UConn-Temple

[the Blades]

* UConn At Temple: Big Stakes In Philly For Surging Huskies

"The media talks about how we've been on a run and playing well," Rodney Purvis said. "But these are the teams we have to beat right here. These are the most important games. Not that getting those other wins wasn't important, but these are the teams we haven't beaten. It's a measuring stick, [a chance] to show how good we really are."

Also with Tulsa beating SMU last night Uconn is now tied in the AAC loss column with them and Temple, making this weeks 2 games even bigger.

AAC Standings

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

The Tulsa loss doesn't seem quite as bad now as it did at the time, but I still think that was UConn's second most horrid loss after the Cincy game. UConn led Tulsa much of that game, and that was one of the games when UConn put Enoch in and he allowed easy backdoor lay ups. Then Tulsa went like 19-4 to finish and UConn looked totally out of gas like I had never seen before or since that game. Purvis and Hamilton could barely hit rim with their shots that game. It was appalling.

The first Temple game was lost because UConn couldn't make any plays down the stretch and I think Temple hit a big shot at the end just like Cincy did.

In the losses to Temple and Tulsa UConn scored 53 points and in the loss to Cincy 57. In all 3 games the opponent forced UConn into a grinding half court game and the UConn half court offense was ineffective. What's happened since those games is UConn has picked up its game on D and Jalen Adams was installed as starting point guard to stimulate the sluggish half court offense. This will be a very good test as to how far the half court O has come and also whether the D can help generate some offense as in the past few games.

I still think UConn needs more from Gibbs playing off the ball. He needs to hit a bunch of 3s.

 

[the Blades]

I agree, I'm hoping the new line-up with a combination of Jalen now averaging 30+ minutes the last 4 games while freeing up Gibbs for his shot ....plus having Brimah back, this time for Temple ( and Tulsa ) are the X factors that can help make a difference. These grind it out defensive teams like Cincy and Temple are the one's that give Uconn the most trouble and they always make sure to keep guys back to stop the fast break. But hopefully Uconn can keep the TO's down (2nd best - 6) like last game and the half court set will be better now with the revamped rotation.

 

[the Blades]

Uconn-Temple pre-game (video) interview from the "other guys"

Tonight in the City 6: Temple hosts surging UConn

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

Getting the win is obviously important but I would also like to see continued improvement in the half court offense. UConn shot 31.6% in the loss to Temple and also shot abysmally in the losses to Tulsa and Cincy. If you are looking for a common thread in the losses it was abysmal shooting due to being forced into a half court offense, that half court offense not being effective, and the transition offense being thwarted. With the way the UConn defense has been playing, one would think that only minimal improvement is needed from either the half court offense or the ability to generate transition offense off of the defense in order to win the game. This is what I would like to see happen. I will be happy even if UConn wins an ugly game as long as the team is making progress against these grinding type teams that are not as good as UConn. Temple and Cincy and Tulsa are really all very similar to each other when you think about it. Cincy is probably the best of the 3 but they all play the same ugly grinding type half court ball that can stymie UConn. UConn has seen this game plan before and they just need to go out and start executing some offense. Or run. I will take either.

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

Stats in the first half were pretty even except on the boards, where Temple outrebounded UConn 20-14. UConn had only 3 O-boards. Temple ended the half shooting 40%, but seemed to get hot later in the half.

 

[dbaum_]

Phillip Nolan missing open layups once again. SMH.

 

[CaNOLEE]

I think they are going to do a 30 for 30 in five years about Purvis point shaving. Baum, Nolan missed that but if Purvis passes it's a dunk. And 44 has missed his last three shots from a combined 3 inches away.

 

[dbaum_]

I agree Canolee it's just frustrating seeing him do this time and time again. We are playing very good defense in the second half hopefully we can close this out.

 

[dbaum_]

What is going on? We were just up by 12 and now it's a one possession game. We need to wake up.

 

[CaNOLEE]

Some guys are winners, some aren't. I said to myself we won't even get a shot off.

I don't even know why I watch these Imbeciles.

