Providence post game thread

[bendm]

I don't disagree that we can't put all our eggs in the Stewart basket when it comes to penciling in a starting lineup for next year but where is Tarris going? I feel like Ball and Reed are locks to be starters and all-Big East level contributors and then we build out from there.

Yeah they’re the only 2 locks (plus Alex if he returns). The other 3 (or 2) starters are currently on other rosters.

 

[Gurleyman]

We are all waiting for him to show he can play in the BE. So far nada. Is it possible that his injury is hampering his game, handle, his ability to score, to make shots? I want him to have the benefit of doubt because of the few minutes we have seen.

what’s been alarming to me - and I hope it’s some mobility issues from his injury - is he has no first step. He tried a few times to beat his man off the dribble against Georgetown and was just immediately smothered. He hasn’t shown the ability to shoot but he still gets harassed all over the floor since nobody respects his driving ability either. He’s small and you need something in your game to offset that. Shot creation, explosive quickness, creative passing, lights out shooting. I wish he was blowing by people and making mistakes because then you’d know he had something to harness. But maybe it’ll come.

 

[CTBasketball]

This is where I have to start ignoring stupid posts. This is dumb. Why are you comparing bringing in a clear backup to a guy who was a star player the year before to bringing in starters over players finding their footing.

STOP BEING STUPID

Your infatuation for Jayden Ross should be studied by PHD-level researchers.

 

[3rdbass]

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.

Mahaney is a seasoned Jr. who has played in the NCAA Tourney. You can compare that to a Freshman who has been injured a lot of the year and has gotten very little minutes. Mahaney was expected to do so much more than he is giving now. He has been more disappointing than Nowell who we barely have seen.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Your infatuation for Jayden Ross should be studied by PHD-level researchers.

Add it in to my infatuations with Hawkins, Solo, and Castle

This is my new horse to ride for this year. Hopefully he follows the pattern of the others!

 

[3rdbass]

Add it in to my infatuations with Hawkins, Solo, and Castle

This is my new horse to ride for this year. Hopefully he follows the pattern of the others!

LOL! I know you aren't comparing an offensively challenged Ross who has shown very little upside to his game to those players who all excelled in games or in Caste the whole season as a Freshman. Ross hasn't even shine in a game besides maybe against lower level NCAA teams. Yeah I have no idea why you sticking to this one. Are you a family member? LOL!

 

[RuffRuff]

Add it in to my infatuations with Hawkins, Solo, and Castle

This is my new horse to ride for this year. Hopefully he follows the pattern of the others!

Your infatuation with Castle? Lol. Really going out on a limb there are yeah?

Ross is a mid major 10ppg contributor ceiling. Mark my words. There is an awkwardness in his game that doesn’t jive with high a level D1 player. He looks a lot like Ruis Jr, he just doesn’t move like him.

 

[cp176]

The question that all coaches get asked and have to ask themselves - How has your team progressed? Are you better in March than you were in November? Injuries also have to be taken in to consideration. With individual players here, I think that it looks like a mixed bag. Personally I think that Ross and Johnson are the same players now as they were then. I think there has been some growth in Stewart although most here want faster progress. As for Ball and Reed, I think that their progress has been very good and will get only better. I disagree with anybody really who thinks they see point guard in Ball’s future. He is not a great handler of the ball. What he does best, the sky is the limit. I think that Diarra is essentially what he has been all along. Karaban has probably regressed in some people’s eyes. I just think that the role he has been asked to play is pretty tough. As for Nowell, I don’t think that there is going to be some huge leap between now and next year that turns him in to a starting point guard. He looks like an average ball handler and under any pressure he doesn’t look quick to me getting the ball up court. Obviously he has potential. Nothing needs to be said about McNelley. Overall I think that the coaching staff has done a good job with this group. I think that we just in general tend to overate them.

 

[superjohn]

Your infatuation with Castle? Lol. Really going out on a limb there are yeah?

Ross is a mid major 10ppg contributor ceiling. Mark my words. There is an awkwardness in his game that doesn’t jive with high a level D1 player. He looks a lot like Ruis Jr, he just doesn’t move like him.

He says hopefully he follows the pattern of the others. The guy has been saying for years now that Solo should be our point guard. Lolz

 

[freescooter]

Lots of takes on Stewart, Ross and let me add Nowell, even though he's a freshman and not a sophomore.

I'd say the staff had solid expectations on Stewart based on what he showed at the end of last season. I thought he played some solid D at times when he was needed.

Now fast forward to this season. Stewart started out slow and being out played by Ross. Then the real competion kicked in and the game on the offense side of the ball just seems too fast for Ross, though he's played some solid, though inconsistent D. As for Stewart he's had some good moments on offense hitting some big time 3s and at least one critical offensive board and put back, while his D and defensive rebounding has been horrible. Both have a lot of upside, but I'm not sure the game will slow down for Ross. Some talented players either never handle the mental part of the game or simply take a long time to let the game slow down in their head. Maybe both will work things out by next season.

