1st Team vs 2nd Team

[mauconnfan]

Let me give my starting lineup percentages for the first game of the season because I'm bored. Too hot to work on the house, and I have my brothers kids all weekend anyways.

PG: Diarra 70% / Nowell 15%/ Mahaney 15%... Nowell is really good, but it's rare for a freshman PG to be ready no matter how talented. Maybe coach wants to go with Mahaney at the 1. Or Nowell adjusts really fast. Who knows.
SG: Mahaney 70% / Solo 30%... Like I said in my previous post. Mahaney is a hell of a talent and this board underestimates his skill because he played in a mid-major conference. #2 option on a top-25 team didn't transfer to sit. Period.
SF: McNeeley 50 % / Stewart 40% / Ross 10% Basically a Stewart/McNeeley toss-up in my eye. The comments recently on McNeeley adjusting in practice quickly gave him the edge.
PF: Karaban 95% / Stewart 5% Only way AK sits is if he's got the flu day 1.
C: Reed 65% / Johnson 35% Probably the one choice I'll get heat for. I think Samson's style is built to be a spark off the bench. Blaze of energy doesn't work for 25-30mpg. He's a 3-5 minute stint energy piece IMO--and he'll be very good at it. Reed is going to wear teams down with his size, strength, and quickness in the lane. Our system will help him cut down on his only glaring weakness: TOs.

I like this and agree with most of the numbers. I’m hoping Hassan still comes off the bench though no matter. It’s not that he doesn’t deserve the shot of starting it’s the fact that it worked so well last year. Just seems he’s made to be that vet coming in to either give a rest or light a fire, which ever is required.

I also think Stew will get good minutes no matter and be a huge piece of this years squad. Loaded roster I mean Ross could improve and still be 9-10-11.

 

[husky429]

I like this and agree with most of the numbers. I’m hoping Hassan still comes off the bench though no matter. It’s not that he doesn’t deserve the shot of starting it’s the fact that it worked so well last year. Just seems he’s made to be that vet coming in to either give a rest or light a fire, which ever is required.

I also think Stew will get good minutes no matter and be a huge piece of this years squad. Loaded roster I mean Ross could improve and still be 9-10-11.

Agreed. This is how I'd imagine minutes. I'm wrong on this every year, but it's fun to imagine. I think we may be deep enough to have our guys max out at 30 mpg. More like 22-23 than 23-24 in that regard. This is my "big game" minutes, so ignore the spot minutes you might see from the bench guys. We're going 9 deep.

PG: Hass 25, Nowell 15
SG: Mahaney 25, Solo 15
SF: McNeeley, 25, Stewart 15
PF: AK 30, Stewart 10
C: Reed 25, Samson 15

I think this is going to be a developmental year for Abraham and Ross. It will be their time (as well as Nowell) when AK and McNeeley (and Hass) are gone.

 

[navery12]

For reference when people talk about how hard it'll be to be good again because we're losing so much, so is most of the Big East

 

[superjohn]

Wouldn’t discount Solo. He didn’t play as much because we were just much deeper at guard once Castle was healthy. Solo is an athletic freak with a really, really nice stroke. His issue last year when he did play was more mental than anything. Seemed out of position a lot and staring way too much, with a happy trigger from 3. If he can figure out a role in the scheme, I think he has just as much upside.

Jaylin's dad agrees with you.

x.com

x.com

 

[superjohn]

Agreed. This is how I'd imagine minutes. I'm wrong on this every year, but it's fun to imagine. I think we may be deep enough to have our guys max out at 30 mpg. More like 22-23 than 23-24 in that regard. This is my "big game" minutes, so ignore the spot minutes you might see from the bench guys. We're going 9 deep.

PG: Hass 25, Nowell 15
SG: Mahaney 25, Solo 15
SF: McNeeley, 25, Stewart 15
PF: AK 30, Stewart 10
C: Reed 25, Samson 15

I think this is going to be a developmental year for Abraham and Ross. It will be their time (as well as Nowell) when AK and McNeeley (and Hass) are gone.

