What are your expectations for Polley?

[auror]

36% from 3 on 3 attempts per game. Not a defensive liability. Ten dribbles per game.

 

[jdb50]

Has to be more physical. Has to be able to take it to the hoop once or twice a game to open up his outside shot. The whole team has to get better at D so being determined in this area is big as well but Tyler Phommachanh has great potential.

 

[jibsey]

6’8” 68lbs

He’s not even 200, right? UCONN has been fighting this forward curse for years, stick figures. It would be one thing if these skinny players were top shelf but they are not. Hurley has to go in a new direction.

 

[zepfan]

Agree that Polley is an interesting player but he cannot be used at the 4 on a team desperate for rebounding. His rebounds per minutes played was the worst on the team and that includes all the guards. Also, hard to say he wasn't given the chance -- he was KO's starting 3 in the early going and again in the two games after his 6 for 6 three-point outburst. Both times, his tentativeness earned him the bench again. (After the 6 for 6 against Tulsa and ECU, he took only seven 3-pointers in the final five games (despite going 3 for 7).

But the kid does intrigue as a face-up 3. He did shoot 42% from three, hitting 9 of his last 13, did make his foul shots, and did show a quick first step to the basket, albeit an inability to finish (the one exception being a memorable early season move from the top of the key that absolutely screamed potential.) I think a comparison to the freshman DeAndre Daniels is not out of the ballpark, although DD was both stronger and more athletic. Both were very tentative as freshmen but for different reasons. Daniels was intimidated by JC, Polley was lost under KO. Daniels needed freedom, Polley needed direction. Likely to get it under Hurley.

Great Post! I think your spot on about Polley's strengths and weaknesses. I hope the bright spots you pointed out become the norm under the new coach/system.

 

[The Funster]

I'd like to see the team be aggressive on and create points off TO. Polley is the kind of guy to contribute and force TOs and then flush on the other end.

 

[kcc1442]

As usual I agree with a lot of what Ricker says here. Polleys best position at the college level is most likely the stretch 4. He certainly could be a 3 but having him as a stretch 4 adds to his versatility and enables us to get more ball handlers on the court. However, he needs to get stronger, more confident and especially more aggressive and assertive on the boards. He is definitely in the mold of DD and DD looked similarly lost in his freshman year. And with that said DD was never described as anything other than a string bean while at UConn. So weight will help but is not a sole determining factor on whether he can be effective as a role player or even 2/3 star player. I could see his shot developing just as DDs did. SO there is plenty of hope to still be had.

But the most successful teams in college basketball these days are teams that have a minimum of 4 guys on the court at once who can space the court to at least 18-20 feet. And some like Nova, Michigan, Duke, Cincy would have their entire starting 5 stretch the floor and many others (Michigan St., Loyola, Gonzaga, Kansas, Texas Tech, Purdue etc) could make one sub, take out their big lug, and have 5 guys shooting from the perimeter. All very successful teams this year.

For us, some people are stating how guys like Diarra, and Williams, Whaley and Yawke are better suited for the 4 position but if you put any two of them on the floor together or match them up with a 5 in Cobb and or Carlton, you become limited with what you can do offensively. It takes away driving lanes for the guards because the bigs can sag off on D. And none of those players are worth scripting a "feed the post and let him go to work--back to the basket" type offense. I think its imperative to have a stretch 4 in todays college game and Polley certainly can be that. His shot improved towards the end of the year and he displayed flashes. Hopefully with new coaching he will take his game to another level. We need to be able to play him on the same floor as Sid and Sid doesn't have the length to play the 4 for sure. Would love to see Polley at 9 and 5 a game with 22-25 mpg next year. He has the ability.

