Agree DD, a boring win, especially on the road, is a great win and something that good teams do to lesser teams, so this is a nice step for the Bruins. The enigma that is Eric Daily Jr. continues. He was great last night. Given the sample size this year, have you been able to see what teams are doing to neutralize him or is it just him? Is it a learning curve and unfamiliarity with his changing role from last year (too much thinking taking away from his “play”); is it that we’re not getting entry passes to his best spots on the floor (forcing him to dribble more….not his best attribute)? Is it just in his head as to when he comes to play and then doesn’t (like when he is trying to control his over-aggressive fouls, does it take away from his entire game); or are teams just playing him better this year? Is it something else? What are you seeing?
A lot of it is a Dailey issue. He's struggling to adapt to the idea that he isn't the primary option on offense and is too often hunting for his own shot instead of finding it in the flow of the offense. You can see how often the ball will move around only to get stuck once it gets in his hands, or the times he waves off Dent/Perry/Clark in order to bring the ball up the court. I think he has a supreme confidence in his ability to score, but he's forcing himself into tough situations as a result.
Cronin has been pretty clear on this part as well, mentioning that Dailey's focus needs to be on rebounding and defense. This is not to say Cronin thinks Dailey should not do anything on offense, but rather that his focus shouldn't be on trying to turn into prime Kobe Bryant, but rather take what the defense gives him and let Dent carry more of the creative load.
Hmmmm.......Interesting insight Dimitri . So, he must be perceiving (rightly or wrongly) that he isn't getting the ball enough within the system. Easy to see given the shooting season Bilo is having, Skyy's early season production, the emergence of Trent and the now, mid-season explosions from Donnie. Donnie and Bilo have been running the pick and pop/pick and roll extremely well over the past 7 or 8 games. They look for each other consistently. I don't see a specific, re-occurring relationship/chemistry with Dent and Daily or Trent and Daily. So, we have a player with "supreme confidence" (Daily), who has been asked to play a, lesser than last year, role on offense, which sometimes manifests itself as him forcing the issue on offense when he gets the ball (bad shots, dribbling turnovers, frustration and less focus of defense and rebounding). That could be interpreted as a sign of "selfishness" as opposed to the "selflessness" required for optimal team play. Dimitri, I DON’T think you believe Eric is a selfish player; I know that there has not been an article I have read, or an interview of him that I have heard, that has left me with an impression that he is selfish or somehow doesn’t put the team first. I certainly can believe that a player of his athleticism and confidence would have to go through an adjustment period in learning and accepting the role his coach wants him to accept, given the potential offensive “fire-power” on THIS team. In this last game, Eric had a double-double with a career-high 11 rebounds, which I hope is a sign the he is starting to embrace that exact "rebounding and defense" focus that the coach wants, while finding his offensive success (14 points) within the flow of the game rather than forcing it. Thanks again for your insights Dimitri.
It's not selfishness driving EDJ's decision-making, but I think it's a (misplaced) belief that he has where he thinks he has to contribute in a major way for the team to have success. I'd guess that he took some bad lessons from last year where the team struggled when he wasn't scoring in the 15+ range, and hasn't really internalized the idea that he doesn't have to score a ton of points for team success.
There's probably a holdover of the previous Cronin offensive systems here as well, which loved isolation and mismatches. Dailey has the ability to work in isolation, but when the rest of the team is more free-flowing, it stands out and becomes easier to guard.
This season, I don't seem to be noticing a lot of the familiar "HC Crnin", 1-on-1, iso-ball offense that can be prone to stagnating into extended scoring droughts. Quite refreshing to see the "HC CrOnin" offense possessing an abundance of scoring/shooting threats and talented guards to supplement any 1-on-1 attack efforts this year.
