OT: Fatts Russell in the transfer portal

[bendm]

I’m wondering if he was considering coming here last year and it didn’t work out, what would make it different this year?

could have just been that he wasnt sure if he'd get a waiver if he transferred and he didnt wanna redshirt. now the waiver rule is as good as passed so it's not a factor

 

[superjohn]

If it's the Fatts Russell from his junior year I would take him in a heartbeat. The guy makes stuff happen all over the place and can put the ball in the hoop, I don't care how small he is.

 

[ucawn]

First, I don’t know why people want to bring Fatts onto a team for 1 year in which we have THREE point guards on the roster

Sure the bond between Hurley and Fatts is something special... but Hurley knows what’s in the best interest of the team and knows with the situation it just won’t work out.

Third, this fits none of the desired needs from the transfer portal. What’s we think we need/want is a

• Big Guard
• Shooter
• Big man as a grad transfer

As good of a player Fatts is he doesn’t fit into any of the categories.

 

[Hoophound]

I’d take him yesterday. Get him healthy, have him shoot 500 shots per day and put a little more muscle on him. He’s a better talent than we saw this year.

Diggins needs to develop, Cole is good in both guard spots, he can play with Fatts. Gaff is there to play 1/2/3 as needed. I like it.

I still want a taller shooter, but our roster may have some other changes coming that will fill that role. You can’t pass up a healthy Fatts.

 

[Ts5034]

This is what the grad transfer portal is meant for in my opinion. You shouldn't rely on grad transfers to base your entire roster on. I think they should be for added depth and to fill needs. The best part is how they only take up a scholarship for one season, and the fact they are experienced players. So, instead of leaving scholarships unfilled, Id rather add a grad transfer. With that said, I would take Fatts in a second over leaving a scholarship open.

 

[UconnU]

I would be really, really, really, really, really, really surprised.

I feel like this one ticks boxes for UConn that are already ticked.

With exception of scoring. We need playmakers for next year. We have a group of number 2 options. Hey we won a national championship with 2 5’10 guards. With all this said I spoke with Andrea last year and she laughed about the idea of Fatts coming to UConn but maybe things have changed. He didn’t even enter the portal last year. Let’s hope he’s just looking for a shot at a championship or more exposure.

 

[KingAG]

We won with Bazz and Boat. Cole and Fatts would be fine. I don’t think we can bank on Gaffney and Diggins being the answer next season. Gaffney hasn’t shown me enough, especially as a ball handler. I believe you make it work with great players. Give me Fatts

 

[MDHuskFan]

Super tight with Hurley & Martin. While I don’t know exactly the fit. With Bouk gone, RJ may be the only person who can get a shot for himself off the dribble next year

 

[KingAG]

Super tight with Hurley & Martin. While I don’t know exactly the fit. With Bouk gone, RJ may be the only person who can get a shot for himself off the dribble next year

Exactly. We’re going to need more bucket getters

 

[superjohn]

Super tight with Hurley & Martin. While I don’t know exactly the fit. With Bouk gone, RJ may be the only person who can get a shot for himself off the dribble next year

Exactly. We’re going to need more bucket getters

That's the way I look at it, we'll have a bunch of athletes and guys who can do a lot of things but not a lot of guys who look like they can take you off the dribble and get a bucket.

 

[Fishy]

With exception of scoring. We need playmakers for next year. We have a group of number 2 options. Hey we won a national championship with 2 5’10 guards. With all this said I spoke with Andrea last year and she laughed about the idea of Fatts coming to UConn but maybe things have changed. He didn’t even enter the portal last year. Let’s hope he’s just looking for a shot at a championship or more exposure.

No.

He’s a 33% percent shooter - from the field - in the A10.

Do you know how that translates into the Big East? Poorly.

A pair of socks could enter the portal and 80% of this board would offer it a scholarship.

 

[Magruber]

Exactly. We’re going to need more bucket getters

1000% right.

 

[Magruber]

No.

He’s a 33% percent shooter - from the field - in the A10.

Do you know how that translates into the Big East? Poorly.

