Quotes from Today's Practice

[Chief00]

RJ is not the athlete that KO or Taliek and most of the others are. He doesn’t have the combination of size, strength, speed and ups. That seems unarguable.

However, he has more offensive skills than a lot of those on the list, including KO and Taliek. Obviously not than KEA.

Ironically, I think that made KO and Ray comfortable in their roles. KO had Ray to pass to and Taliek had a whole array of shooters to pass to. Made their role simple and defined. No feeling they were missing out.

 

[Mr. French]

I like you math. 4 is half of 12.

And I'd agree that RJ is better offensively than Tate, Ricky, KO and Taliek.

Someone else mentioned Marcus Williams should be on the list. I'd put him slightly above RJ but numerically they are pretty close offensively.

Marcus Williams might have been the best PG in the country when he played.

 

[CL82]

I'm going to shock some here and say something positive about Polley, but he gets out well on the break. Also shoots better in fast break situations. This is part of the reason he doesn't get rebounds of course.

Interestingly, one of the comments from Hurley on Jackson was on his rebounding ability. That is at least a little incompatible with him getting out on the break.

I don’t love the pull up three on the break, unless defenders have beaten you back and settled into the paint. I do agree, though, that is one of Tyler‘s strengths.

I’ve said this all during the off-season, but this team has got to find easy baskets. The quick outlet pass is one way to do that.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Marcus Williams might have been the best PG in the country when he played.

The sub topic we were on was on the PG's offensive capabilities. Marcus is definitely a better passer than RJ but if you look at ppg, fg%, 3pt fg%, FT% they are pretty close.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Interestingly, one of the comments from Hurley on Jackson was on his rebounding ability. That is at least a little incompatible with him getting out on the break.

I don’t love the pull up three on the break, unless defenders have beaten you back and settled into the paint. I do agree, though, that is one of Tyler‘s strengths.

I’ve said this all during the off-season, but this team has got to find easy baskets. The quick outlet pass is one way to do that.

Jackson is by far the best at passing the ball down the court to push the tempo. He had some beauties last year that just hit his teammate in stride at the right angle with the right amount of touch. He is extremely gifted like that. He's also great on the leak out and catching the pass to attack the rim.

 

[husky429]

Interestingly, one of the comments from Hurley on Jackson was on his rebounding ability. That is at least a little incompatible with him getting out on the break.

I don’t love the pull up three on the break, unless defenders have beaten you back and settled into the paint. I do agree, though, that is one of Tyler‘s strengths.

I’ve said this all during the off-season, but this team has got to find easy baskets. The quick outlet pass is one way to do that.

You've gotta tailor that to the player. In the NBA with great shooters, that is a super high % shot.

Outside of Hawkins, Polley, maybe Cole, I wouldn't think transition 3s should be in our wheelhouse.

Also gotta consider that our strength is offensive rebounding with Sanogo and Martin especially. Transitiob 3s make that tougher at times

 

[HuskyHawk]

Interestingly, one of the comments from Hurley on Jackson was on his rebounding ability. That is at least a little incompatible with him getting out on the break.

I don’t love the pull up three on the break, unless defenders have beaten you back and settled into the paint. I do agree, though, that is one of Tyler‘s strengths.

I’ve said this all during the off-season, but this team has got to find easy baskets. The quick outlet pass is one way to do that.

Oh I expect him to sky for balls and immediately spot somebody running down court and throw a Scott Burrell worthy 3/4 court pass for a dunk OR grab the ball and immediately head up court with either a lead guy or a trailer. He's going to have a couple Dr. J style coast to coast dunks.

Polley is money on that pull up 3. I don't want everybody taking it, but that is his best shot (and I honestly don't trust him to convert at the rim).

 

[mauconnfan]

Biggest problem with Cole is he can’t breakdown his defender. Can cause our offense to get stale real quick.

Showed against Maryland, Gaffney came in and could attack the rim, Cole couldn’t.

