Connecticut (MSG), Sat., Feb. 3, 12 NOON, FOX

Team had bad second half and Rick had equally bad “presser” Two guys in room described atmosphere as “cringe worthy” to me. He needs to relax, gather himself and get back into winning column.
Have to agree…I usually enjoy his post game comments and usually the messages he delivers. But, yesterday’s comments were almost “white flag like”. I don’t believe he is giving up on the year, but his frustration did come through.
 
What specifically did he do that was terrible? He made one bad play all night because he has a really bad handle.

He took 3 shots and made 2. He was one of two players that defended above average. He also had 2 assists in 14 minutes.
probably an over generalization on my part. But the 2 plays that we needed him to deliver on were critical. However, your overall assessment outside of these 2 plays is probably accurate.
 
The agony of defeat at Tir Na Nog great to see Jnaw and Jimred again with the Mattia brothers and of course Kranmars and Redstormrising. That place was as packed as the garden. Bucketshardy was too busy heading to the back to steal a bar spot for the pic and SigEp was too distraught from the loss he’s wandering the streets near Manhattan looking for classof2010
Was fun to meet some more of you guys and hang. We have a special group of fans.

Better days are ahead, but this has been a really tough stretch for the team and for us as fans. I’m optimistic that a win vs DePaul will get some confidence back for this team. I agree with many of the comments about our defense. The effort isn’t there consistently and that better change now if we have any hope of finishing the season strong.
 
My one observation of being at the game is it's not very fun being at a home game with half of the arena consisting of the opposing teams fans. I was sitting in the 200s section and it felt like I was completely surrounded by UConn fans.

What only makes it worse is the sense of entitlement UConn fans have, acting like the place is their home court, standing, doing their chants, and being overly obnoxious.
It felt like 60/40 SJU- UConn to me. Which was better than I thought it would be.
 
By the way, love that we honored the 98-99 team. However, whoever chose it to be at this game made a mistake. 98-99 was the year UConn won it all. So of course the ceremony gave their fans something extra to be snarky about.
 
Have to agree…I usually enjoy his post game comments and usually the messages he delivers. But, yesterday’s comments were almost “white flag like”. I don’t believe he is giving up on the year, but his frustration did come through.
Bottom line our guys played scared
 
7 minutes for Zuby while butterfingers can't catch a simple rebound you'd yell at a 4th grader for not corralling? Kudos to Alleyne, almost 50 years of watching basketball, never saw a guy turn a 3 on 1 into a 1 on 4. Maybe Jenkins was gassed in the second half, barely got a blow and was playing full court all night, Ledlum's defensive strategy "He won't make that..?....again.
 
Two interesting takes from yesterday--
Coach was talking fairly extensively in Hurley's ear (extensively compared to the obligatory handshake that I expected without even stopping the walk) at the end of the game. I wonder what he said because Hurley didn't seem to really acknowledge it or reciprocate.

Also, Jenkins stated, "Our mindset has to change...At times we fight each other. Not fight, but we'll have a comeback instead of us just saying, 'that's my fault' and just move on from it..." That is probably nothing or is it an interesting insight into things in the locker room?
 
Two interesting takes from yesterday--
Coach was talking fairly extensively in Hurley's ear (extensively compared to the obligatory handshake that I expected without even stopping the walk) at the end of the game. I wonder what he said because Hurley didn't seem to really acknowledge it or reciprocate.

Also, Jenkins stated, "Our mindset has to change...At times we fight each other. Not fight, but we'll have a comeback instead of us just saying, 'that's my fault' and just move on from it..." That is probably nothing or is it an interesting insight into things in the locker room?
I think Hurley/Pitino both respect each other.

On the second thing, the team looked SUPER frustrated at Luis multiple times, but especially when he had that insane 1x1 play in the second half that began a five point swing & the staff took him out. He was getting chewed up on the sideline.

We can say all we want about Jenkins but he’s the guy initiating the huddles, encouraging the guys, etc. It’s clear as day if you’re there.
 
Two interesting takes from yesterday--
Coach was talking fairly extensively in Hurley's ear (extensively compared to the obligatory handshake that I expected without even stopping the walk) at the end of the game. I wonder what he said because Hurley didn't seem to really acknowledge it or reciprocate.

Also, Jenkins stated, "Our mindset has to change...At times we fight each other. Not fight, but we'll have a comeback instead of us just saying, 'that's my fault' and just move on from it..." That is probably nothing or is it an interesting insight into things in the locker room?
Jenkins’ comments were interesting. He also said that the team doesn’t approach each play with the right mindset. And coach talked about some of the physical limitations of this team, and while we may be slow physically at certain positions, what’s baffling is how we seem to be slow in our thought process from play to play. And that needs to change. Coach talked about how Soriano and others, for instance, need to pass out of a trapping defense and then pound the glass. That seems obvious to a lot of us, but for some reason our players are slow to figure that out in the moment and that makes the defense from the other team look faster when we take forever to recognize what seems fundamental.

Bottom line is the effort needs to be better, the team apparently needs to listen to coaching much better than it has been, and we need to be more tied together as a unit. While we can’t fix our physical limitations, these other things are fixable things if we‘re willing to do them. Time will tell.
 
Want to know an irony about Cam Spencer?

