2026 Transfer Portal - UConn Interest Only

[Tenspro2002]

Why do people act as though Karaban was not the 4 on our title runs. We were not giant outside the center position

No, but we were pretty limited size-wise and athleticism-wise with Mullins and Ball at the 2/3, in comparison to Castle, Andre Jackson, and others.

That really helped make up for Karaban's physical limitations, and was why Ross got so much run this year.

Honestly, I think the staff was expecting more from Stewart, who would have given us more beef and athleticism on the wing.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Do we want an undersized 4? I’d much prefer an oversized one

I prefer an over-skilled one at the appropriate size.

Oversized 4's without skill are how you end up with dysfunctional offense, like JC used to run out there late in his career.

 

[ctbro1999]

I simply cannot understand how people keep posting guys we have zero connection to.

UCONN INTEREST ONLY, meaning there are somewhat credible reports that one side or the other has interest.

Looks like this has become the defacto "anyone UConn might be interested in portal thread" so owell. LOL

 

[RuffRuff]

No, but we were pretty limited size-wise and athleticism-wise with Mullins and Ball at the 2/3, in comparison to Castle, Andre Jackson, and others.

That really helped make up for Karaban's physical limitations, and was why Ross got so much run this year.

Honestly, I think the staff was expecting more from Stewart, who would have given us more beef and athleticism on the wing.

Stew has been with the program for 3 years. I kinda think the staff has known what they’re getting from him.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I simply cannot understand how people keep posting guys we have zero connection to.

UCONN INTEREST ONLY, meaning there are somewhat credible reports that one side or the other has interest.

Are you new to the Boneyard?

 

[Horatio]

I simply cannot understand how people keep posting guys we have zero connection to.

UCONN INTEREST ONLY, meaning there are somewhat credible reports that one side or the other has interest.

 

[LetsGoUC]

Let Tom Moore COOK

 

[husky429]

That question is already answered. Plenty of guys that Hurley recruited out of high school have already left because Hurley recruited over them in the portal or with 5 star freshman. Rahsool, CFJ, Gaffney, Nowell, Abraham, Singare, Adams. I’m probably missing some

Solo was the best shooter in the conference last year. He shot 30% this year. We’re cutting down the nets if he shoots even average from three. That’s not him sticking with his guys, that’s him returning an all conference player that had a bad year

I think nobody’s starting spot is safe except Silas. Based on the list of guys UConn has shown interest in, we’re looking for really good guys at EVERY position

As we should be. This is UConn basketball, not the homeless shelter. You compete for your minutes or you leave. Everyone is being paid. No room for sentimentality.

 

[Tenspro2002]

What about Paulius Murauskas? If he's been mentioned before, apologies. Here's a writeup from The Athletic:

Ht: 6-8 Wt: 225
The Lithuanian skilled 4 man has just gotten progressively better throughout every season of his career, culminating in him being the best player on an NCAA Tournament team at Saint Mary’s this past year who averaged 18 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this past season while shooting 48 percent from the field on one of the slowest-paced teams in the country. Randy Bennett used him very effectively as a mid-post scorer who could exploit less-gifted players on the block with his size or speed, and as a triple-threat catch-and-shoot weapon.

Murauskas will fit best in a slower offense that grinds out possessions and relies on strong decision-making with effective movement to get him loose. Teams that run sets regularly as opposed to read and react offenses should look into Murauskas, as he could challenge for an All-American berth as a senior in the right location.

A slower offense that grinds out possessions and relies on strong decision making with effective movement, you say?

 

[RuffRuff]

A slower offense that grinds out possessions and relies on strong decision making with effective movement, you say?

Staff has been tagged to what, 5 names or so. Unlike a desperate program like UK, which seems to be on every girl in the bar, I feel like Dan Hurley is selective and usually stays with a small group of targets.

 

[ec33]

The Do Not Contact status is so interesting to me. Is it not screaming “I got tampered with”?

His agent has likely been making calls to GMs and coaches for some time (Bobby potentially being fired wasn't a secret). The players -- through their agents -- are "self-tampering" at this point.

 

[Samoo]

His agent has likely been making calls to GMs and coaches for some time (Bobby potentially being fired wasn't a secret). The players -- through their agents -- are "self-tampering" at this point.

Exactly. He's had the time for some due-diligence on his side. Maybe he and his family have narrowed it down to 3/5/8 schools and want to concentrate on that - also saving other people time and effort.

 

[husky99]

 

[Horatio]

Let Tom Moore COOK

Exactly.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Hard pass, Hines is way better.

 

[navery12]

Hard pass, Hines is way better.

 

[husky429]

Hard pass, Hines is way better.

Can we not have plan Bs?

 

[CardiacAndre7]

He has a Do Not Contact, which means he's probably already whittled his list down.

Hopefully we're on it. I mentioned him way back in December and have been tracking all year. He's my No. 1 portal want.

Can we not have plan Bs?

I wouldn’t be a hard pass but I think a guy like Hines who is a completely different profile to Reibe may fit better. I think we need some beef down low.

 

[Fatroony5]

He has a Do Not Contact, which means he's probably already whittled his list down.

Hopefully we're on it. I mentioned him way back in December and have been tracking all year. He's my No. 1 portal want.

It’s St John’s & Gonzaga.

 

[RuffRuff]

It’s St John’s & Gonzaga.

