Hoophall This Weekend

[Bonk]

My Choices to Impact UConn
2021 Adama Sanogo 6'9 245lb wide body The Patrick School who can play up tempo
2021 Elijah Hutchins-Everett 6'11 wider body at least 245lb Putnam Science

These are the types guys Hurley needs to consistently lock up to be successful. KO missing on Hamidou to UK was ok just like if Cliff chooses UK it'll be ok. But KO absolutely dropping the ball on high level talent where blue bloods weren't involved such as with guys like AJ Reeves helped lead to his firing. Hurley's gotta lock up these high major-but not blue blood guys in our own backyard.

Seems like Indiana, Michigan, MSU, OSU do a great job locking up in-state top 150 guys

 

[Edward Sargent]

Misc
East Catholic was mentioned earlier in the thread. Archbishop Stepinac had #58 PG RJ Davis going to UNC but AJ Griffin #5 in 2021 going to Duke and Aubrey's brother, did not play. Archbishop had nothing else and East Catholic jumped out 17-0 then 21-2 and it was over. He only had spot duty, but I assume Drew Hurley is Danny's son? East Catholic is a good team but wouldn't match up to the loaded teams with size.

Hunter Dickinson 7'2 at Dematha going to Michigan is a load, can make post moves with power, and can shoot. He missed some vs Simeon (Chicago) but made the same shots vs #1 7'0 Evan Mobley & Rancho Christian. Dematha's Earl Timberlake #28 2020 going to Miami is a lot like Cumberland at Cinci, a powerful player that can play guard. With Matt Cross, and Timberlake I think Miami has helped themselves. I thought Timberlake was as good as anybody on Saturday.

There must have been at least 6 quality bigs that are in the 7'2 range and over 250 lbs and have some skills.
Dickinson, Harold Yu 7'3 Sierra Canyon, Zach Edey 7'3 IMG, to start the list.

Lance Ware is the real deal. He plays hard, rebounds, scores, leads. With him and Terrence Clarke, and BJ Boston, KY next year is loaded again.

New Hampton has a 2022 Dorcester guard to keep an eye on as a combo guard. Kyle Hicks is 6'4 and built strong. Played 22 min vs Putnam Science, shot 4-4, 1-1 from 3.

Fun to watch the next generation; Zaire Wade, Bronny James, and Alex Antetokounmpo play. Jamal Mashburn Jr I've seen several times.

My Choices to Impact UConn
2021 Adama Sanogo 6'9 245lb wide body The Patrick School who can play up tempo
2021 Elijah Hutchins-Everett 6'11 wider body at least 245lb Putnam Science

One of these guys on the court with a rim protector like Akok gives us interior defense, and rebounds to outlet to stud wings like Bouknight & Jackson for transition. On offense they can overpower defenders and are each relentless putting the ball back, (6 Off Rbs Hutchins-Everett in 16 min of play). Both on the court at the same time doesn't allow enough room for defensive players to also be in the paint. Strengthwise I bet Hutchins-Everett could hold position with Kofi, that might be a bit too much for Sanogo

2022 Alex Karaban 6'8 with basketball IQ, classroom smarts, and like Neils Giffey/Tyler Lydon can hit a 3, defend the post, play through him offensively, and spot up.

Ok thats what I've got except 1 anecdote to post as a separate thread.

Great read, thanks!!

 

[Bonk]

I would be happy with Sanogo in any year, but I would be nervous about him getting eligibility for 2020-2021. They'd be risking another Springs situation.

He's already 18 years old. I'm also 100% willing to take that risk, he's exactly the type of player we need inside

 

[UConnStats]

He's already 18 years old. I'm also 100% willing to take that risk, he's exactly the type of player we need inside

Agreed depending on the alternative. I still would prefer Cliff for next year because he’s someone who could be an athletic rim runner that shoots a high percentage, which this team lacks. But either would be a welcome addition. Hopefully we can land either of them or a good grad transfer.

 

[UC313]

Right on, Ricker.

 

[Watchdog]