 

[UconnU]

As usual I agree with a lot of what Ricker says here. Polleys best position at the college level is most likely the stretch 4. He certainly could be a 3 but having him as a stretch 4 adds to his versatility and enables us to get more ball handlers on the court. However, he needs to get stronger, more confident and especially more aggressive and assertive on the boards. He is definitely in the mold of DD and DD looked similarly lost in his freshman year. And with that said DD was never described as anything other than a string bean while at UConn. So weight will help but is not a sole determining factor on whether he can be effective as a role player or even 2/3 star player. I could see his shot developing just as DDs did. SO there is plenty of hope to still be had.

But the most successful teams in college basketball these days are teams that have a minimum of 4 guys on the court at once who can space the court to at least 18-20 feet. And some like Nova, Michigan, Duke, Cincy would have their entire starting 5 stretch the floor and many others (Michigan St., Loyola, Gonzaga, Kansas, Texas Tech, Purdue etc) could make one sub, take out their big lug, and have 5 guys shooting from the perimeter. All very successful teams this year.

For us, some people are stating how guys like Diarra, and Williams, Whaley and Yawke are better suited for the 4 position but if you put any two of them on the floor together or match them up with a 5 in Cobb and or Carlton, you become limited with what you can do offensively. It takes away driving lanes for the guards because the bigs can sag off on D. And none of those players are worth scripting a "feed the post and let him go to work--back to the basket" type offense. I think its imperative to have a stretch 4 in todays college game and Polley certainly can be that. His shot improved towards the end of the year and he displayed flashes. Hopefully with new coaching he will take his game to another level. We need to be able to play him on the same floor as Sid and Sid doesn't have the length to play the 4 for sure. Would love to see Polley at 9 and 5 a game with 22-25 mpg next year. He has the ability.

Very good analysis! My only quabble would be that, match up permitting, I do see Wilson getting some time at the 4.

The system that Hurley, and most other college coaches, plays now with that 4 ball handler spacing dribble drive motion offense is that you really need a talented 4. Someone who is long that can defend a traditional 4 as well as handle the ball and shoot on the perimeter. It's an extremely important position in this offense. It is imperative that Polley gains weight without losing his agility, he needs to add lean muscle mass. I'm sure the coaching staff is already working with him on this.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Hurley started a 6 foot 4 guard at the 4 last year. Polley would have been the tallest player in his rotation if he were on URI's team last season. Hurley likes small ball. Zero chance he gets time at the 2 next year.

Because he didn’t have anybody else. I wish people would stop with this nonsense that he doesn’t want to play bigger guys. When he has had them, he played them. If he had Diarra last year, he would have played him. If we play small ball next year, our team will stink. That’s not the roster he has. I don’t think it’s even his preference. He’s merely adapted to the players he has.

That’s encouraging, because Ollie didn’t. Polley at the 4 would be a huge mistake.

 

[HuskyHawk]

As usual I agree with a lot of what Ricker says here. Polleys best position at the college level is most likely the stretch 4. He certainly could be a 3 but having him as a stretch 4 adds to his versatility and enables us to get more ball handlers on the court. However, he needs to get stronger, more confident and especially more aggressive and assertive on the boards. He is definitely in the mold of DD and DD looked similarly lost in his freshman year. And with that said DD was never described as anything other than a string bean while at UConn. So weight will help but is not a sole determining factor on whether he can be effective as a role player or even 2/3 star player. I could see his shot developing just as DDs did. SO there is plenty of hope to still be had.

But the most successful teams in college basketball these days are teams that have a minimum of 4 guys on the court at once who can space the court to at least 18-20 feet. And some like Nova, Michigan, Duke, Cincy would have their entire starting 5 stretch the floor and many others (Michigan St., Loyola, Gonzaga, Kansas, Texas Tech, Purdue etc) could make one sub, take out their big lug, and have 5 guys shooting from the perimeter. All very successful teams this year.

