Providence Post Game Thread

[Huskyforlife]

Ideal Mahaney game, come in and replace that scoring production we're missing. Hope he keeps it up.

Ross is probably our best wing defender, for better and worse, but he's unplayable on offense right now. And it's not like his defense is elite either. We should probably at least try Stewart with the starters.

It's been obvious to most of us for awhile, but Reed is our best big. Not even sure it matters who starts, Dan kept him in for the important minutes. Arguably won us the game with his second half.

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

Disappointed to not see Nowell again after Hurley mentioned he should play today. This team is dying for another creator, and he's got the potential to make an impact in that area. Hope we build a lead on Wednesday so he safely gets a chance.

Inbounding is hard, but it's harder when the other team can simply hold our guys. Also the refs are blind, per usual.

 

[giddyup]

Great gut check for the boys, but our poor D is going to put us in more tough spots if we don’t figure out how to handle spread iso offenses.

 

[3rdbass]

Wow, Hurley finally admitted he was trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with Mahaney. We should see a better Mahaney now that he'll be asked to do what he does, score the ball. Really gotta get Nowell some minutes backing up Hass.

Yep, I and others have been saying this all season long. I'm glad Hurley admited he was wrong to do that. Now Mahaney can shine at what he does best, scoring.

 

[Marat]

Ideal Mahaney game, come in and replace that scoring production we're missing. Hope he keeps it up.

Ross is probably our best wing defender, for better and worse, but he's unplayable on offense right now. And it's not like his defense is elite either. We should probably at least try Stewart with the starters.

It's been obvious to most of us for awhile, but Reed is our best big. Not even sure it matters who starts, Dan kept him in for the important minutes. Arguably won us the game with his second half.

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

Disappointed to not see Nowell again after Hurley mentioned he should play today. This team is dying for another creator, and he's got the potential to make an impact in that area. Hope we build a lead on Wednesday so he safely gets a chance.

Inbounding is hard, but it's harder when the other team can simply hold our guys. Also the refs are blind, per usual.

Hurley said it was wither Ross or Aiden to start game. No mention of Stewart.

Nowell still hurt ?

 

[AidanFan20]

I still can't believe how many people didn't think Mahaney would ever improve...

As just about the biggest Mahaney honk anywhere, I was certainly getting worried... Game seemed to have gotten in his head.

But I did notice his body language on the bench was always great, he never appeared to sulk. He's a tough cookie, and a smart kid.

I figured that, at some time, he'd get back on his game.

He had a tough first half, sorta normal for him lately, but came out playing his off when he re-entered during the 2nd half. Coach being no dummy, left him in even when he got beaten defending on-ball a couple times... Coach knew what was up.

One thing I noticed was the fact that he mixed it up REALLY hard underneath. As soon as a shot went up if he was in or near the paint, his was immediately getting his body on someone, old-school blocking out. He didn't get any rebounds, but he cleared space for teammates to get in and grab 'em.

All this activity seemed to help him forget about his woes and "just shoot it, Baby!" No hitch, no hesitation... Just shoot the bleeping thing. All of a sudden his shots were on rails, right to the bottom of the net.

I sure hope Aidan can keep up this mentality, it's terrific to watch!

 

[RuffRuff]

Just watched on tape:

Really not sure what more evidence Hurley needs to realize we are a better, more balanced team with Tarris on the floor, especially with the loss of Liam’s rebounding. For some reason he sticks with Samson, to a fault. Maybe it doesn’t matter who starts, but I’d rather roll out the guy who makes the team better. We were 20 points better in this one with Tarris on the floor. I’ll be curious to see if he uses Tarris any differently in Liam’s absence. Samson is so limited - he’s fine as a slip to the rim guy but that is 100% dependent on the pass. Tarris can actually create, and draws fouls.

AK was taken on the defensive end a lot in this one, they were attacking him, and he often can’t recoup off the bump down low or off the dribble, unless he has significant size on the offensive player. They were going at him with intention. PC may have something in this frosh Mela, nice player, crafty.

Great spark from AM today - best game of the year.

Solo had one of his better defensive games in this one as didn’t see much at all where his guy had an open shot.

Stew has a decent box at 4 and 4 but felt fairly invisible in his minutes. His body language out there still looks very freshman-like, I know he’s young.

Ross is practically unplayable - he’s just ok on defense, nothing great. He fouls a lot and gets taken off the dribble, occasionally can recoup via length. Overall I don’t see much on that end to overcome his dreadful offensive skillset. Airball 6 foot floater, back rimmed wide open 3, dropped and easy pass for a layup. Just an awkward looking player all around. This has been consistent and I just don’t see it here, at all.

Hassan and Tarris were the catalysts for the comeback.