A pair of socks could enter the portal and 80% of this board would offer it a scholarship.

He'll get better coaching and be surrounded with much better players at UCONN.

 

[KingAG]

He'll get better coaching and be surrounded with much better players at UCONN.

The Tyrese Martin effect. Go back and look at his transfer thread last season. Many of the same reactions. I trust Hurley on talent evaluation

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to the transfers that get people excited here versus the ones that get a “hard pass.” An inefficient undersized guard doesn’t seem to be an area of need.

 

[AdamaNation]

I imagine the board will be split on this one but personally I don’t see the fit at all. I also.......don’t think he’s that special.

Sorry but tyrese will be and should be the last and best caliber player to be plucked from that conference and team. On to better pastures. Thanks. Maybe last year or before. The ship has upgraded and left the dock.

 

[superjohn]

No.

He’s a 33% percent shooter - from the field - in the A10.

Do you know how that translates into the Big East? Poorly.

A pair of socks could enter the portal and 80% of this board would offer it a scholarship.

It sounds like his season was a mess with injury and Covid this year but last year he averaged 26 ppg against Bama, LSU, West Virginia, and Providence. The guy can clearly play and get buckets against P5 teams and he's coming from the A-10 which isn't exactly like playing for Howard and I think RJ has shown he's worthy.

 

[KingAG]

There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to the transfers that get people excited here versus the ones that get a “hard pass.” An inefficient undersized guard doesn’t seem to be an area of need.

Which previous transfer we’ve talked about averaged 26 in a league the caliber of the A10?

 

[UConnStats]

We needed shooting and he shot his team out of A10 games repeatedly. I don’t remotely see a fit.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to the transfers that get people excited here versus the ones that get a “hard pass.” An inefficient undersized guard doesn’t seem to be an area of need.

In fairness, you can’t watch him and not get a bit excited by the potential but his shot selection is generally atrocious. Wild and unnecessary shots. I have no doubt he’d be a good addition if he could be smarter about his shot selection, but I have a lot of doubts that he will stop taking the NBA range+ threes early in the shot clock.

 

[superjohn]

People on URI board and PC board seem to think he's coming here, it makes a ton of sense actually.

 

[Huskyforlife]

There's really no downside, if he's the Fatts from last year, he'll quickly see the bench. If he's the Fatts from the year before, he solves a big play making problem we have. We shouldn't be asking him to shoot 12 shots a game. Play great D on PGs, drive and dish, only shoot when open. If he's expecting a star role, I agree the fit isn't right.

 

[auror]

No.

He’s a 33% percent shooter - from the field - in the A10.

Do you know how that translates into the Big East? Poorly.

A pair of socks could enter the portal and 80% of this board would offer it a scholarship.

Shot 36% from 3 last year. 80% FT shooter 2 years in a row. Should be able to shoot in a supporting role with better shot selection.
Great passer, doesn't turn the ball over despite heavy defensive attention. Draws a shit load of fouls. Grabs a bunch of steals. All good things.

People on URI board and PC board seem to think he's coming here, it makes a ton of sense actually.

Hard to imagine why we wouldn't reach out to Myreon Jones but did reach out to Seth Lundy unless we knew a similar player would be interested...

 

[KingAG]

Martin was erratic and out of control in URI’s system too. This is identical to the reaction y’all gave in the Tyrese Martin transfer thread lol

 

[KingAG]

Yea he’ll be a husky

 

[Huskyforlife]

Yea he’ll be a husky

Is this info?

 

[TRest]

There won't be enough shots available to hurt the team is not a ringing endorsement.

 

[CTBasketball]

You know what I hate? Inefficient volume scorers who shoot 30% from the field.

 

[Kenny11]

Would hurley want him? If not, Would Hurley be able to tell fatts he doesn’t want him. If so, would gaffney be really really pissed?

 

[Leebo]

If they're as close as people say, then Hurley can be honest about there not being a good role for him if it's how it is. If Hurley thinks it won't work, he won't try to force it for no reason, that would just bite him later.