Starting Line-up is Broken

[ucp990411]

We have the team we have. Gaffney played very well the last 7 games last year. He has been a big disappointment this season to Chief. But, he can dribble, drive and shoot - when he is on his game. If running is your best chance to success and I think it is, you need those skills on the floor.

Dribble? Just pressure him and see what happens. Shoot? The 3 last night was his first since Nov 30. Also, not a good defender.

 

[mauconnfan]

Jackson can hit three’s, with Whaley you’re better off buying a power ball ticket.

Jackson had about 3 games early on he got us excited but until last nights late 3 he’s been horrid. I mean without looking it up I’m thinking he and Whaley are close on % but could be wrong. I know Whaley throws the ball away a ton less than AJ.

 

[mauconnfan]

My suggestion is roll the dice because at least he has the skills and physical potential to provide the answers we need as he did closing out last season. If it doesn’t happen, both he and the team will move on.

Sorry Chief not rolling the dice on him we are mediocre enough. If he can put a few halves together like last nights 1st then maybe but that was the first sense of anything positive at all in ages.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Jackson had about 3 games early on he got us excited but until last nights late 3 he’s been horrid. I mean without looking it up I’m thinking he and Whaley are close on % but could be wrong. I know Whaley throws the ball away a ton less than AJ.

Shooting 42.1% for the 2021-2022 season so far from behind the arc according to ESPN stats.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Lineup is Ok, although I think our starters are wearing out.

 

[mauconnfan]

Shooting 42.1% for the 2021-2022 season so far from behind the arc according to ESPN stats.

My bad he’s shooting better than I thought had a great start since then no difference between he and Whaley. Neither of them take them when open so that’s all you need to know about confidence. He shoots better from 3 than 2 yikes.

 

[gtcam]

I think this team needs Whaley in the starting lineup, he does so many unnoticeable things on the floor that others simply don't. AJ is not the answer at the 2 or the 3 - great athlete but he is not a basketball player - not now
It is concerning that your best big player, Sanogo, goes into a mental funk when he isn't scoring and takes plays off and doesn't rebound. He also continues to swallow the ball when double teamed more than not, this hurts the team and all teams will do so until he and Dan Hurley decide that must change.
It is concerning when your PG has 3 assists - Whaley tied RJ with team high 3 assists.
I have argued that Martin should have the ball more and he did yesterday but at times he forced things way too much.
Gaff had some shining moments yesterday but has done so in the past - he is not the answer
Polley, for a 5th year player, is mind blowing. The guy is tall, has some bulk but refuses to get physical and his defense is meek.
Hawkins takes a lot of crap from BYers - he is 18 yo and is not physically mature. He will get abused by bigger and smarter players but he will apply muscle and weight in the right places and he will become a star. That being said he still needs PT and yesterday as well as against Marquette, he is very mobile and comes off hard the quasi screens but rarely do the ball handlers get the ball to him. They dribble with their heads down or tunnel vision busy trying to find a hole to dribble to hoop and trouble.

All the freshmen should have seen much more PT in the early season as well as at least appearances in most every game so far- 3 to 5 minutes isn't going to kill the team but will do wonders for these kids mental attitude and comfort levels. Dan Hurley has to learn to put his faith behind his recruits or kids will start to stay away.

I would start
Cole - spelled by Sool
Hawkins - spelled by Gaff
Martin - spelled by Polley
Whaley - spelled by AJ/Akok
Sanogo - spelled by Johnson

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

The spacing a Polley -Sanogo front court creates helps both players and the team so much. You don’t have to guard Whaley unless he’s a foot from the hoop and even then he’s 50/50.

I like a lineup of

Cole
Hawkins
Martin
Polley
Whaley

4 guys who can hit a 3 and back to the basket god. Our current lineup has 2 guys who are offensive nonentities

I meant

Cole
Hawkins
Martin
Polley
Sanogo

 

[cohenzone]

Jackson is a terrible scorer. He plays a scorers position and doesn’t score. I know a pull up game is not the modern thing. but it should be his thing. Another even 6 - 8 points from him would make a boat load of difference in a close game and open more room for drives and better passing angles off the drive.

Beyond that and our totally off or totally on jump shooters, this league is really tough. You can critique almost every coach in the league the way Hurley gets critiqued.

 

[UncleSpliff]

Shooting 42.1% for the 2021-2022 season so far from behind the arc according to ESPN stats.

