Acaden Lewis decommits from KY

[Horatio]

I do not understand the school of thought that argues that we can't get Lewis because of existing PG's on the roster. We won in 2023 with TN, Joey California, Alleyne and Diarra as our main guards (not even counting Hawk or AJ). They all played a significant role. In '24 we won with TN, Cam, Diarra and Castle. And they all played a major role, as we know. Why can't we accommodate another top PG on this team, when Silas is the only true PG on the roster? I am not advocating for a particular player. I have not seen Smith play, and I have not seen Lewis play. What I know is that there are minutes available at the PG position for this team next year. And like Hurley said of the freshmen this year, and I say this with all due respect, but Silas has not won a game for UConn yet. This isn't the place where you expect PT just by showing up. Iron sharpens iron. I say bring the talent and let them fight for PT.

Exactly. And we had one playable, healthy guard last year ( Solo ) and one injured PG that played. So the more actual PG’s, the better.

 

[FearThePups]

I do not understand the school of thought that argues that we can't get Lewis because of existing PG's on the roster. We won in 2023 with TN, Joey California, Alleyne and Diarra as our main guards (not even counting Hawk or AJ). They all played a significant role. In '24 we won with TN, Cam, Diarra and Castle. And they all played a major role, as we know. Why can't we accommodate another top PG on this team, when Silas is the only true PG on the roster? I am not advocating for a particular player. I have not seen Smith play, and I have not seen Lewis play. What I know is that there are minutes available at the PG position for this team next year. And like Hurley said of the freshmen this year, and I say this with all due respect, but Silas has not won a game for UConn yet. This isn't the place where you expect PT just by showing up. Iron sharpens iron. I say bring the talent and let them fight for PT.

You’ve hit the nail on the head. My reason for starting this post was here’s a guy that we wanted and he wanted us. We can’t let a bad situation last year (Mahaney and Nowell not working out), stop us from loading up on guys that can help us this year. We are not Duke, Kentucky, or Kansas that has 10 5* guys on their rosters. They all have an embarrassment of riches like we had in 22 and 23. We really can’t be so picky to turn down Lewis if he understands the situation and still wants to commit. We assume Silas and the freshmen coming in are the answer. We thought that last year and look what happened.

 

[auror]

I do not understand the school of thought that argues that we can't get Lewis because of existing PG's on the roster. We won in 2023 with TN, Joey California, Alleyne and Diarra as our main guards (not even counting Hawk or AJ). They all played a significant role. In '24 we won with TN, Cam, Diarra and Castle. And they all played a major role, as we know. Why can't we accommodate another top PG on this team, when Silas is the only true PG on the roster? I am not advocating for a particular player. I have not seen Smith play, and I have not seen Lewis play. What I know is that there are minutes available at the PG position for this team next year. And like Hurley said of the freshmen this year, and I say this with all due respect, but Silas has not won a game for UConn yet. This isn't the place where you expect PT just by showing up. Iron sharpens iron. I say bring the talent and let them fight for PT.

Because you're thinking about it from UConn's perspective and not the incoming committed transfer and uncommitted recruit's perspectives.

For most players, the #1 concern is overall future compensation, followed by current compensation and winning in some continuum. To get future compensation, you need to play a lot in order to get accolades, exposure, and development. And you need to play the role you want to develop. Very few are going to elect to play 10-15 minutes a night when you can play 25-30 somewhere else on a similar tier of the sport. Especially not for younger players who still need exposure and development to ensure a future career path.

• So if we bring in another starting caliber PG, Demary will be upset, because he wants to develop his PG role.
• If we bring in a clear bench PG, that makes Demary happy, but it can't be someone that wants a starting role somewhere, so it likely would make Acaden unhappy (I don't know for sure, just speculating based on his recent decommitment).
• If we really wanted more starting lineup playmaking, we'd likely have to bring in another big combo type, someone who won't claim to be a "PG" but still helps with overall playmaking and passing. But that will push someone else to the bench down lineup.

These are some of the problems of roster construction you run into when you have a ~6'2" SG who isn't a playmaker for others. And also some of the pitfalls of the transfer portal, where playing time in the market gets really efficient. There's very little standing in the way of guys going to where they can optimize their playing time.

Someone like Malachi Smith is more likely to take the 6th man role because he's established a track record that will get him paid overseas and knows he isn't going to make the NBA.

 

[FearThePups]

He left Kentucky when they brought in a transfer that's going to take minutes from him. I can't imagine he'd even consider coming here with Demary and Ball locked in the backcourt.

Don’t believe anything you read on Rupp’s Rafters. So posters lament Lewis is leaving and others are now kicking him to the curb saying he’s not good enough to play at Kentucky. Sour grapes.

 

[FearThePups]

I would rather have Malachi Smith. Hopefully the feeling is mutual.

Smith is better than Acaden Lewis right now.

