Upward Trajectory

[Tenspro2002]

Not only in terms of our performance now versus 2 months ago, but for the program as a whole under Hurley.

Two years ago we had a 13-6 regular season and earned a #7 seed.
Last year we had a 22-8 regular season and earned a #5 seed.
This year we had a 24-7 regular season and are in line for no worse than a #4 seed.

We have to get it done the rest of this month, but it's undeniable that, in the big picture, we're going in the right direction.

 

[HeGotGame]

Not only in terms of our performance now versus 2 months ago, but for the program as a whole under Hurley.

Two years ago we had a 13-6 regular season and earned a #7 seed.
Last year we had a 22-8 regular season and earned a #5 seed.
This year we had a 24-7 regular season and are in line for no worse than a #4 seed.

We have to get it done the rest of this month, but it's undeniable that, in the big picture, we're going in the right direction.

 

[Hurleyman216]

Not only in terms of our performance now versus 2 months ago, but for the program as a whole under Hurley.

Two years ago we had a 13-6 regular season and earned a #7 seed.
Last year we had a 22-8 regular season and earned a #5 seed.
This year we had a 24-7 regular season and are in line for no worse than a #4 seed.

We have to get it done the rest of this month, but it's undeniable that, in the big picture, we're going in the right direction.

Win out and we’re a 2 seed at worse in my opinion

 

[shizzle787]

Yea, this game was really important to cement us as a top 4 seed.

If we win 2 games in the BET, I think we clinch a 3.

If we win the BET, I think we get a 2.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Yea, this game was really important to cement us as a top 4 seed.

If we win 2 games in the BET, I think we clinch a 3.

If we win the BET, I think we get a 2.

UConn is closer to a 3 than a 4. Win one BET game and they're a 3. Win the whole thing and they're a 2.

 

[SouleMan]

Not only in terms of our performance now versus 2 months ago, but for the program as a whole under Hurley.

Two years ago we had a 13-6 regular season and earned a #7 seed.
Last year we had a 22-8 regular season and earned a #5 seed.
This year we had a 24-7 regular season and are in line for no worse than a #4 seed.

We have to get it done the rest of this month, but it's undeniable that, in the big picture, we're going in the right direction.

In 2018 we finished the year 179th per Kenpom. 179!

 

[Palatine]

Yea, this game was really important to cement us as a top 4 seed.

More than that. It showed the committee we can play well on the road. We have been pretty weak on the road. This was a complete performance in a tough environment that was sold out. Our road record was probably the reason they left of out of the top 16 to begin with. We have responded. They know it. They should reward us.

On a related note, this game was very good prep for the NCAA. We have shown well on neutral courts. But lots of NCAA courts are less than neutral. And this was in a large NBA type venue that is typical of the courts we will see in March.

 

[navery12]

 

[OkaForPrez]

We should around 10/11 on the S curve heading into the big east tourney. We should be passing tenn and K state At the least and maybe Baylor.

beat Marquette in the semis and we pass them to the 10 spot. Win it all and it comes down to what 7/8/9 do in their tourneys although Texas and Arizona both look to be cementing their 2 seed floor

 

[superjohn]

Not only in terms of our performance now versus 2 months ago, but for the program as a whole under Hurley.

Two years ago we had a 13-6 regular season and earned a #7 seed.
Last year we had a 22-8 regular season and earned a #5 seed.
This year we had a 24-7 regular season and are in line for no worse than a #4 seed.

We have to get it done the rest of this month, but it's undeniable that, in the big picture, we're going in the right direction.

The best thing I've seen from Hurley this season is that he's shown he can adapt. We aren't winning these games now and looking so much better just because we're playing better, there's a reason for it...

Teams figured us out by Big East play and we were trying to force things that weren't there. Instead of keep forcing things he changed the offense. He changed the way he uses Sanogo, he changed the way he uses Jackson, he put the ball in Newton's hands. Our coach and the team seem to be growing. Even the substitution patterns seem to be better. Now it's time to make a statement in these tournaments.

 

[OkaForPrez]

The best thing I've seen from Hurley this season is that he's shown he can adapt. We aren't winning these games now and looking so much better just because we're playing better, there's a reason for it...

Teams figured us out by Big East play and we were trying to force things that weren't there. Instead of keep forcing things he changed the offense. He changed the way he uses Sanogo, he changed the way he uses Jackson, he put the ball in Newton's hands. Our coach and the team seem to be growing. Even the substitution patterns seem to be better. Now it's time to make a statement in these tournaments.

And he got control of his emotions.

 

[auror]

The best thing I've seen from Hurley this season is that he's shown he can adapt. We aren't winning these games now and looking so much better just because we're playing better, there's a reason for it...

Teams figured us out by Big East play and we were trying to force things that weren't there. Instead of keep forcing things he changed the offense. He changed the way he uses Sanogo, he changed the way he uses Jackson, he put the ball in Newton's hands. Our coach and the team seem to be growing. Even the substitution patterns seem to be better. Now it's time to make a statement in these tournaments.

