SI interview with Hurley

[Kemba'sYogurt]

I kind of agree with you. If Hurley gets the team to 20 wins and they are competitive the entire season, there could be an NIT bid. An NIT bid alone kills Ollie's stock. And it would be a major step for the program in regaining its place in NCAA basketball. Won't hurt recruiting either!

I feel like there is always that one team that gets an NIT bid and wins or does well during it and people come out thinking "wow look out for them next year," and they are usually relevant for the next few years ( ala SMU, Wichita State, Dayton, TCU.) But of course we have a much bigger brand than these programs. But to me, if that happened next I would be thrilled. I'm still kind of wearing a cup from the Ollie era, so small steps for me. I say the small steps thing because I've seen some mention of NCAA tourney here.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Let me add this and please forgive me for beating a dead horse but I hope we are nearing the time when we can discuss and be happy about positive developments with the program without feeling the need to further malign Ollie at every turn.

He screwed up; we've moved on. No reason to belabor it any more.

So the windshield surface is larger than the rear view mirror for a reason?

I think it's worth noting that we haven't seen large scale second-guessing about the coaching change from any meaningful quarter, so concentrating on how bad it was or must have been interests me as much as I'd like to hear about your crazy ex-girlfriend on the day I hear that you're developing a happy, healthy, hopeful relationship in the present.

 

[CL82]

Let me add this and please forgive me for beating a dead horse but I hope we are nearing the time when we can discuss and be happy about positive developments with the program without feeling the need to further malign Ollie at every turn.

He screwed up; we've moved on. No reason to belabor it any more.

You seem cranky. Well it's to be understood given how Ollie ran this program into the ground.

 

[8893]

You seem cranky. Well it's to be understood given how Ollie ran this program into the ground.

Um, yeah, that's a bad read. Even for you.

 

[CL82]

Um, yeah, that's a bad read. Even for you.

It was joke, responding to a complaint about KO references with a KO reference, but now that I think of it you actually seem cranky. Whatever though. Be well 88.

 

[8893]

It was joke, responding to a complaint about KO references with a KO reference, but now that I think of it you actually seem cranky. Whatever though. Be well 88.

I thought it might be a joke, but then I considered the source (jk!). Sorry for my misread.

I'm not cranky presently; I am certainly capable of it, however.

I love all the positive things I'm reading and hearing about Hurley, the players and most of all the mindset. For me, however, it detracts from that positivity when people still constantly feel the need to insert Ollie into the discussion. I think it makes us look small, petty and insecure.

I'm also somewhat superstitious and want to remember that it's still the honeymoon period and the proof is in the pudding. I have faith that Hurley will deliver, but I don't want to jinx it.

 

[intlzncster]

A lot of attention has been on Jalen and his player development this upcoming season and rightfully so. However, thinking about Hurley having 3 years to build up Alterique’s confidence again and develop his game is something to be really excited about as well.

He's likely got four...if Alterique wants that.

 

[UConnSwag11]

UConn, for me, just represents a chance for me to coach at a place that has the best basketball tradition in all of college, both men’s and women’s. The best college basketball brand in the country is in Storrs, talking about both sides. On the men’s side, no one’s had more national championships in the last 20 years. You’ve got NBA players, first round, lottery picks for days, All-Americans for days. You walk in here, man, you’re part of history. You sit in this office and you’ve got nets and trophies and banners and first-round picks staring at you.

 

[auror]

[Swoon]

"This year it just so happens we have depth. Knock on wood, we’re gonna be able to play 10 or 11 people and pick up our opponent, pressure our opponent with our man defense and get the ball down the court quickly and play the attacking style that I like to coach. I like to make my opponent uncomfortable. I like to dictate the terms of the game and how it’s gonna be played at both ends. We’re going from a team that played a lot of zone last year and played a lot in the half court to playing like a frenzy. I think it’s a style most guys want to play. It’s a matter of can we instill it and install it by November?"

I'm going to be the wet blanket here. Every coach in history after taking over a team says he will play more up-tempo. It's universal bologna.

