C
Chief00
I would take a beast in a second.
Graduate Transfers Commentary
- Thread starter Kitaman
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Knucklehead
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Gibbs was asked to do things that you could only ask a mature player to do. Play off his natural position and mentor a rising star in Jalen. Both seemed very difficult at times to do. There were some things about Miller that I really liked but other things that didn't help out, like his foul complaints. In my opinion, we hit a shot and win a tight game like we did against cincy, earlier in the year, and we're off to the races. Tough wins create comraderie and we had little of that until our backs were against the wall.
I like the RJ Evans and Kromah's a bit more than I like instant starters but those were the cards we were dealt this season. Without gibbs and miller it would have been an ugly year.
I like the RJ Evans and Kromah's a bit more than I like instant starters but those were the cards we were dealt this season. Without gibbs and miller it would have been an ugly year.
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Miller was awesome this year. Without him the wheels might totally fall off.
I personally think Gibbs was just overrated coming in. Had the ultimate green light at seton hall. Good shooter but can't exactly get his own shot.
If neither of them came I don't think Jalen Adams would of been ready to be the leader. Not sure he will be ready to lead next year. His body language isn't great. He's also never had to lead his high school team. At Cushing Kaleb Joseph was a year older. At Brewster he played with so many other studs.
I personally think Gibbs was just overrated coming in. Had the ultimate green light at seton hall. Good shooter but can't exactly get his own shot.
If neither of them came I don't think Jalen Adams would of been ready to be the leader. Not sure he will be ready to lead next year. His body language isn't great. He's also never had to lead his high school team. At Cushing Kaleb Joseph was a year older. At Brewster he played with so many other studs.
C
Chief00
I actually think Adams is fiery.
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I'm in the flexible camp, if you need players you do your utmost to find the best players available. Ideally graduate transfers are best as 'sixth man' types that can bring their unique skill set & maturity to a team missing a key ingredient (see Kromah, Lasan). That wasn't UConn 2015-16 so I don't think you throw the concept out because it didn't work this time ESPECIALLY when it just worked 2 years ago.
Maybe IF you are evaluating Grad transfers vs diamond in rough type recruits/class that might take a few years to develop but then could blend into a championship level team/player you err on the side of development. But this year was a unique case. If Hamilton had hit his 2nd half of the season stride in early January (instead of March) and Brimah hadn't gotten hurt, UConn may have rounded into a top10-ish team by the end of February. So I'd certainly roll the dice on Miller and Gibbs in a do-over.
It is similar as others have pointed out to one-and-done. Situational use can work. I don't think after Kromah they purposefully steered into a continual strategy of Grad transfers, but they saw it could work then and now have more information about how it can work coupled with the challenges it presents. Good learning experience.
Maybe IF you are evaluating Grad transfers vs diamond in rough type recruits/class that might take a few years to develop but then could blend into a championship level team/player you err on the side of development. But this year was a unique case. If Hamilton had hit his 2nd half of the season stride in early January (instead of March) and Brimah hadn't gotten hurt, UConn may have rounded into a top10-ish team by the end of February. So I'd certainly roll the dice on Miller and Gibbs in a do-over.
It is similar as others have pointed out to one-and-done. Situational use can work. I don't think after Kromah they purposefully steered into a continual strategy of Grad transfers, but they saw it could work then and now have more information about how it can work coupled with the challenges it presents. Good learning experience.
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The Funster
What?
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Definitely has to be on a case by case basis, IMO. I think it's difficult to integrate two grad transfers into starting roles but Miller and Gibbs definitely saved our season even if we didn't fully maximize their ability.
ctchamps
We are UConn!! 6 >>>1!
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I'm certain I'm fluid. Especially when I have a beer or three.
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I think the OP went off on some tangent.
The fundamental question about 2015-2016 at this point last year was having Jalen Adams step in as Ryan Boatwright left. And we had zero offensive capability inside with Facey, Brimah, Nolan.
The Staff made a conscious choice as to how they wanted to groom Adams - that should be obvious. He needed to grow & none of the 4 former ball handling coaches wanted him to be our lead guard from Day One.
The answer had to be an experienced immediate transfer. Gibbs fit ... and he turned out to be the good citizen as well. Miller also provided a fit.
What do we need? KO pointed to Kansas I think. Development of Bigs over the life of a program (and YES there still is hope that Brimah & Facey can have outstanding senior campaigns - look at other examples). Enoch & Adams are crucial development projects for our Program (and the new guys). You have to have physical polished kids inside - like Landen Lucas. You need to keep feeding UConn with charismatic guards. I'm happy to see Jalen progress.
You don't make graduate student players core strategic pushes; you do need - as Calhoun did - plugs.
The fundamental question about 2015-2016 at this point last year was having Jalen Adams step in as Ryan Boatwright left. And we had zero offensive capability inside with Facey, Brimah, Nolan.
The Staff made a conscious choice as to how they wanted to groom Adams - that should be obvious. He needed to grow & none of the 4 former ball handling coaches wanted him to be our lead guard from Day One.
The answer had to be an experienced immediate transfer. Gibbs fit ... and he turned out to be the good citizen as well. Miller also provided a fit.
What do we need? KO pointed to Kansas I think. Development of Bigs over the life of a program (and YES there still is hope that Brimah & Facey can have outstanding senior campaigns - look at other examples). Enoch & Adams are crucial development projects for our Program (and the new guys). You have to have physical polished kids inside - like Landen Lucas. You need to keep feeding UConn with charismatic guards. I'm happy to see Jalen progress.
You don't make graduate student players core strategic pushes; you do need - as Calhoun did - plugs.
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Sterling Gibbs played amazing in UConn's home game against Memphis. Without him it would have been are only try "bad loss." For that in itself I appreciate him this past season.
I liked Shonn Miller specifically because for the first time in what feels like a millions years it seemed like we had an offensive player who could actually play post up offense.
It's too bad the team never really jelled but making the NCAA tournament was huge. They helped us get back on track.
I liked Shonn Miller specifically because for the first time in what feels like a millions years it seemed like we had an offensive player who could actually play post up offense.
It's too bad the team never really jelled but making the NCAA tournament was huge. They helped us get back on track.
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Only read the first page of this thread - but a grad transfer will offer more in tutelage and experience than skill. They shouldn't be counted on to lead a team in points - those guys are in the NBA already.
I'm all for the rule. What kid with no NBA potential wouldn't want a chance to keep playing,l and maybe at a place they were interested in as a high schooler - RJ Evans - they get a crack at the big time and to help the young'ns out.
That said - I'd rather get a frosh 1&done TALENT over a mercenary.
I'm all for the rule. What kid with no NBA potential wouldn't want a chance to keep playing,l and maybe at a place they were interested in as a high schooler - RJ Evans - they get a crack at the big time and to help the young'ns out.
That said - I'd rather get a frosh 1&done TALENT over a mercenary.
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