Quote:
Originally Posted by D-West & PO-Z
I think you are missing the point and looking at the process from the wrong side. The fans, like us, aren't hypersensitive about playing time. I agree with you that Claude will likely not be missed because it appears we can replace him. In fact, and no knock-on Claude, we may be better off because had he stayed, he would have consumed much of our offensive effort. Now that we are not tied to him, we seem to be more diversified offensively and perhaps defensively as well. Nor do I think Miller is focused on minutes other than keeping players satisfied and motivated is an important component of managing the team. Miller needs depth but not just bodies. He needs depth with talent. It is the process of acquiring that talent that forces the issue of projected playing time.Quote:
Originally Posted by D-West & PO-Z
So the fans and coaching staff are more invested in winning than who specifically is on the floor and how much they play. But you know who is hypersensitive about minutes and role? Players like Claude. And that is the point I think you miss. This is likely the single most important issue to the players in the portal. For many if not most, this is THE ISSUE and when you recruit them. It is inevitable that this subject comes up very early. I will bet dollars to donuts that when the subject arises during the recruiting process, Miller doesn't tell them that he is bringing in as many guys as he can for depth and playing time will all come out in the wash. No way that he communicates that.
It was Maddox, I think, who spoke when he committed that Miller saw a role for him that he had seen for himself. They had a detailed in-depth discussion about where Maddox fit into next year's team. Quincy made a similar comment last year and Souley did the same the year before. These discussions are a critical part of the recruiting process.
There is nobody I know who has ever managed a team of people successfully who isn't continuously forced to be very focused on making sure the team and individual goals are aligned. Anyone who thinks setting and managing individual team member expectations isn't critical to achieving team objectives has never led an organization in a competitive climate. And, if you lie to the people you are trying to sell on coming to X or if they think you lied to them, your reputation is toast. Once the promise is made, you have to find a way to fulfill it.
In regard to UConn, over the course of last season (not just two games) there were NINE players who averaged double figure minutes.