Agree with you KJ and Dimitri on Books improvement. I am hopeful that his improvement continues to rise (toward godzilla in the paint and away from bambi), because for this team to reach its ceiling he needs to be a terror in the front court, rebounding with put-backs, and blocking and altering shots first, then transition baskets second. He could ultimately be the X-factor for us. These next couple of games are a dress rehearsal for his next big "acid test," which will be Michigan. Will he rise to that 5-star, McD All American level and match their physicality (without 2 quick fouls; no easy feat) and provide productivity; or will he go MIA? I'm rooting for this kid. It could really be a turning point for him and the team.
I was just about to post this. Apparently he still shows up on campus from time to time but idk… not sure I want ucla to contribute to the death of basketball but there’s no doubt we can use him next year once Bilodeau and Dent graduate. It’s not hard to envision a lineup of Perry, Clark, Bailey, Dailey/Booker (at their more natural position PF) and then transfer center doing well. Would be Mick’s best team talent-wise since 2023 where we lost two starters right before the postseason and still made it to the S16.
Rumors are he’s applying for a hardship waiver for his Illinois year (where he basically left the team midway through because of his sick dad) so we’ll see.
Hate to admit it Evan because he was a Bruin who, in retrospect, made a mistake leaving early, but I have to agree with your sentiment. You have to draw the line at "playing in the NBA under contract," even if it's a short period of time under a "two-way." You can't come back after that. College basketball becomes a farce if this last boundary is eviscerated.
What's next, colleges cycling through the Practice Squads of all 32 NFL teams looking for players who left early who are willing to come back to school for NIL money?
Agree DD, a boring win, especially on the road, is a great win and something that good teams do to lesser teams, so this is a nice step for the Bruins. The enigma that is Eric Daily Jr. continues. He was great last night. Given the sample size this year, have you been able to see what teams are doing to neutralize him or is it just him? Is it a learning curve and unfamiliarity with his changing role from last year (too much thinking taking away from his “play”); is it that we’re not getting entry passes to his best spots on the floor (forcing him to dribble more….not his best attribute)? Is it just in his head as to when he comes to play and then doesn’t (like when he is trying to control his over-aggressive fouls, does it take away from his entire game); or are teams just playing him better this year? Is it something else? What are you seeing?
A lot of it is a Dailey issue. He's struggling to adapt to the idea that he isn't the primary option on offense and is too often hunting for his own shot instead of finding it in the flow of the offense. You can see how often the ball will move around only to get stuck once it gets in his hands, or the times he waves off Dent/Perry/Clark in order to bring the ball up the court. I think he has a supreme confidence in his ability to score, but he's forcing himself into tough situations as a result.
Cronin has been pretty clear on this part as well, mentioning that Dailey's focus needs to be on rebounding and defense. This is not to say Cronin thinks Dailey should not do anything on offense, but rather that his focus shouldn't be on trying to turn into prime Kobe Bryant, but rather take what the defense gives him and let Dent carry more of the creative load.
I think EDJ is one of our best players in the open floor / fast break. He's a great finisher.
He could develop his post-up game a bit more, but the turnaround fade-away seems like a lost art these days. Although he does it from close distance here: https://www.reddit.com/r/UCLABruins/comments/1qq41pm/eric_dailey_jr_makes_some_nice_plays_against/
Hmmmm.......Interesting insight Dimitri . So, he must be perceiving (rightly or wrongly) that he isn't getting the ball enough within the system. Easy to see given the shooting season Bilo is having, Skyy's early season production, the emergence of Trent and the now, mid-season explosions from Donnie. Donnie and Bilo have been running the pick and pop/pick and roll extremely well over the past 7 or 8 games. They look for each other consistently. I don't see a specific, re-occurring relationship/chemistry with Dent and Daily or Trent and Daily. So, we have a player with "supreme confidence" (Daily), who has been asked to play a, lesser than last year, role on offense, which sometimes manifests itself as him forcing the issue on offense when he gets the ball (bad shots, dribbling turnovers, frustration and less focus of defense and rebounding). That could be interpreted as a sign of "selfishness" as opposed to the "selflessness" required for optimal team play. Dimitri, I DON’T think you believe Eric is a selfish player; I know that there has not been an article I have read, or an interview of him that I have heard, that has left me with an impression that he is selfish or somehow doesn’t put the team first. I certainly can believe that a player of his athleticism and confidence would have to go through an adjustment period in learning and accepting the role his coach wants him to accept, given the potential offensive “fire-power” on THIS team. In this last game, Eric had a double-double with a career-high 11 rebounds, which I hope is a sign the he is starting to embrace that exact "rebounding and defense" focus that the coach wants, while finding his offensive success (14 points) within the flow of the game rather than forcing it. Thanks again for your insights Dimitri.