Most of his 3s are wide open cuz teams sag off him and double the post. He can hit the wide open set 3 as ugly as it looks… that’s about it for his offensive arsenal. He has no midrange game… no floater… and frankly has a hard time making layups unless it’s a wide open dunk. He’s shooting 35% in BE play FG%. I wish he would develop a pull up or a floater cause he has a fast first step. Hopefully that will come next year.

 

[Kitaman]

Good but certainly not an impressive starting 5. Sadly the bench does not have any 'certified' challengers to any of these positions.

Of all the UConn teams, particularly our good teams this group is as unexciting as they come. It seemingly is built for rock fights with 'Showtime' not an option. I often wonder with these gazelles (all can run) and high flyers, why do we play so freakin slow?

Also no outside shooting other than Cole and Martin. There's only one inside scorer who requires to be fed. AJ and Whaley are practically non existent on offense, and when Martin disappears we often only have 2 scorers on the floor.

So yes I think Hawkins should be given AJ's spot and see if that brings the added offensive punch we need. Without that threat we often appear boring as hell and worse, prone to scoring challenges.

 

[Chief00]

Dribble? Just pressure him and see what happens. Shoot? The 3 last night was his first since Nov 30. Also, not a good defender.

He closed out last season playing as good as anyone on the team except Sanogo. He has potential, which has not been on display this year. I just don’t see who else can handle the ball?
And again I included Hawkins and Polley in starting 5 consideration.
The bottomline the current starting 5 is not working for us after being tried for numerous games. Time to move on and try something different.
If you think Whaley standing on the 3 line scares the heck out of the opposition - continue as is.

 

[Husky68]

Yeah I know you hate the hard hedge, you blame it for everything that ever goes wrong with this team. It's a very good defensive strategy despite you constantly saying otherwise

Not disputing what you say, but something is wrong with defense as opponents seem to drive, get cleaner looks at basket than UConn does. I watch hard hedges and don't see it hurting most times. Not sure I would catch more of the subtle issues where rotations to cover guys breaks down because of this.
My overall comment would be sure seems like opponents can take advantage of individual defensive lapses more by going against individual UConn defenders a lot.
Offense is more of the issue (which includes weak turnovers and not finishing when have driving advantage). Win games where shoot well, like most good teams, but Polley and Hawkins take some hard 3 pointers and AJ and Whaley turn down too many offensive opportunities that make the subsequent shot taken harder than what they passed up.

 

[Chief00]

I think this team needs Whaley in the starting lineup, he does so many unnoticeable things on the floor that others simply don't. AJ is not the answer at the 2 or the 3 - great athlete but he is not a basketball player - not now
It is concerning that your best big player, Sanogo, goes into a mental funk when he isn't scoring and takes plays off and doesn't rebound. He also continues to swallow the ball when double teamed more than not, this hurts the team and all teams will do so until he and Dan Hurley decide that must change.
It is concerning when your PG has 3 assists - Whaley tied RJ with team high 3 assists.
I have argued that Martin should have the ball more and he did yesterday but at times he forced things way too much.
Gaff had some shining moments yesterday but has done so in the past - he is not the answer
Polley, for a 5th year player, is mind blowing. The guy is tall, has some bulk but refuses to get physical and his defense is meek.
Hawkins takes a lot of crap from BYers - he is 18 yo and is not physically mature. He will get abused by bigger and smarter players but he will apply muscle and weight in the right places and he will become a star. That being said he still needs PT and yesterday as well as against Marquette, he is very mobile and comes off hard the quasi screens but rarely do the ball handlers get the ball to him. They dribble with their heads down or tunnel vision busy trying to find a hole to dribble to hoop and trouble.

All the freshmen should have seen much more PT in the early season as well as at least appearances in most every game so far- 3 to 5 minutes isn't going to kill the team but will do wonders for these kids mental attitude and comfort levels. Dan Hurley has to learn to put his faith behind his recruits or kids will start to stay away.

I would start
Cole - spelled by Sool
Hawkins - spelled by Gaff
Martin - spelled by Polley
Whaley - spelled by AJ/Akok
Sanogo - spelled by Johnson

I understand your points but I didn’t even think Isiah’s defense was good recently. I like both Tyler and Isiah as people, but they have not made that extra 5th year special yet and the clock is clicking.
It’s like a relationship - the first team’s chemistry is really bad - it’s not so much pointing figures at someone - but shaking things up to see if something works better. We don’t know if we don’t try to do that.

