Did not expect McNeeley to be this good this soon!

[DogMania]

Tried to come up with a shorter title but it was the best I could do. I knew that McNeeley was a very talented incoming freshman, but never figured that he'd contribute so much so soon and be arguably, along with Diarra, one of the two most important players on this team.

He and Diarra provide two things that no one else on the team can do. No one can create opportunities for themselves like McNeeley can. And on top of that, he's excellent at finding open teammates, and is a very good defender and rebounder.

And there's not a player on the team that can handle the ball at the top, find open teammates, score just enough when needed and run the offense like Diarra. I know that Karaban is very important to the team as well, providing important leadership, scoring and solid defense, but this team cannot beat top level teams without those other two players. If you were to ask me before the season began who would be the two most important players on the team, I don't think I would have guessed either of those two.

I'm sure some will disagree and say Alex is as important, if not more, but if it was between Alex or Liam, I'd take Liam who provides a particular set of skills.

I know the 2 bigs (Johnson & Reed) are important, but as long as we have one of them with Singare filling in for a few minutes we can still beat top teams. I don't think that would be the case if McNeeley or Diarra aren't playing big minutes and key stretches of the game. I don't know what the stats say, but I'd guess there is a big drop off when Diarra goes to the bench. I hope that either Nowell is able to play and develop enough to fill in for Diarra by March or the staff can fix what's broken with Mahaney, which I'm not sure is possible by tournament time. If not, major foul trouble limiting Diarra's PT in a win-or-go-home tournament game could send the team home before achieving their BET and/or 3-peat goals.

 

[Stasher599]

He’s a STUD. Enjoy him while you can!

 

[Luna]

Mahaney is also a 3 level scorer.. I think as the season goes on Mahaney is going to be a big part of the success of this team as a backup to Diarra..

 

[CT2SC]

You can see what Hurley envisioned and how good this team would be if Mahaney panned out as another 3 level scorer putting up double digits at the point with Hass coming in off the bench. We would be at a whole other level.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I could be overlooking someone but I think he's the most confident and most successful scorer as a true freshman that we've had here since Corny Thompson.

Granted, there were a few who had quality returning players in front of them in their freshman year (Ray comes immediately to mind), but still, what Liam has shown is impressive.

 

[RuffRuff]

His passing ability has impressed the pants off me. Growing game to game.

 

[temery]

Is he expected to be one and done?

 

[aceboon]

Is he expected to be one and done?

Since the day he committed

 

[HuskyFich]

I could be overlooking someone but I think he's the most confident and most successful scorer as a true freshman that we've had here since Corny Thompson.

Granted, there were a few who had quality returning players in front of them in their freshman year (Ray comes immediately to mind), but still, what Liam has shown is impressive.

How easy we forget Stephon Castle, lol.

 

[jibsey]

Tried to come up with a shorter title but it was the best I could do. I knew that McNeeley was a very talented incoming freshman, but never figured that he'd contribute so much so soon and be arguably, along with Diarra, one of the two most important players on this team.

He and Diarra provide two things that no one else on the team can do. No one can create opportunities for themselves like McNeeley can. And on top of that, he's excellent at finding open teammates, and is a very good defender and rebounder.

And there's not a player on the team that can handle the ball at the top, find open teammates, score just enough when needed and run the offense like Diarra. I know that Karaban is very important to the team as well, providing important leadership, scoring and solid defense, but this team cannot beat top level teams without those other two players. If you were to ask me before the season began who would be the two most important players on the team, I don't think I would have guessed either of those two.

I'm sure some will disagree and say Alex is as important, if not more, but if it was between Alex or Liam, I'd take Liam who provides a particular set of skills.

I know the 2 bigs (Johnson & Reed) are important, but as long as we have one of them with Singare filling in for a few minutes we can still beat top teams. I don't think that would be the case if McNeeley or Diarra aren't playing big minutes and key stretches of the game. I don't know what the stats say, but I'd guess there is a big drop off when Diarra goes to the bench. I hope that either Nowell is able to play and develop enough to fill in for Diarra by March or the staff can fix what's broken with Mahaney, which I'm not sure is possible by tournament time. If not, major foul trouble limiting Diarra's PT in a win-or-go-home tournament game could send the team home before achieving their BET and/or 3-peat goals.

