Providence Post Game Thread

[HuskyFich]

The bad, let’s get it out of the way:

The 1st half

Okay. Cool.

Now let’s do the good:

We have found our big 3, and surprisingly, Karaban is not one of them. To be clear, Karaban is still the best player on this team, bar none. He will get his 15-22 every game. But, the ball will run through Diarra to McNeeley, Reed, or Ball. Reed and Ball were both fantastic in the second half, and along with amazing play of Diarra, made this team look like they can survive the stretch without Liam. Mahaney had a HUGE game and saw his confidence soar. So glad it happened in Gampel.

This team needs to capitalize on this and play HARD. The 3 point defense was very good again today, but the rebounding effort was pathetic, and that’s why Reed got so many minutes in the second half. Good move by Hurley.

Great fight boys!

 

[SoFla Steve]

KenPom down to 24. Defensive rating down to 134. At least we won.

 

[REB1094]

Want to see something beautiful?

Diarra: 19 points on 50% shooting
Solo: 16 points on 55.5% shooting
Mahaney: 15 points on 80% shooting
Karaban: 13 points on 62.5% shooting
Samson: 10 points on 55.5% shooting
Tarris: 10 points on 60% shooting

 

[Husky Alien]

The over and back . . . Wasn’t.

Mahaney's heal was on the half court line. It was a good call unfortunately.

 

[superjohn]

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

 

[3rdbass]

Someone in the chat room at halftime made the point this game is showing Diarra's limitations as a starting PG and said Diarra should be coming off the bench.

Diarra played a great 2nd half for sure.

 

[Waquoit]

Diarra played a great 2nd half for sure.

He's played a great Big East season.

 

[cellocgg]

I’m hoping your two comments are sarcastic

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

 

[Bomber36]

I think we need to work on a couple of different inbound plays. It seems to always be an issue.

 

[3rdbass]

I was glad to see Mahaney more off the ball with Diarra handling the primary ball handling. Mahaney can be his natural self when he doesn't have to worry about running the offense and trying to score. He could just concentrate on scoring which he does best.

 

[Bomber36]

Gampel seemed quiet and it looked like there were a lot of empty seats for what should be a massive game

What game did you watch?

 

[3rdbass]

He's played a great Big East season.

No doubt he is playing great. His shot is starting to come around even though he isn't taking a lot of 3's. He is such a gutsy guy and I'm glad he came back for his 5th year.

 

[Bomber36]

Agree
Reed and maheney earned more pt

Could not be more happy for Aidan. Quite a clutch performance.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

KenPom down to 24. Defensive rating down to 134. At least we won.

End of game mistakes becoming too common unfortunately. Free throw shooting was good though!

 

[Bomber36]

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

That was a non effort.

 

[Gurleyman]

I think our starting 5 without McNeeley just doesn’t have enough offense with Diarra-Ross-Johnson all basically not being guys you can count on for points - and then Karaban realistically needs screens and deception to score, and Ball is mostly a three-point shooter. Reed or Mahaney have to see heavy minutes. We may just have to roll with the small backcourt and scheme defensively as best we can.

 

[todbo]

I'm looking at the calls that went our way and at the performance from the foul line. Hurley learned his lesson in that first loss in Maui, and the refs are responding.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

We are a better team with Reed on the floor. Samson cannot continue to start at Center averaging only 2.5 rebounds a game. There's still a role for Johnson as a pick and roll guy off the bench, but he simply doesn't rebound enough to start.

I’ve come to the conclusion that at our best, we’re a better offense with Samson. He does so many things that are very hard to guard and lead to really easy looks when the team is getting him involved and he’s active. Given he doesn’t really create for himself, he’s also more prone to being a non-factor. You can always dump it down to Reed and let him go to work.

 

[ZachFan]

Reed and Johnson combine for 20 points and only 1 foul. I'll take that every game.

 

[Palatine]

We need an inbounds play versus pressure.

 

[MrJoe]

Story of the game wasn’t who obviously played well but rather that Ross and Stewart didn’t play well. They need to get comfortable in their new roles.

 

[3rdbass]

I think our starting 5 without McNeeley just doesn’t have enough offense with Diarra-Ross-Johnson all basically not being guys you can count on for points - and then Karaban realistically needs screens and deception to score, and Ball is mostly a three-point shooter. Reed or Mahaney have to see heavy minutes. We may just have to roll with the small backcourt and scheme defensively as best we can.

I wouldn't group Diarra(Team High points today) and Johnson with Ross who has no offense at all presently. I agree we need to start someone who can score in either Mahaney or Stewart based on matchup.

 

[huskyblooz]

I love Diarra. But, is he told to hold the ball when he's being trapped in the corner?
Also, my biggest pet peeve is fouling a 3-point attempt.

 

[NEforceUConn]

cellocgg said:


Gampel seemed quiet and it looked like there were a lot of empty seats for what should be a massive game

What game did you watch?

No kidding. Game and Gampel looked and sounded incredible on tv. Even Donny M was aok.

 

[Hoophound]

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

Atmosphere was very good Maybe, something was wrong with the sound coming through your feed. Great crowd.