He did but maybe that game and a couple others. Besides that things were stale more often with his East-West offense. He needs to be that guy he was late versus the Terrapins much more consistently to get more minutes as well as guard off the dribble a lot better. His potential jump in impact could be huge if he improves in those areas. He definitely shot it well enough last year from deep. Will be interesting!

 

[Mr. French]

The sub topic we were on was on the PG's offensive capabilities. Marcus is definitely a better passer than RJ but if you look at ppg, fg%, 3pt fg%, FT% they are pretty close.

Yep, I know. No biggie. I like RJ a lot actually. And I get your point overall.

But Marcus was pretty good at scoring too, and I haven't looked deeply at their numbers. He was a much better offensive player than RJ.

 

[Huskyforlife]

The sub topic we were on was on the PG's offensive capabilities. Marcus is definitely a better passer than RJ but if you look at ppg, fg%, 3pt fg%, FT% they are pretty close.

Marcus played in a much better conference though.

 

[Palatine]

DHam was able to rebound the ball, push it down court and get a lay up, the definition of a one man fastbreak. And he he did it regularly. Not the fastest guy there out there but very fast with the ball.

 

[tower1]

Maybe it's not intentional but your posts come across with a legitimate hatred for RJ

You need to face it, He is an average to below average point guard ! No one hates him just the truth !

 

[The Shot]

You need to face it, He is an average to below average point guard ! No one hates him just the truth !

An average to below average point guard doesn’t get picked preseason second team in the Big East and already have an All-America honorable mention to his name. I think we all agree he’s not Kemba but your take has to be trolling. He’s a good point guard, the only thing debatable is how good.

 

[Umami Zen]

RJ had a year with Covid challenges during the summer last year. He's now coming through a full summer/SnC conditioning off-season ..And had an abbreviated BE season where he's learned about the speed/athleticism of the guards he's playing against.

He's not KEA. But he's a baller with pride. He'll be fine as long as he distributes the ball to his athletes and is found by his teammates when he's open. He's not going to get his shot off by shakin' and bakin'. Got to be open in his spots.

He's surrounded by a lot of talent for the first time in his college career. I think he knows that.

 

[jibsey]

You need to face it, He is an average to below average point guard ! No one hates him just the truth !

He can make 3 point shots. What other guard is doing that consistently for us? Thought so.

 

[NJHusky]

He can make 3 point shots. What other guard is doing that consistently for us? Thought so.

He shot 38%. Gaff shot 36%. From what we hear Hawkins might be the best shooter of the group

 

[jibsey]

He shot 38%. Gaff shot 36%. From what we hear Hawkins might be the best shooter of the group

Right but Cole took and made many more shots than Gaffney, and I hope you're right about Hawkins but we haven't seen it yet.

 

[Greathusky]

I still cringe when I think of Gillespie posting RJ down low last year.

 

[Chief00]

Ricky.

I saw Ricky offensively star in the first half of the 1999 NC against Duke. I also remember Ricky and Iverson square off in person, it was one of the most amazing displays of speed I truly have ever seen on a basketball court. True, defense was Ricky’s strength and years later when AI was a star in The League, he was asked who played the best defense on him and to the reporter’s surprise he mentioned a guy who did not even play in the NBA - Ricky Moore. I never could inderstand why some team in his division didn’t just carry Ricky to harass Allen for 10-15 minutes a game when they played.

 

[Chief00]

Craig 'Ball Pounder' Austrie

Actually, now that you mentioned him, Austrie and Cole had similar playing styles in certain ways.

 

[Giddyup5]

I

You need to face it, He is an average to below average point guard ! No one hates him just the truth !

embarrassing take

 

[Umami Zen]

I saw Ricky offensively star in the first half of the 1999 NC against Duke. I also remember Ricky and Iverson square off in person, it was one of the most amazing displays of speed I truly have ever seen on a basketball court. True, defense was Ricky’s strength and years later when AI was a star in The League, he was asked who played the best defense on him and to the reporter’s surprise he mentioned a guy who did not even play in the NBA - Ricky Moore. I never could inderstand why some team in his division didn’t just carry Ricky to harass Allen for 10-15 minutes a game when they played.

