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Foremost on our minds is on beating Alabama followed by beating whoever comes out of the other half of -4, which I'm hoping is a multi-overtime affair on Saturday.
I posted before the BET, why not go 9-0 during the tournament sesson? As many articles have highlighted, UConn has few to no weaknesses and can beat you in any type of game (offensive shootout, defensive slug fest, half court grinders or full court track meet.)
I think UConn has one weakness that they've been able to manage, a lack of depth at the 5. When Clingan isn't on the floor, there's a drop off in protecting the rim, defensive rebounding and getting low post scoring. Samson runs the floor well and is very good cutting to the rim for the alley-oop. If both get into foul trouble they have to go small, which could create some vulnerabilities against Purdue or NC State, that have immovable 5s to contend with. If the refs call the next 2 games as they did last Saturday, which I hope they do, we'll be fine.
Struggling to knock down 3s two out of the past three games, and I think in the first half of all three games, brings concern. But they've been able to successfully attack the paint by knocking down midrange shots and scoring at the rim.
Anything can happen but I like our chances.
As for beyond, what do you think UConn needs out of the portal or via a recruit?
Adding a 5 out of the portal seems like must. It would be good to pick up 1 or 2 5s or 4/5 combos that can provide the following: score out of the post, set screens, rebound on both ends, and provide rim protection. Not a must, but it would be a bonus if one of them can step out, draw the other teams big and knock down 3s.
It would be nice to add a versatile big combo guard (6-4+) who can defend, handle, pass and knock down 3s. We have some of that covered with Hass, Ball and the incoming freshman, Nowell. Hass and Nowell are small and Ball is listed at 6-3, so would be nice to add a guard that can provide what Newton, Castle and Cam provided collectively.
Add a versatile combo forward who has similar capabilities noted above would be nice, but I think we have a lot of retuning players to meet this need. I think AK returns and he and Stewart provide this. I like what I've seen with Ross and Roumoglou which I think the staff can develop as solid off the bench guys.
The only recruit that's available I'd like to land is the big combo forward, McNeeley. He looks like a bigger and more athletic Cam Spencer. The other needs will have to come from the portal.
Would love to hear what others think.
I posted before the BET, why not go 9-0 during the tournament sesson? As many articles have highlighted, UConn has few to no weaknesses and can beat you in any type of game (offensive shootout, defensive slug fest, half court grinders or full court track meet.)
I think UConn has one weakness that they've been able to manage, a lack of depth at the 5. When Clingan isn't on the floor, there's a drop off in protecting the rim, defensive rebounding and getting low post scoring. Samson runs the floor well and is very good cutting to the rim for the alley-oop. If both get into foul trouble they have to go small, which could create some vulnerabilities against Purdue or NC State, that have immovable 5s to contend with. If the refs call the next 2 games as they did last Saturday, which I hope they do, we'll be fine.
Struggling to knock down 3s two out of the past three games, and I think in the first half of all three games, brings concern. But they've been able to successfully attack the paint by knocking down midrange shots and scoring at the rim.
Anything can happen but I like our chances.
As for beyond, what do you think UConn needs out of the portal or via a recruit?
Adding a 5 out of the portal seems like must. It would be good to pick up 1 or 2 5s or 4/5 combos that can provide the following: score out of the post, set screens, rebound on both ends, and provide rim protection. Not a must, but it would be a bonus if one of them can step out, draw the other teams big and knock down 3s.
It would be nice to add a versatile big combo guard (6-4+) who can defend, handle, pass and knock down 3s. We have some of that covered with Hass, Ball and the incoming freshman, Nowell. Hass and Nowell are small and Ball is listed at 6-3, so would be nice to add a guard that can provide what Newton, Castle and Cam provided collectively.
Add a versatile combo forward who has similar capabilities noted above would be nice, but I think we have a lot of retuning players to meet this need. I think AK returns and he and Stewart provide this. I like what I've seen with Ross and Roumoglou which I think the staff can develop as solid off the bench guys.
The only recruit that's available I'd like to land is the big combo forward, McNeeley. He looks like a bigger and more athletic Cam Spencer. The other needs will have to come from the portal.
Would love to hear what others think.
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