2020-2021 Roster

[Bonk]

We need to just pluck one of SMU's wings/mobile bigs who can shoot. Jolly, Mike, or Hunt, I don't care which one. We just need one of those guys. They're all Polley+ or Sid+ upgrades. We'll have Whaley and Springs who can play a big 4. We need a small ball 4 who can stretch and attack a closeout and rebound/defend bigs for stretches on D.

I kinda disagree here, I think we are all set with 6'7 guys (Jackson, Polley, Sid) I'd rather bring in another ball handling shooter who is maybe 6'4/6'5 or just bring in a 6'9+ big.

There will be plenty of times next year we'll see Hurley go small and put Jackson at the 4 because he is a capable rebounder and defender

 

[auror]

I kinda disagree here, I think we are all set with 6'7 guys (Jackson, Polley, Sid) I'd rather bring in another ball handling shooter who is maybe 6'4/6'5 or just bring in a 6'9+ big.

There will be plenty of times next year we'll see Hurley go small and put Jackson at the 4 because he is a capable rebounder and defender

Jackson will be a freshman, and he is the same weight as Bouknight. Asking him to defend college 4s seems like a tough sell out of the gate. He's got the athleticism, but he's bound to get pushed around. Maybe in certain slender matchups, but I think we need someone in that spot for more dependable minutes (essentially for this year only. Perfect for a grad transfer.)

Polley and Sid have not consistently shown to be starter quality players on an NCAA tournament team and we have not seen enough growth to confidently project them forward as such at this point in their careers. Plus some combination of these guys are likely to be at the 3 for much of the game.

 

[Bonehead]

I just did a little research on this kid, and if he becomes available, the staff should make him a number one priority for next season. We like to judge these mid major kids on how they played vs top D1 competition. I know UNC is having a down year, but Bruner had 17 pts, 15 boards, while shooting 2-4 from three point range. I think he would be a good choice to bridge the gap if Akok misses the entire season and while we wait for Javonte Brown Ferguson to develop.

Yale is by far the best basketball team in the state and headed to the Dance.

He isnt becoming available.

 

[nadavtheman]

We could use Cliff now more than ever. Can now promise him big minutes if we haven't already

 

[Fatroony5]

Yale is by far the best basketball team in the state and headed to the Dance.

He isnt becoming available.

By far the best team in the state? UConn will be better than Yale next season. Bruner will be coming available as he is set to graduate after redshirting a season. Ivey league does not allow grad players. See Seth Towns as an example...

 

[Bonehead]

By far the best team in the state? UConn will be better than Yale next season. Bruner will be coming available as he is set to graduate after redshirting a season. Ivey league does not allow grad players. See Seth Towns as an example...

Good info on the Ivy rules. Thanks!!

And yes, Yale is the best team in the state and no one on that team would be interested in transferring to UConn if not for weird Ivy league redshirting rules.

 

[JimHurley]

2014 had a First Team AA, another junior PG who played unbelievable defense, a kid who shot 50% from 3 and could guard 4 positions on the court, and a big who got double-doubles while being able to score from 3 and in the paint, and a center who averaged over 2 blocks per game in barely 16 minutes (so almost 6 per 40). In addition to vets who had already won a title and a bench that had a player like Lasan Kromah on it.

Even then, they lost 8 games and were only Top 20 most (but not all) of the year. They came on strong at the end of the year, but the kids you're counting on are either too young or too inexperienced against actual competition.

Yeah not saying we are NC good next year. Just saying we don’t need a dominant front court to win. I think lots of people are underestimating our backcourt next year.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Lot of if’s with two wings injured

Good thing we only need Polley to come off the bench and hit three's. He wasn't athletic prior to his injury like Larrier was.

if you where Polley’s friend/ advisor would you recommend he come back early to play 15 minutes a game his senior year.
Or would you want him to be 100% and much stronger as a Post Grad.
His options become so much greater if he does the later. Either at UConn if there is a spot or someplace else
As far as him playing the four, We certainly could use him there with Akok out. .

Idk what it is about this boards obsession with getting big for the sake of getting big. He’s a shooter, he’s not a physical banger. It’s good to add strength but we don’t need him to get to being a linebacker and have it affect his 3 point shooting.

