ESPN Way Too Early Top 25 and Questions for Each Team

[superjohn]

They were right. Clingan and our general size covered it up enough, most people think our backcourt will be 2 dudes under 6’3, and average at best athletes on the wing. If Hurley can build a top 10 defense outa that, he’s the greatest coach to ever live.

We also lost maybe the best perimeter defender, and rim protector in the sport. I think it’s fair to have defensive questions.

It's pretty wild you're still sticking with this after what you posted before last season and after what we all saw this past season and now you're making it an issue again.

The New Roster -- Where is the Athleticism?

It’s not an invalid concern. They’re less bouncy than last year, but Ball and Castle plus Johnson and Ross add some good athleticism at each spot. I think the one thing that also dispels your concern is that our best athletes last year weren’t exactly blowing by defenders and finishing in the...

the-boneyard.com

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Oof, some brutal takes in that thread.

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[bendm]

Hot take: diarra will lead the team in assists and be second in minutes

 

[uh-no]

Hot take: diarra will lead the team in assists and be second in minutes

not hot for me. he was incredible off the bench in the tourney.

 

[3rdbass]

I think Diarra is the perfect complement for Mahaney. Mahaney lacks athletic ability and isn't a great defefnsive player but can play the Cam Spencer role to perfection.

 

[businesslawyer]

They were right. Clingan and our general size covered it up enough, most people think our backcourt will be 2 dudes under 6’3, and average at best athletes on the wing. If Hurley can build a top 10 defense outa that, he’s the greatest coach to ever live.

We also lost maybe the best perimeter defender, and rim protector in the sport. I think it’s fair to have defensive questions.

We will not be as good a defensive team next year. Period. But remember what Hurley said — we don’t have to be anywhere near as good this year as we were last year to win a championship.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

One thing that we will need to accept is that the 24-25 team won't be close defensively to what the 23-24 team was.

Another thing that we will need to accept is that a few very talented players will end up playing fewer minutes/lesser roles than they would have if they were on earlier versions of highly talented UConn teams. We've never had the talent at players 9-12 that we have this season.

Fortunately it is possible to win with a defense that may not be comparable to what we had last year.

I do hope that DH & staff are willing and able to make some slight adjustments to how they've game planned over the past few years. If we play at a quicker pace and go a couple players deeper in the rotation than we have in the past we could put ourselves in a serious advantage against most of our opponents.

 

[CL82]

It's pretty wild you're still sticking with this after what you posted before last season and after what we all saw this past season and now you're making it an issue again.

The New Roster -- Where is the Athleticism?

It’s not an invalid concern. They’re less bouncy than last year, but Ball and Castle plus Johnson and Ross add some good athleticism at each spot. I think the one thing that also dispels your concern is that our best athletes last year weren’t exactly blowing by defenders and finishing in the...

the-boneyard.com

Lol, The Boneyard never forgets!

 

[CL82]

One thing that we will need to accept is that the 24-25 team won't be close defensively to what the 23-24 team was.

Another thing that we will need to accept is that a few very talented players will end up playing fewer minutes/lesser roles than they would have if they were on earlier versions of highly talented UConn teams. We've never had the talent at players 9-12 that we have this season.

Fortunately it is possible to win with a defense that may not be comparable to what we had last year.

I do hope that DH & staff are willing and able to make some slight adjustments to how they've game planned over the past few years. If we play at a quicker pace and go a couple players deeper in the rotation than we have in the past we could put ourselves in a serious advantage against most of our opponents.

One of the off-season quotes from Hurley said essentially that we were so good last year we could be a significantly worse team this year and still win the whole thing. I don't think he's wrong about about that.

 

[businesslawyer]

One of the off-season quotes from Hurley said essentially that we were so good last year we could be a significantly worse team this year and still win the whole thing. I don't think he's wrong about about that.

What, you’re mansplaining what I said a few minutes ago? LOL.

 

[CL82]

What, you’re mansplaining what I said a few minutes ago? LOL.

Lol, relax Biz, I missed your post.

Can you actually "mansplain" to another guy, or have you changed the way you identify?

 

[HuskyHawk]

One thing that we will need to accept is that the 24-25 team won't be close defensively to what the 23-24 team was.

Another thing that we will need to accept is that a few very talented players will end up playing fewer minutes/lesser roles than they would have if they were on earlier versions of highly talented UConn teams. We've never had the talent at players 9-12 that we have this season.

Fortunately it is possible to win with a defense that may not be comparable to what we had last year.

I do hope that DH & staff are willing and able to make some slight adjustments to how they've game planned over the past few years. If we play at a quicker pace and go a couple players deeper in the rotation than we have in the past we could put ourselves in a serious advantage against most of our opponents.

I think we have more shooting than we did last year. At least on paper. As for the defense, we can't replace Donovan or Steph fully. But what we can do is use that depth to wear teams down defensively. I wouldn't be too surprised to see us press a little more this year, run a little more and lean into that depth. I really don't think there's much drop-off at any spot on the floor except the 4, and even there if Stewart is the main backup to Alex. Guys 1-9 are all going to be very good.

 

[Huskyforlife]

It's pretty wild you're still sticking with this after what you posted before last season and after what we all saw this past season and now you're making it an issue again.

The New Roster -- Where is the Athleticism?

