We Have Problems, Good Problems

[AidanFan20]

I am with you. I had this thought driving into work this morning. I have tried to do a little research to see if he played any point St. Mary's but haven't found much yet. I wonder if he sees himself at 6'3 180 being more of an NBA point guard and wants to play that here.

Well, since I was there for nearly all of St. Mary's home games the last two years, I probably should chime in:

Aidan did play a lot of PG as a freshman, and also for roughly the first third of the season last year... But Marciulonis, who had been slightly disappointing his first two years, started reaching his potential at the point and mostly took over. This didn't reduce Aidan to simply a catch-and-shoot guy and he still ran things sometimes in the halfcourt.

I'm not saying Aidan lost his spot, just that his role changed due to the performance of others. He is extremely coachable and will fit into whatever role Hurley wants him to do.

I do think Aidan was frustrated at times with Bennett's cautious slow-it-down-unless-there's-an-obvious-layup system, but I strongly doubt that's going to be an issue with the stable of greyhounds on the UConn roster.

 

[HooperScooper]

Anyone heard anything about Andrew Hurley's status for next year? Is he coming back as a grad student? Would be nice to see him run up his undefeated mark in games he played some more.

There was an article shortly after the championship game where he said he was moving on to the next chapter of his life.

 

[husky429]

Looks like Hurley routinely finds minutes for at least 9 guys.

2023-24 mins breakdown

Tristen: 33.2
Cam: 33.0
Karaban: 31.4
Castle: 27
DC: 22.5
Diarra: 19.4
Samson: 16.0
Solo: 11.4
Stewie: 8.9

2022-23 mins breakdown

Hawk: 29.4
Andre: 29.1
Karaban: 28.9
Tristen: 28.8
Sanogo: 26.5
Alleyne: 18.0
Joey: 14.5
Clingan: 13.1
Diarra: 12.6

2021-22

Cole: 33.5
Martin: 32.1
Sanogo: 29.2
Andre: 29.2
Whaley: 28.5
Polley: 20.2
Hawk: 14.7
Akok: 13.9
Gaffney: 12.8

some of this is a tad misleading, but I get your point. For example:

21-22, Gaffney was not playing in big games when it mattered.

22-23, same story with Diarra. But we were deep that year.

23-24 Solo's #s tanked. Did he play at all in either tournament outside of garbage time?

 

[UofCT]

some of this is a tad misleading, but I get your point. For example:

21-22, Gaffney was not playing in big games when it mattered.

22-23, same story with Diarra. But we were deep that year.

23-24 Solo's #s tanked. Did he play at all in either tournament outside of garbage time?

Yeah of course. Was kinda surprised Solos was so high

 

[Mooch82]

Did you mean "small ball 5"?

Yes! Sorry.

 

[ConnEd]

I agree a 9-man rotation would be unlikely to maintain going into March, but if the transfers and freshmen pan out, and sophs make a jump, I think an 8-man rotation would be very possible.

Agreed. Two years ago we used 8 through March with Joey C, Alleyne, and Clingan off the bench. Even Hass got a few minutes here and there.

 

[dennismenace]

We'll have a 9 man rotation this year. Singare, Abraham and Ross will sit. Hurley and company will spread the minutes among AK, Nowell, McNeeley, Diarra, Johnson, Stewart, Ball, Reed, and Mahaney.

Possibly 10; with Abraham seeing time at least for defensive purposes.

 

[Mooch82]

Possibly 10; with Abraham seeing time at least for defensive purposes.

I think there's a stronger chance Ross, in year 2 with the program, becomes a 10th guy than Abraham. But I think both guys have bright futures with the program.

 

[Umami Zen]

Dan has said he thinks this is his most talented team since being at UConn-Top to Bottom. I can see why he would say that . Talent and depth at all 5 positions. Practices and scrimmages are going to be pretty intense. Would pay for admission to see them.

A new and different challenge for the coaching staff. Rotating talented guys in and out of the lineups. Confident they'll figure it out.

 

[awy]

Dan Hurley gives his thoughts on next season on this tristate college basketball podcast.

Looking to expand rotation, be more of a pressure team on defense.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

It may initially be a 9 man, it will be 7 guys come march. There’s been a strong trend of the better teams going with shorter benches at the end of the year.

If we end up with a 7 man rotation, Solo and Stewart did not pan out. I do not believe that will happen. Those two will come off the bench for this team, and that is sick! For my money, Mahaney, HD, Ian, AK and Reed start, which means that Solo, Stewart, Nowell, SJ and Abraham come off the bench. This is a better/deeper/more talented bench than two years ago, and definitely better than last year's team. , these guys coming off the bench could earn an at large bid. This is a deep, talented team. Dan Hurley and staff has a real challenge in terms of bringing them all together. May we have problems like this for a hundred years!!!

 

[temery]

If we end up with a 7 man rotation, Solo and Stewart did not pan out. I do not believe that will happen. Those two will come off the bench for this team, and that is sick! For my money, Mahaney, HD, Ian, AK and Reed start, which means that Solo, Stewart, Nowell, SJ and Abraham come off the bench. This is a better/deeper/more talented bench than two years ago, and definitely better than last year's team. , these guys coming off the bench could earn an at large bid. This is a deep, talented team. Dan Hurley and staff has a real challenge in terms of bringing them all together. May we have problems like this for a hundred years!!!

