The Ross Enigma

[ctchamps]

Ajou Deng, the best UConn player ever, followed closely by "The Ferrari," Rodney Purvis.

One more backcourt violation by Mahaney and I’m calling him “The Bentley”.

 

[Inyatkin]

Ajou Deng, the best UConn player ever, followed closely by "The Ferrari," Rodney Purvis.

Rodney Purvis was LeBron James compared to Ajou Deng

 

[Dogdeacon]

I think at some point (with the caveat that I'm not a national championship winning coach) DH needs to just pick one or the other and give them the lion's share of the minutes with Liam out. At this point Ross hasn't really shown anything beyond a few above average defensive plays and almost nothing on the offensive end, so I think you have to go with Stewart, who has at least shown in flashes that he can contribute offensively.

The inability of the sophomore class to make the leap this year from bench pieces to top-25 level starters is what's separating us, in my opinion, from a sweet 16 and a national championship level team.

I think a good way to look at it while McNeeley is out is that JStew & JRoss are on steepest part of their learning curves and the mistakes plus weaknesses will be exacerbated by responsibilities beyond their current experience or capabilities. The good news should be once McNeeley is back they'll be able to excel in more complimentary roles.

Hurley keeps saying that the sophomores developing is the key to this team/season and this is an opportunity for that to occur. They were lucky to get the W over Providence, there might be some unanticipated challenging games that look like a regression yet could ultimately become growth via learning thru error and tough game experiences.

 

[RuffRuff]

Rodney Purvis was LeBron James compared to Ajou Deng

All time Uconn c233ck teases: 1) Ajou Deng 2) Andrew Bynum 3) Rodney Purvis 4) Doug Wrenn 5) Lamar Odom

 

[Inyatkin]

All time Uconn c233ck teases: 1) Ajou Deng 2) Andrew Bynum 3) Rodney Purvis 4) Doug Wrenn 5) Lamar Odom

1. Barely played. 2. Never played. 3. Played several years, but not as well as people hoped. By all accounts a great teammate. 4. Barely played. 5. Never played.

One is not like the others.

 

[RuffRuff]

1. Barely played. 2. Never played. 3. Played several years, but not as well as people hoped. By all accounts a great teammate. 4. Barely played. 5. Never played.

One is not like the others.

This is like a NYTimes puzzle where you have to find the common theme - all of these players have somehow teased & seduced UConn fans into frenetic hope and allure. You don't have to necessarily play for the team to do that, simply bait and watch the salivation.

That was also a very quick list of 5 - unlikely to be all that accurate. If you have better, have at em.

 

[Northbound]

Ajou Deng, the best UConn player ever, followed closely by "The Ferrari," Rodney Purvis.

You’re sleeping on Ater Majok.

 

[Inyatkin]

This is like a NYTimes puzzle where you have to find the common theme - all of these players have somehow teased & seduced UConn fans into frenetic hope and allure. You don't have to necessarily play for the team to do that, simply bait and watch the salivation.

That was also a very quick list of 5 - unlikely to be all that accurate. If you have better, have at em.

Just trying to defend the honor of Rodney Purvis, that's all

 

[superjohn]

This is like a NYTimes puzzle where you have to find the common theme - all of these players have somehow teased & seduced UConn fans into frenetic hope and allure. You don't have to necessarily play for the team to do that, simply bait and watch the salivation.

That was also a very quick list of 5 - unlikely to be all that accurate. If you have better, have at em.

Teased and seduced, frenetic hope and allure?

Is this the boneyard or is this Penthouse Letters?

 

[DogMania]

We've all seen both Jay's make plays. They're both talented and capable. Neither seem to have enough confidence in their game so far to perform consistently, especially Ross.

Jayden has not been able to replicate consistently the eye popping plays he's demonstrated against the lessor opponents. He looked very Reggie Lewis light in the early games, but for some reason the game seems too fast for him. He just needs to learn to play hard and relax at the same time. He needs to experience some early success when he's out there, knocking down a 3, successfully driving the paint and finishing or setting up a teammate who has a better shot. He also needs to pick his spots on making the big defense plays and to focus more on staying between his man and the basket.

