Checking in on former UConn players/commits

[navery12]

I think Durham is a big miss. I think he (at this point in his development) would be a better option than Josh + Adama. I always thought that his skillset was fantastic and just needed polish, court time, and maturity. He has gotten that for ND and would be really useful for us right now.

As far as the other guys, agreed, no thanks.

If he was still on UConn he would have graduated already along with Vital. He's only still playing because he got a redshirt year by transferring

 

[mauconnfan]

I have no idea what the hell you watched the last couple years you would want Gilbert. Kid can’t shoot or distribute. Team got better when he went to bench is as big an indictment on him as a player one should ever need. Pass whatever the hell you have been smoking.

Pass on whatever you were smoking the last 7-8 games because he was the better PG by then and BY FAR a better defender than Gaffney not even close and it will always be something many never look at as part of the game. Cole has been better on the defensive end but he wasn't on last years team. Cole is fine the last 2 minus the missed FTs but let's be honest, he's not exactly shooting up a storm yet but I do believe he will be better. We have what we have and hopefully they both get better because that position will impact us big time at some point. For now I am good with Cole, certainly would rather have AG for Gaff but it's not worth discussing as it's not happening just need to kid to gain some confidence or something soon!

 

[mauconnfan]

freezing cold take. we weren't getting anywhere with gilbert starting last year, and he obviously hasn't improved. even if i didn't believe in cole (i do) i would rather have gaff's upside.

Gaffs upside? Ok so he shoots it much worst than AG and can't guard a chair but other than that he's been damn good. Please, I like Cole no arguing that he's our guy and he/AG are similar too now, but I think RJ will shoot it better eventually or at least hope so. He's shown some toughness on defense against good players so that's a good thing. The other comparison not close, actually freezing cold take. We should be seeing Gaffs upside sometime soon if there is one. Not at all impressed with his lack of turnovers because it comes form a lack of doing nothing with the ball to create offense.

 

[Caronimo]

LOL Vance. Forgot about that mumu. Good riddance.

Glad to see Sid thriving. Al is doing his thing as well. Nothing but respect for Durham as well.

 

[navery12]

Pass on whatever you were smoking the last 7-8 games because he was the better PG by then and BY FAR a better defender than Gaffney not even close and it will always be something many never look at as part of the game. Cole has been better on the defensive end but he wasn't on last years team. Cole is fine the last 2 minus the missed FTs but let's be honest, he's not exactly shooting up a storm yet but I do believe he will be better. We have what we have and hopefully they both get better because that position will impact us big time at some point. For now I am good with Cole, certainly would rather have AG for Gaff but it's not worth discussing as it's not happening just need to kid to gain some confidence or something soon!

You've been provided the stats over and over again about Gilbert's end of the season "improvement" and continue to just completely ignore that he was still not a good player

 

[Waquoit]

Flotsam meet jetsam.

 

[the Q]

I’d rather have Akinjo or Gilbert running point this year.

Weird take when the real debate is Bones vs Cole

 

[elmcityboy]

Gaffs upside? Ok so he shoots it much worst than AG and can't guard a chair but other than that he's been damn good. Please, I like Cole no arguing that he's our guy and he/AG are similar too now, but I think RJ will shoot it better eventually or at least hope so. He's shown some toughness on defense against good players so that's a good thing. The other comparison not close, actually freezing cold take. We should be seeing Gaffs upside sometime soon if there is one. Not at all impressed with his lack of turnovers because it comes form a lack of doing nothing with the ball to create offense.

all i am saying is that sophomore gaffney (5 games into the covid season) has more upside than a fifth year of alterique gilbert. if you don't agree with that, then i can't really help you...

 

[krinklecut]

Anyone know what Zach Brown has been up to? No news since his arrest in 2017. Have always been hoping he finds an avenue - kid had talent. His situation was always such a shame.

 

[UconnU]

Anyone know what Zach Brown has been up to? No news since his arrest in 2017. Have always been hoping he finds an avenue - kid had talent. His situation was always such a shame.

I hope Zach/Jessica is doing well but that recruitment was a microcosm of the KO era.

 

[M.S.G.]

If he was still on UConn he would have graduated already along with Vital. He's only still playing because he got a redshirt year by transferring

Yes, obviously. This doesn't change my thoughts about him as a player. Imagine him on last year's team?

 

[navery12]

Yes, obviously. This doesn't change my thoughts about him as a player. Imagine him on last year's team?

