Eric Bossi Class of 2019 Power Forwards

[businesslawyer]

Don't forget we have Sid and Polley on the wings already. Not worried about the 3. Precious is icing on the cake--very, very good icing, but still.

I'd love to see Polley develop, but based on last year there is no reason to think we are going to be a ranked team with him as a starter. And if Wilson hasn't immediately pushed him aside, while his upside is huge same there. The thought that Precious would only be icing on the cake -- as opposed to a much, much better cake -- I don't understand.

 

[businesslawyer]

No need for a transfer. I don't think anybody would want to come anyway, as we'd be stocked at every position.

We got Sid and Polley on the wing atm, so we're all set there.

You and I see the current team differently. We are so, so far from being stocked at every position. We have bodies. With the single exceptions of Jalen Adams, not one of them has proven both that he can stay healthy and that he can be a starter on a ranked team. If we've learned anything from the last 2 years, where we can't play the way we want to because we never had enough healthy guards to play with 3 guards for 40 minutes, we would like 13 scholarship players on the roster competing for playing time.

I am high on Hurley. But his walking in the door did not make Whalley, Carlton, Cobb, Polley, Diarra, Smith and even Vital key players on a team that is going to be pushing the doors in on the Top 25.

 

[Mooch82]

No need for a transfer. I don't think anybody would want to come anyway, as we'd be stocked at every position.

We got Sid and Polley on the wing atm, so we're all set there.

There's zero downside to take a grad transfer in that situation. Most grad transfers aren't guys coming in looking for a starring role, either....they're typically more role player types. No reason to leave an open scholarship rather than taking a grad transfer; you'll still have that scholarship to use for the 2020 class.

 

[intlzncster]

There's zero downside to take a grad transfer in that situation. Most grad transfers aren't guys coming in looking for a starring role, either....they're typically more role player types. No reason to leave an open scholarship rather than taking a grad transfer; you'll still have that scholarship to use for the 2020 class.

Who is going to come that would get even a minute of playing time? The guard spots are STACKED. We'd be 2 deep at every Forward position.

If you picked up a guy and gave him minutes, all you'd really be doing is stealing minutes from a kid who could use development. You're not likely to find somebody who'll be an upgrade over what's in house. Unless say Diarra can't play because of injury.

If you want to pick up a kid who isn't going to play at all, I'm fine with that.

 

[intlzncster]

You and I see the current team differently. We are so, so far from being stocked at every position. We have bodies. With the single exceptions of Jalen Adams, not one of them has proven both that he can stay healthy and that he can be a starter on a ranked team. If we've learned anything from the last 2 years, where we can't play the way we want to because we never had enough healthy guards to play with 3 guards for 40 minutes, we would like 13 scholarship players on the roster competing for playing time.

I am high on Hurley. But his walking in the door did not make Whalley, Carlton, Cobb, Polley, Diarra, Smith and even Vital key players on a team that is going to be pushing the doors in on the Top 25.

When I said stacked, I was talking about next year with regards to grad transfers if we land Kofi and Akok (and are unable to land Precious).

At guard we have Alterique, Gaffney, Bouknight, Vital, B Adams. At PF we'd have Akok, Diarra, and Whaley. At center we'd have Kofi and Carlton. At wing, we'd have Sid and Polley.

That's pretty stacked. 10 guys who could get legit minutes.


This year we are not stacked. We can debate until the cows come home about KO/Hurley, but the results on the court will tell us a lot. I'm on record that, as of this moment, we aren't making the NCAAs. But, I'm happy to revise in the first half of the year once I see the product on the court.

 

[businesslawyer]

I was talking about next year with regards to grad transfers if we land Kofi and Akok.

At guard we have Alterique, Gaffney, Bouknight, Vital, B Adams. At PF we'd have Akok, Diarra, and Whaley. At center we'd have Kofi and Carlton. At wing, we'd have Sid and Polley.

That's pretty stacked.

We would then be in much better shape in terms of kids with upside based on how they played before coming to Storrs. I would only use the term stocked to describe players who have shown they can contribute at a high level in college, or for kids coming in NBA lottery type players. I will not use "stocked" to describe a Bouknight or a Gaffney until they have shown they make us stocked. And, as I've said, none of 'Rique (because of health), Vital, B. Adams, Diarra, Whaley or Carlton has come anywhere near showing that they are key cogs in a team that is going to be ranked.

It's fine that you have a different definition, and it's fine that you love the potential of a lot of our pieces, but given what UConn has achieved -- and what I desperately want to achieve going forward -- there is a lot I need to see before I'm near thinking our roster is stocked. But I certainly hope you turn out to be right.