The more players in rotation the more UConn starts to look like Duke or Kentucky.

It's nice to have a couple players a year leave for the NBA. It's a good thing. But there's a point where more is not better. I've coached teams loaded with stars, and team chemistry became a real problem.

 

[Fan1978]

It may initially be a 9 man, it will be 7 guys come march. There’s been a strong trend of the better teams going with shorter benches at the end of the year.

This teams strength is depth, 9-10 will play. Playing 7 would be doing the competition a favor.

 

[DaMuttzNutt]

Those two teams are stacked but Bama is scarier because they have the best player IMO. Maybe the best two.

This is the team to keep your eyes on. They could be just as good if not better. I expect we will meet up with them early April next year

 

[willie99]

Misleading title. We don’t have a problem although now others teams do

Correction

They have a "bigger" problem

 

[TheHorde]

Someone always ends up being adversely affected as talent is added, and before AK's decision i'd have suspected the freshmen, who 3 months ago probably envisioned themselves coming into a different situation & being able to contribute right away, would face the most disappointment from the additions of McNeeley & Mahaney.. But now, with AK sliding back into the 4 (or 1 of the 3 wing positions is a more accurate description based on how we use the 5 positions) i feel like either Solo or Stewart is going to be taking a step back... albeit not a huge one, but still.. in the times we are living in, that's usually enough for a kid to bolt. I trust these 2 are different though, and fully committed for the rare opportunity this season brings with it. Immortality is on the table boys. Fuckin A

I’d be shocked if Stewart doesn’t play 20-23 minutes on average. I think this depth will allow Hurley to play the kind of pressure defense he really wants to play.

 

[Husky68]

Let me look under some rocks and see if I can find a problem.

How about we shoot too well so don't get enough offensive rebound chances.

 

[Scrutineer]

This is great news for all of us. Our team will be very good and certainly challenge for a BE regular and tourney title. And take a run at a three peat. But I really would be careful to dismiss the thought about who gets cut out of the playing time.

Abraham I can see having to accept that he will not see much time. Even without the AK return he was probably last man off bench for the front court. But I am concerned about Ross. I really think he has the skills to be a very good wing or two guard.

But he will really struggle to find PT and I just wonder about chemistry. For a guy like Ross who probably busted it in practice to think about two years doing the same thing without seeing significant minutes has to be a grind.

Honestly if we did not have the staff we do, the chemistry issue would be a larger concern for me. But to think every year we are just going to get buy in from players who feel they deserve to play I think is a bit risky.

I also understand given the way rosters are constructed in the new ncaa that this will become more the norm but as good as Hurley as his staff is human nature at times is a tough thing to control.

None of this is written to diminish the great news we got today with AK but also to acknowledge we have ten players that are all starters or significant contributors on 95% of ncaa bb teams. And one maybe two of those players will be lucky to average 4-5 minutes a game. Not play 4 minutes a game but average that because they will see more time during the blow outs when the game is decided.

In the past I would have agreed about Ross but not in this new era of NIL, unlimited transfers, revenue sharing, etc.

To me, Ross looked like an anxious freshman when he played. He's a scorer and wanted to score. He wanted to do something for the team but hasn't figured out that even proven veterans like AK and CS passed up shots so others would have a better shot.

Dan Hurley has found the secret sauce and he's going to play the guys that play the way our system demands. The proof is how much JS grew and his playing time increased. If Dan Hurley "three peats" he's in John Wooden territory and he's not gong to play guys that seem to think the way to get more playing time is to jack up off balance three's from two feet beyond the arc.

 

[Fan1978]

I’d be shocked if Stewart doesn’t play 20-23 minutes on average. I think this depth will allow Hurley to play the kind of pressure defense he really wants to play.

He said as much on podcast. The strength of this team is depth and pressure defense will be job one which means 9-12 guys play and wear opponents down. The winning formula will be different thus year

 

[bjc42]

He said as much on podcast. The strength of this team is depth and pressure defense will be job one which means 9-12 guys play and wear opponents down. The winning formula will be different thus year

yep. unlike 22-23, we may not have that top-tier talent( but are darn close imo) we can destroy teams mentally with so many players that can come in and out of the game.

 

[tjhusky]

when everyone has bought into Hurley’s system and can play it at a high level we can have 8-10 guys that have been able to wear other teams out.
We will know early if this will be another magic year.

Also, most important, the coaching staff is all back. They have two rings each (except for Tom Moore with 4).

All last week I thought for sure I had jinxed us big time with the comment about the coaches.
Feeling better about this now and can’t wait for the season to start.

 

[jibsey]

All last week I thought for sure I had jinxed us big time with the comment about the coaches.
Feeling better about this now and can’t wait for the season to start.

And AK believes the team has as much if not better talent than the last 2 championship teams. Throw them in the cauldron and have the coaches season and stir.