Yes. The most fair criticism is that we were slow to change or adapt. But I think it was reasonable to think that we were really good and just had a rough schedule stretch (we did beat Creighton inbetween the first 3 really tough road losses). A few of our guys were clearly mentally fatigued. Not only did we have a tough schedule, but didn't have any midweek breaks (no Tues-Thur game) for that 8 game gauntlet.

And honestly, some of the tweaks we did make were bad and made us worse. We played a good amount of drop coverage and less hedging in the Marquette, Seton Hall, and St. John's losses with Sanogo. It works with Clingan, but not really with Sanogo.

But after those actual bad losses happened, it was apparent that we needed offensive changes AND the defensive changes we made weren't working. So we went back to our bread and butter D, figured out some of the Jackson stuff, started posting up Sanogo way less, made Hawkins the first option, etc. etc.

 

[uconngb]

The best thing I've seen from Hurley this season is that he's shown he can adapt. We aren't winning these games now and looking so much better just because we're playing better, there's a reason for it...

Teams figured us out by Big East play and we were trying to force things that weren't there. Instead of keep forcing things he changed the offense. He changed the way he uses Sanogo, he changed the way he uses Jackson, he put the ball in Newton's hands. Our coach and the team seem to be growing. Even the substitution patterns seem to be better. Now it's time to make a statement in these tournaments.

And that is what we were all asking for. People thought the critics wanted Hurleys head No!! We just wanted to see if he could adjust and stop being so damn stubborn!! And lo and behold once he did, the results changed.

Whaddya know??

 

[caw]

Yes. The most fair criticism is that we were slow to change or adapt. But I think it was reasonable to think that we were really good and just had a rough schedule stretch (we did beat Creighton inbetween the first 3 really tough road losses). A few of our guys were clearly mentally fatigued. Not only did we have a tough schedule, but didn't have any midweek breaks (no Tues-Thur game) for that 8 game gauntlet.

And honestly, some of the tweaks we did make were bad and made us worse. We played a good amount of drop coverage and less hedging in the Marquette, Seton Hall, and St. John's losses with Sanogo. It works with Clingan, but not really with Sanogo.

But after those actual bad losses happened, it was apparent that we needed offensive changes AND the defensive changes we made weren't working. So we went back to our bread and butter D, figured out some of the Jackson stuff, started posting up Sanogo way less, made Hawkins the first option, etc. etc.

He did take some time finding the right fix, but it appears it was a near perfect fix.

Even with that mid-season down swing, this team remains basically a top ten team on any metric, and even by record overall, with things looking up to end the regular season.

My only complaints are the SJU and SHU games UConn lost. Neither of those should have happened, but two games out of 31 isn't bad.

 

[formerlurker]

*



*close enough

 

[ucp990411]

Win out and we’re a 2 seed at worse in my opinion

And an outside shot at a one

 

[Kemba15]

Not only in terms of our performance now versus 2 months ago, but for the program as a whole under Hurley.

Two years ago we had a 13-6 regular season and earned a #7 seed.
Last year we had a 22-8 regular season and earned a #5 seed.
This year we had a 24-7 regular season and are in line for no worse than a #4 seed.

We have to get it done the rest of this month, but it's undeniable that, in the big picture, we're going in the right direction.

Great post. Not even 2 weeks ago I was arguing with people on here who were shouting from the rooftops about how our program is heading in the wrong direction. Those posters have been quiet the last several days

 

[Rico444]

And an outside shot at a one

Look at the resumes of Houston, Kansas, Alabama, Purdue, and UCLA and tell me how we can catch any of them in a week.

I think we can beat any of them, but we're not getting onto the 1 line.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Not only in terms of our performance now versus 2 months ago, but for the program as a whole under Hurley.

Two years ago we had a 13-6 regular season and earned a #7 seed.
Last year we had a 22-8 regular season and earned a #5 seed.
This year we had a 24-7 regular season and are in line for no worse than a #4 seed.

We have to get it done the rest of this month, but it's undeniable that, in the big picture, we're going in the right direction.

@Tenspro2002 we don't always see things the same way, but this is a great post.

 

[tzznandrew]

Look at the resumes of Houston, Kansas, Alabama, Purdue, and UCLA and tell me how we can catch any of them in a week.

I think we can beat any of them, but we're not getting onto the 1 line.

Those 5 are clearly ahead of us, and by a decent amount, in terms of resume. 2 is our ceiling, but it will be hard to jump one of that next batch of teams—Baylor, Texas, Arizona—to get there. Baylor may be our best chance, but we should be rooting against all three of those teams pretty hard.

 

[tzznandrew]

@Tenspro2002 we don't always see things the same way, but this is a great post.

And what's not captured in this is the injuries that undercut those two tournament teams. Bouknight was never the same and they looked great when he was healthy, and the Hawkins concussion was absolutely brutal last year. We absolutely still should have beaten NMSU, mind you, but having a healthy Hawkins would have helped weather the variance of NMSU's insane performance.