 

[Chief00]

Not disputing what you say, but something is wrong with defense as opponents seem to drive, get cleaner looks at basket than UConn does. I watch hard hedges and don't see it hurting most times. Not sure I would catch more of the subtle issues where rotations to cover guys breaks down because of this.
My overall comment would be sure seems like opponents can take advantage of individual defensive lapses more by going against individual UConn defenders a lot.
Offense is more of the issue (which includes weak turnovers and not finishing when have driving advantage). Win games where shoot well, like most good teams, but Polley and Hawkins take some hard 3 pointers and AJ and Whaley turn down too many offensive opportunities that make the subsequent shot taken harder than what they passed up.

You are right, the subtle 2 rotations later is where we get beat. Sometimes a foul will make it happen earlier.

 

[ucp990411]

He closed out last season playing as good as anyone on the team except Sanogo. He has potential, which has not been on display this year. I just don’t see who else can handle the ball?
And again I included Hawkins and Polley in starting 5 consideration.
The bottomline the current starting 5 is not working for us after being tried for numerous games. Time to move on and try something different.
If you think Whaley standing on the 3 line scares the heck out of the opposition - continue as is.

Before the season started I was criticized on this board for saying Gaffney and Cole should start together in the backourt. JC always preferred to have 2 guards with point guard capabilities playing together. Tate and Smitty, KO and Doron, Khalid and Ricky, Taliek and Ben, AJ and Jerome, Kemba and Shabazz, Shabazz and Ryan. When I coached I used this philosophy whenever possible and it worked. I wish Gaff could combine with RJ but we have not seen it happen.
My wish for a starting line up would be.
Cole
Gaffney
Hawkins or AJ
Tyrese
Sanaogo
We would lose some rebounding but better offensively and probably just as good defense. Whaley could backup the 4 and 5. Polley plays some 3 and some 4.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Most of his 3s are wide open cuz teams sag off him and double the post. He can hit the wide open set 3 as ugly as it looks… that’s about it for his offensive arsenal. He has no midrange game… no floater… and frankly has a hard time making layups unless it’s a wide open dunk. He’s shooting 35% in BE play FG%. I wish he would develop a pull up or a floater cause he has a fast first step. Hopefully that will come next year.

Are you talking about Jackson or Whaley?

 

[UncleSpliff]

Are you talking about Jackson or Whaley?

Jackson….

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Jackson….

Whew……..ok. Lol

 

[Chief00]

Interesting, that Xavier’s starters all played 30-36 minutes with an average of 34 minutes. Our best player averages 27 minutes, and played 25 minutes due to fouls and rotations.

 

[3rdbass]

Close. It needs to be Cole, Gaffney/Hawkins, Martin, Jackson and Sanogo.

Need Martin and Jackson both in starting lineup. But Jackson is a point forward - not sure why we’re treating him like a guard. And he can’t play with Whaley at the 4, just completely limits our offense.

Some here thought he should become out PG even though he has no potential to create his own offsense since he has no jump shot. He is more of a DHAM type player. Great to have on the court and give RJ some time off the ball and help on handling but he needs to be down low more. I say start Hawkins and move Whaley to the bench. Martin and Cole needs to be in any starting lineup we have.

 

[methodology]

I am still baffled Hurley can’t draw up any plays for alley oops to Jackson. Makes no sense why they can’t get 2 a game for easy baskets. Any coach with an athlete like Jackson would take advantage of it

 

[TheChamps990411]

Another night, we hit the 10 minute mark and have 10-13 points and Sanogo in foul trouble.

Last night Sanogo plays 25 minutes and Whaley 37, that’s a problem as Whaley scores 2 points and goes 1-6. Sanogo collects 11 points, going 3-6.

If we have 5 guys with Isiah’s production, we are scoring 10 -12 points a game as a team. It’s insanity. 2 points in 37 minutes, doesn’t work.

The starting lineup needs to be revamped - At least Gaffney, Hawkins and Polley have the potential to hit some shots. However, Polley can't create on his own and by the time he comes in Sanogo goes to bench with fouls. Therefore, there’s not the collapse defense that would give him and Hawkins space. Meanwhile, we pretend we have a stretch 4.

