Adama 50/50 on coming back

[KingAG]

We lose Hawkins and Joey C.

And bring in castle and timberlake(?)

 

[Huskyforlife]

The only concern would be outside of castle our young guys aren’t going to play

I think they have to understand the situation. Anyone who hasn’t contributed to this team doesn’t get the same playing time expectations during a title defense. It’s obviously unique and difficult for them, but the staff will have to make them understand.

 

[superjohn]

The only concern would be outside of castle our young guys aren’t going to play

They would play, we were 9 deep all this season.

 

[3rdbass]

It will be an interesting problem to have. I wonder if the Sunoco Gas NIL for Sanogo has come into play for him staying another year to work on his outside shot and mobility?

 

[MrSec238]

The only concern would be outside of castle our young guys aren’t going to play

I understand this point. But the culture is strong. Everything will be earned

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

It’s so crazy to think guys like Knight and Voskuhl had 7 and 11 year NBA careers and Adama will likely not play in the NBA.

 

[aburks41]

It’s so crazy to think guys like Knight and Voskuhl had 7 and 11 year NBA careers and Adama will likely not play in the NBA.

The NBA makes no sense. What are they even looking for these days because apparently a 7’ Kyle Filippowski who averages 15/9 per game isn’t even a first round pick. Like what?? But yet a couple years ago Chet Holmgren went #2 overall. I don’t get it

 

[Scoe]

It’s so crazy to think guys like Knight and Voskuhl had 7 and 11 year NBA careers and Adama will likely not play in the NBA.

Says who.

 

[ucp990411]

Imagine another season of Chief complaining about not playing two bigs together. Or about the high hedge. He’s been very silent since we proved we were the best team in the country

 

[willie99]

He might be seeking more time at the four. With his work ethic, I wouldn't put anything past him.

 

[kobebeanbryant]

Assuming this would bump Karaban down to the 3 for some of his minutes

 

[UConnRock]

If NIL can beat a European professional salary there is a chance he stays. Playing in Europe would actually be closer to home, so there is the family connection. I don't think he would stay in the US for a G-league salary and hope for an NBA opportunity. He would have to know that he would get drafted and have a decent shot at at least a 2-way contract.

 

[Waquoit]

He might be seeking more time at the four. With his work ethic, I wouldn't put anything past him.

KFree had a work ethic? Didn't make him 3.

 

[Deleted at users request]

He’s the best offensive big we’ve ever had in Storrs. I think he should strike while the iron is hot as far as his professional career goes while he has the shine of a National Championship and MOP.

Another year to play a new position is just too risky.

 

[Improviser]

I think they have to understand the situation. Anyone who hasn’t contributed to this team doesn’t get the same playing time expectations during a title defense. It’s obviously unique and difficult for them, but the staff will have to make them understand.

Some recent Kentucky teams have had players without significant playing time like Bledsoe, and I think Quickley, and both have had fine NBA careers as have others who I don't recall.

I assume they are not now regretting the less than optimal PT they had while at Kentucky.

Stud players want the competition at practice and playing for a national contender, so I think the younger players will understand the situation.

I am sure the staff will explain it in advance.

 

[husky429]

If NIL can beat a European professional salary there is a chance he stays. Playing in Europe would actually be closer to home, so there is the family connection. I don't think he would stay in the US for a G-league salary and hope for an NBA opportunity. He would have to know that he would get drafted and have a decent shot at at least a 2-way contract.

I don't know exactly how much guys are making in the better leagues like ACB, but there are plenty of good players making over a million and even bench players making 300k. Plus only a 7ish hour plane ride to home instead of a 24 hour trip? That's gotta be a big incentive.

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

If anything says Blue Bood - it's having playing time battles between potential lottery picks, national champ MOP's, 5*' newcomers, and maybe not having enough schollies for top tanked transfers, etc... i love love love these issues.

 

[jibsey]

Sanogo, AJAX, Newton, Alleyne? Yikes. I mean what about our new recruits thinking they are getting in there? Sanogo would be a 4 and between now and the fall he would work to get what he needs done for the NBA offense wise but he then has to be on the floor with Clingan which…. Makes me happy if for no other reason than to see the glazed looks on our opponents faces.

 

[gtcam]

AS and Dan Hurley have to get AS a mid range game and better handle if he comes back. He can't go into the NBA without either at his size. He needs to be quicker on his feet and think he can do so without losing 20 lbs.
That's why going in this year's draft will be speculative for him - all due respect to Ray Allen

 

[Yanksrock615]

Why was my post deleted?

