UCLA Post Game Thread

[305Husk]

To be honest, I like Ross coming off the bench right now. He brings that spark exactly when we need it and changes the energy of the game. I’ve got zero issue's with his role, it fits this team. If not for foul trouble last night he probably logs more minutes.
And yeah, I think he’s a starter next year. Right now, this is what helps us.

Tell us again how a college player can be a ten-year vet.

 

[ucp990411]

Nice win. Malachi held his own, AK rose up. Ross continues to elevate. Now a week to heal up and hopefully Silas is there and Stew can provide minutes, as we need options.

Thanks god we kept that B10 team out or else the S16 would be loaded with their teams. MSU, Purdue, Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa.

BE more teams in S16 than ACC.

They should have lots of teams there. What do they have about 57 teams in the conference. Hopefully we make it 58

 

[Edward Sargent]

Duke vs. St John's was always going to be prime time. Duke is Duke and St. John's is going to have all kinds of new bandwagon fans by next Friday.

St Johns already has the bandwagon fans - good for them!

 

[dennismenace]

This team's best lineup right now is with Smith and Demary together in the back court, and Ross on the wing. Not necessarily saying it should start that way, bit that should be our most played lineup.

Speed and defense gives another dimension. It can be startling to an opponent. Off to the races in transition.

 

[Husky Alien]

Tell us again how a college player can be a ten-year vet.

Ya, your another one. You might want to find out who said that. It certainly was not mwa. Get it right.
By the way, how was Mullins last night? Do you approve now.? Lol

 

[dennismenace]

I've always liked him.

He's a character. He does look like he's aged a lot. But so has Rick Barnes, Pitino and Izzo. He's always produced competitive teams and is a survivor. It is odd to see him with a West Coast team though. He's not what you'd call "laid back" 😁

 

[towerman]

I will say it again. Start Ross. No Solo.

 

[dennismenace]

Every SJ game prognostications starts with "If the refs....."

I would be funny if the big east refs we had tonight wound up handling that game. Duke wouldn't know what hit them. Seriously, it was good to see Hopkins get his stroke back. He has that leadership skill and as a senior he is stepping up at precisely the right time. Wish him the best except against us.

 

[Dove]

I will say it again. Start Ross. No Solo.

Sorry towerman. I missed that first time. Now, I got it.

 

[UCTitleTown]

I had to get up at 5:00 am for work and made the tough decision to go to bed very early in the game. We were down three early in the first half when I went to bed. A woke up at least 6 times dreaming about different scenarios where I tried to find out if UConn won such as being at work, school etc. In all of them UConn won. I was thrilled to get up this morning and find out they won.

A couple things from the game stats, Hurley realizing SB didn't have it (0 for 5 shooting). The other is MS playing 32 minutes and scoring only 2 pts. That's a strange stat line. Getting 4 total points from the point between him and SD and still winning by 16 is crazy.

 

[CL82]

Every SJ game prognostications starts with "If the refs....."

I haven't watched them since the biggie tournament, Are they still grabbing as much off the ball?

 

[mauconnfan]

D

I will say it again. Start Ross. No Solo.

Won’t happen for 2 reasons, and shouldn’t. We’d be even better if Solo can find himself, and you can’t shatter the kid this late in the year with a move like that. The leash will be short, that works fine. Reason 2 is Ross is comfortable coming off the bench, bringing energy. Imagine starting him, gets 2 quick fouls and is sitting for more minutes than playing? Now you need Solo to man up, but he’s never done it coming off the bench this could turn into a tragedy.

No reason to change at all. Minutes are more important than who starts.

 

[CL82]

Mullins play was very off but he started to see some light at the end

Second highest scorer with 17 points. At the start of the game, though it seemed like he couldn't do anything right.

 

[Marat]

I will say it again. Start Ross. No Solo.

Many of us know it, yeah. Hurley won't do it . We really need Solo to produce offensively to defeat the top teams . Mullins may have snapped out of his cold streak. Its time for Solo to do the same.

 

[businesslawyer]

1. AK and Mullins haters look real dumb. AK specifically has drawn some of the dumbest takes in this board’s history over the last few months. What a game captain.
2. Ross and Malachi were DOGS tonight
3. Reed still with a key double double.
4. Demary clearly a couple steps slow and still played excellent defense and facilitated. Just no first step on offense right now. Gutted this one out.
5. It won’t happen but you gotta start Ross over Solo next game.

Ball being benched is not going to happen. Not Hurley’s way. But Ross will play more minutes than him.

