Alex Karaban: No freshman jitters for him

[Billy Jack]

17 points, 6 for 11, 2 of 3 3’s, 3-3 FT, 7 boards, 1 block, 0 turnovers

That was his line last night. But half of this board wanted him benched going into this game. He played a great game, but where are his critics now?

 

[Umami Zen]

17 points, 6 for 11, 2 of 3 3’s, 3-3 FT, 7 boards, 1 block, 0 turnovers

That was his line last night. But half of this board wanted him benched going into this game. He played a great game, but where are his critics now?

Our freshmen kept us in the game last night.. Not playing like freshmen any more.. AK was solid

 

[RichCTBB]

Even when his offensive game is off, he is still someone that the opponents respect and don’t sag off of. He does most things well consistently in terms of keeping the ball moving and staying within the context of the offense. He even makes game-winning type plays from time to time. He’s a freshman and it shows against bigger, older all-conference level players. Should be expected. To me, he’s been the most consistent starter since he became a starter.

 

[ManFromOZ]

Dude is a flat out baller. Looks like he has been playing for multiple years. Old school player on both ends of the floor. Would have fit in nicely in the old Big East days. Reminds me of an old Syracuse guy who was a nemesis to us - Leo Rautins. Or a Hall guy Arturus Karnisovas.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Karaban has toughness and grit, had some nice rebounds and put backs. I know he got burned the last few games but he's not afraid to take a big shot and hustle. Kid has heart

 

[superjohn]

But half of this board wanted him benched going into this game. He played a great game, but where are his critics now?

You're making this up.

 

[Rocktheworld]

People are over reactive. They saw him get beat a few times on D and lose it. They didn’t consider that he’s had the most difficult assignments, and other teams are sending their best at him. As a freshman. Considering that, he’s done quite well in my opinion.

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Karaban is one you can see growing from his mistakes/weaknesses. He had a few tough matchups and just keeps with it. They went at him early and often and he held his own. He is staying more vertical and now he just needs to get better at beating his assignment to the spot.

 

[bendm]

he just needs to add another 10 lbs or so and he wont get bullied down low. looking forward to him and clingan anchoring our frontcourt next year, and hopefully longer for AK.

 

[Icehawk]

I noticed he did a lot better last night with position and keeping his arms up straight - none of the freshman fouls he'd be committing the last few games. He's going to be amazing next year if this is how he is playing Freshman year.

I think it was kinda funny to see people complaining about him the week he got his third BE Freshman of the Week awarded.

 

[dogpause]

Next year he's going to be a terrific player, but he's already quite good. Reminds me of a (and I hate to say it) Laettner type player, but in a good way.

 

[Hoophound]

He’s made a few plays the last couple games that show a warrior spirit. Grabbing rebounds and going up strong. I’m really impressed with him. He’ll be a huge piece on our next FF team.

 

[UofCT]

Would be cool to see Alex play the three for stretches

 

[MDHuskFan]

Did like seeing him get downhill & attack the basket last noght

 

[Rocktheworld]

he just needs to add another 10 lbs or so and he wont get bullied down low. looking forward to him and clingan anchoring our frontcourt next year, and hopefully longer for AK.

I don’t think I’ve seen him outright “bullied” at all. He’s had some big, skilled guys to defend. He’s a freshman. He isn’t going to stop everyone.

 

[bendm]

I don’t think I’ve seen him outright “bullied” at all. He’s had some big, skilled guys to defend. He’s a freshman. He isn’t going to stop everyone.

hopkins and kaluma combined for 41 pts and 21 rebs, call it what you want. i dont expect AK to be able to "stop" either of them next year but another 10 lbs of muscle would help slow them down.

 

[Rocktheworld]

hopkins and kaluma combined for 41 pts and 21 rebs, call it what you want. i dont expect AK to be able to "stop" either of them next year but another 10 lbs of muscle would help slow them down.

He was the only one defending them?

 

[Billy Jack]

He was the only one defending them?

Ho, he wasn’t. Good point.

 

[REB1094]

It’s not a rag on Karaban to say he’s gotten pushed around on defense. He’s a 210lb freshman who’s guarding guys that just outmatch him athletically. He gives 100% in those matchups, with a couple years of strength and conditioning and experience he will do well on those defensive assignments.

