Josh Carlton Co-Most Improved Player!!!

[Pgh2Storrs]

AAC players with 180+ points, 130+ rebounds and 30+ blocks during conference play:
View attachment 40832

I’m pretty sure I got PTSD from looking at that list. Clark/Goodwin especially just killed us every single game.

Big time stuff for Josh and a nice feather in the cap for our staff to sell to kids. This is going to be such a huge offseason for skill/body development

 

[Son of Robert]

I remember John Linehan. He was John Gwynnish sorta.

 

[awfuldan]

AAC players with 180+ points, 130+ rebounds and 30+ blocks during conference play:
View attachment 40832

It's wild that Josh tied Tacko Fall for blocks this conference season. He has really stepped it up in that department.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I remember John Linehan. He was John Gwynnish sorta.

I hated playing against him all 7 years.

 

[UChusky916]

The most exciting thing about Josh is that he still has room to grow and more potential for greatness.

His hands, positioning, footwork, and BBIQ are tremendous for a soph. Just imagine if Josh can get better at the FT line, keep improving his strength/body, rebound better, hit his bunnies, and develop some go-to post moves. He has the potential to be a REAL force. There's still meat on the bone.

Pair him up with another big, get some dynamic guards, and I think we're looking good for the future.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Edit: Linehan is a coach at UHart now.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Halfway through the season, I thought Josh was not capable of improving to the point of being a starting center for UConn basketball. I can't remember the last time I thought a player was not good enough for UConn, to becoming a beast, in such a short amount of time. And it could not happen to a better kid. It feels like he hasn't even scratched the surface. Congrats to Josh, sky is the limit for him. Very excited to have him in a Husky uniform for 2 more years, and to see what kind of physical improvement he can have with Sal+ co. this offseason.
Not only is Josh playing with confidence and skill, he looks like he's having fun (and we haven't even started winning yet).

 

[3rdbass]

The most exciting thing about Josh is that he still has room to grow and more potential for greatness.

His hands, positioning, footwork, and BBIQ are tremendous for a soph. Just imagine if Josh can get better at the FT line, keep improving his strength/body, rebound better, hit his bunnies, and develop some go-to post moves. He has the potential to be a REAL force. There's still meat on the bone.

Pair him up with another big, get some dynamic guards, and I think we're looking good for the future.

He already has a drop step and spin move. I guess developing a good hook shot and maybe turn-around jumper would be the next step in his development down low.

 

[storrsroars]

AAC players with 180+ points, 130+ rebounds and 30+ blocks during conference play:
View attachment 40832

Good showing for Josh. Didn't realize Clark was only a sophomore. Feels like he's been around awhile. By the time he's a senior it'll feel like Carl Krauser redux.

 

[husky429]

He already has a drop step and spin move. I guess developing a good hook shot and maybe turn-around jumper would be the next step in his development down low.

Needs a face up shot and an up and under. His hook is already decent. Needs to work on his ambidexterity too.

All about S&C with josh though

 

[UConnStats]

If you cut out that ugly 4 game stretch he had in February he was really good in conference. He definitely gained more of my confidence over the course of the year than any other players.

Comparing Josh’s AAC stats to a couple of other popular AAC sophomores:

 

[tcf15]

Good showing for Josh. Didn't realize Clark was only a sophomore. Feels like he's been around awhile. By the time he's a senior it'll feel like Carl Krauser redux.

Note the year - Clark is gone...he was a sophomore in 2015-16. That graphic is all the players in AAC since 2013-14 who have recorded 180+ points, 130+ rebounds and 30+ blocks in a season.

 

[Slasher]

Good showing for Josh. Didn't realize Clark was only a sophomore. Feels like he's been around awhile. By the time he's a senior it'll feel like Carl Krauser redux.

He was a Sophmore in 2015-2016. You realize he plays for the Rockets now right?

 

[storrsroars]

Note the year - Clark is gone...he was a sophomore in 2015-16. That graphic is all the players in AAC since 2013-14 who have recorded 180+ points, 130+ rebounds and 30+ blocks in a season.

Thanks - wasn't looking at the year. That explains all!

He was a Sophmore in 2015-2016. You realize he plays for the Rockets now right?

Don't follow the NBA.

 

[intlzncster]

Maybe I'm a little too pie-in-the-sky, but if he has a big summer I could see that next year.

At the very least, for the first time in a long time we could be looking at our frontcourt being the strength of the team in the next two years. Carlton and Akok in 20-21 should be terrific.

I wouldn't say next year, unless we get another 1 or 2 guys ready to play. No depth, and Akok is still pretty green.

Agreed on 20-21.

Absolutely shocked at Josh's turnaround this year. Kudos to the kid (and the staff) for making it happen.