 

[intlzncster]

We would then be in much better shape in terms of kids with upside based on how they played before coming to Storrs. I would only use the term stacked to describe players who have shown they can contribute at a high level in college, or for kids coming in NBA lottery type players. I will not use "stacked" to describe a Bouknight or a Gaffney until they have shown they make us stacked. And, as I've said, none of 'Rique (because of health), Vital, B. Adams, Diarra, Whaley or Carlton has come anywhere near showing that they are key cogs in a team that is going to be ranked.

It's fine that you have a different definition, and it's fine that you love the potential of a lot of our pieces, but given what UConn has achieved -- and what I desperately want to achieve going forward -- there is a lot I need to see before I'm near thinking our roster is stacked.

I just don't think you'll find anybody of comparable talent that's going to be a grad transfer. I guess if you can get a Tarin Smith*, you take him, but you're just hurting the young guys development. And next year is not the year to be shooting the moon. The year after will be the key.

*But the best you can usually get is a Yakwe, who won't be a significant upgrade if any.

 

[auror]

There seems to be increased talk of late signing with Kofi, Mitchell and Akok. Or maybe its just all coming from the same place multiple times, I haven't been paying close enough attention. The more knowledgeable here seem to think some of these guys are likely to sign early. It's a battle as to who is more informed and I hope our guys win the day.

The chatter has increased, but they're all just parroting from prior interviews before plans changed. We all know recruiting is fluid, grains of sand and all that. Well these guys use info from interviews given months ago or something the kid said during July evaluation period, etc., compile visit info, read some other blogspam from the same sources, and generate these articles without actually talking to anybody more recently,

 

[businesslawyer]

I just don't think you'll find anybody of comparable talent that's going to be a grad transfer. I guess if you can get a Tarin Smith*, you take him, but you're just hurting the young guys development. And next year is not the year to be shooting the moon. The year after will be the key.

*But the best you can usually get is a Yakwe, who won't be a significant upgrade if any.

Not if everyone stays healthy. But that is not always the case.

 

[intlzncster]

I'd love to see Polley develop, but based on last year there is no reason to think we are going to be a ranked team with him as a starter. And if Wilson hasn't immediately pushed him aside, while his upside is huge same there. The thought that Precious would only be icing on the cake -- as opposed to a much, much better cake -- I don't understand.

My point is that, as of next year, we'll have one legit D1 starter at the wing and one strong backup. Sid is a much better player than you're giving him shrift for. He'll probably be OK this year as he adjusts, but he'll come into his own as a soph. He's high D1 talent, not filler. And Polley would make a very effective backup. Can shoot very well and is long for the spot. If he learns to defend a bit, he's very solid in that role.

'Icing on the cake' and 'much better cake' means the same thing to me, so I'm not sure what you're getting at. Of course Precious is a better player, I'm not saying he isn't, that's why he's icing. But Sid isn't just serviceable. He's good.

 

[intlzncster]

Not if everyone stays healthy. But that is not always the case.

Alterique and Diarra's health is absolutely in question. But if they do, it's one of the more loaded teams in UCONN history. I'm not talking high end talent wise, but it playable depth. 10 guys who can play legit minutes is a LOT.

 

[businesslawyer]

We have heard nothing from any of Kofi, Mitchell or Wahab that they want to come here with another 5. Great if they do -- 2 quality bigs would be fine -- but I'd assume we are looking to get one of them. And that the one we want is Kofi, but if he won't commit for the early signing period we would see if Mitchell or Wahab would.

In any event, on top of the guards, knowing that Akok has verballed and they are going to be part of a great class will only help.

 

[auror]

To be fair Precious is so physical that he did play a lot of 4 this year, but in the NBA I’m sure he will he developed as a 3. I think he and Akok actually compliment each other very well offensively, because Akok can stretch the floor and Precious is more adept to attacking the rim.

S p a c i n g.

It's a foreign concept to UConn fans (since 2014), but let me assure you it's a good thing.

 

[Walker11]

For the sake of @Tenspro2002 's mental health let's squash the idea of a 6'9 kid with a developing skill set holding down the 3.

 

[goskis2018]

Respect your thoughts, why do you see them as similar? Chief00 has more slotted Akok as a power 4 and Precious as a swing 3 scorer.

Chief when you say Chief00 in your head do you say Chief-oh-oh or Chief-zero-zero

 

[Peacefrog]

0% chance.

Matrim all-in again. Love it.

 

[Burnsbros23]

The guys who think Precious is a 3 have not seen him play. The way the game has gone he’s a four. His handle and jump shot are shaky. His first step is incredible. And he can guard multiple spots. But where the game is going he is a four. At least for the next couple years.

