Rahsool Diggins’ HS coach supporting UConn men’s basketball frosh

[Fairfield_1st]

This assumes a game is the only place players can develop whereas a far bigger percentage of player development, coaching & improvement takes place in practice. We see 40 minutes of a guy sitting & that's our total context of his progression. Coach can run players in various scenarios for hours in practices to try and get them ready for games. Yes there is almost nothing like game conditions, but you can get darn close and develop & gauge how ready players are to step out under the brightest lights. Plus you can start & stop scrimmages on the spot to correct errors live - that teaching is often better for development than trial & error on the bigger stage where people like myself unfairly judge Diggins for 2 minutes.

What I said was they need game time for it to "slow down" for them. I didn't assume it's the only place for them to develop, I'm not that stupid. I know there's all sort of development that goes on in practice, but I wasn't addressing that. I didn't play sports past high school and didn't coach, so it's just my uneducated feeling. I feel like there's something to be said for real game speed against players you don't see every day in practice. There's also a level of pressure being in the game in front of a crowd and TV audiences that doesn't happen in practice.

 

[Husky Alien]

My fear is the one we're not supposed to discuss here, but we're all thinking.

Really! You had to go there? I have been thinking about that 6 games back and how it may trickle down to future players also.

 

[Dogdeacon]

What I said was they need game time for it to "slow down" for them. I didn't assume it's the only place for them to develop, I'm not that stupid. I know there's all sort of development that goes on in practice, but I wasn't addressing that. I didn't play sports past high school and didn't coach, so it's just my uneducated feeling. I feel like there's something to be said for real game speed against players you don't see every day in practice. There's also a level of pressure being in the game in front of a crowd and TV audiences that doesn't happen in practice.

Shouldn't have implied tunnel vision game only thinking as strongly as I did towards you, I was also responding more to the overall theme in thread that Diggins definitionally isn't developing and career trajectory is predetermined based on his limited minutes. This is the only metric we have so its not without merit.

To rephrase my point; minutes played & earned in games is a good way to gauge how good a player performs during the entirety of his time with the team but not a good way to either ensure or assess that he is developing & progressing. In the past players like Toraino Walker, Marcus White & Kirk King had mostly limited minutes their frosh or early years, then emerged late & played key roles. That's still on the table for Diggins & Sampson.

There is definitely a difference between practice vs game pressure, speed and playing in 'big games'. I've said in other threads that I think Hawkins is now at the point that he is mostly reliable at home & less likely to perform well on road (stats vs Nova a good sign for Hawk) and this still happens even for NBA reserves. And of course obviously you can't perform in games until you play in games & occasionally it can be only that highest pressure that brings the diamond out of the rough.

 

[Matt1010]

Gaff hasn't proven he deserves to be in over Diggins. Martin has spurts when he's hot but he has been terrible around the rim and then he'll go into hiding. I don't understand how Diggin's can't even get a few minutes a game to get on the court to just get some experience on the stage. Put him with Cole and let him just get comfortable. Let Diggins handle the ball and let's see. We just saw what happens with foul trouble and injuries this past Nova game. Johnson hasn't played and then gets thrown into the fire.

No clue why you included Martin in this comment because he has been great this year. The guy is averaging 13/6/2 on 48/44/63 percent shooting splits and is a great defender. He also has the best 2pt FG% on the team besides our 2 bigs, so saying he's been terrible around the rim is likely just bias from last year.

I'm all for giving Diggins a few minutes but if it comes at the expense of Martin we are in big trouble. Take them from Gaffney/Polley and maybe a few from Jackson.

 

[Kathy]

huh? no you're missing the point. that list is clearly showing that over the past 30 years the freshmen that average under 10 mpg seldom pan out. doesnt matter if it's due to roster construction or otherwise, they just usually arent good enough.

My point is different coach, different reasons for not playing. Some of those guys didn't play because they weren't as good as those ahead of them and probably shouldn't have been recruited to begin with. I am hoping that is not the case here.

 

[Dogdeacon]

And then there is the case of Ajou Ajou Deng.

Why bring THAT up?!
Two theories:
A (99%): Ajou Ajou Deng was a big deal ONLY because he was mentioned as the team's best player on the 1999 final four telecast by professional hyperbolists Billy Packer & Dick Vitale. And it was purposefully spoon fed to the ravenous 'act like I know more than everyone' Packer as a smoke-screen to lower everyone's radar on how good the 1999 Huskies actually were so that they could smoke the heavily favored Dookies. Also revenge for Packer single-handedly getting Chris Smith's crossover dribble called for half a dozen carries a few years earlier.

