Well

[MilliniumPrince]

It doesn't matter the % of
shooting nor the talent level. It's the effort and end results. The majority of Ollie's last few years were dreadful. There were so many games I would shut the game off with about 10 minutes to go and I have never done that before due to of the lack of effort defensively. Teams in Maui shot high percentages, yes. We are not that good right now. Our self esteem is low, Hurley going bonkers again is not good. It could of been different during the Memphis game, and that one is on the coach and who knows what our record would have been. Regardless, there are plenty of games left to rectify the problems team and coach wise.

Has nothing to do with what I said. But thanks for the info.

 

[mauconnfan]

One and dones work when they are truly special and have good scaffolding around them. If we take a look at some of the teams that look like contenders right now, they’re generally winning with older guys (Auburn:Broome, Kansas, Gonzaga, ISU, even Kentucky).

This is a young team, will take patience and realistic expectations. We can spar about it in the meantime and have some fun with it without getting our dragon panties in a knot.

My biggest thing is just keeping the UConn brand elevated year over year to keep the shelves stocked with great players so we don’t lose the momentum that Hurley has built in this rapidly changing environment.

Well stated. I mean Memphis had how many guys with multiple schools some with Memphis being their 4th. Landscape has changed given this time, Dan Hurley got lucky with growth from freshman to sophs with some guys for the 2 champs not as much yet this year. We will see it takes time hopefully some emerge it’s only 7 games in.

 

[Husky Alien]

I don't recall a UConn that was this poor on defense.

This was what I was referring to. Maybe I was a bit to winded. Lol.

Has nothing to do with what I said. But thanks for the info.

NP

 

[RuffRuff]

it’s really not that young. SJ is a Sr. Hass is 5th year. AK, reed & Mahaney are Jrs.

last year we started 2 5th years, a fr & 2soph

Neither of which are talented enough to be the core to leading this team. Both are career backups. This team needs super young guys to rise up to do that (Liam and the sophs).

 

[superjohn]

A political pundit on CNN brought up Dan Hurley's antics and the anchors on NBC News Chicago showed clips and were laughing at Dan Hurley's antics.

Coach is certainly keeping UConn in the news.

 

[RuffRuff]

A political pundit on CNN brought up Dan Hurley's antics and the anchors on NBC News Chicago showed clips and were laughing at Dan Hurley's antics.

Coach is certainly keeping UConn in the news.

Danny may have luckily found just the grenade to distract some of that attention

 

[MilliniumPrince]

This was what I was referring to. Maybe I was a bit to winded. Lol.

NP

Yes, I don't recall a UConn squad this bad at defending. The teams at the end of Coach Ollie's era was less talented and still didn't give up 50%+ from the field to everyone. I stand by that belief.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

It’s this. This is what I’m seeing. It’s gotta be Nowell now in Mahaneys spot and take the lumps that will be coming while a frosh PG gets his feet under him. It won’t be perfect in the immediate ( but we suck anyway so take it) but we will be much better off in 2 months. Give Mahaney some off ball rotation time . Let him and Ross fight for minutes, as Ross isn’t there yet either. The other is Reed has to be a starter. SJ is a change of pace bench guy. Like he’s always been.

I am indifferent to Reed over Slamsom as starter. I think Reed should get more minutes, but I like Samson defending the pick-n-roll.

The lack of defense against opposing PGs is killing us. I think we have seen enough to know Mahaney is ready, yet. Butchy could see that (big fan of your avatar). I like the idea of him in spot minutes off the bench like Joey California. But nothing more for now. The timetable on Ahmad's development has to be sped up, which puts a lot on his shoulders.

 

[Huskybass]

I'm oddly at ease about this team, despite the three game skid. Hurley and his staff are top notch and there is real talent on the roster. I expect the team to be considerably better by mid January. There's plenty of cause for optimism. A team with Karaban, Reed, Ball, Stewart, McNeeley, Diarra, Nowell and Mahaney should be good, there's just too much talent to continue to suck. It'll get better, much better.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Danny thought they would make huge leaps this year so he stuck with these guys. That appears to be a huge miss. He could’ve gotten any one he wanted from the portal.

