Hawkins is struggling too. He missed two wide open threes tonight. He has to make those. They should be lay ups for him.I didn't/don't like Polley, Gaffney and Hawkins on the floor together. It's good to see Polley out of his slump, but he is still a limited player. Gaff is really struggling and Hawkins is young. It severely limits te offense. I like Hawkins in for Martin with the rest of the starters when he comes in. That's not to say Martin should be sitting, but everyone needs to be rested. I wonder if we'll see more of Hawkins in for Jackson for a few minutes and ten Jackson playing point to give Cole a rest now and then. Unfortunately, Gaff looks completely lost out there at times.
Akok needs to get more timeNot complaining because we won, but my god Hurley refusing to play Akok and Polley essentially at all in the second half/OT is wild.
The schedule is a little less intimidating over the next four games. Any chance we see Diggins get some minutes if we build a big lead?We have one (1) ball handler. It’s infuriating.
Jackson coming in a close fourthLet’s be honest. There’s only 3 players that you can rely on beginning with Sanogo, RJ and Martin.
Agree. Jackson is growing in spurts.Jackson coming in a close fourth
Disappointed to see his boneheaded, flashy, careless passes creep back in tonight. Was hoping those were gone forever. But overall he’s been better.Agree. Jackson is growing in spurts.
Just needs to watch the passes and slow down at times.Jackson coming in a close fourth
There is a piece of the puzzle that you are missing and that's AJ.Let’s be honest. There’s only 3 players that you can rely on beginning with Sanogo, RJ and Martin.
It is the only way he will be ready for March in higher pressure situations.Akok needs to get more time
Very much so. I am not trying to pick on the guy, but that was one of my takeaways from the Bahamas was that UConn needs to not have such a drop off when Gaffney comes in for Cole. Unfortunately that situation has not been remedied. Cole can’t be maxed out in all of these close games or he will burn out.It would really help Gaffney if we made sure Andre Jackson was almost always on the floor at the same time as him. That would give him some help initiating the offense and handling the ball. We need to be able to give Cole a rest.
I get it. But.... he needs to play at that speed. That the only way to learn to play at that speed. When he is that fast and not making mistakes, it will be joy to behold.Disappointed to see his boneheaded, flashy, careless passes creep back in tonight. Was hoping those were gone forever. But overall he’s been better.
As much as he’s limited offensively he was very disruptive defensively, lots of deflections and blocks. Who did you want in akok?Whaley should not have been on the floor the last 10 minutes of game time.
And choked up the ball again. Again.Hawkins is struggling too. He missed two wide open threes tonight. He has to make those. They should be lay ups for him.
I can think of one other reason… the guy is a 90% free throw shooter this season. Last season too. For those who need a reminder, missed free throws down the stretch have put us in bad spots on a number of occasions this season. Tyler should be inserted situationally (offensive substitutions) in the last few minutes of games. It just makes sense.Polley is a spot up shooter and literally nothing more. There's very little reason to have him out there at the end, unless you're down 3-9 and need buckets.
Agree with all that but Polley has been nails tough at FT line at end of games. Putting him in the last 2 minutes on a offense/defense subsitution with maybe Whaley would be fine for me. Just plant Polley somewhere over half court where his height is an advantage when breaking pressure and let him get fouled. I'm okay with that.Polley is a spot up shooter and literally nothing more. There's very little reason to have him out there at the end, unless you're down 3-9 and need buckets.