UConn Secret Scrimmage | The Boneyard

UConn Secret Scrimmage

Here’s a list of all secret scrimmages:


UVA is so disciplined on defense, so I really like playing them as an early season test.

Can’t beat a pack line D without shooters and we’ve got quite a few!
 
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It's tough for fans to process that the score doesn't matter. They are trying stuff. We are trying stuff. We are doing things we might not do in games. They are doing things they might not do in games. How many points Samson scores is meaningless but we all want the box score.
 
UVA is the perfect team to secret scrimmage against. You know they are going to play great defense and on offense they are going to make you play good defense to the bitter end!!
 
It's tough for fans to process that the score doesn't matter.
What’s your take on non-secret exhibitions between two D1 teams?

I’m seeing my first one in two weeks: UMBC at Fordham. To me, even though it “doesn’t count” I expect a well played game that won’t look or feel that different than a non-con game where the home team is favored.
 
Here’s a list of all secret scrimmages:


UVA is so disciplined on defense, so I really like playing them as an early season test.

Can’t beat a pack line D without shooters and we’ve got quite a few!

Only thing I don't really love about it is that UVA plays a very different defense than we generally see in the Big East though. They're forcing middle, running achingly slow and playing the pack. Most Big East teams are pressuring the ball, playing fast and forcing the ball baseline.

It doesn't really matter though. Bennett probably has a similar philosophy to Hurley with these scrimmages, and if it was a learning experience last year, it's great to keep it going.
 
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It's tough for fans to process that the score doesn't matter. They are trying stuff. We are trying stuff. We are doing things we might not do in games. They are doing things they might not do in games. How many points Samson scores is meaningless but we all want the box score.
The score matters when you get blown out vs. Providence like we did 6-7 years ago.
 
What’s your take on non-secret exhibitions between two D1 teams?

I’m seeing my first one in two weeks: UMBC at Fordham. To me, even though it “doesn’t count” I expect a well played game that won’t look or feel that different than a non-con game where the home team is favored.
I think you can pick up some things of value from a scrimmage.

How much energy do guys play with? How much energy does the team bring? Who has a good handle, or shot, or impressive physicality? Who's vocal? Does someone look like a man against boys?

In my opinion, I could be wrong, expecting a well played game is a bridge too far. The coach might want to put his team in poor situations. Or he might want a player to work on a weakness. Or to see a someone playing out of position. That would affect the score and the quality of play but not mean much. Without knowing the coach's goal for the scrimmage I think it's pretty hard to know what it bodes for the team.
 
Only thing I don't really love about it is that UVA plays a very different defense than we generally see in the Big East though. They're forcing middle, running achingly slow and playing the pack. Most Big East teams are pressuring the ball, playing fast and forcing the ball baseline.

It doesn't really matter though. Bennett probably has a similar philosophy to Hurley with these scrimmages, and if it was a learning experience last year, it's great to keep it going.
They played them in a secret scrimmage last year and it turned out alright
 
They played them in a secret scrimmage last year and it turned out alright

That's what I mean when I say it doesn't really matter. I don't think UVA's style of play is great for prepping for our season because it's so different than most teams. But if Bennett has the same approach and flexibility that Hurley wants during these things, then that is going to be more important.
 
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What’s your take on non-secret exhibitions between two D1 teams?

I’m seeing my first one in two weeks: UMBC at Fordham. To me, even though it “doesn’t count” I expect a well played game that won’t look or feel that different than a non-con game where the home team is favored.
Keith Urgo is a good coach- happy to see Fordham get some excitement going. The rose hill gym might be a glorified high school gym, but it’s a great place to watch a game.
 
That's what I mean when I say it doesn't really matter. I don't think UVA's style of play is great for prepping for our season because it's so different than most teams. But if Bennett has the same approach and flexibility that Hurley wants during these things, then that is going to be more important.
Probably more about dealing with stressors than with tactical prep. Last year certainly did highlight the difference between nBE and OOC though.
 
Only thing I don't really love about it is that UVA plays a very different defense than we generally see in the Big East though. They're forcing middle, running achingly slow and playing the pack. Most Big East teams are pressuring the ball, playing fast and forcing the ball baseline.

It doesn't really matter though. Bennett probably has a similar philosophy to Hurley with these scrimmages, and if it was a learning experience last year, it's great to keep it going.

That's a good thing. The secret to winning the NCAA tourney is being able to succeed against a variety of styles. The more styles you sample over the course of the year, the better your chances.
 
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Here’s a list of all secret scrimmages:


UVA is so disciplined on defense, so I really like playing them as an early season test.

Can’t beat a pack line D without shooters and we’ve got quite a few!
“A list of secret scrimmages”

If that’s not an oxymoron……..
 
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Any idea on when they're happening?
"The Huskies will travel to Virginia for a closed-door scrimmage with the Cavaliers on Saturday. A week later, UConn will host Harvard in a second "secret scrimmage" that is closed off to the media and general public."

 
It's tough for fans to process that the score doesn't matter. They are trying stuff. We are trying stuff. We are doing things we might not do in games. They are doing things they might not do in games. How many points Samson scores is meaningless but we all want the box score.
Yup. Its like a sparring session between a couple of fighters with no egos just simply trying to work on some things.
 
"The Huskies will travel to Virginia for a closed-door scrimmage with the Cavaliers on Saturday. A week later, UConn will host Harvard in a second "secret scrimmage" that is closed off to the media and general public."



Maybe Cooper can make the jaunt from Durham to CVille when he gets bored.
 
I'm hoping the Virginia in the gym hangers on are more forthcoming with details than the other way around. Last year when we played them up here we didn't even hear a score until the next day.
 
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