We need to start:
Sanogo
Cole
Martin/Jackson
Gaffney
Hawkins/Polley

Yes, there is nothing wrong with going with a hot hand and with this team Chief is not going to pretend I know who he is ahead of time. I do know Gaffney gives us another ball handler and penetrator. Sanogo with the current starting lineup gets straight up doubled - the opponent doesn’t even try to disguise where it is coming from.

We need to run and pressure on defense but not with a 6-10 230 pd guy chasing point guards 25 feet from the basket.

Two PG ball handlers gives us another dimension and makes our offensive less predictable and limited.

As much as we handicap ourselves with the starting lineup opening 10 minutes of Rock Fight, we still almost win. Eliminate that torture and we start beating good teams consistently.

Although i dont believe a lineup change will make much of a difference because we are seeing what this team is ill say a change couldnt hurt. Because of his recent play on defense and his ability to hit shots Hawk should start. All 5 get 30min come hell or high water and i ride it out with this starting 5:
4 Martin
3 Polley
5 Sanogo
2 Hawk
1 Cole

 

[Heritage]

Another night, we hit the 10 minute mark and have 10-13 points and Sanogo in foul trouble.

Last night Sanogo plays 25 minutes and Whaley 37, that’s a problem as Whaley scores 2 points and goes 1-6. Sanogo collects 11 points, going 3-6.

If we have 5 guys with Isiah’s production, we are scoring 10 -12 points a game as a team. It’s insanity. 2 points in 37 minutes, doesn’t work.

The starting lineup needs to be revamped - At least Gaffney, Hawkins and Polley have the potential to hit some shots. However, Polley can't create on his own and by the time he comes in Sanogo goes to bench with fouls. Therefore, there’s not the collapse defense that would give him and Hawkins space. Meanwhile, we pretend we have a stretch 4.

We need to start:
Sanogo
Cole
Martin/Jackson
Gaffney
Hawkins/Polley

Yes, there is nothing wrong with going with a hot hand and with this team Chief is not going to pretend I know who he is ahead of time. I do know Gaffney gives us another ball handler and penetrator. Sanogo with the current starting lineup gets straight up doubled - the opponent doesn’t even try to disguise where it is coming from.

We need to run and pressure on defense but not with a 6-10 230 pd guy chasing point guards 25 feet from the basket.

Two PG ball handlers gives us another dimension and makes our offensive less predictable and limited.

As much as we handicap ourselves with the starting lineup opening 10 minutes of Rock Fight, we still almost win. Eliminate that torture and we start beating good teams consistently.

Very good post. Gafney starting with give Cole a boost with a lot less pressure on him to do it all. Also, Gafney is the only UCONN player that has his head up on drives to the basketball most of the time. Martin is the opposite, his head comes up after he shoots almost all the time. But Martin isn't the only one that does it.

 

[Chief00]

Very good post. Gafney starting with give Cole a boost with a lot less pressure on him to do it all. Also, Gafney is the only UCONN player that has his head up on drives to the basketball most of the time. Martin is the opposite, his head comes up after he shoots almost all the time. But Martin isn't the only one that does it.

Thanks. Chief recognizes coaches like to have their starting line-up and rotations locked down by this time. But, for the second year in the row its not the case with UConn MBB.. So we shouldn’t pretend it is. Last year it was the unnecessary “injury” drama caused by a player’s inexperienced draft handlers. This year, at least it is more basketball focused.

 

[MexicoHusky]

I'm 100% comfortable with whatever Dan Hurley chooses

 

[bendm]

Cole
Hawkins
Martin
Polley
Sanogo

4 Martin
3 Polley
5 Sanogo
2 Hawk
1 Cole

Sure this lineup could score 80 ppg but it would give up 90. We need to swap out either AJ or Whaley for more shooting but not both, that sacrifices too much rebounding and defense

 

[UofCT]

Gaffney should be starting, he’s a threat to score either on the fast break, from three point line or driving to the basket with an interior pass or going up for a score. With him in the game at the point this also frees up Cole to concentrate on putting the ball in the hoop, and teams can’t really double team him in this situation. Whaley comes in to give Sanogo, Jackson or Martin a rest. Hurley definitely misses having the Akok Akok option.

Yikes. This didn’t age well

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I just wish Jackson could shoot or Hawkins could dribble