Providence post game thread

[uconngb]

1. We have won our last two games by 12 and 14 points. Playing better. Winning better.
2. Big Bear. We are different with this version of the bear.
3. I fully believe Alex will play better. But I am now 50-50 as to him leaving after this year.
4. Nowell’s handle needs some serious work.
5. Ross is out of his depth.
6. Samson started again. Benched after one minute, not because he fouled, but because he gave up a clear defensive rebound. Got out worked. Why he started again!!!!!!
7. Solo is a nice player. I still like our ceiling.

Once again I offer: Samson Johnson and myself had the same # of rebounds today. I know he didn’t play much, but I didn’t play AT ALL. And I’m 5’10” not 6’10”

 

[uconngb]

The question is which is better for this year's team. And even though Mahaney gave us nothing today. He looked like he belonged much more than Nowell.

I do get that Nowell is the future. And I know when two guys are equal you play the younger guy. But if you still have hope for this year. Giving Mahaney minutes is much more likely to pay off.

I’m really not sure he is the future. He does not look confident at all, certainly not a level usually associated w a top 40 recruit

 

[uconnblueinky]

I have to confess I was rooting for the PC walk ons at the end of the game

This is what it's all about. Love it

 

[thekollieman]

There is no “law of averages” that says you will shoot better after you’ve been in a slump.
Thinking that there is such such a law that could “kick in“ leads to the gambler’s fallacy

That would be true if there weren’t a tremendous psychological influence on athletic performance.

 

[6Nattys4Us]

That would be true if there weren’t a tremendous psychological influence on athletic performance.

Bingo! Yes, Alex is best playing in a run we make when he feels a 3 would be like a dagger.

Unfortunately he's not great at making the 1st 3 of the night, nor the desperation 3, nor movement 3s.

Luckily he isn't "just" a 3pct specialist. He drives, he pulls off the screen as well as Johnson and he gets 1-3 run outs for an easy dunk/layup too.

 

[Sibeerian]

Pitino disguised as the Good Humor man. I’ll take 2 toasted almonds and a chocolate eclair please. View attachment 107368

Those are the best two good humor options, nice job.

 

[Scoe]

Acting like he was saying Alex will never be pro when his point was that we don't know what Alex will do next year is still weird.

I simply responded quickly to a comment, was accused of being that guy, when I wasn't trying to be. It's in text form so comments can get misconstrued.

 

[RuffRuff]

This is a really tough one. Ross has proven he’s a zero. At least Jaylen has shown glimpses, and it’s way more than once. He has to figure out a way to up his intensity or it’s just never gonna happen for him. He is infinitely more talented than Ross.

He does show glimpses but they are so intermittent, when you get them you hope for more and he builds off them, but then he goes into extended lulls of providing so little. There really was no excuse to have an empty box in 17 minutes against a bad PC team and it’s become all too common. When you watch him off ball you realize why. It’s at that point in his arc where I feel like you need to see more, him knowing how to insert himself to bring value to the floor, take advantage of his strengths. Instead he just fades standing around doing nothing. I want to believe in the kid but it’s that feature of his overall awareness that makes me really doubt whether it’s there. It’s that same aloofness that carries into being really bad defensively. He’s gotten plenty of time the past two years, and he really hasn’t taken advantage. There’s really no excuses at this stage of the game. I’m not sure what’s in store for him. I cannot fathom him as a starter next year at all.

 

[gsmooth]

1. We have won our last two games by 12 and 14 points. Playing better. Winning better.
2. Big Bear. We are different with this version of the bear.
3. I fully believe Alex will play better. But I am now 50-50 as to him leaving after this year.
4. Nowell’s handle needs some serious work.
5. Ross is out of his depth.
6. Samson started again. Benched after one minute, not because he fouled, but because he gave up a clear defensive rebound. Got out worked. Why he started again!!!!!!
7. Solo is a nice player. I still like our ceiling.

I like our ceiling, too. I don't like our floor.

 

[bendm]

He’s gotten plenty of time the past two years, and he really hasn’t taken advantage. There’s really I cannot fathom him as a starter next year at all.