Maybe Hurley really does mean it. Maybe he sees the UConn personnel is suited to it and it's the jolt necessary to get them to play more active and tougher.

But Hurley hasn't had a team in the top 150 (55th percentile or higher) in offensive tempo ever as a coach. He's had up-tempo defensive teams, for sure, but his offensive execution has been more... methodical and workman-like. Ollie's teams' offensive possession length was quite slow and on average ranked 226th in the country. While Hurley's over his 8 coaching seasons has been... 230th. Slower.

Defense is indeed a different story, as I mentioned he has had defensive teams that produced quite short defensive possession lengths and got after people, but even with that it never led to "get[ting] the ball down the court quickly". Nor were his offenses ever very effective when his teams played quick paced defense anyways: in the 4 years that qualify the highest his team's offense ranked in the country was 130th.

 

[UconnU]

Coach Hurley is such a complete 180 from KO it's almost comical.

 

[UConnNick]

I'm going to be the wet blanket here. Every coach in history after taking over a team says he will play more up-tempo. It's universal bologna.

Maybe Hurley really does mean it. Maybe he sees the UConn personnel is suited to it and it's the jolt necessary to get them to play more active and tougher.

But Hurley hasn't had a team in the top 150 (55th percentile or higher) in offensive tempo ever as a coach. He's had up-tempo defensive teams, for sure, but his offensive execution has been more... methodical and workman-like. Ollie's teams' offensive possession length was quite slow and on average ranked 226th in the country. While Hurley's over his 8 coaching seasons has been... 230th. Slower.

Defense is indeed a different story, as I mentioned he has had defensive teams that produced quite short defensive possession lengths and got after people, but even with that it never led to "get[ting] the ball down the court quickly". Nor were his offenses ever very effective when his teams played quick paced defense anyways: in the 4 years that qualify the higher his team's offense ranked in the country was 130th.

I think it's somewhat unfair to compare any numbers he posted at URI with what he can potentially accomplish with a brand name program like UConn. His recruiting opportunities were limited in Kingston, and IIRC, didn't he lose Mathews due to injury for virtually an entire season?

At URI he had to be realistically thinking he probably had them close to the upper limit of their potential nationally. Maybe he would have eventually gotten them to a S16 or E8, but there's a ceiling there that probably won't ever be exceeded. At UConn, he knows the sky is the limit if he can turn things around, and he's supremely confident that he can. IMO, you can throw his past stats out the window. In his case, I don't think it's all tired old coachspeak. He believes in his ability to get it done.

 

[UConnDan97]

UConn, for me, just represents a chance for me to coach at a place that has the best basketball tradition in all of college, both men’s and women’s. The best college basketball brand in the country is in Storrs, talking about both sides. On the men’s side, no one’s had more national championships in the last 20 years. You’ve got NBA players, first round, lottery picks for days, All-Americans for days. You walk in here, man, you’re part of history. You sit in this office and you’ve got nets and trophies and banners and first-round picks staring at you.

This was the best quote for me, too! We are the Mecca of College Basketball, and we're going to make sure the entire country remembers it...

 

[auror]

I think it's somewhat unfair to compare any numbers he posted at URI with what he can potentially accomplish with a brand name program like UConn. His recruiting opportunities were limited in Kingston, and IIRC, didn't he lose Mathews due to injury for virtually an entire season?

At URI he had to be realistically thinking he probably had them close to the upper limit of their potential nationally. Maybe he would have eventually gotten them to a S16 or E8, but there's a ceiling there that probably won't ever be exceeded. At UConn, he knows the sky is the limit if he can turn things around, and he's supremely confident that he can. IMO, you can throw his past stats out the window. In his case, I don't think it's all tired old coachspeak. He believes in his ability to get it done.

Not making any comment on his ability to coach. Only that those who have been dying for us to play crazy up-tempo will probably be disappointed if they take him at his word here, especially for this upcoming season.

I do think our roster is suited for it, though, so I'd love for Hurley to prove me wrong.