Gotcha, thought you were saying on this year's team considering you compared him to Adama who is a freshman on this year's team

 

[Jluc]

Gaffs upside? Ok so he shoots it much worst than AG and can't guard a chair but other than that he's been damn good. Please, I like Cole no arguing that he's our guy and he/AG are similar too now, but I think RJ will shoot it better eventually or at least hope so. He's shown some toughness on defense against good players so that's a good thing. The other comparison not close, actually freezing cold take. We should be seeing Gaffs upside sometime soon if there is one. Not at all impressed with his lack of turnovers because it comes form a lack of doing nothing with the ball to create offense.

Your feelings of gaffney are starting to compare with your Brimah obsession. We were a much better team with gaff starting last year, period.

 

[tcf15]

Anyone know what Zach Brown has been up to? No news since his arrest in 2017. Have always been hoping he finds an avenue - kid had talent. His situation was always such a shame.

No idea but this is the latest on his account

 

[mauconnfan]

all i am saying is that sophomore gaffney (5 games into the covid season) has more upside than a fifth year of alterique gilbert. if you don't agree with that, then i can't really help you...

Don’t need help from you didn’t ask for any, the kid just needs to improve. Not sure if upside means anything because of years played but for now, this season I know who I’d rather have. I don’t need to say I can’t help you if you don’t agree with me but that was your call. Gaff has shown nothing so the only upside is old videos from HS and an article preseason. Still waiting.

 

[mauconnfan]

Your feelings of gaffney are starting to compare with your Brimah obsession. We were a much better team with gaff starting last year, period.

I was fine with brimah he was what he was a 6/4/3 guy you want me to celebrate for you?

Gaffney wasn’t why the team was better but feel free to jump on your “obsession of I hate AG because he made bad decisions in some games” that were close lol. He was also the reason we were in those game because of his defense but many don’t look that way. CV was just as bad during their losing streak mid year but also was the reason we were in those games because of is defense as well. AG was solid when we actually did win the last 7-8 and if you didn’t see that it’s only because you didn’t want to. Gaffney doesn’t make mistakes no doubt but that’s because he doesn’t penetrate or make plays he just passes to a shooter who allows him an assist if they make the shot. For now that’s all he has we need much more out of him especially because he’s not a good defender.

You see what you want I will go with what I see. You don’t like my posts there’s a wonderful ignore option. Please take advantage.

 

[superjohn]

I was fine with brimah he was what he was a 6/4/3 guy you want me to celebrate for you?

Gaffney wasn’t why the team was better but feel free to jump on your “obsession of I hate AG because he made bad decisions in some games” that were close lol. He was also the reason we were in those game because of his defense but many don’t look that way. CV was just as bad during their losing streak mid year but also was the reason we were in those games because of is defense as well. AG was solid when we actually did win the last 7-8 and if you didn’t see that it’s only because you didn’t want to. Gaffney doesn’t make mistakes no doubt but that’s because he doesn’t penetrate or make plays he just passes to a shooter who allows him an assist if they make the shot. For now that’s all he has we need much more out of him especially because he’s not a good defender.

You see what you want I will go with what I see. You don’t like my posts there’s a wonderful ignore option. Please take advantage.

You've been provided the stats over and over again about Gilbert's end of the season "improvement" and continue to just completely ignore that he was still not a good player

 

[Watchdog]

Lukas Kisunas.....
I was so psyched when this kid signed with us. FINALLY a Lithuanian kid! Turns out he may have too much of the old low productivity Soviet Socialist system in him.

When I met HC Dan Hurley at a meet & greet early on, I mentioned Kisunas, who had backed out after Ollie was gone. Hurley immediately started telling me about how while at Seton Hall, he played with Artūras Karnišovas (now the VP for the Chicago Bulls). I was just praying Kisunas wouldn't become another Karnišovas for another school. No worries there.

When we were recruiting Kisunas I went to a November Prep School tournament at Albertus Magnus to see him and some big, heavy, guard we were recruiting and posted here that LK couldn't score and couldn't defend inside and didn't seem to be what we need. All I could figure was he had an off game or we were chasing the wrong guy.

Huggins was there watching a big man they were recruiting and that guy looked good.

 

[Watchdog]

Your feelings of gaffney are starting to compare with your Brimah obsession. We were a much better team with gaff starting last year, period.

You may be suffering from the false promise of lowered expectations.

