Wildkitty ThoughtZ™

[RichZ]

1. Good lord this game started awful. We played like a bunch of guys who met 20 minutes before game time.
2. Seemed like the score was stuck at 8-11 for an eternity. Actually, it was about 2-1/2 of the longest minutes in history (15:39~13:05) followed by almost 2-1/2 minutes at 10-11. That 5 minutes or so of game time trailing to a very mediocre team seemed like an eternity in real time.
3. Finally break into the lead at 10.09, but we lose that lead 12 seconds later.
4. Then finally two scores in a row to put us more than a bucket ahead.
5. Never trailed again, but it took way to long to get that lasting lead against such a week team. I suspect that practices this week will get a lot tougher.
6. Johnson gets called for his 3rd foul just over 11 minutes in. That's not good news.
7. Reed's hands worry me a bit. He seems to lose the ball too much. Luckily, he regains it most of the time, but on a guy with his strength, I find the bobbles a bit disconcerting.
8. Diarra seemed turnover prone, at least in the first half.
9. Sure am glad that Reed has a good stroke from the line, because he draws a lot of fouls.
10. McNeeley doesn't seem to cope with contact well.
11. Mahaney is going to have to turn his game around pretty quick. As of this game, he's 25%, 29% & 50% (FG, 3pt, FT) Small sample, but he was brought in as a volume scorer.
12. Much better 2nd half for Diarra and Johnson both.
13. 40 points off the bench to 5 for NH.
14. Singare got 4 rebounds and a bucket in 90 seconds on the floor. Yeah, it was garbage time, but I think we may be underutilizing him. He used to play with a bit of unsureness or hesitancy, as if he was more concerned about making a mistake than utilizing his size and strength. Last night he seemed more assertive for little time he was out there.
15. Another double digit blocks game!
16. 20 dimes to New Hampshire's 5.
17. 20 assists on 32 made FG isn't bad, but when Hurley-ball kicks in full bore we should be getting closer to 75% of our buckets assisted.

General thoughts one the team so far...
Only 2 games in, but so far, Alex looks like a superstar, averaging 18.5 pts, and 5.5 in each of boards, dimes and blocks. Solo is playing like the latest in a long line of great Husky guards. Liam is promising -- good shooting, great rebounding, but defense is still a foreign language to him. Stewart and Ross are more than adequate at their jobs. Reed is tough, scores well and rebounds well. Needs to be a little more assertive, I think. Johnson is still Johnson, plays run for him to score at the rim are often spectacular, but the foul issue is always going to limit his PT. Diarra needs to get the confidence and swagger from last post-season back.

 

[Sphinx]

I congratulate you on a successful attempt to restrain your exhuberance. To witness Ross's breakout performance and conclude that he is "more than adequate" required a self-control that most of us can only aspire to. You might choose next time to alternate your pro's and con's. I suspect you lost most of your readers before they ever got to the positive takes. Just hoping LeMoyne will go easy on us.

 

[my2cents]

Basketball is a game where there are going to stretch's where the ball doesn't go in. We as fans call that , "Playing terrible". If you keep working hard, the UConn's team under Hurley eventually get it going, like last night.
I like the fact that this team has numerous shooters who can come in to replace a cold shooter.

 

[jibsey]

Liam may not be perfect yet but he’s staying in front of his man, accepting contact and getting rebounds.

 

[DRBackup]

Basketball is a game where there are going to stretch's where the ball doesn't go in. We as fans call that , "Playing terrible". If you keep working hard, the UConn's team under Hurley eventually get it going, like last night.
I like the fact that this team has numerous shooters who can come in to replace a cold shooter.

The key to this is always the same - defense. Eventually the shots will fall, so long as you kept the other team from scoring, you'll be fine

 

[Chin Diesel]

Reed Jr has gone from 40% FT shooting as a frosh, to mid-50% last season, and is over 70% do for this year.

Shows he can receive receive instruction and make the changes neslcessary to improve. Concentration and repetition of good habits.

 

[willie99]

Half-time adjustments are still a thing

 

[Makryspost]

Hasn't this been a thing the past two years.. Lean on them till they break and then its a double digit win?