 

[Hunt for 7]

The fact that lunardi still has us as a four seed is an insult. By any metric you want to use including the eye test there is no way we are not one of the top ten teams in the country and we are still on the four line. With this bs seed even if we win the be tourney we may only jump to the three seed. At least the algorithms don’t take personal prejudice toward the big 10 and big 12 when they rank the best teams. We just beat a very good and hot Villanova team on the road in a manner that displays every characteristic a top team can have. With AJ finding his perfect niche on this team and with the growth of AK, I look forward to proving all the politically driven “experts” wrong.

 

[AdamaNation]

UConn is closer to a 3 than a 4. Win one BET game and they're a 3. Win the whole thing and they're a 2.

Honestly depending on the others a BE T win with early exits by other 1 lines gives us a chance at a top seed

 

[tzznandrew]

Honestly depending on the others a BE T win with early exits by other 1 lines gives us a chance at a top seed

Look at their resumes: their good wins and bad losses. Their road records. It would be very hard to jump them.

 

[87Xfer]

Those 5 are clearly ahead of us, and by a decent amount, in terms of resume. 2 is our ceiling, but it will be hard to jump one of that next batch of teams—Baylor, Texas, Arizona—to get there. Baylor may be our best chance, but we should be rooting against all three of those teams pretty hard.

I always root hard againxt Texas

 

[MTBingNinja]

The best thing I've seen from Hurley this season is that he's shown he can adapt. We aren't winning these games now and looking so much better just because we're playing better, there's a reason for it...

Teams figured us out by Big East play and we were trying to force things that weren't there. Instead of keep forcing things he changed the offense. He changed the way he uses Sanogo, he changed the way he uses Jackson, he put the ball in Newton's hands. Our coach and the team seem to be growing. Even the substitution patterns seem to be better. Now it's time to make a statement in these tournaments.

Coaching adjustments and the players adjusting are good ingredients to increase meeting success. Feel confident that he’ll be ready to adjust more in the future and not be hellbent on squeezing a square peg in a round hole.

 

[Dove]

Not only in terms of our performance now versus 2 months ago, but for the program as a whole under Hurley.

Two years ago we had a 13-6 regular season and earned a #7 seed.
Last year we had a 22-8 regular season and earned a #5 seed.
This year we had a 24-7 regular season and are in line for no worse than a #4 seed.

We have to get it done the rest of this month, but it's undeniable that, in the big picture, we're going in the right direction.

And you didn't even mention recruiting prowess.

 

[ctchamps]

Coaching adjustments and the players adjusting are good ingredients to increase meeting success. Feel confident that he’ll be ready to adjust more in the future and not be hellbent on squeezing a square peg in a round hole.

Chicken or egg? An argument can me made this is the first team he's had that has enough players with skill sets and flexibility to not have to force players to do what they can't do well.

We see it in Andre because of his recent turn around. I'd argue Tristen has been asked to go through two changes. He was asked to be less a scorer and more an assist guard. Which he ultimately became. Then when we were forced to alter schemes they asked him to be more assertive again while still looking for assists. And he's accomplished that as well. Adama is a rock physically as well as mentally. He couldn't pass a ball if his life depended on it his freshman season. Nor make threes or shoot free throws at a good percentage. Now he's playing at the top of a key and making entry passes to players under the basket.

Point is you need players who are skilled, flexible, adaptive and willing to learn. We were depleted when Hurley first came to UConn. He chose to keep players in Whaley and Polley that had limitations and delayed how rapidly the program could turn around. I applaud him for doing that because that type of loyalty should pay dividends long term. Arguably he maximized their development beyond what most of us expected.

Trends are the best indicator of program development. We focus on end of season tournaments and rightfully so. But the more salient indicator are developmental trends. Each progression is a predicator of a greater chance of success. We want the wins in tournaments to prove it to us. I feel that's the cart pulling the horse. I want the coaches to construct and develop teams to put us in the position to win. I feel Hurley has been doing this over time. It's what I expect out of a good coaching staff.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Maybe it's recency and homer bias, but in the tournament, I like teams who have achieved success following adversity.

This year, UConn is a prime example:

• 14-0 start
• 2-6 in a 30 day stretch
• 8-1 since then

 

[tzznandrew]

Maybe it's recency and homer bias, but in the tournament, I like teams who have achieved success following adversity.

This year, UConn is a prime example:

• 14-0 start
• 2-6 in a 30 day stretch
• 8-1 since then

A lot of the best UConn teams of the JC era had a January/early February swoon followed by a turnaround and a run in March.

2002 lost 3 of 4 to start the month and played some mediocre teams poorly before turning it on for a BET Championship and E8 run.

2003 when 4-5 with some bad losses and mediocre wins from 1/7-2/15, and ended up making a run to the BET Finals and the S16.

2004 lost 4 of the 6 games it lost all season from 1/17-1/15, a 5-4 stretch for a team that should have lost like 2 games all season at most.

2005 went 4-4 in January before turning it on and getting a 2-seed. That season ended poorly, with Rashad missing a lot of time from that staph infection, otherwise that could have been a good run.

There are more, too, but the point is JC had the team peaking at the right time and working through mid-season struggles. This team looks to be following that model. Probably doesn't end in a title, but should at least not end before the second weekend.