Meaning when you haven't seen the quality of guard play last seen with Shabazz and RB (and to some degree JA) you begin to accept mediocre as adequate.

JG's a sophomore that still looks as if he's the deer in the headlights, not sure when to drive, shoot or pass and focused on not making mistakes rather than making plays.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

After Justin Smith’s injury (out 3-6 weeks for Arkansas), I’d expect Vance Jackson’s minutes to increase...however they’ve been decreasing.

Rough start for him at Arkansas and I don’t see him playing much at all.

Since I've posted this, Vance Jackson has averaged over the last two games 14.5p, 5.5r, 3.5 threes made and a 50 fg% playing 29 mpg. Go figure.

With Smith out, Musselman is embracing Jackson at the 4, so they're playing bigger lineups than what Musselman typically plays.

Arkansas now 10-2 and only losses against #9 Tennessee and #12 Missouri.

 

[Jluc]

You may be suffering from the false promise of lowered expectations.

Meaning when you haven't seen the quality of guard play last seen with Shabazz and RB (and to some degree JA) you begin to accept mediocre as adequate.

JG's a sophomore that still looks as if he's the deer in the headlights, not sure when to drive, shoot or pass and focused on not making mistakes rather than making plays.

Lol. Never said anything about gaffney being more than mediocre. But we were better last year when he played over Gilbert.

 

[auror]

Since I've posted this, Vance Jackson has averaged over the last two games 14.5p, 5.5r, 3.5 threes made and a 50 fg% playing 29 mpg. Go figure.

With Smith out, Musselman is embracing Jackson at the 4, so they're playing bigger lineups than what Musselman typically plays.

Arkansas now 10-2 and only losses against #9 Tennessee and #12 Missouri.

Glad Vance finally figured out his position everyone told him to play 3 years ago.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I watched the end of the ND/VT game last night and to my surprise Juwan Durham started the season 7th on Notre Dame's all-time blocks list. With 20 blocks so far this season, he is now six blocks away from tying Bonzie Colson for 5th all time with 155.

If he stays healthy and the season continues close to normal, Durham is projected to finish his career as Notre Dame's third most prolific shot blocker:

#1 Jordan Cornette - 201
#2 LaPhonso Ellis - 200
#3 Ryan Humphrey - 166
#4 Torin Francis - 157
#5 Bonzie Colsin - 155
#6 Juwan Durham - 149

 

[andy34]

I watched the end of the ND/VT game last night and to my surprise Juwan Durham started the season 7th on Notre Dame's all-time blocks list. With 20 blocks so far this season, he is now six blocks away from tying Bonzie Colson for 5th all time with 155.

If he stays healthy and the season continues close to normal, Durham is projected to finish his career as Notre Dame's third most prolific shot blocker:

#1 Jordan Cornette - 201
#2 LaPhonso Ellis - 200
#3 Ryan Humphrey - 166
#4 Torin Francis - 157
#5 Bonzie Colsin - 155
#6 Juwan Durham - 149

Wow, that's very surprising. He should easily surpass Emeka's career blocks (obvious Emeka only played 3 years). Here's our Top Ten for reference:

1.	Emeka Okafor, 2002-03	156
2.	Hasheem Thabeet, 2008-09	152
3.	Emeka Okafor, 2003-04	147
	Hasheem Thabeet, 2007-08	147
5.	Emeka Okafor, 2001-02	138
6.	Amida Brimah, 2014-15	121
7.	Hasheem Thabeet, 2006-07	118
8.	Donyell Marshall, 1993-94	111
9.	Hilton Armstrong, 2005-06	107
10.	Andre Drummond, 2011-12	92
	Amida Brimah, 2013-14	92

 

[aburks41]

Wow, that's very surprising. He should easily surpass Emeka's career blocks (obvious Emeka only played 3 years). Here's our Top Ten for reference:

1.	Emeka Okafor, 2002-03	156
2.	Hasheem Thabeet, 2008-09	152
3.	Emeka Okafor, 2003-04	147
	Hasheem Thabeet, 2007-08	147
5.	Emeka Okafor, 2001-02	138
6.	Amida Brimah, 2014-15	121
7.	Hasheem Thabeet, 2006-07	118
8.	Donyell Marshall, 1993-94	111
9.	Hilton Armstrong, 2005-06	107
10.	Andre Drummond, 2011-12	92
	Amida Brimah, 2013-14	92

Huh? Emeka had more blocks in 1 season than Durham has in his entire career lol