Donovan Clingan

[navery12]

So explain how the last part of the season Sanogo was averaging roughly 10 a game on no more than 25 minutes without hitting more than one jumper all year? The scorers were just crediting him with someone else's baskets? Our offense starts with the big up high, and then as the shot clock runs down eventually the big cuts down and if he doesn't get a pass while moving posts up. Sort of like the way Calhoun's offense worked, where Jake or Travis usually made their first touch catching the ball at the top of the key.

I do understand a big not wanting to do what he makes bigs do and hedge hard on guards dribbling, and thinking they would be more effective staying closer to the hoop. Except you know where bigs need to have skills to deal with point guards coming around picks set by their man? I'll give you a hint. It starts with an N and ends with a BA.

Did you read his post? You're agreeing with what he's saying

 

[HuskyHawk]

Did you read his post? You're agreeing with what he's saying

Shhh. BigErn is probably just waking up out in LA, but I was waiting to see the response.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Oriakhi had 21 on the road against Texas in 2011.

If we get Clingan he’ll surpass 21 his freshman year.

 

[king conn]

I agree on the hard hedge at all times. Only Whaley should be doing that at all times. Otherwise, it should be mixed up and/or minimized for the guys are aren't as mobile or mix in double teams.

But as far as the offense, UConn posts up a lot which are generally considered inefficient shots these days. This season Hurley actually sacrificed some offensive movement and flow to develop Sanogo and let him work one on one in the post.

You have to have some offensive movement and flow to be able to sacrifice it.
Sanogo was the only player other than Bouk that could get his own shot and make it.
Thank goodness Hurley recognized that

 

[tcf15]

If we get Clingan he’ll surpass 21 his freshman year.

Would love for that to happen.

 

[businesslawyer]

Shhh. BigErn is probably just waking up out in LA, but I was waiting to see the response.

Good point. My bad. I was probably trying to reply to your post.

 

[UconnU]

I've been out of the new england aau scene for a while now (over 10 years) but HoopGroup, the JamFest in particular if I remember correctly, often had some very good teams in it that would play there before going to their national tournaments. I understand what you mean though..the comp in the video didn't look very imposing at all.

There are a good amount of kids who typically play EYBL who cross over and play for hoop group teams in the major tourneys. But the kids he’s playing against in regular events, some of them should be playing local rec ball. Arguing that he’s playing against good competition is a losing argument. With a 7’7 wingspan and good mobility and some post moves he should be top 35-40 easy in a weak 2022 class, if he even looked serviceable against one of these 5 star kids he’d move up into the top 40.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Good point. My bad. I was probably trying to reply to your post.

Probably. Yes, Hurley clearly used Sanogo as a true post player, and while he did touch it outside for a hand off now and then, it was much less than often than with Josh. It was encouraging. Three years ago he fed Josh like crazy in the post, all the way to Josh shooting over 60%.

I also think we missed Akok. Before his injury, he was effective catching it outside, and could hand, off, pass, roll, or if the guard rolled and D chased, shoot. I like that a lot. Using a big that can take that shot (even Whaley at times) changes everything. What Sanogo flashed once or twice that intrigued me was an ability to put the ball on the floor and attack. I think he will add a face up jumper. He knows how to score.

 

[NJHusky]

The bigger question is on D. Will he switch to zone to protect Clingan against small ball teams?

Good question

 

[huskyblooz]

I know people in the know. If he chooses to go elsewhere, it wont be because of Hurley's effort.
Coach has been all over him for a few years. It's 50/50. ... It'll hurt if he doesnt stay home. Expect him to wait til September to commit.

 

[coachn]

Please no Michigan.

 

[UCOnions]

Imagine a Clingan at Center, Sanogo at PF, and Akok at SF line up. YES PLEASE!

 

[DAVO]

Imagine a Clingan at Center, Sanogo at PF, and Akok at SF line up. YES PLEASE!

No thank you... Would be a tragic mess!

 

[businesslawyer]

Imagine a Clingan at Center, Sanogo at PF, and Akok at SF line up. YES PLEASE!

There is no way you will or should be seeing those three on the court together.

 

[husky429]

Imagine a Clingan at Center, Sanogo at PF, and Akok at SF line up. YES PLEASE!

I am imagining every coach in the country would press that team. We wouldn't get the ball past half-court on half our possessions.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I am imagining every coach in the country would press that team. We wouldn't get the ball past half-court on half our possessions.

It can't be a coincidence all these accounts recently have been talking about Akok at SF, are they trolls? We've never seen this with him before.

 

[Fishy]

There are a good amount of kids who typically play EYBL who cross over and play for hoop group teams in the major tourneys. But the kids he’s playing against in regular events, some of them should be playing local rec ball. Arguing that he’s playing against good competition is a losing argument. With a 7’7 wingspan and good mobility and some post moves he should be top 35-40 easy in a weak 2022 class, if he even looked serviceable against one of these 5 star kids he’d move up into the top 40.

You really should never, ever mention the term ‘losing argument.’

Like, never, unless you’re strongly going after irony.

I would also like you to consider the meaning of the phrase “unexpressed thoughts” and then I would like you to have more of them.

