Jalen Gaffney Transferring

[Hankster]

Best of luck to Jalen.

Unfortunately timing was not his friend as Covid cut short his freshman year where he was getting tons of minutes and, after that, it just became evident that RJ was our best option. I’m convinced that there’s a really good player there with Jalen but he needs minutes to get his confidence going.

As long as we have a plan to backfill these spots, I don’t think these are fatal wounds because I think we were looking to upgrade at PG anyway

Agreed. Playing time was not on his side. Yes he needed minutes. Jalen could of made an impact. Even off the bench. Jalen had some good games in the past. I think Hurley trusted his starting line up. In any situation. Jalen was thrown in, a couple of very good minutes. Then yanked. Let's not talk about his turnovers. That would mean we have to talk about the team as a whole. I think Dan Hurley missed the boat on this one. Good luck Jalen. You deserve it.

 

[bmayuc]

A lot of noise in this thread but to distill it I think 4 things can be true at once.

1. Jalen Gaffney is a good kid and teammate, not the level of player UConn needs.
2. Rahsool Diggins, for whatever reason (lack of opportunity, development, talent-level) never solidified his status as PG-in-waiting despite obvious opportunity/need
3. By relying on older guys and whiffing on some PG recruits, Hurley has created a gaping hole in the roster that needs filling fast
4. This year has revealed some of the obvious developmental areas for Hurley, mostly around roster construction/management, game coaching, and system. Where he goes from here will determine his success/failure.

 

[CheshireCat]

Have you ever seen Eric Mussleman? He's literally the SEC Dan Hurley. He has the #2 recruiting class coming in next year. Shut up

Because he’s a good coach that didn’t flame out in the first round with 2 first team all Big East players with a solid supporting cast.

 

[BrysonDeMan]

Those championing this “now Hurley has a clean slate” narrative and the “gaffney wasn’t even good talk” are missing the larger point.

These are now all or almost all Hurley recruits. He built these teams. We’re going into next year with a converted wing who can’t shoot a jump shot as the starting pg. Hurley can talk about building a modern offense but so far he’s shown absolutely zero aptitude there.

I’m equally fed up with the clowns who think we’re fine starting Floyd - a kid outside the top 100 who redshirted - and Karaban, another not highly ranked recruit who I suspect will have a major adjustment period to the college game. We’re headed into next year with our best player playing the least important position in modern basketball, no point guard, the aforementioned Jackson issues, etc. Even if Hawkins makes the leap I think he will it would be tough for him to replicate Bouknight’s abilities, and that team couldn’t do anything even with him (with his injuries an obvious caveat).

I don’t really see UConn as a tournament lock next year, and depending on who else leaves this could be a mess next year

we are not going into next season without a PG
at least let Hurley finish off his roster before we kill on him
the transfer portal is now equal to recruiting HS players - welcome to post covid basketball
Iowa St built a 2nd weekend NCAA tourny team with transfers
North Carolina is thriving with a major transfer
btw, don't sell Floyd Jr short ... he is a tough kid

 

[BrysonDeMan]

A lot of noise in this thread but to distill it I think 4 things can be true at once.

1. Jalen Gaffney is a good kid and teammate, not the level of player UConn needs.
2. Rahsool Diggins, for whatever reason (lack of opportunity, development, talent-level) never solidified his status as PG-in-waiting despite obvious opportunity/need
3. By relying on older guys and whiffing on some PG recruits, Hurley has created a gaping hole in the roster that needs filling fast
4. This year has revealed some of the obvious developmental areas for Hurley, mostly around roster construction/management, game coaching, and system. Where he goes from here will determine his success/failure.

as someone mentioned earlier, having Whaley/Polley come back did jam things up.
oh well, i'm still looking forward to next season no matter what the roster

 

[WhereistheDove?]

A lot of noise in this thread but to distill it I think 4 things can be true at once.

1. Jalen Gaffney is a good kid and teammate, not the level of player UConn needs.
2. Rahsool Diggins, for whatever reason (lack of opportunity, development, talent-level) never solidified his status as PG-in-waiting despite obvious opportunity/need
3. By relying on older guys and whiffing on some PG recruits, Hurley has created a gaping hole in the roster that needs filling fast
4. This year has revealed some of the obvious developmental areas for Hurley, mostly around roster construction/management, game coaching, and system. Where he goes from here will determine his success/failure.

Very reasonable takes. I'll add two more that are both true right now and some folks seem to have trouble grasping:
5. Clearly the roster is not in good shape right now.
6. There is a good chance that Hurley will bring in better players that Gaffney/Sool before the season starts.

