The defense is terrible

[RuffRuff]

Hurley is playing some half court trap defenses, at times, and they aren't working. That is the "break glass" solution for coaches whose teams are struggling defensively, and this team doesn't seem able to even do that.

I am at a loss for how to make this better other than lots of practice time.

Right now there are 3 options:

1) Find right rotation
2) Develop players, level up
3) New strategy/gimmicks that disguise and play to strengths

 

[Mr. French]

HuskyHawk and RuffRuff are saying the same thing - these guys need time on the court to gel more. It is expected. It was always tough to ask them to transition perfectly.

But, also, there's no world (as has been suggested by some) where getting them random minutes last year in hopes it would help further their development would have been the right thought process - last year they were trying to win a championship, it's not on the staff to ensure the frosh get PT to hopefully develop the next year.

That's on them when they get the chance. So far, they haven't lived up to it, but it's so early that it should be expected they'll struggle a bit to adjust to the larger roles.

 

[Rich]

Right now there are 3 options:

1) Find right rotation
2) Develop players, level up
3) New strategy/gimmicks that disguise and play to strengths

 

[gsmooth]

Right now there are 3 options:

1) Find right rotation
2) Develop players, level up
3) New strategy/gimmicks that disguise and play to strengths

options 1 and 2 I think are the only choices. Playing by utilizing gimmick defenses takes time to execute well. Without the practice, those gimmick defenses won't be executed correctly and will just lead to easy baskets. It's probably better to just spend more time with the core man-to-man principles and some 2-3 zone principles, and that's it for defenses.

 

[CTBasketball]

I know nothing about bball analytics, but I saw Mahaney get blown by at least 4 times....that ain't good defense imo. what happens when he has to guard Kidary???? I'm glad he finally got a few key baskets, but I have no idea how you say he played GREAT defense. Liam on the other hand won that game for us

Not sure what game you were watching. Maybe the first drive of the game he had trouble, then he was fine.

Analytics back that up.

 

[alphasigko]

Wright III blew by Ball on every drive in the last 1:30. Basically left him in the dust and Ball was forced to run after him and watch him score. Very concerning.

 

[controlfade]

Came here to post this. You beat me to it. Our eye test perception has been validated.

Ray Charles could validate that lol

 

[imno1]

Wright III blew by Ball on every drive in the last 1:30. Basically left him in the dust and Ball was forced to run after him and watch him score. Very concerning.

I was surprised Ball was still in the game at that point.

 

[HooperScooper]

Hurley is keenly aware their defense is terrible. Now the question is, can they get better?

“In the end, we’ve got to get so much better individually. Right now, I would say that we’re underperforming in every possible way from a defensive standpoint, and then also from a rebounding standpoint,” Hurley said. “As much relief as you feel from getting the Baylor game, the reality of – unless we get better at guarding the ball, unless we get better at rebounding the ball on both backboards… We’ve got to be able to stay in front of the ball, we have not had a player on the perimeter be able to guard the ball. Things like that, unless they get corrected, the year is just gonna be a struggle.”

Available Alex? Dan Hurley, UConn men hoping to get their leader back in time to take on Texas

UConn coach Dan Hurley says star forward Alex Karaban should be available, barring any setbacks, to return from concussion protocol for Sunday’s road test at Texas.

www.courant.com

Alternate access:
Available Alex? Dan Hurley, UConn men hoping to get their leader back in time to take on Texas

 

[Fan1978]

I was surprised Ball was still in the game at that point.

I was yelling at tv please take him out. Ball cant stay in front of anyone. He can shoot but is a liability in every other aspect of the game. I hope he can figure it out. For all the people anointing him to the nba, no chance if he plays matador defense. If think the effort and athleticism are there, but no innate bbiq. Hopefully the coaches can simplify things for him.

 

[RuffRuff]

I was yelling at tv please take him out. Ball cant stay in front of anyone. He can shoot but is a liability in every other aspect of the game. I hope he can figure it out. For all the people anointing him to the nba, no chance if he plays matador defense. If think the effort and athleticism are there, but no innate bbiq. Hopefully the coaches can simplify things for him.

Nothing about him that translates to the NBA. The NBA doesn’t need mechanical slow footed 6’3” (gracious) spot up shooters with zero handle and zero defensive ability. Silky shot, and that’s where it ends.

 

[3rdbass]

Nothing about him that translates to the NBA. The NBA doesn’t need mechanical slow footed 6’3” (gracious) spot up shooters with zero handle and zero defensive ability. Silky shot, and that’s where it ends.

He isn't slow footed. He is just a lazy defender but I agree there is no chance right now he is NBA player unless he improves his game drastically.

 

[freshler40]

Another thing we miss is an effective screener

So true! Perhaps a real reason why our guards don't get into the middle much.

 

[cp176]

I know nothing about bball analytics, but I saw Mahaney get blown by at least 4 times....that ain't good defense imo. what happens when he has to guard Kidary???? I'm glad he finally got a few key baskets, but I have no idea how you say he played GREAT defense. Liam on the other hand won that game for us

I watched every play in that game. The eye test trumps analytics when I'm watching. Hopefully our defense is better today.

 

[JerseyAlum]

@Texas great D so far

 

[El Obrero]

Is it too early to say this thread is not aging well?

 

[TheHorde]

I don’t see a game chat so can we feel free to comment here?

 

[HCCForever]

I don’t see a game chat so can we feel free to comment here?

Go to Chat selection on Title Bar (2 spots over from Forum) and select MBB from dropdown.

 

[TheHorde]

Go to Chat selection on Title Bar (2 spots over from Forum) and select MBB from dropdown.

Thanks. But usually don’t we get a notification for when the chat is open and ready?

 

[AllHusky]

Thanks. But usually don’t we get a notification for when the chat is open and ready?

I can’t figure it out

Can we get a stop please?

 

[HCCForever]

Thanks. But usually don’t we get a notification for when the chat is open and ready?

Ye, normally there is. I was looking for one as well from Temery.

 

[Leebo]

Is it too early to say this thread is not aging well?

Yes, the defense improving retroactively makes the defense from before not terrible. You are correct.

 

[uh-no]

Yes, the defense improving retroactively makes the defense from before not terrible. You are correct.

for sure.

Great improvement from the D and boards. huge huge huge.

Texas adjusted better in the second half than Uconn did, and that will be the next step but holy cow....this team made me proud tonight.