UConn’s Rebounding Problem

[Umami Zen]

Freemantle is really a stretch 4 -but playing the 5-out of roster necessity for Miller. Have seen him a few times in games since his return and there are long sequences where he is at top of key-FL extended. Believe he's shooting around 42% from 3pt line. Will be interesting to see how Miller deploys him tonite (5 and out?) and how DH defends him. Confident Reed could dominate vs him in the paint -deeper position the better- and keeping him off the boards.

 

[husky429]

In isolating data there is no argument about Johnson's rebounding and making a case he should sit on the bench. When looking at the weakness of this team, which is keeping perimeter players from driving into the lane uncontested unless we foul them, Johnson plays a significant role in defense.

Reed is not good at pivoting to contest these easy lay ups. Johnson's weak side help is far better. Even without blocking it has positive impacts. It forces players to rush their shot increasing the probability of missing.

Our center rotation is not the major problem in Liam's absence. Although I hope Reed can get out of whatever funk he's in.

Where did I say we should bench Samson? I said he's a bad rebounder and nothing else. Go off though

 

[alphasigko]

Johnson has no clue how to follow a shot and instinctively figure out if it is off directionally, or too hard/soft, and where to position himself to 1) box out the opponent, and 2) estimate where the ball will be available to grab it. It all happens so fast, that he cannot process all of that in short order. Good, and especially great, rebounders have that skill in their DNA.

 

[ctchamps]

Where did I say we should bench Samson? I said he's a bad rebounder and nothing else. Go off though

It was a continuation with Huskybass. You referenced him in your post.

 

[Huskybass]

It was a continuation with Huskybass. You referenced him in your post.

And I stand by the fact that 2.9 rebounds per game for a starting Center isn't cutting it. Rebound or sit. Newton averaged 6.6 rebounds per game as a guard. 5 or 6 from a 6' 10" starting Center isn't too much to ask.

 

[uconngb]

per 40 for Tarris and Samson are not good indicators since they both have 5+ fouls per 40

More like 8+

 

[Scottobot]

I think we need to improve our quickness and athleticism in next years new guys.

When we recruited Ball, Stewart, and Ross my memory was they were expected to be good athletes and quick.

Diarra is not that athletic (he is quick) and he is a very good defender. I feel like Ball, Stewart, and Ross all should be good defenders, and historically this coaching staff has coached players to become good defenders. I am at a loss for why these 3 guys are not playing better defense. Also don’t understand why Ross and Stewart are not good rebounders. My guess is they go for blocks and pump fakes too much and get out of position.

 

[UCan3]

UConn is getting beat on the glass or barely holding their own against mostly unranked teams which is what we play in the BE. This translates to second chance points for our opponents and is a key reason why all of our games are nail biters. I’m sure someone out there will trot out statistics showing why this is not an issue but I believe we have a major problem.
Obviously when McNeeley comes back things will even somewhat but the question of whether playing Reed a lot more minutes now would be advisable comes to mind.
St. John’s is a multiplayer rebounding machine and things could get ugly playing them.
I like that Johnson has improved and the team does well on offense with him but 2 or 3 rebounds a game just isn’t acceptable?

And I checked the stats. Uconn’s rebounding is last in the BE.

Well, I’m offensive then we don’t cut the boards nearly enough and dish and pass and then aggressively rebound.

Too often it is Johnson sitting at the free-throw line setting moving screens, and Mahaney looking like he doesn’t want the ball. Reed too can be apprehensive to mix it up. So who’s left to get the rebound? Ball? Alex?

I would check this up to team chemistry at this point, and they have to start learning to play with one another.

On defensive end we tend to leave the person we’re guarding to double team this often leads to miscommunications with no one under the hoop to grab that rebound. We were lucky to win against Butler as they killed us on glass near end of game.

 

[tennmike]

Give Abraham 10-15 minutes per game and he'll rebound, provide good defense, and probably be as effective (or more) offensively as Ross.
Hurley's commitment to the sophs is getting in the way.

 

[Spaceman213J]

Many have talked about this team's collective basketball IQ and instincts. There are a lot of 'watchers' on this team and waiting for the ball to carom off the rim to go get it is not a recipe for success. Good rebounders start making an effort as the shooter is releasing the ball. Understand the angle the shot is coming from and look for some open space. Most of the work needs to be done before the ball hits the rim.
Diarra may be the player on the team with the best rebounding instincts, but you don't want your PG crashing the offensive boards if it is going to lead to some fast break the other way. Some guys can also just read the ball off a shooter's hands and pretty quickly know it's going to be short, long, left or right. AJ was really good at this. I think it was lost because he could also use his freakish jumping ability to get some rebounds sometimes, but he also had really good instincts. Last year, Cam and Newton were good rebounders for their position as well and you had Clingan who just ate up so much space and demanded so much attention underneath.
Finally, you also have to box out the shooter once he lands. There have been numerous times this year when the shooter has shot, and not have a body put on him, and they are free to get a rebound.

 

[alphasigko]

Many have talked about this team's collective basketball IQ and instincts. There are a lot of 'watchers' on this team and waiting for the ball to carom off the rim to go get it is not a recipe for success. Good rebounders start making an effort as the shooter is releasing the ball. Understand the angle the shot is coming from and look for some open space. Most of the work needs to be done before the ball hits the rim.
Diarra may be the player on the team with the best rebounding instincts, but you don't want your PG crashing the offensive boards if it is going to lead to some fast break the other way. Some guys can also just read the ball off a shooter's hands and pretty quickly know it's going to be short, long, left or right. AJ was really good at this. I think it was lost because he could also use his freakish jumping ability to get some rebounds sometimes, but he also had really good instincts. Last year, Cam and Newton were good rebounders for their position as well and you had Clingan who just ate up so much space and demanded so much attention underneath.
Finally, you also have to box out the shooter once he lands. There have been numerous times this year when the shooter has shot, and not have a body put on him, and they are free to get a rebound.

Completely Agree. See my Post in #28 above.

 

[ctchamps]

Great to see Solo with 11 rebounds this game.

In the first half thought we were going to get blown out. The team was a Ball three point shot away from winning.

 

[giddyup]

I think we need to improve our quickness and athleticism in next years new guys.

100%. This is a relatively slow team and it shows on D. Rebounding is also casualty of slow feet. It doesn’t matter how much Hurley demands more intensity, the feet don’t lie.

 

[SwingDog]

We won the rebounding battle tonight 35-28. In fact we won in nearly every category (tied with FG % at 47.3%) except for the one that really matters.

 

[jibsey]

We won the rebounding battle tonight 35-28. In fact we won in nearly every category (tied with FG % at 47.3%) except for the one that really matters.

Correct, but personal fouls were lost. We went 13-17 and they went 17-24. 7 points. We have to fight uphill through that every game, and I just want to say that since Hurley pointed out the holding and grabbing of our players I have been watching it more closely and he’s right. It affects the ability to get clean looks from 3. Opposing coaches tell their teams to do it because it will not be called, I would.

 

[SwingDog]

Correct, but personal fouls were lost. We went 13-17 and they went 17-24. 7 points. We have to fight uphill through that every game, and I just want to say that since Hurley pointed out the holding and grabbing of our players I have been watching it more closely and he’s right. It affects the ability to get clean looks from 3. Opposing coaches tell their teams to do it because it will not be called, I would.

You're right, and to your point, you can't argue with a coach's strategy to grab and hold when it's something happening on a regular basis. Too bad it serms there's a double standard.