Plus, like others have said, if Lewis decomitted from Kentucky due to a transfer portal recruit they added which Lewis felt was a threat to his playing time, then UConn with Demary, Ball, and Adams would be a non-starter for Lewis.

Let's get Malachi Smith.

I don’t believe anything of what you’re selling.

 

[Samoo]

I don’t believe anything of what you’re selling.

I'm not sure you can believe it not believe an opinion; disagree, sure

 

[Scoe]

I do not understand the school of thought that argues that we can't get Lewis because of existing PG's on the roster. We won in 2023 with TN, Joey California, Alleyne and Diarra as our main guards (not even counting Hawk or AJ). They all played a significant role. In '24 we won with TN, Cam, Diarra and Castle. And they all played a major role, as we know. Why can't we accommodate another top PG on this team, when Silas is the only true PG on the roster? I am not advocating for a particular player. I have not seen Smith play, and I have not seen Lewis play. What I know is that there are minutes available at the PG position for this team next year. And like Hurley said of the freshmen this year, and I say this with all due respect, but Silas has not won a game for UConn yet. This isn't the place where you expect PT just by showing up. Iron sharpens iron. I say bring the talent and let them fight for PT.

Why not both Smith and Lewis.

 

[navery12]

Why not both Smith and Lewis.

Because Lewis just decommited from Kentucky because they brought in multiple transfer guards, he's not coming in here for the same situation

 

[gsmooth]

I don’t believe anything of what you’re selling.

You can believe whatever you want and I am not selling anything. Look at auror's post #33 above. He explains it perfectly why recruiting Acaden Lewis is going to be difficult without harming the roster dynamics that are in place now.

Answer this: Acaden left Kentucky because he saw a threat to the playing time he wanted, let's say 25-30 minutes and starting, due to Kentucky having a surplus of guards, whether it's PGs, CGs, or SGs, after their portal recruiting. Why would he come to UConn when UConn has that similar surplus of guards that will prevent Acaden from getting the playing time he wants?

If Acaden is willing to settle for less playing time this year, sure UConn should get him. But I doubt Acaden is looking for that.

 

[ToolzieFan]

 

[Huskyforlife]

I will say it’s strange to have a final 4 of blue bloods but then be surprised you aren’t being handed the starting job as a freshman. Did you think these schools wouldn’t load up in the portal?

 

[WestCoastHusky]

He seems like a solid player. I hope he will land somewhere in the Big East.

 

[FearThePups]

You can believe whatever you want and I am not selling anything. Look at auror's post #33 above. He explains it perfectly why recruiting Acaden Lewis is going to be difficult without harming the roster dynamics that are in place now.

Answer this: Acaden left Kentucky because he saw a threat to the playing time he wanted, let's say 25-30 minutes and starting, due to Kentucky having a surplus of guards, whether it's PGs, CGs, or SGs, after their portal recruiting. Why would he come to UConn when UConn has that similar surplus of guards that will prevent Acaden from getting the playing time he wants?

If Acaden is willing to settle for less playing time this year, sure UConn should get him. But I doubt Acaden is looking for that.

As I stated in my earlier post, you present the situation to him and then it’s up to him. But to summarily say no we don’t need you as some here have mentioned is short sighted.

I’m not sure what you mean by roster dynamics at this point now. Lewis would be coming as a point guard not a 2 guard. We lost our point guard from last year and two other guys that we thought would be point guard backups didn’t work out and left. So we have Silas as our point guard with Adams as a backup. Ball is not a pg. neither are any other players currently on the roster. Everyone here thinks we have an abundance of guards. We do not.

 

[BGesus4]

Big East is cleaning out the transfer portal

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Don’t believe anything you read on Rupp’s Rafters. So posters lament Lewis is leaving and others are now kicking him to the curb saying he’s not good enough to play at Kentucky. Sour grapes.

Not sure who you're replying to but I don't think it's me. They just got a commitment at his position. I don't know what you're talking about with "Rupp's Rafters."

 

[fatlucy]

But what’s the sales pitch? We’ll pay you to be mediocre?

 

[FearThePups]

Not sure who you're replying to but I don't think it's me. They just got a commitment at his position. I don't know what you're talking about with "Rupp's Rafters."

You are correct. Kentucky just got another commitment. I believe Kentucky now has 4 guards with Lewis now arguably the 4th option behind Boozer, Jackson and Parry. So yeah, if I’m the 4the option, I’d probably leave too. Rupps Rafters is the Kentucky basketball forum.

 

[HooperScooper]

Because Lewis just decommited from Kentucky because they brought in multiple transfer guards, he's not coming in here for the same situation

Every time we try to tell people that on here they come up with fairytale reasons why that might not be true. It's always possible that Lewis could be interested in UConn but the reality is it's a low probability based on what we've seen.