Ricky was quite a talented offensive player in HS. JC sold him on his value to UConn teams as a defensive stopper/glue guy-which he was exceptional at.

Soft spoken dude whose actions spoke louder than his words. Clutch performer.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I still cringe when I think of Gillespie posting RJ down low last year.

We need Martin or Jackson to trap Gillespie every time he tries that this year. If the refs aren't going to call the obvious, multiple offensive fouls, then we can't just let him keep using that move.

 

[Umami Zen]

We have to play smart D on Collin G.. We have defensive help for RJ if CG tries to isolate on RJ.

CG is not an elite athlete but he is smart. He and Jay W work the refs really well and get plenty of favorable calls.

 

[Son of Robert]

Ricky was quite a talented offensive player in HS. JC sold him on his value to UConn teams as a defensive stopper/glue guy-which he was exceptional at.

Soft spoken dude whose actions spoke louder than his words. Clutch performer.

Ricky Moore is a winner with the greatest of competitive hearts. We don't win a 1999 Natty without him.

 

[Dogdeacon]

How can so many focus on a PG or any players foot speed in terms of a TEAMs ability to push the ball and play fast break offense?

1. At the next practice every one of these posters lines up on baseline and dribbles downcourt as fast as they can. Timed.
2. Then have them do it again, but this time they race an outlet pass from Jackson to Cole who takes one dribble and feeds to Sanogo.
I suspect it will turn out that the ball can move faster than anyone can dribble.

 

[husky429]

How can so many focus on a PG or any players foot speed in terms of a TEAMs ability to push the ball and play fast break offense?

1. At the next practice every one of these posters lines up on baseline and dribbles downcourt as fast as they can. Timed.
2. Then have them do it again, but this time they race an outlet pass from Jackson to Cole who takes one dribble and feeds to Sanogo.
I suspect it will turn out that the ball can move faster than anyone can dribble.

I used to do this when I was working with the freshman team and I was still coaching. If you do it right, it can make a pretty good message to the team about moving the ball with the pass.

 

[Fatroony5]

We have to play smart D on Collin G.. We have defensive help for RJ if CG tries to isolate on RJ.

CG is not an elite athlete but he is smart. He and Jay W work the refs really well and get plenty of favorable calls.

What Jay Wright teaches his guards to do (and his team in general) so well is utilizing ball fakes, jump stops, and elite footwork. Sure Gillespie isn’t a “great athlete” but it gets back to not needing elite speed to be an efficient point guard. He gets to his spots, changes speeds, and keeps defenders on their heels. Damn impressive watching what Villanova does with their guards on the block. You can tell most guards aren’t prepared for it and aren’t exactly sure how to defend it.

 

[Deadrody]

RJ might have the mindset to push the ball. He just doesn't have the ability.

Seriously? Put RJ, KO and Taliek on the foul line and have them spring to the next foul line and RJ is decidedly in third place.

I don't have any animus or malice towards RJ but I am concerned about UConn wanting to go deep in the NCAA with a PG who can't force the tempo. He's below average in height, arm span, speed and jumping. He's a bit stocky and can shoot the ball from deep. But man do I wish there was another guard who could play and clearly make RJ the second best PG on the roster.

Huh. Sounds like KEA. And gosh, UConn was terrible when he was PG, I guess.

 

[Deadrody]

Marcus Williams always gets forgotten when talking UConn point guards. Was a good one too. Like Doron, a great passer up the court to facilitate fast break even though he was not the most dynamic athlete.

Indeed. And his lack of athleticism is likely a major contributor to him not having much of an NBA career. Which is why those things aren't the be-all, end-all in college hoops. RJ will be just fine and I'm sure they can run just fine with him at PG.