Dom Amore: UConn coach Dan Hurley calls it ‘total chaos’ in college basketball as new rules allow flood of players into transfer portal

[UCSouth]

You people are funny because you tend to believe the Twitter nonsense that some 18-21 year old kid puts out for your consumption. Just because they say that they heard from UConn doesn't make it true. Just something to consider when you say we swung and missed on these kids. I tend to believe that I'll wait until Hurley says we missed.

 

[olehead]

Missed opportunities, whether he reached out or not. We all knew Bouk's scoring needed to be replaced, what we didn't contemplate is the hope for developmental leaps from the unproven, Polley included. What I mean is we are what our last game was in addition to the recruits. Programs we are competing with get/got better via transfer and the recruiting process now.

By virtue of vacuum, Sanogo, Cole and Martin must all hover near 15 pg. with hope for significant Point forward production from AJ and freshman point production to lift us. I remain hopeful but that's a load for Sanogo, Cole and Martin.

SI think Polley coming back means an expectation of improvement from where we are. That's a hard notion to embrace. When Polley produces, I appreciate his contributions. The key is when. When he does not, his secondary contributions are anemic. For all reason to be excited about his 6'9" stature, is all the reason to be disappointed in his 6'9" stature. You look at his stat line and frequently he's limited physically on the boards and defensively.

I guess my hope is in development and prayerfully that process is in full Swing.

But at some point developmentally for some players, you are what you are.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Would you like 14 guys on the roster next year?

I would. But that’s why I think he needed to look for bench guys willing to play for a more interesting program. Not sure how many are like that. Looking for upgrades was never likely to pan out.

 

[djct1999]

Why? Polley's been here forever, what's the track record that would cause Locke or substitute Locke for anyone else, to fear competing against Polley. Tommy maybe.

I am not saying Locke couldn’t beat out Polley but for the Locke camp there should be a concern he is unable to. Let’s not make Locke out to be more than he is. He is a three point specialist who averaged 10 points. Polley, given Lockes minutes can do that or more. Sorry, but with our lack of ability to create shots with this roster, i see Lockes numbers going down, taking far too many contested threes. Given the familiarity with the team, staff, and offense, reatianing Polley was a far better move than bringing in Locke.

 

[Vuce]

I would. But that’s why I think he needed to look for bench guys willing to play for a more interesting program. Not sure how many are like that. Looking for upgrades was never likely to pan out.

There are not many kids in the portal who go there looking to be bench players in another program with 14 kids trying to get time. We kept the Big East DPOY and 6th man of the year. Fans are more critical of their own because see every game. Other coaches certainly see something in a player like Polley. If UConn hoops is a stock it is still on the rise and I cannot wait for the next few seasons. Some you should just stop reading Hurleys quotes if they bother you that much.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

We have 12 guys on the roster with Whaley and Polley. I think he made an effort, and I'm still hoping for Watts, but at some point kids look at your roster and aren't interested. Hurley did his work in the fall with 3 Top 75 recruits.

Exactly. How many teams with 12 scholarship players on their team (almost all of which are expected to compete for a rotation spot) were able to acquire a transfer of the likes of Locke/Fatts/Richmond/Hamilton...?

I get that people here want an upgrade, but unfortunately, our roster is not situated well for this free agent bonanza. We just have to live with that.

 

[August_West]

Other coaches certainly see something in a player like Polley

Look no further than Carlton being picked up by a FF team

 

[StllH8L8ner]

I’m no DiMauro fan, but the one part of that hit piece he did on Hurley that rang true was Hurley’s constant sales pitch about how devastated the program was when he took over,

Agreed. Many of DH's comments in his Instagram game recaps last year (which I loved) mentioned fixing a losing culture, losing attitude, etc and I didn't disagree but there comes a time when you simply can't go back to that well. I think it's time to put that one away...

 

[navery12]

I would. But that’s why I think he needed to look for bench guys willing to play for a more interesting program. Not sure how many are like that. Looking for upgrades was never likely to pan out.

But the issue is this is the only year you can go to 14 scholarships. Then for the next few years you're looking at a scholarship tied up with someone who won't get minutes and is just along for the ride

 

[polycom]

Carlton who we know what he is ended up at Houston. You are telling me polley and Whaley end up on worse teams? Yet are substantially better players. I don’t love polley but it’s likely one of the better shooters statistically in the portal…

 

[HuskyHawk]

But the issue is this is the only year you can go to 14 scholarships. Then for the next few years you're looking at a scholarship tied up with someone who won't get minutes and is just along for the ride

We are currently down one roster spot. Given injuries and covid, I’d like to fill it. That’s all I’m saying. Whaley, Polley, Cole and Martin are all gone next year. That’s 4 open spots, which is plenty. No need to stash a scholarship.