 

[Drame]

1 - Its a low probability that he would want to come here.
2 - Hes going top be very expensive for a backup pg
3 - We have Smith we need to sort out this weekend first.
4 - We havent had much success with pgs coming from high school
5 - PG depth Demary / Smith / Adams / Furphy

 

[FearThePups]

Every time we try to tell people that on here they come up with fairytale reasons why that might not be true. It's always possible that Lewis could be interested in UConn but the reality is it's a low probability based on what we've seen.

Let me break down the Kentucky guard situation for the upcoming year

Returning
Oweh senior
Chandler sophomore
Perry sophomore

Transfers in
Lowe junior
Kam Williams sophomore

Incoming freshmen
Jasper Johnson
Acaden Lewis

6 on the roster not including Acaden. Wouldn’t you rethink your decision for playing time?

 

[Muddler]

But what’s the sales pitch? We’ll pay you to be mediocre?

How about Josh Hart and Saddiq Bey went from Sidwell to Villanova and now are in the league making big bank?

 

[bendm]

We’re hoping to bring in a transfer PG that will contribute more than Adams and Adams is higher ranked than Lewis. We have no use for Lewis. Period the end.

 

[3rdbass]

We’re hoping to bring in a transfer PG that will contribute more than Adams and Adams is higher ranked than Lewis. We have no use for Lewis. Period the end.

Lewis actually a natural PG and ranked as one. Darius is a SG and we would have to make him into a a PG. I don’t see any issue with having both on the team depending if we pick up a transfer PG in which case we wouldn’t need Lewis. Until I have no issues with the BY having interest in him. Not sure UConn does at this time though.

 

[That Guy]

Can't see us bringing in another freshman. 4 is already a lot in this new "portal era".

 

[bendm]

Lewis actually a natural PG and ranked as one. Darius is a SG and we would have to make him into a a PG. I don’t see any issue with having both on the team depending if we pick up a transfer PG in which case we wouldn’t need Lewis. Until I have no issues with the BY having interest in him. Not sure UConn does at this time though.

Yes we are operating under the assumption we are getting a transfer PG. either way Their position doesn’t impact their overall ranking. Adams is ranked #23 overall (#4 CG) and Lewis is #30 overall (#5 PG)

 

[tower1]

As I stated in my earlier post, you present the situation to him and then it’s up to him. But to summarily say no we don’t need you as some here have mentioned is short sighted.

I’m not sure what you mean by roster dynamics at this point now. Lewis would be coming as a point guard not a 2 guard. We lost our point guard from last year and two other guys that we thought would be point guard backups didn’t work out and left. So we have Silas as our point guard with Adams as a backup. Ball is not a pg. neither are any other players currently on the roster. Everyone here thinks we have an abundance of guards. We do not.

You are correct we do not have an abundance of guards. We need quick shooting guards with some size. I laugh at the posters that worry about existing players getting upset because they have not improved and are being recruited over. To stay on top of the basketball world you have to go into the portal.

 

[3rdbass]

Yes we are operating under the assumption we are getting a transfer PG. either way Their position doesn’t impact their overall ranking. Adams is ranked #23 overall (#4 CG) and Lewis is #30 overall (#5 PG)

So 7 places in ranking means nothing. It isn’t a complete science epscially you get out of the 10-15 players. You just think because someone is ranked#30 mees they are worst than #23? Look how well rankings did for a player like Nowell. It is also about fit for the current team and needs. We need a backup PG so even if he is Highly touted one like Lewis we might look at it. It might not mean much come Monday as we might get Smith.

 

[bendm]

So 7 places in ranking means nothing. It isn’t a complete science epscially you get out of the 10-15 players. You just think because someone is ranked#30 mees they are worst than #23? Look how well rankings did for a player like Nowell. It is also about fit for the current team and needs. We need a backup PG so even if he is Highly touted one like Lewis we might look at it. It might not mean much come Monday as we might get Smith.

You are just arguing about everything. Adams and Lewis are ranked about the same, fine. Staff clearly wants an experienced transfer backup PG so it’s a moot point.

 

[3rdbass]

You are just arguing about everything. Adams and Lewis are ranked about the same, fine. Staff clearly wants an experienced transfer backup PG so it’s a moot point.

Well Acaden Lewis just became available and is a top ranked Freshmen PG. Who is to say if UConn doesn’t get Smith that they don’t pivot to Lewis. Do you know personally know what Hurley and his staff wants? I doubt it. I’m just saying it is an inteeresting option for a player that UConn was interest in at one time. Well if we get Smith on the weekend it is a moot point. I will agree on that.

 

[bendm]

Well Acaden Lewis just became available and is a top ranked Freshmen PG. Who is to say if UConn doesn’t get Smith that they don’t pivot to Lewis. Do you know personally know what Hurley and his staff wants? I doubt it. I’m just saying it is an inteeresting option for a player that UConn was interest in at one time. Well if we get Smith on the weekend it is a moot point. I will agree on that.

Moot not mute