Who shows up Tough Enough to....
- Thread starter Ozzie3178
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Ozzie - Cincy always plays good defense so we may see another sub 40% FGs shooting game from UConn and maybe both teams.
To answer your question I am hoping it is Dan Hamilton. He has had a very poor stretch of basketball and for him to live up to his hype as the star of the UConn team he needs to start playing tougher. However I am not optimistic that anyone will shoot well against Cincy and UConn consistently plays ugly games with this opponent. Therefore I look for toughness on the defensive end and stops on key possessions as the team did against Georgetown.
To answer your question I am hoping it is Dan Hamilton. He has had a very poor stretch of basketball and for him to live up to his hype as the star of the UConn team he needs to start playing tougher. However I am not optimistic that anyone will shoot well against Cincy and UConn consistently plays ugly games with this opponent. Therefore I look for toughness on the defensive end and stops on key possessions as the team did against Georgetown.
Ok good stuff KSTW!
I'm gonna go with Shonn Miller if there ever is a team he needs to play like a grown MAN it is against this grimey Bearcat team! No fadeaways and soft moves and rebound like a monster. I want to see a 20-13 type game. He is more than capable!!
I'm gonna go with Shonn Miller if there ever is a team he needs to play like a grown MAN it is against this grimey Bearcat team! No fadeaways and soft moves and rebound like a monster. I want to see a 20-13 type game. He is more than capable!!
Miller is averaging only 5.6 boards per game after 8.5 rpg last year with Cornell. Hamilton is leading UConn with 8.6 rebounds per game which is 3 more than Miller.
This is a surprise to me. It suggests to me that Miller played on a very soft Cornell team and he was left to do all the board work. Given his size and jumping ability, his rebounding numbers could be better. Hamilton is getting competition boards, however UConn isn't a dominant rebounding team and there should be plenty of boards available for Miller to grab.
This is a surprise to me. It suggests to me that Miller played on a very soft Cornell team and he was left to do all the board work. Given his size and jumping ability, his rebounding numbers could be better. Hamilton is getting competition boards, however UConn isn't a dominant rebounding team and there should be plenty of boards available for Miller to grab.
Need to control the boards and contain Caupain.
I think Jalen will be a difference maker and X factor. Shonn seems to be reliable in every game so UConn needs someone unexpected to come up big. Dham seems to be coming back around even if the shooting numbers don't show it (shooting less 3s getting into the lane more but just not finishing). I hope the team continues to attack the rim as that is a huge part of UConn being successful.
I think Jalen will be a difference maker and X factor. Shonn seems to be reliable in every game so UConn needs someone unexpected to come up big. Dham seems to be coming back around even if the shooting numbers don't show it (shooting less 3s getting into the lane more but just not finishing). I hope the team continues to attack the rim as that is a huge part of UConn being successful.
Speaking of boards, purvis has to contribute more on the glass. Bazz averaged almost 6 a game his senior year and was smaller, lighter and not as strong. Although, instincts are the great equalizer.
Kemba averaged 5+. Rodney needs to be in this neighborhood. He is averaging about what Adams is in 10 more minutes a game. Not acceptable. And I agree Shon has be 8+.
Kemba averaged 5+. Rodney needs to be in this neighborhood. He is averaging about what Adams is in 10 more minutes a game. Not acceptable. And I agree Shon has be 8+.
Yea but to me if Shonn is the tempo setter throughout with some physicality down low then I think we win pretty comfortably otherwise it could come down to the end as all these games lately with Cincy seem to be.... But yea outside Shonn... Jalen has to be the energy guy and make game changing plays that he can make!
How about Amida..... 
.......I saw he was out shooting in sweats before last game....B4 he put his civvies on for the start.....!!!
.......I saw he was out shooting in sweats before last game....B4 he put his civvies on for the start.....!!!
Ozzie,
Regarding Jalen Adams, he has been ineffective in the halfcourt game and against a team like Cincy, UConn likely will be forced to play a grinding halfcourt game based on the history of Mick Cronin teams. I personally admire Mick Cronin as a coach. His teams have not been that talented, but they have always been athletic and tenacious and he is fun to watch on the sideline as a fan of any team. Cincy fans should be proud to have him as a coach. He is a good coach and entertaining with his pained facial expressions and sideline antics. Off the court he is a class act in every interview I have seen.
Getting back to Adams - his talent is obvious but he is very raw, cannot shoot well, doesn't make good decisions, occasionally will throw silly/lazy high school passes, and does almost all his damage in transition. If he is allowed to push the ball up he can be very good and explosive in transition, but right now, against a team like this, I question whether he will have much of an impact.
