We got to make adjustments post-Atlantis…

[uconngb]

Gaff should be playing more at sg than pg

And in that case our point guard would be……

 

[PAHusky]

Diggins is not the answer as another ballhandler this year. Love the kid, think he's going to be a huge part of the team in the next few years, but he looked ok not great against the cupcakes at the beginning of the year and he would have been eaten alive by the press down in the Bahamas. I have more faith in Gaffney pulling it together again or even Jackson realizing more of his pg potential than in Diggins contributing in meaningful ways in games that matter this year. Again, I think starting next year he's a huge component of this team, but this board is delusional to think that he is going to contribute huge minutes in 2021/22 barring injury.

Hawkins, on the other hands, needs more minutes for sure.

 

[superjohn]

Prepare to be upset. 7 minutes if that.

That's what he got in garbage minutes in our blowouts. If Hurley just gives him those garbage minutes again in these next two after what we saw from Gaff in Atlantis we'll have a reason to be upset. He needs real minutes.

 

[Improviser]

If you are asked to pick one of out five as being the highest priority, then by definition they are mutually exclusive.

As you framed it, you are correct.

Frankly, I like the multiple choice question options of All of the above, or None of the Above. As many multiple choice tests as I have taken in my life, nearly all seem to have this option. Then again, they do so because the test makers have only one correct answer to a question.

Maybe those are not options for the Polling Feature, but I wish they were because all of the choices seem to be equally necessary here.

Maybe, the Monitors could consider adding this as a feature?

 

[Chin Diesel]

Gaff should be playing more at sg than pg

And in that case our point guard would be……

Right. that's the answer and the problem. Cole and Gaff have had several good stretches together on the floor. Problem is Gaff is supposed to be giving Cole a rest when Gaff is in the game. Playing alongside Cole, even if Hurley has Gaff, Jackson or someone else handling the ball, doesn't give Cole the rest he needs.

Maybe try some Diggins and Gaff next two games????

 

[RobDauster]

I posted this is a different thread as well, but I spent 35 minutes on today's show discussing exactly this topic.

 

[the Q]

Better ball movement in general is the correct answer

 

[gtcam]

If Sanogo keeps playing hero ball and Hurley allows it - the season is going down hill real fast

 

[Chin Diesel]

If Sanogo keeps playing hero ball and Hurley allows it - the season is going down hill real fast

Only time Sanogo has done anything resembling hero ball is when the ball gets dumped to him with 5-7 seconds left on shot clock.

He's fine for a second year post player learning how to recognize double teams, where its coming from and what is the right pass to beat it.

 

[jibsey]

Only time Sanogo has done anything resembling hero ball is when the ball gets dumped to him with 5-7 seconds left on shot clock.

He's fine for a second year post player learning how to recognize double teams, where its coming from and what is the right pass to beat it.

He was BE player of the week, he's a few games into year 2, he's not the biggest issue. The team is in a good spot, but Sanogo should kick it to someone who can make a 3. Cole is one and Hawkins the other.

 

[MexicoHusky]

If Sanogo keeps playing hero ball and Hurley allows it - the season is going down hill real fast

Understand what you are saying. Like others, I kinda want to parse the phrase "hero ball", but what's the point. I know what you mean. Everyone knows what you mean. He doesn't pass a ton.

As far as getting Sanogo to change his game, I don't think it's an easy fix. Just find the open shooter. It sounds easy, but I don't think it is. It just seems like that's something NBA bigs do (or did). College bigs, not as much. Not sure if Sanogo will obtain those skills in the near future. I will be happy if he does.

 

[HuskyHawk]

We need to do a lot of things, but I am shocked that the last two things are listed as priorities. Especially Diggins. He won't solve the problems we face against the press. Iverson wouldn't solve those problems.

• Sanogo has started passing out of double teams more often. So I'm not worried. He's been coached, it's about recognizing the double, which tends to be to his blind side.
• This is a huge problem, but one we showed some attempts to solve by passing behind the D in the 2nd half vs VCU. Too much dribbling. Half court, full court, all over the court. The ball moves much faster through the air. This is very much an issue coaches must address.
• Inbounds plays or execution of them? Not sure the issue. It's not critical.
• Diggins isn't an answer to what we need. He can play a bit against weak teams.
• Hawkins is going to play more, but while I love his skill level and he defends with effort he has some issues. His ball handling isn't up to his footspeed. He needs to look to pass more. His team defense/positioning hasn't been great. I loved that he was moving without the ball...then he stopped and like most of our players, just stood around.

