So, We Ride with Liam??

[uconnfan68]

I'm still waiting for the game where both Alex and Liam go off at the same time. We haven't seen that yet, but it's coming.

I'd settle for either one at this point. Both in long dry spells from deep.

 

[Mike Honcho]

One of the things that stood out to me yesterday was the defensive improvement and a fair whistle. Johnson would have been called for at least one more foul when he went up early on a drive kind of slapped the backboard with both hands and the Gonzaga player made their first basket of the game. In Maui that would have been an and one foul.

That was a foul. We were fortunate it didn't get called. Samson needs to learn the principles of verticality and the wisdom of backing off at times. He looked great on the offensive side of the ball last night but I really wish he would become a bit more disciplined on the other side of the ball.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Liam has a strong game going to the hoop-in traffic-with either hand. Can finish or dish. Looks much more comfortable doing that than AK. Initiating instead of deferring.

Couldn't help but notice the forwards sharing the floor at the same time- Game script -fouls-match ups. AK-Liam-Stewie. All of whom are pretty good passers-connectors with the ball in their hands. Looks like it can be a productive and efficient group with a ball handler and a Big.

I had same thought. One big. Three out of AK, Liam, Stewart and Ross. And then a PG- Diarra, Ball or Nowell. Depending on match up Ball can slide in to the wing rotation rotstion.

 

[Zonepress]

I feel like playing at a school like Montverde is a waste of time. You win every game by double digits, and you play with a loaded lineup that makes your role easy. They did have one close game last year, and Liam stepped up. But learning how to play against defenses geared to stop you and not just spotting up for open looks and running the break helps your development.

There’s AAU ball too, of course - but a different level of pressure when you’re trying to win state titles and things for your school.

Actually Monteverdi played lots of competitive
Games
Saw their game on tv against prolific prep
With AJ Dep and won close game at the end
Their schedule is mainly high schools that recruit like they do

 

[NJHusky]

AK is the captain and is this team's lead. Liam is talented and will have great games but looks up to Alex for direction, demeanor and overall calming composure during a game especially when things aren't going well on the floor. You can see it on the sidelines whenever Liam may not think he is doing as well as he should and Alex gives him words of encouragement and/or some correcting advice.

Alex can/does lead without having to be the most dominant player on the court.

 

[jibsey]

Plenty of comments in the post-game thread about fans believing Liam is our best player.

He has shown a willingness to get dirty to rebound and he is capable of pushing the ball once he gets the rebound.

He consistently can take his guy off the dribble and can either finish or kick out to open shooters.

And as we saw last night, the lights of MSG on Saturday night in prime time wasn't too big of a moment for him.

There's much to like about his game.

I go back to 1992-1993 when Scott Burrell was the senior and expected to step up to lead the team. It became obvious as the season went on sophomore Donyell Marshall was the better player and he should lead the team and Scottie goes back to being Robin to Donyell's Batman.

And that is where we may be going. Junior Alex Karaban goes back to doing what he does best as the best glue guy in the country and Liam takes the lead.

He’s the most talented and has all of the skills on both sides of the ball which he showed under the bright lights.
There will be nights when Karaban has shots falling and rebounds piling up so anointing or recognizing Liam our best player means what? Alex defers to him? I say no he shouldn’t.
I do not think that this is a matter of Liam taking a lead even though he’s likely to have great numbers.
Alex dominated his last game and can do that again.
I also see Solo being our best player on some nights in the future. We don’t have a Michael Jordan situation of dominant player every night IMO.

 

[businesslawyer]

That was a foul. We were fortunate it didn't get called. Samson needs to learn the principles of verticality and the wisdom of backing off at times. He looked great on the offensive side of the ball last night but I really wish he would become a bit more disciplined on the other side of the ball.

True of too many of our players. If you get beat occasionally where you’re not going to stop a guy from scoring in the first 30 minutes of the game, give him the damn layup. Stop with these “and 1” fouls that have no chance to stop the shot, hoping the ref will miss the call, and get us in foul trouble. It’s a basketball game. Sometimes they run a good play and you’re going to give up points.

 

[Tenspro2002]

True of too many of our players. If you get beat occasionally where you’re not going to stop a guy from scoring in the first 30 minutes of the game, give him the damn layup. Stop with these “and 1” fouls that have no chance to stop the shot, hoping the ref will miss the call, and get us in foul trouble. It’s a basketball game. Sometimes they run a good play and you’re going to give up points.

On any given play you have to commit to either contesting without fouling and positioning yourself or a teammate for the rebound, or fouling hard enough to prevent the bucket. This is one of those instinctual things that Johnson struggles with (along with jumping for blocks that have no chance of affecting the shot and being out of position for rebounds) and I'm not sure it's coachable.

 

[NJHusky]

True of too many of our players. If you get beat occasionally where you’re not going to stop a guy from scoring in the first 30 minutes of the game, give him the damn layup. Stop with these “and 1” fouls that have no chance to stop the shot, hoping the ref will miss the call, and get us in foul trouble. It’s a basketball game. Sometimes they run a good play and you’re going to give up points.

last year Cam told Dc that giving up 2 pts doesn’t matter but him fouling and sitting for 10 min does

 

[Mister P]

 

[boog204]

He’s our only player who’s a true triple threat with the ball. He can shoot it, is really our only guy who’s can take people off the dribble consistently, and pass. Last year we had three guys who could do this. He also is one of our best rebounders. So we’re asking him to do a ton of work offensively.

