What are your expectations for Polley?

[HuskyHawk]

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.

Yeah, nobody could win a NC with a 6'10" 230 pound PF like Brice Johnson. Except the team that did in 2016-17. Or Nova in 2016-17 playing Reynolds and Ochefu side by side.

 

[rip7774]

Competent bench player at the wing, but the kind of guy you have to be recruiting over if we're going to return to national prominence.

This.

 

[Ricker]

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.

Completely disagree. UConn won a national championship with Giffey and Daniels playing the 4 and 5 on the court together in primary stretches. Which one do you see as the muscle guy? They handled a muscle bound Florida team and a stronger Kentucky front line by playing with IQ and playing to their own strengths. Polley's body type is similar to those guys and his strength isn't to where Giffey and Daniels were as a Jr and Sr, but that doesn't mean he can't develop to the same style player. Although he can play some 3 and have success in certain matchups and schemes, he certainly isn't a 'straight up wing' because he is not agile enough to play athletic 6'6 players who are natural 3's. Defending the post can be improved. Giffey and Daniels were not low post defensive stoppers as freshmen, and, I didn't see much of it last year, but, when I saw Polley play before college he could score down low. I think that is more of an issue with regard to his current relative strength than his lack of skills. More strength will lead to more post scoring for him. As a Jr & Sr his time will be at the 4.

 

[Stainmaster]

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.

Something something correlation versus causation...

 

[donyell34]

So we still don't know Tyler's heigth somewhere between 6'6"~6'9"". Split the difference 6'7 1/2"" seems about right. I see him playing a bigger role this year wherever he plays probably both the 3 or the 4.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Completely disagree. UConn won a national championship with Giffey and Daniels playing the 4 and 5 on the court together in primary stretches. Which one do you see as the muscle guy? They handled a muscle bound Florida team and a stronger Kentucky front line by playing with IQ and playing to their own strengths. Polley's body type is similar to those guys and his strength isn't to where Giffey and Daniels were as a Jr and Sr, but that doesn't mean he can't develop to the same style player. Although he can play some 3 and have success in certain matchups and schemes, he certainly isn't a 'straight up wing' because he is not agile enough to play athletic 6'6 players who are natural 3's. Defending the post can be improved. Giffey and Daniels were not low post defensive stoppers as freshmen, and, I didn't see much of it last year, but, when I saw Polley play before college he could score down low. I think that is more of an issue with regard to his current relative strength than his lack of skills. More strength will lead to more post scoring for him. As a Jr & Sr his time will be at the 4.

I think a good coach plays the guys he has and adapts to them. Calhoun did playing Giffey at the 4. Daniels was taller, stronger and a much better shot blocker than Polley. Whaley is closer to being like Daniels. Giffey was also much stronger than Polley is, and was a very, very good rebounder, even when playing the SF position (which is what he mostly did).

I'm not saying you can't make it work, if that's what you have. I'm saying you don't shoe-horn guys into a role they are ill-suited for. Polley's length creates matchup problems for other teams 3's outside and inside. Against most 4's, he doesn't. He's creates a huge match-up problem for UConn at the 4 because he's an bad interior defender and rebounder. Maybe he will improve. But right now this is the list of guys on the current roster who are better PFs: Yawke, Diarra, Whaley, Cobb, Williams. Five freaking guys. Meanwhile, at the 3 we have Wilson and that's it.

So to maximize this roster, you go the other way, and force a small guy to guard the bigger Polley.

 

[Burnsbros23]

Yeah, nobody could win a NC with a 6'10" 230 pound PF like Brice Johnson. Except the team that did in 2016-17. Or Nova in 2016-17 playing Reynolds and Ochefu side by side.

One Brice Johnson could shoot. If we had at 6’9 or 6’10 guy who could move and shoot obviously everyone would want him at the four.

Ochefu and Reynolds never played together. Those Villanova teams started Kris Jenkins at the four. Further making the posters point of how the game has changed.

Especially with our guards not being knock down shooters. We need a four who’s skilled. Maybe one of the bigs improves their shooting? Otherwise Polley and Wilson will see lots of time at the 4.

 

[Kenny11]

I'm expecting and hoping that Polley plays basketball with confidence. Far too often last season he played unsure of himself, scared to get yelled at by coach and seemed too much like the kid at the end of the bench in middle school that wants to be on the team but secretly hopes coach doesn't put him in the game.

He's long as hell, seems to be able to shoot, and has some other basketball skills. Man up, be confident, and compete! Try to destroy Wilson in practice during preseason.

