Jalen likely returning

[intlzncster]

Polley has potential. Plus he isn't a slug. I think he actually will improve on his own work ethic. As a shooter....

Emmitt Mattews Jr. has a nice stroke from what I hear. Never saw him play though.

What they really need is for Adams to become a knock down outside shooter. That would change the dynamic immensely.

I think the ability is there, it's just a matter of him doing it. And then the team being constructed in manner (both scheme/personnel) that allows him to better play that role. Today he got twenty five and was SMOTHERED.

 

[JimHurley]

On paper that's a squad, but we've also said that 4 years running now and only have 1 NCAA tournament appearance to show for it.

Exactly.

 

[80shusky]

Can we clone Shonn Miller? Or at least put a disguise on him?

Do you think those plastic glasses with the fake moustache would work?

 

[Jaker]

still looks like an NIT team

 

[intlzncster]

I know Emmit Mathews could play some guard but he looks better suited to play SF. I rather Wilson play up from too.

Wilson is smaller than Larrier. If he plays the 4 were going so, so small it hurts.

 

[Jaker]

We know what CV and JA will bring to the table, but to be decent 2 of the newbies will need to be a double figure scorer.

 

[3rdbass]

Wilson is smaller than Larrier. If he plays the 4 were going so, so small it hurts.

Have you watched his tapes he looks like he rebounds well and plays good for his height. If we can have a dynamic 4 on our team who can go inside and out that will create matchup problems for other teams. Offense has been abysmal because we don't have dynamic players playing 1-4. Only Jalen is that. Have you watched our bigs? Having 2 of them on the floor is like having a black hole on offense at those two positions.

 

[UConnStats]

still looks like an NIT team

We have no clue what the team will even look like.

Wilson is smaller than Larrier. If he plays the 4 were going so, so small it hurts.

He also plays much bigger than Larrier. Then again, so does Gilbert.

 

[uconnbill]

Not a big Larrier fan as he doesn't do the things you need to win. He can shoot some, but his rebounding is subpar, along with his strength and defense. Good player but not someone that will be missed as some think he will. I do think Wilson can fill his spot with Matthews helping with the shooting at the small forward spot.

Adams coming back is big as he will be the leader without a doubt and needs to play shooting guard spot, not point.

 

[Huskyforlife]

 

[Kitaman]

I'm not saying he might be declaring, but I won't celebrate until the declaration period is over. If he has a very good March with extended play, things could change. Unlikely (the extended play that is) but still . . . . . . . . . .

Its like I'm kinda hoping we don't 'go off' in March. First time ever feeling that way. but I love me some Jalen.

 

[Kemba429]

Well, this makes things interesting. Praying that AG comes back next year. Lets see what the new coach (probably) can do his first season. Excited for the future!

 

[AdamaNation]

Will he change his mind if Ollie gets the axe?

Yes

 

[Matrim55]

So early 2018 lineup projection:

PG: Adams-Gilbert/Akinjo
SG: Vital-Gilbert/Akinjo
SF: Polley-Mathews
PF: Wilson-Diarra
C: Carlton-Cobb

After that we have:

Whaley
Williams
Kisunas

Those three can work their way onto the court and into the rotation with strong off-seasons.

How do we feel about that team?

I feel like at least one decommits (maybe two) and probably three transfer.

 

[AdamaNation]

If Adams comes back and we have a new coach we might be back sooner than I thought was possible.

I wrote in earlier post Larrier leaving keeps everyone else here. EVEN Ollie!!

 

[80shusky]

I feel like at least one decommits (maybe two) and probably three transfer.

Yikes.

 

[YearoftheHusky]

I think we need to temper the excitement. There’s still a game and the aac tourney left. He’s saying the politically correct thing, unlike Larrier, because his focus should be on 2018.

He said it himself, “as of now...”

 

[WrenchFan69]

I think we need to temper the excitement. There’s still a game and the aac tourney left. He’s saying the politically correct thing, unlike Larrier, because his focus should be on 2018.

He said it himself, “as of now...”

I personally won't fault Adams for leaving if he leads us to 11 straight wins and a title

 

[CTBasketball]

20/6/6 next year book it!

 

[Jaker]

I am betting no one leaves besides Larrier and no one decommitts

 

[joober jones]

His commitment to UConn is highly admirable. It's also a very wise decision on a personal level if he's hoping to be drafted - it would be highly unlikely in 2018, but with an improved roster next year, he'll have the opportunity to impress a lot of people. There's the age argument, but he'll only be a few months older than Shabazz was upon graduation.

 

[Matrim55]

Yikes.

Just our reality whether we keep KO or not. We know that when new coaches come in, players leave the program. We also know that when KO stays, players leave the program

 

[UConnStats]

I am betting no one leaves besides Larrier and no one decommitts

I would like to see everyone stay actually. There’s a few I wouldn’t lose any sleep over if they left, but they’ve all shown flashes.

Matthews may have fewer options because of his broken wrist, but I’m operating under the assumption that we lose commits from he and Akinjo. Hard to convince kids to move to the opposite coast for a coach that never recruited them.

On the bright side, hypothetically if we were to hire Hurley, he has a very good recruiting class himself, and there would be no reason for any of them to stay with URI after he leaves. I love Jermaine Harris and Tyrese Martin is underrated much like Matthews.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I'm not saying he might be declaring, but I won't celebrate until the declaration period is over. If he has a very good March with extended play, things could change. Unlikely (the extended play that is) but still . . . . . . . . . .

Its like I'm kinda hoping we don't 'go off' in March. First time ever feeling that way. but I love me some Jalen.

UConn could have a Top 5 back court in college basketball next year. All depends on Gilbert. If Jalen can associate himself with the right guys this summer and put in the work...he could leave a legend. Let’s hope.

 

[bazzketball13]

Will he change his mind if Ollie gets the axe?

Yes. If Ollie is gone Jalen is going. He loves playing for Kevin.

 

[Storrs South]

Matthews may have fewer options because of his broken wrist.

He just dropped 18 points...with a broken wrist. I'm not kidding.

 

[UConnDan97]

He just dropped 18 points...with a broke wrist. I'm not kidding.

Beating Temple, Jalen staying, Matthews being unstoppable...this has been a great Wednesday!

 

[intlzncster]

I'm not saying he might be declaring, but I won't celebrate until the declaration period is over. If he has a very good March with extended play, things could change. Unlikely (the extended play that is) but still . . . . . . . . . .

Its like I'm kinda hoping we don't 'go off' in March. First time ever feeling that way. but I love me some Jalen.

He's absolutely going to declare and test the waters no matter what. There's a lot of valuable feedback to gain from that.

 

[intlzncster]

I feel like at least one decommits (maybe two) and probably three transfer.

If we have a new coach, it's gonna depend on how good of a sales job he can do.

 

[Jaker]

Beating Temple, Jalen staying, Matthews being unstoppable...this has been a great Wednesday!

And Cuse was given a beat down by BC!! Wahooooo