 

[UCOnions]

There is no way you will or should be seeing those three on the court together.

I said imagine, not "this will happen"

 

[UCSouth]

I said imagine, not "this will happen"

But you followed it up with a "YES PLEASE"

 

[UCOnions]

Why is it so farfetched to imagine akok playing on the wing? Is everyone really so inclined to think that he isn't athletic or have the handles enough to play there? Why shouldn't he be able to develop the skillset? He is only 6'9, Roscoe Smith was about the same size and played SF.

Also it would never be a permanent thing, it would only be something that happens against bigger line ups in smaller chunks of minutes.

 

[navery12]

Why is it so farfetched to imagine akok playing on the wing? Is everyone really so inclined to think that he isn't athletic or have the handles enough to play there? Why shouldn't he be able to develop the skillset? He is only 6'9, Roscoe Smith was about the same size and played SF.

Short answer, yes. Long answer, yes it's incredibly far-fetched because he doesn't have the skillset of a 3. If you're drawing up a prototypical stretch 4 to play in Hurley's system you'd find a picture of Akok

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Why is it so farfetched to imagine akok playing on the wing? Is everyone really so inclined to think that he isn't athletic or have the handles enough to play there? Why shouldn't he be able to develop the skillset? He is only 6'9, Roscoe Smith was about the same size and played SF.

I mean he hasn't shown the handles or shooting to play there yet. And while his athleticism plays great at the 4, look around college basketball at the folks playing the 3 and let me know if that is a good idea (which ignores the fact that it largely takes his shot blocking out of the equation). Roscoe also played a lot of time at the 4 and if we're being honest, trying to find playing time for him, Drummond, and Oriakhi that last year was a struggle because he was a college 4, not a 3.

 

[businesslawyer]

Why is it so farfetched to imagine akok playing on the wing? Is everyone really so inclined to think that he isn't athletic or have the handles enough to play there? Why shouldn't he be able to develop the skillset? He is only 6'9, Roscoe Smith was about the same size and played SF.

Also it would never be a permanent thing, it would only be something that happens against bigger line ups in smaller chunks of minutes.

First rule of holes is applicable here. When in one, stop digging.

First, Roscoe wasn't a wing. He was a big who played the first few minutes of each half as a wing his freshman year because that's what it took to get him to willingly play most of the game as a 4. His second year, when he said he only wanted to play the wing, he barely played.

Second, when he played wing, he had Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier as his guards. We didn't need points or shooting from a 3 in that lineup. You want to compare any of our current guards to any of them?

Third, Akok Akok is not Roscoe Smith. Even if he becomes as good a spot up shooter (which is possible but he wasn't there the year he played), he isn't the ball handler or passer that Roscoe was, nor does he have the agility (as opposed to speed) to possibly guard a wing.

 

[Huskyforlife]

First rule of holes is applicable here. When in one, stop digging.

First, Roscoe wasn't a wing. He was a big who played the first few minutes of each half as a wing his freshman year because that's what it took to get him to willingly play most of the game as a 4. His second year, when he said he only wanted to play the wing, he barely played.

Second, when he played wing, he had Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier as his guards. We didn't need points or shooting from a 3 in that lineup. You want to compare any of our current guards to any of them?

Third, Akok Akok is not Roscoe Smith. Even if he becomes as good a spot up shooter (which is possible but he wasn't there the year he played), he isn't the ball handler or passer that Roscoe was, nor does he have the agility (as opposed to speed) to possibly guard a wing.

Of course I agree with you, but Akok is a better shooter than Smith, he has to be.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I am imagining every coach in the country would press that team. We wouldn't get the ball past half-court on half our possessions.

Have Akok inbound to Clingan at half court. Who’s catching that pass if it’s high enough? Put Sanogo under the basket so the opponent has to keep (likely their only) a big on him.

I‘m waiting for a team of all 7 foot guys who never dribble the ball. Just pass it around above the other team them dunk on them.

 

[Umami Zen]

Have Akok inbound to Clingan at half court. Who’s catching that pass if it’s high enough? Put Sanogo under the basket so the opponent has to keep (likely their only) a big on him.

I‘m waiting for a team of all 7 foot guys who never dribble the ball. Just pass it around above the other team them dunk on them.

Globetrotters?

 

[HuskyHawk]

Globetrotters?

My mental image was like rugby, but with everybody keeping the ball high.

 

[Beachampion]

the only reason i'm optimistic he might come here over UM is that the reason(s) he chose to stay at his local highschool will translate and apply to his college choice as well

Hurley needs to keep him in State.

 

[UCOnions]

so much naysaying on these boards sometimes

 

[uconnfan68]

I think hard hedges will definitely be back on the menu; by the end of the season Sanogo had it down pretty well, and Whaley’s of course a wizard at it. Whether that would change and become more flexible if we were to land Clingan, I certainly hope so.

Thus far, I think Hurley’s done a decent job of recognizing when something isn’t working and changing it. Just feels like he waits too long or is too loyal sometimes. Would like to see that instinct to adapt come a bit quicker in the future, and I think it will.

It just kills me to see our rim protectors outside the 3pt line on defense.