B (1% chance): There was some brief window where practice Ajou was as good or better than younger brother Luol who had a very good NBA career. Whether the practice performances would have or could have translated to games is a dubious proposition at best given what we saw and health, but it is at least theoretically possible.

 

[Greedo]

huh? no you're missing the point. that list is clearly showing that over the past 30 years the freshmen that average under 10 mpg seldom pan out. doesnt matter if it's due to roster construction or otherwise, they just usually arent good enough.

I had the same thought as Kathy. It’s a different coach. Are there freshmen that Calhoun played 10+ minutes that are not showing up on this list that would have played fewer minutes under Hurley? We’ll never know. But it’s not comparing apples to apples with a different coach.

 

[Mr. French]

Gaff hasn't proven he deserves to be in over Diggins. Martin has spurts when he's hot but he has been terrible around the rim and then he'll go into hiding. I don't understand how Diggin's can't even get a few minutes a game to get on the court to just get some experience on the stage. Put him with Cole and let him just get comfortable. Let Diggins handle the ball and let's see. We just saw what happens with foul trouble and injuries this past Nova game. Johnson hasn't played and then gets thrown into the fire.

Ultimately, I agree. The kid's a top 50 recruit, how horrific can he be?

My main issue with Gaffney is that he doesn't really DO anything ... he's just kinda there. I'm positive Diggins can at least do that.

My other main issue, at many have said, is that he could have gotten some game action early in the season. I also understand wanting to develop the chemistry with the main guys first, before thinking about the frosh, but man I can't imagine for 7-10 mins a game Diggins couldn't play the 1 and just not screw up too bad while Cole runs the 2 or gets some rest.

While saying all that, I do think this is more unique than others in the past and I truly believe he will be fine if everyone sticks to the game plan ... by next year he'll have a much bigger role. I just hope he isn't soured. Every kid wants to play, but a lot of kids can still have that mentality of waiting and working for their chance. That's my hope for Sool. I am geeked for him as a player.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think people are missing some key details. Diggins hasn’t been good in the limited minutes he has played. Gaffney has been better than people think. Better than 2-1 assist to turnovers ratio. Shooting 80% at the line. His 3 point shooting is way down, but his defense has been much better. He’s pretty much what you want in a 15 mpg backup PG.

As for Diggins, back when UConn wasn’t handling the press he seemed viable. But then we learned to keep Jackson back and that issue vanished. I don‘t see much room to get him minutes right now. Next year will be interesting if Cole returns. In some ways the team has too many guards compared to past UConn teams.

 

[bendm]

Next year will be interesting if Cole returns. In some ways the team has too many guards compared to past UConn teams.

a pu pu platter of Gs but quality > quantity

 

[freescooter]

Incredibly rare for a top tier point guard not to get off the bench, especially when that is a need for his team. We desperately needed a stud. Hurley apparently brought in a project. And the nonsense about expecting more out of Gaffney is exactly that…nonsense. Coaches recruit over guys all the time, especially back up point guards. To me this was a huge miss.

 

[husky429]

I think people are missing some key details. Diggins hasn’t been good in the limited minutes he has played. Gaffney has been better than people think. Better than 2-1 assist to turnovers ratio. Shooting 80% at the line. His 3 point shooting is way down, but his defense has been much better. He’s pretty much what you want in a 15 mpg backup PG.

As for Diggins, back when UConn wasn’t handling the press he seemed viable. But then we learned to keep Jackson back and that issue vanished. I don‘t see much room to get him minutes right now. Next year will be interesting if Cole returns. In some ways the team has too many guards compared to past UConn teams.

I don't have much of an opinion on Diggins.

But I do think that Gaffney has been a disappointment. The raw numbers don't show the stalling offense, tentativeness, etc. Do we know his box +/- ??? His offensive rating is certainly a bit lower than the other guys getting decent minutes (other than Jackson)

 

[mauconnfan]

I think people are missing some key details. Diggins hasn’t been good in the limited minutes he has played. Gaffney has been better than people think. Better than 2-1 assist to turnovers ratio. Shooting 80% at the line. His 3 point shooting is way down, but his defense has been much better. He’s pretty much what you want in a 15 mpg backup PG.

As for Diggins, back when UConn wasn’t handling the press he seemed viable. But then we learned to keep Jackson back and that issue vanished. I don‘t see much room to get him minutes right now. Next year will be interesting if Cole returns. In some ways the team has too many guards compared to past UConn teams.

Gaff has been awful. Take away the early cupcakes he hasn’t made a positive impact on either end of the court. He’s killing Cole by not being able to give us quality minutes and hurting the rotation. In no way HH has he been better than people think, no way.

