2020 Starting 5 & Bench

[BlueMAB]

I could get around this to start. Cole, Gaffney, Bouknight, Whaley, Sanogo with Jackson as our 6th man. Only thing is that leaves us with no ball handlers off the bench.

If Martin is eligible I can see him getting more minutes over Jackson early on. Later in the year that could easily change.

I think Jackson has the higher ceiling, but there's an adjustment to make. Martin has D1 experience on a decent team. Jackson has to prove he can make that transition. I can also see them on the court together as Jackson probably has better vision and Martin may be a better shooter.

I'm drooling over Jackson suiting up for us for a couple years, but Martin is a solid player. I know you, didn't say he wasn't. I know. You're not ripping Martin, etc etc, I'm just saying I think you might be undervaluing his experience, strength, etc. while Jackson has to get used to this level of competition. The A-10 is a lot closer to the Big East than HS is.

There is so much in flux though due to the injuries/waiver/COVID situation. It's nice to finally have depth problems.

 

[JimHurley]

If Martin is eligible I can see him getting more minutes over Jackson early on. Later in the year that could easily change.

I think Jackson has the higher ceiling, but there's an adjustment to make. Martin has D1 experience on a decent team. Jackson has to prove he can make that transition. I can also see them on the court together as Jackson probably has better vision and Martin may be a better shooter.

I'm drooling over Jackson suiting up for us for a couple years, but Martin is a solid player. I know you, didn't say he wasn't. I know. You're not ripping Martin, etc etc, I'm just saying I think you might be undervaluing his experience, strength, etc. while Jackson has to get used to this level of competition. The A-10 is a lot closer to the Big East than HS is.

There is so much in flux though due to the injuries/waiver/COVID situation. It's nice to finally have depth problems.

I hope I am undervaluing his experience and strength. Like I said, if Martin is good enough to earn 20+ minutes a night with our depth at the 3/4 we’re going to be a lot better than I expect. If he’s good enough to take minutes from Bouk, Jackson, Whaley, and Akok then we have top 10 potential.

 

[navery12]

I hope I am undervaluing his experience and strength. Like I said, if Martin is good enough to earn 20+ minutes a night with our depth at the 3/4 we’re going to be a lot better than I expect. If he’s good enough to take minutes from Bouk, Jackson, Whaley, and Akok then we have top 10 potential.

I know how much you love Cole and I'm on the same page where I think he's going to be great. So I post this as a reason why I think you're going to grow to love Martin. Martin posted a better BPM compared to Cole both freshman and sophomore years (0.8 vs 0.4 and 2.5 vs 2.3) and he did it at a much higher level of competition. We're very lucky to have both

 

[Umami Zen]

I know how much you love Cole and I'm on the same page where I think he's going to be great. So I post this as a reason why I think you're going to grow to love Martin. Martin posted a better BPM compared to Cole both freshman and sophomore years (0.8 vs 0.4 and 2.5 vs 2.3) and he did it at a much higher level of competition. We're very lucky to have both

In my opinion.. I believe Dan Hurley would view TM being able to play in 2020 as a "bonus".. Not a prerequisite to 2020 team success.. If he can't play in 2020..He'll be tremendously valuable as a practice player for the young guys.. And he will grow as a player playing vs more talented guys than at URI.. If we have the success Yarders are hoping for in 2020.. I think Dan Hurley sees minutes for TM in the 2021 season

 

[UconnU]

I think it’s very possible Hurley starts the season with Cole + the 4 returning starters and makes the new guys earn their spot in game action.

 

[JimHurley]

I know how much you love Cole and I'm on the same page where I think he's going to be great. So I post this as a reason why I think you're going to grow to love Martin. Martin posted a better BPM compared to Cole both freshman and sophomore years (0.8 vs 0.4 and 2.5 vs 2.3) and he did it at a much higher level of competition. We're very lucky to have both

There is nothing I'd love more than to grow to love Martin. I think he is a decent talent but that if he plays this season that he has a LOT of guys to beat out for minutes at the 3/4. For 2021-22 he will likely be a featured player.

 

[MDHuskFan]

I think it’s very possible Hurley starts the season with Cole + the 4 returning starters and makes the new guys earn their spot in game action.

especially to start the season where the offseason program isn’t what it normally looks like

 

[JimHurley]

I think it’s very possible Hurley starts the season with Cole + the 4 returning starters and makes the new guys earn their spot in game action.

So that would be...Cole, Gaffney, Bouknight, Whaley, Carlton? I think I’d be very surprised to see Whaley + Carlton start together. That’s 3 v 5 on offense.

 

[ucp990411]

I could get around this to start. Cole, Gaffney, Bouknight, Whaley, Sanogo with Jackson as our 6th man. Only thing is that leaves us with no ball handlers off the bench.

