Room for Badams today?

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Philadelphia, PA

Former UConn starter and 30 mpg guard Brendan Adams has been a DNP coach’s decision for a couple games. Much how Senior big man Josh Carlton re-emerged vs Providence College on Tuesday to much up against the big and physical Nate Watson, will Adams be needed to help contain Villanova’s crafty veteran backcourt? At the very least, his fouls may be needed to avoid trouble for key backcourt teammates Jalen Gaffney, RJ Cole, and Big East POY candidate Sophomore James Bouknight.

 

[nadavtheman]

If he sees the floor then things are not going well for the good guys.

 

[businesslawyer]

If he sees the floor then things are not going well for the good guys.

Nah. I see us playing a lot of small today, especially if Akok and Polley are both minutes limited. Adams playing isn’t necessarily a sign of panic. Frankly, I’m fine with him playing with Bouk back and less (make that no) pressure to take shots that fall to him. With Bouk out, playing the 2 I’m sure he felt pressure to score.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Out of the remaining games this regular season, this is the most likely. I do not trust Sanogo or Carlton's ability to guard anyone on Nova aside from Eric Dixson so Adams can be that wing (along with Martin/Jackson/Bouk) to guard either Nova's guards/wings who all have size.

Bottom line, Whaley needs to be on JRE all game and only Akok should spell Whaley if needed. If Akok isn't ready to play, then Whaley's defense will be the #2 factor in this game, just behind UConn's ability to his threes (since Nova stinks at that).

Back to Adams, I trust him (and really any of our wings) to guard anyone on the team aside from JRE, so we'll need Adams' five fouls today.

I mentioned in another thread that I love the Polley defensive matchup on Cole Swider. It allows us Polley to maximize his value as a spot shooter while guarding a guy who doesn't do much besides shoot threes...just follow Swider along the perimeter and Polley will be fine on D. Another interesting defensive matchup is Bouk on Swider, especially if Bouk gets in foul trouble. It allows Bouk to stay in the game and have a simple defensive assignment so he can maximize his PT on the offensive end.

 

[AntG168]

I can see adams in spot minutes. Especially on Gillespie

 

[mauconnfan]

Nova's guards are all fairly physical and like to force their way in when not making shots. Gillespie, Moore, Daniels and Samuels all will back their defenders in so Brendan will get some minutes I would think. Cole is tough but small and Gaff has been backed down in the past so there should be some minutes available to BA.

 

[Kitaman]

Adams is a 3 year player with experience. He will be ready when his number is called.

He has value and is not a liability.

 

[HuskyFich]

Nova is going to go right at Whaley. We need a lot of fronting JRE today if possible

 

[Hoophound]

I was hoping you guys would pile on Adams more. It would pretty much guarantee he scores 20 points.

 

[Mister P]

He might have a small part of a rotation to D up against Novas guards and to defense against their 3 point shooting. I think the key of the game is to protect the 3 point shooting of Nova.

Jackson needs his minutes upped even more because of his defensive quickness and length. He has stood out at how quick he can go from helping out sliding over across the paint to help guard a big down low then rotate back to the player he is defending who is behind the 3 in the weak side corner.

Protect the 3 and let our biggest big do his part down low.

 

[UConnStats]

Nova is going to go right at Whaley. We need a lot of fronting JRE today if possible

yeah I expect a ton of JRE after Mamu and Freemantle killed us

 

[ToolzieFan]

Today would be a great day for Brendan Adams to channel his inner Terrence Samuel and provide some meaningful minutes if needed. At the very least, he’s capable of providing a few minutes of hard-nosed defense if needed, whether due to foul trouble or fatigue.

 

[mauconnfan]

Nova is going to go right at Whaley. We need a lot of fronting JRE today if possible

Notice we never front anyone, why I have no idea. We will live and die with how well we get our hands straight up, stay out of foul trouble and be sure to make their possessions one and done. They're going to make shots, we have to also. But how we rebound the ball will be a key, no more excessive need to block too many shots instead box out and get the boards. Also don't rush to to the shooter without being in control to stop their first step. We get burnt rushing to the shooter and he catches and blows by creating easy opportunities on the interior. Defense needs to be on their feet and precise at all times, good ball fakers for Nova. Stay on the ground and use your length to change their shot not your jumping ability.

 

[CL82]

We have seen this before with Hurley. It seems like he either loves you or hates you in terms of playing time. It wouldn’t surprise me though if Adams got a message “this is what I want you to do”. I think he’ll play a good role defensively in this game.

 

[polycom]

Yes there is room for him on the bench today. If he plays that means it is going super well or super bad.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

never the star, but a welcome addition to any table.
there's always room for jello.

 

[UConnKev]

Adams will get some run today. What he does with that time remains to be seen.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Good call. I don't think Nova will cover.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

If he sees the floor then things are not going well for the good guys.

Or, that they are.
Both are plausible.