Only one of them starts. And he starts in front of the guy who he got from the portal.

He didn’t bet his season on the sophomores at all.

 

[Mr. French]

We’re moving on offense. We just don’t have a guy who can beat his guy off the dribble. Were too 3 ball dependent

I really see a bunch of guys unsure when to make the right attacks, whereas we saw a group REALLY in tune last year with making the right play off our actions.

I’m seeing a lot of indecision and lack of knowing when are the right times to attack…AND I agree that some of our guys aren’t as adept as last year. The combination has led to a lot of settling.

Ball, Mahaney, Ross at minimum fit this description. And they’re 3 of our most important playmakers.

 

[Husky Alien]

Yes, I don't recall a UConn squad this bad at defending. The teams at the end of Coach Ollie's era was less talented and still didn't give up 50%+ from the field to everyone. I stand by that belief.

It's not everyone and for the season. Just in Maui. Yes, I know the other were cupcakes, got it. Regardless of Ollie years or not, I agree with you that we suck right now on D, but we have a talented squad and whole season to improve on, Dan Hurley too. Stats so far for this season.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Only one of them starts. And he starts in front of the guy who he got from the portal.

He didn’t bet his season on the sophomores at all.

To expand on this thought more,

Hurley made every move this offseason to hedge his bets on the sophomores. These were our offseason moves (and I’m not saying these were the wrong moves).

Offseason Moves
- Brought in Aiden Mahaney as a guy who had a chance to start over and take playing time away from Solo Ball.

- Recruited Liam McNeeley in April as a guy who had a chance to start over and take playing time away from Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross.

- Had Alex Karaban come back after receiving a 2nd round grade when in the year prior he pushed Andre to stay in the draft with the same draft position to start over and take playing time away from Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross.

- Brought in Tarris Reed to take playing time away from Singare.

This is completely different from when he brought in transfers/recruits to compliment Hawkins, Jackson, and Sanogo in 2023. He did everything to hedge his bets with the sophomore class.

Saying Hurley bet the season on them is just objectively false and not fair to those guys at all. It also speaks to how going into the season, 2023 had clear roles that this group does not have.

 

[Huskyforlife]

To expand on this thought more,

Hurley made every move this offseason to hedge his bets on the sophomores. These were our offseason moves (and I’m not saying these were the wrong moves).

Offseason Moves
- Brought in Aiden Mahaney as a guy who had a chance to start over and take playing time away from Solo Ball.

- Recruited Liam McNeeley in April as a guy who had a chance to start over and take playing time away from Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross.

- Had Alex Karaban come back after receiving a 2nd round grade when in the year prior he pushed Andre to stay in the draft with the same draft position to start over and take playing time away from Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross.

- Brought in Tarris Reed to take playing time away from Singare.

This is completely different from when he brought in transfers/recruits to compliment Hawkins, Jackson, and Sanogo in 2023. He did everything to hedge his bets with the sophomore class.

Saying Hurley bet the season on them is just objectively false and not fair to those guys at all. It also speaks to how going into the season, 2023 had clear roles that this group does not have.

Mahaney was brought in as a PG.

Dan always pushes players to go when he thinks they're at their apex as a prospect. Alex was probably not at that apex last off season.

We'd be in a way worse situation had we not taken McNeeley. Even with him all 3 sophomores were given a chance to earn a starting spot and major bench role. Solo took the most advantage, and Ross/Stewart look like they don't deserve starting spots on a top 25 team right now. How does starting them fix any of their issues as players?

Reed is our best center, our other centers stink. We shoulda recruited over them twice.

 

[RuffRuff]

I’m putting a lot of emphasis on Solo’s development throughout the season. He will be a permanent fixture in this starting lineup and a key cog for this team to correct.

