To me biggest key down the stretch

[Scrappy3]

is for the ability for D Clingan to play 30-32 minutes. To me he is a top3 player left. He needs to stay out of foul trouble and increase his workload by 4-8 minutes. Its a simple equation when hes on the floor we are the best team. Edey from Purdue plays near 40 minutes at 7-4 300 we need clingan to increase his workload for 8-9 game. We will get the required play from 3 other players but what Clingan does is unique

 

[gsmooth]

is for the ability for D Clingan to play 30-32 minutes. To me he is a top3 player left. He needs to stay out of foul trouble and increase his workload by 4-8 minutes. Its a simple equation when hes on the floor we are the best team. Edey from Purdue plays near 40 minutes at 7-4 300 we need clingan to increase his workload for 8-9 game. We will get the required play from 3 other players but what Clingan does is unique

I hear you, but I don't know if Clingan can do that. I know Kalkbrenner can and Sanogo could last year, but can Clingan?

 

[mauconnfan]

is for the ability for D Clingan to play 30-32 minutes. To me he is a top3 player left. He needs to stay out of foul trouble and increase his workload by 4-8 minutes. Its a simple equation when hes on the floor we are the best team. Edey from Purdue plays near 40 minutes at 7-4 300 we need clingan to increase his workload for 8-9 game. We will get the required play from 3 other players but what Clingan does is unique

Out of foul trouble is a must. 25-28 is a must 30-32 would be a bonus though, but as you say may eventually be needed.

 

[nadavtheman]

Just everyone stay healthy for another month and let the chips fall…….

 

[Pmac923]

Need to get Solo Ball more run. There’s going to a spot where we need him like Joey C last year. There are always games where someone picks up 2 fouls and your bench needs to be stretched a bit.

 

[Chin Diesel]

The staff isn't game planning for Clingan to play 30 mpg.

If Clingan is playing 30 minutes, it's means things have gone wrong.

 

[husky429]

The staff isn't game planning for Clingan to play 30 mpg.

If Clingan is playing 30 minutes, it's means things have gone wrong.

View attachment 97296

Clingan fouls when he's tired. It's why we're so strict about getting him rest at the under-16 (and frustrating the bejesus out of the chat). He's a 25mpg guy.

 

[willie99]

No injuries, no problems

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Edey from Purdue plays near 40 minutes at 7-4 300 we need clingan to increase his workload for 8-9 game.

These are two VERY different players. Edey is largely stationary on D. He parks himself in the post and doesn’t really move. He doesn’t need to exert himself physically as much because of that and his sheer size on the offensive end.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Even non foul prone players esp bigs have trouble in the NCAA tourney. If UConn makes a deep run there is almost a 100% chance that DC is In foul trouble in 1 if not 2 games. Good news is team has learned to play without him and has multiple options. Bad news is Samson proclivity for fouling seems to be getting worse, need to fix that over next few games!

 

[DaMuttzNutt]

While it’s key. I disagree

It is Alex’s long range shooting ability. Him being on adds another layer and opens up more opportunities. With a healthy Donovan, you can’t defend Tristan or Cam & Donovan & Castle AND a hot AK. His three ball opens up back door cuts and can dagger teams in big moments

If Alex is on and this team doesn’t shoot itself in the foot with fouls, it’s the real favorite to win it all

 

[mauconnfan]

While it’s key. I disagree

It is Alex’s long range shooting ability. Him being on adds another layer and opens up more opportunities. With a healthy Donovan, you can’t defend Tristan or Cam & Donovan & Castle AND a hot AK. His three ball opens up back door cuts and can dagger teams in big moments

If Alex is on and this team doesn’t shoot itself in the foot with fouls, it’s the real favorite to win it all

No doubter here agree. Teams are really able to try to take Cam out of the game when Alex isn’t making shots. He also needs to take the ball to the basket when he is off and put pressure on the defense. It may allow for a double team and kick out.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Clingan fouls when he's tired. It's why we're so strict about getting him rest at the under-16 (and frustrating the bejesus out of the chat). He's a 25mpg guy.