 

[dbaum_]

That was one of the most epic collapses I can remember as a UConn fan. We had a 12 point lead with 6 minutes left and had the game in our hands. We just played scared and did exactly what not do at the end of the game. Purvis double dribbling? Really? I am so angry right now guys. I have nothing else to say.

 

[CaNOLEE]

At what point does the coach scream not to double the post and allow wide open 3s? And what % do we score out of a timeout this year? 5%?

 

[the Blades]

No leadership, how many times do we see this in close games ?..D-ham, nervous Purvis, no one can take a little adversity without spazing out. Gibbs got killed with no calls.... and what's up with suddenly easing up on D and giving up wide open 3's because they got a lead. .... can't even front run this game...SMFH !!!!

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

Everything that could possibly go wrong did, coaching mistakes (letting Gibbs bring up the ball almost the whole second half, no Adams until Temple started to press and by then Gibbs was worn down), numerous missed layups, TOs, bad shots, too much dribbling, confusion, lack of cohesion. The team looks as mentally soft as Charmin. This was almost a replay of the Tulsa game where UConn also folded like a cheap suitcase late in the game.

The Tulsa and Cincy losses were bad but this one now has to be the worst loss of the year and it's becoming a disturbing pattern against all the good teams UConn is playing against. They are losing games late that they should not be losing.

UConn looks like a team of frontrunners. Like Blades said as soon as the other team makes a big run they don't hit back and don't even seem to know how.

 

[the Blades]

True about Adams ...over 30 minutes per, in the last 4 games..... suddenly KO doesn't trust him again and forces Gibbs into the PG role while he freezes Adams on the bench until it's too late.

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

IMHO overplaying Gibbs in the second half was why the game was lost. Adams was not put back in until it was too late. This was a terrible and costly coaching mistake which underestimated the Temple defense's ability to wear Gibbs down. Gibbs was worn down mentally and physically. However he did not get any pickup from Purvis or Hamilton, that's for sure.

For some reason this game eerily reminds me of the legendary 20 point lead Duke blew to Kentucky in the 1998 NCAA tournament when Tubby Smith ordered UK to press Duke point guard Steve Wojiehowski (now coach at Marquette) and Wojo was completely worn down and Duke lead evaporated in record setting time and UK won the game.

 

[the Blades]

WTF !

David Borges ‏@DaveBorges 1m1 minute ago
"Ollie says Adams sat most of second half for "team reason."

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

By the way I don't know what the UConn season record is for missed layups but Rodney Purvis has to be threatening it. Brimah I give a pass because clearly he is playing with a damaged hand for him to not be able to squeeze squeezable rebounds and passes, but the rest of the team with the missed chippies is getting a little ridiculous now. It's very hard to root for a team which continues to lose games in the fashion in which UConn is losing them this year. These are not really hard luck losses, there is a disturbing pattern of the same things causing the games to be lost.

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

Blades- "Team Reason" = LOSS OF GAME TO TEACH ADAMS A LESSON??? Why the hell is he on the team if these kinds of things have to be done?????/ If he was hurt that is one thing but the game was lost because of him not being out there. If it was intentional then it also cost the team the game IMHO.

 

[the Blades]

You ain't kiddin...terrible excuse...if your gonna play him anyway...SMH !!!

 

[Ozzie3178]

He went off on some coaches at half and a player!!

I don't mind that from Jalsn. At least he is showing some care and fight. He will learn.

Gibbs this game is on you for the terrible running of the team.

We are in the bonus and we throw up late in shot clock jumpers when Shonn Miller was beasting most of the night?? Can't even get it in to him when he actually tried to. Smh.

Even with the missed Layups and bunnies yet again... This game should have been a easy 10-12 point win.

Have no choice but to move on to Tulsa at home in Gample to honor CB4. Hopefully he can inspire some of that UCONN toughness and bounce back from this!

 

[dbaum_]

I agree with you guys the coaching did play a factor into the game but you cannot give up a 12 point lead with 6 minutes left in the game. The perimeter defense gave up those 3's and on offense everyone was too scared to make a mistake; no continuity whatsoever and everyone looked like a deer in headlights. We still have a lot of crucial games left for the rest of the regular season but I really hope this team can put this game behind them. Like I mentioned earlier, this was one of the most devastating losses in years IMO and being a newly formed team, I hope the guys can mentally bounce back and focus on the task at hand.

