2026 roster needs

[lateralous]

I think the next chance the final four comes east somewhere other than Atlanta 2031 is whenever the Washington Commanders ever get their new place built. The NCAA has the next five Final Fours scheduled already and then I would assume Minnesota and Nashville will each get one in the next round of selections.

 

[UCTitleTown]

I think this topic deserves a poll like what is UConn's # 1 must position get in the portal?

 

[lateralous]

I think this topic deserves a poll like what is UConn's # 1 must position get in the portal?

Isn't a starting PF the obvious answer?

 

[superjohn]

Massamba Diop is still my #1 want. Surprised he hasn't entered his name yet.

 

[HooperScooper]

lolllll

the alamodome seats 64k. st pete seats 20k

Tropicana Field attendance for the 1999 Final Four was 41,340. The Rays can get about 40,000 but they tarp over some of the upper sections and have about 25,000 capacity for normal baseball games.

At the Final Four in 2004 the attendance was 44,468 at the Alamodome. And that's why I said what I said. But attendance for the 2025 Final Four semifinals games (championship was a little smaller it says in the figures the NCAA released) was 68,252. Did they add on to the stadium between 2004 and 2025? I have no idea.

 

[Tmac4468]

Tropicana Field attendance for the 1999 Final Four was 41,340. The Rays can get about 40,000 but they tarp over some of the upper sections and have about 25,000 capacity for normal baseball games.

At the Final Four in 2004 the attendance was 44,468 at the Alamodome. And that's why I said what I said. But attendance for the 2025 Final Four semifinals games (championship was a little smaller it says in the figures the NCAA released) was 68,252. Did they add on to the stadium between 2004 and 2025? I have no idea.

IIRC, San Antonio had ~half the stadium curtained off in '04. I believe they can get over 70k in there for a non-football event.

 

[lateralous]

Tropicana Field attendance for the 1999 Final Four was 41,340. The Rays can get about 40,000 but they tarp over some of the upper sections and have about 25,000 capacity for normal baseball games.

At the Final Four in 2004 the attendance was 44,468 at the Alamodome. And that's why I said what I said. But attendance for the 2025 Final Four semifinals games (championship was a little smaller it says in the figures the NCAA released) was 68,252. Did they add on to the stadium between 2004 and 2025? I have no idea.

I think the domes all used to do what the Carrier Dome does and put the court up against two or three sides of the permanent stands and then used temporary bleachers for the rest. In recent years, I believe the NCAA just throws the court out at midfield of a football stadium and uses the entire bowl and then puts the students on the field level basically in the end zones. They gave up on sight lines and just max out tickets now.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

The offseason fun begins. I'm annoyed that we're having this conversation 1 day after the title game. But that's just where the game is right now

tbh there is only one no brainer starter, Silas Demary. I expect a big jump next year. Think a Tristen Newton 2nd year leap. AP All America contention. Junior County is our only other PG so I'd expect an upperclassman PG transfer

It gets situational after that.

First thing first we need a home run starting PF. He needs to be a really good scorer and a really good defender. Type of guy you build the entire gameplan around. Unfortunately I'd also look for a quality C. Early to mid season Reibe is a penciled in starter but he fell off as the year went on. I'd bet that Reibe develops well over the summer and becomes a starter. He had REALLY promising moments and very high potential. But this will be more a Samson/Tarris situation than a Sanogo/Clingan or Clingan/Samson.

This is where it gets really difficult. Maybe we lose Braylon to the NBA and you slot in Ross at starting SF or bring in a transfer that can create his own shot. But if not, you're bringing back the Solo Ball/Braylon Mullins backcourt that got abused defensively by bigger and stronger players. You can probably get away with this if you bring in big defenders at PF-C

If you can't bring in those PF/Cs, do you (gulp) bring one of Solo or Braylon off the bench so you can start Ross and get some size and defense in the starting 5? I feel gross just thinking about this. But I don't think it is a good idea to run back the Silas/Solo/Braylon rotation unless there's some real size and defensive dominance behind them. I know that lineup just made the title game, but most of that March run was on the backs of Reed and Karaban

PG: Silas, upperclassman transfer, County
SG-SF: Solo, Braylon, Ross, Landrew/transfer?
PF: superstar transfer, Stewart
C: Reibe and high quality transfer
Probably some mid major senior transfers like a Millender or Koroma situation at F/C

If Reibe is your starter, the team will not be a Final Four team next year. Period. The kid needs more time to be the featured center. I think he will get there, but not next year.