Putnam Science Academy vs New Hampton (Alex Karaban 2022)
I hadn't watched Putnam Science since Diallo/Diarra years. I thought Putnam Science was going to be Jaylen Murray, Hassan Diarra, and a tall thin Josh Gray at center. Holy Hoops Batman !! This team is bigger than NBA teams and has a ton of talent. A Russian, Vladislav Goldin 2020 C at 7'0 215 lbs or more, is the starter, Other size is Josh Gray 2020 7'0 220 lbs ranked in the180's, as well as Elijah Hutchins-Everett, who was listed at 6'11 220 lbs class of 2021 and ranked #180 or so in that class. Everrett is more 245 with a butt that moves people around. They also have a 7'2 player that didn't dress. Moreover, for long stretches they played 2 of these guys together on the court. All of them are fluid, tough, and contributors. I would welcome any of the 3 to UConn. Josh Gray was better, stronger, and rougher than I expected. In 20 min he only scored 2 pts, got 2 RBs, and 1 block, and went 0-3 at the line, but he looked better than that anchoring the paint. Hutchins-Everrett is an imposing beast. His line in just 16 min was 4-7, 3-5 FT, 10 RB (6 Off), 1 Assist. Goldin I was favorably impressed with but have more trouble recalling specifics. He was credited 5-7 from the field, 0-1 FT, 4 RB, 1 Assist, 1 TO, 1 Stl, 2 Blocks in 18 min. New Hampton was outgunned down low. Alex Karaban as the primary low post defender played tough for 32 min and really showed how valiant he can be, but as a 6'8 soph 215 lbs or so he was overmatched. He got 17 points but was only credited with 2 rebounds and no steals. From watching I think they missed some plays he made.

Putnam Science has more at the guard position than Murray and Diarra. I did not know D'Maurian Williams who played 22 min, 8-11 from the field, 3-4 from deep, 4-4 FT, 4 RB, 2 Assist, 2 Stl, 0 TO 23 pts. Class of 2020 6'5 handled the ball and is uncommitted per the program.

Hoophall was wall to wall people. This game at the other venue was 20 fans and 20 assistant coaches including Tom Moore. Able to watch the game so close the ball came to me 3x. Also able to mention Sanogo and Karaban to Moore while thanking him for Jackson and Brown-Ferguson all in one breath. I'm sure he valued my comments, (insert tongue in cheek emoji).

Tom Moore's accessible and listens and remembered a player I mentioned to him from Brewster who ended up elsewhere so YOUR RECOMMENDATION really could be the key to UConn's future. D'Maurian Williams sounds like someone else we should hope he looks at before he's gone, like Diarra.

 

[Towney007]

I went to the AIC venue instead and it was pretty good. You could get right up close. No issues, decent concessions - it was good.

 

[Towney007]

As long as your recognize that your impressions are from one game, and the limits that come with that, there shouldn't be any hesitation in sharing those impressions even if they are outside the consensus.
Thank you for your observations.

FWIW, I wasn't blown away at all by Cliff, either. Not even a little bit. I'm hopeful it was SSS, but I didn't see it.

 

[JimHurley]

FWIW, I wasn't blown away at all by Cliff, either. Not even a little bit. I'm hopeful it was SSS, but I didn't see it.

But please, let’s keep talking about how as a freshman he would run Carlton and Ferguson off the court...Let’s be real here guys. He’d have a minimal impact as a freshman and there’s no way Kentucky prioritizes him.

 

[Towney007]

But please, let’s keep talking about how as a freshman he would run Carlton and Ferguson off the court...Let’s be real here guys. He’d have a minimal impact as a freshman and there’s no way Kentucky prioritizes him.

Well not throwing the baby out with the bathwater here - I think he's a good player who stands to be outstanding over the course of his time here - but he struck me as an in-the-paint, back-to-the-basket guy almost exclusively. He never really strayed out of the paint until he had to - and all he did was dominate guys way smaller than him. The minute he ran into a bigger guy, it wasn't the same player.

I saw both of Putnam's bigs - the Russian kid and Hutchins-Everett - and honestly just based on what I saw (bear in mind, super small sample here) - I like both *a lot better* than Cliff. Both just did and do a lot more.

 

[JimHurley]

Well not throwing the baby out with the bathwater here - I think he's a good player who stands to be outstanding over the course of his time here - but he struck me as an in-the-paint, back-to-the-basket guy almost exclusively. He never really strayed out of the paint until he had to - and all he did was dominate guys way smaller than him. The minute he ran into a bigger guy, it wasn't the same player.

I saw both of Putnam's bigs - the Russian kid and Hutchins-Everett - and honestly just based on what I saw (bear in mind, super small sample here) - I like both *a lot better* than Cliff. Both just did and do a lot more.

Oh absolutely. I’m not saying he wouldn’t be good here. He absolutely would be. What I’m saying is I wish people would stop acting like freshman Cliff Omoruyi would solve all of our problems at the center. Carlton is our starting center next season whether people like it or not. He may be inefficient and not fit Hurley’s system but he will be the best option we have next year at center, by far.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Oh absolutely. I’m not saying he wouldn’t be good here. He absolutely would be. What I’m saying is I wish people would stop acting like freshman Cliff Omoruyi would solve all of our problems at the center. Carlton is our starting center next season whether people like it or not. He may be inefficient and not fit Hurley’s system but he will be the best option we have next year at center, by far.

You did see carlton not play the second half yesterday, right? You don't gotta be a 1 and done to start at center for us next year.