 

[willie99]

Some of the takes here are hilarious. Seems these boards were created so people whose hobby is to say dumb crap then laugh (at a cowardly safe internet distance) while others respond seriously. Seems pretty lame but whatever floats one’s boat. Besides, psychiatry grads need to work too.
Hurley is a bad coach. No 1 coach objective. Improve year over year towards pinnacle - once at pinnacle stay there. No problem. Right Geno? Right Mr Wooden?
Hurley can’t recruit. Can’t identify talent. Akok, bouknight, Jackson, sanogo beg to differ.
Stuck shopping the discount aisle. Please find more gems there like Cole and Martin.
Coaches philosophy. Earn PT in practice. Why? Not only does it improve the individual but improves teammates. Bah! Screw that.

You were on a roll, why stop? There's so much more that can be said the wisdom on this board.

For example, as it pertains to the topic of this thread, we go from Gaffney cannot see the court to OMG Gaffney is transferring, the shy is falling.

Good luck Gaffney, live your life, chase your dreams, be happy

 

[UofCT]

Everyone needs to chill out.

 

[Marat]

Everyone needs to chill out.

True.

I think alot of people still angry about the loss/disappointment in the NCAA tourney, and scared about next season. Let's just see what happens with the portal first. I believe we will be able to field a solid Big East team come next fall.

 

[husky429]

ok, let me add to "judgement" an ability to recruit them to UCONN. He hasn't shown that either, other than Martin who played for him at URI.

Martin didn't play for him at URI. Thank you for your interest in UConn basketball.

 

[husky429]

You may not like it, but the reality is that the transfer portal is equivalent to recruiting. It's just as important as getting HS players. We aren't "short" any PG or other position (yet), just because we haven't finished recruiting. We weren't "short" a big, CG, and wing before recruiting Clinga, Floyd Jr. and Karaban either.

The transfer portal happens later than HS recruiting. It's part of what coaches prepare for.

 

[djct1999]

Those championing this “now Hurley has a clean slate” narrative and the “gaffney wasn’t even good talk” are missing the larger point.

These are now all or almost all Hurley recruits. He built these teams. We’re going into next year with a converted wing who can’t shoot a jump shot as the starting pg. Hurley can talk about building a modern offense but so far he’s shown absolutely zero aptitude there.

I’m equally fed up with the clowns who think we’re fine starting Floyd - a kid outside the top 100 who redshirted - and Karaban, another not highly ranked recruit who I suspect will have a major adjustment period to the college game. We’re headed into next year with our best player playing the least important position in modern basketball, no point guard, the aforementioned Jackson issues, etc. Even if Hawkins makes the leap I think he will it would be tough for him to replicate Bouknight’s abilities, and that team couldn’t do anything even with him (with his injuries an obvious caveat).

I don’t really see UConn as a tournament lock next year, and depending on who else leaves this could be a mess next year

Let me remind you its March 31. There are entire teams in the transfer portal. Its a bit premature to even try to evaluate how good or bad UConn will be next season.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Probably a decent amount of minutes at backup 5 available. We may still go big on occasion, matchup dependent, but if Hurley is to be believed, the 4 will be held down by Jackson (defensively).

Johnson is a much better backup 5. I expect he will fill that role and play as a 4.

 

[metsfan2323]

UConn has 9 scholarship players for next season and it is March 31.

Which is probably par for the course. In case you haven't noticed the rules have changed and every player is a free agent at the end of every season. Get used to this. Thankfully the end of the bench is transferring not the front of it.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Things I learned in this thread:

1) There is a group of very good players waiting in the transfer portal in case UConn has a roster opening.

2) Anytime something goes wrong with UConn, all you have to say is "Ollie something something" and it makes it OK.

Hurley is heading into year 5 at UConn, and has 4 returning scholarship players that have seen any meaningful playing time. Assuming that no one else leaves, UConn has 9 scholarship players for next season and it is March 31. It is almost like Patrick Ewing is managing UConn's roster.

Smart, Cooley and McDermott did show that you can build a tournament team out of the transfer portal. We will find out if Hurley is better than those coaches.

You may want to look at some other schools. Including P5 schools, and yes, Georgetown, which had 3 guys enter the portal in the last day.
So Far:
Alabama -3
Arizona State -4
Cinci -4
GT -3
Indiana -4
Iowa State -5 (and +1 from Georgetown)
K State -4
LSU -7
Missouri -6
and on it goes. Smaller schools taking an even bigger hit. New Hampshire is -8 NMSU that just beat us is -4.