So much for seeing minutes from Nowell. It can’t be an injury thing much longer.

Nice gritty win and maybe one that will help this team build confidence with Liam out. The next two on the road are going to be tough, especially if we keep rolling Ross out there as a starter. Unless there is a perimeter player that requires a longer defender and to take a couple fouls, I have no idea what his value is on this team. His net is -37 against non tomato cans on the year. It’s a tough watch.

 

[ucp990411]

You’re contradicting yourself. He never established himself in the front court because the second foot never was completely over.

The call was wrong for the same reason the 10 second call a few games ago was correct. In that case, he never got both feet and the ball into the front court. Same thing here.

He absolutely established himself in the frontcourt

 

[Glenn]

Two things. First, Hurley took responsibility near the end of the presse, for the poor half because he wore the wrong glasses--which he switched at halftime. Second, according to the metrics used by Bart Torvik, this was our worst performance besides our loss to Daytonm and our worst on defense so far this seaon. I doubt not having McNeeley was the reason for the aweful defense we played.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

This change happened over a month ago after Maui, right after it was obvious it needed to be made

This whole Boneyard PG/Off-guard ongoing debate just mystifies me.

When our current offense is humming, it’s because we have 3 (minimum) perimeter players capable of initiating the offense, playing off screens, passing, and driving into the lane if it’s there or things break down. Last year, it was Tristen, Cam, & Steph.

We didn’t bring Mahaney to be a PG. Nor an off guard. He was brought here to become the next great UConn guard. Because at St. Mary’s he showed he had the potential tools to do what we needed.

I think it’s just mainly been (1) our offense isn’t humming yet with the new roster yet, and (2) a much bigger learning curve than everyone has anticipated for Aidan…

 

[RuffRuff]

I think we need a bit more from AK with Liam out. Fine performance from him but just that- fine

Man he has a tendency to clunk some threes. His leadership is priceless, but this was not one of his finer efforts, especially defensively. I wish he had something else in his offensive bag other than a three or a pump 3 into the shoulder down thing he does.

 

[Icehawk]

Another game where our opponents seem unable to miss and shoot through anything we throw at them... I'll admit I was concerned when we were down 14 but it never felt like it was unwinnable. Great games from Diarra & Mahaney (yay!) and solid efforts from Karaban, Reed, and Ball to take down a win.

We do need to work on inbounding, well Karaban does - he seems to get stuck more often than I would expect, especially with his height. Ditto on Diarra getting trapped.

 

[superjohn]

This whole Boneyard PG/Off-guard ongoing debate just mystifies me.

When our current offense is humming, it’s because we have 3 (minimum) perimeter players capable of initiating the offense, playing off screens, passing, and driving into the lane if it’s there or things break down. Last year, it was Tristen, Cam, & Steph.

We didn’t bring Mahaney to be a PG. Nor an off guard. He was brought here to become the next great UConn guard. Because at St. Mary’s he showed he had the potential tools to do what we needed.

I think it’s just mainly been (1) our offense isn’t humming yet with the new roster yet, and (2) a much bigger learning curve than everyone has anticipated for Aidan…

Disagree, Hurley envisioned Mahaney as the starting point guard. That's why Mahaney was our starting point guard at the start of the season. Hurley admitted as much today and that he messed things up in the beginning with trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Mahaney was on ball a little today but they mainly had him off ball where he was allowed to do what he does with his scoring.

 

[AidanFan20]

Don't think that is accurate. A player becomes a frontcourt player when he has both feet and the ball in the frontcourt. If he goes into the backcourt with one foot it is a backcourt violation.

I think you two are stating the rule correctly, just worded different.

Ball and player have to be fully in forecourt to make an over-and-back call possible. I saw a ref stop a high-school game and quickly demonstrate the rule to a complaining coach, who had it wrong. (Ref did it quickly, with a smile... Coach got it, wasn't mad, and apologized for the yelling... One of the best ref/coach exchanges I've ever seen in THOUSANDS of in-person games over the years.)

The key here is, was Aidan's right heel still touching the halfcourt line before he stepped back? VERY close call. If his heel wasn't touching the line before he moved it back, then it was over and back, the bad guys' ball. If it was still touching (again, very close, would take a super-hi-def replay to see that), then he was fine to step back and no call should have been made.

Of course, in the NBA, this would have been an eight-minute break while the refs went to the table and studied the replay from 405 slightly-differing angles.

 

[Marat]

Two things. First, Hurley took responsibility near the end of the presse, for the poor half because he wore the wrong glasses--which he switched at halftime. Second, according to the metrics used by Bart Torvik, this was our worst performance besides our loss to Daytonm and our worst on defense so far this seaon. I doubt not having McNeeley was the reason for the aweful defense we played.

