This clearly shows his heel is up and not touching the line

 

[NickDanger]

Watched it three times after it was a bad call.

Look at the still shot in post number 207. His heel is in the air, and not touching the line.

 

[Stew Crew]

What's with the low effort from Kim English on the Looie tribute sweater?

He wasn't the only one. I watched a couple of Big East games Saturday. Pitino wore a similar sweater. I think Thad Matta's sweater was also subdued.

I lost some respect for English yesterday. I think it was Diarra that was on the line with about 10 seconds left. English started yelling at his players and clapping his hands as loud as possible in the middle of Diarra's 2nd free throw. It was clearly intended to distract Diarra. Kind of bush league. I don't think I ever saw a Div 1 coach do that before.

Anyone know what the issue was between Hurley and Pierre? They seemed to engage each other going into a timeout. Hurley went over, said something to him, and hugged him coming out of the timeout.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Why is there such a negative reaction to this post? It’s 100% accurate. Unless our on-ball defense and defensive rotations get much better, it will continue to be accurate. Reed saved our bacon today on the defensive end.

Thank you for the note. It probably more the messenger than the message type of thing.

Everything I put in that post was not based on just one game.

Ok we are not a bad defensive team…make that argument.

We should not play zone, how many times do we have to watch a good guard just go coast to coast with little or no resistance.

Liam other than Reed is our best rebounder. Yes Ball has been helping but we are not a good rebounding team.

We are a very good offensive team. For the life of me not sure what the problem was with that line.

We won because of the championship DNA or you could call it culture, character or just a very well coached team that understands when it has to make plays and does.

Most everybody that slammed to post has written something negative about Stewart and Ross who by the way are sophomores.

Does anyone really think we played good basketball today….really was it an aesthetically pleasing game to watch. For goodness sake we could not get the ball inbounds repeatedly at the end of the game. Usually after one time not being able to do it the coach fixes it after the first time out but it kept happening. They scored on over 70% of their possessions.

We actually did drop 10 spots on the most respected Men’s CBB rating algorithm.

Unfortunately it is what it is, the BY is an interesting place. We have spent three pages arguing over a back court call. That is critical because it had a super impact on the outcome of the game.

To everyone of the snipers pick one line in the post and defend it as being inaccurate.

I like that no one really knows who I am and how much basketball I have coached and played. So the experts can keep their status. I am just trying to point out the obvious. Which is not something the Yard reacts to well coming from someone not deemed one of the experts. Trust me I know basketball and how parts fit together to make up a team.

How many times did we have to hear why Ross first off the bench. For some reason the experts on this board never realized we cannot defend on the perimeter and until the game yesterday Ross was doing that well.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Don’t lump Mahaney and Ball together. Metric speaking Ball is a 3x worse defender than Mahaney.

It’s also not a roster build issue. We have a few players that just don’t get it and are struggling to be coached defense. Hurley is trying to keep playing them for the sake of the sophomore class.

Metrics don’t matter or only matter to nerds. We dropped 10 spots as a team in the most important metric so why even use the analogy to compare Ball and Mahaney as you eloquently pointed out or have you become a nerd overnight.

 

[80shusky]

This was a great win! They put together a comeback after getting punked in that first half and being down 14. Big character and team win. They just got to keep gutting these out and improving. Diarra was amazing again.

 

[ucp990411]

No, you have the rule backwards. You’re not in the frontcourt until the ball and both feet are in. But once you are, if any of the three go into the backcourt, it’s a violation.

And he was totally in the frontcourt for a split second, then stepped into the backcourt with one foot