Too low on Solo Ball.

 

[ddent68]

Mahaney is going to be a stud for us and I think Alex and he are locks to start. In the end I don’t think it matters who starts because the minutes are going to be pretty even especially to start the season. I love what Samson brings to the table but his skill set is just too narrow to be the main guy at the 5. Tarris is just ridiculously skilled for a big man. Have we ever had a big man that could take his man off the dribble from the top of the key? I can’t remember one. The talent on this team is crazy. I can’t wait.

 

[husky429]

Too low on Solo Ball.

Probably. In my mind he deserves 20+mpg like Stewart. If he can play some 3 or if Mahaney plays a bit more at the 1, that will open things up for him.

 

[alphasigko]

"... he’s earned the starting spot."

Not yet. We will see if that is the case in early November.

 

[jibsey]

Does anyone have practice reports?

 

[UofCT]

Not yet. We will see if that is the case in early November.

The only scenario where he doesn’t start is if we go Karaban at the 5.

 

[UofCT]

Reed will eventually start if not right away. He was the 5th scoring option on a horribly coached Michigan team.

He was only starting over Karaban for a game or 2 at best due to seniority and for the same reason may do so early on again. Even with his vast improvement there’s weaknesses that keep him as an very adequate bench player.

When Hurley re-recruited Samson during the 2023 szn do you think his pitch was “play behind Clingan for a year and then play behind the starting center from the worst team in the power 5” OR “play behind Clingan for a year and then start during your senior season” ?

Samson has flaws but let’s be real about Reed, he has some major major issues. There are maybe a handful of centers that could have transferred in and taken Samson’s spot and Reed sure as heck ain’t one of them. If we did reel a starting caliber center I don’t see Samson sticking around to play back up in his last year of eligibility.

 

[ddent68]

When Hurley re-recruited Samson during the 2023 szn do you think his pitch was “play behind Clingan for a year and then play behind the starting center from the worst team in the power 5” OR “play behind Clingan for a year and then start during your senior season” ?

Samson has flaws but let’s be real about Reed, he has some major major issues. There are maybe a handful of centers that could have transferred in and taken Samson’s spot and Reed sure as heck ain’t one of them. If we did reel a starting caliber center I don’t see Samson sticking around to play back up in his last year of eligibility.

You think Hurley guaranteed starting? I don’t think so. I think he had an honest conversation and outlined where he stood. I think Samson made an honest assessment of his own skills and opportunities and decided the best place for him was at UConn. Let the best man win. Either way I think they will both be major contributors. I’m rooting for both these kids. We as fans are winners either way.

 

[Huskybass]

Sure thing dude.

Care to wager ?

 

[ddent68]

When Hurley re-recruited Samson during the 2023 szn do you think his pitch was “play behind Clingan for a year and then play behind the starting center from the worst team in the power 5” OR “play behind Clingan for a year and then start during your senior season” ?

Samson has flaws but let’s be real about Reed, he has some major major issues. There are maybe a handful of centers that could have transferred in and taken Samson’s spot and Reed sure as heck ain’t one of them. If we did reel a starting caliber center I don’t see Samson sticking around to play back up in his last year of eligibility.

You are way under estimating Reed

 

[mauconnfan]

When Hurley re-recruited Samson during the 2023 szn do you think his pitch was “play behind Clingan for a year and then play behind the starting center from the worst team in the power 5” OR “play behind Clingan for a year and then start during your senior season” ?

Samson has flaws but let’s be real about Reed, he has some major major issues. There are maybe a handful of centers that could have transferred in and taken Samson’s spot and Reed sure as heck ain’t one of them. If we did reel a starting caliber center I don’t see Samson sticking around to play back up in his last year of eligibility.