 

[mcgoo369]

I'm gonna get killed but Gibbs was in to build the 12 point lead. The problem with that and Hamilton is they were both tired at then end he should have given them both a break.

This team would be 21 and 3 if they could make the few easy layups. Instead 17 and 7 because of about 3 missed a game

 

[the Blades]

I think we all said that above, Gibbs was forced to do to much and needed a break off the ball, hell even Kemba from Bazz... and Bazz from Boat got breaks from each other and they were all much better as true breakdown PG's... but because of KO's benching of Adams he didn't get that and was forced to play the whole half until the lead was gone. Plus Gibbs didn't get any help from the Zebra's on a couple of drives when he got clobbered with no call, but they made sure to give him an offensive after he was bumped trying to bring it up the court.

Some more quotes in the HC article: Something Rotten In Philadelphia

But as mentioned above.... they got to forget this and get ready for Tulsa.

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

Ozzie we already know that Gibbs doesn't do a good job running the team, so it was just a very bad idea having him man the point guard spot the majority of the second half, and then when they realize he has been worn down, they put Jalen Adams back in the game when the lead has been blown already????? To me this was not very good game coaching. When they were playing Adams a lot of minutes the half court offense was looking good, and to me Adams was solid in the first half, he did take a bad shot or two, but nothing major.

The UConn players and the coaches mentally checked out of the game once they went up 54-42 with 7 minutes and change to go. 19-4 run at Tulsa to end that game and now 21-4 to end the Temple game. And it was basically the same game and the same things happening. At this point the coaches should assume no lead is ever going to be safe and Gibbs is not a mule with the minutes like they think he is.

 

[the Blades]

I guess the dilemma is that you want to see the coach continue with the teaching moments, but at what cost ? I could imagine where this team would be if KO didn't pick up Gibbs this off season and only had Adams as a PG.....but with Cassell injured/unusable for moments like these and with no breakdown ability himself, my world for a PG ! ...Terrence Samuel (even though you couldn't shoot)...where are you ! ......thankfully they'll be back to 2 PG's next year with Rique and JA. ( but I think they need to add a combo too )

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

I read the Jeff Jacobs article posted by Blades and he also suggests that the Adams benching for most of the second half lay at the root of the collapse, and Ollie seems to hint he may have screwed this game up.

If you guys are looking for a silver lining in this loss, it's this: even with the burst of 3 pointers and 9 straight points by DeCosney at the end of the game, Temple only shot 38.3% for the game, and for about 35 minutes UConn played great defense last night. It was the 11th straight opponent UConn has held under 40% FGs. UConn completely and totally lost the game with the offensive halfcourt execution in the last 7 minutes which was fatigued, confused, and completely ineffective.

 

[the Blades]

Not much more on why, Ozzie gives us more than these beatwriters... but:

• Ollie Statement On Adams Made A Costly Point

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

Blades, that article just about says it all, although it suggests that because UConn played so well the first 12 minutes of the second half, Ollie decided to stick with what was working. I don't really buy that, because it was fairly clear that Gibbs needed a blow off the ball and he didn't get one.

I understand the "teaching moments" are needed, but if all that Adams did was miss a block out resulting in a DeCosney basket as several writers have suggested, that doesn't warrant a second half benching that loses the game. It warrants the coaching yelling at the player and pulling him out for a few possessions.

I don't pick up on a lot of things during the game, but at the 8 minute mark I was even saying to myself, "where is Adams? Gibbs needs a blow off the ball!!!!" I knew a run was coming, but didn't think it would be a game winner and didn't think Ollie would wait until the lead was fully blown to reinsert Adams. Unless a valid reason is presented by Ollie or by Ozzie, it's just simple game mismanagement. But it's not the only reason UConn lost. The missed layups and the TOs and the mental softness at the end were also huge factors in the loss. It was an all around team loss, everyone contributed to the L.

 

[UConnFamily]

A player is not larger than the team. That's what Ollie is trying to teach Jalen. While we all hate losing and probably don't agree with the benching it was probably warranted given what ozzie said happened.