Was it Creighton where play went on from about the 18 minute mark down to the 15 minute mark and Clingan picked up #2 on a moving screen? Regardless of which game it was I (And I suspect most other UConn fans) could see he was gassed and I knew a stupid foul from fatigue was coming his way. And Johnson had been sitting at the scorers table for almost 2 minutes. I was almost hoping Hurley would call a TO during that extended period of play just to get DC out with only one foul.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Clingan fouls when he's tired. It's why we're so strict about getting him rest at the under-16 (and frustrating the bejesus out of the chat). He's a 25mpg guy.

He also fouls when he’s out of position, which is rare, but usually in scenarios where the opposing team has pulled down an offensive rebound. In these instances it’s like he’s surprised by the moment he has to guard and he reaches. He needs to concede the bucket on O boards.

 

[Kenny11]

Maybe I am wrong but there are games where Clingan plays the same exact way and either gets in foul trouble or doesn't. There is usually some type of contact when he is involved in a play and the refs either blow the whistle or let it go. Yes, he has had some careless fouls but most of them could go either way and he, nor Hurley has control over it.

 

[gtcam]

For me there are 2 keys:
1. AK has to reclaim his perimeter shooting and if not then he needs to look to drive the ball
2. Both Cam and Newton need to improve their on ball defense. A team with two hard driving guards are going to toast them.

 

[HuskyBoi]

In my opinion, he is our most important player. He's the key to standing top of the key or down low on offense to facilitate or score. Defensively I am so worried with SJ because of his even worse defense. This team goes as far as Clingan staying on the court

On defense, Clingan has the ability to stay out of foul trouble. It's mostly garbage whistles by refs or him leaving his feet during a shot fake when he doesn't need to. When he's in the second half with just 1 foul to his name, that is when he will be at his most dangerous because his aggression will ramp up

 

[imno1]

is for the ability for D Clingan to play 30-32 minutes. To me he is a top3 player left. He needs to stay out of foul trouble and increase his workload by 4-8 minutes. Its a simple equation when hes on the floor we are the best team. Edey from Purdue plays near 40 minutes at 7-4 300 we need clingan to increase his workload for 8-9 game. We will get the required play from 3 other players but what Clingan does is unique

The key is for Donovan to avoid foul trouble so he can effectively play 25 - 28 minutes. Samson is a capable backup as long as Donovan isn’t hampered by early fouls.
IMO as long as we avoid the ice cold shooting game I like our chances to beat everyone

 

[Edward Sargent]

Edey doesnt exert as much energy as Donovan. Leave him be at 25 minutes

 

[Chin Diesel]

He also fouls when he’s out of position, which is rare, but usually in scenarios where the opposing team has pulled down an offensive rebound. In these instances it’s like he’s surprised by the moment he has to guard and he reaches. He needs to concede the bucket on O boards.

And he can concede by just standing with his arms straight up. A stationary Clingan with body straight and arms up is still a contested shot for most D1 players.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Clingan is not a 32 mpg guy. I wish he was. The NBA wishes he was.

One of the biggest questions coming into the year was whether Clingan's insane efficiency in 15 mpg could translate to a bigger role. The answer is "yes, but only 25-27 mpg." That may be disappointing for some, but is probably also enough for what we want to accomplish.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Clingan is not a 32 mpg guy. I wish he was. The NBA wishes he was.

One of the biggest questions coming into the year was whether Clingan's insane efficiency in 15 mpg could translate to a bigger role. The answer is "yes, but only 25-27 mpg." That may be disappointing for some, but is probably also enough for what we want to accomplish.

I'm confident in 4-5 years he'll be a 32 mpg player but he needs a gradual build up. Heavyweight boxers aren't fighting 12 round championship bouts at age 20.

 

[Kolumbo]

We need to gameplan that Clingan doesn't play too many minutes because 1. there is a good chance he gets called for fouls and 2. we want to keep him healthy. I feel like we have to hope he gets through the first 8 minutes of the game with 1 foul or less or he ends up a spectator. I'm not saying the refs suck, but sometimes they call ticky-tack fouls, sometimes they let the guys play. Big guys play physical. He is learning to avoid stupid fouls but many times it just seems like a crap shoot on what gets called.