In 1999 Ricky played the point when Khalid was not in. In 2004 Ben played the point when Taliek was not in. You really don't need to have another point guard coming off the bench. I expect RJ and Jalen to play 20 -25
minutes together and 7 - 10 each at the point with Bouk or BA at shooting guard.

 

[businesslawyer]

I'll set forth the one incontrovertible fact. Cole was good enough that Hurley spent 3 scholarship years on a player who would only give him two years, and while seeing him practice against UConn this year didn't even sniff after recruiting other point guards.

Could Hurley be wrong in his analysis? Sure. But do you think that's where the smart money is?

 

[Umami Zen]

I'll set forth the one incontrovertible fact. Cole was good enough that Hurley spent 3 scholarship years on a player who would only give him two years, and while seeing him practice against UConn this year didn't even sniff after recruiting other point guards.

Could Hurley be wrong in his analysis? Sure. But do you think that's where the smart money is?

Totally agree with you.. The Hurleys believe in this guy.. Good enough for me.. He'll make JG better..JG will make him better.. Can't see how defenses can key on RJ (like they did at Howard).. He has too much talent surrounding him here..

 

[navery12]

I'll set forth the one incontrovertible fact. Cole was good enough that Hurley spent 3 scholarship years on a player who would only give him two years, and while seeing him practice against UConn this year didn't even sniff after recruiting other point guards.

Could Hurley be wrong in his analysis? Sure. But do you think that's where the smart money is?

You'll get agreement from 90% on the board on this. The RJ Cole "hate" is being blown so out of proportion on this board

 

[Palatine]

Cole, Bouk, Polley, Whaley, Carlton. That's a nice experienced starting five. And by using Polley at the three with his ability from the arc it will create freedom for both Cole and Bouk.

I think Sanogo (for Carlton) will be the first off the bench. Then Gaffney and Jackson replacing Cole and Polley respectively.

Springs will spell Whaley and Adams will come in for Bouk.

When Akok returns, he might be part of a two man change with Sanogo for the front line.

That's just one way to play it. Dan Hurley will have real options everywhere on the floor. It makes one's head spin.

 

[JimHurley]

In 1999 Ricky played the point when Khalid was not in. In 2004 Ben played the point when Taliek was not in. You really don't need to have another point guard coming off the bench. I expect RJ and Jalen to play 20 -25
minutes together and 7 - 10 each at the point with Bouk or BA at shooting guard.

Yeah, it’s less about not having no ball handlers off the bench and more about Jackson just being better than Gaffney. I’m not saying Cole and Gaffney shouldn’t start together, just observing that would leave us with no ball handler off the bench.

 

[UconnU]

Cole, Bouk, Polley, Whaley, Carlton. That's a nice experienced starting five. And by using Polley at the three with his ability from the arc it will create freedom for both Cole and Bouk.

I think Sanogo (for Carlton) will be the first off the bench. Then Gaffney and Jackson replacing Cole and Polley respectively.

Springs will spell Whaley and Adams will come in for Bouk.

When Akok returns, he might be part of a two man change with Sanogo for the front line.

That's just one way to play it. Dan Hurley will have real options everywhere on the floor. It makes one's head spin.

I’m concerned he may have too many options. Remember how many different lineups we used in 2011-12? Most really good teams only go about 8 maybe 9 deep. With Martin we’re 11 deep.

 

[lange10]

With all the new additions it's really a bummer the Italy/Greece trip isn't happening. Would've been an amazing opportunity to build team chemistry on the court early on and see who meshes well together.

 

[lange10]

I’m concerned he may have too many options. Remember how many different lineups we used in 2011-12? Most really good teams only go about 8 maybe 9 deep. With Martin we’re 11 deep.

Hurley likes playing 10 guys. If Martin is eligible and Akok continues to progress like we've heard that makes us 12 deep. When you consider that, the reports that the staff is planning to redshirt Martin make a ton of sense.

 

[superjohn]

I don't see any way Whaley and Calton start together, they were a terrible fit together last year. Whaley should get the start unless something miraculous happens with Carlton.

 

[JimHurley]

I don't see any way Whaley and Calton start together, they were a terrible fit together last year. Whaley should get the start unless something miraculous happens with Carlton.

Exactly. It's 3 v. 5 on offense when Whaley and Carlton are in together. If Whaley is in the game, it'll have to be at the 4 with Sanogo at the 5, or at the 5 with Jackson/Polley/Martin at the 4.

 

[bendm]

the reports that the staff is planning to redshirt Martin make a ton of sense

what reports are these? hurley's quoted saying if the ncaa doesnt pass the blanket waiver they will attempt to get martin an individual waiver

 

[businesslawyer]

Exactly. It's 3 v. 5 on offense when Whaley and Carlton are in together. If Whaley is in the game, it'll have to be at the 4 with Sanogo at the 5, or at the 5 with Jackson/Polley/Martin at the 4.