 

[QuickDraw]

Once he gets the defender on his hip he owns him & he seems to be very proficient at it. Just great understanding & ability.

 

[AllHusky]

True! Also I feel like playing at a school like Duke is a waste of time. You win every ACC game by double digits, and you play with a loaded lineup.

Instead, top players should come to UConn so that they can get the benefit of beating Big East teams by double digits, and practicing against a loaded lineup.

We haven’t trashed the Big East by double digits just yet. Maybe this year, but Johnnies, Marquette and Creighton for sure will have something to say plus a wtf game or two

 

[dennismenace]

After Maui, I came to the realization that this is a forward/big driven team, which is something I'm not necessarily used to as a UConn fan, but just another example of why Hurley is a fantastic coach: he doesn't necessarily play to a system, but adjusts to the talent around him.

Also, Dan Hurley likes long tall guards when he can get them so these point forwards are in a way the prototype Uconn 6-6 to 6-8 " jumping jacks." They rebound, run well and have long wingspans to block the passing lanes and shots. When I saw Ross come in after Mahaney failed to contain their guards I was wondering if Ross has the tools to guard 1-2 players as well as 3's. That would give us the new lockdown 6-6+ defender that we are missing after Andre and Steph have moved on. I can see where we have such talent in the future with Ross, Nowell and Abraham. And then there is the next monster recruiting class for next year.

 

[huskyharry]

Agree limited handle and passing not yet sharp enough. He can get there though with enough work

 

[Kitaman]

I wonder if Liam's rise is affecting Karaban's play. AK was considering NBA, returned as our best player with potential 1st team AA pick. His situation is changing dramatically and swiftly. I'm watching him carefully hoping he will embrace the change as a Senior.

I'm just saying AK might be going through an adjustment phase involving his role and how to adapt to Liam's changing role. If he's not going through this then I hope he does make changes especially when having off nights. For example just feed Liam, be a decoy, drive dish/kick out, etc.. By redirecting defensive schemes to Liam it creates the type of space Alex likes to operate with, hence better scoring opportunities.

Anyway Freshman Liam has no worries or concerns about his rise to the top, he's that good and came here ready.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Teams are going to have 2s that, of those three, only Ross will be able to guard. Ross learning to contribute on offense will be important to the team going forward. That having been said, Ross’s one play last night may have been the biggest moment of the game.

Right when I was texting, "Wait, why Ross?" to my sister, and had to turn it into a compliment before I hit Send.

 

[auror]

I wonder if Liam's rise is affecting Karaban's play. AK was considering NBA, returned as our best player with potential 1st team AA pick. His situation is changing dramatically and swiftly. I'm watching him carefully hoping he will embrace the change as a Senior.

I'm just saying AK might be going through an adjustment phase involving his role and how to adapt to Liam's changing role. If he's not going through this then I hope he does make changes especially when having off nights. For example just feed Liam, be a decoy, drive dish/kick out, etc.. By redirecting defensive schemes to Liam it creates the type of space Alex likes to operate with, hence better scoring opportunities.

Anyway Freshman Liam has no worries or concerns about his rise to the top, he's that good and came here ready.

AK was awesome literally 1 game ago against Texas.

 

[dennismenace]

Agree limited handle and passing not yet sharp enough. He can get there though with enough work

Totally agree. There is often no limit except that which is self imposed by not believing that practice makes everyone better. Gym rats are winners. Look at Sanogo and Andre when they were here. Outworking everyone. Ray Allen was called "Everyday Ray" because he insisted on shooting 500 jump shots a day. Why are special forces "special"? They are elite because above all they have the tenacity to outwork, outsmart and outfight. I would submit that the Dan Hurley/Uconn "Culture" has become a cauldron for this kind of fire. Cam had it when he came here. The latest people seem to be Liam and Samson. Great to see Jalen Stewart come in off the bench and immediately make a difference. I thought Gonzaga with a lot of talent and experience was a very worthy opponent and we more than held our own. Hope our future opponents watched it as well. "You better get us now" indeed.

 

[willie99]

We ride the hot hand, we have so many options. Often times, that will be Liam. I still think it will be Alex more often.

We're even going to ride Aiden sometimes

 

[BuffaloHusky]

I know we don't run many NBA style isolation pick and rolls but any combination of Liam, Alex and Stewart in the P&R would be devastating and I'd particularly like to see it when the clocks starts to expire.

 

[jibsey]

We ride the hot hand, we have so many options. Often times, that will be Liam. I still think it will be Alex more often.

We're even going to ride Aiden sometimes

That hot hand is not etched in granite so I agree that our roster has the potential to have Reed, AK,Liam, and Ball lay down 18-20 any given night. And Diarra can score 15 if he starts hitting his 3’s.

 

[HooperScooper]

Big East Freshman of the Week again.

McNeeley Named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week - University of Connecticut Athletics

NEW YORK – For the third time this season, UConn men's basketball standout Liam McNeeley has been named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week, the league announced on Monday

uconnhuskies.com

 

[HooperScooper]

Also named national Freshman of the Week by CBS Sports.

Ranking best freshmen in college basketball: UConn's Liam McNeeley earns Freshman of the Week honors

A look at the top performing freshmen in college basketball last week and for the 2024-25 season

www.cbssports.com