Courant article about 24/25 roster

[ConnEd]

I’m not so worried about putting out a lineup of smaller guards. TNew and Spencer could both be beaten off the dribble. But when that happened, DC was usually there to negate the advantage, and the guards were smart enough to rotate to the uncovered player or to recover as the penetrator hesitated looking at the mountain in front of them.

We’ve seen great success with smaller guards before when they are excellent on-ball defenders. That’s Hass. Solo has the potential to be one, and Nowell looks like he has those skills. And, with it being unlikely that we will have a giant eraser behind them to negate them being beaten, it will be more important to have very good on/ball defenders who aren’t easily beaten on penetration. The good news is that the guards we have fit that mold.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

“What (Diarra) envisions for himself next year in terms of role has got to be aligned with what ours is,” Hurley said. “I think what’s been effective for us the last two years is that the level of honesty has created great rosters. Because the players that didn’t align with what we viewed for them, they left, we brought in appropriate players in both years and then we won back-to-back championships.

I took this as Dan Hurley trying to measure Hass's own expectations for next yr. I saw some posters state in the past that he would be the next in line of great uconn guards. I just don't see it. He's an excellent spark, does little things that often go unnoticed, great defender, looks to get it to bigs (roomie Samson). HOWEVER, i dont think he is the starting lead guard to hang hat on.

While he made a Tremendous jump last yr, he still makes some bad choices, especially against presses. I think same role, with potentially another 5mpg is likely. Maybe he starts alongside Nowell over Ball, or even starts season as starting PG (who starts won't matter as much next yr i think)

I think Dan Hurley knows what he has in Nowell, & he's not going to have to wait on the bench like Solo did. The battles between Hass and Nowell in the offseason will improve them both substantially.

 

[Sole]

The core of next year’s team…Diarra, Nowell and Ball at the guard spots..Steward at the 3…Karaban at the 4 and Samson at the center spot… then build around those players

 

[inWV]

Diarra will still get equal too or more minutes

Next year minutes will be split between two bigs, Stew and Ross, Karaban, Solo, Hassand two other guards.

So the whole small (Diarra) vs big (TBD) guard thing. Would you rather risk him leaving for a starting spot somewhere (that he'd absolutely get, and at a good program) by recruiting a big transfer guard over him (whom isn't guaranteed to work in our system/offense like Hass is?)

I know my answer.

Diarra plays bigger than he is and on offense, he has been much more decisive compared to his first season.

 

[Deleted at users request]

One thing we're going to need to accept is that the physical/athletic makeup of next year's team will differ from this year's team. It may lead to a different approach in in a few areas, but the basic framework of how Dan Hurley & staff run the team and manage games will remain.

We may need to gameplan for things that we had the luxury not to concern ourselves with this past season but I believe Dan Hurley, Kimani & Luke can do this. Even of we lose every starter (not necessarily the case) we are still bringing back a good amount of talent and we are bringing in some very talented players. I'm looking forward to it.

DC helped with a lot of that luxury. Not having to concern yourself with teams scoring in the paint is huge defensively. The spacing he provided as a lob threat and paint presence on the other end is hard to measure as well.

Next year is for sure going to be much different and more of a grind to get 7.

 

[uconn_jack]

As good as Nowell is supposed to and probably will be, people are assuming a lot to be plugging him into the starting PG spot. At the PG position, give me experience with good skill over no experience and great skill every time, especially with our complicated offense. Even a high level transfer will need to prove he can run the offense.

Everyone keeps saying look at Tristan and Cam, they had great height, but they were also 5th year seniors with experience in spades. Castle was a phenom in a lot of ways, can't expect a freshman to come in and play as maturely as he did. If Norwell comes in and owns it, then that's great, but I think the PG starting spot should be Diarra's to lose. He has proven to be skilled, stong, and fast enough, has the experience including 2 NCs, and is a vocal leader that we will need on the floor as a starter. Yes he can sometimes make a dumb decision, but as great as Newton was, so could he.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Diarra, Nowell and Ball are not real tall.. but tall enough.. what they are is real strong and athletic…they will hold their own against anyone… we were so lucky to have a player like Castle…your not going to see such a great defensive player like him often.. that’s one of the reasons we were one of the greatest all time teams in college basketball

With Diarra's strength, speed and length I am 100% confident he can lock up almost every guard who is 6'5" or under. There may be a few here or there at that size who will give Diarra trouble, but not many.