Jaylin, as pointed out, has shown some spurt scoring ability against a couple good teams after not showing much at the beginning of the season. Many probably forgot how MIA he looked at the beginning of the season, but has since contributed a couple times. Stewart doesn't have the play making or create his own shot skills like Ross did early on, but is a more physical player and has had a more reliable 3 Pt shot than Ross.

I'm fine with Ross starting and would be fine with Stewart starting depending the matchups. Unfortunately, a lineup with Diarra, Ball and Mahaney is just not big or physical enough, at least to start the game or for long stretches. They'd run the risk of getting exposed on the defense end and picking up a slew early fouls. I see Aidan more of a replacement when Ball sits, so with McNeeley out for a while it's time for the Jay's to step up. I hope both do so since they are both capable, and doing so makes the Huskies a more dangerous and deep team.

Just as the Yard needed to show patience with Mahaney who is starting to come around albeit in the Joey Cal role, we just need to be patient with these two sophomores and hope the stage begins to not feel so big for them. I'm hopeful.

 

[uconngb]

That's a good reason to give him the start, not necessarily a reason to give him big minutes. It earns him enough minutes to get film and see what he has to work on.

This…..if he’s great in practice, good for him. But if he can’t do it with the lights on, he doesn’t deserve the minutes he’s getting. This is a black and white business unfortunately. He was useless yesterday.

 

[uconngb]

Stewart needs to play over him. It's just that simple.

Pretty basic

 

[bmayuc]

To me this is not some big secret. Some guys have that innate confidence and swagger and play bigger as the lights get brighter as a core trait. Some don't. Khalid El-Amin? Dude had it from game 1. Liam McNeeley? Got it.

We've all played ball with the guy who was a stud in practice and then froze up when the crowd piles in. Conversely, we've all known the guy who was fine in practice and then the game hits and he levels up.

People call it different things... Being a "gamer", having the game "Slow down for him" or whatever. but clearly Jayden doesn't have it right now and its a liability when he's on the court.

The real question is how long of a leash does Hurley give him - because if he pulls the plug its going to be very hard for Jayden to then be resilient and overcome that public benching.

 

[uconngb]

This is like a NYTimes puzzle where you have to find the common theme - all of these players have somehow teased & seduced UConn fans into frenetic hope and allure. You don't have to necessarily play for the team to do that, simply bait and watch the salivation.

That was also a very quick list of 5 - unlikely to be all that accurate. If you have better, have at em.

You don’t have to be a genius to get what you were going for. You could have thrown Hamidou in there as well

 

[uconngb]

To me this is not some big secret. Some guys have that innate confidence and swagger and play bigger as the lights get brighter as a core trait. Some don't. Khalid El-Amin? Dude had it from game 1. Liam McNeeley? Got it.

We've all played ball with the guy who was a stud in practice and then froze up when the crowd piles in. Conversely, we've all known the guy who was fine in practice and then the game hits and he levels up.

People call it different things... Being a "gamer", having the game "Slow down for him" or whatever. but clearly Jayden doesn't have it right now and its a liability when he's on the court.

The real question is how long of a leash does Hurley give him - because if he pulls the plug its going to be very hard for Jayden to then be resilient and overcome that public benching.

Hopefully not much longer

 

[Palatine]

If you look back to last year, Ross was our leading scorer in the European exhibitions. The potential is there. Hurley believes he can turn that potential into accomplishment as evidenced by the playing time Hurley has given Ross. Hurley sees something that many on the BY do not. Ultimately, it is Ross himself who has to turn that potential into reality. Will it happen? Stay tuned.

 

[TheShot1990]

I'm awesome on the driving range. Play me for $5, I miss 3 foot putts. I think this is Jayden's issue. He's trying too hard. Relax kid.

