Providence Post Game Thread

[Donyell 360]

I have to credit Hurley for sticking with Smith. I gave up on him a while ago but Hurley didn't. We don't need Smith to go 4-4 from 3 but we do need him to play with confidence. Now if he could just get confident finishing at the rim and from the stripe. I didn't see the last 4 minutes. Smith was 0-1 from the line. Did he miss a front end late?

 

[HW611]

Calhoun didn’t even give this level of rope to Charlie Villanueva. There’s no such thing as earning unlimited mistakes. Not holding someone accountable does not make them better..

Fwiw. Charlie got 25 minutes a game his sophomore year.

Karaban hasn’t averaged under 30 since his sophomore year and averaged 28 as a freshman lol.

Karaban is not this super indispensable player man.

 

[Donyell 360]

A fourth time?

3. BE tourney
4. NCAA tourney (they probably need to win BE tourney to get there)

 

[HooperScooper]

3. BE tourney
4. NCAA tourney (they probably need to win BE tourney to get there)

Probably? I guess but that ain’t happening for PC.

 

[HW611]

Brother, you just talked about Karaban making big plays and said if Ross has the same opportunities he’d do the same thing. You think everyone is equal at the D1 level? Whether it’s coaching or shooting, they aren’t the same. Karaban has earned more rope. That’s the reality.

If ross got all the same opportunities for the big plays Karaban has over 4 years, you know what’s most likely? Ross wouldn’t make them and we’d lose. Not just Ross, but lots of guys. You seem to think the only difference is the opportunities to make the play.

It’s wild to have these takes.



This dude that knows more ball than anyone on earth thinks every player has the same skill and same role and it’s the D1 coach job to make sure they all get equal shots and opportunities.

I believe I was talking about Stew as far as opportunities go. And no, I don’t think everyone is equal at a D1 level.

But I don’t think the guy that Hurley has tried his best to give every opportunity to and put in every position to succeed yet still has these kind of struggles as a senior is this high bar to clear.

Opportunities a more talented player like Stew would kill to have to be able to freely showcase his talent.

 

[HW611]

Alex had sets in ’24, but his cutting was on another level.

Not many know how to have this nuanced of a basketball conversation man.

I think Stew has shown the ability to be a good cutter as well. I’m not sure if it’s Alex’s level, but I remember a few of his off script cuts from this year.

 

[KingAG]

I believe I was talking about Stew as far as opportunities go. And no, I don’t think everyone is equal at a D1 level.

But I don’t think the guy that Hurley has tried his best to give every opportunity to and put in every position to succeed yet still has these kind of struggles as a senior is this high bar to clear.

Opportunities a more talented player like Stew would kill to have to be able to freely showcase his talent.

You think Stewie is more talented than Karaban? Lmao

 

[Donyell 360]

Because Solo hurt it again tonight

But he was missing shots before he aggravated it. I'm sure the wrist has been an issue, even when he shot it better against Nova. Hurley said he needs to stop falling to the ground because that's how he reinjures it. But his leaping is part of what makes him effective at the rim. Not sure he is big enough to play off 2 feet in the paint.

 

[HW611]

You think Stewie is more talented than Karaban? Lmao

I do not want this conversation to become to critical of Alex so I’m stopping here.

Yes, he is more talented. This treatment he’s been getting has also done nothing to actually make him a better player. This is a two folded issue for everyone involved and I’d like for the focus to stay there.

Nobody gets better by babying them.

 

[Donyell 360]

Probably? I guess but that ain’t happening for PC.

I hadn't done the math, just giving them the benefit of the doubt. If they win out and win 2 games in the BE tournament but lose in the final, They finish 12-8 in BE regular season and 21-12 overall. Might not be enough but at least makes them a bubble team. But agree with you, it is not happening anyway.

 

[Mr. French]

My god, these are some takes. Especially for a basketball genius.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Someone really needs to let Hurley know what an idiot he’s being for gifting all this unearned opportunity to the two-time champ shooting 48/42/85 on 10+ attempts a game this year.

 

[Scottobot]

We don't win with out them, that's why he's lenient with them.

yeah Hurley must be crazy to play the guys that come through time and time again and win games. What he is thinking?, why would he trust these guys that always do the right thing and find a way to win? Why would he trust a guy who has been a starter for 4 straight years, won 2 national titles, 13 ncaa games, and is current the captain on a 20-1 team currently ranked #2 in country.

 

[Scottobot]

I am tired of hearing about the wrist. I didn't hear about it last game when he played well. If it's that big an issue why is he playing?

Did you watch the game tonight? Seems like an odd comment because it was obvious he aggravated it tonight.

 

[HW611]

I could see it now. Next good game he has some idiot is going to come out and say “oh but Ross should be playing over him”. Something that was never said.

 

[navery12]

Interesting. I read an article the other day that was pointing out how good offenses are this season. So that relates to your point. But since we’d be competing against better offenses than the 2022-2023 team isn’t the ranking more appropriate than just the offensive efficiency number?