Your opinion and I respect it. Problem is when your game is molded as that as a back up then that’s what you are. He needs to improve with another huge leap to be our starter because as good as he was as a back up if he’s the same player Reed will be starting. Not sure about that handful thought because I like our guy but he had back up skills.

If he’s a lot better this year more power to you.

 

[HooperScooper]

Care to wager ?

Unfortunately he's out a lot of money after betting on the Mavericks since he was 100% sure they were going to beat the Celtics.

 

[NH Husky]

Samson is starting, it's a lock.

Reed was higher rated than Clingan coming out of high school. Regardless, I love how Hurley exploits his players strengths depending on match ups which I also believe drives the team culture and individuals confidence, even if they are not starting.

 

[UConnSwag11]

When Hurley re-recruited Samson during the 2023 szn do you think his pitch was “play behind Clingan for a year and then play behind the starting center from the worst team in the power 5” OR “play behind Clingan for a year and then start during your senior season” ?

Samson has flaws but let’s be real about Reed, he has some major major issues. There are maybe a handful of centers that could have transferred in and taken Samson’s spot and Reed sure as heck ain’t one of them. If we did reel a starting caliber center I don’t see Samson sticking around to play back up in his last year of eligibility.

If you watch both of their highlights from last season, Reed is a much more skilled big man. Two things will keep Reed from starting - he doesn't pick up Hurley's system and somehow Samson makes an absurd leap in skill and IQ this summer. Samson started at the 4 before getting injured and became our backup center. He doesn't have the size to defend the 5 position similar to Coleman Hawkins.

 

[UConnSwag11]

If you watch both of their highlights from last season, Reed is a much more skilled big man. Two things will keep Reed from starting - he doesn't pick up Hurley's system and somehow Samson makes an absurd leap in skill and IQ this summer. Samson did start at the 4 before getting injured and then became our backup center

 

[bendm]

Agreed. This is how I'd imagine minutes. I'm wrong on this every year, but it's fun to imagine. I think we may be deep enough to have our guys max out at 30 mpg. More like 22-23 than 23-24 in that regard. This is my "big game" minutes, so ignore the spot minutes you might see from the bench guys. We're going 9 deep.

PG: Hass 25, Nowell 15
SG: Mahaney 25, Solo 15
SF: McNeeley, 25, Stewart 15
PF: AK 30, Stewart 10
C: Reed 25, Samson 15

I think this is going to be a developmental year for Abraham and Ross. It will be their time (as well as Nowell) when AK and McNeeley (and Hass) are gone.

I’d just give 5 of stews minutes at SF/3rd G to Ball so they’re both at 20mpg. Otherwise agree.

 

[husky429]

Obviously they're different players and there's no use arguing over who is better. But DAMN this kid has potential in the post. He's got good size, strong as hell, some crafty footwork, super nimble for his size.

He's a potential all-conference player if he cleans up his decision-making. I mean, just the the second play of that video is an elite offensive movement only a handful of D1 centers can even try to pull off. It's obvious why we prioritized him.

Nice pivoting and spins and step-throughs.. Finishes with both hands consistently. Nice feel on the o-boards. Fights hard for position.

Michigan ran the worst offense I've ever seena high-major team run. Literally. Reed was basically asked to force up 1v1 shots with no movement or outlet to shooters every game. And his shooting %s still weren't bad. Surround him with some safety valves on those post-ups and he will cut his TO rate by a third. Get more easy buckets off elite offense? Make that cut it in half.

 

[UofCT]

Care to wager ?

Yeah let’s do it.

 

[Huskybass]

Yeah let’s do it.

Ok. Game 1 starter. You have Samson. I have Reed. Stakes?

 

[UofCT]

Ok. Game 1 starter. You have Samson. I have Reed. Stakes?

Let’s side bar

 

[Huskybass]

Let’s side bar

Good idea.