 

[navery12]

I don't have much of an opinion on Diggins.

But I do think that Gaffney has been a disappointment. The raw numbers don't show the stalling offense, tentativeness, etc. Do we know his box +/- ??? His offensive rating is certainly a bit lower than the other guys getting decent minutes (other than Jackson)

His BPM is 2.2, 8th highest. Only rotation player lower is Hawkins. It's -0.3 on offense though so it's been bad, 2.3 on defense

 

[UConnSwag11]

I think people are missing some key details. Diggins hasn’t been good in the limited minutes he has played. Gaffney has been better than people think. Better than 2-1 assist to turnovers ratio. Shooting 80% at the line. His 3 point shooting is way down, but his defense has been much better. He’s pretty much what you want in a 15 mpg backup PG.

As for Diggins, back when UConn wasn’t handling the press he seemed viable. But then we learned to keep Jackson back and that issue vanished. I don‘t see much room to get him minutes right now. Next year will be interesting if Cole returns. In some ways the team has too many guards compared to past UConn teams.

I’m sorry but Gaff stats are not good and his defense isn’t either. He hasn’t made a three pointer since UEMS on 11/30 and then BING on 11/20 before UEMS. Hurley has gone more to Jackson to handle the ball with Cole on the floor and without Cole on the floor.

Diggins has played in 5 games - LIU 7 minutes, BING 3 minutes, GRAM 12 minutes, BUT 3 minutes, GTWN 3 minutes. He’s played 28 minutes the whole season. The minutes are there for Diggins. I’m not saying Diggins is the answer right now. But if Gaffney was serviceable we wouldn’t be having this discussion. We forget that we have Floyd next year too. Next year is when minutes are more likely to not be there

 

[HuskyHawk]

Gaff has been awful. Take away the early cupcakes he hasn’t made a positive impact on either end of the court. He’s killing Cole by not being able to give us quality minutes and hurting the rotation. In no way HH has he been better than people think, no way.

His D has been better than last year. His assists are up and turnovers are down. His shooting has been awful. Is he disappointing? Yes, because we've been hoping he'd make a leap and be a strong rotation player and he hasn't done it.

 

[UConnSwag11]

His D has been better than last year. His assists are up and turnovers are down. His shooting has been awful. Is he disappointing? Yes, because we've been hoping he'd make a leap and be a strong rotation player and he hasn't done it.

Jalen Gaffney College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Jalen Gaffney - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

 

[HuskyHawk]

Jalen Gaffney College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Jalen Gaffney - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

Yes. It supports what I've said. His defensive rating is up. His assists are the highest they've been by a lot and his Assist to turnover ratio is the best it has been. Rebounding better too. Everything but shooting.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Yes. It supports what I've said. His defensive rating is up. His assists are the highest they've been by a lot and his Assist to turnover ratio is the best it has been. Rebounding better too. Everything but shooting.

Season	School	Conf	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	2P	2PA	2P%	3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2019-20	UConn	AAC	18	11	23.9	1.6	4.7	.329	1.0	2.4	.419	0.6	2.3	.238	1.4	1.8	.813	0.3	1.4	1.7	2.5	1.0	0.0	1.5	1.3	5.1
2020-21	UConn	Big East	17	2	17.8	1.8	4.2	.417	1.1	2.2	.474	0.7	2.0	.353	1.2	1.4	.833	0.2	1.2	1.5	1.6	0.6	0.0	1.3	1.5	5.4
2021-22	UConn	Big East	10	0	10.0	0.4	2.2	.182	0.4	1.6	.250	0.0	0.6	.000	1.1	1.1	1.000	0.1	0.7	0.8	1.8	0.4	0.2	1.0	1.2	1.9

 

[Fatroony5]

Good point on factoring in the DNPs.

Rahsool's recorded 14 DNPs out of 21 total games (.667) and Johnson's recorded 11 DNPs out of 21 total games (.524). Who knows how their seasons will finish out, but the guys from the above list that had at DNPs in at least 50% of the games from their freshman seasons:

2012-13: Leon Tolksdorf (19 DNPs out of possible 30 games - .633)
2010-11: Enosch Wolf (27/33 - .818)
2009-10: Jamaal Trice (23/34 - .676)
2008-09: Scottie Haralson (19/36 - .528)
2006-07: Ben Eaves (20/31 - .645)
2005-06: Rob Garrison (17/34 - .500)
2001-02: Chad Wise (23/34 - .676)
2000-01: Robert Swain (21/32 - .656)
1997-98: Albert Mouring (22/37 - .595)
1996-97: Sam Funches (17/33 - .515)
1994-95: Ruslan Inyatkin (20/33 - .606)

