Solo Ball’s minutes last night?

[boog204]

Hurley benched him because he was playing bad defense and wasn’t bringing enough offense to make up for it

Reminded me of Jordan Hawkins against Iowa St in 2023. We all know how that ended so hopefully Solo uses this to improve

I have less than zero memory of us playing Iowa State other than getting steamrolled by them with Royce White, and the return favor with DeAndre Daniels turning into KD for a game (and their guy who scored like 112 points that game)

 

[Kenny11]

Solo is fine. This happens all the time in the NBA where a top player isn't in the game down the stretch because something else was working better. It happened last week with Stephon Castle against the Knicks when Julian Champagne hit 10 threes...next game it was back to the usual.

 

[Gurleyman]

I have less than zero memory of us playing Iowa State other than getting steamrolled by them with Royce White, and the return favor with DeAndre Daniels turning into KD for a game (and their guy who scored like 112 points that game)

That was the Phil Knight championship game after we beat Alabama - just another one of those double-digit beatdowns out of conference we became known for. They all blend together.

 

[Donyell 360]

A year ago, or even a couple of months ago, I would have said you're right, but Stewart has really elevated his defensive game this year. Ball has also improved defensively but I would give the edge to Stewart at this point.

Fair enough. I probably haven't paid close enough attention to Stew's defense this year and still have his past struggles in my mind. In the past he has looked like he was on skates at times on the perimeter. If Stew continues to play crunch time minutes over Ball then I will have to concede you are probably right, but we will see. One game is not a trend, but I will be curious to see how it plays out.

 

[superjohn]

Love TH & TO. Also my favs. To call Dauster someone who lacks cred is kinda silly. The guy does it for a living, played hoops in college, sees this stuff up close and is a UConn fan. Maybe he's a little dramatic for content sake, but he's not some outlandish view.

Let's see how the Hall game plays out. Last night was not the first time Ball was sat in key spots. I don't think Hurley is going to be overly loyal this year if it means putting the team in a compromised spot.

And yes, he's an amazing kid. All of them are. You can separate off court character and on court tendencies.

I didn't say Dauster lacks credibility, I said he's a reactionary and he tends to say some nonsensical stuff because of it. I also said he has some good stuff to say.

I said I like that he's a UConn fan and I tried to be as charitable as I could be. I just find Hansbrough and Oglesby much better to listen to on The Field of 68.

Not sure how Dauster averaging 2 points per game for a horrible D3 program adds anything to his opinions and analysis.

 

[Donyell 360]

Dauster brought it up on his pod, so just relaying it here: is there a scenario in which Hurley decides J Stew is a better fit for the starting lineup and Solo comes off the bench?

Well there is always a scenario, like if Stew continues to improve his offense and Solo continues to struggle from 3, but I would pump the brakes on that prediction. Let's give it another game or two.

 

[campcalhoun2009]

The same people that are saying Stewart should start over Ball were probably saying Malachi should start over Demery 2 weeks ago.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I don't care if he starts or not but I've been very happy with Stewart's contributions lately. He looks a lot more active and engaged, and you can tell that Hurley has more confidence in him. Would still like to see him get a little bit of license to create in some kind of iso situation because I think he's got some skills that aren't being exploited but he's been very solid.

 

[Stinger92860]

Ball was getting burned left and right on drives and turned his back on a 3. His defense was poor.

Uconn was terrible on 3 point rotation defense all night long. They were kind of casual in closeout, leading to wide open 3s all night long. When a team gets 24 wide open clean looks they are going to hit them. Karaban and Reed were slow on closeout. Probably some of the worst Uconn 3 point defense they have ever played.

Wondering how much of that was scouting analysis vs disinterest. No way AK did not care.

 

[Stinger92860]

The same people that are saying Stewart should start over Ball were probably saying Malachi should start over Demery 2 weeks ago.

Who is saying that? Malachi had his own issues last night.

 

[boog204]

That was the Phil Knight championship game after we beat Alabama - just another one of those double-digit beatdowns out of conference we became known for. They all blend together.

I remember the 'Bama game b/c it was a pre-game Brandon Miller love fest. I've got absolutely nothing for the Iowa State.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It’s a strange situation. For purposes of offense, you just don’t need all of our five starters on the court at the same time. There’s only so much firepower you need when only one player gets to shoot per possession. Sacrificing one of Solo, Brandon and Alex for more of a glue guy, and having the offensive star fresh to be on the floor getting shots with Reibe and Smith and Ross, makes a lot of sense.

But we’re a long, long way from Solo not starting, even if the starting five is not our best unit. You just may see less of the five starters playing together.

One of the reasons for it is that Mullins is also better at the 2. There are some difficult defensive responsibilities for our 3, especially when we high hedge. Stewart knows those and can execute them. Mullins, not really. So you're upgrading not just Stew > Ball on defense, but upgrading Mullins and also getting better rebounding and passing.