 

[Conndog]

A return trip back "home" to the DC area, hopefully that gets Solo's head right

Maybe he can tell with pre-game shots if he’s on or not. He should take some with a teammate rendering soft defense too to simulate actual game experience

 

[Hurleyman216]

Mullins officially out of his slump, let’s get Solo out of his and keep rolling!

 

[Conndog]

Agreed. You could see Solo on the bench hurting mentally knowing he was hurting them while others tried consoling him.

There’s no question he’s not getting it done on either end but he’s hustling and cares and has never made excuses.

Coach needs to guide him back into game form- boost his confidence, reaffirm that Solo is valuable and contributing even if missing shots thru the energy he displays that his teammates see, and convince him that good shooters get into funks some times but rally out again too.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

I haven't watched them since the biggie tournament, Are they still grabbing as much off the ball?

 

[dennismenace]

Subtle change going on with Ross that's certainly timely on offense. Seems to be looking for the ball -in flow of the game-to either get off a shot and or attack the rim rather than just passing the ball to keep the offense running. Vs UCLA- Was immediately recognizing mismatch opportunities for himself- to seek his shot/get off his shot when the team needed him to do so. Maturing into an excellent two-way crunch time player.

Refs did him no favors on a few foul calls last night. Need him on the floor vs Mich St.-Will be a rock fight. Will be a "home game" for him and Solo in DC. Repaying Dan with his play for Danny's confidence in him. Good to see.

Really exciting to see Ross shine now. Growing confidence for him and staff who now sees him as one of their "A" player development men. He is really going to a be a weapon next year. Dan Hurley was right about his potential a couple of years ago and he has applied himself accordingly.

 

[dennismenace]

I had to get up at 5:00 am for work and made the tough decision to go to bed very early in the game. We were down three early in the first half when I went to bed. A woke up at least 6 times dreaming about different scenarios where I tried to find out if UConn won such as being at work, school etc. In all of them UConn won. I was thrilled to get up this morning and find out they won.

A couple things from the game stats, Hurley realizing SB didn't have it (0 for 5 shooting). The other is MS playing 32 minutes and scoring only 2 pts. That's a strange stat line. Getting 4 total points from the point between him and SD and still winning by 16 is crazy.

Doesn't it seem like for years we often have some kind of crazy stat line over the past 3-4 years and yet still manage to win? Our unselfishness/assists keeps us running like a Husky sled team.

 

[willstafa24]

Can anything be done this week with Solo? Shooting coach? 2 back to back wide open 3’s then the give up 3 point play other end? When he hits those shots we go to another level.

He's just a 30% shooter this year. It's not a slump. He is stuck in this rut and needs the offseason to fix it. The team is shooting 28% from 3 in the last 9 games so that magnifies Ball's poor shooting

That's his issue - if he's not hitting shots, he's a problem in all other areas. He was -13 in a game we won by 16 - process that, in 13 minutes. As soon as his feet hit the floor, the team looked disoriented.

I'm hoping Stew is back so he can be the extra weight we need out there. Solo has had a whole year to figure it out.

He's just a 30% shooter this year. It's not a slump. He is stuck in this rut and needs the offseason to fix it. Alex shot 34.7% last year and never really got going. He re-calibrated for this year though.

Also, the team is shooting 28% from 3 in the last nine games so that magnifies Ball's poor shooting.

 

[djct1999]

Malachi really played well these 2 games. Him giving us these minutes is huge. Loved him and Silas on the floor together. 2 guys who can actually break down the defense.

Can’t say this loud enough. Malachi was simply enormous these last two games. Kid deserves a ton of credit.

 

[HCCForever]

Can’t say this loud enough. Malachi was simply enormous these last two games. Kid deserves a ton of credit.

He had that magnificent close-out on an attempted UCLA three which caused an up and down call. I can’t recall the shooter but he knew that Malachi had a good chance of blocking the shot.

 

[willstafa24]

D

Won’t happen for 2 reasons, and shouldn’t. We’d be even better if Solo can find himself, and you can’t shatter the kid this late in the year with a move like that. The leash will be short, that works fine. Reason 2 is Ross is comfortable coming off the bench, bringing energy. Imagine starting him, gets 2 quick fouls and is sitting for more minutes than playing? Now you need Solo to man up, but he’s never done it coming off the bench this could turn into a tragedy.

No reason to change at all. Minutes are more important than who starts.

I agree with you but I will say that if Solo starts then he's getting up a few 3s at the beginning of the game and will go no better than 1-4. There isn't any finding himself this year. He is shooting 30% on the same attempts per game as last year. He needs a vacation and hypnosis.

I actually think his confidence could get worse if he's starts and wonders when he'll come out and not come back in, opposed to discussing a new role off the bench where he knows where he stands. However, that's something that should have been done about right games ago and would be difficult to do now.