Sanogo may be a better athlete than Carlton on day one, and that may make him a better rebounder and defender, but do we really expect that he's going to have the scoring skills of a senior Carlton? I find that doubtful myself. I thought Sanogo's value was just being a big athlete, which is fine -- I'll take it -- but it may make the issues with scoring with him and Whalley in together even worse.

 

[bendm]

do we really expect that he's going to have the scoring skills of a senior Carlton?

what scoring skills? short arming a put back from directly under the basket three times in a row? sanogo isn't cliff, he's more skilled than athletic.

 

[JimHurley]

Sanogo may be a better athlete than Carlton on day one, and that may make him a better rebounder and defender, but do we really expect that he's going to have the scoring skills of a senior Carlton? I find that doubtful myself. I thought Sanogo's value was just being a big athlete, which is fine -- I'll take it -- but it may make the issues with scoring with him and Whalley in together even worse.

Which scoring skills are we referring to? He air balled and clanged off the backboard several shots that were 2 feet from the rim. Yes I think Sanogo is a better rebounder, defender, and scorer from day one.

 

[BlueMAB]

Hurley likes playing 10 guys. If Martin is eligible and Akok continues to progress like we've heard that makes us 12 deep. When you consider that, the reports that the staff is planning to redshirt Martin make a ton of sense.

what reports are these? hurley's quoted saying if the ncaa doesnt pass the blanket waiver they will attempt to get martin an individual waiver

The staff isn't "planning" on redshirting Martin.

As of now, he has to sit due to transfer rules.

Either the NCAA grants a blanket waiver and he plays, they grant him an individual waiver (yeah, right) and he plays, or he neither of those happen and he sits.

If he's eligible, he's going to play, you don't redshirt a player who can have an impact.

But it's not up to the staff, it's up to the NCAA.

 

[Palatine]

I don't see any way Whaley and Calton start together, they were a terrible fit together last year. Whaley should get the start unless something miraculous happens with Carlton.

Just because something didn't work last year doesn't mean it won't work this year. Every year is different. Players grow, expand their games and develop cohesiveness. The pieces around them change. Guys learn each other's roles and how to play together.

Carlton was the best offensive rebounder on the team last year. He is trimming down a little and that should help his quickness. He has a lot to offer. It's insane how much hate is directed his way.

 

[navery12]

what scoring skills? short arming a put back from directly under the basket three times in a row? sanogo isn't cliff, he's more skilled than athletic.

The staff isn't "planning" on redshirting Martin.

As of now, he has to sit due to transfer rules.

Either the NCAA grants a blanket waiver and he plays, they grant him an individual waiver (yeah, right) and he plays, or he neither of those happen and he sits.

If he's eligible, he's going to play, you don't redshirt a player who can have an impact.

But it's not up to the staff, it's up to the NCAA.

There may have been another but this is the one I remember

Hearing Javonte Brown Ferguson will likely redshirt, and Martin will sit out like RJ Cole did. Fluid situation due to injuries and COVID, but that was initial plan.

 

[BlueMAB]

There may have been another but this is the one I remember

People can say whatever they want about what they are "hearing" the staff is "planning".

It's in the NCAA's hands.

 

[huskyrob1]

I could get around this to start. Cole, Gaffney, Bouknight, Whaley, Sanogo with Jackson as our 6th man. Only thing is that leaves us with no ball handlers off the bench.

Gaffney will improve his shooting and defense this summer, but Gaffney's big plus, especially early in the season, will be his ability to communicate with and get the ball to Bouknight.

 

[lange10]

what reports are these? hurley's quoted saying if the ncaa doesnt pass the blanket waiver they will attempt to get martin an individual waiver

Credible source on here said that is the plan for now.

Edit: see @navery12 ’s post just above.

 

[BlueMAB]

what reports are these? hurley's quoted saying if the ncaa doesnt pass the blanket waiver they will attempt to get martin an individual waiver

Credible source on here said that is the plan for now.

Edit: see @navery12 ’s post just above.

Martin’s playing status with UConn for the 2020-21 season will depend on the upcoming NCAA decision regarding immediate eligibility for transfers, which is expected in late-May, or obtaining a waiver to receive immediate eligibility. Both Hurley and Martin have said they haven’t thought much about whether Martin would apply for a waiver. R.J. Cole, who transferred to UConn last year after spending his first two seasons at Howard University, did not apply for a waiver. But it sounds like Martin is a different story.


“It’s probably a different situation than with R.J.,” Hurley noted. “With the way our roster was shaped last year, it made a lot of sense for R.J. (to sit out). He wanted the year to use the resources that UConn has to really make improvements physically before he stepped out there. Whereas I think that’s probably not where Tyrese’s mindset is at.”

If neither situation comes about, he will be able to practice with the Huskies, but not compete in games. Whenever Martin becomes eligible, he will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.