Great game tonight - Much better job running our offense. However I was stunned that Ollie started Olander to begin the 2nd half (was upset even before CF closed it to 4 before Brimah came back in). Olander and Calhoun should not be playing meaningful minutes. Nolan and Giffey off the bench (Brimah needs to start). Thats the only guys I have confidence in. If you want to play another guard for a few minutes give Samuel a shot. Calhoun is lost at this point
We are clearly a 7 player Team
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Can not start Brimah yet until he stops committing cheap fouls.
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Brimah had at least one phantom foul called on him. He should be rewarded for not only his great play but the energy he brought. He should start against Memphis
I'm really starting to feel for Omar. He cannot do a damn thing right lately. A couple of TOs weren't directly his fault but sheesh the wheels have come off.
I thought Bazz had an outstanding game considering he didn't shoot the ball well. He really ratcheted up his D
I'm really starting to feel for Omar. He cannot do a damn thing right lately. A couple of TOs weren't directly his fault but sheesh the wheels have come off.
I thought Bazz had an outstanding game considering he didn't shoot the ball well. He really ratcheted up his D
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There are two games this season that are L's instead of W's if TO didn't step up and bail out Brimah and Nolan.
This is a team. It includes managers, coaches, walk ons and scholarship players. Everyone contributes. As long as the players are taking care of academics, staying out of trouble, and doing what the coaches ask of them, I support them. There are players that I prefer playing, and playmaking that I prefer watching. I enjoy analysis and critiquing of play and players. But I hate second guessing the coaches who are with the players more than I am, and I dislike being disrespectful to kids who are trying their best even if that best doesn't translate to optimum play. So I don't make recommendations like you made in your OP.
I think Omar has a lot of potential and is second guessing himself. I hope he is able to get through it. PN and AB are still foul prone. If they weren't foul prone I would love a point in the game in which TO played a few minutes with one of them. TO is actually a decent point forward who played his best play when he was alongside a decent five. He's the best screener and passer among the bigs. I doubt that happens however.
I think KO is doing an excellent job of blending in player development with the urgency of winning. He's getting in players that might be pivitol come tournament time, but taking anyone out who is going through a rough stretch because the win is important.
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Yup, KO is doing what JC would often do, which is bring the young big off the bench after the refs get their quick whistles out of their system. Until Brimah can learn to foul at less frequent pace, KO is doing the right thing in bringing him off the bench.
I like starting Nolan thought at the begining of each half. I'd like to see KO give as many minutes to Brimah, but sub Nolan in and out to keep him fresh and out of foul trouble. I'd give Olander a sniff of the floor once a half and reward him from time to time with a tad more PT. Brimah and Nolan are not only our future, but getting them as experienced as possible for post season play IMO, gives UConn the best chances of going deep come March.
I've mentioned this before, but one aspect of JC's genius was giving the players he believed would give him the best chance of winning in March as much PT possible, even if they were struggling. It usually paid off most seasons. The coach that I thought that never got this was Quinn Snyder, who would give up on some of his more talented players and would constantly be changing his lineup.
I think KO was falling into that same trap, not willing to persevere through Brimah's growing pains. I think KO is going to stick with Brimah and try to develop him sooner rather than later.
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Omar has zero confidence now and is making the common mistake of trying to make two plays out of one, meaning he feels he has to make a impactful play every time he touched the ball.
I know this sounds cliche, but he needs to let the game to come to him and let his talent carry him. Unfortunately, I think it's going to take awhile for him to work through this funk that he's in right now.
I'm okay with KO continuing to put him out there but in small doses until he figures it out. I would not completely give up on him, he's just too talented of a player.
More than7 , T O has to be counted the guy can give us a few minutes helping Nolan and Amida in the foul situation. Those bug guys need to be on the court as much as possible. Don't forget the big 3 TO made in the maryland game w/o that probably we lose that game. Do believe there is time for Samuel and Facey to be able to give us a little more, just getting a little better , being more comfortable, few more minutes. Omar is a mystery right now, is this the result of the hip surgery and not playing during the summer. I am really rooting hard for him and really like the kid.
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DM makes a great point on Omar and as long as he has that mindset of needing to show everyone he is still capable every time he touches it, he won't make it back to us mentally. He's in such a downward spiral to think he can get out of that with 5-7 minutes a game is going to be real tough. We could use him for sure but I'm not sold on seeing that happen any time soon I'm afraid.
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very small doses... everytime he was on the floor something bad happened to us.
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I also thought that Samuels really looked good out there. Nice size (when one of the UCF guys ran into his shoulder it looks like he hit a house). He also showed a nice touch on his shot and made a few good passes. He could be the X-factor at PG next year.
Omar had another tough game. But I was glad KO gave him several chances to do something. Problem was he didn't. Hopefully next game he starts to contribute some how and earns a few more minutes. I hope KO doesn't give up on him. I still feel we will need him as the season goes on.
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This was the first game he was able to drive to the basket and get up that floater that was so successful for him last season. I wanted really badly for that floater to go in for him, but it didn't.
OC is pressing. He's getting down on himself and that's natural given the type of personality he has. I saw in this game a hint of who he was last season. It was nuanced and could be easily overlooked by all the similarities in his play with the other games. But I think he's close to turning the corner.
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