Ooooof… not great.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Season	School	Conf	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	2P	2PA	2P%	3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2019-20	UConn	AAC	18	11	23.9	1.6	4.7	.329	1.0	2.4	.419	0.6	2.3	.238	1.4	1.8	.813	0.3	1.4	1.7	2.5	1.0	0.0	1.5	1.3	5.1
2020-21	UConn	Big East	17	2	17.8	1.8	4.2	.417	1.1	2.2	.474	0.7	2.0	.353	1.2	1.4	.833	0.2	1.2	1.5	1.6	0.6	0.0	1.3	1.5	5.4
2021-22	UConn	Big East	10	0	10.0	0.4	2.2	.182	0.4	1.6	.250	0.0	0.6	.000	1.1	1.1	1.000	0.1	0.7	0.8	1.8	0.4	0.2	1.0	1.2	1.9

Why are you using ten games worth of stats?

Per 40 Minutes​

Conference

Season	School	Conf	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	2P	2PA	2P%	3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2019-20	UConn	AAC	31	11	595	2.6	7.6	.336	1.6	4.0	.400	0.9	3.6	.264	2.0	2.6	.769	2.6	4.4	1.3	0.0	2.4	2.8	8.1
2020-21	UConn	Big East	23	4	446	3.9	9.4	.410	2.3	5.2	.448	1.5	4.2	.362	3.3	4.0	.822	3.1	3.1	1.6	0.3	2.4	3.2	12.6
2021-22	UConn	Big East	21	0	325	3.6	10.7	.333	2.3	6.5	.358	1.2	4.2	.294	4.8	6.0	.796	4.6	6.6	2.0	0.2	3.1	4.2	13.2
Career	UConn		75	15	1366	3.2	8.9	.361	2.0	5.0	.404	1.2	3.9	.306	3.1	3.9	.797	3.2	4.5	1.6	0.1	2.6	3.3	10.7

 

[Fatroony5]

I was fine with them not adding a transfer, but it does seem like Hurley maybe misevaluated the roster a bit with Gaff & Diggins. The lack of improvement from Gaff has hurt. Coming into the season, I thought we’d see Diggins get some run too, maybe 5-10 minutes a game, so it’s still surprising to see how many DNPs he has. Ideally he’d be playing in spurts and starting to develop.

 

[superjohn]

Why are you using ten games worth of stats?

Per 40 Minutes​

Conference

Season	School	Conf	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	2P	2PA	2P%	3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2019-20	UConn	AAC	31	11	595	2.6	7.6	.336	1.6	4.0	.400	0.9	3.6	.264	2.0	2.6	.769	2.6	4.4	1.3	0.0	2.4	2.8	8.1
2020-21	UConn	Big East	23	4	446	3.9	9.4	.410	2.3	5.2	.448	1.5	4.2	.362	3.3	4.0	.822	3.1	3.1	1.6	0.3	2.4	3.2	12.6
2021-22	UConn	Big East	21	0	325	3.6	10.7	.333	2.3	6.5	.358	1.2	4.2	.294	4.8	6.0	.796	4.6	6.6	2.0	0.2	3.1	4.2	13.2
Career	UConn		75	15	1366	3.2	8.9	.361	2.0	5.0	.404	1.2	3.9	.306	3.1	3.9	.797	3.2	4.5	1.6	0.1	2.6	3.3	10.7

Why is he using Big East games? Because it's by far the most important part of a season, makes up the bulk of your schedule and eliminates the inflated stats players tend to get against cupcakes.

Gaffney's 4 best games where he compiled stats that weren't horrible are against Central CT., Coppin State LIU, and Grambling.

 

[UConnSwag11]

I was fine with them not adding a transfer, but it does seem like Hurley maybe misevaluated the roster a bit with Gaff & Diggins. The lack of improvement from Gaff has hurt. Coming into the season, I thought we’d see Diggins get some run too, maybe 5-10 minutes a game, so it’s still surprising to see how many DNPs he has. Ideally he’d be playing in spurts and starting to develop.

Agreed. I think the problem is what you stated and also we haven't made the change whether it's sudden or gradually. Hawkins not having a great handle has also has hurt us as well

 

[navery12]

Agreed. I think the problem is what you stated and also we haven't made the change whether it's sudden or gradually. Hawkins not having a great handle has also has hurt us as well

He may not have made the change we all wanted here, but Gaffney's minutes have slowly been cut throughout the year