Precious seems to be tied pretty deep with Under Armour. Left to go to IMG who’s Under Armour. Seems to be a guy who’s going to wait, I see His recruitment getting chaotic.

 

[kansashusky]

The guys who think Precious is a 3 have not seen him play. The way the game has gone he’s a four. His handle and jump shot are shaky. His first step is incredible. And he can guard multiple spots. But where the game is going he is a four. At least for the next couple years.

Precious seems to be tied pretty deep with Under Armour. Left to go to IMG who’s Under Armour. Seems to be a guy who’s going to wait, I see His recruitment getting chaotic.

Precious is at Montverde, a Nike school.

 

[Scrutineer]

I just don't think you'll find anybody of comparable talent that's going to be a grad transfer. I guess if you can get a Tarin Smith*, you take him, but you're just hurting the young guys development. And next year is not the year to be shooting the moon. The year after will be the key.

*But the best you can usually get is a Yakwe, who won't be a significant upgrade if any.

There can be a Travis Reid or similar transfer at times.

 

[Chief00]

Chef when you say Chief00 in your head do you say Chef-oh-oh or Chef-zero-zero

Somehow an edit was put into the BY to auto the name without the zeros to “Chef”.
So I use “Chief00” now. Jealousy is such a motivator for some. But, Chief00 will stay a step ahead.

 

[Danzz]

The guys who think Precious is a 3 have not seen him play. The way the game has gone he’s a four. His handle and jump shot are shaky. His first step is incredible. And he can guard multiple spots. But where the game is going he is a four. At least for the next couple years.

Precious seems to be tied pretty deep with Under Armour. Left to go to IMG who’s Under Armour. Seems to be a guy who’s going to wait, I see His recruitment getting chaotic.

5 star players can afford to wait and I believe Precious will do exactly that and see who commits where. If I had to put odds on UConn getting him I'd put our chances at about 25% if he waits until Spring due to the number schools involved.

 

[intlzncster]

There can be a Travis Reid or similar transfer at times.

It happens, but those guys rarely walk into a situation with a lot of incumbent players at their position. They walk into a good team with an obvious hole because they want buku minutes.

 

[intlzncster]

S p a c i n g.

It's a foreign concept to UConn fans (since 2014), but let me assure you it's a good thing.

That's what happens when you have guys who can actually shoot.

 

[Chief00]

There seems to be increased talk of late signing with Kofi, Mitchell and Akok. Or maybe its just all coming from the same place multiple times, I haven't been paying close enough attention. The more knowledgeable here seem to think some of these guys are likely to sign early. It's a battle as to who is more informed and I hope our guys win the day.

That’s why you have Chief00 to guide you. It’s great the recent interest of various casual fans. It’s all good.

 

[auror]

The guys who think Precious is a 3 have not seen him play. The way the game has gone he’s a four. His handle and jump shot are shaky. His first step is incredible. And he can guard multiple spots. But where the game is going he is a four. At least for the next couple years.

He's a 4 in the way that Michael Kidd Gilchrist is being tried out at the 4 this year a bit by the Hornets. He's a wing slasher. Some teams might utilize him at the 4 defensively, but he's not going in the post and he's not banging. That's why it would be best to pair him with floor spacing.

 

[Matrim55]

If I had to put odds on UConn getting him I'd put our chances at about 25% if he waits until Spring due to the number schools involved.

Less than that.

He's a 4 in the way that Michael Kidd Gilchrist is being tried out at the 4 this year a bit by the Hornets. He's a wing slasher. Some teams might utilize him at the 4 defensively, but he's not going in the post and he's not banging. That's why it would be best to pair him with floor spacing.

In the modern game that's a 4.

 

[Peacefrog]

That’s why you have Chief00 to guide you. It’s great the recent interest of various casual fans. It’s all good.

Thanks for the condescension and back-handed compliment. I think.

 

[Chief00]

Thanks for the condescension and back-handed compliment. I think.

You’re welcome!

 

[Burnsbros23]

My bad ur right he’s at Monteverde. That’s good. Made a point to go see him twice in Vegas as well as Gaffney and Bouknight.

We have had this debate about guys like roscoe Smith and Deandre daniels. Precious is less skilled then them. Way better athlete and body is ahead of them. Best comparison I can Think of is pascal Siakam on Toronto.

 

[Chief00]

Less than that.


In the modern game that's a 4.

What none of us know is if a guy who has relied on athleticism can develop an outside shot when he starts playing against more players who are athletic with length - so getting to the rim and finishing is tougher.