 

[Brandon Miles]

We need multiple rim protectors.

you wanna get back to those days of leading the nation in blocks multiple years in a row...👍

 

[ec33]

I haven't read the thread. I can't remember if I even posted in.
Backup guard that can give us 20mpg+ at the 1/2
Starting PF
Starting big

It isn't rocket science in this case. Although it will like be a time-share at center (after Reibe makes sizeable gains this summer, otherwise less of a time share).

The nature of the PF depends on Mullins (no Mullins and you need a scorer, with Mullins you can slide a bit on offense to improve defense/rebounding/athleticism).

At the guard, I'd want a pure PG so that there is one on the team.

 

[RuffRuff]

It isn't rocket science in this case. Although it will like be a time-share at center (after Reibe makes sizeable gains this summer, otherwise less of a time share).

The nature of the PF depends on Mullins (no Mullins and you need a scorer, with Mullins you can slide a bit on offense to improve defense/rebounding/athleticism).

At the guard, I'd want a pure PG so that there is one on the team.

Or maybe they move him to the 2.

 

[HooperScooper]

IIRC, San Antonio had ~half the stadium curtained off in '04. I believe they can get over 70k in there for a non-football event.

I don't remember that. I wonder why they did that. I'm sure they could have sold more than 44,000 tickets.

 

[auror]

Massamba Diop is still my #1 want. Surprised he hasn't entered his name yet.

There he is. I'm still not sure I want him, because I think I watched his worst game of the year.

 

[navery12]

Massamba Diop is still my #1 want. Surprised he hasn't entered his name yet.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Interesting. So he knows where he wants to go.

 

[bendm]

Or maybe they move him to the 2.

I’ve come around on this but Hurley isn’t benching Ball after he was a starter on a finals run. Let’s just hope his wrist was the issue and he shoots 45% from 3 next year.

PSA- enough with the posts about stadium capacity who cares

 

[RuffRuff]

Interesting. So he knows where he wants to go.

Spoken for.

 

[Emoney2737]

As of today we need 3 transfers:

Silas / Transfer
Ball / Ross
Mullins / Landrew
Transfer / Stew
Transfer / Reibe

You guys are crazy if you think Reibe won’t be our starting center next year. You forget how well he played when Reed was out??!! It’s not easy coming off the bench playing limited minutes. I trust the staff to get him ready

 

[RuffRuff]

You guys are crazy if you think Reibe won’t be our starting center next year. You forget how well he played when Reed was out??!! It’s not easy coming off the bench playing limited minutes. I trust the staff to get him ready

But everyone says it didn't matter Tarris was coming off the bench last year.....

Hard to know what to expect out of Reibe with an offseason and leap. He did not finish this year well at all - was cringeworthy much of the time. Will leave it in the hands of the staff to manage that. We'll probably know by the quality of who'm we pick up what the intention is.

 

[Teddie1056]

Developmental prospects aren't that important to winning anymore, unfortunately.

Weird thing to say considering all of the developed talent we had on our 3 final four teams.

 

[Slim Marlo]

Agree my number 1 want

 

[jibsey]

Reibe will be terrific but it doesn’t matter if he’s the starter or not because we still need a beast down there to do what Tarris did.

 

[HW611]

You guys are crazy if you think Reibe won’t be our starting center next year. You forget how well he played when Reed was out??!! It’s not easy coming off the bench playing limited minutes. I trust the staff to get him ready

I’m so confident he’s starting next year if he doesn’t leave I can place a bet on it.

I would say I’m surprised at the narrative. But this is the boneyard where people are prone to not believe in players getting better.

 

[PAHusky]

The offseason fun begins. I'm annoyed that we're having this conversation 1 day after the title game. But that's just where the game is right now

tbh there is only one no brainer starter, Silas Demary. I expect a big jump next year. Think a Tristen Newton 2nd year leap. AP All America contention. Junior County is our only other PG so I'd expect an upperclassman PG transfer

It gets situational after that.