Can't allow and cultivate a talented freshman acting that way in spite of the team and coaches. Ollie is looking out for the best of his players and wanting to build them into quality people and teammates. He is looking at the big picture not a blip on the radar.

I like that Jalen has the passion and competitive edge but he has to go about things correctly and understand where his place is as a freshman. You also can't go off on coaches in front of the team. If that happens in the workplace your probably fired

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

UConn Family,

There is certainly much truth to what you say -but another "big picture" is that with another loss or two like this one, UConn is out of the NCAA tournament, and Ollie can then do all the teaching he wants while coaching the team in the NIT tournament, like he did last year. UConn doesn't have such a great margin for being able to drop winnable games any more.

 

[anon_65nwv98c2idwc]

He went off on some coaches at half and a player!!

My money is on Daniel. Dude plays with his head somewhere else at times. When he is engaged his is a nightmare cover. Wasnt Jalen quoted in a recent article as saying sometimes he needed to smack Dan in the head or something along those lines?

 

[Ozzie3178]

Look it's tough either way... Especially because it reaulted in an L but even with the hard lessons being taught this game was winnable with the guys playing. I understand Gibbs legs were done and tired ETC. You all know I absolutely love my man KO his passion and all that plus his resume speaks for itself regarding UCONN but he is not Coach Calhoun like very different in some regards. He teaches and coaches from a different perspective. Calhoun made you question why you even picked up a basketball! Lol.

Both ways obviously work. This is KO team/program now and he is running it his way... The best and fare way for all involved.

 

[UConnFamily]

Ozzie do you think this incident along with Jalen being disciplined earlier in the year is going to cause problems for the rest of this season and future to the point that Jalen leaves the program?

Or is this something that can be fixed and Jalen will take it as a teaching point learn from it and become a better teammate and leader?

I kinda understand his frustrations even if he hasnt voiced them publicly. He probably knows along with most fans that he is the best PG on the team and needs more time running the team and having the ball in his hands. Really need Jalen to buy into the "team" and playing for eachother and having each other's back because he will be the reason UConn goes far and does something special this year if all the dominoes fall correctly.

He seemed to be happy and always having a smile while playing with his teammates in teh greater hartford open so I hope things arent too far gone at this point. Hopefully Bazz can reach out to him and talk with him cause Bazz had some rough patches early in his career also

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

Ozzie,

The real problem is the method of punishment chosen by Ollie. There are a variety of ways to punish guys and get their attention, but when you bench them ostensibly for the rest of a game and then suddenly panic and reinsert the guy into the game when it's far too late and the damage has been done, it isn't good. It makes Jalen look bigger than the team although the opposite was intended. Personally I think Ollie knows the decision backfired based on his own postgame comments.

I realize the fiasco of this loss is done and over with and we have to move on to Tulsa tomorrow night in Storrs, but like UConn Family I am really concerned about what is going on with Adams that is leading to these "punishments". I didn't see anything on the Court in the first half that warranted a benching. I actually thought Jalen overall played okay. He took a bad shot and didn't block out but there was nothing in his play that first half that screamed out "bench bound!". So I am assuming whatever happened is something we are not seeing and its happening off court with the coaches or other players.

Jalen is behind where I thought he would be, but he is a good player and it's obvious that he is the best and maybe the only real point guard on the team. The team is in trouble if Gibbs has to log heavy minutes at point guard, this was also obvious as can be in the Tulsa and Temple and Cincy losses. Unfortunately, the team does not have an NCAA tournament bid locked up at this time. We all know UConn is far better than what their record is, but they have managed to blow a bunch of winnable games and now they have to win a bunch of games and can't really afford an early exit in the AAC tournament. Last year they made AAC finals and still were sent to the NIT.

So this is a major issue going forward and it has to be fixed. This team isn't going anywhere without Jalen on the court playing point guard at least 20 minutes a game. Any teaching suspensions or benchings for a half, unless it's against USF, or Tulane in the early rounds of the AAC tournament, are going to substantially hurt the team. I thought Cassell would mature into the backup at pointguard but it hasn't happened. So when Jalen isn't in there, this team is as naked at the point guard position as Playboy's centerfolds were for the past 30 years.