It would be nice to have Amida back, but I would not rush him and UConn can, and maybe should, beat Cincy without him. Although they will be a difficult and worthy opponent as they always are.
Regarding Jalen Adams, he has been ineffective in the halfcourt game and against a team like Cincy, UConn likely will be forced to play a grinding halfcourt game based on the history of Mick Cronin teams. I personally admire Mick Cronin as a coach. His teams have not been that talented, but they have always been athletic and tenacious and he is fun to watch on the sideline as a fan of any team. Cincy fans should be proud to have him as a coach. He is a good coach and entertaining with his pained facial expressions and sideline antics. Off the court he is a class act in every interview I have seen.
Getting back to Adams - his talent is obvious but he is very raw, cannot shoot well, doesn't make good decisions, occasionally will throw silly/lazy high school passes, and does almost all his damage in transition. If he is allowed to push the ball up he can be very good and explosive in transition, but right now, against a team like this, I question whether he will have much of an impact.
It would be nice to have Amida back, but I would not rush him and UConn can, and maybe should, beat Cincy without him. Although they will be a difficult and worthy opponent as they always are.
Oz have any insight on Jalen maybe being in Ollie's doghouse. Didn't realize he was held out of the starting lineup last game for disciplinary reasons.
I couldn't find anything about Adams being disciplined and that may be getting kept in house, but here is a good article on Purvis and his adjustment to being benched from the Bristol Press:
http://www.centralctcommunications....cle_790f6b16-c3d7-11e5-be59-17884977abdb.html
Adams actually started the last game but was pulled quickly and had a very poor game. He was pulled for undisciplined play on the court, in all likelihood.
http://www.centralctcommunications....cle_790f6b16-c3d7-11e5-be59-17884977abdb.html
Adams actually started the last game but was pulled quickly and had a very poor game. He was pulled for undisciplined play on the court, in all likelihood.
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If that article is talking about G-Town Saturday it's wrong.... I saw Calhoun starting in the backcourt with Gibbs.
David Borges @DaveBorges Jan 23
Kevin Ollie said Omar Calhoun starting over Jalen Adams was an "internal" issue.
Also :
David Borges @DaveBorges Jan 19
Amida Brimah progressing well. Original 6-8 week prognosis closer to 6. Could see him second week of February. #UConn
But no matter, Uconn is close to a bubble team right now according to the CBS guy (Jerry Palm Article) It's a big game and they can't let chances slip away because they have no room for error....so....... Winning !
David Borges @DaveBorges Jan 23
Kevin Ollie said Omar Calhoun starting over Jalen Adams was an "internal" issue.
Also :
David Borges @DaveBorges Jan 19
Amida Brimah progressing well. Original 6-8 week prognosis closer to 6. Could see him second week of February. #UConn
But no matter, Uconn is close to a bubble team right now according to the CBS guy (Jerry Palm Article) It's a big game and they can't let chances slip away because they have no room for error....so....... Winning !
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I don't know too much other than Jalen was frustrated during practice late last week but I don't think this a big deal. I now he is a alpha dog in the making and wants to be ASAP so.... But obviously have to go about it all in the right way. He will learn.
This is going to be one hell of a dog fight.
I look forward these games every year even though I have a heart attack nearly every game. I expect to
As a UC fan:
UC has to assert themselves down low and take advantage of the fact that UCONN's best shot block is hurt. We have 3 legitimate bigs who can scored down low on just about any one (Ellis, Clark and Deberry). Thats the game plan UC will go with.
However I'd love to see both teams try and play fast paced and run as much as possible. As both of these teams are hard to score against in there half court defensive sets. UC has proven that when it plays with pace, it can score with anyone in the country and also proven that they shoot very poorly from the field with they slow the pace bc the D just sets up and waits for them.
Either way, i think this game has huge implications for both teams. UC is a true Bubble team with blown 2 point losses to Butler, Iowa St and Butler and had the lead with 2 min to go in all 3 games and still lost. Uconn has underwelmed as well but as least have wins against Texas and Gtown amoung others.
so uconn fans should feel confident that if we are up by 6 points or less with 2 minutes to go, that you will probably win and we will probably give it away. But if we decided to push the pace and our shots fall, this could be the start of a different kind of Uconn vs UC matchup
I look forward these games every year even though I have a heart attack nearly every game. I expect to
As a UC fan:
UC has to assert themselves down low and take advantage of the fact that UCONN's best shot block is hurt. We have 3 legitimate bigs who can scored down low on just about any one (Ellis, Clark and Deberry). Thats the game plan UC will go with.