That's correct. Liam is not the reason our defenders couldn't guard anyone attacking the hoop. He would have helped scoring but we really need to improve defensively and get some toughness on defending. If we can, then team will go far.

 

[Scottobot]

Diarra, Reed and Mahaney. That’s why we won. Ross brings very little on offense. I prefer Stewart at the 4, not the 3. For now, I think our best bet is going small - Diarra, Mahaney and Solo playing together.

The small lineup with Karaban, and Reed at center won the game today. What a comeback. To be honest I had given up hope. They never gave up and kept fighting. Can’t question this team’s character and fight.

On the downside, offense looks really bad when Stewart and Ross out there. in addition to missing McNeeley on offense, they really missed his defensive boards too.

If Mahaney can consistently add 10 points off the bench they might be able to weather McNeeleys injury

 

[Scottobot]

That's correct. Liam is not the reason our defenders couldn't guard anyone attacking the hoop. He would have helped scoring but we really need to improve defensively and get some toughness on defending. If we can, then team will go far.

But Liam not being there was part of the reason we couldn’t clear the rebound when they did miss.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Great second half but the rebounding is a concern. I’ll take the win and move on.

Rebounding and defense are our biggest concerns. Liams injury also but i think he`ll be fine.

 

[Scottobot]

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

I wasn’t there but it sounded pretty loud on TV when UConn cut the deficit to 8

 

[storrsroars]

The small lineup with Karaban, and Reed at center won the game today. What a comeback. To be honest I had given up hope. They never gave up and kept fighting. Can’t question this team’s character and fight.

On the downside, offense looks really bad when Stewart and Ross out there. in addition to missing McNeeley on offense, they really missed his defensive boards too.

If Mahaney can consistently add 10 points off the bench they might be able to weather McNeeleys injury

Stewie is playable in short bursts. I don't know what DH does with Ross at this point other than use him for D only in last minute of a close game.

 

[David54]

Johnson zero PF. But I’m suspicious cause it has reed with 7.

 

[blkknight1]

Can someone on the staff please inform Hass that he can pass the ball on the inbounds. He had Alex wide open right after he got the ball numerous times but held the ball waiting for the double to come and hoping to get the foul.

I understand wanting the ball in your hands at the end but still gotta be smart you have an excellent group of FT shooters out there with you and keeping the clock running is better than waiting for a foul call that might not come.

The trouble in inbounding the ball is a little concerning as well. Gotta work on that won’t always have TOs.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I'm actually a little sympathetic to Kim and PC fans on this one. The officials let everything go in the first half - off ball grabbing, shoving, and mugging was okay. Then in the second half, they called the game more normally and called the fouls

From Kim's perspective, the "tenor" of the game means that his guys were allowed to assault UConn's guys for 20 minutes but then they got whistled nonstop for the same thing for another 20 minutes

Must be frustrating as a coach where you play the same exact playstyle between halves, but in one you get whistled 6 times and the next you get whistled 19 times

A little sympathetic...a little..

My favorite was about seven minutes in, Reed received a pass near the baseline, got mugged by two PC players and was called for a travel.

 

[jibsey]

Hurley still has alot to figure out. We were down 12 rebounds today. Defensively we are taken off the dribble and getting beat by most team’s guards. We do defend them but they still make the shots. Is that correctable or are they beating the odds which will eventually even out? That said we are still good enough to win in most cases so far.

 

[housekeys]

Inbounding is hard, but it's harder when the other team can simply hold our guys. Also the refs are blind, per usual.

I agree. IMO, both fans impressions of the officials are correct. PC fans complain of two many whistles in the second half. I would counter they should have called just as many in the first half. Because they did not, they favored Providence in the first half. Having said that, you have to acknowledge the exceptional individual effort by the Friars.

As a UConn fan, I have always advocated for more whistles. UConn's game requires freedom of movement and results in a high assist to FGM ratio. Providence, with only 5 assists all game, does not rely on freedom of movement. Any off ball UConn grabbing and holding, that is not whistled, has little effect on how they run offense. UConn's style is more sensitive to off ball physicality. How it is called matters to UConn more so than other teams.

 

[RuffRuff]

Hurley still has alot to figure out. We were down 12 rebounds today. Defensively we are taken off the dribble and getting beat by most team’s guards. We do defend them but they still make the shots. Is that correctable or are they beating the odds which will eventually even out? That said we are still good enough to win in most cases so far.

Best roster in Liam’s absence is pretty clear - Reed in to anchor the paint and rebound, and AM for offense. The Samson high hedge routine feels fruitless so often. We don’t need our big floating at the three point line, we need a big to hold the paint down. If Ross could add to the rebounding fine, but he doesn’t even do that. Pecking order off bench should be AM, Stew and then Ross.