The Athletic: Coach Confidential

[SwingDog]

When I look at old film from Calhoun's best teams, what is most striking between then and now is the difference in ball movement. Calhoun emphasized passing and moving the ball around with less dribbling. The passing was crisp and there was movement without the ball, which usually led to high percentage shots. Of course, you still have to MAKE the shots. I'd like to see more of that and a less schematic (and predictable) approach on offense.

 

[PAHusky]

I mean obviously we don't have any perfect options, but imo these things are fixable and Sanogo still has more room for improvement than anyone else on the team. Whether or not this staff can help him reach his full potential is TBD.

I think part of the problem too is that, even in a perfect world where Sanogo learns to pass out of the double team perfectly every time, he's passing to a bunch of guys who can't shoot. Other teams are catching on to this and know that they can double Sanogo/sag off our guards because there's no accompanying threat from three. Which leads to the lane being even more congested, which kills any chance we have at getting guys to the rim, and so on and so on.....

 

[Hungryhusky99]

I think part of the problem too is that, even in a perfect world where Sanogo learns to pass out of the double team perfectly every time, he's passing to a bunch of guys who can't shoot. Other teams are catching on to this and know that they can double Sanogo/sag off our guards because there's no accompanying threat from three. Which leads to the lane being even more congested, which kills any chance we have at getting guys to the rim, and so on and so on.....

We have the shooters that are capable of hitting the open shots if we play the right lineups. Obviously the Whaley, Jackson, Sanogo trio is not ideal in terms of shooting, and hopefully we see less of that going forward.

 

[XLCenterFan]

I was mostly fine with the article. Nothing all that insightful to anyone who has seen them play. Without expounding on it, I don't agree with this line, "Andre Jackson is a dynamic athlete. He couldn’t shoot it at all last year, but now he’s making shots".

I agree. He’s never making shots. What a rebounder though.

 

[Chin Diesel]

None of UConn's players are good at penetrating and then kicking out to the opposite side or anywhere on the perimeter for open shots. If Martin, Cole or Jackson drive, the only options are them shooting or making a pass to the interior to Sanogo or Whaley. Really no Opponents can provide all the weakside help needed in the lane because there is no risk of their man catching a pass for an open 3.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

When I look at old film from Calhoun's best teams, what is most striking between then and now is the difference in ball movement. Calhoun emphasized passing and moving the ball around with less dribbling. The passing was crisp and there was movement without the ball, which usually led to high percentage shots. Of course, you still have to MAKE the shots. I'd like to see more of that and a less schematic (and predictable) approach on offense.

The passage of time is really an amazing thing. People complained about Calhoun's half court offense incessantly until the end.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The passage of time is really an amazing thing. People complained about Calhoun's half court offense incessantly until the end.

I really didn't like it at all those last few years. But I also don't think it was the same the whole time he was the coach. He ran some ISO stuff when he had the guys for it and it was popular. Some of those loaded teams moved the ball really well, I think in part because they had 4-5 scorers on the court at all times. Other teams scored in transition much more effectively than in half court.

 

[uconnfan68]

Not sure when this intelligence was gathered, but my guess is that this take would be a bit different now.

Why? Isn’t Matt Garry back?

 

[gtcam]

What set offense is this team dependent upon? Wow
I agree the team is a more complete team without Bouk but without the correct rotations it is not effective
Anyone could have written that stuff

 

[Dean Wormer]

I agree with everything that is said.

Same here. Well, maybe just the part about Dre knocking down shots but otherwise, spot-on!

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Cue the "They run plays?" reply

They don’t run plays as much as they have a set offensive flow, and rely on the players to recognize a defensive opening. It’s not like they run specific sets to get a certain guy a certain shot in a certain spot.

Well, except for post ups for Sanogo, and an occasional pick and roll with Whaley.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

They don’t run plays as much as they have a set offensive flow, and rely on the players to recognize a defensive opening. It’s not like they run specific sets to get a certain guy a certain shot in a certain spot.

Well, except for post ups for Sanogo, and an occasional pick and roll with Whaley.

Hawkins and Polley 3s???