For us, some people are stating how guys like Diarra, and Williams, Whaley and Yawke are better suited for the 4 position but if you put any two of them on the floor together or match them up with a 5 in Cobb and or Carlton, you become limited with what you can do offensively. It takes away driving lanes for the guards because the bigs can sag off on D. And none of those players are worth scripting a "feed the post and let him go to work--back to the basket" type offense. I think its imperative to have a stretch 4 in todays college game and Polley certainly can be that. His shot improved towards the end of the year and he displayed flashes. Hopefully with new coaching he will take his game to another level. We need to be able to play him on the same floor as Sid and Sid doesn't have the length to play the 4 for sure. Would love to see Polley at 9 and 5 a game with 22-25 mpg next year. He has the ability.

Yes it’s a nice benefit to have a 4 who can shoot and handle the ball. The Celtics are playing that style. But they obtained those players specifically for that system, and those guys who are 6’-8”-6’10” who can shoot, rebound, defend outside and inside and handle the ball are rare. They are rare even in the NBA. They are beyond rare in college. We don’t have any of them. Polley isn’t one. He will get absolutely murdered trying to defend a traditional PF, as Larrier did last year. It was one of KOs biggest mistakes.

You are talking about guys like Donyell Marshall, Daniels, Burrell and Rudy Gay. All of whom were first round draft picks. The last two of which mostly played SF for UConn. Cliff Robinson was probably our first guy like that and he split time between the 4-5.

You can run that system if you have the players and that includes having a monster rim protector at the 5 and oversized guards. Hurley may be trying to recruit such a team, but he doesn’t have one now. It will be extremely difficult for him to build such a team.

 

[Sphinx]

Because he didn’t have anybody else. I wish people would stop with this nonsense that he doesn’t want to play bigger guys. When he has had them, he played them. If he had Diarra last year, he would have played him. If we play small ball next year, our team will stink. That’s not the roster he has. I don’t think it’s even his preference. He’s merely adapted to the players he has.

That’s encouraging, because Ollie didn’t. Polley at the 4 would be a huge mistake.

Agree. I'm usually on the same page with the OP but can't see Polley at the 4, not to mention Wilson -- a wispy-looking 6-6. I question the notion that you can overcome a deficit in 4-5 muscle by creating match-up problems. These are positions where the match-up advantage seldom goes to the matchstick. Really hope Diarra is given a full opportunity at the 4.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Agree. I'm usually on the same page with the OP but can't see Polley at the 4, not to mention Wilson -- a wispy-looking 6-6. I question the notion that you can overcome a deficit in 4-5 muscle by creating match-up problems. These are positions where the match-up advantage seldom goes to the matchstick. Really hope Diarra is given a full opportunity at the 4.

The match up problems occur when you have somebody exceptional. Yes, Josh Jackson at the 4 for Kansas created match-up problems. But his length and athleticism allowed him to rebound and defend despite bulk. Spellman last year for Nova...matchup problem at at 6'9' 260 pounds, with the ability to hit from outside. You have to put a big on him, and that big has to be able to defend him outside and in. Almost impossible for most college teams.

But we can't pretend that we create match-up problems for anybody butUConn by playing a Larrier or Polley at a position where they can't defend or rebound against most of their opponents. A stretch 4 isn't a stringbean 3 playing the 4, it's a legit PF sized guy who can handle and shoot from outside. Al Horford is a classic example.

Ironically, the guy on this roster closest to being able to do what OP wants at the 4 is Cobb. If you can get him to play within the system, get better as a shooter and improve his athleticism a little, he has the skill set to go inside-outside. What Polley can be, if he gets better, is a Miles Bridges type of 3, long, high release point, and very hard for the 6'4-5" 3's most teams have to defend. I've seen no indication that Diarra can shoot from 3, but if he develops that shot, he's a potential stretch 4. Meanwhile he needs to play anyway, because he rebounds, runs the floor and can score around the rim.

 

[RipCity]

Spot up shooter. Hopefully he grabs more boards. Still don’t see him being a big factor before his junior year. Needs at least another year of hitting the weight room.