I'm not getting my hopes up for the shiney objects in this portal class. Hurley has too much potentially coming back. Until I hear someone is coming/going, not even going to guess or desire.

 

[Fatroony5]

I'm not getting my hopes up for the shiney objects in this portal class. Hurley has too much potentially coming back. Until I hear someone is coming/going, not even going to guess or desire.

I’m not concerned at all, they’ll find the right guys they need depending on who’s staying/going. Reading through some of these replies, you’d think it was a team that lost in the round of 32. The team just made the title game & nearly won it. We don’t need to overhaul the system to get size/athleticism. Hurley has a system that has been proven to be successful; just needs to keep tweaking things, we’ll be fine.

 

[amishboy]

Fyi, here’s the take from the Athletic on Wilkins:

Ht: 6-5Wt: 175
Wilikins has a real case as the best mid-major freshman guard hitting the transfer portal. He has real size and was a dynamic scorer and ballhandler for an NCAA Tournament team this year at Furman. He is terrific in ball screens, using his pace and crafty handle to get paint touches while getting all the way to the rim. His jumper could use a little bit of work after making only 32.8 percent from 3 last year, as he has a bit of a low shooting pocket with a pause once he gets into that area.

Still, Wilkins is expected to be priced among the most expensive guards in the portal this spring due to his age and production. He played incredibly well during their run in the SoCon Tournament and their NCAA Tournament game against Final Four participant UConn where he dropped 21 points.

 

[Stinger92860]

The real question is whether Hurley would even want to go that route.

Hurley has been consistent in stating that he prefers to build his core through development—recruiting freshmen, developing them within the system, and then supplementing with multi year transfer portal players rather than relying on it.

Public perception of him is that he’s a , the reality appears quite different. His players consistently respond to him, and there’s a clear level of trust and respect within the program. That culture has been a significant factor in their success.

I personally do not see Hurley changing his style anytime soon.

We have been in 3 Championship games in 4 years, whatever he is doing is working.

 

[superjohn]

I'm not getting my hopes up for the shiney objects in this portal class. Hurley has too much potentially coming back. Until I hear someone is coming/going, not even going to guess or desire.

We need a legit AK replacement at power forward, doesn't have to play just like him (almost impossible to find) but he needs to be a really good player and a legit big physical center to form a two headed monster at center with Reibe.

Tarris was by far our best player and we're losing all that physicality. I really like Reibe's offensive skills and hands but he's not nearly the physical freak Tarris is and despite being listed at 7'1 he's really right around Tarris height at 6'10.5 and doesn't have Tarris strength and wingspan.

There's just no way we can go into next season starting Reibe, Jaylin, and Jayden.

 

[Stinger92860]

That question is already answered. Plenty of guys that Hurley recruited out of high school have already left because Hurley recruited over them in the portal or with 5 star freshman. Rahsool, CFJ, Gaffney, Nowell, Abraham, Singare, Adams. I’m probably missing some

Solo was the best shooter in the conference last year. He shot 30% this year. We’re cutting down the nets if he shoots even average from three. That’s not him sticking with his guys, that’s him returning an all conference player that had a bad year

I think nobody’s starting spot is safe except Silas. Based on the list of guys UConn has shown interest in, we’re looking for really good guys at EVERY position

Unfortunately, Solo may be a 30% shooter. I hope not, but year 1 and year 3 were similar, only year 2 was 40%. I think he has a really nice mid range game, which I would like to see him use more.

 

[GiladKatzDeli]

I take all this portal talk with a grain of salt- I remember when we swung and missed on a portal target, only to pick up Cam Spencer instead (and he became one of the most beloved huskies of all time). I have faith in our staff and hope they have all the resources they need this offseason.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I wouldn’t be a hard pass but I think a guy like Hines who is a completely different profile to Reibe may fit better. I think we need some beef down low.

It’s funny, I’ve been watching the games on mute for so long I have absolutely no recollection of this kid Hines or what he’s all about. Can’t even recall hearing the name before.

 

[ctbro1999]

I take all this portal talk with a grain of salt- I remember when we swung and missed on a portal target, only to pick up Cam Spencer instead (and he became one of the most beloved huskies of all time). I have faith in our staff and hope they have all the resources they need this offseason.

And thank GOD we whiffed on Timberlake.

 

[superjohn]

It’s funny, I’ve been watching the games on mute for so long I have absolutely no recollection of this kid Hines or what he’s all about. Can’t even recall hearing the name before.

He was a football tight end with offers to some P4 schools and decided to focus on just basketball. He was the #36th ranked player for basketball in the 2026 class but reclassified to Seton Hall. He was a huge feather in Shaheen's cap getting him to come to Seton Hall but he only played him 18 minutes per game and didn't run things through him nearly enough. He's big and physical, lost some of his baby fat and moves really well for his size. He can score around the hoop pretty well and is tough to keep off the offensive glass. Great defender who led the league in blocked shots and can get some blocks at the top of the box despite being heavy and a little undersized height wise, 7'2 wingspan.

 

[auror]

It’s funny, I’ve been watching the games on mute for so long I have absolutely no recollection of this kid Hines or what he’s all about. Can’t even recall hearing the name before.

Well he had a double double with 3 blocks in one game against us and 10/7 with 3 blocks in the other. Both off the bench.