 

[Bonk]

Who's to say Clingan wouldn't benefit from Sanogo returning? Sanogo's presence this year might have masked many holes in Clingan's game we do not yet know he has. There is no guarantee playing Clingan 30+ minutes a game next year won't hurt his draft stock.

 

[UCOnions]

I think a big factor that no one is talking about is AS's family in Mali probably also wants him to finish his schooling and might as well lock in his degree. He already put 3 years into it, why not just finish out the last one?

 

[The Yakk]

Can’t speculate. But that may not be an issue. Hurley knows what’s going on with these guys

Assuming this would bump Karaban down to the 3 for some of his minutes

As much as we love him, I think Karaban has to come off the bench. But quickly; no later than the first TV timeout. Then Sanogo and Clingan take turns getting a rest.

SJ is the guy who will be most affected, in my opinion. Tough to see where he will get minutes.

 

[Hurleyman216]

AS and Dan Hurley have to get AS a mid range game and better handle if he comes back. He can't go into the NBA without either at his size. He needs to be quicker on his feet and think he can do so without losing 20 lbs.
That's why going in this year's draft will be speculative for him - all due respect to Ray Allen

20 lbs is way too much for him to lose. There’s a reason he dominates guys down low. We don’t need a Josh Carlton repeat here. Lose 10 lbs at the most, work on lateral quickness and a quicker release on the jump shot, that’s pretty much it. No way is he losing 20 lbs because he’s all muscle.

 

[6xChamps]

If any of the UConn twitter dweebs begging Sanogo to leave are reading this thread, you whiney dorks are embarrassing and a horrible representation of the fanbase. I can only pray he ignores you losers.

thank you. twitter thinks clingan is ready to play 35 mpg.

sanogo comes back, plays 22mpg at the 5 and 5mpg at the 4. clingan plays 18mpg at the 5.

clingan ups his stock and goes to the nba as a lottery pick, sanogo uses covid year and comes back for 2024-25 season while getting sunoco bags and goes down as the greatest uconn player of all time while second year singare backs him up. everyone wins.

 

[Mr. French]

Can’t believe he’s choosing between UConn and pro.

 

[Sportsman5]

20 lbs is way too much for him to lose. There’s a reason he dominates guys down low. We don’t need a Josh Carlton repeat here. Lose 10 lbs at the most, work on lateral quickness and a quicker release on the jump shot, that’s pretty much it. No way is he losing 20 lbs because he’s all muscle.

Agree. His main problem is needing to prove that he can reliably hit an NBA 3 point shot and be able to drive to the hoop on occasion and finish at the rim. He showed flashes of both this year, but needs to do it at a higher volume. He has decent athleticism and elite strength, so he should be able to guard most NBA 4s pretty well. He can definitely work his way into a late first round pick in 2024.

 

[Slyduce]

Who's to say Clingan wouldn't benefit from Sanogo returning? Sanogo's presence this year might have masked many holes in Clingan's game we do not yet know he has. There is no guarantee playing Clingan 30+ minutes a game next year won't hurt his draft stock.

 

[JSB60]

I’m think about the OMax’s/Kaluma’s of the league/country. Against guys like Freemantle yeah fine. Adama’s foot speed is good, but he isn’t as quick as stretch 4s like them. It’s not a huge issue at all, just something that would need to be worked on if the pieces fell this way.

And Adana would have a decent rim protector behind him.

 

[husky429]

I think a big factor that no one is talking about is AS's family in Mali probably also wants him to finish his schooling and might as well lock in his degree. He already put 3 years into it, why not just finish out the last one?

Most basketball players can finish a degree in 3 years. He could probably walk if he wanted to.

Why are you assuming his family cares about the college degree more than getting his money? Do you think Adama's family is so obtuse that they don't understand he can't finish his degree later and make a CRAP TON of money now and possibly allow his entire family to never work again by the time he's 30? He could make a million or more next year and finish his communication studies degree online or later after he's retired.

My wife has a Ph.D. and a law degree. I have 2 master's degrees and have been a teacher for a decade. My house is very pro-education. You better believe if my kid has the skillset to make a million dollars a year playing a stupid game I'm going to tell them: "f%*^ college, go get your bread, kid. Dad wants an early retirement."