 

[gtcam]

I think a good coach plays the guys he has and adapts to them. Calhoun did playing Giffey at the 4. Daniels was taller, stronger and a much better shot blocker than Polley. Whaley is closer to being like Daniels. Giffey was also much stronger than Polley is, and was a very, very good rebounder, even when playing the SF position (which is what he mostly did).

I'm not saying you can't make it work, if that's what you have. I'm saying you don't shoe-horn guys into a role they are ill-suited for. Polley's length creates matchup problems for other teams 3's outside and inside. Against most 4's, he doesn't. He's creates a huge match-up problem for UConn at the 4 because he's an bad interior defender and rebounder. Maybe he will improve. But right now this is the list of guys on the current roster who are better PFs: Yawke, Diarra, Whaley, Cobb, Williams. Five freaking guys. Meanwhile, at the 3 we have Wilson and that's it.

So to maximize this roster, you go the other way, and force a small guy to guard the bigger Polley.

KO also played NG at the 3, 4 and 5 at times
Remember he barely averaged 10 minutes a game 1st 2 years and as I recall he didn't start much over his UConn career - but always came in at about the 3 minute mark the last two years - weird set-up but it worked!!!
I agree with the shoe-horn - many coaches still do that today - in the postionless stuff that seems to be the sexy thing but you better have the right horses for that race - something KO failed to achieve

 

[intlzncster]

KO also played NG at the 3, 4 and 5 at times
Remember he barely averaged 10 minutes a game 1st 2 years and as I recall he didn't start much over his UConn career - but always came in at about the 3 minute mark the last two years - weird set-up but it worked!!!
I agree with the shoe-horn - many coaches still do that today - in the postionless stuff that seems to be the sexy thing but you better have the right horses for that race - something KO failed to achieve

Really, you gotta have guys who can shoot at at least 4 positions if you are going with the 'positionless' thing. I mean, that's kinda the whole point. This was probably UCONN's greatest failing over the last few years. Very few shooters.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Really, you gotta have guys who can shoot at at least 4 positions if you are going with the 'positionless' thing. I mean, that's kinda the whole point. This was probably UCONN's greatest failing over the last few years. Very few shooters.

Almost nobody outside Nova has been able to pull it off. It isn't easy, even if it is effective when done right. Kansas played small most of the year, except a monster at the 5. But that wasn't by design, they lost Preston and lost other bigs previously.

My point is more about this team. Polley at the 4 can't fix our 3 point shooting situation. This team is going to make a few threes, but the bulk our points are going to come in transition and at the rim. Rebounders who can outlet pass and get down the court and finish will be important. I think our offense will be driven by defense and transition baskets. Polley can be disruptive in pressure with those long arms, but is a liability near the rim on D.

 

[intlzncster]

Almost nobody outside Nova has been able to pull it off. It isn't easy, even if it is effective when done right. Kansas played small most of the year, except a monster at the 5. But that wasn't by design, they lost Preston and lost other bigs previously.

One of the reasons why I think the NBA system needs to be adjusted/tempered a bit for the college. The players don't have the same skills throughout the roster as they do in the NBA.

Nothing wrong with playing the modern game and focusing on outside shooting, but you aren't going to get that skill up and down the roster in college, so it behooves to have more traditional roles in the post.

 

[UconnU]

So we still don't know Tyler's heigth somewhere between 6'6"~6'9"". Split the difference 6'7 1/2"" seems about right. I see him playing a bigger role this year wherever he plays probably both the 3 or the 4.

He's a very long 6'8 he can easily play the 4 if he gains some weight. Remember Calhoun switched to this 4 out 1 in style the last couple years of coaching. 2010-2012 his most used line up had Roscoe Smith at the 4. I actually think Polley is a little longer than Smith was.

 

[intlzncster]

He's a very long 6'8 he can easily play the 4 if he gains some weight. Remember Calhoun switched to this 4 out 1 in style the last couple years of coaching. 2010-2012 his most used line up had Roscoe Smith at the 4. I actually think Polley is a little longer than Smith was.

But Roscoe was more athletic, way stronger, and aggressive than Polley. Polley has a nicer stroke, but he'd get eaten alive on the boards by Roscoe.

 

[HuskyHawk]

But Roscoe was more athletic, way stronger, and aggressive than Polley. Polley has a nicer stroke, but he'd get eaten alive on the boards by Roscoe.

