Villanova post game thread

[Spaceman213J]

Previous teams treated every possession like life or death. This team can do special things if they do it too

I think this is what is bothering Hurley the most. The "Hurley Way" is exactly what you said, whether it's Danny, his dad or his brother and to see a team that seems indifferent at times on the floor, knowing you're going to get the other teams' best shot each and every night has to be so frustrating to him.
People question why AK keeps shooting while in this long slump, but Hurley knows he needs AK, McNeeley, and Ball all going strong if they are going to make the tourney and make a long run. Hurley is not going to look at just making Big Dance as a win.

 

[husky429]

I get what you're saying but isn't AK in the 3rd option role now after Liam and Solo?

I think the problem is Hurley continues to put the ball in his hands at the end of games and in tight spots expecting magic like Tristen could make, but it just doesn't happen. We need the ball in McNeeley's or Reed's hands in those moments.

 

[superjohn]

Khalid got a little his last year too. We struggled a bit that year. Got boat raced at Michigan State (down something like 46-17 at the half). There was some thought that he couldn’t really be the lead dog and needed Rip. His ankle sprain hurt a chance to maybe make a deeper run.

I’ve always said that Bazz’s legacy was largely saved by Brimah. We would have had two first round losses with him as the starting PG - getting crushed by Iowa State and losing to St. Joe’s when he was around 4-15 and dribbled off his leg out of bounds down the stretch (and missed the layup that Brimah put back). He got a second chance - had a great overtime, buried Nova and the rest is history.

Khalid had the second chance too after the 0-12 against Gonzaga. That was the most pressure packed game in UConn history and he laid an egg. Dribbled off his leg and out of bounds down the stretch too. That would be more famous than the Donyell missed foul shots.

And Taliek, obviously nowhere near El-Amin or Bazz's level as a college player but he was the #10 recruit in the country coming out of high school and wasn't all that great at UConn. His career would've ended with a 4 point, 3 assist, 7 turnover performance against Duke in the final 4 if not for Okafor's second half heroics.

 

[RuffRuff]

I think the problem is Hurley continues to put the ball in his hands at the end of games and in tight spots expecting magic like Tristen could make, but it just doesn't happen. We need the ball in McNeeley's or Reed's hands in those moments.

McNeeley and Reed were working really well together before he went down - starting to develop some rythym in terms of the drive and slip.

Man did I have a love hate with Taliek. He couldn't throw the ball in the ocean, but was strong with the ball. He was a nice fit on that 2004 team as a pass first guard, but wouldn't work on any team requiring him to provide offense.

 

[Deleted at users request]

And Taliek, obviously nowhere near El-Amin or Bazz's level as a college player but he was the #10 recruit in the country coming out of high school and wasn't all that great at UConn. His career would've ended with a 4 point, 3 assist, 7 turnover performance against Duke in the final 4 if not for Okafor's second half heroics.

Kemba’s career could’ve ended against SDSU if it wasn’t for Lamb’s heroics to close out that game.

Do we really have to sit here and what if our legends like this? This isn’t just towards you SJ. But it’s starting to become a thing on this board.

Bazz still would’ve been a champion, AA, and Conference POY if we lose that St Joes game at minimum. The run is just what put him in rare air to go with his individual success.

 

[superjohn]

Kemba’s career could’ve ended against SDSU if it wasn’t for Lamb’s heroics to close out that game.

Do we really have to sit here and what if our legends like this?

Kemba had 36 points against SDSU, lolz.

Taliek isn't a UConn legend.

 

[Umami Zen]

I think the problem is Hurley continues to put the ball in his hands at the end of games and in tight spots expecting magic like Tristen could make, but it just doesn't happen. We need the ball in McNeeley's or Reed's hands in those moments.

Nailed it. He certainly knows the offense and where to be at different points in the offensive set(s). McNeeley's defender has to give him space and play off of him- Reed is almost unstoppable in the low post. Yesterday's game is a perfect example of your point. AK's handle doesn't allow him to consistently get by defenders off the dribble and as a result- They can crowd him/body him and force him to give up the ball or force a shot.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Vecenie LOVES Liam.