As for Nowell, his injuries have impacted his development. As much as we've needed some back up PG minutes from him, he's had far too little PT to show what he can do. IMO, the talent is there. He just needs meaningful minutes to develop. With that said, Hurley needs to recruit a big good handling portal PG for next season to share time with Nowell as his backup as he grows and develops.

I wouldn't give up on these 3.

I’ve given up on them already. This isn’t the MAAC. We are not a developmental league. You are either up to the task or you aren’t and I don’t think either Ross or Stewart are. Between those 2 Stewart has the most potential but I think he hasn’t shown enough and He had the chance when McNeeley got hurt. He didn’t step up. I can’t buy the injury excuse for Nowell. He is small, slow and doesn’t have a good handle. Another guy who certainly has had an opening to show what he can do but hasn’t grabbed it. He looks the same now as he did against Georgetown in mid-January. Panics when he gets pressed, not a great handle. Picks up the dribble when he gets pressed. And taller guards just shoot over him and defend his shot. You can be 5-11 and play at UConn but you can’t do it if you lack speed quickness and decision making skills.

 

[freescooter]

Mahaney is a seasoned Jr. who has played in the NCAA Tourney. You can compare that to a Freshman who has been injured a lot of the year and has gotten very little minutes. Mahaney was expected to do so much more than he is giving now. He has been more disappointing than Nowell who we barely have seen.

Interesting comment on Mahaney. St Mary’s is better this year without him. Maybe it is a coincidence.

 

[AllHusky]

Gotta force feed Stewart all the way through BE tournament. He isn’t the key to our season, but a solid 15-20 min per game really changes us.

Don’t see a role for Ross

Nowell/Mahaney, debate that till the cows come home. One of them need to give us 15 dependable minutes. Who and how do you decide??

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[Mr. French]

lmao I get your mad I called you stupid, but you don’t have to make up lies and put words in my mouth.

Never said we shouldn’t have brought the guys we brought in. Just that it’s stupid to do it and then blame the guys we tried to recruit over for our season.

Don’t be mad at me cause you said something outrageously stupid and now want to make stuff up to make me seem as stupid.

My actual expectations for the season and not the one you made up out of thin air.

My guy... "depending on players" can still be true even if they aren't starting. We generally have run 7-9 man rotations at minimum where the 6-9 guys are VERY important. I don't know why you're hung up on bringing better players in who beat these guys out...Ross and Stewart have struggled to play even limited minutes, why are you so positive that just simply being the only options would have made them 50x better?

He bet on them in a limited role and they haven't worked out well, and that's a HUGE part of why our season hasn't gone well. Our core guys (Solo, who made that jump, Liam, Hass) have been fine, our bench and surrounding pieces have stunk. You're suggesting they should have been given a BIGGER role and that would have led to more success. Do you see how backwards that is?

 

[TheDude]

Interesting comment on Mahaney. St Mary’s is better this year without him. Maybe it is a coincidence.

I agree that Mahaney has disappointed, but remember he did play well in the first game against PC and at X. He does have it in him but think he is pressing on O and is lost on D. But really there is no choice he has to spell Hass in big games. I think at least he has experience over AN.

 

[Deleted at users request]

My guy... "depending on players" can still be true even if they aren't starting. We generally have run 7-9 man rotations at minimum where the 6-9 guys are VERY important. I don't know why you're hung up on bringing better players in who beat these guys out...Ross and Stewart have struggled to play even limited minutes, why are you so positive that just simply being the only options would have made them 50x better?

He bet on them in a limited role and they haven't worked out well, and that's a HUGE part of why our season hasn't gone well. Our core guys (Solo, who made that jump, Liam, Hass) have been fine, our bench and surrounding pieces have stunk. You're suggesting they should have been given a BIGGER role and that would have led to more success. Do you see how backwards that is?

The reply you quoted tried to clarify that is in fact what I was not saying.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Let's all calm down indeed.

This is a 12-page post-game thread that has had very little to do with the game past its initial rush of posts.

After the team's first back-to-back victories in a month, it's been page after page of bitching & bickering. Why?

Instead of bemoaning that the team & season stink after a loss, it's just a festival of complaints about individual players and criticisms of whose posts are more stupid or ignorant. The uptick level in sloppy writing errors is alarming. Whether it's due to stupidity, ignorance, fatigue, or planets being lined up in a row, I can't say, but it's like open season whinging & whining. I couldn't possibly keep up with making corrections, so everybody just have at it. I hope everybody gets it out of their system before post-season play.