 

[Huskybass]

Because he didn’t have anybody else. I wish people would stop with this nonsense that he doesn’t want to play bigger guys. When he has had them, he played them. If he had Diarra last year, he would have played him. If we play small ball next year, our team will stink. That’s not the roster he has. I don’t think it’s even his preference. He’s merely adapted to the players he has.

That’s encouraging, because Ollie didn’t. Polley at the 4 would be a huge mistake.

Agreed. When I think of a 4, I think of a guy like Jeff Adrien, not someone built like Rip Hamilton. There should be plenty of ball handlers and distributors at PG, SG and SF. The 4 should be tough down low, not a guard wannabee.

 

[YoungFree]

Simple:

Don't let a small guard be the leading rebounder on the team.

 

[kcc1442]

Yes it’s a nice benefit to have a 4 who can shoot and handle the ball. The Celtics are playing that style. But they obtained those players specifically for that system, and those guys who are 6’-8”-6’10” who can shoot, rebound, defend outside and inside and handle the ball are rare. They are rare even in the NBA. They are beyond rare in college. We don’t have any of them. Polley isn’t one. He will get absolutely murdered trying to defend a traditional PF, as Larrier did last year. It was one of KOs biggest mistakes.

You are talking about guys like Donyell Marshall, Daniels, Burrell and Rudy Gay. All of whom were first round draft picks. The last two of which mostly played SF for UConn. Cliff Robinson was probably our first guy like that and he split time between the 4-5.

You can run that system if you have the players and that includes having a monster rim protector at the 5 and oversized guards. Hurley may be trying to recruit such a team, but he doesn’t have one now. It will be extremely difficult for him to build such a team.

I didn't say handle. That's an added bonus, especially at the college level. But a stretch 4 is not rare at all. Certainly not in the NBA and not in college ball either. I gave you a list of many college teams earlier that have them. I can give you names too of college players but it take more effort. Easily off the top of my head in the NBA their are plenty of guys like A. Davis, Ryan Anderson, Al Horford, Kevin Love, Draymond, Kelly Olynk, Dario Saric, Morris twins, Aldridge, and the list goes on. Hell there is plenty of stretch 5's in the NBA game (Porzingis, Dirk, Gasol, Embiid) All of those guys are more plus outside shooters.

 

[kcc1442]

Agreed. When I think of a 4, I think of a guy like Jeff Adrien, not someone built like Rip Hamilton. There should be plenty of ball handlers and distributors at PG, SG and SF. The 4 should be tough down low, not a guard wannabee.

The game is changing and evolving. Don't get left behind.

 

[Danzz]

The game is changing and evolving. Don't get left behind.

Teams still have to rebound and that isn't happening playing 4 players 6'4" and under.

 

[kcc1442]

Teams still have to rebound and that isn't happening playing 4 players 6'4" and under.

ok. not sure how that is a relevant argument. But ok. You realize we, or at least I, was talking about playing the 6'9 Tyler Polley at the 4. Not Sure why 6'4 became the mark???

 

[Huskybass]

The game is changing and evolving. Don't get left behind.

We play 175 pound guys at the 4 and dont even make the NIT. Nova played a 250 pound guy at the 4 and just won their second NCAA championship in 3 seasons. Having some strength, toughness and rebounding down low is certainly an asset.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I didn't say handle. That's an added bonus, especially at the college level. But a stretch 4 is not rare at all. Certainly not in the NBA and not in college ball either. I gave you a list of many college teams earlier that have them. I can give you names too of college players but it take more effort. Easily off the top of my head in the NBA their are plenty of guys like A. Davis, Ryan Anderson, Al Horford, Kevin Love, Draymond, Kelly Olynk, Dario Saric, Morris twins, Aldridge, and the list goes on. Hell there is plenty of stretch 5's in the NBA game (Porzingis, Dirk, Gasol, Embiid) All of those guys are more plus outside shooters.