 

[Excalibur]

And we were down 14 with him playing the entire game until he hit the bench.

I love AK but the way he's been talked up doesn't match his performance on the court IMO.

And our lead vs. SJU disappeared the moment he went to the bench.

 

[superjohn]

And our lead vs. SJU disappeared the moment he went to the bench.

He had 3 points against St. John's.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Vecenie LOVES Liam.

I’m trying to figure out what his ceiling is in the NBA. His floor is so high. For sure should be a longtime NBA starter. He’s so skilled and can do pretty much everything.

Question is, can he be an All-Star?

 

[Zissou]

Person of the game for UConn: Kyle Neptune.

How did Villanova lose that game?

You better get us now

 

[superjohn]

You better get us now

You hearing any names on who is replacement will be?

 

[Gurleyman]

Kemba’s career could’ve ended against SDSU if it wasn’t for Lamb’s heroics to close out that game.

Do we really have to sit here and what if our legends like this? This isn’t just towards you Samson Johnson. But it’s starting to become a thing on this board.

Bazz still would’ve been a champion, AA, and Conference POY if we lose that St Joes game at minimum. The run is just what put him in rare air to go with his individual success.

I think Kemba had a secure legacy, bringing us back from the depths of the year before. Had we lost (a 2-3 game that was essentially on the road), he would have given it all he had in that game, and just maybe ran out of gas after carrying us all year and to a Big East title. That legacy went up a notch with the title obviously, and he needed some help to get there (Lamb hit some key shots against Arizona too, and Alex played well against Butler). Kemba’s career also almost ended trying to chase down a long rebound at the foul line. I still swear that Horne three was going in.

Kemba was 5-18 against Butler and I actually thought he played really well. Just his shots didn’t fall. But he chased down a lot of loose balls and rebounds, and got us a lot of extra possessions on a night when we had Butler on lock, and he just set a good tone of playing hard all night. Nobody could really shoot at that Final Four - there was thought perhaps the ball or shooting background was a problem.

Bazz stuck with us through probation and had a key supporting role on a title team, so he would be remembered positively. But two first round losses with poor performances, and getting blown out by Louisville twice late his senior year, would have certainly left him in the second tier. We probably would have concluded he didn’t have enough help in 2014 so I think he’d have been given some grace (particularly in the way of having UConn-level big men). But he would be responsible for losing an 8-9 game in blowout fashion and a 7-10 game as a starting point guard … both against teams we felt we should beat to give us a shot at Kentucky and Villanova. Instead that 2014 run now has him a two-time champ and a clear alpha on one, which is rare air.

 

[Drfla]

Team has struggled offensively and the half court actions are generating nothing of late. The book is out on our actions/personnel. With our lack of dribble penetration one of the few remaining options is to play inside out basketball with Tarris (like we did with Sanogo). Samson is just a mannequin out there taking passes at the 3 point line pointlessly. He literally provides nothing and is fully dependent on cut/slips for points, scored 4 or less in 6 of his last 7 games. Has he had a put back all year? I mean the kid cannot generate offense at all, and our offense is struggling.

Reed can do some serious damage if we get him the ball where he needs it. One good thing I noticed yesterday was that Solo made a couple of nice passes into the post to Reed. Love just about everything about Diarra but the thing I noticed is that he is terrible feeding the post. So maybe Solo will be a better option getting the ball to Reed in the right place.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I’m trying to figure out what his ceiling is in the NBA. His floor is so high. For sure should be a longtime NBA starter. He’s so skilled and can do pretty much everything.

Question is, can he be an All-Star?

It’s hard to say, I think he needs to work on his left mainly, but he is a very good rebounder and has good anticipation for his size. I was thinking like Deni Avdija comp, better Max Strus. I’d have to think about it more.