UConn has been recruiting kids that have little or no bulk, going for kids who can jump out of the gym and jam spectacularly in high school ball. Once the group gets on the court in D1 play, 90% of the time it looks like boys vs men. Their once awed at ability to jump out of the gym is equaled by men who are bigger, stronger and faster.
UConn can compete with Memphis because they too are slight and that's why they are having trouble vs many other teams.
If you have Polley playing the 4 he better be a physical banger because that's what the position calls. Nobody wants a basketball player to be a linebacker if he is a PG or a SG, but there too you need muscle.
It's not a case of "getting big for the sake of getting big". If UConn continues to recruit the same type of body, they have to bulk up or they will continue to be overpowered by the bigger teams - which are the top 5 in the AAC and nearly every team in the NBE, ACC, B10 etc.
Size is important. You can't add strength without adding size.
BTW - TP is a 39% 3pt shooter who hasn't learned to create his own shot - he by no means is a polished shooter

Akok was a banger? We won a NC with DD at the four shooting 41% from the three.

 

[Fatroony5]

Good info on the Ivy rules. Thanks!!

And yes, Yale is the best team in the state and no one on that team would be interested in transferring to UConn if not for weird Ivy league redshirting rules.

Listen, Yale is a good team and I like Coach Jones a lot. But they would prolly be on the bubble and not make the tournament if they didn’t win their league. Their NET is 57 and KenPom 50. Compare that to UConn who is 71 and 63 respectively. They’re prolly close to their ceiling. UConn’s ceiling next season is higher than that. Add that with playing in the Big Eaat, I think it’s silly to think “no guys from Yale would wanna play here.” Did you watch the game yesterday? Yale can’t offer that.

 

[Bonehead]

brooms out!

 

[Bonehead]

Listen, Yale is a good team and I like Coach Jones a lot. But they would prolly be on the bubble and not make the tournament if they didn’t win their league. Their NET is 57 and KenPom 50. Compare that to UConn who is 71 and 63 respectively. They’re prolly close to their ceiling. UConn’s ceiling next season is higher than that. Add that with playing in the Big Eaat, I think it’s silly to think “no guys from Yale would wanna play here.” Did you watch the game yesterday? Yale can’t offer that.

Good analysis.

Did you see the class syllabus at Yale? UConn cant offer that.

 

[HooperScooper]

Good info on the Ivy rules. Thanks!!

And yes, Yale is the best team in the state and no one on that team would be interested in transferring to UConn if not for weird Ivy league redshirting rules.

ESPN recently had a highlight article on Ivy League transfer rules and if it's good for the players or not. If you're bored and want to read up on it.

Is the Ivy League transfer policy helping players or hurting them?

A 66-year-old rule and untimely injuries have cast players like Columbia's Mike Smith out of the Ivy League before the end of their collegiate careers.

www.espn.com

 

[Martin]

I still say we are well on track for a tournament bid next year. Even with the injuries we’re 2 deep at every position.

PG: Cole, Gaffney
SG: Bouknight, Adams
SF: Jackson, Wilson
PF: Whaley, Springs
C: Carlton, Brown-Ferguson

I can’t be the only one thinking that squad alone has the chance to be really good. Allow Polley + Akok to ease in if they’re recovery allows and all is good. The 10 listed above will make some noise in the Big East.

I am no where near as bullish as you are for next year. I feel like this current team ha a better chance this year than next year in the NBE. Hope you are right!

 

[metsfan2323]

I am no where near as bullish as you are for next year. I feel like this current team ha a better chance this year than next year in the NBE. Hope you are right!

Comparing this years team to next year we will have:

Better PG play and better depth at PG.
Better two guard play assuming Bouk is back
Better play from the small forward position with Jackson, Wilson and occasionally Adams.
Better play from the 4 with Whaley and Springs
and Better play from Center with Carlton and Ferguson.

Other than that.....

 

[Okafour rings]

Gives me hope to not be overly concerned with losing CV on rebounding front next season, plus for as poorly as JC has been offensively, he has been a beast on the boards: 10+ rebounds 2 of the last 3 games plus Whaley get his too.

