UConn-Sacred Heart

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

UConn was down 25-14 and then went on a 27-2 run to finish the first half. I don't know what to think except that they are erratic and playing in spurts. Purvis, if he could finish like Kemba Walker, would be averaging 30 points per game. But he can't finish like Kemba so he isn't averaging 30 ppg.

 

[Dominicfrank]

Gibbs another stinker.

 

[dbaum_]

Got the W but like Kevin Ollie said in the post-game press conference, they cannot start playing better when they are down. They need to come out of the gate aggressive and keep the intensity up for 40 minutes. It seems like they are playing good for a stretch and then cannot get stops on the defensive end and giving up second-chance points. I am glad we came together and got the victory, but with Maryland coming up next week, we cannot play like we did in the first half tonight or else it is going to get ugly. If we play to our potential we have a legit shot at beating them at Madison Square Garden.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

The problem with Gibbs is not a lack of scoring. You can live with 9 points on 3-5 shooting if he had 5 assists but he only had 1 assist while Jalen Adams, playing less minutes, had 4. Gibbs is not a point guard and he is miscast in that role. If he is moved to shooting guard or 6th man he will be better and the team will be better.

Meanwhile with Purvis you look at the boxscore and it looks pretty good- 19 points, 7-13 FGs, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, but the truth is about 4 of those missed 6 FGs should have been finished. And for the season he is shooting 52% on FTs after the 4-7 last night. Not acceptable for a starting guard!!! He has to do better than this. I tend to think he can do better than this. His defense is pretty good as well and that can't be forgotten if we debate whether to sit him or Gibbs so Adams can start. But honestly despite the freshman mistakes that Adams is making, I would prefer him to start right now.

 

[the Blades]

I guess the rotation is what it is. I think that Adams has the best chance to be a total player of the guards. Gibbs plays with more options to his offense and is better overall than Purvis handling the rock. Purvis is a much better defender than Gibbs, but a one trick pony off the dribble on offense. Every drive he makes is with the right hand trying to get to the right side of the rim. And when he gets shut off from the rim his passing is scary. His pattern so far seems to be big numbers vs. cupcakes, but the better more athletic and bigger teams will scout this and take away his drives. Seems like the offense vs. the better teams will live and die by what D-Ham does as a 6-8 point forward. When Uconn was down DH was rushing it up the court and had tunnel vision at the hoop only, despite having wide open team mates on the wings. But later he had a good stretch were he was being a great facilitator and it seemed to become contagious to create ball movement by everyone and that's when the O started clicking..... Also I wish just one of (0-7 combined) Omar ( can't pass or dribble) or Sam ( can't defend) could step up as a 4th guard despite their warts. SMH !

Maryland is another chance to make a statement vs. a solid OOC team and they better start getting some consistency soon because these chances are slipping away.

David Borges ‏@DaveBorges 12h12 hours ago
If you watched Maryland-UNC last night, then watched UConn tonight, then thought about Tuesday at MSG ... well ... yikes.

 

[the Blades]

Also right now I'd cut Nolan, Cassell and Calhoun out of the rotation unless there is foul trouble.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Blades I tend to agree with everything you said except that when Purvis has his drives taken away he is a credible shooter and Hamilton did have tunnel vision but it looked like he was trying to take over the game and make things happen and then when UConn was in charge he returned to facilitating. Overall was a nice game by DHam, he could have had a few more assists but cannit really complain about 7 dimes to go with 14 points and 13 boards.

I saw Maryland the other night and they are very good. Trimble might be the best guard in the country, Stone was a total man on the boards and Sulaimon is a 3 point threat and premiere defender. What I noticed about them is that they looked a bit TO prone and I suspect UConn will be able to turn them over. Stone in particular had some real trouble with his passes becoming TOs. However UConn wil need to play well to beat Maryland. They really need that win because Ohio State and Texas both appear to be a little weaker than expected and may not even be NCAA tourney teams.

One good piece of news is that Tulsa has racked up decisive wins over Wichita State and Oklahoma State in the past week, thus bolstering the AAC resume. Cincy lost a tough game to Butler last night which was mildly disappointing.

 

[the Blades]

Blades I tend to agree with everything you said except that when Purvis has his drives taken away he is a credible shooter and Hamilton did have tunnel vision but it looked like he was trying to take over the game and make things happen and then when UConn was in charge he returned to facilitating. Overall was a nice game by DHam, he could have had a few more assists but cannot really complain about 7 dimes to go with 14 points and 13 boards..

Totally agree on both points, I like Rodney as a 3pt shooter( that and his D are a plus-plus). If they both could settle more into those roles... with Rodney leaving the driving to and facilitating to D-Ham ( or Jalen) except in spots, I think the team could get better.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Another good piece of news: Houston is undefeated and they just clobbered Murray State. AAC is looking a lot better than all the naysayers were saying.