Great game from him last night. We haven’t seen too much of him catching the ball in the mid/high post and creating a shot, but it’s what he’s best at alongside shooting. Hope to see more games like this from him

 

[bendm]

He was the only one defending them?

no but he was the primary defender... and why you are fixating on my first sentence when i followed it up with:

looking forward to him [AK] and clingan anchoring our frontcourt next year, and hopefully longer for AK.

overall a pretty reasoned take... whereas you seem to be arguing that his D against bigger/stronger players wouldnt benefit by bulking up?? odd position to be defending so vigorously.

 

[Billy Jack]

no but he was the primary defender... and why you are fixating on my first sentence

The reason to focus on that first sentence is because it doesn’t fit what actually happened.

First, the Providence game was played at such a pace that the action wasn’t taking place in half court sets with a lot of one-on-one matchups. So, to say that Karaban was the primary defender when baskets were being scored in transition is misleading. In addition, Hopkins scored 13 of his points on 15 FTs. Only 3 of those FT points came off fouls committed by Karaban, so the other 10 points from the line were on other UConn players.

Second, Kaluma shot only 5-16 and 0-3 on 3’s against us. That suggests that whoever was guarding him did a pretty good job defending him. I was at that game and thought that Karaban defended well that afternoon.

Attributing rebound responsibility to a single individual is even more of a stretch. Besides, Hopkins and Karaban were even in rebounds in the PC game. So, the worst you can say about Karaban in those 2 games is that Kaluma oytrebounded him while he was shutting down Kaluma’s shooting.

 

[F101Voodoo]

Next year he's going to be a terrific player, but he's already quite good. Reminds me of a (and I hate to say it) Laettner type player, but in a good way.

Oh no I was just forgetting about that Dukie..

 

[TeasenDonut]

He started to play aggressive for the first time all year and showed that he has some skill going up strong. Hopefully this game flipped the switch for him.

 

[Rocktheworld]

no but he was the primary defender... and why you are fixating on my first sentence when i followed it up with:
overall a pretty reasoned take...

Hey nobody made you say “bullied”, that’s really all I was challenging. Thought that was clear.

whereas you seem to be arguing that his D against bigger/stronger players wouldnt benefit by bulking up??

This extrapolation is just silliness.

odd position to be defending so vigorously.

This is confusing. I’m not defending anything; and certainly not vigorously.

 

[NEforceUConn]

AK needs to buy Newton dinner and explain, “Pass me the ball when I’m open”, and more dinners may come.

Again I counted at least twice where AK was all alone in his sweet three spot and Newton proceeds to do something stupid. This wasn’t the first game where this has happened.

Upon review Coach Hurley should wake up and address this. It’s all over the tape.

 

[Chin Diesel]

He broke out his three level scoring skillset against Marquette. Love that he is always ready to shoot and is looking for his shot. No freshman jitters for him. Even in conference road games.

 

[KembaStepback]

If people really think Karaban should be benched they're crazy. I do think a minutes reduction would help ease the load against certain opponents. I've said before that I think he and Johnson are good compliments to each other. I'd love to see them both on the floor together with Sanogo or DC.

 

[Chin Diesel]

AK needs to buy Newton dinner and explain, “Pass me the ball when I’m open”, and more dinners may come.

Again I counted at least twice where AK was all alone in his sweet three spot and Newton proceeds to do something stupid. This wasn’t the first game where this has happened.

Upon review Coach Hurley should wake up and address this. It’s all over the tape.

I don't know who had the ball but Hawkins was visibly ticked off a few times as well when he had gotten open and was wide open for shots and the guard either missed a shot, passed to someone else or made a TO.

 

[bendm]

This is confusing. I’m not defending anything; and certainly not vigorously.

quoting someone 3x about the same thing qualifies

 

[Scottobot]

People keep saying that Karaban is a liability on defense, but he looks fine to me. The way I see it it’s the guards and small forwards that are getting beat, or screened, or falling asleep and allowing the players they are defending to score at will.

Starting with the Georgetown game we seem to have lost all ball pressure on the perimeter when Diara is not on the floor. Early in the season Andre Jackson was making amazing steals, but don’t see that anymore, instead I see him overreacting to a pump fake and getting beat by a mediocre offensive player.

Other teams are going after Karaban all the time, but converting those opportunities in a lower percentage than when they just drive a guard in the paint. I’m tired of hearing the Karaban is a bad defender line. I think is is BS.