However I'd love to see both teams try and play fast paced and run as much as possible. As both of these teams are hard to score against in there half court defensive sets. UC has proven that when it plays with pace, it can score with anyone in the country and also proven that they shoot very poorly from the field with they slow the pace bc the D just sets up and waits for them.
Either way, i think this game has huge implications for both teams. UC is a true Bubble team with blown 2 point losses to Butler, Iowa St and Butler and had the lead with 2 min to go in all 3 games and still lost. Uconn has underwelmed as well but as least have wins against Texas and Gtown amoung others.
so uconn fans should feel confident that if we are up by 6 points or less with 2 minutes to go, that you will probably win and we will probably give it away. But if we decided to push the pace and our shots fall, this could be the start of a different kind of Uconn vs UC matchup
UConn-Cincy games the last few years have all been heart attack-type games that have all gone down to the wire. I see no reason to believe that this one will be any different.
Guys,
It is a fact of the animal kingdom that Huskies are domesticated animals and Bearcats are wild animals, and for UConn to beat Cincy they have to be controlled dogs and not feral dogs. Discipline and breeding will win the game- the team that best handles the other's pressure.
It is a fact of the animal kingdom that Huskies are domesticated animals and Bearcats are wild animals, and for UConn to beat Cincy they have to be controlled dogs and not feral dogs. Discipline and breeding will win the game- the team that best handles the other's pressure.
Purvis is a complete enigma to me as a basketball player. He has a beautiful stroke and swishes 3s from 8 feet behind the line, but is one of the worst FT shooting guards in UConn history, even much worse than Taliek Brown by their career FT% numbers. He has one of the best bodies in college basketball, but can't finish anything. He should have had 20 points in the first half. I have never seen anyone ever who drives to the hole as competently and gets makeable shots yet absolutely can't finish aggressive, athletic drives.
That lazy pass turnover by Jalen with about 58 seconds and up 4 was the changing point. He played a great game but still is making freshman mistakes and not valuing the ball as he should.
Hamilton is now 19-79 FGs (24.1%) in 7 AAC conference games. Although Purvis and Hamilton have had all kinds of problems finishing their drives, UConn really didn't get anything from Gibbs after his burst of 3s at the end of the first half. Cronin made sure that Gibbs got no open looks, and all of Gibbs drives were thwarted by the defense of Caupain. Gibbs just could not turn the corner on Caupain.
The lazy pass by Adams was a key turning point, although Adams had an overall okay game.
The lazy pass by Adams was a key turning point, although Adams had an overall okay game.
Smh.... Miller showed up in segments but wow are we terrible at finishing and wtf was Gibbs doing at the end and throughout?!?!????!!?!? Him and Purvis can't finish in a phone booth. DHam yes was off again but he is not missing that many bunnies like the others.
Very very frustrating game!!!
Good news is the D and energy/effort is still mostly there. Can continue and build on that.... Otherwise we are staring back to back NIT seasons right in the face.
Very very frustrating game!!!
Good news is the D and energy/effort is still mostly there. Can continue and build on that.... Otherwise we are staring back to back NIT seasons right in the face.
UConn #58 in RPI and Cincy #69 before this game so I would say UConn is a bubble team the moment.
Very inconsistent play across the board and just too many careless mistakes down the stretch. I agree with all of you that the turning point was that Jalen Adams turnover; just no sense of awareness and a freshman making a crucial mistake. Also, with 12 seconds to go and maintaining a 2 point lead, giving Cincinnati a 3 point opportunity really cost us on the defensive end. The last possession looked like a broken play as Purvis was calling for the ball and once he did not get it, there was no development of any ball movement whatsoever and Gibbs just heaved it up. Very similar feeling as the Temple game at home and it just shows how vulnerable this team can be in the last minute of the game. Hopefully when Brimah comes back it will give us a jolt and give us more continuity offensively and defensively. The team is just not reaching the potential and as of right now, our only chance to qualify for the NCAA tournament might come down to winning the AAC tournament.