I tend to think the 5 spot will figure itself out with Reed and Nowell will slowly blend into the PG spot. Solo needs to become bedrock and to show more and play a brand of defense that you can count on, not worry about.

 

[HooperScooper]

To expand on this thought more,

Hurley made every move this offseason to hedge his bets on the sophomores. These were our offseason moves (and I’m not saying these were the wrong moves).

Offseason Moves
- Brought in Aiden Mahaney as a guy who had a chance to start over and take playing time away from Solo Ball.

- Recruited Liam McNeeley in April as a guy who had a chance to start over and take playing time away from Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross.

- Had Alex Karaban come back after receiving a 2nd round grade when in the year prior he pushed Andre to stay in the draft with the same draft position to start over and take playing time away from Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross.

- Brought in Tarris Reed to take playing time away from Singare.

This is completely different from when he brought in transfers/recruits to compliment Hawkins, Jackson, and Sanogo in 2023. He did everything to hedge his bets with the sophomore class.

Saying Hurley bet the season on them is just objectively false and not fair to those guys at all. It also speaks to how going into the season, 2023 had clear roles that this group does not have.

So basically Hurley brought in more talent to compete for playing time with the players who were already here, none of which had a definite starting role secured besides Karaban? Makes sense to me.

 

[Mr. French]

So basically Hurley brought in more talent to compete for playing time with the players who were already here, none of which had a definite starting role secured besides Karaban? Makes sense to me.

Yeah, his whole point is he didn’t just sit on the sophomore class and put everything on them…as though everyone wouldn’t have (rightly) lost their minds if he didn’t upgrade the talent and roster with specific needs.

I’m failing to see where the sophomores, who are also on this team and not living up to expectations, are skating any culpability in his universe.

I guess because Hurley brought in transfers that have underperformed? Should be easy to outperform then.

 

[Deleted at users request]

(and I’m not saying these were the wrong moves).

nobody read this apparently

 

[Deleted at users request]

So basically Hurley brought in more talent to compete for playing time with the players who were already here, none of which had a definite starting role secured besides Karaban? Makes sense to me.

The point was, he did not bet his season on the sophomores. He did the opposite.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Also, competing for playing time sounds good in theory. But believe it or not, guys actually improve a lot more when they have a clear role and know what the expectations are.

You prepare a lot differently for a season when you know you’re the guy compared to when you’re trying to be the guy.

You can’t prepare to be the guy if you don’t know if you’re going to be the guy.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I’m putting a lot of emphasis on Solo’s development throughout the season. He will be a permanent fixture in this starting lineup and a key cog for this team to correct.

I tend to think the 5 spot will figure itself out with Reed and Nowell will slowly blend into the PG spot. Solo needs to become bedrock and to show more and play a brand of defense that you can count on, not worry about.

If any coaching staff reads this board, please make Solo start every summer workout doing dribbling drills juggling tennis balls.

There’s no way his handle doesn’t improve after a summer of doing that. It’s just impossible.

Some of these skills guys lack are so fixable I don’t understand how they are issues in the first place.

 

[willie99]

December 1, 2024

I just can't

 

[Mr. French]

If any coaching staff reads this board, please make Solo start every summer workout doing dribbling drills juggling tennis balls.

There’s no way his handle doesn’t improve after a summer of doing that. It’s just impossible.

Some of these skills guys lack are so fixable I don’t understand how they are issues in the first place.

I gotta imagine this is a bit. But please keep telling the coaching staff basic things about coaching and training, they REALLY appreciate it.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I gotta imagine this is a bit. But please keep telling the coaching staff basic things about coaching and training, they REALLY appreciate it.

When I see people who seem to be insiders write off players because they lack skills that are teachable, like dribbling, then yeah I assume the staff may not know how to develop that developable skill.

Lamb improved his handle after one summer. Yet we knew Solo’s problem last year and it’s still a problem this year.

 

[scdono]

I love the irrational analysis. The season is early. Let’s see where we are in January and February. This team has plenty of talent. I hate the losses but the future is bright. Let’s see if they come together and learn to play UConn defense