 

[navery12]

We are currently down one roster spot. Given injuries and covid, I’d like to fill it. That’s all I’m saying. Whaley, Polley, Cole and Martin are all gone next year. That’s 4 open spots, which is plenty. No need to stash a scholarship.

I'd like to fill the 13th too, anything more I'm not really on board with. Especially for a player who's not a UConn level player, which was my point

 

[August_West]

Carlton who we know what he is ended up at Houston. You are telling me polley and Whaley end up on worse teams? Yet are substantially better players. I don’t love polley but it’s likely one of the better shooters statistically in the portal…

I’ll let you settle now at even money

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Hurley is right, although I think he is understating the problem. This year's transfer portal is going to be a giant net negative for college basketball and its players. A lot of players transfering now are going to sit on the bench of a major program that doesn't want them but found a sucker that could be convinced he could get playing time on a P6 team. How many 10 ppg scorers for mid-major U are really going to get significant minutes on a Big 10 or Big East roster? They are believing the P6 coach's pitch, but in reality. they are going to these schools to sit on the bench because some other recruit that didn't pan out is being run off those teams.

Almost everyone loses in that situation. The bench players that committed to the major programs get run off. The mid-major starter that is averaging 30 mpg is going to get 10 mpg next season. The rest of that kid's former teammates are worse off because now their mid-major team is worse. But the major conference coaches are better off because they have more depth now.

So at least the system helps them out.

 

[NJHoops]

Agreed. Many of DH's comments in his Instagram game recaps last year (which I loved) mentioned fixing a losing culture, losing attitude, etc and I didn't disagree but there comes a time when you simply can't go back to that well. I think it's time to put that one away...

He has a specific approach to implementing his program, that was a step. This last season was another step. He’s good at recruiting because he can communicate what he wants to do and how that guy fits in a pretty good narrative. I don’t know really listen because I don’t really care and thet’s not for me. Don’t confuse them marking off some check boxes with them thinking they’ve reached the end goal.

A few of the guys they reached out to in the portal were in case any of their own guys decided to surprisingly leave. They didn’t. No one ever wants to leave his programs (3 non-graduating transfers in the last 9 years, I think). Recruit well (the trend upward is positive), retain guys until they enter the draft or graduate but be honest with your upperclassmen, and get some transfers when it makes sense.

He’s right that this year is particularly chaotic with the extra year and immediate eligibility. I like chaos. I agree that there can be a benefit to a sit-out year, but I don’t think it should be mandated.

They’ll add one guy for 21-22 (any more than that would be a surprise at this point). Real recruitment is able to start on June 1st to finish adding to their ‘22 class (three more to join Corey to start).

 

[UConnSwag11]

People are acting like this is the UCONN team going into the 2013 season. Hurley kept all the underclassmen on the team while not having any incoming recruits de-commit. People are really underestimating how important it was to keep Whaley, and even Polley. Polley has an entire summer to get better and even if his play doesn't improve, his leadership and experience will be invaluable to the younger guys. I ridicule Hurley throughout the year for his in-game coaching but this is pointless

 

[Brochacho]

People are acting like this is the UCONN team going into the 2013 season. Hurley kept all the underclassmen on the team while not having any incoming recruits de-commit. People are really underestimating how important it was to keep Whaley, and even Polley. Polley has an entire summer to get better and even if his play doesn't improve, his leadership and experience will be invaluable to the younger guys. I ridicule Hurley throughout the year for his in-game coaching but this is pointless

Yup, what Hurley did this offseason is incredibly underrated. Got two seniors who definitely could have had professional options to return. Nobody transferred (except for guys who graduated already and were recruited over). No de-commitments from a very good class. I'd like to add a combo guard who can get buckets but Hurley has this team positioned to be a wire to wire top 20 team - something we haven't had in a while. Plus, I still think 2023 is "the year" as far as the roster build goes.

 

[mauconnfan]

“With our inability to create” last year without Bouk, oh wait it’s still there because he’s gone! I mean no doubt Polley and Isaiah coming back is really good but we aren’t better in the backcourt at all if the freshman aren’t immediately ready and that’s the truth. Cole was solid but his best performances were when Bouk was in the lineup and teams were concerned. Gaff had maybe 3 good games do we really expect this huge jump after 2 years of inconsistency? We can talk about what’s good or bad in the transfer portal but help is required to be a real good team still. Maybe it’s not out there and we just hope someone impacts us more than expected. But I’m still hoping for some experience to come the Huskies way.

