Honest question- Do we have enough rebounding to be bulletproof

[bendm]

??? Stewart Liam and possibly Brea are all bigger and just as, if not slightly more athletic athletic than Cam and Tristan..and Solo is more athletic than all of them. If anything we’re losing penetrating offense and ability to slow the game down when needed. Am I off on this?

Yes because Stewart isn’t “replacing” anyone unless Karaban leaves. Liam isn’t as athletic as Castle, Newton was capable of grabbing 10 boards, and Cam was also a tenacious rebounder. Brea and Mahaney averaged a combined 6.4 rpg last year.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Shoot 45-50% from 3pt as a team and bulletproof rebounding becomes less important to have

 

[Tenspro2002]

The cliche answer is that Samson Johnson is a much worse rebounder than Clingan, and that is true.

But the bigger downgrade will actually be at the guard position, where Newton, Spencer, and Castle were all exceptional rebounders in the backcourt. Diarra, Stewart, and the new guys will have to step up dramatically.

 

[Mookson]

Yes because Stewart isn’t “replacing” anyone unless Karaban leaves. Liam isn’t as athletic as Castle, Newton was capable of grabbing 10 boards, and Cam was also a tenacious rebounder. Brea and Mahaney averaged a combined 6.4 rpg last year.

He’s replacing a lot minutes though which is essentially the same thing. And in Hurleys offense/defense all these guys are going to rebound regardless of what they did at their last school. Point is, size and athleticism certainly will not be an issue. It’s literally what Hurley had been putting recruiting emphasis on.

 

[Jumpman62114]

Diarra

Great against most guards, but he doesnt have the strength/size versatility against the bigger PG/SG/SF that Castle did.

 

[aburks41]

Great against most guards, but he doesnt have the strength/size versatility against the bigger PG/SG/SF that Castle did.

Neither did the guy in your profile picture and he was one of the best rebounding guards in the country

Along with his 6’0” backcourt mate too…

 

[3rdbass]

Great against most guards, but he doesnt have the strength/size versatility against the bigger PG/SG/SF that Castle did.

We might not be as good of a rebouning team from 1-3 positions but based on who we have and what we are trying for in the portal we might be a lot better 3 pt shooting team.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

If there’s anything I’m not worried about, it’s Hurley’s ability to coach a team to defend and rebound.

As a matter of fact, at this point, I’m not worried about a damn thing.

 

[Trudy Gay]

Yes because Stewart isn’t “replacing” anyone unless Karaban leaves. Liam isn’t as athletic as Castle, Newton was capable of grabbing 10 boards, and Cam was also a tenacious rebounder. Brea and Mahaney averaged a combined 6.4 rpg last year.

Newton averaged similar rebounding numbers to those guys before he came to UConn. What these guys did at their last program has little bearing on what they’ll be capable of under Hurley and co. As he’s proved over and over.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Rebounding is an attitude, not an NBA skill. This attitude is taught. Our coaches will instill this attitude, don’t you worry.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Great against most guards, but he doesnt have the strength/size versatility against the bigger PG/SG/SF that Castle did.

He’s fine unless it’s a good that’s going to turn around and back him down/bully him down low. They put him on Shannon and he did just fine for stretches. No he’s not Castle, but we won’t have a Castle. Diarra is still an elite perimeter defender that can play well above his size on that end.

 

[ec33]

Diarra and Samson - the perceived weak rebounding points next year - both played a ton of minutes last year. It isn't going to be that different.

Ball and his solid frame and 45.5" are not going to be a problem on the glass. Reed is a strong rebounder as is McNeeley. We have already seen Stewart all over the glass.

If you watch Nowell play - you can see he is going to be a want-it rebounder - and he is solidly built as well. Napier did okay with less to work with physically.

They are going to be just fine with plenty of options.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Our guards are our best rebounders.

 

[AntG168]

Our guards are our best rebounders.

Reed says hello. He’s the best rebounder on the team

 

[OceanDoggie]

Samson is not a rebounding specialist, we’ve seen that. His upper body strength contributes, he has length. Cam was getting 7-8 rebounds a game in crunch time. Newton too. Need Alex back it would help but I think we have to see what the new mixes produce. Defense and rebounding made us unbeatable so we need it.

 

[speckle]

One of the best rebounders in the college game is available. Could make for a championship fit.

Norchad Omier College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Norchad Omier - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

 

[jibsey]

Rebounding is position plus desire and toughness. Who wants to bet against Hurley instilling that?

 

[Mandoo]

Yes because Stewart isn’t “replacing” anyone unless Karaban leaves. Liam isn’t as athletic as Castle, Newton was capable of grabbing 10 boards, and Cam was also a tenacious rebounder. Brea and Mahaney averaged a combined 6.4 rpg last year.

C'mon. The ample tapes of Liam show and prove he is VERY athletic, fast, quick, heady, and functional. He's got great foot movement. Remember Larry Legend? Was he athletic or not? Naw, he was only the GOAT......

 

[my2cents]

Our offense will be so good that we won't miss any shots, no rebounds will be needed.

 

[Drame]

Solo will be getting more minutes and is hyper athletic. He’ll chip in plenty of rebounds.

Nowell being 6’ definitely changes the look of our back court in that regard a lot

But hes so thick that he bounces guys out of the way. I've seen him do well for his size getting rebounds.

 

[Drame]

Agree with McNeeley at 2. Maybe even Jaylin some. But if AK doesn't return, which tall wings are you talking about? Abraham could be the answer i'm looking for, but our other forwards aren't big in height or frame. Ross has been growing and is REALLY bouncy, hope he shows enough to get into rotation eventually.

We have 4 guys who are 6' 7' or taller who are all talented run and jump athletes and very interchangeable. You get 3 of them on the court at once and youve got very good height.

 

[JungleLobo]

This team need some older players. Not going to repeat with a Junior and a Senior.

The past 2 teams had grad students in the mix and that leadership needs to be replaced first.

 

[UCTitleTown]

This team need some older players. Not going to repeat with a Junior and a Senior.

The past 2 teams had grad students in the mix and that leadership needs to be replaced first.

That's why I wanted AK to stay. Don't see it though. He's probably happy being a 2nd round pick and betting on himself.

 

[That Guy]

This team need some older players. Not going to repeat with a Junior and a Senior.

The past 2 teams had grad students in the mix and that leadership needs to be replaced first.

Diarra, Karaban, Samson, Brea, Mahaney, and Reed would all be older players + we have a bunch of 2nd year guys. Only bringing in 3 true freshmen. I think we would have more than enough experience to contend with this team.

 

[JungleLobo]

Diarra, Karaban, Samson, Brea, Mahaney, and Reed would all be older players + we have a bunch of 2nd year guys. Only bringing in 3 true freshmen. I think we would have more than enough experience to contend with this team.

There are 4 scholarship slots open.

As for your list:

2 of them are on the team as of today. A Junior transfer and a Senior.

1 is never coming back from the draft and 1 is unlikely to sign up for another year of 6th man role and is waiting out the commitments (until April 30 when he puts his name in the portal to extend his decision time).

The other 2 can get to the NBA from their other target schools and NIL is a factor.

If Hurley and co. can get 2 of the 4 then he only has to fill in the last 2 slots with “1 and out of eligibility” players.

Today, this looks like a young roster that can win it all in 2026 - not 2025.