Why Hurley may change the team's offensive philosophy this season

[HooperScooper]

"We're trying to work more on transition offense, getting better in one-on-one situations and trying to get our players to not be as reliant on the system. We're trying to get these guys to play off-script more this summer. But we're sprinkling in teaching elements of how we move off the ball."

"It's tough for these guys, but they are really smart players," the coach continued. "Silas and Malachi, in particular, are really, really smart and intuitive. And Braylon picks things up quickly, because he played high school ball in Indiana, and he played for really good coaches."

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/uconn-huskies-dan-hurley-silas-demary-jr-guards-20395411.php

Alternate access:

Why Dan Hurley may change UConn men's basketball team's offensive philosophy this season​

 

[aceboon]

good to hear, not every team is going to be able to drain 25+ secs of the shotclock and outexecute everyone to death like 23-24. guys are gonna need to play off script and go get a bucket when needed, play more freely and less robotic like last year's team

 

[Palatine]

He talked about this toward the end of last season. He wants there to be room for creativity and individualism in the system. The players are not robots, they need to be able to take advantage of their strengths.

 

[RuffRuff]

This is interesting - adaptive. Good to see he realizes he may not have a picture perfect roster to run 23-24 style teams that really requires perfect pieces to run (big versatile guards 1-3, massive rim protector and passing 5 that can see over defenders with ease). Those pieces are just not available every year.

 

[UKemba15]

"That's not even something I thought about or considered," he said. "I'm a college coach."

 

[Son of Robert]

I like when Hurley says 'this will be a formidable team'. Just having a top ten team entering the season gives the fan base so much to look forward to, let's go! #7

 

[Chin Diesel]

UConn has players who are athletic enough to run the court and skilled enough to make plays literally and figuratively on the run for quick scores. I like that. Rebound. Push the ball. Look for a quick score. If not, back it out and run the offensive sets.

 

[caw]

For as good as the system was in 2024, players did have room to make individual plays (Castle, Newton, Spencer in particular). Last year was really lacking anyone who could go one-on-one, especially after the injuries Hassan and Liam had.

 

[UCan3]

For as good as the system was in 2024, players did have room to make individual plays (Castle, Newton, Spencer in particular). Last year was really lacking anyone who could go one-on-one, especially after the injuries Hassan and Liam had.

Yes, I agree. And I’ll go a step further - for significant parts of the season we didn’t have good ball handlers - point guard by committee. That was a first. Think about the turnovers and awkwardness on offense and we still only lost to eventual champion by 2 pts. Can’t wait to see some quick and efficient ball distribution as welll.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I think one of the big thing coaches fall for, understandably, is if they have success with a system for a particular team, that every other team that comes through will be able to replicate that.
It always kinda boggled my mind, when it's said "this guy just didn't fit the system"

Of Course every coach in every sport needs a philosophy, but so many are married to their systems. It's quite egocentric. And it doesn't always work.

Dan's ability to constantly question himself is what's gonna keep him at the top for a long time.

 

[jibsey]

I ask this every offseason as we search for crumbs. Has anyone here had direct eyes on these practices or know someone who has seen our new players to tell us how they are looking in action?

 

[REB1094]

Tbh I don’t think that’s really changing philosophies. That’s what it has been for years. Silas is going to be HUGE for us here

2023: run great sets, when they break down, drop it to Sanogo and let him get a bucket. Newton took that role sporadically throughout the season, with less consistent success

2024: same but just toss it to Tristen and let him cook. Cam was really good at it too if he was coming off a curl or got a high screen (not exactly iso, but could turn broken sets into something positive)

2025: was supposed to be Mahaney and Karaban, just didn’t work out

 

[cwh20]

I think Hurley is making the right choice. With the complex offensive system you need all five on the floor to understand the movement and passes to make that will get good clean shots every time. It worked brilliantly with the last championship team. It breaks down to getting forced shots at the end of the shot clock too often when you don’t have a group that can run that offense.

 

[Lafayette]

Indeed this is what he's wanted for awhile I thought... players with high BK IQ that even on a set designed play can spot a mismatch opportunity and audible it so to speak.