 

[JimHurley]

Halfway through the season, I thought Josh was not capable of improving to the point of being a starting center for UConn basketball. I can't remember the last time I thought a player was not good enough for UConn, to becoming a beast, in such a short amount of time. And it could not happen to a better kid. It feels like he hasn't even scratched the surface. Congrats to Josh, sky is the limit for him. Very excited to have him in a Husky uniform for 2 more years, and to see what kind of physical improvement he can have with Sal+ co. this offseason.
Not only is Josh playing with confidence and skill, he looks like he's having fun (and we haven't even started winning yet).

Nailed it. We haven't seen this improvement with a player in years. And he's only a sophomore.

 

[intlzncster]

It's wild that Josh tied Tacko Fall for blocks this conference season. He has really stepped it up in that department.

His timing and his positioning have gotten so much better. When you consider he doesn't get off the floor much, it's really impressive. I love looking forward to having a sound fundamental guy down low.

I'm really hoping to see some growth in his passing (nothing says to me that he can't do that--great smarts, good hands), as I think this will open up a whole new dimension for this team that we haven't seen in 5+ years.

Having Akok next to him in the post should open up his interior passing from Day 1.

 

[Hamms30]

It's wild that Josh tied Tacko Fall for blocks this conference season. He has really stepped it up in that department.

How many games did people just chuck up mid-range and 3's when Tacko was in and then crash the paint when he was out? My guess is JC had more opportunities than Tacko, but I'd be interested to see that difference in opportunities if the info was somehow available. Still a great stat line and awesome for Josh and the coaching staff.

 

[intlzncster]

He already has a drop step and spin move. I guess developing a good hook shot and maybe turn-around jumper would be the next step in his development down low.

They already look vastly superior than the start of the year, but he needs to get better on those though. What he lacks in quickness, can be made up for in fast recognition, and superior fundamentals. Makes him look quicker than he is. You saw it every now and then at the end of the year--opened my eyes a bit.

Old school centers still work in college ball, and he's very much that.

 

[intlzncster]

If you cut out that ugly 4 game stretch he had in February he was really good in conference. He definitely gained more of my confidence over the course of the year than any other players.

Comparing Josh’s AAC stats to a couple of other popular AAC sophomores:

Which points out a big thing Josh needs to acquire for next year: consistency*. I think he will.

*you could say that about a lot of our guys of course.

 

[Giants2021]

The award should also go to Hurley and staff finally developing players what a concept.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Josh has improved at every phase of his game. His back to the basket moves came first, then his willingness to bang on people to score, then blocks and rebounding. He has made some decent passes in the last few games, so that should come as well. He has started dunking through contact to get the and 1 on plays where he used to contort himself to avoid contact and miss altogether (Jalen should take notes). He needs to get even stronger, especially with his lack of leaping ability.

He's more than serviceable at this point. He's a weapon.

 

[GemParty]

Pick & Roll. AG & Josh can try it a dozen times a game. He looks comfortable now.

 

[Chief00]

Danny says Josh’s BBIQ has assisted his improvement. Next steps - reduce turnovers and improve foul shooting along with the physical development Chief has previously outlined.

 

[ucawn]

I love this man. He’s played phenomenal in March but in February there was a stretch of 5 games where he didn’t play as well as now

 

[RichZ]

Measurable, observable player improvement. Something we haven't seen around here in a while.
Thank you, Dan Hurley & crew.

 

[nashusky109]

Just think his numbers would’ve been THAT much better if he could hit the bunnies at a higher clip. He played great and had some great moves but he would be soft and lay it up or bounce it off the rim a lot too. I guess that has to do with strength and that innate ability to bang it on fools. He showed a couple flashes of that but hoping he comes back stronger and more confident. Are there drills to put the ball in the basket while being mauled and fouled? It’ll help him with hitting those bunnies.

 

[RichZ]

It's ridiculous that Josh could have nearly identical stats as a 7'6 kid. Josh is either really good, or Tacko just sucks.

I think it's a little of both.

A 7'6" SENIOR.

 

[auror]

How many games did people just chuck up mid-range and 3's when Tacko was in and then crash the paint when he was out? My guess is JC had more opportunities than Tacko, but I'd be interested to see that difference in opportunities if the info was somehow available. Still a great stat line and awesome for Josh and the coaching staff.

Not specifically on/off with Fall, but UCF averages 32% of opponents shots near the rim. UConn averages 43%. UCF is 59th in the country and UConn is 335th. On the same theme, UCF forces many more midrange shots than UConn does instead of at the rim shots.

UConn runs guys off the 3 line and that leads to more attempts near the rim.

 

[mauconnfan]

I remember John Linehan. He was John Gwynnish sorta.

He was a defensive nat, much like Boat. Don't lose your focus bringing the ball up or penetrating the lane because he's picking you apart of you do. Pain in the butt, guy you don't like unless he's wearing National Flag Blue!