If Rick doesn't take Nahiem Alleyne from us, we don't have a spot for Spencer. And I was disappointed Alleyne left, I thought he was going to play a major roll this year. But today I wouldn't give up Spencer for Alleyne.

Sometimes it's funny how things work out. Thank you Rick :)
 
Crazy observation, but I felt like one of the main reasons UConn was able to pull away from us is they literally did not miss a free throw until the end of the game. They shot 20-22 for 94%, which is well above their season average of 73%. In addition, their 46% from 3 was well above their season average of 36%. We really needed them to have an off day in those categories to have any shot. Frustrating
PUKON did not miss free throw throws. We as typical missed a lot.
 
Want to know an irony about Cam Spencer?

If Rick doesn't take Nahiem Alleyne from us, we don't have a spot for Spencer. And I was disappointed Alleyne left, I thought he was going to play a major roll this year. But today I wouldn't give up Spencer for Alleyne.

Sometimes it's funny how things work out. Thank you Rick :)

Couldn't care less what you'd do. Get lost.
 
Two interesting takes from yesterday--
Coach was talking fairly extensively in Hurley's ear (extensively compared to the obligatory handshake that I expected without even stopping the walk) at the end of the game. I wonder what he said because Hurley didn't seem to really acknowledge it or reciprocate.

Also, Jenkins stated, "Our mindset has to change...At times we fight each other. Not fight, but we'll have a comeback instead of us just saying, 'that's my fault' and just move on from it..." That is probably nothing or is it an interesting insight into things in the locker room?
I think it is interesting insight into the lack of focus on the collective goal, winning. There is little evidence there is any real team chemistry, any inkling they are playing for each other. In fairness, that is a hit or miss valuable intangible when a team is thrown together in such a short time.
And why CBB is forever changed with NIL and complete free agency. IMO, we have seen the tip of the iceberg of their effect.
 
I think it is interesting insight into the lack of focus on the collective goal, winning. There is little evidence there is any real team chemistry, any inkling they are playing for each other. In fairness, that is a hit or miss valuable intangible when a team is thrown together in such a short time.
And why CBB is forever changed with NIL and complete free agency. IMO, we have seen the tip of the iceberg of their effect.

When Rick took 13 players plus an additional player off scholarship I did wonder how he would find time for all of these kids, and how he would keep them happy, especially in the modern era where every kid feels they are entitled to minutes.

Now as the season has gone on, we've all witnessed the drastic changes to the rotation and minute distribution from game to game. I wonder if if this is having an impact on the attitude of these kids.
 
Jenkins’ comments were interesting. He also said that the team doesn’t approach each play with the right mindset. And coach talked about some of the physical limitations of this team, and while we may be slow physically at certain positions, what’s baffling is how we seem to be slow in our thought process from play to play. And that needs to change. Coach talked about how Soriano and others, for instance, need to pass out of a trapping defense and then pound the glass. That seems obvious to a lot of us, but for some reason our players are slow to figure that out in the moment and that makes the defense from the other team look faster when we take forever to recognize what seems fundamental.

Bottom line is the effort needs to be better, the team apparently needs to listen to coaching much better than it has been, and we need to be more tied together as a unit. While we can’t fix our physical limitations, these other things are fixable things if we‘re willing to do them. Time will tell.
Hurley has had the luxury of the formula for success at UCONN.

Every year he gets a McD All American guard . Boughnight ,,the Kid last year who’s name escapes me and Castle who will be a lottery pick .
He adds a portal kid , Spencer , who is the lights out shooter every team needs , plus holdovers Clingan , Newton , etc .

So , he doesn’t have to rebuild his starting 5 plus reserves every year .
Hopefully, Dunlap , Wilcher , Elijifor , Cruz , Ayo , Traore will hang around for next season at least .

So ,all Rick has to do is bring in. Lottery pick Guard , a portal 3 point shooter ,a
7 footer from anywhere , Africa or Europe , and good Role players .

Just my opinion but , most everyone here is worried about Wilcher. Remember he was a NC commit before he asked out there . Late in the summer .
The Reality for him there was he was going to play behind Cadeu . Maybe , initially , he was ok to get limited minutes there . But , changed his mind when RP whispered in his and his parents ear .
Telling them he would get a shot at playing a lot . At PG . Which may not be his natural position ?

What’s turned out is , he’s not showing yet a lot of PG skills to play more .
Which is possibly why he didn’t play yesterday ?
It’s all speculation but , RP isn’t hesitant to have players sit on the Bench for a entire game .

Also too , Sim has shown that he’s not yet ready for prime time . Let’s see if he plays more Vs DePaul . It’s hard for any young 1st year player to come in on a team that starts 5 th year players on most games .

Obviously , Wilcher earned his rep as a 4 star guard in HS. So it’s not like talent and potential are not there .
Is he Stephon Castle ? No , he isn’t but , he might develop into a excellent player .
Stay tuned
 
Want to know an irony about Cam Spencer?

If Rick doesn't take Nahiem Alleyne from us, we don't have a spot for Spencer. And I was disappointed Alleyne left, I thought he was going to play a major roll this year. But today I wouldn't give up Spencer for Alleyne.

Sometimes it's funny how things work out. Thank you Rick :)
That's just trolling. Alleyne was gone somewhere and you talk as if he was going to stay. He was leaving with Hurley's regret but blessing, to further his post college earnings potential. Post college earnings potential, something you should think about before wasting your time annoying others.
 
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