Good news, we don’t have to choose. I’m trying to think of a more talented freshman on all levels of basketball for UConn and I can’t. Scoring Liam had it on Castle but Castle had it on defense so maybe I guess.

 

[Devland]

Someone in the game thread mentioned the possibility of Liam becoming the top freshman scorer and someone ask who had the freshman record. Here is what I looked up

 

[scotty0330]

I’m not surprised. Watched him a lot when MVA was on and fell in love with his game. Couldn’t believe he was an IU commit. Seemed like a more athletic Karaban but I’ve come to see his game is quite a bit different. Better shooter and quicker than Alex but not the passer or have quite the IQ but his is abnormally high for a freshman. Really is a special talent that we are lucky to have and is really flourishing in this offense which is tailor made for players with his skill set.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Since the day he committed

But I can’t wait for the constant posts that he’s not ready and should stay for another year.

 

[HooperScooper]

Is he expected to be one and done?

Sometimes I wonder if you follow the program at all, read anything on here, or are just a UMass fan who started the Boneyard to make money.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

How easy we forget Stephon Castle, lol.

How easily we overlook the word "scorer". Lol.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Any Top 10 recruit should be expected to make an impact as a freshman. I'm not surprised by his play, but I am very surprised by his poise and leadership. He plays like a senior.

 

[jibsey]

He had 7 assists today, he drives and dishes like a point guard.

 

[jdb50]

Knowing how highly rated Liam was, when in the early games I saw the same level of intensity that Cam Spencer had from Liam there was no doubt what he could bring this season. I was at UConn when Corny and Mike McKay arrived. They really upped the hope we could be a National contender some day. They needed more help. With what we had on board when Kalid started as a frosh, seeing the confidence he had, I really felt we would win a title. He just had it. This team his year with everyone chipping in with what they can is going to go far because they have a lot of fight in them.

 

[Chin Diesel]

His passing ability has impressed the pants off me. Growing game to game.

He had 7 assists today, he drives and dishes like a point guard.

Scary thing is college game is starting to slow down for him, and he is learning to play with pace, especially in the paint.

 

[superjohn]

He's unique. He obviously has incredible talent but he plays like a grizzled NBA vet and he's above average to elite at everything, something you rarely see in a freshman. I also really like the kid's personality and his mom is already becoming an all-time UConn mom like Kemba's mom, Bazz, Boat, Momma Castle...

He's our best player IMO.

 

[August_West]

I did. You could see it last year, and you could really see it at the McD game in the spring. I said here last spring that we have never had a player whose whole playing style fit us better right out of the box than Liam McNeeley. I’m not surprised he’s doing this at all. In fact I expect more, and I think we are going to see it. Buckle up kids. Because the staff has just started turning him loose.

 

[Gutter King]

1) He hasn't even finished very well yet, but expect this to change on the fly throughout BE season. Once that happens he's elite.

2) The kid does a great post-game presser. Has an interesting duality in that he's laid back but also serious/professional when he answers questions. I just think he exudes leadership and a good teammate and is here for all the right reasons.

3) For today: I think one turnover from him and one from Hass was the result of Samson Johnson hanging them out to dry. They were anticipatory passes but it seemed like Samson Johnson, went half speed or didn't go at all. Otherwise, he's got the connector game of AJ and scoring prowess of Cam. Lethal.

 

[superjohn]

1) He hasn't even finished very well yet, but expect this to change on the fly throughout BE season. Once that happens he's elite.

2) The kid does a great post-game presser. Has an interesting duality in that he's laid back but also serious/professional when he answers questions. I just think he exudes leadership and a good teammate and is here for all the right reasons.

3) For today: I think one turnover from him and one from Hass was the result of Samson Johnson hanging them out to dry. They were anticipatory passes but it seemed like Samson Johnson, went half speed or didn't go at all. Otherwise, he's got the connector game of AJ and scoring prowess of Cam. Lethal.

His pressers are great. He's funny and often times Alex is cracking up at the way he answers questions (they are incredibly tight with each other) but he's also really insightful. Everything about the kid is impressive.

 

[Kolumbo]

I could be overlooking someone but I think he's the most confident and most successful scorer as a true freshman that we've had here since Corny Thompson.

Granted, there were a few who had quality returning players in front of them in their freshman year (Ray comes immediately to mind), but still, what Liam has shown is impressive.

I see your point and I raise you an El

 

[BGesus4]

That lefty finish through the foul from the seven footer was, um, notable