Related to point #2, I think off the ball movement along with passing is our most pressing issue. Defending anybody on the team who doesn't have the ball (except Sanogo) is like defending a chair. Have to move more. Have to make defenders chase. If some guy is in your face 6 ft behind the 3 pt line, run him to the baseline, then across, then cut sideways, then back up. Wear people out if they are going to defend you that way (like VCU does). They all need to watch tape of Rip. All that motion needs to come with the ball moving without touching the floor as often as possible.

 

[BuffaloHusky]

If we could add another part to the equation... we need better half court offense at the end of halves. We struggled last year and this year is not much better as Gaffney's heave against MSU attests.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Avoid playing three tough teams in a 60 hour window

Develop Diggins

You mean like the Big East Tournament?

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Here's a bit of insight pertaining to Diggins (and assessment of team ball handling):

Dan Hurley on what UConn needs to do better vs. full court pressure.

Trending News & Rumors for Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Soccer & More

www.thescore.com

 

[MexicoHusky]

Here's a bit of insight pertaining to Diggins (and assessment of team ball handling):

Dan Hurley on what UConn needs to do better vs. full court pressure.

Trending News & Rumors for Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Soccer & More

www.thescore.com

Good insight and interesting comments. Doesnt sound like Hurley has a ton of confidence in Diggins. More specifically, his ability to break the press. Based on these comments, I would expect more of the same as far as Diggins minutes are concerned.

What is the deal with the neck wound. Dan Hurley seems like a slow healer. Or he had a real nasty boil that needed lancing.

 

[HooperScooper]

Here's a bit of insight pertaining to Diggins (and assessment of team ball handling):

Dan Hurley on what UConn needs to do better vs. full court pressure.

Trending News & Rumors for Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Soccer & More

www.thescore.com

“We probably don’t have the type of overall handlers at guard,” Hurley said. “We are playing bigger, we don’t have a lot of natural, gifted dribblers and ballhandlers and passers.”

Of course, sitting on the bench for all three games was Rahsool Diggins, a freshman four-star recruit out of Philadelphia. Diggins only played sparingly in UConn’s first four games against low-majors, scoring just four points on 25-percent shooting and turning the ball over two times against just one assist.

Clearly, Hurley doesn’t believe Diggins is ready for more run.

“Potentially, down the line,” Hurley said. “He’s got to fight his way into the rotation. I’m not gonna put a guy in the rotation because you think he’s just a press-breaking specialist.”

Free access article:

UConn, back from Bahamas, needs to work on press-breaking, passing out of post over next week

Back from the Bahamas, UConn is looking to fix some things — press-breaking, passing...

www.nhregister.com

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I think UConn's biggest problem is not the press, but the slow response we always have to junk defenses. If I was an inferior opponent like Depaul or Providence, I would throw a defense that I had never played before at UConn because it will tie up the Huskies for 20 minutes. Providence's half-assed 3/4 court press last year is an example.

First thing I would do if I was Hurley is put one of the assistants in charge of offense during the game. This assistant would be responsible for tracking what offense they were in, what defense they faced, and what the result was possession by possession. High school teams do this on an iPad with $20 apps, so hopefully someone is already doing this on the bench. Hurley needs this information in real time.

That assistant should be solely focused on the offense, feeding Hurley what defense the opponent is before Hurley sees it, and providing suggestions based on response UConn worked out weeks in advance. Hurley can take the suggestions or ignore them. If the opponent throws something weird at UConn, the assistant is ready with the response from UConn's existing game plan in the first TV timeout. Either this is not getting done, or not getting done well, but Hurley needs assistants who are more than just cheerleaders during games. He has a lot on his plate being the Head Coach.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

I think UConn's biggest problem is not the press, but the slow response we always have to junk defenses. If I was an inferior opponent like Depaul or Providence, I would throw a defense that I had never played before at UConn because it will tie up the Huskies for 20 minutes. Providence's half-assed 3/4 court press last year is an example.

First thing I would do if I was Hurley is put one of the assistants in charge of offense during the game. This assistant would be responsible for tracking what offense they were in, what defense they faced, and what the result was possession by possession. High school teams do this on an iPad with $20 apps, so hopefully someone is already doing this on the bench. Hurley needs this information in real time.

