Alex Karaban is BACK

[bendm]

Paging @bendm for a detailed lineup projection for next season.

Don’t mind if I do. 8 man tourney rotation:

Silas 20 / Smith 20
Ball 30 / Mullins 10
Stew 20 / Mullins 10 / Silas 10
Alex 30 / Stew 10
Reed 30 / Reibe 10

During the regular season Reibe could play another 5mpg and there will be ~20mpg up for grabs between Ross & Furphy.

 

[HooperScooper]

A stud 3 and a backup center.

First one isn't happening. We know that.

Second one is definitely happening. A 4 who can back up the 5.

 

[HooperScooper]

Paging @bendm for a detailed lineup projection for next season.

And then someone needs to start the obligatory average scoring projections for each player thread that will add up to about 112.

 

[husky429]

Yeah, we saw how hard it was for Donovan Clingan to make the step up.

The question was why I would say his competition level is lower. The answer was "because it is."

Some of y'all are so sensitive

 

[jdb50]

AK needs to find a way in offseason training to get a quicker first step. And also finding a way to be more consistent from 3. The multigame shooting woes from 3 really limit NBA interest I would think. He would be a good complimentary player with a consistent 3 shot. Alex was a good shot blocker for us last year so having him back really helps Reed out. Big season coming.

 

[navery12]

First one isn't happening. We know that.

Second one is definitely happening. A 4 who can back up the 5.

The second one isn't happening either. Reibe is the backup 5

 

[Scrappy3]

I know we have good trainers but I wish I could work with Alex for one week on explosion training. 2 workouts a week for 6 months eating mostly chicken fish egg whites and veggies I’d put 10-15 pounds of hard muscle on him. I think this type of training would really help his 3 ball on ball defense and rebounding.

 

[3rdbass]

The second one isn't happening either. Reibe is the backup 5

They mean backup the 5 if both our bigs are in foul trouble. That happened quite a lot last year with Reed and Johnson. It might not be too different with a Freshman big backing up Reed this year.

 

[AdamaNation]

Yeah, he's going to "do all the little things" and then all of the sudden you look up at the scoreboard in Gampel and he's got 22 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to go with his 2-3 blocks. This team is gonna be scary good. Defense will still be the biggest question.

He just needs to get stronger. That’s all. Strength will mask some other deficiencies. He should train as a pg all summer to help his face up defense

 

[HooperScooper]

The second one isn't happening either. Reibe is the backup 5

Yes, he is. But Borges keeps on saying they will be going after a 4 who can also back up the 5. Which is what I said. Do you think Borges came up with that on his own or did he get that from the staff? I highly doubt he's coming up with that on his own. So I think you're wrong.

With that in mind, UConn is still in the market for a back-up power forward/center who'll see minutes behind Reed and Reibe. That recruit could come via the transfer portal or a high school, or off the international market.

That would bring the Huskies to 11 scholarships. But with men's basketball scholarship limits likely increasing from 13 to 15 beginning next season, pending a judge's ruling on the House vs. NCAA lawsuit, UConn will probably wind up with 13 or 14 scholarship players to add to practice depth.

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/alex-karaban-dan-hurley-uconn-huskies-roster-20300414.php

Alternate access:

Alex Karaban is returning to the UConn men's basketball team. What's next for Huskies' roster?​

 

[Scottobot]

Don’t we have Stew, Ross and Mullins for the 3?

If Mullins is half as good as the hype, I gotta believe he and Ball will be starting at 2 and 3 spots giving UConn crazy firepower on the wing.

We could use another upper classman beefy big that can play along side center some or backup centers that can grab some rebounds and set screens. Someone that doesn’t have to worry about fouls and can clash with some off the other low post monsters in the Big East.

 

[3rdbass]

Yes, he is. But Borges keeps on saying they will be going after a 4 who can also back up the 5. Which is what I said. Do you think Borges came up with that on his own or did he get that from the staff? I highly doubt he's coming up with that on his own. So I think you're wrong.

