I really think this was a conditioning win much like the Columbia game - UConn kicked ass in the last 10 minutes of both games after trailing much of the game. These kinds of wins will happen again this year but there are still things that need to be fixed:
Hamilton (who leads the team with 39 TOs) is turning the ball over repeatedly on the same move where he spins around and exposes his dribble. The scouting report is out on him. He needs to pull up and shoot a little more and handle and penetrate less, and he definitely needs to get better shooting the 3.
The transition offense needs to be better. On one empty opportunity Purvis has a layup and instead of going to his left hand or jamming, he tried a baby jumper, ends up getting fouled and missing both FTs (2 of the 3 misses on the day!). Then Hamilton steals the ball and UConn has a 3 on 1 break and he passes the ball to Nolan who can't handle it. UConn needs to get way more offense in transition than what they are getting. This is essential until the halfcourt O gets better which, with Omar back and producing and Purvis draining a few 3s, it will get better.
Although Brimah was a huge factor on defense with his rebounding and shot blocking, anyone notice how easily he was being pushed off the blocks on offense? That's why he had only 3 FG attempts. He needs to get a lot stronger because he has been invisible on offense against the bigger stronger teams, even if he was a huge help on D today.
Samuel had his best game of the year today, no TOs, 6-6 FTs and 2-2 FGs so he did not miss a shot, but it would be nice to see him develop a jumpshot especially since his FT stroke looks good. Similarly Purvis's 3 point stroke looks solid, but he can't make any FTs. He is now a 60% FT shooter on the year which is not acceptable for a guy who can stroke 3s.
For Boatright - can he figure out a way to stay healthy? As I said in the offseason you love his toughness and he is not shy about taking contact but his body type does not permit him to take contact and that is why it's been one injury after another this year. Jerome Dyson had a much better body and he was constantly hurt more due to his reckless attacking style but Boatright has a duty to stay healthy and it will not be happening with his body if he keeps playing as he has been.
Lastly this is another game where TOs (14) were more than assists (10). On the season UConn has more TOs (153) than assist (143). This has to change.
This post was edited on 1/3 8:36 PM by KhalidShockedTheWorld
Hamilton (who leads the team with 39 TOs) is turning the ball over repeatedly on the same move where he spins around and exposes his dribble. The scouting report is out on him. He needs to pull up and shoot a little more and handle and penetrate less, and he definitely needs to get better shooting the 3.
The transition offense needs to be better. On one empty opportunity Purvis has a layup and instead of going to his left hand or jamming, he tried a baby jumper, ends up getting fouled and missing both FTs (2 of the 3 misses on the day!). Then Hamilton steals the ball and UConn has a 3 on 1 break and he passes the ball to Nolan who can't handle it. UConn needs to get way more offense in transition than what they are getting. This is essential until the halfcourt O gets better which, with Omar back and producing and Purvis draining a few 3s, it will get better.
Although Brimah was a huge factor on defense with his rebounding and shot blocking, anyone notice how easily he was being pushed off the blocks on offense? That's why he had only 3 FG attempts. He needs to get a lot stronger because he has been invisible on offense against the bigger stronger teams, even if he was a huge help on D today.
Samuel had his best game of the year today, no TOs, 6-6 FTs and 2-2 FGs so he did not miss a shot, but it would be nice to see him develop a jumpshot especially since his FT stroke looks good. Similarly Purvis's 3 point stroke looks solid, but he can't make any FTs. He is now a 60% FT shooter on the year which is not acceptable for a guy who can stroke 3s.
For Boatright - can he figure out a way to stay healthy? As I said in the offseason you love his toughness and he is not shy about taking contact but his body type does not permit him to take contact and that is why it's been one injury after another this year. Jerome Dyson had a much better body and he was constantly hurt more due to his reckless attacking style but Boatright has a duty to stay healthy and it will not be happening with his body if he keeps playing as he has been.
Lastly this is another game where TOs (14) were more than assists (10). On the season UConn has more TOs (153) than assist (143). This has to change.
This post was edited on 1/3 8:36 PM by KhalidShockedTheWorld