Quotes from Today's Practice

[imno1]

In before some look foolish because of their lack of faith in RJ

 

[Chief00]

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’s dad is a great guy too. Had a nice conversation with him before the OSU game. He had a good feel for the mindset of the team.

 

[Chin Diesel]

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.

On the real world of basketball you either need someone with very good to elite vision to pass the ball vertically up the court. AJ iso oh UConn player who can jump levels of players transitioning down the court with a pass.

So, yes, the basics are if you can't pass the ball down the court, speed with the ball is your next option.

Why this confuses Uconn's fans with regards to this roster, I don't know nor will I try to convince them otherwise.

 

[karstenkibbe]

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

Interesting, Chief. But I’m going to disagree here. I find Gaffney’s game a much better comp to Austrie. Both very methodical, lots of east-west passing, not going to turn the ball over much - primarily due to lack of risk taking (minus the occasional aggressive drive to the basket).

I actually have a hard time coming up with a solid UConn comp for Cole over the last 30 years.

 

[ZenConn]

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.

^^ This. A teams ability to run consists of rebounding, everyone running and one or two extra passes including the outlet unless you have someone like Kevin Love rebounding the ball. Jackson will be key component of our transition game when he's in.

 

[Chief00]

Interesting, Chief. But I’m going to disagree here. I find Gaffney’s game a much better comp to Austrie. Both very methodical, lots of east-west passing, not going to turn the ball over much - primarily due to lack of risk taking (minus the occasional aggressive drive to the basket).

I actually have a hard time coming up with a solid UConn comp for Cole over the last 30 years.

Gaffney is pretty athletic, I have never seen a guy hide it so well in games, except for some glimpses. Maybe being adverse to risk taking as you suggest is part of it? The MD game put it on display on a big stage. He needs to display it consistently but he does have the ability.

 

[Chief00]

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 agree to a certain extent but if the someone on the defense gets back then you need a push guy to get the defense to commit, thus leaving someone open.

 

[ucp990411]

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.

This is what I think AJ can do