Yes and no. The actual offensive efficiency is ultimately the piece that really matters because that's what measures how you're playing and your ability to score. There are a few truly elite offenses that are in a league of their own at the top, but the reality is once you get past the first 10 or so teams the gap is very minimal. The gap from 1-10 is the same as 10-45, so there's a big grouping in the middle where there's a huge variance in ranking but very minimal tangible difference in scoring efficiency

 

[dalydosehoops]

UConn toughs out win over Providence, completes season sweep of Friars

Tarris Reed, Jr. led UConn with 19 points as Huskies completed season sweep of Providence. (Photo by Jessica Hill/Associated Press) By Pete...

dalydoseofhoops.blogspot.com

 

[HW611]

My god, these are some takes. Especially for a basketball genius.

So disingenuous when I’m not pulling this stuff out of nowhere. I’m referencing a true basketball genius in Jim Calhoun. But you’d rather avoid that and attack me instead.

 

[uconnfan68]

View attachment 116488

Getting shaky with the penmanship. I get it, lots of agita.

 

[Scrutineer]

They still think Providence is going to the tournament.

The way they score, anything can happen.
Remember Georgetown a few years ago?
I don't think Dan Hurley wants to see them in MSG, especially if we're not fully healthy.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

I do not want this conversation to become to critical of Alex so I’m stopping here.

Yes, he is more talented. This treatment he’s been getting has also done nothing to actually make him a better player. This is a two folded issue for everyone involved and I’d like for the focus to stay there.

Nobody gets better by babying them.

It's weird to ignore that Hurley has watched and rewatched these guys play thousands of hours of basketball at this point. It's not like these games are the first time he's watching these guys play. Id wager he knows how each of them will typically react individually to rough patches and how the team reacts to them, too. Based on his decisions on when to keep players on and sub out Id say he's probably showing us that understanding of what those players are likely to do, or not do.

Hurley certainly has a responsibility to make these players better, but ultimately his priority is to win games, and the decisions he makes are to further that goal first and foremost. Obviously he's not going to be infallible with his decision making but I'd say his results speak pretty well for themselves. So maybe get off your soap box and let the guy who clearly knows what he's doing coach

 

[caw]

Ross had an easy open lane jumper today that he didn’t pull, then dribbled up when he didn’t need to, looked indecisive and proceeded to miss a 5 footer. The entire time he looked unsure and awkward. He’s a role player and a specialist.

I'm not trying to butt into this argument but he's still rusty. He is slowly looking better every game since he's been back. He is a role player that hasn't gotten a ton of actual game reps in his first two years, he is going to take some time to actually get back to where he was (which was a very good role player who a 3/D with some decent midrange). Mullins being out a few games is really a good opportunity for him to get back to game speed.

 

[dennismenace]

Sellers, Jones, and Vaaks got to the rim early, often, and at will. Our defense on dribble drives was not good at all.

Those guys are all very long ( 6-7) and are really good at driving to the basket. Since charging fouls are practically non existent you need to have either good shotblockers or mobile forwards to stop them. I see our centers both too far from the post area to timely help out. Jayden and Jaylen (one or the other) are not enough to stop multiple guys like these.

BTW, How about a standing ovation for a flagrant foul being called for jersey grabbing! When did anyone see this last time? Is Hurley or our AD getting to someone upstairs? Mullins and Solo probably will probably need skin grafts after the season.

 

[cp176]

It was a tough game to watch once again for sure but a win is a win. They are still a dominant team in the country. Reibe, Smith, Demary were fun to watch tonight though. When Reed gets the ball in the right spots he is very very tough. I hate seeing him receive the ball at the mid post. Not to be particularly critical of either Ross or Stewart, but no way should Karaban take a seat for very long for either of them to get minutes. Even in a bad game, Karaban’s leadership and steady influence on the floor is really needed. When you enter the game in critical situations, you can’t immediately turn the ball over and expect to be able to be allowed to play through it. That is just the way it goes if you want to win.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

The good: 20-1

The bad: This is the worst we’ve looked all year and I don’t like the trend over the last 5 games. Ross and Stewart aren’t giving much.

Fair take.

Last night was a prime example of how not having a full squad affects the synergy of the halfcourt offense.

For example, not having Mullins on the floor didn’t really have an affect on the centers because their roles don’t change as much with the guys around them. Personally, I loved seeing Reed out on the perimeter early in the game to mess w/ Oswin’s one-man zone low post hawking. It worked and got him in foul trouble.

But Mullins is such a confident all-around player while Ross/Stewart just don’t have that red-eye confidence on offense, and then that puts more pressure on Karaban, who started OK, but had an off night. Then if that layer is affected, then spacing for the guards is hindered…compounding effects.

Bottom line, I’m confident this staff can adjust over time with injuries, but it makes sense that the first game without Mullins would be trying.

Just keep winnin’