2020 Recruiting: Etienne considering reclass

[superjohn]

There’s barely any true centers right now. Also Whaley dominated Precious defensively. He can play center.

He can in most games probably but we're super thin there. Carlton has regressed and is a terrible fit for how Hurley wants them to play and he can't play with Whaley. Etienne is really good and will be a perfect fit for Hurley's style.

 

[Bonk]

Does having a player under a “ Medical Redshirt” open up a schooly??

I don't think so but that'd be a great thing for the NCAA to change.

And to the people debating whether Whaley and Etienne are 4's or 5's, I just don't think it matters with Hurley. His most effective lineups are when we play relatively small, and what we need in the front court is a big that can consistently get ORebs and DRebs, run the floor, and be mobile on defense while not get bullied by traditional centers. Etienne, Whaley, and Springs all fit that description. Unfortunately I don't think JC does.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Precious is not a true center

I know that. But he’s physically dominant and bigger than Whaley but Whaley more than held his own. And I can’t think of really any true centers in the BE off the top of my head.

 

[ctchamps]

lol this is literally one of the many games he’s played. Also, who cares if a gym is boring? He’s putting in work.

Loved his Phil Nolan moment.

 

[BlueMAB]

Does having a player under a “ Medical Redshirt” open up a schooly??

No, they're still on scholarship.

 

[Ajs120102]

I know that. But he’s physically dominant and bigger than Whaley but Whaley more than held his own. And I can’t think of really any true centers in the BE off the top of my head.

Only major competition rn isn’t Syracuse, it’s Miami. Who have zero centers next year pending a redshirt juniors decision.
Although he has tremendous relationships with Bouknight and Javonte Brown Ferguson. And his mom prefers he stay close to home but won’t push him.

 

[ctchamps]

Whaley got dominated by Vogt. Precious is a college PF and NBA SF, he's nothing close to a center. He's out of position due to Wiseman. Agree that many teams don't have a center. I still think Whaley is likely our starting 4 next season with Springs behind him.

Add Collin Smith from UCF to the equation.

If Akok can't play next season or his play is reduced Whaley can make up a lot of the loss on defense. And imo he would be a net positive on offense compared to a completely healed Akok not only in getting more FT attempts and offensive rebounds but a better complementary player to whoever plays the five.

 

[Bonk]

Only major competition rn isn’t Syracuse, it’s Miami. Who have zero centers next year pending a redshirt juniors decision.

Always have to be nervous when Illinoi$ is involved too but you are right. Miami being desperate for a center is concerning. If Hurley can promise at least 15-20 minutes a game next year then turn him loose as the main big his sophomore year we're in good shape. If we're recruiting him for 2020 to redshirt or to get 10> minutes a game then Miami's pitch could really entice him.

 

[Ajs120102]

Always have to be nervous when Illinoi$ is involved too but you are right. Miami being desperate for a center is concerning. If Hurley can promise at least 15-20 minutes a game next year then turn him lose as the main big his sophomore year we're in good shape. If we're recruiting him for 2020 to redshirt or to get 10> minutes a game then Miami's pitch could really entice him.

If he’s reclassifying to 2020 I’d have to assume that he knows freshman year is more developmental because he’s still young. I think he’s in if he knows it’s just him and Javonte Brown Ferguson in 21. Plus I just think UConns loyalty pays off in the end. Miami entered the picture months after UConn offered in July. He’s been to open practice, game, visit, he tagged javonte brown in his last visit to campus. It just seems it’s UConns to lose. Plus I don’t worry about Illinois. Kofi wasn’t nearly as enamored with UConn when he committed to Illinois vs Mac who seems to genuinely be close to players and coaches.

 

[husky429]

Whaley is 6'8". He's not a center and gets demolished going against true centers. Fortunately we haven't played many. Whaley is much better suited to play PF. Javonte Brown Ferguson is over 7 feet tall. He's a true Center. Mac looks like he could flex 4-5, but would need to improve his jump shot. Springs is probably a flex 4-5 too.

We are lucky in that the big east isn't a league with a ton of true centers. So our true bigs may have an advantage, and we should be able to play Whaley quite a bit if he keeps up the improvement

 

[Bonk]

If he’s reclassifying to 2020 I’d have to assume that he knows freshman year is more developmental because he’s still young. I think he’s in if he knows it’s just him and Javonte Brown Ferguson in 21. Plus I just think UConns loyalty pays off in the end. Miami entered the picture months after UConn offered in July. He’s been to open practice, game, visit, he tagged javonte brown in his last visit to campus. It just seems it’s UConns to lose. Plus I don’t worry about Illinois. Kofi wasn’t nearly as enamored with UConn when he committed to Illinois vs Mac who seems to genuinely be close to players and coaches.

