In reply to: Is it me, or is Hurley kind of a bitch? * posted by Marine Domer
Or at least for failing to adjust in the second half. The first half was fine. But Purdue looked disinterested in three pointers long after they dropped down by 10 points. At some point it was abundantly clear that they needed to make up possessions by hitting outside shots, and they never looked like they were interested in doing so all game long. They just kept pounding Edey in the post late in the game when it was apparent that post scoring wasn't going to win the game. And all their sets were designed to prevent UConn from doubling the post to get a quick entry pass. Sure some of those were successful. But not at nearly a high enough rate to overcome a double digit deficit. Hey, UConn was a great team with better scoring balance. But Purdue has three guys shooting 40 percent or better from 3 point range with more than 3 attempts per game. As a fan hoping for a close game, I was disappointed they didn't make any adjustments to open up the floor. But if I were a Purdue fan I'd have been pretty upset that my coach didn't ditch a clearly failed strategy.
UConn was clearly superior everywhere except at the 5. Any threes they would be sending up would be contested and they Purdue didn't have anyone who could make their own shot off the dribble. The UConn defense was impressive.
And I also think that UConn is a more complete team. I do not fault Painter for losing the game.
But Purdue attempts 20 3s a game and has the second best three-point percentage in the entire county (shooting an astounding .404 as a team), and they were playing a team that allows 18.7 attempts per game and yet they only managed to attempt 5 total in the first 38 minutes. That doesn't happen by accident, and it doesn't happen simply because they played a team that was 40th in the country in defensive 3-point percentage. You would have to be trying to avoid threes and/or hyperfocusing on interior baskets.
And that looked like exactly what I saw. I often saw players free up at the top of key on ball screens who had space to shoot. Without fail they sought to drive. Frequently they were stopped or were heavily contested in the middle of the lane, even late in the game. And virtually every set that I saw was designed to feed Edey in the post, including after they were down double digits.
Braden Smith is a .430 shooter with 3.3 attempts per game that had 2 attempts. Loyer is a .444 shooter on 3.6 attempts per game that had 1 attempt. Gills is a .468 shooter on 3.2 attempts per game that had one attempt. Colvin is a .414 shooter on 1.9 attempts per game that had two attempts. Jones is a .357 shooter on 5.7 attempts per game that had one attempts.
UConn is a very good team and a deserving champion. But Painter did not put his team into the best position for success in the second half.
coaches (and even the hometown press) all noted the stifling defense. They said it was the best they’d seen all year and noted the intensity of the perimeter defense. And Hurley said after the game that they were happy to give Edey the points so long as they limited the perimeter guys. Purdue hadn’t played a defensive team like that this year - not in the Big 10. They didn’t have the athletes on the perimeter to hang with them.
The kickout passes from Edey for the open three shots just weren't there. It feels like Purdue expected UConn to double a lot more than they did. Once the ball was down low, UConn just kind of let Edey do his thing. Even with the big guys out of the game they were basically just daring Purdue to trade baskets. Not sure if it was coaching or UConn just being that much better on the perimeter.
It really seemed like the length of UConn messed with the Purdue guards. The Purdue guards were marginally faster, but UConn made up for it by having a few inches and a much bigger wingspan.
it’s clear where the defensive emphasis comes from. Danny is vocal and complains and you can call him names if you want, but my god it would be great if ND had a juggernaut like that. And I say that as a fan of Shrews and what he’s trying to build. Danny is a brilliant coach and will likely be joining his dad in Springfield.
… is profound. He is one of the greats. Danny learned from a master.
While their respective intensity levels are off the charts, they are good people to the core. In a society that seeks to hold people young people accountable during their formative years less and less by the day, they stand for a different set of values. They build a culture that breeds success and excellence with nearly everything they do. Last night’s game plan was brutal and simple. On D, let anyone try to beat them other than Edey. Ball pressure all night. Share the rock and push pace. It’s a simple game.
For what it’s worth, I ignore the histrionics on the sideline. The emotions of the game are powerful. When Danny crosses lines, refs should T him up. But none of that bothers me. He molds winners, just like his father.
As an aside, Bob Sr’s uncle was a priest at ND. The HOF-er loves the place. Sr. once told me that he used to take the family on an annual trek to ND for a home football game, even after he made his mental split with Digger.
… the end of Digger’s coaching career at ND. I don’t know specifically. But Bobby wanted to play here. Phelp’s decision was made just as Bob Sr’s program began to hit stratospheric heights (26 state titles in 40 years, numerous great players).
Maybe Digger thought he knew better. Maybe he was lazy towards the end. But it would’ve been fun to see guys like Phonz and Monty Williams - and maybe a few others - run with Junior.
Hickster may know the story. He’s previously written about this tale on the board.
After not recruiting Bobby, his father cut off Digger and ND from the St Anthony pipeline.
business tell me that of all the sleazeballs in the horse business, Bobby Hurley was the sleaziest. There are some dirtbags in that industry. I like Dan Hurley because I think he can take it as well as he gives it. I think it would be fun to sit behind his bench and heckle him with backhanded compliments.
isn't that uncommon in the horse industry. You would be surprised that the number of people who can own millions of dollars worth of horses and can't afford to pay the feed bill.
and raising thoroughbreds. His farm went bankrupt in the time of the housing bubble. I think he got into coaching to get back on his feet financially. Raising horses seems like a pretty risky venture for a guy from Jersey City.
if you don’t have extensive background in the horse business.
buying horses. I don’t remember the particulars.
the course of 20 years, the histrionics aren't a focus and while Bob Sr may not have been quite as animated as Dan, he wasn't far behind. Like you note, he should get T'd up when he crosses the line, but I think UConn fans today are fine with the histrionics after 2 straight titles.
Agree that they are good people and that accountability is key with them. My dad grew up in the Greeneville section of JC with senior and was a year or two ahead of him in high school and college. He still sees him every so often - more recently at wakes for mutual friends unfortunately. We rooted for Duke because of Bobby and that Hudson County connection, but after hearing him speak and reading The Miracle of St. Anthony's and the press attn when the school was in danger of closing and eventually did, it was remarkable to hear how many former players talked to how important he was in their life and how he saved them from the streets. But accountability was at the core of the culture he built.
Last time I saw him coach a game was when they had a national No.1 v No. 2 matchup with St. Pat's, who was coached by Kevin Boyle (now at Monteverde in FL), in 2011. Pat's probably had more talent (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was a senior, though St. A's had Kyle Anderson), but St. A's won the game and the mythical national title with its trademark defensive intensity.
What was the spat with Digger? Did he not recruit Bobby?
yes, that is where it originated from.
Small world - my mom also grew up in Greenville (I was born there as well) and my dad was at SPC with him as well.
recommend it to anyone who enjoys high school basketball. Another good one is Where The Game Matters Most. It follows four different Indiana high schools in the last season of one class basketball in Indiana. Really interesting read. Link at bottom.
They were trying to move it to the Rock because it sold out a few days in advance, but ended up at Rutgers. Great game in a terrific environment for a high school game.