Yes. But note that those guys are merely very large PFs and Centers, who happen to be able to shoot. Polley is a straight up wing. He isn't equipped to play as a PF in any respect. So he's not a stretch 4 because he has no inside game or ability to defend the post at all.

 

[Danzz]

ok. not sure how that is a relevant argument. But ok. You realize we, or at least I, was talking about playing the 6'9 Tyler Polley at the 4. Not Sure why 6'4 became the mark???

Polley is listed at 6'8" 190 lbs. which means he is probably closer to 6'7". He isn't exactly the desired prototype for a key rebounder in an offense that had rebounding issues.

 

[kcc1442]

We play 175 pound guys at the 4 and dont even make the NIT. Nova played a 250 pound guy at the 4 and just won their second NCAA championship in 3 seasons. Having some strength, toughness and rebounding down low is certainly an asset.

Nova won a championship mainly because of what I am stating. That every player on that team could shoot the 3. They spaced the floor better than any team that I can remember in the last decade. 1-5. Not because they had a guy or two that could rebound. Yes rebounding is important. More fundamentals and want and will though. We won a championship with DD as a pick and pop specialist as our 4. Nova when Paschall and Spellman weren't in the game at the same time played with Bridges at 6'7 205 as their 4 man. Length, will, and fundamentals on rebounding is more important than brute strength.

My biggest point of this whole matter is that their are NO more 4's in basketball on successful team that can't shoot it from outside. Go look at ANY NBA team stat page. If they don't shoot the three they are a 5 (and there are less and less of those anymore) or a PG ala Rose, Kyle Anderson (their are very few of these) that are main facilitators and distributors to the 3point guys.

Hence, we need a guy like Polley for our 4 spot. Yes he needs to get better at rebounding but we do not want a guy in the mold of a Diarra, Yawke, etc. in order to be highly successful in todays game. Now could we win some defensive battles if the aforementioned Diarra et al. could defend on the perimeter well enough, sure maybe but not enough against good competition.

 

[HuskyHawk]

ok. not sure how that is a relevant argument. But ok. You realize we, or at least I, was talking about playing the 6'9 Tyler Polley at the 4. Not Sure why 6'4 became the mark???

The 6'4" came because somebody said Hurley played a 6'4" guy at the 4.

Polley was listed by Rivals as 6'7 or 8" 190 pounds. Same size, roughly, as Rip Hamilton. Maybe a bit skinnier even than Hamilton, and with less hops. Maybe he can gain enough weight and strength to play that spot. I don't know. But we have 4 guys at PF and one other guy at SF, Wilson. So he's needed at wing. Whaley is about the same size, a little stronger it seems, and is a much, much, better interior defender. Polley is a better perimeter defender than Whaley from what I've seen.

 

[kcc1442]

Polley is listed at 6'8" 190 lbs. which means he is probably closer to 6'7". He isn't exactly the desired prototype for a key rebounder in an offense that had rebounding issues.

Polley is 6'8 and has a very great wingspan. He is not some guard body style as you are apparently alluding to.

 

[kcc1442]

The 6'4" came because somebody said Hurley played a 6'4" guy at the 4.

Polley was listed by Rivals as 6'7 or 8" 190 pounds. Same size, roughly, as Rip Hamilton. Maybe a bit skinnier even than Hamilton, and with less hops. Maybe he can gain enough weight and strength to play that spot. I don't know. But we have 4 guys at PF and one other guy at SF, Wilson. So he's needed at wing. Whaley is about the same size, a little stronger it seems, and is a much, much, better interior defender. Polley is a better perimeter defender than Whaley from what I've seen.

What it comes down to is the guys on our roster at the moment are WAY to one dimensional. I have the most faith in Polley to improve his game. I usually have way more faith in a guy with his skill set to learn how to board and defend inside (especially because teams so rarely post up unless there is a mismatch anymore) than I would guys like Whaley, Diarra, Yawke to expand their game outside of the paint to draw their opponents out and unclog the paint for everyone else.