Tarris Reed not being utilized

[Waquoit]

So why did Mahaney start over Diarra earlier this season?

Becuase Hurley thought the team would be better that way originally. He adjusted when it wasn't the case. He plays the long game and most here have shown over that years that they don't understand that.

 

[ctchamps]

So why did Mahaney start over Diarra earlier this season?

That's a good question and relevant to the discussion of whether Hurley tries to set an example of having a good culture.

Coaching a team is a balancing act in trying to be fair to players with the goal of winning. In Samson's case the coaches assessed that his ability to score outweighed his inability to rebound. They assessed Reed Jr. would be ok with coming off the bench and might have promised Samson he would start this season if he remained with the team. Given that the team has played even or got off to good starts when Samson started (his biggest problem earlier in the season was getting removed from quick fouls), given Liam was able to develop quickly as a good rebounder to augment how Samson was being utilized on defense, there was no need to change. In spite of what many members of this forum would prefer to see.

The coaching staff believe that Mahaney has a similar potential to Tristen so he got the start in that role this season. His struggles were not dissimilar to what Tristen went through two seasons ago. So they kept him in that role for quite a while. They probably had conversations with Hassan as part of their decision and got the impression he was fine with the sixth man role. But Mahaney's defense was such a liability, especially playing alongside Solo's bad defense, and his offense got off to a bad start they started Hassan as a necessity. This allowed Mahaney to break into this team with less pressure. If you noticed in this Georgetown game he was running the point when Hassan got in foul trouble. Not only has his defense continued to progress but he's showing signs he can be a point guard.

Singare is the player who got pushed out of the picture. But he's a sophomore while this will be the last season Samson and Hassan will be putting on the UConn jersey.

I believe our coaching staff goes the extra mile in trying to make as many things possible to keep our program as one of the best, if not the best program in the country, for both the short and long term. We really hit the lottery with them.

 

[HailUConn]

That's a good question and relevant to the discussion of whether Hurley tries to set an example of having a good culture.

Coaching a team is a balancing act in trying to be fair to players with the goal of winning. In Samson's case the coaches assessed that his ability to score outweighed his inability to rebound. They assessed Reed Jr. would be ok with coming off the bench and might have promised Samson he would start this season if he remained with the team. Given that the team has played even or got off to good starts when Samson started (his biggest problem earlier in the season was getting removed from quick fouls), given Liam was able to develop quickly as a good rebounder to augment how Samson was being utilized on defense, there was no need to change. In spite of what many members of this forum would prefer to see.

The coaching staff believe that Mahaney has a similar potential to Tristen so he got the start in that role this season. His struggles were not dissimilar to what Tristen went through two seasons ago. So they kept him in that role for quite a while. They probably had conversations with Hassan as part of their decision and got the impression he was fine with the sixth man role. But Mahaney's defense was such a liability, especially playing alongside Solo's bad defense, and his offense got off to a bad start they started Hassan as a necessity. This allowed Mahaney to break into this team with less pressure. If you noticed in this Georgetown game he was running the point when Hassan got in foul trouble. Not only has his defense continued to progress but he's showing signs he can be a point guard.

Singare is the player who got pushed out of the picture. But he's a sophomore while this will be the last season Samson and Hassan will be putting on the UConn jersey.

I believe our coaching staff goes the extra mile in trying to make as many things possible to keep our program as one of the best, if not the best program in the country, for both the short and long term. We really hit the lottery with them.

The narrative and optics also look tremendous for future portal prospects and pay huge dividends in the long haul. that is, our coach is putting the money where our mouth is.

 

[AllHusky]

Ridiculous.

Maybe the part about 2 more wins is ridiculous, but getting a zone ready seems like a good idea.

 

[Matias]

I'm having visions of come tourney time, Hurley suddenly unleashing T Reed's insane post game and yelling "Surprise muthafuckas!"

 

[Waquoit]

Maybe the part about 2 more wins is ridiculous, but getting a zone ready seems like a good idea.

A quirk I have is that folks wanting zone remind me of folks that want the back-up QB.

 

[3rdbass]

It is weird we aren't seeing more of T. Reed's post game in this offense as we saw in with Sanogo but maybe the offense has evolved in the last year to really use any traditional post game except for when our sets aren't working to create good shots for our men. I think as we start getting into the main part of the Big East play Hurlley is going to have utilize Tarris more to create good opportunities. Our shots aren't always going to be falling every game.

 

[AllHusky]

A quirk I have is that folks wanting zone remind me of folks that want the back-up QB.

Not the same. We have defensive deficiencies that may(or may not if we improve enough) that could stop an NCAA run in its tracks. It's the reverse of having a zone buster player on the bench. Maybe you get a team that is driving it down our throat, a 5 out team that lacks outside shooting. Having a zone defense to throw at them might be an effective response.

 

[RuffRuff]

It is weird we aren't seeing more of T. Reed's post game in this offense as we saw in with Sanogo but maybe the offense has evolved in the last year to really use any traditional post game except for when our sets aren't working to create good shots for our men. I think as we start getting into the main part of the Big East play Hurlley is going to have utilize Tarris more to create good opportunities. Our shots aren't always going to be falling every game.

There is something preventing Hurley from using Harris how many think he can be used. It’s rare we go into him with intention, especially late in a clock when it seems he could be a major advantage. Perhaps that’s because we are so generally efficient on offense, maybe he doesn’t flash in the post well timed. He always seems to have better games when we look for him.

I’ll be curious to how Hurley uses the combo against Kalkbrenner, who could physically eat Samson alive.