Looking at Miami's roster right now they should have at least 4-5 bigs competing for big minutes next year. Nysier Brooks sat out this year transferring from Cinci, then there's Anthony Walker, Deng Gak, Rodney Miller Jr., and Sam Waardenburg. They seem to be in the same situation as us where the following year will have way more playing time available.

Makes me feel a little better. I thought their front court was completely open next year.

 

[kansashusky]

Purvis is currently tweeting at Mac. Probably not a bad thing.

 

[UConnKev]

Rodney helping us out

 

[Watchdog]

If Gilbert goes, the plan is to add another guard, as they agree that would be a need. Also, they can make four guards playing together work ok if needed- and Hurley has in the past at a high level- but it’s not the preference. It can be an option, but it’s not the primary plan.

You're assuming AJ, with his ball handling skills, is not being looked at by Hurley as a guard/small forward?

 

[UconnU]

Whaley is 6'8". He's not a center and gets demolished going against true centers. Fortunately we haven't played many. Whaley is much better suited to play PF. Javonte Brown Ferguson is over 7 feet tall. He's a true Center. Mac looks like he could flex 4-5, but would need to improve his jump shot. Springs is probably a flex 4-5 too.

Mac is a 5. We’ll be fine. Remember Nova had a GREAT team in 2006 that gave big big east team all kinds of fits playing 4 guards and a smallish center. We’ll be fine with lineups like Cole, Bouk, Adams, Jackson, Whaley.

 

[husky429]

Bruner doesn’t fit our needs right now. H

I trust our devel

Mac is a 5. We’ll be fine. Remember Nova had a GREAT team in 2006 that gave big big east team all kinds of fits playing 4 guards and a smallish center. We’ll be fine with lineups like Cole, Bouk, Adams, Jackson, Whaley.

I would prefer Etienne if he is going 2020 than Bruner. But you keep repeating that Bruner doesn't fit our needs and it makes no sense. We don't have a 4 that has played D1 basketball right now. Relying on Sid and Springs is a big risk. The staff has said they are aggressively going after a 4 and a big shooter. Mac is neither of those--he's just good enough that you take him regardless and figure out the rest.

 

[MDHuskFan]

Matrim already spoke.

 

[Watchdog]

Javonte Brown Ferguson has +++ length. His speed remains to be proven, but strength and conditioning can help there. Motor is something Hurley believes he can coach. Javonte Brown Ferguson is a high upside, but not zero risk, recruit. He also may not be ready as a freshman to take big minutes.

Good point about Javonte Brown Ferguson maybe not being ready. I skimmed through two of the games to which people posted links and he did not show any spirit and aggression like Etienne shows in the videos we've seen of him. Etienne plays with abandon. Javonte Brown Ferguson just jogged down the court, didn't attack the basket on offense, waited for the ball instead of going after rebounds, got poor position on defense and those observations may be just some of the reasons why Hurley is the coach and I'm not.

Or maybe Hurley's having some reservations about Javonte Brown Ferguson being ready and believes he needs another big man.

 

[Watchdog]

If neither Etienne or Sanogo reclassify UConn will have at a minimum - Whaley, Springs, and Javonte Brown Ferguson as bigs next year which is an improvement in depth and hopefully skills over just Whaley and Carlton this year. If Carlton stays that is even more depth. Also could get Akok back toward the end of the season.

If Carlton stays would Hurley try to sell Etienne on the benefits of redshirting and developing his body and skills for significant PT with the graduation of Whaley and Carlton in 2021?

Or, maybe he's thinking Javonte Brown Ferguson, who's very young as I recall, needs a redshirt year to be able to compete at this level.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Hurley with that eye of the tiger

View attachment 51311

 

[bendm]

Whaley is 6'8". He's not a center and gets demolished going against true centers.

absolutely. he's a 4 on defense but a 5 on offense. if whaley can continue his development and learn to stretch the floor (i dont see him making 3s even if he can start hitting a 15 footer) then sure problem solved but that's not just something we can rely on at this point.

factoring in our other personnel- if whaley is playing PF (meaning we also have a true center out there) then how does Jackson see the floor? there's only 2 guys that can shoot in that lineup

 

[HuskyHawk]

absolutely. he's a 4 on defense but a 5 on offense. if whaley can continue his development and learn to stretch the floor then yes problem solved but that's not just something we can rely on at this point. if whaley is playing PF (which means we also have a center out there) then how does Jackson see the floor? that's a horrible shooting lineup

They view Jackson as a guard/SF. He is absolutely not a power forward anyway. His shooting is getting better. You don't need four three point shooters on the floor when your bigs are actually scoring around the rim.

