Providence Post Game Thread

[RuffRuff]

Some of you all who don’t understand basketball love to equate minutes with opportunity.

Who cares about getting minutes when plays don’t get called for you and if you have any sort of aggression and make a mistake, you get pulled. While seeing your teammates do the same exact thing and not get told anything about it.

But “hey, he was the 5th option on 2 championship teams.”

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.

But that’s why Calhoun actually churned out elite All American players and we’re watching Karaban be the same player as a Senior he was as a sophomore. Holding good players accountable helps them. Babying them doesn’t do anything for them.

Alex is the floor captain.

 

[navery12]

40th ranked offense at Kenpom now. This is a good team, not sure they have the firepower to win the whole thing.

Offense needs to get better, but it's worth noting that 40th ranked offense has the same exact offensive rating as the 2023 championship team which was the 3rd ranked offense. Both teams had/have a 120.8 rating

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Some of you all who don’t understand basketball love to equate minutes with opportunity.

Who cares about getting minutes when plays don’t get called for you and if you have any sort of aggression and make a mistake, you get pulled. While seeing your teammates do the same exact thing and not get told anything about it.

But “hey, he was the 5th option on 2 championship teams.”

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.

But that’s why Calhoun actually churned out elite All American players and we’re watching Karaban be the same player as a Senior he was as a sophomore. Holding good players accountable helps them. Babying them doesn’t do anything for them.

Enough with this “Some of y’all who don’t understand basketball” BS. I don’t know what level you played to but I guarantee it’s equal or just above me, and I have coached before. I am not lecturing people on their knowledge. We all understand the game, we watch a College team religiously for God’s sake. Get off your high horse.

 

[KingAG]

What message do you think it sends a player when they make a mistake being aggressive and they get pulled for it immediately?

I don’t care what Hurley says if he does. His actions say differently.

They aren’t making mistakes being aggressive. They’re actually very passive.

 

[superjohn]

You think Hurley is telling them to not be aggressive? Good God.

They don’t posses an elite offensive skill. I’m 3 years neither had developed a consistent 3 point shot. That’s on them. Make yourself playable. 2 freshman back to back(McNeeley and Braylon) came in more ready to contribute than them.

Yeah but you're talking to someone who played high school basketball in Connecticut. Have a little respect for his expertise on the subject.

 

[RuffRuff]

What message do you think it sends a player when they make a mistake being aggressive and they get pulled for it immediately?

I don’t care what Hurley says if he does. His actions say differently.

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.

 

[navery12]

What message do you think it sends a player when they make a mistake being aggressive and they get pulled for it immediately?

I don’t care what Hurley says if he does. His actions say differently.

I think it says they're not doing what they're out on the floor to do. What Jayden and Jaylin are being asked to do is different than what Alex is being asked to do. And tonight they weren't bringing any of the intangibles apart from the scoring they've never had.

So yes, when Jaylin or Jayden are the 5th option and committing dumb fouls or turnovers they're going to have a shorter leash than Alex who has a lot more responsibility and is a key piece of our offense coming off screens and to make smart passes out of the high post.

 

[FearThePups]

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?

Because Solo hurt it again tonight

 

[superjohn]

Karaban is excruciatingly frustrating at times, but Stew and Ross literally can’t score and have no idea what to do half the time. Add to the fact they sucked on defense tonight, they didn’t deserve any good graces.

It really was tough to watch and it forced Hurley to play Solo who was in excruciating pain and had to gut it out.

 

[KingAG]

I think it says they're not doing what they're out on the floor to do. What Jayden and Jaylin are being asked to do is different than what Alex is being asked to do.

So yes, when Jaylin or Jayden are the 5th option and committing dumb fouls or turnovers they're going to have a shorter leash than Alex who has a lot more responsibility and is a key piece of our offense coming off screens and to make smart passes out of the high post.

And when Alex was asked to play their role in 23 and 24 he thrived in it. Hence earning more responsibility

 

[HW611]

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.

Karaban did the same exact thing. And he missed a layup afterwards. Few plays later had his shot blocked.

Ross had one TO today. Karaban had the same type of turnover. I promise you whatever play you complain about with Ross Karaban has done three times over.

Nobody is saying Ross needs 35 minutes and Karaban needs 12. Just let these guys play freely and hold everyone to the same standard. It’ll help EVERYONE including Karaban be better.

Stop having your heads in the ground about this just because you all want to write off Ross and Stew so bad.

 

[Scottobot]

One way or another, this can’t continue. Either we start playing better or we’re losing some games. But we’re not going to win ugly forever

you have to be really good to go 20-1 and 10-0 in Big East. What was the last UConn team to start 10-0 in Big East?
Yeah we are hoping for a title this year, and its fair to say they are not as good as the top 5 teams, but they are 20-1. The Big East is down this year, but it is still hard to beat these teams and consistently win.

Their strength is they have clutch players. Their weakness is they don’t have someone who gets blazing hot and can score 40

 

[Donyell 360]

When Mullins returns, AK and SB won't have to shoot as much as Mullins will take up some of the volume naturally. They shot more tonight because they had to. I would love to get the ball to Reed more, but it seems we struggle to do that consistently.

I thought PC's defense on AK in the high post was strong. AK had trouble facilitating from the elbow because of the ball pressure. Credit PC. It was a good game plan. As Hurley said postgame, BE teams know us well and how to defend us. The implication is that things might be easier in the NCAA tournament.

I know everyone says the BE is down this year, but what if that is more perception than reality? Maybe not, but it wouldn't shock me if BE teams surprise some people this year. That's assuming we get a few teams in the tourney. PC looks like they aren't dancing without a BE tourney championship. But everyone looks good against us. Sure that may be our fault, but maybe not. Maybe these teams are better than people give them credit for.