No one showed up tough enough except on D..... 2 points from the O in the last 6 minutes ? Did I think Cincy got away with some fouling that could make a difference, yes, but it's part of basketball and happens both ways, so you have to overcome this stuff. Who created this joke of an idea that all they do is pass it around the outside for about 25 secs. No elbow screens, weak screens, no pick and rolls/pops, no back door cuts, nothing ! Players not even moving their defender then coming hard to the ball unless they're circling, which can lead to weak passes getting picked off. It looks like 3-4 guys playing the way Bazz ( welcome back, you deserved a better performance) did his soph year when all he wanted to do is dribble the ball 30 ft from the hoop until he had to rush up some BS as the shot clock ran to zero. If teams take away Uconn's break and can hang in tough playing half court D, staying between their man and the basket, they can shut the Uconn offense down with what they're running on O now. And do these guys even understand how to run an inbounds play ??? Guys making a break before the official even hands the inbounder the ball and other times it looks they're not running anything just hoping they get a lob pass that doesn't get picked off....WTF, this stuff is at a HS level.
Let's face the facts.. this close loss thing has become a KO trait with his team in the last 2 years. In games decide by 4 points or less his teams have been 3-10 ( by my count), that says no mental toughness across the board, from coaching to the players.
Let's face the facts.. this close loss thing has become a KO trait with his team in the last 2 years. In games decide by 4 points or less his teams have been 3-10 ( by my count), that says no mental toughness across the board, from coaching to the players.
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I agree with Blades that the halfcourt offense has been an abomination. Nothing but dribbling, no running of good offensive plays, no movement without the ball, it's one guy dribbling on the perimeter and the other 4 standing around and waiting for something to happen. I don't equate good defense with good energy if there is absolutely no clue shown in the halfcourt offense. You don't need energy to run halfcourt sets, you need patience and intelligence, and this team shows neither.
If I were coaching against UConn, I would keep that loose full-court press on for as long as possible. UConn's half-court offense would be ugly if every possession started with them being handed the ball at the free throw line with a full shot clock. When they barely get to the 3-point arc with under 20 seconds on the shot clock, it's like watching a train wreck. How many empty possessions, where they didn't even come close to developing a good shot, did they have in that game? Another issue that bothers me is rebounding. It hasn't been fixed in the last 2 1/2 years. I realize that they somehow ended up exactly even with Cincy in rebounding at the end of the game (11 offensive rebounds apiece), but it sure looked like they were dominated. Cincy certainly had more second chance points.
Of all the bad calls in that game, the one that bothered me the most was the grab of Purvis on the potential break-away in the first half. When he wasn't able to get possession due to the obvious hold, he was out of position and it led to a 3-point bucket by Cincy - a five point swing.
Of all the bad calls in that game, the one that bothered me the most was the grab of Purvis on the potential break-away in the first half. When he wasn't able to get possession due to the obvious hold, he was out of position and it led to a 3-point bucket by Cincy - a five point swing.
Force feed Miller in the post until he throws up. He is our best bet at scoring in the half court and it still baffles me when we totally disregard him for long stretches at a time. That's two straight games that we went away from getting him touches and surprise, surprise our half court offense during those stretches were downright embarrassing.
KO needs to know by now how to put his players in the best positions to succeed. He has hit the right buttons to get our defense on track but is totally lost on what to do with our players on offense and that's just disappointing at this juncture in the season
KO needs to know by now how to put his players in the best positions to succeed. He has hit the right buttons to get our defense on track but is totally lost on what to do with our players on offense and that's just disappointing at this juncture in the season
The offense looks sluggish and bad in the half court because Jalen has not been given the keys yet fully. Gibbs for the good shot making he brings is not a true PG or a PG that we at UCONN are used to and need!
I understand we are winning but the offense has looked very sluggish in the second half. Glad Brimah is back he has definitely made an impact already but it seems like no plays are being ran out of the half court.
P.S. - did anyone see Nolan AIRBALL a wide open lay-up? please restrict his minutes for the rest of the season please. He has not done anything special and has not been a key player for us at all.
P.S. - did anyone see Nolan AIRBALL a wide open lay-up? please restrict his minutes for the rest of the season please. He has not done anything special and has not been a key player for us at all.
Nolan is bad offensively, but he still helps a team by taking a charge, getting a deflection, etc...
Glad there was a Cassell siting finally. When Purvis is stinking out loud, or Hamilton goes into a funk, he gives you a guy that can really knock down that corner 3.
Glad there was a Cassell siting finally. When Purvis is stinking out loud, or Hamilton goes into a funk, he gives you a guy that can really knock down that corner 3.
Nolan has great defensive awareness and positioning skills. He serves a valuable role on this team and will obviously see less minutes with Brimah back
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