 

[HawkHusky]

Up-tempo offense would be nice, but I'll be happiest to see some real defense.

 

[intlzncster]

I'm going to be the wet blanket here. Every coach in history after taking over a team says he will play more up-tempo. It's universal bologna.

Maybe Hurley really does mean it. Maybe he sees the UConn personnel is suited to it and it's the jolt necessary to get them to play more active and tougher.

But Hurley hasn't had a team in the top 150 (55th percentile or higher) in offensive tempo ever as a coach. He's had up-tempo defensive teams, for sure, but his offensive execution has been more... methodical and workman-like. Ollie's teams' offensive possession length was quite slow and on average ranked 226th in the country. While Hurley's over his 8 coaching seasons has been... 230th. Slower.

Defense is indeed a different story, as I mentioned he has had defensive teams that produced quite short defensive possession lengths and got after people, but even with that it never led to "get[ting] the ball down the court quickly". Nor were his offenses ever very effective when his teams played quick paced defense anyways: in the 4 years that qualify the highest his team's offense ranked in the country was 130th.

Good stuff. In fairness, he's never had a PG combo like Jalen and Alterique. That could help speed things up on the offensive end. Provided health.

 

[UChusky916]

SI crushed this interview. Great questions asked and Hurley was very candid.

It sucks that the local beat guys couldn't get time or create something of this quality with Hurley.

I hate to feel like I'm drinking the kool-aid but Hurley is saying all of the right things and his approach has a proven track record of success. It's hard to not get excited after reading everything he had to say.

One point that stuck out to me is him saying that the team has depth. There's also a lot of untapped potential there. We've got a real shot to surprise everyone next year and compete for a conference title in a down year for most AAC teams.

 

[mauconnfan]

Coach Hurley is such a complete 180 from KO it's almost comical.

8893 may copy this and post it on his fridge!

 

[mauconnfan]

Good stuff thanks for the post!!

Have to say he says all the right things there's no doubting that.

 

[QDOG5]

I'm still kind of wearing a cup from the Ollie era, so small steps for me.

Is it a Birch wood cup from Finland?

 

[junglehusky]

[Swoon]

"This year it just so happens we have depth. Knock on wood, we’re gonna be able to play 10 or 11 people and pick up our opponent, pressure our opponent with our man defense and get the ball down the court quickly and play the attacking style that I like to coach. I like to make my opponent uncomfortable. I like to dictate the terms of the game and how it’s gonna be played at both ends. We’re going from a team that played a lot of zone last year and played a lot in the half court to playing like a frenzy. I think it’s a style most guys want to play. It’s a matter of can we instill it and install it by November?"

YASSSSS

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I'm going to be the wet blanket here. Every coach in history after taking over a team says he will play more up-tempo. It's universal bologna.

Maybe Hurley really does mean it. Maybe he sees the UConn personnel is suited to it and it's the jolt necessary to get them to play more active and tougher.

But Hurley hasn't had a team in the top 150 (55th percentile or higher) in offensive tempo ever as a coach. He's had up-tempo defensive teams, for sure, but his offensive execution has been more... methodical and workman-like. Ollie's teams' offensive possession length was quite slow and on average ranked 226th in the country. While Hurley's over his 8 coaching seasons has been... 230th. Slower.

Defense is indeed a different story, as I mentioned he has had defensive teams that produced quite short defensive possession lengths and got after people, but even with that it never led to "get[ting] the ball down the court quickly". Nor were his offenses ever very effective when his teams played quick paced defense anyways: in the 4 years that qualify the highest his team's offense ranked in the country was 130th.

Now I can't decide whether I want the universal bologna wrapped in a wet blanket or tales of a crazy ex-girlfriend from a guy who's falling in love.

 

[nomar]

The Jalen stuff is the highlight for me. The rest all sounds good, but on a basic level what I really want to see is our coach getting the most, rather than the least, out of our players -- and the best place to start is with our best player. And props to Adams for listening to Hurley and accepting what Hurley was saying.

 

[CL82]

I thought it might be a joke, but then I considered the source (jk!). Sorry for my misread.

