Hawkins vs Binghampton

[Kolumbo]

PLEASE STOP. We get it. But you are overwhelmingly effusive on this kid after a few games. We all can see and get excited. I think he played his game better than 7 other guys played today. But you have got him going in the Lottery already. Calm down

If we can't be overwhelmingly effusive on the boneyard, what good is this place.

 

[Hankster]

I want him coming in with the first wave of subs. Usually polley and Akok? He's good enough to start but no one else is performing poorly. 25mpg is a good goal.

I wouldn't mine Akok starting for Whaley however. Need his shooting and Whaley is in a funk getting the ball in the hoop

Well he is doing the same thing as last year. Whaley is alone at the three point line or a little inside. Always stares and passes it. If it is clear shoot it. It has gone in before for him. Also the same as last year is me screaming "SHOOT IT!!!!"

 

[gtcam]

Since he was a sophomore in HS/Prep school he showed the confidence you wanted in every kid but most importantly he was not a showman or street player. People used to go watch the upper class players on his team and come away saying who is this Hawkins kid - and he didnt start until about the 15th game of the season and took the role away from a 4* senior. From that point on I only watched him. I kept saying on this board that this is a kid built for UConn. I mentioned him to Dan Hurley when he was doing those numerous drop ins during off season 2019 for UConn Club members and he said that T Brown and then K Hunter were keeping an eye on him. I'm glad they kept on top of it. He will be a huge star.

 

[jibsey]

That's fair. But in the short post game interview immediately after the game Hurley didn't pull any punches. Said he'd be a first round draft pick. So if the board is over reacting, we are not alone.

He probably meant when he entered the draft not necessarily after this season.

 

[MexicoHusky]

He probably meant when he entered the draft not necessarily after this season.

Agreed, but he's watched him play ~20 minutes of game time. And roughly sentence one on the subject includes "first round draft pick". What would you expect lunatic fans to say.

 

[Rico444]

I'm probably not making sense here but Hawkins just looked like he knew what he was doing. He looked like a good player who already knew what he was supposed to do. Not many freshman jitters there.

That was my first thought too. He's really polished already.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Ever since I saw Vital "take over" 4 straight times late against WSU without drawing iron, I prefer running something.

are you comparing Hawkins to Vital?

 

[UConnSwag11]

I want him coming in with the first wave of subs. Usually polley and Akok? He's good enough to start but no one else is performing poorly. 25mpg is a good goal.

I wouldn't mine Akok starting for Whaley however. Need his shooting and Whaley is in a funk getting the ball in the hoop

Gaff should come in before Hawkins but Hawkins should come in before Polley. Not so sure I like Akok starting right now. He's playing very well off the bench but Whaley should absolutely be on a short leash. If he doesn't clean it up, then start Akok.

Hawkins needs 25+ minutes

 

[jibsey]

That was my first thought too. He's really polished already.

No it’s way too early to project one and done.

 

[driveway]

Whaley should be Sanogo's backup at this point. He's clearly better at the 5 than the 4 spot. Akok should be the 5th starter. Hawkins, Polley and Gaffney will be plenty of firepower off the bench. Hurley's hand is loaded.

 

[80shusky]

No it’s way too early to project one and done.

He didn't say anything about one and done in that post.

 

[kobebeanbryant]

Gaff is still too much me first to be a starter, imo. That last possession of the first half was Ollieball I hoped I'd never see again.

Funny you say that, I felt like Cole forced several drives/shots today that weren’t within the flow of the offense. seemed like he wanted to “get his”

 

[mussels]

Gaff is still too much me first to be a starter, imo. That last possession of the first half was Ollieball I hoped I'd never see again.

Think that was the play he was sent in with. Dribble down the clock then start a drive, likely had one or two design pass options that didn't present, so took it to the hoop as another designed option. It didn't work, but that doesn't mean he was freelancing.

 

[NYtoCT]

PLEASE STOP. We get it. But you are overwhelmingly effusive on this kid after a few games. We all can see and get excited. I think he played his game better than 7 other guys played today. But you have got him going in the Lottery already. Calm down

No Pudge

 

[polycom]

I mean I've watched him play in more games than anyone on this board. His handle looks improved but it was not good just 8 months ago. Not saying that makes my opinion infallible, but it seems pretty apparent to me.

At what point today did he demonstrate great handles? I saw him run it across half court a few times and need to dump it off to Gaff or Cole + a bunch of right handed drives. He pulled up both times he went left from what I can remember (and made one).

I'd be thrilled ro be proven wrong this season though.

….you aren’t wrong.

 

[MexicoHusky]

I mean I've watched him play in more games than anyone on this board. His handle looks improved but it was not good just 8 months ago. Not saying that makes my opinion infallible, but it seems pretty apparent to me.

At what point today did he demonstrate great handles? I saw him run it across half court a few times and need to dump it off to Gaff or Cole + a bunch of right handed drives. He pulled up both times he went left from what I can remember (and made one).

I'd be thrilled ro be proven wrong this season though.

Seems like he comes in for Gaff or Cole and is given ball handler responsibilities. I haven't seen him look like a disaster, turn it over or even appear uncomfortable. But he hasn't been pressured much. And my viewing sample size is really small. I definitely defer to someone who's seen him play prior to UCONN.

Two things are both possible. He's worked on his handle a lot or he just hasn't been pressured enough to show his limitations. You are right, haven't seen him go left a ton. I'm right, haven't seen glaring ball handling limitations within the 20 minutes of pt at UCONN. Time will tell.

 

[David 76]

We have beaten teams outside of the top 300 in the NCAA.
We should probably wait before cutting down the nets and putting Hawkins in the NBA.
I'm excited too but geez.

 

[microfich]

While it's natural to feel a little Ray when watching The Hawk, the national flag blue beauty is in whatever makes him unique.

One and done sky fallers: Wish you could enjoy the ride. You'd be laughed out of my bar.