It's not selfishness driving EDJ's decision-making, but I think it's a (misplaced) belief that he has where he thinks he has to contribute in a major way for the team to have success. I'd guess that he took some bad lessons from last year where the team struggled when he wasn't scoring in the 15+ range, and hasn't really internalized the idea that he doesn't have to score a ton of points for team success.
There's probably a holdover of the previous Cronin offensive systems here as well, which loved isolation and mismatches. Dailey has the ability to work in isolation, but when the rest of the team is more free-flowing, it stands out and becomes easier to guard.
Very good. Thanks again.
This season, I don't seem to be noticing a lot of the familiar "HC Crnin", 1-on-1, iso-ball offense that can be prone to stagnating into extended scoring droughts. Quite refreshing to see the "HC CrOnin" offense possessing an abundance of scoring/shooting threats and talented guards to supplement any 1-on-1 attack efforts this year.
Thanks Dmitri. Agree on Books. I hope he is sustainable.
Credit to HC Cronin for not competely giving up on Booker too.
Is Books a keeper or to be a free agent?
Agree with you KJ and Dimitri on Books improvement. I am hopeful that his improvement continues to rise (toward godzilla in the paint and away from bambi), because for this team to reach its ceiling he needs to be a terror in the front court, rebounding with put-backs, and blocking and altering shots first, then transition baskets second. He could ultimately be the X-factor for us. These next couple of games are a dress rehearsal for his next big "acid test," which will be Michigan. Will he rise to that 5-star, McD All American level and match their physicality (without 2 quick fouls; no easy feat) and provide productivity; or will he go MIA? I'm rooting for this kid. It could really be a turning point for him and the team.
Wow some folks were joking about this last week but Bailey actually wants to return to college
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/47780686/amari-bailey-10-games-nba-seeks-college-eligibility
I was just about to post this. Apparently he still shows up on campus from time to time but idk… not sure I want ucla to contribute to the death of basketball but there’s no doubt we can use him next year once Bilodeau and Dent graduate. It’s not hard to envision a lineup of Perry, Clark, Bailey, Dailey/Booker (at their more natural position PF) and then transfer center doing well. Would be Mick’s best team talent-wise since 2023 where we lost two starters right before the postseason and still made it to the S16.
He’s been to multiple games this year and is clearly still close to the program and Cronin.
This is Skyy's last year.
Rumors are he’s applying for a hardship waiver for his Illinois year (where he basically left the team midway through because of his sick dad) so we’ll see.
Perry and Skyy play different positions
D'oh! Deleting
I'm founding the law firm Waivers Я Us, to challenge the NCAA rules on a case by case basis.
the NCAA needs to grow a pair
maybe we can go bring back Jaylen Hands too. Doesn't Jordan Farmar still have 2 years left too?
LeBron has 4 years of eligibility! He never played a min of college basketball
LMFAO at Amari Bailey
Hate to admit it Evan because he was a Bruin who, in retrospect, made a mistake leaving early, but I have to agree with your sentiment. You have to draw the line at "playing in the NBA under contract," even if it's a short period of time under a "two-way." You can't come back after that. College basketball becomes a farce if this last boundary is eviscerated.
What's next, colleges cycling through the Practice Squads of all 32 NFL teams looking for players who left early who are willing to come back to school for NIL money?