I know everyone is enjoying our limited success playing small ball (even though we choked against a bad Temple team), but I don't think Dan is doing it out of anything but necessity. He loves the skill level and mobility no doubt, but I don't think he likes the length at all.

Next year we probably have
C: a legit Big. Maybe Etienne, Javonte Brown Ferguson (Carlton if he is here)
PF: Whaley, Springs, maybe Akok/Polley/Sid
SF: Jackson, Polley, Adams
SG: Bouk, Gaff, Adams
PG: Cole, Gaff

 

[bendm]

They view Jackson as a guard/SF. He is absolutely not a power forward anyway. His shooting is getting better. You don't need four three point shooters on the floor when your bigs are actually scoring around the rim.

i think you misunderstood something i said. i know AJ isn't a PF. I'm saying a lineup of AJ, Whaley, and a Center only has 2 three point shooters on the floor (cole/gaff/bouk/adams) and none are considered snipers

 

[mauconnfan]

Yes, he'd just need to learn to stretch the floor a little more. Which he probably can. Most big guys learn to shoot later. Meanwhile, we do indeed have Javonte Brown Ferguson coming in at 7 feet and change and Springs. I think we'd be in good shape next season by just adding Mac.

I think we need a shooter of some sort. Big guard or swing type who can rebound a little. Asking a lot maybe but needs are still there. We have no clue on too many things we already have as it is.

 

[superjohn]

Who are all these great shooting power forwards we've had? I see Daniels who we could get away with playing there because we had the best backcourt in the country.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Oriakho and Whaley are about the same size. Whaley can play the 5 if need be or he can play the four.

we need a center who doesn’t come to the top of the key for a dribble handoff or set screens. Need a bruiser down low

 

[HuskyHawk]

i think you misunderstood something i said. i know AJ isn't a PF. I'm saying a lineup of AJ, Whaley, and a Center only has 2 three point shooters on the floor (cole/gaff/bouk/adams) and none are considered snipers

AJ is becoming a better shooter. He will be serviceable. Bouk couldn't hit the broadside of the barn the first half of the year. I think the plan was that with Andre at SF you could run out Akok at the 4 and stretch teams. I think that still works with Polley at the 4. I think you play Polley and Adams at the 3 with Whaley at the 4.

 

[huskyinfl]

He needs to work on his taunting

 

[Watchdog]

Took a look at Brunner in some individual games. Looked at 4 games vs. P5 plus UMass and then four Ivy games and he doesn't look like a guy I'd take over Etienne or Sanogo, or maybe the IVY League is tougher than we think.

Averages: 33 minutes
11.3 points
9.1 rebounds
3.8 assists
Shooting percentages: 44.8, 33.0 on threes, 74.5 on FT's

Individual games:
11/17 OK St. 3/11, 0/4 (3's), 0/0 FT's, for 6 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, 4 fouls, 35 minutes
11/23 PSU 3/7, 1/3 (3's), 1/4 FT's, for 8 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, 2 fouls, 34 minutes
12/11 UMass 8/11, 0/2 (3's), 0/0 FT's for 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, 3 fouls, 40 minutes
12/22 Clemson 3/9, 2/5 (3's), 2/2 FT's for 10 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists, 2 fouls, 34 minutes
12/30 UNC 6/10, 2/4 (3's), 3/4 FT's for 17 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists, 1 foul, 36 minutes

Then there's 4 bad Ivy games with horrible shooting percentages and not in foul trouble:
1/24 Brown 0/2, 0/2 (3's) 2/2 FT's for 2 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists with 3 fouls in 31 minutes
2/7 Harvard 1/8, 1/3 (3's), 0/0 Ft's, for 3 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists with 3 fouls in 34 minutes
2/15 Penn 2/8, 2/6 (3's), 0/0 FT's for 6 points, 7 rebounds, 0 assists with 1 foul in 30 minutes
2/22 Columbia 0/5, 0/4 (3's), 2/2 FT's for 2 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists with 0 fouls in 27 minutes

 

[sledog]

Def needs few lbs / muscle.