Uconn vs. UNH

[the Blades]

SUN, 1:00pm @ the XL Center- TV: SNY.....UNH with 2 Hartford area players in the rotation.
Also Uconn heads into the game leading the country in a stat they used to be pretty good at: NCAA per Game on ....

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Back in the day UConn had some seasons of averaging 9-10 blocks per game from what I remember. 7 bpg seems a little lite to be leading the nation and I would bet its one of the lowest National leading totals in years. Still, it’s pretty good compared to the zero rim protection they had right after Brimah graduated. It’s mostly Akok and he is a very good natural shot blocker.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

It’s been mentioned in prior threads but Hurley’s “short leash” threats in his presser, which seemed to be directed at the starting guards, seemed to get acted upon in the St. Peter’s game. Gaffney got a lot of minutes and although he had 4 TOs, I thought they were mainly ball handling issues and not bad decisions on his part. Minute distribution will be interesting today as well as whether the “short leash” threats get acted upon should we see bad shots or decisions by the starting guards.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Very good game by 2nd team and by Gilbert. I think Matt Garry should get like 3-4 minutes next game based on that nice dish to Whaley for a dunk on the last basket.

 

[the Blades]

It’s been mentioned in prior threads but Hurley’s “short leash” threats in his presser, which seemed to be directed at the starting guards...... Gaffney got a lot of minutes and although he had 4 TOs, I thought they were mainly ball handling issues and not bad decisions on his part. Minute distribution will be interesting today as well as whether the “short leash” threats get acted upon should we see bad shots or decisions by the starting guards.

Only 10 TO's compared to 26 and 22 the last 2 games... Hallelujah !!! .....

But it was a tale of 2 halves..Gilbert stunk up the first part of the game with 2 TO's and another 3 strait misses to "lead" UNH to the 18-9 advantage. Then like you said DH's “short leash” and in came Gaffney (played 21 mins...2-3 on 3's/ 5 asst/ only 1 TO) and Bouk (14pts /7 reb) to turn the whole game around....along with Adams(3-5 FG/ 2 asst) and Whaley (3-3 FG/ 6 rebs/2 asst) who changed the game on D too. Like DH said post game, it was a tough D match-up for Josh vs. the UNH perimeter bigs. I loved the rotation and didn't miss Wilson not playing, who can't wait to rush up the 1st, 2nd or even 3rd bad shots he loves to force as soon as he comes in......which only makes things worse.

Then the start of 2nd half was " the Gilbert show." Is he hearing footsteps behind him from Gaffney ....who lead the 15-0 Uconn run in the first half with him on the bench ? Game changes alot when this team doesn't have a guys shooting 2-12 or actually getting shots up instead of the TO's. Then add in one of Akok's best offensive games of the year and you have blow out city....(now about those missed FT's....)

Box Score

 

[the Blades]

Agree with CV , but not on AG in the first 8 mins of the game:

 

[the Blades]

Have to give Dan Hurley an A+ on the adjustments he made, in this game and since the last one:

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Competition is good. These kids are competitive and you keep a fire lit with PT and they will respond to the challenge. And they did. The starting guards were good and the backups were good. They need to keep progressing. Sidney Wilson needs to focus more on D and recognize his offensive limitation.

 

[the Blades]