 

[Smp7598]

But big guards can shut down smaller guards. See UConn 2024

small guards can beat big guards.See UConn 2014

 

[Edward Sargent]

I think Hurley recognizes that we're not going to be in as stark of a "win now" mode as we were this past year, knowing that Newton, Spencer, Castle, and Clingan were going to be here only one more year.

Maybe he envisions part of Diarra's role as being a mentor and a bridge to the next generation and wants to make sure that he's comfortable with that.

The mentor role has been very important in the past think Kemba and Baz

 

[Captbluefin]

I love Hass in his current role.

He’s don’t see him as a starter especially offensively. He is a jack of all trades.

Making Hass a starter is like taking a great closer and making him a starter because he pitches so well in that spot. It just doesn’t work that way.

 

[RichCTBB]

I love Hass in his current role.

He’s don’t see him as a starter especially offensively. He is a jack of all trades.

Making Hass a starter is like taking a great closer and making him a starter because he pitches so well in that spot. It just doesn’t work that way.

I'd love to see Solo take over for Hass as the spark off the bench. I feel like Hass's knowledge of the system in year 3 will be critical in establishing our offense with an almost new team and so it will be critical to have him on the court as a starter.

 

[NickDanger]

To make these declarations seeing what the entire program including Diarra has been able to accomplish over the last two years is irresponsible & disingenuous. I thought Hurley, the coaching staff, & all the players over the last two years has taught us differently.

Irresponsible?

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Not sure if it’s my favorite but I look back really fondly on Clingan’s absolutely demoralizing block of Guerrier 10 points in to he 30-0 run. To have a big get a running start and get absolutely shut down like that, I thought just broke Illinois’ will.



Also the end of the shot clock Cam Spencer give and go against Alabama (I think?) where the D thought they had him contained and he just broke their back was great.

 

[ctbro1999]

With Diarra's strength, speed and length I am 100% confident he can lock up almost every guard who is 6'5" or under. There may be a few here or there at that size who will give Diarra trouble, but not many.

I wonder how often Castle and Diarra went at it vs each other at practice. Probably a lot?

 

[Fan1978]

Hass isn’t a classic PG. he makes too many head scratching mistakes. Can’t win championships with that as your primary ball handler.

He’s a good bench player and spark plug

He made massive improvements this year. He has earned the benefit of the doubt that he can improve more and be the lead guard.

 

[Fishy]

I have wondered if Coach might like him in his exact role.

Guys can definitely improve, and Hass has, but it’s also true that uptick in responsibility doesn’t always translate perfectly.

He may just be the perfect 6th man. His best qualities are the ones that make a great backup PG/6th man.

I think it was pretty clear.

I don’t think 32 minutes and the starting guard spot is what Hurley is thinking about - Hassan was terrific in that sixth man/20 min role this past year and I imagine that’s what their plan for him would entail.

 

[speckle]

Just my 2 cents, but PG and 6th man are two very different jobs. It's a luxury in college, but pro 6th men tend to be high level combo guards who can score, defend, and run the show through multiple backcourt and wing rotations. Guys like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams were some of the best players on their teams but they didn't start because they were so successful running their squads coming off the bench. It's not a question of "who's better" but what is best for the team (balance and chemistry).
This past season Hass came in to spell Castle in our first rotation which shifted TN and Cam to the 2 and 3 depending on the specific matchup. He however wasn't the primary ball handler when either TN or Castle (later in the season) were on the floor. In my personal opinion, Diarra is not a true point but a really good combo guard and an excellent 6th man. I hope he keeps that role with increased minutes next year.

 

[ctchamps]

With Diarra's strength, speed and length I am 100% confident he can lock up almost every guard who is 6'5" or under. There may be a few here or there at that size who will give Diarra trouble, but not many.

There was not much of a drop off when Stephon got in foul trouble and Hassan came in and took his place.

The difference between the two was Stephon could handle taller players better on switch offs. He could guard 1-4 more effectively. But even in this situation Hassan was a pest and didn’t back down.

 

[fatlucy]

I’m comfortable with Hass taking point as long as he has one or two other experienced taller guards on either side. He played great this year with a huge improvement over last. If continues to improve, he’s definitely starting material and he knows the offense through and through.

