Three Takeaways – Xavier edition

[Matrim55]

No. 1: We're better than I thought we would be. Obviously it's inconsistent, obviously the offense can disappear, obviously we leave points on the table with missed bunnies and, uh, let's call it "questionable" guard play. But if you'd offered me these kinds of games – legitimate dogfights against top 25 teams with experienced guards and true Big East big men – before the season, I'd have taken it.

Honestly I thought we were going to lose this one by 10. And at halftime I thought we were going to lose by 20.

We're not particularly smart* or talented, but we've become tough. Let's hope that lasts.

* I am worried that our lack of late-game smartness isn't solely coming from the kids. Some of Hurley's rotations and play calls are pretty, pretty bad. Pretty bad!

No. 2: Unless you're snagging top 50 recruits left and right, in the college game you are who your upperclassmen are. And our upperclassmen are four 3-star recruits (Carlton, Vital, Whaley, Polley) and a high 4-star who, for various reasons, has never been able to live up to his ranking.

Xavier's best players tonight were Scruggs (top 40 recruit), Marshall (top 60) and Jones (top 100).

We are at a talent deficit and an on-court knowhow deficit against good teams. It's just reality for this year, and I suspect we'll lose more of these games than we'll win because of it. It's frustrating, but that's life.

For now.

No. 3: I told y'all a year ago that Bouk was a 5-star recruit the services had underranked b/c of the injury he suffered as a junior – he just wasn't on the circuit as much so folks didn't get to see him.

He's going to be special on both ends.

 

[YoungFree]

I'm sad for the win but dang, once Carlton fouled out I thought we'd see Akok. Not sure what Hurley was doing but we gotta trust him. Two years ago we would have lost by 50! Bring on Miami!

 

[Matrim55]

Our upperclassmen shot 11-for-48 from the floor.

 

[Towney007]

We're fine. I'm not as OUTRAGED~! as everyone else is on here.

1. Carlton/Gilbert/Vital need to be better. Carlton missed about 8,000 open shots tonight. Gilbert flat out stinks and Vital was hit and miss, but you're gonna get those games out of him. Still - those three guys killed us. The young guys at this point have shown me enough to the point where the nonsense shouldn't be tolerated. Hurley has to be rougher on the older guys.

2.We have to find a way to take our usual first half 7 minute dirt nap and bury it in a desert somewhere.

3. Holy we're playing good teams like this - we're going to be in great shape come conference time.

I'm pretty bullish on post season basketball. We're on track and much better. Just need older players to not be total idiots.

 

[HanDurley]

Gilbert gotta chill

 

[Purple Stein]

Can anyone explain why we run so many dribble handoffs through Carlton beyond the 3 point line? I get drawing the opposing big away from the basket, but when AG gets doubled and flips it back to Carlton, the set is toast.

Why not run that through Polley and Akok?

 

[intlzncster]

Our upperclassmen shot 11-for-48 from the floor.

I want to dislike this.

 

[4in16]

Number 1....Gilbert needs to stop driving out of control into the lane but the FT shooting was a revelation. Number 2...This game was essentially lost when the kid from Xavier took an ill advised 3 from the C in Charleston and had his prayers answered. Number 3...these refs were hot garbage and ended up deciding the game on a touch foul when there was no and one on bouk’s go ahead shot or on our offensive end at the end of the 2nd ot.

 

[ChocRaisins]

Can anyone explain why we run so many dribble handoffs through Carlton beyond the 3 point line? I get drawing the opposing big away from the basket, but when AG gets doubled and flips it back to Carlton, the set is toast.

Why not run that through Polley and Akok?

You use the big andhis defender in action so you can cross screen as he dives towards the rim and either pins his man deep or gets a switch onto a favorable matchup.

 

[superjohn]

No. 1: We're better than I thought we would be. Obviously it's inconsistent, obviously the offense can disappear, obviously we leave points on the table with missed bunnies and, uh, let's call it "questionable" guard play. But if you'd offered me these kinds of games – legitimate dogfights against top 25 teams with experienced guards and true Big East big men – before the season, I'd have taken it.

Honestly I thought we were going to lose this one by 10. And at halftime I thought we were going to lose by 20.

We're not particularly smart* or talented, but we've become tough. Let's hope that lasts.

* I am worried that our lack of late-game smartness isn't solely coming from the kids. Some of Hurley's rotations and play calls are pretty, pretty bad. Pretty bad!

No. 2: Unless you're snagging top 50 recruits left and right, in the college game you are who your upperclassmen are. And our upperclassmen are four 3-star recruits (Carlton, Vital, Whaley, Polley) and a high 4-star who, for various reasons, has never been able to live up to his ranking.

Xavier's best players tonight were Scruggs (top 40 recruit), Marshall (top 60) and Jones (top 100).

We are at a talent deficit and an on-court knowhow deficit against good teams. It's just reality for this year, and I suspect we'll lose more of these games than we'll win because of it. It's frustrating, but that's life.

For now.

