@Connecticut, Sat., Dec. 23, 8p, FOX

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Believe it r not, the individual player defense has not improved. Coach Pitino has figured out a way to mask the defensive deficiencies with a match up zone. Problem is, it was played poorly and UConn was ready for it. EVERYTIME Soriano shot up to help stop their guards from penetrating it left the basket open for some thunderous dunks by Samson. Samson didn’t score 16 points going against Soriano, he scored going against no one.

If our D truly improved then our guards would be able to stop penetration on their own and coach wouldn’t have to play a zone that left a sub like Johnson wide open.
 
How did Jenkins play at Iona? I’m very curious. RP use of him gives off the appearance that he owes Jenkins something. Jenkins only redeeming quality at this time is that he has the confidence of a superstar. Putting aside his playing time. I’m confused why he takes bad shot after bad shot.
 
Alumni Hall said:
I agree…I was very impressed with his athleticism…although he needs to improve on his layups after he steals the ball. He missed 3 times tonight. And then missed a few foul shots after those drives.
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I agree about Lewis needing to make those layups. He appears to be significantly faster and quicker han the rest of our team. It's highly likely that his driving timing will self-correct as the "rust" shakes off from his injury-induced lack of playing ime.

However, I think he will be a huge difference for two reasons:
one) opponents, like Michigan, may not be able to treat the game as a one-sided track meet leaving us in the dust on defense. So, he is a plus on defense.

two) whatever playing time he gets, means Ledlum and Jenkins will be sharing the ball with a teammate, who wants it, and can penetrate and
shoot at least as high a percentage as they have to date.

I don't see him heroically carrying the team on his shoulders. With him, the entire team is naturally better because his strengths will alter the repetitive rhythm of Ledlum's bull rushes and Jenkins chuck shots. He likely will pass the ball to others more frequently.
 
Roamer said:
How did Jenkins play at Iona? I’m very curious. RP use of him gives off the appearance that he owes Jenkins something. Jenkins only redeeming quality at this time is that he has the confidence of a superstar. Putting aside his playing time. I’m confused why he takes bad shot after bad shot.
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Took more shots than Iona best 2 players so similar.
I voiced my concern over him during the Summer having actually seen him play and got shouted down on here.
 
He is a decent player just needs to be a little more selective with his shooting. Plays hard defense and has started to make better passes. He is the teams point guard. Pitno sees everything we see and more. He’ll make adjustments.
 
Rocket said:
Ledlum drives to the basket like a bull in a China shop. Has to learn to kick it out instead of making up his mind regardless of another open shooter.
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Ledlum has caught the dreaded Wusu disease . Drive to the hoop and get it blocked🐨
Larry Wright said:
Did you want him taking those shots?
He is a role player should never take more shots than Soriano and would be my 5th option on offense.
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logen said:
Charter member!! :ROFLMAO:
Just kidding but I assume you have seen Luis play a lot more than 16 minutes against a totally overmatched Holy Cross and the 18 minutes last night to make such a bold statement. If not, with all due respect, IMO you don’t know basketball, you are a serious fan perhaps but knowing the game, no.
And many on here raised Pitino’s development prowess to the heavens in declaring us a Top 25 team before we even had a practice so excuse me if I suggest some of you pump the brakes a bit.
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All good points . I like the comment about our ever effusive fan base and the inevitable pre season assessment for the last 20 odd years , regardless of the Coach, that we were going to be a Tournament team and cause havoc in the BE. Only Lavin and Mullin made the NCAAs a few times , with quick exit .

I guess eternal optimism if what fandom is

The hostility towards Jenkins is startling . Yes , he’s streaky as a player and fans are piste he isn’t Erick Barkley or Mark Jackson
 
I wonder how much longer they let Clingan “play hurt” before someone in his camp says it’s not worth it and shuts him down…

Kid is a top 10-15 pick in most mocks
 
I’ve had no problem with coach cleaning house from last years team except for Jones. Even before he started doing so well for Memphis, I always thought he had a world of potential based on his frosh year at DePaul but just lost confidence in himself through a chaotic season. Just think what an additional reliable scorer we would have meant in last nights game.
 
I think this game will serve as a good learning experience for this team and what they need to do to beat top level teams. Jenkins needs a little coaching to get him to look to pass first and shoot second. I think Ledlum needs a little less time on the court, to keep him fresh. Soriano needs to be playing down low more often. Need to have more of Luis. Guys need to be coached-up regarding their free throw shooting.
 
Silly Donovan said:
I’ve had no problem with coach cleaning house from last years team except for Jones. Even before he started doing so well for Memphis, I always thought he had a world of potential based on his frosh year at DePaul but just lost confidence in himself through a chaotic season. Just think what an additional reliable scorer we would have meant in last nights game.
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He also had terrible circumstances off the court as well
 
Jack Williams said:
What’s gonna haunt me from this one is Samson getting a finger tip on that oop to Soriano out of a timeout when the game was tied with about 3 minutes left.

Ugh! I wonder if we win this one if we complete that oop
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Great call. This was the turning point in the game IMHO
 
ghostzapper said:
C'mon let's get our facts straight here. Under CMA we played UConn five times and there were no 25 point blowouts at all. Last season we won at UConn against the national champs by 11. The year before we lost at UConn in O.T. by 8 and the year before that we beat them at UConn by 4. Under CMA we lost at home by 9 last year against the national champs and by 3 at home the year before.

IMHO this game was similar to our recent efforts against the Huskies.

I would actually say that tonight we were beaten more by the men with the whistles than by the Huskies.

I was pleased that the defense has improved so much since the Boston College debacle and gives me hope for a good season for us. I also am very happy to see Luis out there, who brings something really good to our team. Lastly, Ledlum looked like a deer in the headlights on those two critical free throws. His missed free throws wasted a nice setup pass by Joel in that huge spot.
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We should rehire mike Anderson
 
tnice said:
Great call. This was the turning point in the game IMHO
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I thought the turning point was when we went up 2 and had a chance at a defensive rebound but UConn got an offensive board. It turned into another possession and a tip in (I think). We get that defensive rebound I think we can't be stopped rest of game.
 
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