 

[navery12]

 

[Askgreek]

I know its only Tuesday, but it has been very quiet around news of returning players and next year's roster. I know coaches are working and players have much to consider. Any word on when we can expect any announcements?

 

[ctchamps]

I know its only Tuesday, but it has been very quiet around news of returning players and next year's roster. I know coaches are working and players have much to consider. Any word on when we can expect any announcements?

Cam’s announcement was middle of May. Lot of announcements of transfers last year came in June.

 

[NJHusky]

Cam’s announcement was middle of May. Lot of announcements of transfers last year came in June.

I would expect anyone thinking of leaving to be in the portal sooner rather than later. No news is good news IMO.

 

[ctchamps]

I would expect anyone thinking of leaving to be in the portal sooner rather than later. No news is good news IMO.

Agree. Was responding to incoming. Hurley gave players a week off. I imagine he’s having conversations with them this week. I’d like it if everyone returns. That in itself is a very positive statement.

 

[metsfan2323]

I think it's very possible Diarra continues to improve and will take over the starting role. I don't think we should put limitations on our players or our coaching staff's ability to coach them up.

Besides starting is overrated, who plays during crunch time is more important and there were several games this year when Hass was on the court during crunch time.

 

[DMIL]

Dan Hurley commits to UConn’s future, starts construction of 2024-25 roster as he hunts ‘three-peat’

Where UConn’s roster stands as a handful of players face potential NBA options and how coach Dan Hurley, committed to return, is building his next roster.

www.courant.com

Couple great articles in the Courant today but this quote stood out to me:

“What (Diarra) envisions for himself next year in terms of role has got to be aligned with what ours is,” Hurley said. “I think what’s been effective for us the last two years is that the level of honesty has created great rosters. Because the players that didn’t align with what we viewed for them, they left, we brought in appropriate players in both years and then we won back-to-back championships. We’re just gonna tell the truth with players about where we see them, but we would like to return as many of the players as we can.”

I think most if not all of us have Diarra penciled in as a starter should he return. Slightly wondering if Hurley feels differently

I think Haas's role remains the same as this year. We need a rock solid guard that can score, defend, with experience and can effectively run the offense coming off the bench in that 6th man role. Your elite talent will more than likely start or end up as the starters. In addition, you have to factor in any scoring guards that UCONN is currently targeting. Coach Hurley like lengthy guards between 6'4" and 6'7".

It is really the perfect spot for Haas. However, I can understand if he feels that he has put in the work and developed enough to be a starter. At the end of the day it's all about Hurley's system and formula. It has to fit and I suspect that is the non-negotiable i.e. truth pill that he communicates to the players, prospects. We are in a position where we can construct the type of roster year in and year out needed to compete for Championships with a mix of high level recruits and experienced UCONN players that can translate the culture down to the new incoming players. The mix here is a delicate one.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I suspect this mindset is a key reason why:
View attachment 99640
Cleary Hurley and staff isn't being seduced by the splashy portal transfer or recruit. He squarely focused on his job which is putting together a functional team that can succeeded at the highest levels.

This is the key to our recent success. Roster construction. A team that is more than the sum of its parts, and which has good parts, will beat a team that is less than the sum of its parts, even if those parts are better.

The portal season is fun in part to see who the staff has identified, even if they are guys we didn't have on our radar at all. Guys like Newton.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think it was pretty clear.

I don’t think 32 minutes and the starting guard spot is what Hurley is thinking about - Hassan was terrific in that sixth man/20 min role this past year and I imagine that’s what their plan for him would entail.

Even if he starts, I'd envision an almost 50-50 split with Nowell. We're going to want some size at the 2-3.

 

[auror]

The portal entrance closes in 2 weeks for non-graduates. So for the non-Diarra's on the team, that'll be the latest any of them can enter. The NBA combine is 2 weeks after that, which will likely be the important timeframe for Karaban.

 

[gsmooth]

I wonder how often Castle and Diarra went at it vs each other at practice. Probably a lot?

I have friend that owns 2 guard dog huskies. They are the sweetest and friendliest dogs until she says the code word and then they turn vicious and nasty with their ears straight up and their teeth showing in a menacing fashion. That's probably what Castle vs Diarra was like in practice with the on the ball defensive pressure.