 

[ddent68]

Watching that highlight reel blows me away. Tarris looks like a man among boys. He looks like he was the biggest center in the conference after Edey. I don’t know if that’s true but no one could stop him. He got to wherever he wanted whenever he wanted. He moves people, nobody moved him. He has footwork like Adama with greater size and strength. The potential is ridiculous. With the quality of his teammates and our coaching staff Michigan fans aren’t going to recognize him by March. As far as him vs Samson, Tarris can do what Samson can but not vice versa.

 

[twiceahusky]

He has footwork like Adama with greater size and strength.

Those were a few highlights vs. Penn State and some others. Adama’s footwork worked vs everyone.

Greater strength than Adama? I need to see a video of something moving Adama. Until then, I’ll give Adama the respect I feel he is due and say … I hope Tarris develops to the point where he has 75% of the footwork and bball strength as Adama.

 

[RuffRuff]

Samson has demonstrated absolutely zero so far to auto warrant top 5 team starter minutes. He was dreadful in key stretches this year, rebounding rate was abysmal, foul rate was crazy, has no offensive game other than dunking. The dunking was a product of amazing guards and system. In many of the games where we blew teams out, his +\- was in the red. He gets pushed around a ton, has a high center of gravity on a slight frame. Yes he has flashes, and eye catching moments with the dunks, and is great in transition. Don’t overvalue the highlight play dunks, they’re worth 2 points like all other baskets not 3s. Many of the loyalists want to pay it back to him, but if you take him on pure skills he’s an average starting 5 at best. It was often a massive downgrade when he was in and only buying time till Clingan got his rest.

I’m pulling for the kid as much as anyone and hope he makes a leap, but based on what I’ve seen I’m cautious to think it’s going to happen. I’ll eat crow if it does, happily.

Reed if nothing else is a much bigger and stronger kid, with nice touch. I see much higher upside with him. Danny will figure it out.

 

[Woodson]

Samson has demonstrated absolutely zero so far to auto warrant top 5 team starter minutes. He was dreadful in key stretches this year, rebounding rate was abysmal, foul rate was crazy, has no offensive game other than dunking. The dunking was a product of amazing guards and system. In many of the games where we blew teams out, his +\- was in the red. He gets pushed around a ton, has a high center of gravity on a slight frame. Yes he has flashes, and eye catching moments with the dunks, and is great in transition. Don’t overvalue the highlight play dunks, they’re worth 2 points like all other baskets not 3s. Many of the loyalists want to pay it back to him, but if you take him on pure skills he’s an average starting 5 at best. It was often a massive downgrade when he was in and only buying time till Clingan got his rest.

I’m pulling for the kid as much as anyone and hope he makes a leap, but based on what I’ve seen I’m cautious to think it’s going to happen. I’ll eat crow if it does, happily.

Reed if nothing else is a much bigger and stronger kid, with nice touch. I see much higher upside with him. Danny will figure it out.

Reads as kind of harsh evaluation! For college bball I’d say he’s def better than avg. Whether he’s better than Reed or not though remains to be seen.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Obviously they're different players and there's no use arguing over who is better. But DAMN this kid has potential in the post. He's got good size, strong as hell, some crafty footwork, super nimble for his size.

He's a potential all-conference player if he cleans up his decision-making. I mean, just the the second play of that video is an elite offensive movement only a handful of D1 centers can even try to pull off. It's obvious why we prioritized him.

Nice pivoting and spins and step-throughs.. Finishes with both hands consistently. Nice feel on the o-boards. Fights hard for position.

Michigan ran the worst offense I've ever seena high-major team run. Literally. Reed was basically asked to force up 1v1 shots with no movement or outlet to shooters every game. And his shooting %s still weren't bad. Surround him with some safety valves on those post-ups and he will cut his TO rate by a third. Get more easy buckets off elite offense? Make that cut it in half.

Yeah, I agree. I said earlier I think he can be a better version of Sanogo due to his athleticism.