Not so fast ... Jim Calhoun backed off Saturday's postgame proclamation that the same five players who ended the game will start in Tuesday's Big East opener.
"We kept changing it today, based on what guys are doing in different drills, I'm sure we'll change it by tomorrow, as I think more through it," Calhoun said. "I think it's more important, how we play the game, whoever's on the floor. That will be determined by watching how they're playing, quite frankly."
For the 45 minutes or so the media was able to watch practice, Stanley Robinson, Donnell Beverly, Gavin Edwards, Ater Majok and Darius Smith ran on one team, while Charles Okwandu, Jerome Dyson, Alex Oriakhi, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel and Kemba Walker were on another.
How have Dyson and Robinson, in particular, handled Saturday's second-half benching?
"Stanley was very good on defense, came in with a very good attitude," Calhoun said. "Jerome was really good yesterday and today."
When asked about Dyson in particular, Walker gave a short pause, then said:
"I think he realizes what he's got to do. He's been real positive in practice, he's been talking, been going hard. Hopefully, he can transfer it to the game and be the leader that he is."
Dyson was not made available to the media today.
Both Walker and Edwards were asked if the team had lost any faith in its coach and/or, had the coach lost any faith in his team.
"I don’t think so," said Edwards. "Coach isn't one to give up on anybody. He's going to keep doing the best that he can. I don't think anybody has given up on the season, either. Everybody wants to play in the postseason and hopefully make the tournament but, if not, just keep playing somehow."
Added Walker: "Nah, not at all. We've always been together. Some nights, we just don't play hard. We all love each other, we're all cool. Nobody's not friends on this team."
But clearly, these Huskies are an enigma for their coach.
"If I could ever figure this team out," said Calhoun, "then I probably wouldn't be losing my mind."
Dave,
ReplyDeleteLooking back at this afternoon's game, do you think starting the freshmen would have made any difference?
I am curious as to your opinion on this because it was evident none of the seniors, except for maybe Gavin, really wanted this game (or any of the past 4 games for that matter).
Mmmmm, not sure if the freshmen would have made a difference. They may have played harder, but the young players would not have won this -- or just about any -- game. And I don't think all of the seniors didn't play hard. I just think they didn't play well. At all.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 2017 Calendar January 2017 Printable Calendar January 2017 Blank Calendar January 2017 Calendar Printable January 2017 Calendar Template January 2017 Free Calendar Printable January 2017 Calendar Free January 2017 Calendar
ReplyDelete