That assistant should be solely focused on the offense, feeding Hurley what defense the opponent is before Hurley sees it, and providing suggestions based on response UConn worked out weeks in advance. Hurley can take the suggestions or ignore them. If the opponent throws something weird at UConn, the assistant is ready with the response from UConn's existing game plan in the first TV timeout. Either this is not getting done, or not getting done well, but Hurley needs assistants who are more than just cheerleaders during games. He has a lot on his plate being the Head Coach.

I am quietly hoping Calhoun, now that he is retired, will be a bit more able to provide some wisdom to the program.

 

[MexicoHusky]

Here's a bit of insight pertaining to Diggins (and assessment of team ball handling):

Dan Hurley on what UConn needs to do better vs. full court pressure.

Trending News & Rumors for Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Soccer & More

www.thescore.com

We probably don’t have the type of overall handlers at guard - Dan Hurley

These comments are a bit unsettling. As if the guard situation is something outside Dan Hurley's control.

The makeup of the team is entirely Dan Hurley's responsibility. Furthermore, we have 3 pgs on the team. One senior who does a bunch of things well. Breaking ball pressure is not one of them. One junior who still struggles to secure the ball. One freshman who Dan Hurley is uncomfortable playing. 3 scholarships utilized on PGs. Yet none of them are that "type of overall ball handler".

This is a pretty significant f&**-up. I hope some lessons are being learned by Dan Hurley and crew.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

We probably don’t have the type of overall handlers at guard - Dan Hurley

These comments are a bit unsettling. As if the guard situation is something outside Dan Hurley's control.

The makeup of the team is entirely Dan Hurley's responsibility. Furthermore, we have 3 pgs on the team. One senior who does a bunch of things well. Breaking ball pressure is not one of them. One junior who still struggles to secure the ball. One freshman who Dan Hurley is uncomfortable playing. 3 scholarships utilized on PGs. Yet none of them are that "type of overall ball handler".

This is a pretty significant f&**-up. I hope some lessons are being learned by Dan Hurley and crew.

Agreed to a point - hopefully the strategy and scheming, and practice can reduce this weakness.

 

[navery12]

We probably don’t have the type of overall handlers at guard - Dan Hurley

These comments are a bit unsettling. As if the guard situation is something outside Dan Hurley's control.

The makeup of the team is entirely Dan Hurley's responsibility. Furthermore, we have 3 pgs on the team. One senior who does a bunch of things well. Breaking ball pressure is not one of them. One junior who still struggles to secure the ball. One freshman who Dan Hurley is uncomfortable playing. 3 scholarships utilized on PGs. Yet none of them are that "type of overall ball handler".

This is a pretty significant f&**-up. I hope some lessons are being learned by Dan Hurley and crew.

When you cut off the 2nd half of the quote yeah it's a bit unsettling

 

[Improviser]

Better ball movement in general is the correct answer

Together with better body movement and hustle by the other players to be in a position to catch the passes thrown by the guards to release the defensive pressure.

So then, the players will have to come to the ball and come to their teammate with the ball so they can catch his pass. I am not talking about a senseless weave, but movement to get free for a shot or a cut towards the basket.

 

[Ricker]

I'm not a fan of Hurley's response re: Diggins. Maybe Diggins isn't ready and is a turnover machine under pressure in practice. Diggins is a game management guard rather than a speed break the press dribbler, maybe he would wilt under the defensive pressure. On the other hand, Gaffney did wilt, and Cole needed help that nobody was giving him. Diggins is on the team, should you really need to be 'in the rotation' on a regular basis in order to be called on to help when other guys are failing at your position in a particular game? Why? Coaches pull out all their starters at once when they come out flat, and they should. To me it is absurd to stay with players in a particular game when they are underperforming what they are capable of, just because they are 'in the rotation', unless the alternative is clearly not good enough. I'm not a fan of Hurley's stubbornness. Player after player has shown they can rise to the occasion and contribute when injury or other circumstance has forced Hurley to go to them. It kills me to see him keeping players with potential off the court. The Sanogo St Johns game last year still haunts me. Not having Hawkins on the court when we need a basket is starting to build frustration. We're going to get pressure from Marquette away this month, and I assume West Virginia away will show us pressure. Looks like we're going to wing it with guys that shouldn't be primary ball handlers.