Unlike McNeeley who showed he could bang in the paint early on, and Castle who could guard anybody, Mullins lives outside the arc and isn't physical enough for the SF role.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Coach had the balls to bench Ball because his on ball D was bad ball

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Wondering how much of that was scouting analysis vs disinterest. No way AK did not care.

AK had a halfhearted closeout on a three that had me screaming until I realized it was Mela who's a sub-30 percent three point shooter for his career. Just one of those nights (that tends to happen in Providence for some reason).

 

[NJHusky]

Not sure how Dauster averaging 2 points per game for a horrible D3 program adds anything to his opinions and analysis.

I generally find people that have played a sport competitively probably have a better understanding of a game they watch.

They’ve done the work and have been coached to see things. Often guys that play at a lower level are the better coaches/analysts because they had to work harder and high level athletes don’t understand that everyone isn’t as gifted as they are.

In sports I played I can see more and understand the nuance of commentary much better.

 

[DW1361]

All this silly back and forth about Stew and Solo…… Sheesh. Solo is going to start and depending on the situation, Hurley will put the best guy in. Last night it happened to be Stew in crunch time. Stew came through for us. He made Hurley look like he may know how to coach a little and make great game decisions (how many times in the past has Hurley been criticized here for not managing games well?).

Everything can go back to as it was with Solo starting and Stew coming off the bench. Nothing to see here. Sorry to be Captain Obvious, but it is just that simple.

 

[dennismenace]

Last night was one of his better games as a commentator, especially his editorial opinions: constructive, honest, yet still professional.

Your preview was spot on as well.

 

[NJHusky]

Dauster talked about Mullins v Solo. Thinks Dan Hurley is too loyal to switch yet, but that thinks team is better with Mullins at the 2

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Last night was one of his better games as a commentator, especially his editorial opinions: constructive, honest, yet still professional.

I wonder if Donny knows Ray Allen?

 

[auror]

Yep - around the 4 minute mark they did a few offense/defense situations on dead balls to put Stewart in on defense and Ball on offense. In addition to Ball not being great on the defensive end yesterday, the specific matchup of guarding Jones, Mela and Vaaks on the perimeter lent itself to needing a bigger defender.

And then as they were doing offense/defense, Stewart hit the big three, so it didn't make sense to take him out on offense - unless we starting bogging down perhaps, which never happened.

Exactly. There is no lineup controversy.

Hurley brought Ball in with 4 minutes to go and then subbed him out after Mullins out of bounds turnover stopped the clock.

We were pressing and Providence was playing Floyd (6'4"), Vaaks (6'7"), Mela (6'7"), Jones (6'6"220), and Oswin (6'10). We needed stops and turnovers.

Demary had to be out there and was guarding Floyd. Stewart (or Ross if he were healthier) was the obvious choice, alongside Mullins who played at the top of a press every game in HS.

 

[superjohn]

I generally find people that have played a sport competitively probably have a better understanding of a game they watch.

They’ve done the work and have been coached to see things. Often guys that play at a lower level are the better coaches/analysts because they had to work harder and high level athletes don’t understand that everyone isn’t as gifted as they are.

In sports I played I can see more and understand the nuance of commentary much better.

Cool.

Hansbrough and Oglesby are much better than Dauster on The Field of 68, IMO. I also think Dan Hurley knows a lot more than Rob Dauster does.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Solo has been much better defensively this year, as compared to last year. Last night he was a step behind. He was competing, playing hard. Just a step behind. His benching says more about Hurley than Solo. What cojones by him! Big ones. It also speaks about the depth of this team. Solo is going to come back better than ever. The kid is a baller.
On a macro level, last night showed why NOBODY will want to play us, not Michigan, Zona or Iowa St. It is impossible to address all the shooters on this team. And technically we are still not whole, since Ross is on his way back from injury.

 

[NJHusky]

Cool.

Hansbrough and Oglesby are much better than Dauster on The Field of 68, IMO. I also think Dan Hurley knows a lot more than Rob Dauster does.

And they all know a lot more than you too….i guess since they are better basketball players they must be better at talking basketball. Bobby Hurley played at a higher level than Dan, shouldn’t he be a better coach by your logic ?

 

[Chin Diesel]

AK had a halfhearted closeout on a three that had me screaming until I realized it was Mela who's a sub-30 percent three point shooter for his career. Just one of those nights (that tends to happen in Providence for some reason).

Donnie Marshall brought it up a few times about UConn players may have been coached not to close out hard on certain players because they aren't good shooters. Donnie then said, in games like last night, you have to throw out the scouting report and play them like every shot is going in.

Somewhere in one of these threads, I made the comparison to playing match play in golf where you play like your opponent is going to stick every iron shot and make every putt.

Law of averages wasn't very good last night for game planning.

 

[husky8273]

Last night was one of his better games as a commentator, especially his editorial opinions: constructive, honest, yet still professional.

could he stop talking about himself?