 

[AllAbout5]

I’m equally fed up with the clowns who think we’re fine starting Floyd - a kid outside the top 100 who redshirted - and Karaban, another not highly ranked recruit who I suspect will have a major adjustment period to the college game. We’re headed into next year with our best player playing the least important position in modern basketball, no point guard, the aforementioned Jackson issues, etc. Even if Hawkins makes the leap I think he will it would be tough for him to replicate Bouknight’s abilities, and that team couldn’t do anything even with him (with his injuries an obvious caveat).

I don’t really see UConn as a tournament lock next year, and depending on who else leaves this could be a mess next year

Some of the top players in college basketball weren't highly rated recruits out of high school: Agbaji, Keegan Murray, etc. I don't give a flying you-know-what about what a HS player's ranking is on ESPN100, 247, or Rivals. We're going to be fine. It doesn't seem like you've watched any film on Floyd or Karaban. The fact that they have practiced with the team is already big for us. They'll have fewer growing pains because they have their feet already wet in terms of our program. Of course, they haven't played a game for us yet, and that will happen soon.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Umami Zen]

You may not like it, but the reality is that the transfer portal is equivalent to recruiting. It's just as important as getting HS players. We aren't "short" any PG or other position (yet), just because we haven't finished recruiting. We weren't "short" a big, CG, and wing before recruiting Clinga, Floyd Jr. and Karaban either.

The transfer portal happens later than HS recruiting. It's part of what coaches prepare for.

Portal activity and decommits (due to coaching changes) happen this time of year. Dan Hurley/staff seem all -in on closing on their targets. Let's get them on campus

 

[ucp990411]

One of the best point guards available? Really?

 

[Skiblets]

If he’s one of the ‘best PGs available’ …….

 

[AllAbout5]

Not sure if I'd consider him "highly touted." I love the kid, but he's probably a player that goes to the A-10 to thrive. Rooting for him. Don't think he's P6 worthy, however.

 

[Billy Bob]

If Gaffney is thought of as one of the top guards available in the portal, then we are in serious trouble

 

[dennismenace]

Figured this would happen. He has 2 years of eligibility left and saw the writing on the wall.

We better get used to transfers. Once the NCAA said everyone gets 1 free transfer without sitting out a year you knew transferring would become more prevalent. UConn isn't immune to this developing trend. It's just going to be a way of life.

Good for the transferees. When you don't get minutes and feel you can do better you don't have to just take it; just move on. Coaches who are realists and are adaptable to change recognize this risk and have to make a decision that reflects that reality.

 

[dennismenace]

People don't like to see one of your own leave (which is understandable), but the talent was just not there. This is the reality of a program that expects to compete for titles. If you aren't good enough to cut it, you'll get replaced with new, hopefully better talent.

That is exactly the gamble that Hurley is playing.

 

[sledog]

Perhaps poaching an high value/rank 'commit' from elsewhere who sees better opportunity at UC/BE?

 

[dennismenace]

Jalen made this decision a week ago. I'm no insider but he dates the sister of a coworker of mine. She said the reason he was leaving is that RJ was coming back but obviously that's not the case.

Best of luck Jalen, not the level of talent we needed to move this team forward.

Does she work at a carwash?

 

[PAHusky]

Some of the top players in college basketball weren't highly rated recruits out of high school: Agbaji, Keegan Murray, etc. I don't give a flying you-know-what about what a HS player's ranking is on ESPN100, 247, or Rivals. We're going to be fine. It doesn't seem like you've watched any film on Floyd or Karaban. The fact that they have practiced with the team is already big for us. They'll have fewer growing pains because they have their feet already wet in terms of our program. Of course, they haven't played a game for us yet, and that will happen soon.

Maybe my point wasn’t phrased well. I don’t think their rankings mean they’re never going to be huge parts of the UConn program. I actually think both will be major contributors for years. I just think it’s unrealistic to expect either or both to step in and immediately contribute year one. To me, a five star is usually much more likely to contribute early

 

[pepband99]

"Highly touted" per their own rankings. Talk about saving face, right or wrong...

 

[Candyman]

If Gaffney is thought of as one of the top guards available in the portal, then we are in serious trouble

We know better and so does Hurley. You can just watch other transfer guards handle and know your getting a better guard. His handle just isn't up to par to be a high D1 starting PG.

 

[UCSouth]

You may not like it, but the reality is that the transfer portal is equivalent to recruiting. It's just as important as getting HS players. We aren't "short" any PG or other position (yet), just because we haven't finished recruiting. We weren't "short" a big, CG, and wing before recruiting Clinga, Floyd Jr. and Karaban either.

The transfer portal happens later than HS recruiting. It's part of what coaches prepare for.

Another thing about the portal is that there is a good chance, if you choose to, that Hurley can replace the departing players with one's from the same class year. I would assume it would help eliminate having to get 4-5 guys every year.