CBS Sports: Burning scheme questions for every five-star freshman

[HuskyHawk]

Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports has an article today about roster spots that are open on some teams. He predicts Mullins starts over Stewart.

Who is UConn's fifth starter?​

The contenders: Braylon Mullins or Jaylin Stewart

Dan Hurley's lineup can look vastly different depending on whether Mullins or Stewart is on the floor, next to the presumed four other starters: Silas Demary Jr., Solo Ball, Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed. Mullins is a tried and true net-stripper, who rises off the floor effortlessly and doesn't see contests. The 6-foot-6, five-star freshman is going to be a major weapon for this UConn offense that will generate a ton of open catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.

On the other hand, Stewart is an enormous three-level scorer with real-deal athletic measurables. The 6-7, 225-pound forward has shown flashes of being a problem for opposing defenses, and when the junior is locked in, there are flashes on tape where he can be a multi-positional asset for this defense.

UConn's shooting with Mullins on the floor is ludicrous. You're likely getting more thump on the glass and defensively when Stewart checks into the game.

It's a first-world dilemma for UConn's coaching staff because both of these dudes would start for almost every other high-major.

Early lean: Mullins

Inside college basketball's top preseason battles: Starting positions up for grabs at powerhouse programs

Heated battles at key positions will determine whether these teams are good or great in 2025-26

www.cbssports.com

Thought this stat is interesting. Not surprising with the transfer portal.

Just seven high-major teams (Purdue, UConn, Marquette, Stanford, Notre Dame, Iowa State and SMU) are slated to return 50% or more of their minutes from last year. For reference, 32 high-major clubs returned north of 50% of their minutes ahead of the 2019-20 season.

This is the real question. I wouldn't be surprised if Stewart starts. Mullins can play 2/3 and Stewart 3/4 so depending on fouls, fatigue, defensive matchups and effectiveness we'll shuffle lineups.

 

[Lafayette]

This is the real question. I wouldn't be surprised if Stewart starts. Mullins can play 2/3 and Stewart 3/4 so depending on fouls, fatigue, defensive matchups and effectiveness we'll shuffle lineups.

We had more success with a 3 guard lineup in 2024 than with 1.5 guard lineup last year. (or 3 sneakers in that Georgetown game if I recall true)

I think Silas with Solo and Braylon makes for great shooters and gives Tarris and AK a decent backcourt compliment but if the team we play has a heavy front court Stewart will get his minutes.

 

[Samoo]

We had more success with a 3 guard lineup in 2024 than with 1.5 guard lineup last year. (or 3 sneakers in that Georgetown game if I recall true)

I think Silas with Solo and Braylon makes for great shooters and gives Tarris and AK a decent backcourt compliment but if the team we play has a heavy front court Stewart will get his minutes.

A critical issue will be whether the three-guard lineup will be able to rebound and play defense like the the 23-24 team, or whether they need the strength and size of Stewart. Cam, Steph and Tristen were superb in this aspect of the game. Not to worried about the offense with either player in the line-up.

 

[husky429]

This is the real question. I wouldn't be surprised if Stewart starts. Mullins can play 2/3 and Stewart 3/4 so depending on fouls, fatigue, defensive matchups and effectiveness we'll shuffle lineups.

It's going to start with defense, and Hurley had some really positive things to say about Mullins defense recently. I think he starts.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It's going to start with defense, and Hurley had some really positive things to say about Mullins defense recently. I think he starts.

Agree, defense likely decides it. I do think the 3-4 are difficult in our system, given the rim coverage responsibilities when we hedge. I would hazard a guess that after 3 years, Stewart is ahead of Mullins at that (and is bigger and longer in the paint). But we will see how it plays out. I like our depth of options in several spots.

 

[RuffRuff]

We had more success with a 3 guard lineup in 2024 than with 1.5 guard lineup last year. (or 3 sneakers in that Georgetown game if I recall true)

I think Silas with Solo and Braylon makes for great shooters and gives Tarris and AK a decent backcourt compliment but if the team we play has a heavy front court Stewart will get his minutes.

What teams that you know play a heavy front court and a forward like player at the 3? Florida? Purdue & Houston will be rolling Loyer & Harwell out there at the 3.

I like the idea of seeing a couple different combos:

Demary/Solo/Mullins
Smith/Demary/Stewart

I'd expect us to roll that first combo out there a good 20 minutes/game and the second 10ish. Maybe we also see some Smith/Mullins/Ross.

Gonna be really interesting to see what trends we see in Hurley's combos this year.

 

[CL82]

I’m all for the trademark. Need a logo to get the brand going.
View attachment 111819

Husky is too happy looking and may trigger some posters.

 

[superjohn]

Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports has an article today about roster spots that are open on some teams. He predicts Mullins starts over Stewart.

Who is UConn's fifth starter?​

The contenders: Braylon Mullins or Jaylin Stewart

Dan Hurley's lineup can look vastly different depending on whether Mullins or Stewart is on the floor, next to the presumed four other starters: Silas Demary Jr., Solo Ball, Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed. Mullins is a tried and true net-stripper, who rises off the floor effortlessly and doesn't see contests. The 6-foot-6, five-star freshman is going to be a major weapon for this UConn offense that will generate a ton of open catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.

On the other hand, Stewart is an enormous three-level scorer with real-deal athletic measurables. The 6-7, 225-pound forward has shown flashes of being a problem for opposing defenses, and when the junior is locked in, there are flashes on tape where he can be a multi-positional asset for this defense.

UConn's shooting with Mullins on the floor is ludicrous. You're likely getting more thump on the glass and defensively when Stewart checks into the game.

It's a first-world dilemma for UConn's coaching staff because both of these dudes would start for almost every other high-major.

Early lean: Mullins

Inside college basketball's top preseason battles: Starting positions up for grabs at powerhouse programs

Heated battles at key positions will determine whether these teams are good or great in 2025-26

www.cbssports.com

Thought this stat is interesting. Not surprising with the transfer portal.

Just seven high-major teams (Purdue, UConn, Marquette, Stanford, Notre Dame, Iowa State and SMU) are slated to return 50% or more of their minutes from last year. For reference, 32 high-major clubs returned north of 50% of their minutes ahead of the 2019-20 season.

There is no dilemma.

Mullins