Vaaks, Meila, Jones, Sellers are good players.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Karaban did the same exact thing. And he missed a layup afterwards. Few plays later had his shot blocked.

Ross had one TO today. Karaban had the same type of turnover. I promise you whatever play you complain about with Ross Karaban has done three times over.

Nobody is saying Ross needs 35 minutes and Karaban needs 12. Just let these guys play freely and hold everyone to the same standard. It’ll help EVERYONE including Karaban be better.

Stop having your heads in the ground about this just because you all want to write off Ross and Stew so bad.

You seem to be under the impression that the only reason Ross didn’t get more time was one turnover. That is not the only reason.

 

[superjohn]

Enough with this “Some of y’all who don’t understand basketball” BS. I don’t know what level you played to but I guarantee it’s equal or just above me, and I have coached before. I am not lecturing people on their knowledge. We all understand the game, we watch a College team religiously for God’s sake. Get off your high horse.

He played high school basketball in Connecticut, have a little respect.

 

[superjohn]

You seem to be under the impression that the only reason Ross didn’t get more time was one turnover. That is not the only reason.

Ross and Jaylin continue to not take advantage of their opportunities. Tonight was even more frustrating because they both played bad defense.

 

[Donyell 360]

I’ve been saying for awhile the next level for Karaban was developing a post game that would allow him to use his arm length and smarts to score and make plays for others rather than his athleticism.

Long arms like Kevin McHale? That would be sweet. I bet he grew up a McHale fan being from MA. Oh, wait, he is too young to remember McHale.

 

[navery12]

You seem to be under the impression that the only reason Ross didn’t get more time was one turnover. That is not the only reason.

It doesn't seem very hard to understand. Minutes are a zero sum game, and there's only so many minutes for the bench guys when our starters are our best players. So yes, when Malachi is having a great game and getting minutes next to Silas that leaves less for Ross and Stewart. Considering how Malachi was playing I think that's the right call

 

[Donyell 360]

Karaban is excruciatingly frustrating at times, but Stew and Ross literally can’t score and have no idea what to do half the time. Add to the fact they sucked on defense tonight, they didn’t deserve any good graces.

Stewie definitely struggled defensively. Ross at least showed a lot of energy and had that nice tie up (even though it saved PC from a shot clock violation).

 

[Donyell 360]

I really like Silas but everyone talks about what a great defender he is and I just don't see it. Sellers was blowing by him regularly. Silas is very strong and he does a good job reaching in and striping the ball. But he is not that quick to stay in front of guys. Maybe I am blind but I just don't see the greatness on that end. That being said, love his overall game and you can't overstate his importance to this team.

 

[Mr. French]

Don’t put words in my mouth. It’s not right to completely bench someone over one mistake when you then let a guy play without consequence.

Just let guys play and hold them to the same standard. Whether it’s being super critical of every mistake, or allowing guys to play freely through mistakes.

But treat everyone that way.

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.

I think it says they're not doing what they're out on the floor to do. What Jayden and Jaylin are being asked to do is different than what Alex is being asked to do. And tonight they weren't bringing any of the intangibles apart from the scoring they've never had.

So yes, when Jaylin or Jayden are the 5th option and committing dumb fouls or turnovers they're going to have a shorter leash than Alex who has a lot more responsibility and is a key piece of our offense coming off screens and to make smart passes out of the high post.

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.

 

[aboogieee]

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

 

[HooperScooper]

I missed the last 4 minutes after the game switched to TNT, so my observations may be incomplete. But let me start by saying, good game Malachi! I have been one of his biggest critics all year but he played pretty well. He is still struggling to finish in the paint. He struggles so much that he kicks the ball out for 3 on the break even when he has an open lane to the basket. That missed layup was brutal. But when you are 4-4 from 3pt range, I can live with that. (why didn't Smith get charged with a miss on that late clock attempt that was blocked?)

SD played another solid game. He has been our most consistent player. Both SD and MS did a good job getting to the paint and finding the bigs time and again.

ER had a great game and so did TR except for missed freethrows and fouls.

JS and JR were both ok but no offense to speak of. Hurley said in post game they need to be more aggressive.

AK and SB missed 23 shots! Yikes. Not a great game from AK or SB, but each contributed to the win. They were obviously not efficient, but our shots have to come from somewhere and JS and JR don't seem to want to assert themselves. I hear people say SD should shoot more but I hate to mess with his game. Whatever he is doing is working. I think we just have to live with AK and SB sometimes shooting a low percentage. Some teams have volume scorers and when you don't have a lot of offensive options, you take what you can get.

We gave up too many offensive rebounds to their center. We ended up outrebounding them but I think we were being outrebounded most of the game until the end perhaps?

I still can't understand why this Providence team doesn't have more wins. Some of you guys blame Kim English but Hurley doesn't. One thing I know, I don't want to face PC a third or fourth time this year.

A fourth time?

 

[superjohn]

I really like Silas but everyone talks about what a great defender he is and I just don't see it. Sellers was blowing by him regularly. Silas is very strong and he does a good job reaching in and striping the ball. But he is not that quick to stay in front of guys. Maybe I am blind but I just don't see the greatness on that end. That being said, love his overall game and you can't overstate his importance to this team.

Silas is an awesome defender.

 

[HooperScooper]

Offense needs to get better, but it's worth noting that 40th ranked offense has the same exact offensive rating as the 2023 championship team which was the 3rd ranked offense. Both teams had/have a 120.8 rating

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?