With that in mind, UConn is still in the market for a back-up power forward/center who'll see minutes behind Reed and Reibe. That recruit could come via the transfer portal or a high school, or off the international market.

That would bring the Huskies to 11 scholarships. But with men's basketball scholarship limits likely increasing from 13 to 15 beginning next season, pending a judge's ruling on the House vs. NCAA lawsuit, UConn will probably wind up with 13 or 14 scholarship players to add to practice depth.

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/alex-karaban-dan-hurley-uconn-huskies-roster-20300414.php

Alternate access:

Alex Karaban is returning to the UConn men's basketball team. What's next for Huskies' roster?​

He got it from the Boneyard. I actually half kidding. LOL!

 

[DRBackup]

The construction of 25/26 team is much more balanced where AK's shot selection should be better. With that said, he really struggled knocking down open and lightly contested 3s in quite a few games such as in the E-8 loss. If he and/or Solo had a B- shooting game, they would have advanced to the S-16 and who knows how far they would have advanced.

I'm hopeful for a bounce back year for him.

TRUTH

 

[navery12]

Yes, he is. But Borges keeps on saying they will be going after a 4 who can also back up the 5. Which is what I said. Do you think Borges came up with that on his own or did he get that from the staff? I highly doubt he's coming up with that on his own. So I think you're wrong.

With that in mind, UConn is still in the market for a back-up power forward/center who'll see minutes behind Reed and Reibe. That recruit could come via the transfer portal or a high school, or off the international market.

That would bring the Huskies to 11 scholarships. But with men's basketball scholarship limits likely increasing from 13 to 15 beginning next season, pending a judge's ruling on the House vs. NCAA lawsuit, UConn will probably wind up with 13 or 14 scholarship players to add to practice depth.

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/alex-karaban-dan-hurley-uconn-huskies-roster-20300414.php

Alternate access:

Alex Karaban is returning to the UConn men's basketball team. What's next for Huskies' roster?​

I think as Borges showed with the Karaban updates he's making stuff up. But if you mean a 3rd string C that's not going to play I agree, I just don't consider that a backup 5. But I guess that's semantics

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I think as Borges showed with the Karaban updates he's making stuff up. But if you mean a 3rd string C that's not going to play I agree, I just don't consider that a backup 5. But I guess that's semantics

What did Borges make up? I know others who were one to two degrees of separation from this situation that said Karaban really wasn't sure he was going to play another season of hoops. The impression I got from them is that Karaban may not want the life of an NBA nomad. I suspect the money of another year of college was too much to pass up and he can probably help his resume for his post basketball career, but I don't think it is a slam dunk that Karaban goes to the NBA to live off two way contracts for 3 to 5 years, playing in gyms in Portland, Maine and Grand Rapids, Michigan in front of crowds of dozens. If he is a certainty to be in the NBA at the end of next season, I think he goes to the NBA. If not, he may just move on with his life.

One of the benefits of getting paid in college is that players can build up a bit of a nest egg so they don't HAVE to play in G League or Europe just to make a little cash. If they don't want to play minor league hoops, they don't need to play minor league hoops.

 

[Lafayette]

TRUTH

I put a lot of credence into the concussion he had affecting him last year.

 

[NJHusky]

What did Borges make up? I know others who were one to two degrees of separation from this situation that said Karaban really wasn't sure he was going to play another season of hoops. The impression I got from them is that Karaban may not want the life of an NBA nomad. I suspect the money of another year of college was too much to pass up and he can probably help his resume for his post basketball career, but I don't think it is a slam dunk that Karaban goes to the NBA to live off two way contracts for 3 to 5 years, playing in gyms in Portland, Maine and Grand Rapids, Michigan in front of crowds of dozens. If he is a certainty to be in the NBA at the end of next season, I think he goes to the NBA. If not, he may just move on with his life.

One of the benefits of getting paid in college is that players can build up a bit of a nest egg so they don't HAVE to play in G League or Europe just to make a little cash. If they don't want to play minor league hoops, they don't need to play minor league hoops.

