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

 

[navery12]

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

This is the list of guys who shot above 40% from 3 on >2 attempts per game

 

[NJHoops]

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

I forgot Kwintin, so am amending my earlier statement! Make that 4 non-graduating transfers in Hurley’s programs in the last 9 years.

 

[auggie22]

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).

Chaos is a ladder.

 

[freescooter]

I did not like how we shrunk to end the season. Creighton was a bad rebuilding program loss, Maryland was a bad program loss. No one, including Dan Hurley, should be running around doing the parade wave because we made the tournament. On the contrary, Dan Hurley and Co. should be viewing the way the season ended, with those last two losses, as big misses.

Welcome to the new UConn. My concern is that we are not interested in being elite any longer. We are happy to make the tournament. And Hurley will want a parade if we beat Villanova. There are a few coaches and programs that start every season thinking how do we win the whole tournament. And there are 330 coaches and programs who start the season thinking how do we make the tournament. We were one of the few. Now we are Seton Hall or Providence. Or at least it seems that way.

 

[Jluc]

Welcome to the new UConn. My concern is that we are not interested in being elite any longer. We are happy to make the tournament. And Hurley will want a parade if we beat Villanova. There are a few coaches and programs that start every season thinking how do we win the whole tournament. And there are 330 coaches and programs who start the season thinking how do we make the tournament. We were one of the few. Now we are Seton Hall or Providence. Or at least it seems that way.

One of your worst posts yet somehow

 

[Vuce]

Welcome to the new UConn. My concern is that we are not interested in being elite any longer. We are happy to make the tournament. And Hurley will want a parade if we beat Villanova. There are a few coaches and programs that start every season thinking how do we win the whole tournament. And there are 330 coaches and programs who start the season thinking how do we make the tournament. We were one of the few. Now we are Seton Hall or Providence. Or at least it seems that way.

Said no one but you

 

[navery12]

Welcome to the new UConn. My concern is that we are not interested in being elite any longer. We are happy to make the tournament. And Hurley will want a parade if we beat Villanova. There are a few coaches and programs that start every season thinking how do we win the whole tournament. And there are 330 coaches and programs who start the season thinking how do we make the tournament. We were one of the few. Now we are Seton Hall or Providence. Or at least it seems that way.

 

[UconnU]

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).

A surprising amount of 2022’s have committed already. I forget the number but something like 2/3rds of the rivals 150. I don’t understand how teams are evaluating these kids there’s limited junior year tape. 15u AAU from 2 seasons ago and the first half of their sophomore year? Corey started for a good team his sophomore year and has been on the national scene since 8th grade. He was the exception not the rule. Teams have to be guessing, going off their internet rankings?

 

[SubbaBub]

Fair enough. Kids enter the portal because they want more PT. We can’t promise that with the amount of depth that we have. Our guys are just gonna have to step up and make big strides in their shooting abilities this summer.

I think Cole, Polley returning to form, and Hawkins is a good start. But man we are really going to need Gaffney, Akok, and maybe Whaley to make that extra leap.

And then whatever Martin and Diggins can contribute from outside would be gravy. I don’t know if it’s even possible to wish for Jackson to get above 30% after watching those airballs last year lol

Unless you are looking to recruit transfers over current projected starters/key contributors, who are you really going to add that will make a bit of difference. It only makes sense if you are looking to kill your locker room because you think your current guys will accept a lesser role or transfer themselves and you think your incoming class can't be counted on for big contributions (which I think is always the assumption.)

Brass tacks, you'd be looking for someone to take minutes from Cole, Gaffney, Polley, Whaley, Akok or Martin and by extension Jackson and the incoming class.

My default is that you are mostly inheriting other people's problems except in rare cases. If you can get a senior 3pt specialist or extra ball handler/defender great, that's always a good fit. And while the end of the Ollie era was ripe for a wholesale roster shuffle, it's not a good year for Hurley to be taking that approach nor would it ever be if Hurley gets the program where everyone wants it. Most guys are in the portal because the weren't getting playing time at their former schools. Do we really think those guys would make a difference?

