A Confident Statement

[InKembaITrust]

This isn't a new statement, but I just re-watched some AG highlights from the early part of this past season.....if this kid plays a complete 18'-19' season, we WILL have the best STARTING BACKCOURT in the entire country.

The only potential achilles heel that prevents this, which I'm very confident Hurley corrects over the summer, is their 3pt efficiency.

I'd love to hear who would like to contend this claim, and with which teams?

 

[Palatine]

There is no question the team was much worse after Gilbert left the line up. But there is no way to be confident that he will be healthy for any meaningful stretch of games. Any contribution we get from AG will be gravy and it can NOT be counted on.

 

[Goat]

IMO Alterique's injuries had much to do with the last 2 years. His on court and leadership contributions could have changed many things. Moreover, the possibility that he would recover was a disincentive to some recruits who believed that a healthy Gilbert would take their minutes. I hope he has a chance to show who is he can be and too make a career out of the sport.

 

[donyell34]

2nd that Goat.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I love your "if," and temper my enthusiasm with acceptance that it's an "if."

I'm curious, as well, regarding informed and informing opinion about other teams' starting back courts that would contend for such a designation. Past that, it's the play on the court in head-to-head competition.

Alas, I expect to read more about the" if" than responses to your query in subsequent posts, but thanks for the forward look.

 

[jibsey]

This isn't a new statement, but I just re-watched some AG highlights from the early part of this past season.....if this kid plays a complete 18'-19' season, we WILL have the best STARTING BACKCOURT in the entire country.

The only potential achilles heel that prevents this, which I'm very confident Hurley corrects over the summer, is their 3pt efficiency.

I'd love to hear who would like to contend this claim, and with which teams?

Yup. Gilbert was coming into his own as the games went on and you could see the talent. We saw him make 3’s and if the guards can get a decent % going the back court is the team strength.

 

[Sphinx]

Yes, it's prudent to hold off on Alterique until the shoulder proves to be fully mended. But let's also remember that Alterique has never played with a sound shoulder, even when he was winning McD AA honors. There's a chance, perhaps a 1/3 chance, that the shoulder will at last be fully repaired, and Alterique will blossom as never before. In any case, Alterique is our one chance to have a Kemba/Shabazz-style court presence this year. Jalen is a great talent, but he has never filled the role of floor general, and it is kind of late to expect it now.

 

[David 76]

We've claiming the best backcourt for years. I think this will be the best of our post Shabazz backcourt, but I've learned not to be too optimistic. There is some tough competition out there.

 

[Mokum]

This isn't a new statement, but I just re-watched some AG highlights from the early part of this past season.....if this kid plays a complete 18'-19' season, we WILL have the best STARTING BACKCOURT in the entire country.

The only potential achilles heel that prevents this, which I'm very confident Hurley corrects over the summer, is their 3pt efficiency.

I'd love to hear who would like to contend this claim, and with which teams?

If AG is healthy and no problems crop up, you are correct. And we have some decent backup as well.

 

[pj]

We have as much talent as anyone, but it takes time to develop chemistry, especially under a new coach. If health is good, if chemistry develops, if the surrounding players develop and are valid threats that open space, our backcourt can be really good. It's why, if Alterique is healthy, he and Jalen are playing 33 mpg and CV, Sid, Tyler, and Tarin splitting the other 54 perimeter minutes.

 

[David 76]

We have as much talent as anyone.

No

 

[pj]

No

At the starting guard positions.

 

[Huskyforlife]

When he was healthy our backcourt wasn’t that good. Adams and Gilbert still need to learn how to better coexist. Which with real coaching, I’d bet they will.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Oh and Tre Jones/RJ Barrett is better on paper.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

This isn't a new statement, but I just re-watched some AG highlights from the early part of this past season.....if this kid plays a complete 18'-19' season, we WILL have the best STARTING BACKCOURT in the entire country.

The only potential achilles heel that prevents this, which I'm very confident Hurley corrects over the summer, is their 3pt efficiency.

I'd love to hear who would like to contend this claim, and with which teams?

Virginia Tech
Justin Robinson
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Ahmed Hill
Chris Clarke 2/3
Ty Outlaw 2/3

Wabissa Bede (Cushing/Mass Rivals) 4* Top 100 recruit who will be better this year.

I think VT has the best group of guards heading into the 2018-19 season.

Front court depth is a concern for VT.

 

[Kemba429]

Yeah, theyre pretty damn good but I wouldnt say the best. Top 5 though.

 

[JMick]

I don't know why you guys do this to yourselves lol. We've got a clean slate. For my own sanity I'm keeping my expectations in check.

 

[intlzncster]

I don't know why you guys do this to yourselves lol. We've got a clean slate. For my own sanity I'm keeping my expectations in check.

Were going to the Final Four!!

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Yeah, theyre pretty damn good but I wouldnt say the best. Top 5 though.

If you take Clarke out of the equation as a guard (but he seems to be lsited as a 2/3 with Buzz) then you still have to put them top 3. Basically I went with a team of proven players without factoring in true Freshman.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Were going to the Final Four!!

I mean Adams could be the best guard in the country. I doubt it but wouldn't bet my life against it either.

 

[UConnDan97]

I don't know why you guys do this to yourselves lol. We've got a clean slate. For my own sanity I'm keeping my expectations in check.

I know that I'm contractually obligated to continue my undefeated predictions, so I still continue to predict that. But I'm being dead serious when I say that I think UConn is going to shock a lot of folks this coming season with how good we are going to be.

Shockingly good...

 

[Hogoff]

I know that I'm contractually obligated to continue my undefeated predictions, so I still continue to predict that. But I'm being dead serious when I say that I think UConn is going to shock a lot of folks this coming season with how good we are going to be.

Shockingly good...

I agree!

 

[UChusky916]

Last year was such a train wreck that people are quick to forget that we were competing with MSU possession for possession with a healthy Gilbert until he reinjured his shoulder halfway through the game.

While I don't think we'll be the best back court in the country, we'll be much better than most think.

I agree with the OP that a big factor is the unknown around 3-pt shooting. Adams has room for improvement. CV will shoot better percentages this year than last. AG and newcomers are wild cards. If we hit on everyone improving their percentages just a bit, combined with a better offense and conditioning combined with Hurley's improved coaching... then we could surprise some teams.

 

[Son of Robert]

This isn't a new statement, but I just re-watched some AG highlights from the early part of this past season.....if this kid plays a complete 18'-19' season, we WILL have the best STARTING BACKCOURT in the entire country.

The only potential achilles heel that prevents this, which I'm very confident Hurley corrects over the summer, is their 3pt efficiency.

I'd love to hear who would like to contend this claim, and with which teams?

Love your confidence InKembaITrust. It's a serious starting backcourt.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I know that I'm contractually obligated to continue my undefeated predictions, so I still continue to predict that. But I'm being dead serious when I say that I think UConn is going to shock a lot of folks this coming season with how good we are going to be.

Shockingly good...

Don't get ahead of yourself. I'll settle for undefeated, shocking or not.