Darius Adams Decommits from UConn

[nomar]

Do we know what the UConn staff and Adams talked about? I haven't seen any quotes from the staff or Adams about that. Sorry, I guess I missed it.

Seems like you’re being sarcastic? Nobody would ever publicly say what was privately said. It would be embarrassing to the kid.

In any event, I’ll give you a serious answer.

We know the staff has frank conversations with players. That’s why some leave and some stay. It’s also been reported that this was a mutual decision. So while I don’t have a transcript of the conversation, I think the inference I drew is eminently reasonable, if not inescapable. I think Borges’ and Finkelstein’s tweets are in accord.

P.s. I am on Storrs Central.

 

[nomar]

Don't cloud the issue with facts. We've got a pretty good narrative cooking.

He provided zero facts. He questioned whether I had proof. And what is the counter-narrative to what seems to be pretty freaking obvious to 90% of the guys here?

And as I said, I read Storrs Central. Not only is it for a good cause, but it’s great if you like facts rather than being unreasonably contrarian!

 

[businesslawyer]

My apologies on Anderson. Idk where I saw that. (see how easy it is to say you got something wrong?)

I'm not saying these guys were the best players on their teams. Just that they had big roles in their teams is true freshman who weren't top 10-15. Some not even top 50.

The same process of getting Mahaney on the floor despite him not being ready and trying to develop him would've been the same for the frosh. I hope this helps.

No, you’re purposely or not avoiding the question. Assume he played Mahaney because he thought that was the best option for the team while Diarra rested. You don’t have to believe it but assume it. Now please answer the question. Should he have played the two frosh if he thought it would hurt the team that game and not help it at all last season?

 

[bendm]

Going into the season with a lightly played Ross and Furphy at the 4 feels like a mistake.

Reed/Reibe
Ross/Stewart
Stewart/Mullins/Furphy
Ball/Mullins
Demary/Smith.

That's 9 guys, 10 if AK returns but without AK or knowing Ross is going to develop into starters minutes the 4 spot looks suspect. As a 4-out setup, it heavily leans on Reed to stay out of foul trouble and the entire team to rebound at both ends.

If we just doing 1st & 2nd string with no positional overlap at the very least we need to bring in a backup 4/5. Preferably a starting PF eg Derrion Williams

Silas / Smith
Ball / Furphy
Mullins / Ross
Stew / Transfer
Reed / Reibe

 

[ucp990411]

A commitment id wish he would also make with a talented freshman. (not Adams)

Nowell’s injuries prevented him from playing towards the end of the season. The few opportunities he was given he failed to produce. And we don’t know what happened in practice

 

[Scottobot]

It doesn't make sense to go after high-ranked recruits that are not physically capable of playing as freshman. While Mullins and Reibe need to get physically stronger, they will be able to contribute. Even though he is ranked lower, Furphy also appears to have the necessary size and strength.

You go after all the good players, and just need to accept everything is in flux until the season starts. That’s is the way the game is now. Players can freely move off season and nothing is really final until fall practices start. This freedom of changing schools is mostly good for players, but is a double edged sword as there is always a chance regardless of where you are planning to play that a top tier player will slide into that school last minute and take your PT.

 

[auror]

This top 10-15 stuff is also a farce.

Jeremiah Fears wasn't even top 50. More freshman guards than not were pretty good contributors to their teams this year without being 5 stars.

Fears was top 25 before his reclass, at least in some of the rankings.

 

[RuffRuff]

If we just doing 1st & 2nd string with no positional overlap at the very least we need to bring in a backup 4/5. Preferably a starting PF eg Derrion Williams

Silas / Smith
Ball / Furphy
Mullins / Ross
Stew / Transfer
Reed / Reibe

Oh boy here we go. The minutes allocation just a week ago included Adams. You just can’t help it can you?

 

[bendm]

Oh boy here we go. The minutes allocation just a week ago included Adams. You just can’t help it can you?

The Projections are fluid just like the roster

 

[TheChamps990411]

Neither am I, he's clearly ranked too high it was nice seeing us with the #2 ranked class even though it didn't feel all that legit to me. He's so far away from being physically ready for the Big East and he didn't want to compete for minutes. Good luck to him.

Yeah. Seeing him in the AA game you could see he had some skills but physically he looked outmatched and i said it then. I didnt see him contributing much in year one and after the Demerys/Smith signings there was no way he was getting any real significant minutes.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Maybe not drop down to mid major level but surely not attend a blue blood school and expect ample minutes unless you truly are a one and done.

There are a lot of top level programs where a player like Adams will get at least 15 mpg. He's good. Losing him is a real loss. I understand what Hurley is doing, he doesn't like to take chances. Adding the 2nd portal guard was likely the message to Adams that he wouldn't even be the backup PG. So he's going, as he probably should. He'll land at a good program.

 

[ctbro1999]

There are a lot of top level programs where a player like Adams will get at least 15 mpg. He's good. Losing him is a real loss. I understand what Hurley is doing, he doesn't like to take chances. Adding the 2nd portal guard was likely the message to Adams that he wouldn't even be the backup PG. So he's going, as he probably should. He'll land at a good program.

Maybe he can go to Baylor. They currently have 0 players on the roster for next season.