Hurley has the right approach here, see what's out there and if there is anyone that would make the team better, not just a guy with stats or hype, the pursue them it's a good fit. It should be a rare occurrence.

 

[superjohn]

One of your worst posts yet somehow

He's the worst poster in the history of this board. We all get it, he hates UConn. You would think he would've moved on to trolling on another team's message board by now.

 

[Jimdish255]

So this means we're not getting a shooter. He had a lousy attitude about this from the beginning and now we're going to pay the price. Great.

 

[Kolumbo]

Whether intentional or by accident, I think it's a major plus that UCONN hasn't been as active as other programs vis-a-vis the portal. We've had more consistency. Maybe it's the coach, the program, or just timing. Polley and Whaley should give UCONN a big advantage in experience over other younger programs.

 

[SubbaBub]

I think we end up with at least 4 good 3-pt. shooters next year, and improve greatly compared to this year. let's face it, Bouknight was awful from 3-pt territory at 29.3%. in fact, he took 281 shots from beyond the arc, and Cole took 1 less at 280. Bouknight made 75...and Cole hit 101!!!

So Cole is our first certified 3-pt shooter: 38.6% this year, after years of 38.7% and 35.9%, so he's proven it during his college career.

Second is Polley, who slumped this year to 35.5% (due to the injury?), but his previous 3 years were 40.5%, 38.0%, and 41.7%. My guess is that Diggins will be the kind of drive and dish PG that Polley needs to give him open 3 pointers all day.

Third is Gaffney who hit 36.2% and I believe he'll get even better and hit 38-39% next year.

Fourth IMO is incoming freshman Hawkins who's supposed to be the second coming of Ray Allen as an outside shooter. If he hits 35%+ he gives us our 4th outside threat.

Hurley takes the next step with the team winning 22-24 games before the tournament.

I believe the saying is your mouth to God's ears. If we have three regulars hovering within a point or two of 40%, it will be a very good year.

 

[UconnU]

So this means we're not getting a shooter. He had a lousy attitude about this from the beginning and now we're going to pay the price. Great.

What we may lose being down a guard/shooter we gain in stability, team unity/cohesion. My hope is that, unlike last year, the team stays together this off-season. We have a chance to be the most cohesive unit in the big east here. We have an opportunity to have a big early advantage in things like knowing each other’s tendencies, knowing how to get each other open, etc.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

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.

71st post of the threa, eh? Yeesh.

And then we got this one, which others have already put in its proper place.

Welcome to the new UConn. My concern is that we are not interested in being elite any longer. We are happy to make the tournament. And Hurley will want a parade if we beat Villanova. There are a few coaches and programs that start every season thinking how do we win the whole tournament. And there are 330 coaches and programs who start the season thinking how do we make the tournament. We were one of the few. Now we are Seton Hall or Providence. Or at least it seems that way.

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, how he has rebuilt every program he’s taken over, and how he has already done that here, blah, blah, blah.

Before this past season, I'd figured that I'd be through with this angle after this year. I find myself willing to extend one more.
Is it the pandemic?
EVERYBODY getting another year?
The transfer portal chaos?

Yes.

I think that @Vuce properly suggested that those who don't like Hurley's quotes shouldn't read them.

As to rebuilds, NCAA Tourney announcers fell all over themselves saying Scott Drew has done the greatest total rebuild in history, and it took him 18 years. And Tara went 29 years between Championships. I think that with 5 more games, this year's team would have improved its seeding and worked out some kinks, giving Dan Hurley his first Sweet 16, maybe better.

Next season, I'd really like to see a team that doesn't take such a high percentage of bad shots.

I don't really care how it happens, whether it's a revamped offense; Diggins being a solid, make-it-happen, pass-first PG; everybody getting just that much better; Rocket Watts joining as a penetrating playmaker without pretensions of becoming a more frequent shooter (but shooting better nonetheless). There are a lot of paths.

And now, I'l actually read the article...

EDIT: I liked the article, and didn't dislike Hurley's quotes as I'd been somewhat setup to do.