Took Tristen a minute to "get it" and once he did we were rocking. I believe he's saying Silas and Malachi get it already or will sooner, and Braylon is a natural at it. I also have a suspicion that Jacob Furphy is going to have that kind of BK IQ to help as well.

 

[dennismenace]

UConn has players who are athletic enough to run the court and skilled enough to make plays literally and figuratively on the run for quick scores. I like that. Rebound. Push the ball. Look for a quick score. If not, back it out and run the offensive sets.

Agree and be aggressive on defense looking for turnovers. We have a really deep bench and I love the word "formidable." It sounds intimidating and that's what we want to instill in opponents.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

This is great and all, but when will he ever get rid of that dastardly high hedge?

Only when he admits defeat on that will I be ready to state that Coach Hurley can adapt to the times.

 

[husky429]

I ask this every offseason as we search for crumbs. Has anyone here had direct eyes on these practices or know someone who has seen our new players to tell us how they are looking in action?

I have not been in practice but I do know Braylon is doing a s*#$ ton of extra reps after practice. Hours worth. Looks like he's put on weight too.

 

[Umami Zen]

Can't complain about our offensive efficiency the last few years. I do think we have had/do have on this year's roster- athletes who can disrupt on D and get out in transition for easy buckets at the other end. We have excellent team speed at the guard/wing slots to exploit this advantage. Good to hear Danny is gonna let these guys loose and get out and run a little bit. Have the primary and secondary ball handlers to make it happen with speed and precision.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Yeah I think it’s smart for Hurley to say this because fans will eat it up, but it’s easy to forget how often Newton/cam/castle and to a lesser extent Hawkins/Jackson would simply make plays happen in the half court.

Diarra/McNeeley/Mahaney were huge steps down in creative ability from that list of all time greats, Silas/Smith/Mullins/Stewart are gonna need to step up if we’re gonna have a top 10 offense again.

 

[TheChamps990411]

For as good as the system was in 2024, players did have room to make individual plays (Castle, Newton, Spencer in particular). Last year was really lacking anyone who could go one-on-one, especially after the injuries Hassan and Liam had.

Yes. The system brought us two more national titles so while im not thrilled to hear this i trust Dan Hurley 1000%

 

[champs99and04]

UConn's adjusted offense rank the last three years: 3rd, 1st, 15th

I can't really say I understand the rush to change things, especially when accounting for the level of roster turnover they've endured following both title runs. Last year they didn't guard a soul and still came within one shot of knocking off the eventual champ.

 

[husky429]

We don't need to change the philosophy (and won't be, let's be honest). We needed new personnel. The system gets us to a top-25 offense. 5, 10% of your possessions you need a breakdown guy who can just get you a bucket. Sanogo, Tristen, Cam...that takes you to championship level.

Silas and others will be replacing those roles.

Pre- and post-Luke was a change in offensive philosophy. I expect what we're looking at is more of a tweak than a philosophy change. We're not going from a Euro-offense to a triangle or something

 

[nelsonmuntz]

UConn's adjusted offense rank the last three years: 3rd, 1st, 15th

I can't really say I understand the rush to change things, especially when accounting for the level of roster turnover they've endured following both title runs. Last year they didn't guard a soul and still came within one shot of knocking off the eventual champ.

Agree 100%. The offense is incredible, and works for different players. Last year’s team was terrible defensively, and still almost beat Florida. A little more transition is fine, but don’t change the halfcourt offense.

I think the defense is more complicated than the offense because of complex help rotations that result in players in no man’s land a lot. Hurley should adjust that if anything.

 

[Waquoit]

I'm going to trust Danny with this.

 

[Tenspro2002]

This is interesting - adaptive. Good to see he realizes he may not have a picture perfect roster to run 23-24 style teams that really requires perfect pieces to run (big versatile guards 1-3, massive rim protector and passing 5 that can see over defenders with ease). Those pieces are just not available every year.

Actually, the interesting thing is that with Silas, we do actually have the Tristen Newton archetype who can run the 2024 offense, which we basically didn't have last year.