 

[gsmooth]

Need to get Solo Ball more run. There’s going to a spot where we need him like Joey C last year. There are always games where someone picks up 2 fouls and your bench needs to be stretched a bit.

Solo Ball was a big reason why UConn defeated North Carolina.

 

[uconnfan68]

Even non foul prone players esp bigs have trouble in the NCAA tourney. If UConn makes a deep run there is almost a 100% chance that DC is In foul trouble in 1 if not 2 games. Good news is team has learned to play without him and has multiple options. Bad news is Samson proclivity for fouling seems to be getting worse, need to fix that over next few games!

They both need to cut back on high hedges and protect the rim.

 

[AllHusky]

Karaban-Put backs, drives and back doors will lead to 3's

Ball had a drive against Seton Hall that was super, and thought his defense was solid. Just be ready ala Joey California

Everyone else keep doing what we are doing.

 

[dennismenace]

csWhile it’s key. I disagree

It is Alex’s long range shooting ability. Him being on adds another layer and opens up more opportunities. With a healthy Donovan, you can’t defend Tristan or Cam & Donovan & Castle AND a hot AK. His three ball opens up back door cuts and can dagger teams in big moments

If Alex is on and this team doesn’t shoot itself in the foot with fouls, it’s the real favorite to win it all

Sometimes, if not often, they seem to take what the defense gives them. After watching the Hoopvision68 video a few times I am convinced that they also force the defense to make mistakes and thus "give them" what they are looking for: an opening for a clean or even easy shot. Someone pointed out that they are playing 3 point guards, a point forward and a big who is a great passer. If Alex gets
hot shooting its lights out. But the last game they got an inordinate amount of points in the paint. I think getting early points in the paint
is key for them. When they do the defense sags and that opens 3 point land. Even if Alex is not scoring he is such a threat with all his other skills that someone(s) will start shaking loose. Their balance and unselfishness and the sophistication of the offense make everyone or anyone a threat. Very much a team effort. It reminds me of the phrase "it seemed like they had 6 guys on the floor instead of 5."

 

[JustbrewitMan]

They both need to cut back on high hedges and protect the rim.

The amount of fouls and busted plays due the high hedge D has been very minimal. Some here hate it and will go to their graves bashing it...but the fact of the matter is that it is an effective disruptor of offensive sets, and Samson (who is the one who does it most often) is highly effective and quick to get back to the paint after the hedge.

Our D is so effective because we don't just park our big men in the paint in some predictable Syracuse-esque 2-3 zone.

 

[Chin Diesel]

We need to gameplan that Clingan doesn't play too many minutes because 1. there is a good chance he gets called for fouls and 2. we want to keep him healthy. I feel like we have to hope he gets through the first 8 minutes of the game with 1 foul or less or he ends up a spectator. I'm not saying the refs suck, but sometimes they call ticky-tack fouls, sometimes they let the guys play. Big guys play physical. He is learning to avoid stupid fouls but many times it just seems like a crap shoot on what gets called.

That's a very good indicator for DC's minutes and impact. One foul or less his first stint. SJ comes on for a few minutes and then DC usually comes back on between 12-10 minutes left in the half. If he gets deep in to his second rotation minutes, it's good for UConn.

 

[huskeynut]

A few of observations.
1. Clingan and Johnson have a planned rotation. Each have their pluses and yes, minuses. So far Hurley's decisions about these two have been just fine.
2. Karaban's 3 point shot will return. The continual screening UConn does gets Alex free for backdoor cuts and drives to the basket. Relax. This team knows how to adapt.
3. How many teams have locked down Spencer so far. 2 or 3. Don't worry, Spencer is too savvy to get locked down. Besides, Spencer is an integral part of the continual motion offense.
4. UConn as 6 players who can score in double figures in any game. Our opponents need to pick their poison. This team is very talented and very difficult to guard. Too much height, too much speed, too much talent.
5. This team has seen many a defense to thwart them. They know how to adapt and exploit those defense.
6. This team is very well coach by an outstanding staff.