Heck no. If Alex leaves we need to pull 3 starters out of the portal. That’s a big ask.

 

[AdamaNation]

Thank God for Tarris Reed.

Samson with 1pt. No boards or blocks and 3(?) fouls. I think the experiment is over.

 

[pick6s]

Best game in a while. Reed, while inconsistent, is a borderline star and should be playing 30 min/game. Karaban’s shot is back. Diarra has some spring in his step again. Suddenly, this team looks like it could cause some March Madness.

My biggest concern for the rest of the season is point guard/the bench. We can’t run Diarra into ground and need to give him some breaks, especially with him fasting during Ramadan. I actually think Mahaney’s ball handling looks substantially improved from earlier in the year- which makes sense since he’s never been a point guard before- and I’d like to see him get some minutes next game to spell Diarra and see what he looks like right now. Besides, Nowell hasn’t looked great so our options are limited. We could consider McNeeley bring the ball up, which would move Mahaney to the wing if/when he’s in, where he can provide some offense.

If Reed moves into the staring five- as he should- UConn will need someone to provide scoring off the bench. Ross hasn’t been providing much of anything. Stewart has been good at times but missing during others. Nowell has been eh. And so I return to Mahaney again. I realize he’s been a failure for most of the year but I’d like to see him get a few minutes and see what he looks like right now. He can score off the bench and he can create offense- both of which this teams needs- and I think he’s gotten better at handling the ball. Let’s give him some minutes the next few games.

 

[pick6s]

Best game in a while. Reed, while inconsistent, is a borderline star and should be playing 30 min/game. Karaban’s shot is back. Diarra has some spring in his step again. Suddenly, this team looks like it could cause some March Madness.

My biggest concern for the rest of the season is point guard/the bench. We can’t run Diarra into ground and need to give him some breaks, especially with him fasting during Ramadan. I actually think Mahaney’s ball handling looks substantially improved from earlier in the year- which makes sense since he’s never been a point guard before- and I’d like to see him get some minutes next game to spell Diarra and see what he looks like right now. Besides, Nowell hasn’t looked great so our options are limited. We could consider McNeeley bring the ball up, which would move Mahaney to the wing if/when he’s in, where he can provide some offense.

If Reed moves into the staring five- as he should- UConn will need someone to provide scoring off the bench. Ross hasn’t been providing much of anything. Stewart has been good at times but missing during others. Nowell has been eh. And so I return to Mahaney again. I realize he’s been a failure for most of the year but I’d like to see him get a few minutes and see what he looks like right now. He can score off the bench and he can create offense- both of which this teams needs- and I think he’s gotten better at handling the ball. Let’s give him some minutes the next few games.

Also, there’s a (backup) point guard option nobody seems to talk about: Solo Ball. I realize it’s a waste of his shooting abilities, but it should help with the turnover issues, allow Diarra to get some rest so he can be effective in the tourneys, and also provide for some scoring punch off the bench because I still because that Mahaney on the wing- not at point- can be a productive scorer and creator.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

And the 35 year old walk on finance major got his first point of the season.

Fonts will build on that and have a great tax season.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

That second free throw....ouch LMAO

It was a setup to get the ball to the other guy, who closed out the game with his 2 points.

 

[3rdbass]

He does show glimpses but they are so intermittent, when you get them you hope for more and he builds off them, but then he goes into extended lulls of providing so little. There really was no excuse to have an empty box in 17 minutes against a bad PC team and it’s become all too common. When you watch him off ball you realize why. It’s at that point in his arc where I feel like you need to see more, him knowing how to insert himself to bring value to the floor, take advantage of his strengths. Instead he just fades standing around doing nothing. I want to believe in the kid but it’s that feature of his overall awareness that makes me really doubt whether it’s there. It’s that same aloofness that carries into being really bad defensively. He’s gotten plenty of time the past two years, and he really hasn’t taken advantage. There’s really no excuses at this stage of the game. I’m not sure what’s in store for him. I cannot fathom him as a starter next year at all.