 

[BlueDogs]

Players are leaving to shop for PT and find a program fit. Mixed feeling on this. It plays to ego and immaturity of the athlete where everybody needs to feel special and get their likes from inquiring coaches, and allows them to act on their sense of grievance. The old way is you worked harder and earned it with patience. On the other hand , too many good players are stockpiled and most were sold some BS that wasn’t exactly true. On the whole, it should level the playing field and increase competition. That’s a good thing.

 

[Fatroony5]

There’s no one right way to build a program. There are guys like Musselman, Hoiberg (more so ISU days) that are players with every transfer. They rely on it, it can certainly work, but you’re reliant upon who is in the portal. They commit to building that way.

What I respect about Hurley is he’s got a process that works for him and he doesn’t try to deviate from that dramatically. Build the program through high school recruits, retain players, not overly rely on transfers etc, That’s his style. I respect that, he’s not trying to do something that he’s not. Everyone always want to overvalue transfers and undervalue building chemistry /retention through your own team.

Transfers are definitely good, but there are tons of examples of ones that don’t pan out. He still hasn’t even had a full recruiting class go al the way through yet (B Adams was barely a class). It takes like 5-6 years to get it right where you have guys stay 4 years and the cycle just keeps churning. We wanna be like Nova. They recruit at a high level, retain players, and most importantly, develop them/create chemistry. It took Jay a long time to get there but now it looks nearly invincible. That’s my hope of where it could be headed. People need to remain patient and see what progress has been made. Was far from a given that UConn would even start winning again, ask Indiana and Pitt how that’s working out.

 

[RichZ]

Hurley seems like the type of coach who wants to build relationships with players over time.

Except Jumpman. He pretty much wanted no part of long term anything with Kwintin.

 

[tower1]

he needs to win some of these attempts
talk is cheap
He needs a 3 pt threat and while I deeply respect TPs conviction to the program, he has not shown the consistency with his shot and has not built the aspects of his game that you would expect a 6'9" player to have. Maybe he will in the off season but time is short. Even the most loyal DH person has to be concerned as to why he hasn't landed a pure sharp shooter
As you have seen in this year's NCAA tournament - all the successful teams have at least two.

It is obvious we need to step up our recruiting and get some outside shooters. Polley is not our answer, he is a streaky shooter and his defense is not good.

 

[polycom]

I’ll let you settle now at even money

I mean your gonna lose but the portal didn’t have better players

 

[USNA90]

A few thoughts on this:
First off, I absolutely hate the idea of the transfer portal. It's a way for the rich to get richer at the expense of smaller programs. I think it will eventually lead to the mid-majors being non-competitive as all their top talent gets drained off year after year. That being said, it is the reality we live with today, and a coach needs to be able to adjust to that. I don't understand the angst people have about the incoming freshman being recruited over - those players are more in touch with the current recruiting landscape than anyone, and they're very aware that this can happen. For them, red-shirt years are ancient history, and this is the way college basketball works in 2021.
With regards to scholarships, why is anyone concerned about having too many players? I think the idea that Polley and Whaley are returning is giving people a false sense of security. Discounting the two of them, UConn will have 10 of 13 scholarships filled. When they leave next year, along with Cole and Martin, UConn will be down to eight scholarship players. Does anyone think UConn is going to bring in a class of five players who are capable of making meaningful contributions? What if there's an unexpected departure? I may be jaded by what happened in the Ollie years, but injuries do happen, and I don't see a problem with having a full roster. It might not matter as much this year because of the COVID exemption, but in the future it will.
Finally, I think a coach needs to improve his roster at every opportunity. It's great that Whaley and Polley are returning, but this is going to be the same team as last year - a team with glaring flaws that lost its best player. I find it hard to believe that this team has a lack of outside shooting and an inability to create shots, yet there's no room to add someone to the roster who can fix those problems. I know people are counting on player improvement, and the incoming freshmen, but I'm guessing most people looking on this from the outside would think that this team as it currently stands might be just as good as last year, and quite possibly a bit worse.

 

[Improviser]

It is obvious we need to step up our recruiting and get some outside shooters. Polley is not our answer, he is a streaky shooter and his defense is not good.

Are there still any sharpshooters left from the portal? Is so, who are they?