If that’s the case coming back makes absolute sense. He’ll make more in NIL than G league, or his first non bball jobs. Getting paid to get the grad degree is a bonus.

I don’t think we need to worry about Alex being successful in whatever endeavor he chooses

 

[SportsFan88]

Good, it didn't seem like we had any other legit options at this point. There's going to be a lot of hype over UConn and St. John's. They could be #1 and #2 in the country heading into the season.

Top 5 for sure, I think Purdue and Houston is gonna start out #1 and #2

 

[jibsey]

Alexis making more money than we think. This will be his 5th year at the Hurley/Luke/Kimani doctorate program in advanced coaching. Anyone think that is not going to turn into major dollars down the road?

 

[Purple Stein]

What did Borges make up? I know others who were one to two degrees of separation from this situation that said Karaban really wasn't sure he was going to play another season of hoops. The impression I got from them is that Karaban may not want the life of an NBA nomad. I suspect the money of another year of college was too much to pass up and he can probably help his resume for his post basketball career, but I don't think it is a slam dunk that Karaban goes to the NBA to live off two way contracts for 3 to 5 years, playing in gyms in Portland, Maine and Grand Rapids, Michigan in front of crowds of dozens. If he is a certainty to be in the NBA at the end of next season, I think he goes to the NBA. If not, he may just move on with his life.

One of the benefits of getting paid in college is that players can build up a bit of a nest egg so they don't HAVE to play in G League or Europe just to make a little cash. If they don't want to play minor league hoops, they don't need to play minor league hoops.

It's kind of crazy to me that the NBA has not built a more robust minor league system. Maybe it would kill college basketball. But there is space in 60 cities (including Hartford) for a two-tier (A and AA, for example) system that provides a clear, minor league infrastructure for all NBA teams.

 

[HooperScooper]

I think as Borges showed with the Karaban updates he's making stuff up. But if you mean a 3rd string C that's not going to play I agree, I just don't consider that a backup 5. But I guess that's semantics

Could be. But seems too specific for this to be his own opinion. Plus if you think about it the team is still light at the 4/5 positions. They need another good body there. Not just a guy who will never play. What if Reibe or Reed are injured? I don't want to see Karaban manning the 5 for long stretches if there are injuries and/or foul trouble.

 

[Tyler2Rings]

I know we have good trainers but I wish I could work with Alex for one week on explosion training. 2 workouts a week for 6 months eating mostly chicken fish egg whites and veggies I’d put 10-15 pounds of hard muscle on him. I think this type of training would really help his 3 ball on ball defense and rebounding.

Not sure if this is sincere or tongue in cheek. Either way, bravo

 

[upstater]

It's kind of crazy to me that the NBA has not built a more robust minor league system. Maybe it would kill college basketball. But there is space in 60 cities (including Hartford) for a two-tier (A and AA, for example) system that provides a clear, minor league infrastructure for all NBA teams.

As many people have argued for a very long time despite the Jay Bilas arguments, the market for college ball comes largely from the in-built loyalties of students and alumni and the residents of each state for the state schools.

Otherwise, there'd be very little appetite for watching minor league ball.

I catch a few AAA games each year but it's largely because I want to sit in the sun and watch some baseball.

I really dont think I'd ever watch a G-League game.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

If that’s the case coming back makes absolute sense. He’ll make more in NIL than G league, or his first non bball jobs. Getting paid to get the grad degree is a bonus.

I don’t think we need to worry about Alex being successful in whatever endeavor he chooses

I definitely agree with this.

 

[navery12]

Could be. But seems too specific for this to be his own opinion. Plus if you think about it the team is still light at the 4/5 positions. They need another good body there. Not just a guy who will never play. What if Reibe or Reed are injured? I don't want to see Karaban manning the 5 for long stretches if there are injuries and/or foul trouble.

I just don't see that happening. To be blunt, there are no minutes available at the 4 or 5 spot outside of injury. I just don't see anyone of significance signing up for that spot, it'll likely be a deep bench developmental piece like Singare the last 2 years