 

[aceboon]

And our lead vs. SJU disappeared the moment he went to the bench.

I get what you're saying but they also would have had a 20pt advantage in that first half instead of 14 if AK could have made a wide open 3 before sitting with 2 fouls, they would have had more of a cushion to play with if he could make a basket on top off of all of the other things he does. he's had way too many disappearing acts offensively in these close losses.

 

[HCCForever]

McNeeley and Reed were working really well together before he went down - starting to develop some rythym in terms of the drive and slip.

Man did I have a love hate with Taliek. He couldn't throw the ball in the ocean, but was strong with the ball. He was a nice fit on that 2004 team as a pass first guard, but wouldn't work on any team requiring him to provide offense.

I still can't forget Taliek's 30 footer against Pittsburgh in the Big East championship game in 2002. Biggest shot that I remember from him.

 

[Deleted at users request]

It’s hard to say, I think he needs to work on his left mainly, but he is a very good rebounder and has good anticipation for his size. I was thinking like Deni Avdija comp, better Max Strus. I’d have to think about it more.

I like Deni a lot. Think he can bring more to the table than Max. I’ll throw Jamie Jaquez in there as a wing who can do some of everything too

 

[Hunt for 7]

I think the problem is Hurley continues to put the ball in his hands at the end of games and in tight spots expecting magic like Tristen could make, but it just doesn't happen. We need the ball in McNeeley's or Reed's hands in those moments.

I think he has to hope that Alex somehow snaps out of this and starts to shoot better. Liam is clearly our best player and as far as ceiling Alex may be our 5th best player again. But for this team to be competitive and make some noise in March Alex is going to have to resemble more of the shooter he was as a Freshman and Sophomore.

He is definitely a better defender this year than he was the last two years.

But if he is not shooting it well it has a negative impact on the rest of the team. The reason we went on the run while he was out is it freed up Liam to take charge and that is our best offense.

Also a shout out to Diarra we need him to play well too. But what you are seeing is a fifth year senior and I still think Nowell if he is playing as a fifth year senior would be every bit the player Hass is right now probably better.

Unfortunately, Pitino is right, when he said he is not recruiting high school players because there are like 5 or so of them a year that are good enough to compete and contribute right away and there is a handful of teams that get those players. That may change now that we are getting past the Covid years but the portal is like going after top level 5 stars.

 

[RuffRuff]

And we were down 14 with him playing the entire game until he hit the bench.

I love AK but the way he's been talked up doesn't match his performance on the court IMO.

Not sure we've ever had anyone quite like AK in a prime role. When we orbit around him, we feel like a stodgy team. When you stuff him in a 4-5 man role, he can splinter off productivity being in the periphery. He's best when he's hiding in the weeds, sneaking into the lane, popping out for an open 3, grabbing an offensive board. Clandestine he is, focal point he is not.

 

[Drfla]

I know Ball had a good game stats-wise dishing the ball (6 assists), but there was 1 fast break where if he gets Reed the ball properly, it's an easy dunk/layup, but Solo waited too long to feed Reed, and he ended up catching the ball almost under the basket. Got hacked and went to the FT line (made 1 of 2), but I was like "Man, that should have been an easy alley-opp/dunk". But I'm more nitpicking...the fact Ball had 6 assists is very good for him.

Ball did a nice job feeding the post; running the fast break, not so good.

 

[RuffRuff]

I think he has to hope that Alex somehow snaps out of this and starts to shoot better. Liam is clearly are best player and as far as ceiling Alex may be our 5th best player again. But for this team to be competitive and make some noise in March Alex is going to have to resemble more of the shooter he was as a Freshman and Sophomore.

He is definitely a better defender this year than he was the last two years.

But if he is not shooting it well it has a negative impact on the rest of the team. The reason we went on the run while he was out is it freed up Liam to take charge and that is our best offense.

Also a shout out to Diarra we need him to play well too. But what you are seeing is a fifth year senior and I still think Nowell if he is playing as a fifth year senior would be every bit the player Hass is right now probably better.