It’s not an invalid concern. They’re less bouncy than last year, but Ball and Castle plus Johnson and Ross add some good athleticism at each spot. I think the one thing that also dispels your concern is that our best athletes last year weren’t exactly blowing by defenders and finishing in the...

the-boneyard.com

"You can make make up for weaknesses with good game planning and elite strengths in other areas, which we have on paper."

Athleticism was obviously a weakness last year, it will be a weakness again this year. Not sure how my post from that thread disproves my point? How Hurley schemes to overcome it will be one of the 'X Factors' this season, especially with the best defensive player since AD now in the league.

You're living in a delusion if you think these starting lineups would be considered "athletic." It doesn't mean we won't curbstomp our way to a third straight title.

 

[Vancat]

Well, we do know that he hold a special place in the Queen’s heart.

 

[ddent68]

I think everyone here knows we are extremely unlikely to be as good on defense. We can be good just not as good. Probably good enough. I don’t understand the un athletic argument. It seems like a meaningless observation. We have got some guys that can play. Most of the time we argue about who is going to play more and if all of our awesome players will be able to get playing time at all. Who are these un athletic players that are going to hold us back? Pre season All American Alex? Potential one and done McDonald’s All American Liam? Mahaney? How is this going to be an “issue”? Didn’t seem to matter last year

 

[3rdbass]

I think everyone here knows we are extremely unlikely to be as good on defense. We can be good just not as good. Probably good enough. I don’t understand the un athletic argument. It seems like a meaningless observation. We have got some guys that can play. Most of the time we argue about who is going to play more and if all of our awesome players will be able to get playing time at all. Who are these un athletic players that are going to hold us back? Pre season All American Alex? Potential one and done McDonald’s All American Liam? Mahaney? How is this going to be an “issue”? Didn’t seem to matter last year

And with Diarra and Johnson in the starting lineup we have som athletes on the floor.

 

[dennismenace]

I know im in the minority here but im still in the camp of hass is the perfect 6th man and should stay in that role. Just when the other teams legs are getting a little heavy he comes in and sparks big runs. The minutes would be virtually the same but I'd start solo let Hass continue to create havoc 6 minutes in.

I'm not concerned on this because we need his experience at the point. Wait until we see the energy off the bench with Nowell and Abraham among others. We have never been this deep before in my memory. This team in some ways has the potential to run a lot of teams right out of the building. Our opponents are in for some long evenings and afternoons. Remember the look on Eddy's face in the second half last year. Same thing with Illinois.

 

[Methalius]

Since it's close enough to the new season shouldn't this be the Too Early Top 25 instead of the Way Too Early Top 25?

3. UConn Huskies​

Previous ranking: 3

Can Hassan Diarra make the step up to the starting lineup? In addition to all the NBA talent the Huskies have produced the past couple of years, Dan Hurley has also had one of the best bench guards in the country in Diarra. Last season's Big East Sixth Man Award winner started just four games the past two seasons, but he should have the ball in his hands in 2024-25.

Projected starting lineup

Hassan Diarra (6.1 PPG)
Aidan Mahaney (13.9 PPG at Saint Mary's)
Liam McNeeley (No. 9 in ESPN 100)
Alex Karaban (13.3 PPG)
Samson Johnson (5.4 PPG)

Men's WTE Top 25: The biggest question for each ranked team

Can Kansas find the right combo? Can Flagg prove he's the best player in the country? Here are key questions for each top-25 team two months before the season.

www.espn.com

That's their question? That is far from their most important question to be answered. How about, how will UConn adjust to losing the best defensive player in the country the last 2 seasons? I feel like Diarra will be absolutely fine and if he isn't there are others who can facilite the offense. ESPN seems to only know how to ask dumb questions.

 

[James]

Not too concerned with Diarra either, he'll be one of the best defensive guards in the country and could take another step forward on offense. My big question is if Reed + Samson can be as impactful or close to impactful as the previous two seasons front courts... its hard losing replacing nba players but I'm excited to see how they play. And really, how good they are defensively as 5s will dictate how far the team goes tbh

 

[SubbaBub]

The bigger question is post play. Diarra has already shown he can play at a high level even if he doesn't score, rebound, or make plays as well as Newton.

I'm more worried about interior defense and demanding attention inside on offense.

With Diarra you can project decent production with increased minutes. Is Johnson going to suddenly get 6 dunks per game instead of 2? Will opponents paint scoring remain anywhere close to what it was with Clingan over 40 minutes with the new pairing? I have no idea.

I do know, Diarra can defend and run the offense even if his numbers aren't eye popping.

Other questions more pressing that Diarra:

Can Karaban consistently dominate as the #1 option?

Can any of the new guys contribute in the way that Castle and Spencer did by filling in gaps?

 

[awy]

the three areas to watch are, who can emerge on offense to pose a threat, perimeter defense from smaller guards, defense from the C spot. not too concerned about offense, and the perimeter defense should be there, the biggest question is how much drop off from clingan to this year's group at C. it'll be sizeable but will it be manageable.

 

[superjohn]

What, you’re mansplaining what I said a few minutes ago? LOL.

Good lord, can we please get rid of "mansplaining." What a ridiculous word.

 

[aceboon]

 

[Chin Diesel]

Good lord, can we please get rid of "mansplaining." What a ridiculous word.

You're chomping at the bit waiting to explain this to us.