Ideal 2018-19 Roster

[Scrutineer]

Remember when he picked against us every single game in the 2014 tournament?

At least Kenny Smith loves UConn and he more than balances Barkley.

 

[intlzncster]

Remember when he picked against us every single game in the 2014 tournament?

Always fade Charles when it comes to college basketball.

 

[HuskyHawk]

My thinking is that Vital starts. He averaged 15 points last season (yes, I realize shot selection was bad) and had games of 30 and nearly 30 points. I think he will improve substantially in a better offense. Also, I think Jalen HAS to play point to get ready for his pro career. Just my opinion, but seems to make sense.

Smith averaged 12.4 last year. So I don't think it really matters what Vital did. He's going to be in "prove it" territory with everybody else not named Jalen Adams.

My prediction: none of these guys are going to play huge minutes. Jalen Adams will log the most, but should be down at least 5 minutes from last year and hopefully more than that.

This team is short on star power and long on depth, so I expect Hurley to require 100% effort on defense at all times. If that means that guys are gassed, fine, rotate them out. I doubt that Dan knows who will start, so we certainly don't. These guys are going to need to earn their minutes for a change. It's nice for us to predict Sid will start, but he's a true freshman and how is his defense effort? If he's not doing it, Polley will come in, or Smith or Vital. Diarra plays with a lot of energy and I expect his minutes to go up. But we're essentially playing "everything by committee". That may change by January, but I expect it will be the case early on.

 

[UconnU]

Smith
J. Adams
Wilson
Carlton/Polley
Yakwe/Carlton

Bench: CV, AG, B. Adams, Polley, Yakwe

With a boatload of 3 guard lineups in the mix.

 

[UconnU]

My prediction of the starting lineup to begin the season:

Jalen Adams PG
Christian Vital SG
Sid Wilson SF
Mamadou Diarra PF
Josh Carlton C

AG first guard off the bench, TP first wing off the bench. Log jam at the 4 with KW, IW and EC all fighting for minutes. Transfer big KY backs up Carlton or adds to the log jam at the 4.

Assuming AG is healthy, it looks like there is good depth at all positions except Center, but I guess backup Center will be by committee.

You're really sleeping on Smith. He much better than the other recent grad transfers we've had who haven't panned out. He's also a true PG/floor general something that we have sorely missed.

 

[Huskybass]

You're really sleeping on Smith. He much better than the other recent grad transfers we've had who haven't panned out. He's also a true PG/floor general something that we have sorely missed.

Please show me the last time ANY college basketball player went from 15 ppg one year to not starting the next season. I am not saying that it cant happen, but it would be highly unusual.

 

[3rdbass]

Please show me the last time ANY college basketball player went from 15 ppg one year to not starting the next season. I am not saying that it cant happen, but it would be highly unusual.

Maybe he is talking about playing a 3 guard set with JA, CV and TS since we have the guard depth this year.

 

[XLCenterFan]

I have to agree with the posters here who suggest that CV will NOT be coming off the bench. He brings experience and continuity, and will be one of the 5 best players. If Hurley plays the 5 best players, he will start. CV will be pissed if he does not, and the morale on the team will plummet.

 

[Burnsbros23]

Smith
J. Adams
Wilson
Carlton/Polley
Yakwe/Carlton

Bench: CV, AG, B. Adams, Polley, Yakwe

With a boatload of 3 guard lineups in the mix.

Who makes perimeter shots in this lineup?

 

[jibsey]

Who makes perimeter shots in this lineup?

Unfortunately you have asked a question that many UCONN fans don’t like to answer because there is not a good one.

 

[Wordbomar]

If Smith didn’t start at Duquesne, he’s not gunna start at UConn lol some of you people

 

[KingAG]

If Smith didn’t start at Duquesne, he’s not gunna start at UConn lol some of you people

He did play starters minutes tho. A-10 6th man of the year. He’s no scrub

 

[Wordbomar]

He did play starters minutes tho. A-10 6th man of the year. He’s no scrub

Never said he was a scrub I’m just saying, no matter how good he is, the likelihood of him starting at UConn after coming off the bench at Duquesne is like 1%. We have the likely pre season player of the year, a former McDonalds all american, and a returning starting SG that will all be ahead of him.

 

[KingAG]

Never said he was a scrub I’m just saying, no matter how good he is, the likelihood of him starting at UConn after coming off the bench at Duquesne is like 1%. We have the likely pre season player of the year, a former McDonalds all american, and a returning starting SG that will all be ahead of him.

A McDonalds all American who has essentially missed two seasons. Tarin and CV are a toss up at this point. Put Tarin on UConn last yr and CV on dusquenne and Tarin starts for us while CV comes of the bench at Duq