Thursday, Dec. 3, Huskies (2-0) vs. USC @ Mohegan Sun - 7 p.m. TV- ESPN
Early look at the USC line-up:
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Early look at the USC line-up:
Click to enlarge:
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+1, I see it the same way too. DH needs to use his roster and not get stuck on his smaller line-ups. If you're gonna recruit size then use your size vs. a line-up like this, that alot of P-6 schools use. I'd go with.....This may be a game where UConn rotates several bigs on him, like Sanogo, Carlton, and maybe even JB to give him a taste of someone his own size. UConn recruited all of these bigs, so now it is time to play them and put them to the test. Perhaps they can wear Mobley down rotating some bigger bodies on him. You got 15 fouls to give, maybe 20 if you play Whaley at the 5 some. UConn managed to rack up 45 personal fouls in the first two games, perhaps this game they can keep them spread mostly on the bigs with the goal of wearing Mobley down.
Don't know when this will evolve into game action but.....Too bad Akok isn't ready as he would be yet another body
As I thought... (around the 12:00 min mark) DH say's he will start a more " imposing as far as physical stature" line-up with only 1 of RJ or Gaf on the floor and no longer go with a 2 PG line-up " which isn't ideal" .....I think this will be a key as Uconn seemed to have no identity or defined roles on offense for the 1st couple of games. ...Also could be Whaley, Polley and Martin up front. With Sanogo 1st big off the bench.+1, I see it the same way too. DH needs to use his roster and not get stuck on his smaller line-ups. If you're gonna recruit size then use your size vs. a line-up like this, that alot of P-6 schools use. I'd go with.....
C Sanogo....PF Whaley....SF Polley or Martin....PG Cole.....SG Bouk
Your first 2 off the bench could be Polley/ Martin at a F spot and Gaf at either G. Followed by Adams, Carlton and Jackson.
Hurley could go with 2 Units like these below, with Springs and Brown the odd men. Crispino in the Podcast above, who is a terrible interviewer because he shuts down actual info with stupid half joking comments, mentioned going to Javonte Brown vs. USC. (anyone who follows MBB would know he's not ready)If UConn goes with Sanogo, Whaley and Martin up front they should be able to hold their own on the boards with anyone. I would lean that way against a bigger team. Whaley seems to be a very effective defender especially on the pick and roll so if Evan is a perimeter oriented big he can certainly see some time on him. It's nice to be able to discuss and have actual flexibility with matchups up front, and to have a number of bodies. Too bad Akok isn't ready as he would be yet another body and 5 more fouls, although I am hoping we can see UConn have less than 21 personal fouls this game. 22.5 personal fouls per game is not the kind of defense you want even with an aggressive and deep team.
Don't know when this will evolve into game action but.....
( I'm sure Hurley doesn't want a Klay Thompson situation, by putting him out there to soon)
I'd say your half right, but Sanogo has clearly passed him and has a much better offensive game (w/ both hands) and plays tougher for sure.I am not expecting much from Carlton except 5 fouls, a few rebounds and maybe a blocked shot or two. He has never been that good against size in the past. He showed a lot of improvement his sophomore year but most of his biggest games were against undersized teams. Then last year he looked slow and he had all kinds of foul issues. He clearly does have experience edge over Springs and JB but I am wondering how much we will see Springs and JB this year if we do not see them this game. They are getting "project" playing time.
Well DH is going with the first unit I posted above. He made alot of remarks yesterday regarding toughness so this makes sense....
Also the two point guard line-up DH used in the last few mins gave Uconn problems on D with Cole trying to guard that 6-8 F who was handling the ball. Probably a mistake especially since UCS only has one of their under 6-6 guards playing tonight ( Eaddy). Will be interesting if they can cause USC problems with better pressure in the 2nd along with no fouling to bail them out.the 2 point guard offense didn't seem to stimulate offense like one would have thought. Let's see what happens.
I wasn't worried about Josh carving out a roll like I said in the post above. This ain't his 1st rodeo, he's got size you can't teach and he's played fine vs. P-6's in the past. (When he wasn't slow and sloppy) Looks like the weight loss helped. Pretty sure they don't win the game without him. Isaiah too, who was a beast on D and gave Mobley plenty of problems along with 5 blocks.UConn outplayed USC, 42-31 on the boards led by Carlton who had 11 boards, most of the outstanding variety.
That being said any team that missed 16 of its last 17 FGs and scored 3 points in the last 8 minutes would have lost.