First thing first we need a home run starting PF. He needs to be a really good scorer and a really good defender. Type of guy you build the entire gameplan around. Unfortunately I'd also look for a quality C. Early to mid season Reibe is a penciled in starter but he fell off as the year went on. I'd bet that Reibe develops well over the summer and becomes a starter. He had REALLY promising moments and very high potential. But this will be more a Samson/Tarris situation than a Sanogo/Clingan or Clingan/Samson.

This is where it gets really difficult. Maybe we lose Braylon to the NBA and you slot in Ross at starting SF or bring in a transfer that can create his own shot. But if not, you're bringing back the Solo Ball/Braylon Mullins backcourt that got abused defensively by bigger and stronger players. You can probably get away with this if you bring in big defenders at PF-C

If you can't bring in those PF/Cs, do you (gulp) bring one of Solo or Braylon off the bench so you can start Ross and get some size and defense in the starting 5? I feel gross just thinking about this. But I don't think it is a good idea to run back the Silas/Solo/Braylon rotation unless there's some real size and defensive dominance behind them. I know that lineup just made the title game, but most of that March run was on the backs of Reed and Karaban

PG: Silas, upperclassman transfer, County
SG-SF: Solo, Braylon, Ross, Landrew/transfer?
PF: superstar transfer, Stewart
C: Reibe and high quality transfer
Probably some mid major senior transfers like a Millender or Koroma situation at F/C

So you’ve got Braylon passing up the NBA to come off the bench for us next year potentially? Pass the good stuff brother, I want to inhabit this fun universe

 

[Stow A]

Does anyone have information on the status of Sayon Keita the 7-footer from Spain who did an on campus visit last summer? 247 Sports have UConn as a Warm with 5 other schools.

Sayon KeitaSpain (Spain, SPAI)

 

[DogMania]

I think Stewart and Reibe are either starters next year or not on the roster.

Neither are coming back to be a backup. There was already noise from Reibe’s camp about him not having enough time with Reed. They probably won’t go for bringing in someone to take more minutes from him.

Also, Clingan is an unfair expectation to have for a center. He played well as a starter. I expect him to have a serious jump next year when this coaching staff is pushing him to step up full time.

I'm concerned with Reibe's weight and strength. His situation is problemstic. I would like them to add a bigger and more physical 5 who can rebound, take away the paint and block shots. Not sure what impact on Reibe if they add a 5 that will compete with him for the starting center. What's important is not who starts but who gets more PT and is on the floor during winning time.

 

[HooperScooper]

I’m so confident he’s starting next year if he doesn’t leave I can place a bet on it.

I would say I’m surprised at the narrative. But this is the boneyard where people are prone to not believe in players getting better.

Yeah people seem to forget what he did earlier in the season. That wasn't luck.

Check out the 5 game stretch of Arizona, Bryant, Illinois, Kansas and East Texas A&M. He was damn good in those games for a freshman big early in the season. He needs to gain strength, play defense without fouling and rebound better. Hitting more free throws would help also. But show me a freshman big that does everything well and I'll show you a OAD.

Eric Reibe - Men's Basketball - University of Connecticut Athletics

Eric Reibe (12) Center - Before UConn: Originally from Germany, comes to Storrs from The Bullis School in Potomac, Md. … a 2025 McDonald’s All American…ranke...

uconnhuskies.com

 

[RBHusky7]

I’m more bullish on Stewie than Reibe. Stewie has the talent and has sacrificed more PT than anyone on the roster.

 

[DogMania]

I’m so confident he’s starting next year if he doesn’t leave I can place a bet on it.

I would say I’m surprised at the narrative. But this is the boneyard where people are prone to not believe in players getting better.

In addition to his struggles down the stretch, I think the rumor about his family concerned about his playing time has some concerned what he will do if we bring in a portal 5 that could compete with him for PT or even the starting position. Hopefully the rumor was nothing more than just a rumor and he will return.

 

[HooperScooper]

In addition to his struggles down the stretch, I think the rumor about his family concerned about his playing time has some concerned what he will do if we bring in a portal 5 that could compete with him for PT or even the starting position. Hopefully the rumor was nothing more than just a rumor and he will return.

People inferred that from Hurley saying in a post game press conference that Reibe needed to be patient with his progress and playing time. People ran with that and started rumors. I think it was a huge leap to infer that but who knows.