 

[jibsey]

We of course all wish him well but despite all of the chatter here no one knows how good a player he will turn out to be but under the old system where he would be allowed to develop year by year, and by the time he was a junior he’d be pretty good and a starter. Is the formula now to play in mid majors or lower level division one, get a lot of minutes and year by year move up to a top 10 program as you prove yourself?
He was a McD but not a highest level.

 

[uconndogs]

What makes sense to me is that top programs (those with the money) will attract the best proven talent (demonstrated performace at the top level of competition). Top level programs will recruit high school talent that has either a clear capability to immediately perform or to fill out roster spots in the hopes of quick development. The highest level programs do not have the luxury of investing significant time to take up key rotation spots to develop yount talent. That young talent will go where they can find PT. Once they develop and demonstrate their abilities they will move to the top programs (those with the money). Bi-furcation.........

 

[Deleted at users request]

Is the formula now to play in mid majors or lower level division one, get a lot of minutes and year by year move up to a top 10 program as you prove yourself?

I feel like this system devalues coaching. If you can become the same player anywhere whats the point in picking a school because of coaching and development?

Either you're a 1 and done these days or your development is being pushed to the side for the sake of winning instantly. Its such an unhealthy system.

 

[navery12]

There are a lot of top level programs where a player like Adams will get at least 15 mpg. He's good. Losing him is a real loss. I understand what Hurley is doing, he doesn't like to take chances. Adding the 2nd portal guard was likely the message to Adams that he wouldn't even be the backup PG. So he's going, as he probably should. He'll land at a good program.

I agree with everything you said, except for the part where it's a real loss. He was going to get 0 minutes next year so it's going to have no impact on anything that happens

 

[Lafayette]

I agree with everything you said, except for the part where it's a real loss. He was going to get 0 minutes next year so it's going to have no impact on anything that happens

Well, he is a gamer, a real hound on D, and has a great handle and feel for the game. Teammates love him. Has a real jump shot.

He committed to UConn before 2 experienced guards (Demary / Smith) transferred so yeah, like Nowell, who wants to be 3rd string? Easier to be 1st or 2nd somewhere else and he was recruited by a lot of good teams.

I think he will wind up being a pretty good player elsewhere.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

I agree with everything you said, except for the part where it's a real loss. He was going to get 0 minutes next year so it's going to have no impact on anything that happens

You said he was going to play a lot like a week ago

 

[Deleted at users request]

My one question is, will we ever recruit another successfully HS recruit to play PG again lol

 

[Fatroony5]

I agree with everything you said, except for the part where it's a real loss. He was going to get 0 minutes next year so it's going to have no impact on anything that happens

To me, the real loss is losing/controlling the development and having him make a leap into his sophomore season, not really for this upcoming season. I’m happy they upgraded roster, so I’ll take that every time. Just have to make sure they have a few guys each season they recruit, develop, and retain. Having those building blocks of good players that came up in the system is still important, then supplement the talent with portal additions.

 

[navery12]

You said he was going to play a lot like a week ago

I said he was gonna play before we got Malachi Smith. I also said if he didn't play we wouldn't see him in a UConn uniform at any point

 

[navery12]

To me, the real loss is losing/controlling the development and having him make a leap into his sophomore season, not really for this upcoming season. I’m happy they upgraded roster, so I’ll take that every time. Just have to make sure they have a few guys each season they recruit, develop, and retain. Having those building blocks of good players that came up in the system is still important, then supplement the talent with portal additions.

I just don't think that's going to be a thing anymore. Top 25 recruits are not going to go anywhere where they sit and wait for a season. I don't even think many top 100 players are going to sign up for that anymore. Unless there's a clear path to minutes they're going to go somewhere else to play, and then transfer as a sophomore or junior back to a high major if they're ready

 

[Deleted at users request]

To me, the real loss is losing/controlling the development and having him make a leap into his sophomore season, not really for this upcoming season. I’m happy they upgraded roster, so I’ll take that every time. Just have to make sure they have a few guys each season they recruit, develop, and retain. Having those building blocks of good players that came up in the system is still important, then supplement the talent with portal additions.

If Mullins is a OAD talent we may be going into next year with 1 sophomore after going into this year with 0 sophomores already.

That would be a team with no juniors and 1 sophomore. We would have to build a team through the portal possibly unless all of our juniors come back.

 

[BigTenFan]

There are no guarantees that 4 or 5 star hs players will provide instant impact to any teams. Some are spectacular like Cooper Flagg...others like Gavin Griffiths just don't work out.

 

[Fatroony5]

I just don't think that's going to be a thing anymore. Top 25 recruits are not going to go anywhere where they sit and wait for a season. I don't even think many top 100 players are going to sign up for that anymore. Unless there's a clear path to minutes they're going to go somewhere else to play, and then transfer as a sophomore or junior back to a high major if they're ready

They won’t be turning over an entire new roster every season, there will still be emphasis on recruiting and developing high school talent. There is a balance there of finding a way to get some minutes for young players versus ensuring you have enough high level, older talent on the roster. Ball, Stewart, Reibe, Mullins, Furphy potentially. You need to have some players come up through the system, it still matters imo. Again, I’m glad they upgraded the roster tho, Adams wasn’t ready to play 15-20 minutes.