But please keep in mind that half if not more of Carlton's offensive rebounds are of his own missed shots around the rim...at least 2-3 per game.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Comparing this years team to next year we will have:

Better PG play and better depth at PG.
Better two guard play assuming Bouk is back
Better play from the small forward position with Jackson, Wilson and occasionally Adams.
Better play from the 4 with Whaley and Springs
and Better play from Center with Carlton and Ferguson.

Other than that.....

I don’t see Whaley and Springs as better than Akok...

 

[Watchdog]

But please keep in mind that half if not more of Carlton's offensive rebounds are of his own missed shots around the rim...at least 2-3 per game.

Facts, schmacts, we don't need no stinkin' facts to cloud our emotions.

 

[Fatroony5]

I don’t see Whaley and Springs as better than Akok...

I think the staff will target a stretch 4 that has the ability to block shots and space the floor/shoot fairly well. If they can manage to find a guy who can guard 3-5 as needed, shot 35% from 3, and block some shots, it’d go a longggg way towards helping them next season. Think they go hard on post grad players, I’m going to make a post at some point about players that may make some sense.

 

[UConnDad]

Gives me hope to not be overly concerned with losing CV on rebounding front next season, plus for as poorly as JC has been offensively, he has been a beast on the boards: 10+ rebounds 2 of the last 3 games plus Whaley get his too.

2 different types of rebound. CV has a lot of loose ball rebounds.

 

[businesslawyer]

Facts, schmacts, we don't need no stinkin' facts to cloud our emotions.

Except he didn't give you a fact. He gave you an observation made to look like a fact by pulling a number out of his rear end.

 

[imno1]

Except he didn't give you a fact. He gave you an observation made to look like a fact by pulling a number out of his rear end.

Yes and a rebound's a rebound. Better he follows up his misses than not. But haters gonna hate. Everyone should rally around Josh. He's more important now than ever. I think he'll be up to the challenge.

 

[JB75]

I don’t see Whaley and Springs as better than Akok...

Nope. Much rather have akok

 

[Com'rGordon]

Going to need Wilson and Springs to take big steps forward next year, as well as bringing in another good big via freshman (cliff or adama) or grad transfer

 

[tennmike]

More than anything, we need the "armada."

 

[NEforceUConn]

Except he didn't give you a fact. He gave you an observation made to look like a fact by pulling a number out of his ass.

Corrected it for you.

 

[bendm]

I think the staff will target a stretch 4 that has the ability to block shots and space the floor/shoot fairly well

sure but guys like akok don't grow on trees. i'd also take a Nate Sestina type. he doesnt block shots but he rebounds and stretches the floor. 2 of the 3 skills is good enough.

 

[glastonbury50]

ACLs aren’t a death sentence like they used to be, but saying he’ll be back at 100% by the start of next season is very unlikely. It often takes top athletes over 18 months to get back to being 100%. His game doesn’t revolve around elite athleticism which is good, but it’s still gonna take time. I’m not banking on him even starting the season. As far as the body thing, we don’t need him to balloon up in weight. Idk what it is about this boards obsession with getting big for the sake of getting big. He’s a shooter, he’s not a physical banger. It’s good to add strength but we don’t need him to get to being a linebacker and have it affect his 3 point shooting.

Adrian Peterson came back stronger.

 

[UC313]

We need to just pluck one of SMU's wings/mobile bigs who can shoot. Jolly, Mike, or Hunt, I don't care which one. We just need one of those guys. They're all Polley+ or Sid+ upgrades. We'll have Whaley and Springs who can play a big 4. We need a small ball 4 who can stretch and attack a closeout and rebound/defend bigs for stretches on D.

Jolly, Mike, Hunt.

Might wanna break that crew up.

 

[Fatroony5]

Adrian Peterson came back stronger.

TP is not AP. Long term I’m sure he’ll be fine, but idk how ready he’ll be at the beginning of the season.

 

[Okafour rings]

Except he didn't give you a fact. He gave you an observation made to look like a fact by pulling a number out of his rear end.

It's called an estimate, and if you question it you're not watching the games.