There are two more games that will determine seeding for the BE Tournament, and the NCAA tournament after that, and most posts in this thread are focused on faults in roster construction for this year, or speculation about next year's needs.

As fans, are we performing better or worse than the coaches and/or players?

 

[Mr. French]

The reply you quoted tried to clarify that is in fact what I was not saying.

I quoted your last breakdown of your point, you've had the same point in multiple posts.

I'd say your points are well known now.

 

[Excalibur]

That’s not what PC fans feel.

This board should be evidence enough for everyone to realize that most fans are morons.

 

[CTBasketball]

Let's all calm down indeed.

This is a 12-page post-game thread that has had very little to do with the game past its initial rush of posts.

After the team's first back-to-back victories in a month, it's been page after page of bitching & bickering. Why?

Instead of bemoaning that the team & season stink after a loss, it's just a festival of complaints about individual players and criticisms of whose posts are more stupid or ignorant. The uptick level in sloppy writing errors is alarming. Whether it's due to stupidity, ignorance, fatigue, or planets being lined up in a row, I can't say, but it's like open season whinging & whining. I couldn't possibly keep up with making corrections, so everybody just have at it. I hope everybody gets it out of their system before post-season play.

There are two more games that will determine seeding for the BE Tournament, and the NCAA tournament after that, and most posts in this thread are focused on faults in roster construction for this year, or speculation about next year's needs.

As fans, are we performing better or worse than the coaches and/or players?

What went well yesterday (in an attempt to change the tide):

1. The Husky fans showed out yesterday big time. We took over Murphys and even started a UCONN chant.
2. Back to back wins by double digits?! Don’t let us get hot!
3. Reed starting to find his legs - needs to keep doing what he’s doing.
4. Hurley showed class on calling TO late to get the PC walk-ons in the game.
5. Coupled with hockey wins and WBB wins, a good weekend to be a Husky.

 

[caw]

Your infatuation with Castle? Lol. Really going out on a limb there are yeah?

Ross is a mid major 10ppg contributor ceiling. Mark my words. There is an awkwardness in his game that doesn’t jive with high a level D1 player. He looks a lot like Ruis Jr, he just doesn’t move like him.

Offensively, yes that is how he looks right now. Defensively he has the tools to be a high major starter IMO, he looks fluid on that end. He's ahead of schedule in terms of where the staff thought he would be coming in as a freshman. He looks way less frenetic compared to the start of the year. It is noticeable. I have hope of him being a true 3/D guy if his shot comes around.

Both Stewart and Ross can be good starters for a good high major school (hopefully UConn) as upperclassmen.

 

[uconngb]

Your infatuation for Jayden Ross should be studied by PHD-level researchers.

It’s either his brother or he is his agent. There is no other explanation that makes rational sense.

 

[superjohn]

Offensively, yes that is how he looks right now. Defensively he has the tools to be a high major starter IMO, he looks fluid on that end. He's ahead of schedule in terms of where the staff thought he would be coming in as a freshman. He looks way less frenetic compared to the start of the year. It is noticeable. I have hope of him being a true 3/D guy if his shot comes around.

Both Stewart and Ross can be good starters for a good high major school (hopefully UConn) as upperclassmen.

Ross is ahead of schedule? He's averaging 1 ppg, and 1 reb in Big East play. What was the schedule?

 

[mauconnfan]

At this point I’m not really hung up on what Hurley says. Like do you think his press conference about Ross to then play him 2 minutes did anything to inspire confidence? I’d say it did exactly the opposite. Actions speak louder than words.

A player does not have a say if a coach doesn’t give them a green light. If you’re Ross and you think if you go out and miss shots or turn the ball over being aggressive you’ll get pulled, that’s not you having a say.

I think we’ve seen from Solo being a 44% 3 point shooter that he’s a pretty hard worker that will get better at what you ask him to work on. It’s pretty clear the directions these players get pushed in.

Alleyne was basically Ross except a shot chucker. He played solid defense, didn’t assist, didn’t rebound, except he put up a shot almost every chance he got… and we let him.

I really hope that we get a chance to see these guys ACTUALLY be relied on and bet on next year so this board can see the importance of having rope and your role.

There were plenty (I don’t think you) of people who were down on Solo going into the summer last year too based on the role he had where he wasn’t asked to do much.

Let’s be honest Ross is not anything close to Alleyne or he’d play more. Alleyne got buckets and big ones once he settled in. Add to that he could guard people. I haven’t seen anything from Ross to show me he deserves more rope at all. As of late Stewie either and its killing their so-called depth.

 

[dennismenace]

Loved to see Tarris diving in the floor and hustling almost above all else. He can be an All-American next year.

The ability to turn around (dominate) the game on both ends of the floor ala Clingan. If he can become more consistent and can consistently get the minutes from Dan Hurley this is literally a game changer. Big Hoss!