This can sound like Stewart at times too. But at least you get spurts with Stewart and not flashes. They are both inconsistent but Stewart has proven he deserves the minutes over Ross who is playing level too high for him.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

This can sound like Stewart at times too. But at least you get spurts with Stewart and not flashes. They are both inconsistent but Stewart has proven he deserves the minutes over Ross who is playing level too high for him.

I really hope we go with them for next year and get a chance for these takes too age horribly.

 

[caw]

Heck no. If Alex leaves we need to pull 3 starters out of the portal. That’s a big ask.

Three? I’d bet money on Solo, Tarris and Mullins starting. So PF (if not Stewart, which I am not necessarily against, he’s shown decent growth this year and could be a solid starter by next year IMO) and PG.

Shame Nowell had those injuries, I actually like a lot of what I see from him even though he is a bit behind where most would like him to be. Much higher on him than I was on Diggins, who looked completely outclassed as a freshman.

 

[ucp990411]

Samson is pretty good at scoring. he shoots a high percentage FG. Offense is better with him at 4 vs Ross. Neither Ross nor Stewart are good at dribbling or passing. Samson Johnson is atleast on par with them for running sets. Samson Johnson is also decent on defense, he just can’t rebound or hold his own against a brawny center.

They could run sets where one or both of the bigs are setting screens on perimeter and roll to basket.

I watch every minute of every game and watch most a second time. I must have missed Ross at the 4. Not on one possession all year.

 

[ucp990411]

Ross didn't play.

Yes he did

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Johnson is clearly UConn’s 6th best player. He should be playing 6th best player minutes. Johnson and Reed have to play together for stretches just to give Diarra/McNeeley/Ball some breathers.

 

[UCan3]

This is what it's all about. Love it

I was too. I was cheering when that last shot went in.

My son surprised me when he was like “who cares, I hate Providence and their fans”

I was like, dude chill, LOL.

This is the world we live in now I guess

This was the only time I’ve cheered for the other team and don’t expect to anytime soon!

 

[UCan3]

Johnson is clearly UConn’s 6th best player. He should be playing 6th best player minutes. Johnson and Reed have to play together for stretches just to give Diarra/McNeeley/Ball some breathers.

I think Dan’s figured it out. I don’t care if Johnson starts, plays 4 GOOD minutes, and then let Reed come in. Let Samson pick up that early foul setting the tone - Reed has no problems apparently coming off the bench and torching the other team.

 

[UCan3]

This can sound like Stewart at times too. But at least you get spurts with Stewart and not flashes. They are both inconsistent but Stewart has proven he deserves the minutes over Ross who is playing level too high for him.

Stewart is the one player I can’t figure out.

So much talent - really— he’s got the size and outside shooting touch to be trouble for any team.

But he continues to show up for a few minutes, dazzle with a great play or two and then fades into the woodwork.

In terms of players on bench with playing time, here’s my take:

1.) At one time, I was Stewarts #1 fan but got to admit he plays about the right amount of minutes right now.
2.) Play Nowell more - he’s can handle the rock. We didn’t need him yesterday because we didn’t get face guarding defense like w/ St. John’s. We will in BE Tourney and NCAA - so get Nowell some more minutes - think of future.
3.) Samson while not bench player , he should go in and utility player , start game - play hyper aggressive and pick up fouls. Let Reed come in and score / not take too many chances on fouling out of game.
4.) Reed I just don’t see it.
5.) Mahaney 5 minutes a game until he proves he’s ready for prime time.

 

[UCan3]

The question is which is better for this year's team. And even though Mahaney gave us nothing today. He looked like he belonged much more than Nowell.

I do get that Nowell is the future. And I know when two guys are equal you play the younger guy. But if you still have hope for this year. Giving Mahaney minutes is much more likely to pay off.

I thought Mahaney looked better today - agreed.

But we were playing Providence.

My issue is when we get face guarded all game who can handle the pressure? I am not sold Mahaney can.

When Nowell was out there against St. John’s I thought he looked very good handling the rock. He had a turnover or two yes, but appeared to have the speed and control handing the ball that we need.