No. 3: I told y'all a year ago that Bouk was a 5-star recruit the services had underranked b/c of the injury he suffered as a junior – he just wasn't on the circuit as much so folks didn't get to see him.

He's going to be special on both ends.

No. 1- all the lack of late game smartness was coming from the veterans. It's what lost us the game and it's unacceptable. We badly outplayed Xavier in the second half until Vital and Gilbert lost their minds.

 

[ConnEd]

You use the big andhis defender in action so you can cross screen as he dives towards the rim and either pins his man deep or gets a switch onto a favorable matchup.

Yeah. In the first half, Carlton was getting pushed to the weak side by Jones making entry passes turnovers-waiting-to-happen.

 

[ASweet3781]

No. 1- all the lack of late game smartness was coming from the veterans. It's what lost us the game and it's unacceptable. We badly outplayed Xavier in the second half until Vital and Gilbert lost their minds.

It's unbelievable. They finally have some help and have a chance to win games against good teams and leave some mark on their UConn careers and they just can't help out at all when it counted.

 

[Marbles90]

No. 1: We're better than I thought we would be. Obviously it's inconsistent, obviously the offense can disappear, obviously we leave points on the table with missed bunnies and, uh, let's call it "questionable" guard play. But if you'd offered me these kinds of games – legitimate dogfights against top 25 teams with experienced guards and true Big East big men – before the season, I'd have taken it.

Honestly I thought we were going to lose this one by 10. And at halftime I thought we were going to lose by 20.

We're not particularly smart* or talented, but we've become tough. Let's hope that lasts.

* I am worried that our lack of late-game smartness isn't solely coming from the kids. Some of Hurley's rotations and play calls are pretty, pretty bad. Pretty bad!

No. 2: Unless you're snagging top 50 recruits left and right, in the college game you are who your upperclassmen are. And our upperclassmen are four 3-star recruits (Carlton, Vital, Whaley, Polley) and a high 4-star who, for various reasons, has never been able to live up to his ranking.

Xavier's best players tonight were Scruggs (top 40 recruit), Marshall (top 60) and Jones (top 100).

We are at a talent deficit and an on-court knowhow deficit against good teams. It's just reality for this year, and I suspect we'll lose more of these games than we'll win because of it. It's frustrating, but that's life.

For now.

No. 3: I told y'all a year ago that Bouk was a 5-star recruit the services had underranked b/c of the injury he suffered as a junior – he just wasn't on the circuit as much so folks didn't get to see him.

He's going to be special on both ends.

Agree with all 3 takes. As Hurley has alluded to, we are going to go as far as AG, CV and JC take us. We can hope they get better but there is a ceiling. That being said, games are fun to watch this year and hopefully we are just a year away. Love Bouk and Akok!!

 

[Conquistador]

Also on a positive note, there’s some semblance of an offense. We actually have some decent offensive sets for the first time in a long time!

 

[superjohn]

No. 1: We're better than I thought we would be. Obviously it's inconsistent, obviously the offense can disappear, obviously we leave points on the table with missed bunnies and, uh, let's call it "questionable" guard play. But if you'd offered me these kinds of games – legitimate dogfights against top 25 teams with experienced guards and true Big East big men – before the season, I'd have taken it.

Honestly I thought we were going to lose this one by 10. And at halftime I thought we were going to lose by 20.

We're not particularly smart* or talented, but we've become tough. Let's hope that lasts.

* I am worried that our lack of late-game smartness isn't solely coming from the kids. Some of Hurley's rotations and play calls are pretty, pretty bad. Pretty bad!

No. 2: Unless you're snagging top 50 recruits left and right, in the college game you are who your upperclassmen are. And our upperclassmen are four 3-star recruits (Carlton, Vital, Whaley, Polley) and a high 4-star who, for various reasons, has never been able to live up to his ranking.

Xavier's best players tonight were Scruggs (top 40 recruit), Marshall (top 60) and Jones (top 100).

We are at a talent deficit and an on-court knowhow deficit against good teams. It's just reality for this year, and I suspect we'll lose more of these games than we'll win because of it. It's frustrating, but that's life.

For now.

No. 3: I told y'all a year ago that Bouk was a 5-star recruit the services had underranked b/c of the injury he suffered as a junior – he just wasn't on the circuit as much so folks didn't get to see him.

He's going to be special on both ends.

No. 3- As @auror said Gilbert and Vital should be ancillary pieces. Make Bouknight the focal point of the offense, he's not gonna be here too long.

 

[ctchamps]

We were a three game suspension and an academic ineligibility away from easily winning this game.

Totally agree the play calling at the end of game was poor. I’d say it was questionable after every time out.

Don’t know why Akok was benched but doubt it was for disciplinary reasons. Hurley did sit Christian quite a bit at end subbing in Bouknight. I still think Brendan was limited because of back spasms forcing Hurley to playing Gilbert more than he would have liked.

I’m deaf because I stood next to a young lady who screamed the entire game. UConn should fly her to every game she is that good. Place was electric and though bummed by the outcome I feel the future is bright.

