If Karaban leads UConn to the threepeat, is he considered the greatest Husky of all time?

[willie99]

I'd welcome the debate

 

[REB1094]

Most decorated for sure and he’d have to be up there in the conversation of most impactful players we’ve had. But best? No way unless he averages like 30 a game and has a historic individual season

Not in any way trying to discredit him, because he’s been super important to both runs, but he was the 5th player for ring #1 and 3rd/4th player for ring #2. He has his chance to be the star this season, but hasn’t done it yet

 

[QuickDraw]

Best isn't how I would look at this it's more a matter of overall value & contribution to the success of the program & for this I believe AK is as valuable as any that have come before him in terms of a program changer, even Hurley has been quoted that AK is the recruit that marked a turn for the program towards the success they are now having, (not a direct quote but a paraphrase)

 

[YearoftheHusky]

There's no discussion, the answer is yes and it's not close

Then Diarra and Johnson are too?

 

[CL82]

And Tyler Olander is better than Ray Allen as he has 2 titles? It's a crazy idea. AK was not instrumental in either final four

Well, Olander's clearly twice as good as Jim Beoheim.

 

[EBonz30]

Not really interested in this debate at this time- but what I would say in regards to Karaban- the day he walked on the court as a Husky & started as a Husky as a red shirt freshman this program changed forever for the better.

Leading up to 2023 the defense was already rock solid- Karaban at the four with his shooting ability & as well as his passing/cutting ability (not to mentioned his ability to shut down defensively larger 4’s) unlocked an offense that as Husky fans have never seen- a super efficient & explosive offense at the same time.

Karaban was the final key in unlocking the so called formula that Hurley brags about that he has for a super Uber highly successful program.

So obviously a lot of it is Hurley in adjusting from playing two bigs at the same time- with that said- it is extremely hard to replicate Karaban’s skill set/toughness- especially at the college level- he is the perfect 4 man at this level & gives the offense as a whole a huge advantage.

 

[CL82]

I'd welcome the debate

This. Wait until he's done it and then debate it. Even Kemba wasn't Kemba until his last season.

I will say this, it would be one hell of a story. He came to school early, started from day one, and pulled his name from the draft in order to make history by winning a third title.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I absolutely want to see this argument materialize next April.

 

[auror]

If he was 1st team AA and Big East POTY and we win the title then I think the answer is yes. But he has to get the individual accolades alongside the team winning.

 

[Rondogg]

If he leads us to a 4-peat in his Senior year, yes.

 

[BGesus4]

The stroke I will have if it happens will be the greatest of all time

 

[Palatine]

If he is our leading scorer, is an AP All American, leads us to BE regular and tourney titles, wins the NC, is named the Outstanding FF player, and is an NBA lottery pick then he will definitely be considered the greatest Husky player.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Then Diarra and Johnson are too?

My prediction: if we 3peat, the lore of SJ, Hass and AK as the trio who saw it all, will cement itself in UConn history (with AK at the head of the triangle).

There will be a thread, immediately after the hypothetical '25 title game, anointing them "The 3 Husketeers" or some such nonsense.

 

[CTBasketball]

Well, Olander's clearly twice as good as Jim Beoheim.

Syracuse actually ranks Joseph “Joey” Schwarzer equal as Carmelo Anthony because they both won rings. They don’t care that one ring is fake.

 

[djct1999]

Not even close to the best player. That said, his contribution to this program would surely be recognized and his jersey would hang on the wall of honor!!!! As it should.

 

[Fan1978]

Just counting college basketball, not NBA or anything. Would Karaban being the best player on this team and leading us to the threepeat make him the best Husky of all time?

Yes

 

[microfich]

Just counting college basketball, not NBA or anything. Would Karaban being the best player on this team and leading us to the threepeat make him the best Husky of all time?

One of the goofiest takes ever. It would probably get him on the wall, though.

 

[Jim]

When bestowing the title of "greatest" one has to look at the player's role on the team. AK's value is that he makes the whole offense work versus being the alpha scorer putting up 30+ per night. That is why he is not an NBA lottery pick (yet), but he is the engine which makes the Ferrari hum.

 

[storrsroars]

Most accomplished but we've clearly had better players, we had better players than him just this past season. It would be insane if he wins three national championships, it would put Karaban and Hurley in the most rarified air.

So, if he didn't go NBA this year and we're being told next year is a much deeper draft, if he doesn't go NBA next year and comes back for his senior year, four-peats...

Then he merits top 10 all-time UConn players for sure.

 

[Kenny11]

18 NCAA tournament wins in 3 years would be wild. At that point, crown him.

 

[navery12]

Then Diarra and Johnson are too?

No, because they weren't rotation players on the first team and won't have the individual accolades Karaban gets this year

 

[bazz&boujee]

If he’s a first team all american and tourney MOP this year, we can talk. Anything short it’s a flat out no.

 

[TheHorde]

No but he might end up as the most revered. He exemplifies everything good that the program is about.

 

[back2BE4us]

I think it's dependent on if he "leads" them. If he's the 3rd option on a team, and didn't have enough of an elite skillset to get drafted first round in the NBA and had to come back to raise his stock some, I don't know how he would be the considered anything more than the "most prolific". What does greatest even mean? He's certainly not the best player to come through UConn (best or greatest) but winning 3 titles sets him apart as the most prolific/accomplished.

 

[NH Husky]

Just counting college basketball, not NBA or anything. Would Karaban being the best player on this team and leading us to the threepeat make him the best Husky of all time?

No.
Using that logic, if Hassan and Samson are the 4th and 5th best players on this team does that make them the 4th and 5th best Huskies of all time?
Hypothetical comparisons are meaningless

 

[Rocktheworld]

If he actually leads us to a three peat as an All American I don’t know how it isn’t a debate

Granted that’s the only scenario in which it becomes a debate

 

[ARIDE]

Just counting college basketball, not NBA or anything. Would Karaban being the best player on this team and leading us to the threepeat make him the best Husky of all time?

Quite frankly it's not close and why would you even come up with this! He is a great husky!

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

If he is our leading scorer, is an AP All American, leads us to BE regular and tourney titles, wins the NC, is named the Outstanding FF player, and is an NBA lottery pick then he will definitely be considered the greatest Husky player.

...so long as he returns for his Senior season, and the team wins its 4th consecutive NC, and he continues to get shut out of every possible BE individual post-season award, and thereby be regarded by some as the most underrated Husky ever, obviously.

An eyes-shut, one-handed, standing on one leg, made free throw, while scratching his temple with the middle of his unused hand would need to be avoided, just in case.

 

[Sole]

We have to start looking at the players from these Hurley teams as the great players they are.. we are the most dominant college men’s basketball team since UCLA right now

 

[bendm]

Yes surpassing the great Tyler Olander