Agree completely. And Roscoe became one of the best rebounders in the country after he transferred. Better post defender than Polley too. It all goes to what you said above, if you have a guy who can do it all, fine, plug him in. If not you need to decide what you need. Polley's talents, so far, tend toward the perimeter, both on defense and offense.

It seems like several people are high on him improving, but I think it's just as likely that Diarra or somebody else develops a jump shot. Whaley is built like Polley but is an instinctive shot blocker. I'm not down on any of them, they are all limited, young players. We have five guys competing for PF minutes and only two guys competing for SF minutes (maybe 3 with Smith). The math seems obvious to me.

 

[intlzncster]

Agree completely. And Roscoe became one of the best rebounders in the country after he transferred. Better post defender than Polley too. It all goes to what you said above, if you have a guy who can do it all, fine, plug him in. If not you need to decide what you need. Polley's talents, so far, tend toward the perimeter, both on defense and offense.

It seems like several people are high on him improving, but I think it's just as likely that Diarra or somebody else develops a jump shot. Whaley is built like Polley but is an instinctive shot blocker. I'm not down on any of them, they are all limited, young players. We have five guys competing for PF minutes and only two guys competing for SF minutes (maybe 3 with Smith). The math seems obvious to me.

Hardly anybody talks about Diarra, but with the right coaching and development, he really could be effective next year and possibly a stud in the following two years.

 

[Palatine]

Hardly anybody talks about Diarra, but with the right coaching and development, he really could be effective next year and possibly a stud in the following two years.

He has to make the bunnies. Do that and he will be valuable.

 

[UConnStats]

But Roscoe was more athletic, way stronger, and aggressive than Polley. Polley has a nicer stroke, but he'd get eaten alive on the boards by Roscoe.

I couldn’t really care less about Polley’s length until he does something with it. He rebounds less than a T-Rex armed point guard currently. He would get absolutely torched at the 4 which is why we didn’t see him there this year.

 

[donyell34]

I was sad to see Roscoe leave. What a warrior in 2011.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I couldn’t really care less about Polley’s length until he does something with it. He rebounds less than a T-Rex armed point guard currently. He would get absolutely torched at the 4 which is why we didn’t see him there this year.

He played a bit at the 4 late in the season. It was not good. But then it wasn’t good with Larrier at the 4 either.

 

[jibsey]

What is the difference to Hurley if Polley is a 3 or a 4? He’s matched up against an opposing player his size and Hurley can put several guys out there at the same time that are 6’6 to 6’8 and they will be the non guards. They have to shoot, pass and rebound well, case closed. And unless they are Carlton they aren’t centers. If you asked the coach who his 3’s and who his 4’s are he would laugh at you.

 

[champs99and04]

One of the reasons why I think the NBA system needs to be adjusted/tempered a bit for the college. The players don't have the same skills throughout the roster as they do in the NBA.

Nothing wrong with playing the modern game and focusing on outside shooting, but you aren't going to get that skill up and down the roster in college, so it behooves to have more traditional roles in the post.

I would agree with you if college big men were any good. They're not, and that's why I think Nova's philosophy works so well. It doesn't matter if you defend a center with a point guard. They can't take advantage of mismatches and so ultimately the teams that drive and kick the best put up the most points.

The modern game is all about the natural selection of skill sets. To the extent that the players are better in the NBA does not change the schematic luxury of additional shooting. We don't even need to look to Nova as an example because we have our own. Our best lineup in 2014 featured five guys who could shoot the three.

I do think you are onto something, though. There have been plenty of successful college teams in recent memory that started two traditional post players. Dan Hurley's best team at Rhode Island started a guy in Kuran Iverson at the four who rarely took a three. The last decent UConn team started Shonn Miller there, and the team in 2017 underachieved in a massive way with Kentan Facey at the four. If your players are good at something, you should allow them to do those things as often as possible. That was Ollie's primary failing as head coach in my estimation, and it aligns with your interpretation that his players were asked to do things they could not. Contrary to popular belief, our offense needed to be simplified. Not every player on the court can attack a switch or read a slip screen. Sometimes playing in a phone booth is the right way.

 

[husky429]

I think he will play some minuges at the 4 if the matchup dictates it. Same with wilson.

If were playing that small of a lineup with amy frequency, were in trouble.

Polley may have the length, bur basketball position is just as much about MENTALITY. He has a perimeter mentality. Can't change that very easily

 

[QDOG5]

I expect him to want the cracker.

 

[UConnStats]

I expect him to want the cracker.

You laugh, but there’s a material chance that ESPN shows this in their “keys to the game” once before he graduates.