Unfortunately, Pitino is right, when he said he is not recruiting high school players because there are like 5 or so of them a year that are good enough to compete and contribute right away and there is a handful of teams that get those players. That may change now that we are getting past the Covid years but the portal is like going after top level 5 stars.

Pitino is right. HS recruiting is also a bear, going out on that trail, wooing families. You're kicking out NIL to unprovens. There are also some programs that are so far ahead from a HS recruiting perspective, it would hard to crack the nut. The ROI is way better in the portal, which is 30 days long and transactional, not a 2 year court.

If the NYC streets were still filled with Kenny Anderson's, maybe you go for it. Those kids are all going out to prep schools to play away from home.

Five is too small a number, it's probably closer to 20. Still a small number. Most programs are figuring this out, some faster than others. Save you time and dollars for kids that are more mature, and proven.

 

[Gurleyman]

I still can't forget Taliek's 30 footer against Pittsburgh in the Big East championship game in 2002. Biggest shot that I remember from him.

One weird outlier is that Caron was pretty much the 9th best player on the floor in that famous 100-98 win at Arizona when Emeka and Ben had their national introductions.

But sophomore Taliek also had 21 on 8-11 shooting, 2-3 from 3 and 3-3 at the line, with five assists and one turnover - and hit back to back driving layups in OT to take us from down 3 to up 1. He looked like the player we thought we were getting.

 

[3rdbass]

I like Deni a lot. Think he can bring more to the table than Max. I’ll throw Jamie Jaquez in there as a wing who can do some of everything too

Jamie is more athletic than McNeeley and a little better creating offense but I can see some comparisons. Though Jaime was a Sr. and McNeeley is only a Freshman so he had a lot more time to mature his game. I hope McNeeley can get more athletic as I think that is the only part that holding him back a little(Still a decent athlete).

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I like Deni a lot. Think he can bring more to the table than Max. I’ll throw Jamie Jaquez in there as a wing who can do some of everything too

That’s why I said better Strus. Strus can do a bit of everything too. I think Liam is more versatile and creative than Jaime.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I used to feel badly about commenting mid-year on whether certain players should or should not return. I no longer feel that way. College players are free agents every year. They can leave at will for greener pastures. Why should I not comment on their status, whether positively or negatively? With that premise out of the way, Ross and Stewart are not what we thought they were. Aidan is not what we thought he was. Reed, Jr. is an enigma; which version do you get on a given night? Grizzly Bear or Pooh? Nowell and Abraham clearly must suck in practice because if they brought anything to the table they would have played more this year. I know that we cannot and will not replace all of these guys. I am not saying we should. All I am saying that these players were recruitment errors. Five recruitment errors in the same time frame is hard to overcome. If we want to recreate the last two years, we need to plug those holes.
Next year's roster is incomplete. And while I think that Alex is playing himself into a 4th year of college ball, these errors have to be fixed.

 

[3rdbass]

That’s why I said better Strus. Strus can do a bit of everything too. I think Liam is more versatile and creative than Jaime.

I don't see it. Also, Jaime has Liam beat in pure athleticism. He is a really good jumper and can move laterally pretty well. I think this is where Liam needs to improve to bring his game to the next level.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Unfortunately, Pitino is right, when he said he is not recruiting high school players because there are like 5 or so of them a year that are good enough to compete and contribute right away and there is a handful of teams that get those players. That may change now that we are getting past the Covid years but the portal is like going after top level 5 stars.

The research we just did on the guards alone a few pages ago shows that’s not true.

Maybe St John’s can’t draw the highly rated ones that are top 50. So it would make sense for him to hit the portal rather than scrap the barrel finding fringe top 100 gems.

 

[freescooter]

I never saw people crucifying Bazz for being the worst PG in Calhoun's era. I think most in the BY loved what he brought to the game and his killer instinct.

Right. He was the 6th man as a freshman for the most part.