I'm not cranky presently; I am certainly capable of it, however.

I love all the positive things I'm reading and hearing about Hurley, the players and most of all the mindset. For me, however, it detracts from that positivity when people still constantly feel the need to insert Ollie into the discussion. I think it makes us look small, petty and insecure.

I'm also somewhat superstitious and want to remember that it's still the honeymoon period and the proof is in the pudding. I have faith that Hurley will deliver, but I don't want to jinx it.

I think it is pretty natural when posters hear players comments to think, what the heck was going on that the kids are responding so positively to a little straight talk. Frankly, I'm curious as well. I don't think it makes people look small, petty and insecure since it is a pretty typical reaction. I want to say get used to it until we start playing but I think that it will go through year end.

I'm taking all this stuff with a grain of salt. Hurley is making all the right noises, but we've seen that before. Still he seems like a great hire to me. I guess we'll see.

We're still doomed.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'm going to be the wet blanket here. Every coach in history after taking over a team says he will play more up-tempo. It's universal bologna.

Maybe Hurley really does mean it. Maybe he sees the UConn personnel is suited to it and it's the jolt necessary to get them to play more active and tougher.

But Hurley hasn't had a team in the top 150 (55th percentile or higher) in offensive tempo ever as a coach. He's had up-tempo defensive teams, for sure, but his offensive execution has been more... methodical and workman-like. Ollie's teams' offensive possession length was quite slow and on average ranked 226th in the country. While Hurley's over his 8 coaching seasons has been... 230th. Slower.

Defense is indeed a different story, as I mentioned he has had defensive teams that produced quite short defensive possession lengths and got after people, but even with that it never led to "get[ting] the ball down the court quickly". Nor were his offenses ever very effective when his teams played quick paced defense anyways: in the 4 years that qualify the highest his team's offense ranked in the country was 130th.

I don’t think we will look like the showtime Lakers and run on made baskets. But, I’ll raise a few points that lead me to believe that he expects to run, and score off the defense.

1. We have depth, 10+ guys who,can play, and very few who stand out.
2. We lack 3 point shooters.
3. We don’t have any “feed the post” bigs

It’s obvious to me and I think to Hurley, that the best way for this roster to put up points is to play very aggressive defense and score in transition. A very limited Williams becomes a dangerous high flying finisher on the break. In the half court he’s a sack of potatoes. It’s like that for almost every player we have. Our scorers mostly like to attack the basket off the dribble. That is always more easily done when the defense isn’t set.

So I’m not suggesting that if he lands a dominant big man and a bunch of great shooters, he’ll keep playing that way. Rather that he will adapt to his personnel. This team needs to press and run. That was true even last year. We had fleeting moments when we did it.

 

[auror]

I don’t think we will look like the showtime Lakers and run on made baskets. But, I’ll raise a few points that lead me to believe that he expects to run, and score off the defense.

1. We have depth, 10+ guys who,can play, and very few who stand out.
2. We lack 3 point shooters.
3. We don’t have any “feed the post” bigs

It’s obvious to me and I think to Hurley, that the best way for this roster to put up points is to play very aggressive defense and score in transition. A very limited Williams becomes a dangerous high flying finisher on the break. In the half court he’s a sack of potatoes. It’s like that for almost every player we have. Our scorers mostly like to attack the basket off the dribble. That is always more easily done when the defense isn’t set.

So I’m not suggesting that if he lands a dominant big man and a bunch of great shooters, he’ll keep playing that way. Rather that he will adapt to his personnel. This team needs to press and run. That was true even last year. We had fleeting moments when we did it.

I'm in agreement with you that our personnel is best suited to that style.

It will be the first test of Hurley's coaching acumen if he is able to successfully get the team to do it. It goes against his and the current roster of players' track record. Definitely going to be the first thing I look for when the new season starts.

 

[B1GEast]

Jack Welch was right when he claimed that the best time to fire an employee is to never hire that person in the first place.

I think Hurley will turn out to be a great hire.

 

[jimva]

Bump