 

[RuffRuff]

Of all the players who are getting playing time Ross has had the least amount of college game experience prior to this season other than Liam. Plus he's had two strikes against him which I've mentioned numerous times. The first is he had a sudden large and late growth spurt which sometimes takes time to adjust to. The second is, because of that spurt, after playing point guard all his life he started playing as a wing.

He's just starting to get into a rhythm coming off the bench as a role player. Now with Liam out he's a starter. New body, new position, new players, new scheme, new role. Apparently he's got the talent. Now he has to become comfortable with it.

You'd think then as an ex PG he'd exhibit some PG skills. Yes on time needed, but then you have a number of freshman difference makers around the country who are instant impact. Duke has a few of those guys, we have one and every good team has some young guys that will also get better with time, so it's all relative unless we are banking on Danny's development being exponentially better. I'm not sure I buy it for this year, but I will definitely stay tuned.

 

[superjohn]

To me this is not some big secret. Some guys have that innate confidence and swagger and play bigger as the lights get brighter as a core trait. Some don't. Khalid El-Amin? Dude had it from game 1. Liam McNeeley? Got it.

We've all played ball with the guy who was a stud in practice and then froze up when the crowd piles in. Conversely, we've all known the guy who was fine in practice and then the game hits and he levels up.

People call it different things... Being a "gamer", having the game "Slow down for him" or whatever. but clearly Jayden doesn't have it right now and its a liability when he's on the court.

The real question is how long of a leash does Hurley give him - because if he pulls the plug its going to be very hard for Jayden to then be resilient and overcome that public benching.

Yes but guys like El-Amin and McNeeley are just way more skilled and way better players than Ross.

 

[PlayItLeo]

To me, Ross is someone who needs to be "unlocked" like January 2023 Andre Jackson, and I don't think you get him there by letting him get 1 or 2 3PAs per game when he's got no shooter's touch right now. With his size and athleticism, I'd want him singularly focused on offensive rebounding and layups/put-backs to be effective this season. He just needs to see SOMETHING go through the net these days and putting January '23 Andre in the dunker's spot seemed to repair him enough for what we needed at that time. Developing a 3-point shot can be an offseason project, as that likely won't be fixed, or at least consistent, in the next 2+ months.

 

[bmayuc]

Yes but guys like El-Amin and McNeeley are just way more skilled and way better players than Ross.

There is a skill component and there is a confidence/makeup component. Its not like its a clean line between the two but there is no question the guy is more skilled than he's shown, its just not translating. He LOOKS skittish out there. The question is how long do ya nurse him along hoping it comes together.

 

[RuffRuff]

Teased and seduced, frenetic hope and allure?

Is this the boneyard or is this Penthouse Letters?

I now know what your read in your non BY time. Don’t keep that old stash all to yourself.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

If you look back to last year, Ross was our leading scorer in the European exhibitions. The potential is there. Hurley believes he can turn that potential into accomplishment as evidenced by the playing time Hurley has given Ross. Hurley sees something that many on the BY do not. Ultimately, it is Ross himself who has to turn that potential into reality. Will it happen? Stay tuned.

I don't disagree on the potential stuff but Ross was not their leading scorer in Europe last year. I don't know where you came up with that.

 

[CTBasketball]

It’s pick your poison at the 3/4 right now.

If Ross played defense I’d be all for him finding it on the offensive end. But he doesn’t play defense. He is a huge negative right now.

Stewart has forgot how to play defense, but we know he is more than capable offensively. You have to think he can unlock both facets.

 

[mauconnfan]

I've considered the bolded statement as a possibility. However other people who've observed Ross in practice including NBA scouts have made statements about Ross's potential as well. Therefore I don't think this is just a psychological play.

We heard about Stewie as a potential 1st rounder this year too none of that means much. And honestly Ross has shown potential on defense but by no means has he proven anything at all. Hes been beaten of the dribble often as of late and fouls jumping to block too much. This needs to be Stewart from what I see but he may need to show up for practice a bit more to get the nod?