 

[navery12]

I'm not a fan of Hurley's response re: Diggins. Maybe Diggins isn't ready and is a turnover machine under pressure in practice. Diggins is a game management guard rather than a speed break the press dribbler, maybe he would wilt under the defensive pressure. On the other hand, Gaffney did wilt, and Cole needed help that nobody was giving him. Diggins is on the team, should you really need to be 'in the rotation' on a regular basis in order to be called on to help when other guys are failing at your position in a particular game? Why? Coaches pull out all their starters at once when they come out flat, and they should. To me it is absurd to stay with players in a particular game when they are underperforming what they are capable of, just because they are 'in the rotation', unless the alternative is clearly not good enough. I'm not a fan of Hurley's stubbornness. Player after player has shown they can rise to the occasion and contribute when injury or other circumstance has forced Hurley to go to them. It kills me to see him keeping players with potential off the court. The Sanogo St Johns game last year still haunts me. Not having Hawkins on the court when we need a basket is starting to build frustration. We're going to get pressure from Marquette away this month, and I assume West Virginia away will show us pressure. Looks like we're going to wing it with guys that shouldn't be primary ball handlers.

I think you're really reaching here, this is the same thing he's been saying since he got here. All he's saying is Diggins needs to earn his minutes and fight his way into the rotation. I don't see an issue with that

 

[Ricker]

I don't think it's a reach at all. Obviously, there is no issue with a guy earning his way into the regular rotation. Your one of the top 9 to get regular time, fine. He's saying he's not going to play a player that is not part of that regular rotation, even if a guy in that rotation isn't performing in a particular game. Further, he's going to scheme to break the press in the future with players that aren't strong ball handlers and not insert a player like Diggins to gain stronger ball security, presumably because he is deficient in defense or other ways. I think he made that clear. IF Diggins is capable of ball security against the press, I'd like that approach to be considered if we are turning the ball over.

 

[navery12]

I don't think it's a reach at all. Obviously, there is no issue with a guy earning his way into the regular rotation. Your one of the top 9 to get regular time, fine. He's saying he's not going to play a player that is not part of that regular rotation, even if a guy in that rotation isn't performing in a particular game. Further, he's going to scheme to break the press in the future with players that aren't strong ball handlers and not insert a player like Diggins to gain stronger ball security, presumably because he is deficient in defense or other ways. I think he made that clear. IF Diggins is capable of ball security against the press, I'd like that approach to be considered if we are turning the ball over.

I don't have remotely the same read of the quote as you, I think you're taking what you don't like about Hurley and projecting it onto his quote. Nothing in that quote implies he's burying guys on the bench and refusing to play them like you're saying

All I read that quote as is him saying he's not just going to insert Diggins to break the press when it's going to be a downgrade elsewhere. And when Diggins came in here everyone, including you, talked about him as a guy who would take time to adjust. So it doesn't seem crazy that now 7 games in he's not getting major minutes at PG

 

[Huskyforlife]

If Diggins can't earn some minutes against UMES that's a big problem. Dan shoulda known he needed to bring in a transfer pg then. Either way this isn't acceptable.

 

[mrl2016]

We probably don’t have the type of overall handlers at guard - Dan Hurley

These comments are a bit unsettling. As if the guard situation is something outside Dan Hurley's control.

The makeup of the team is entirely Dan Hurley's responsibility. Furthermore, we have 3 pgs on the team. One senior who does a bunch of things well. Breaking ball pressure is not one of them. One junior who still struggles to secure the ball. One freshman who Dan Hurley is uncomfortable playing. 3 scholarships utilized on PGs. Yet none of them are that "type of overall ball handler".

This is a pretty significant f&**-up. I hope some lessons are being learned by Dan Hurley and crew.

I don’t read him saying it’s out of his control- he just said what anyone with two eyeballs can see. Handling is clearly a weakness for this team.

Good for him for recognizing it, now let’s see how he can put players in position to minimize those weaknesses

 

[MexicoHusky]

I don’t read him saying it’s out of his control- he just said what anyone with two eyeballs can see. Handling is clearly a weakness for this team.

Good for him for recognizing it, now let’s see how he can put players in position to minimize those weaknesses

Agreed