Sunday’s game will give me an idea if the players are mentally tough or mentally weak. A mentally tough team will make the opposing team pay for this loss.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

We were a three game suspension and an academic ineligibility away from easily winning this game.

Totally agree the play calling at the end of game was poor. I’d say it was questionable after every time out.

Don’t know why Akok was benched but doubt it was for disciplinary reasons. Hurley did sit Christian quite a bit at end subbing in Bouknight. I still think Brendan was limited because of back spasms forcing Hurley to playing Gilbert more than he would have liked.

I’m deaf because I stood next to a young lady who screamed the entire game. UConn should fly her to every game she is that good. Place was electric and though bummed by the outcome I feel the future is bright.

Sunday’s game will give me an idea if the players are mentally tough or mentally weak. A mentally tough team will make the opposing team pay for this loss.

UConn fans in the arena sound good at home on the television.
Demonstrates and instills pride.
Keep it up on Sunday.

 

[Huskybass]

Our starting backcourt is putrid and plays incredibly low basketball IQ basketball. Gilbert overpenetrates constantly and the result is never good. Vital's shot selection is still awful. Hard to watch these two make the same mistakes over and over again, especially when there are far better options on the floor with them.

 

[uconnyankee]

Number 1....Gilbert needs to stop driving out of control into the lane but the FT shooting was a revelation. Number 2...This game was essentially lost when the kid from Xavier took an ill advised 3 from the C in Charleston and had his prayers answered. Number 3...these refs were hot garbage and ended up deciding the game on a touch foul when there was no and one on bouk’s go ahead shot or on our offensive end at the end of the 2nd ot.

I thought the travel call on Whaley as garbage... The player fell on his legs.

I like Giberts attack mentality. I'm sure he's feeling pressure to be 'the man'.
Too many of his drives are swatted. If he can learn to draw contact more often he'd be a regular 20+ point guy with 10 FT's a game easily.

 

[PAHusky]

Our starting backcourt is putrid and plays incredibly low basketball IQ basketball. Gilbert overpenetrates constantly and the result is never good. Vital's shot selection is still awful. Hard to watch these two make the same mistakes over and over again, especially when there are far better options on the floor with them.

It’s really frustrating. Every time we seemed to get a little momentum going at the end of the game one or the other of Gilbert or Vital would lose their minds and go iso to predictable results. I like them both for their obvious toughness and intensity but they have hands down the lowest bb iq of any starting backcourt I’ve seen and they’re upperclassmen. Totally inexcusable and must drive Hurley insane

 

[Slasher]

Early game Gilbert was awesome. He was penetrating and dishing to wide open shooters. Most of them missed, but he was drawing the defense and getting guys great looks. Then he went back into AG mode of forcing super contested zero chance shots after over penetration. If he could stick to his first 10 minutes and occasionally push the lane for layups he'd be so much more effective.

 

[KembaStepback]

Couple things.

1. The reach-in by Bouk cost us the game. Terrible foul. Inexcusable. That said, he is FUN to watch. Talented kid.

2. Gilbert and Vital have the WORST shot selection I've ever seen. Vital get these blinders on and there is no chance he passes. I love his intensity but my lord he kills me with the shot selection. Gilbert is best distributing the ball. He can get into the lane but he over penetrates and get stuck under the basket with nowhere to go.

3. Akok is the best rim protector we have had in awhile. Not sure why he wasnt playing late in that game. Hes also an asset on offense.

 

[freescooter]

We're fine. I'm not as OUTRAGED~! as everyone else is on here.

1. Carlton/Gilbert/Vital need to be better. Carlton missed about 8,000 open shots tonight. Gilbert flat out stinks and Vital was hit and miss, but you're gonna get those games out of him. Still - those three guys killed us. The young guys at this point have shown me enough to the point where the nonsense shouldn't be tolerated. Hurley has to be rougher on the older guys.

2.We have to find a way to take our usual first half 7 minute dirt nap and bury it in a desert somewhere.

3. Holy # 2 we're playing good teams like this - we're going to be in great shape come conference time.

I'm pretty bullish on post season basketball. We're on track and much better. Just need older players to not be total idiots.

Carlton/Gilbert/vital have been here long enough to know that they are what they are. Of the 3 Carlton is the only one who is irreplaceable in the sense that we don’t have another big.

 

[ctchamps]

Early game Gilbert was awesome. He was penetrating and dishing to wide open shooters. Most of them missed, but he was drawing the defense and getting guys great looks. Then he went back into AG mode of forcing super contested zero chance shots after over penetration. If he could stick to his first 10 minutes and occasionally push the lane for layups he'd be so much more effective.

Post/handle.

 

[don356]

That was a game that should have been played at the casino court as the kid who shoots the 3 to tie it from 5 feet behind the line that early in the clock had no business shooting that. Their fans would have been all over him if he missed it, and he's been the goat often before. I think he's at best a 20% 3 pt shooter. Crazy. That said, Akok is a guy who should have been able to exploit their front court guys and he was m.i.a. 4 pts in 26 minutes disappointing. Carlton is improved, but his finishing skills are still shaky. On to the next game. Ashamed to waste a good 2nd half.