Junior County

[jibsey]

As we scan the portal for our second point guard why can’t it be Junior? Strong, has a handle, slasher and shooter inside and behind the line. Yes there’s a learning curve and there will be some painful learning moments but why couldn’t he be the one to give 20 minutes a game? The way the portal is these days if the kids don’t get the floor time to develop they are gone. He’s in the top 30-50 player range.

 

[SwingDog]

I think he potentially could find himself at the backup PG spot, but the question is: how long will it take him to develop into that role? Does Hurley take the chance of bringing him in and working with him to get to that point come the start of the season or does he focus on getting someone who has proven himself at this level already? I don't like it, but it seems like we have to think of things so differently now. Will player development continue to be a hallmark of Hurley and the UConn program, or has that ship sailed? I certainly hope we can continue to get players in where there is a mutual loyalty between them and the program, but you just don't know. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but it seems we have to kind of think this way now. The age of instant gratification has deeply infected the tradition of college basketball as we've come to know it.

 

[ec33]

As we scan the portal for our second point guard why can’t it be Junior? Strong, has a handle, slasher and shooter inside and behind the line. Yes there’s a learning curve and there will be some painful learning moments but why couldn’t he be the one to give 20 minutes a game? The way the portal is these days if the kids don’t get the floor time to develop they are gone. He’s in the top 30-50 player range.

So risk success next year (the last year with Ball, Mullins, and Demary) in order to hopefully retain County who may or may not even be worth keeping in the long run? By playing him out of position as at a key position? A position that when Mahaney failed at threw the entire season off the rails.

Instead of just bringing in an actual PG so that there is one pure PG on the team? Something that might come in handy along the way.

 

[boog204]

As we scan the portal for our second point guard why can’t it be Junior? Strong, has a handle, slasher and shooter inside and behind the line. Yes there’s a learning curve and there will be some painful learning moments but why couldn’t he be the one to give 20 minutes a game? The way the portal is these days if the kids don’t get the floor time to develop they are gone. He’s in the top 30-50 player range.

See Nowell, Ahmed…

County could be that guy. But we have no idea. The good thing about the portal is we can find a veteran who has done this before and we’re relatively sure will not crumble.

 

[That Guy]

There is no way Hurley is trusting a freshman coming in who is ranked in the 40s, and isn't even a true PG, to be the backup on a team with national title aspirations. The reality is that MOST of the time in this era of transfers, the only freshmen that are ready to get minutes on elite college teams are all 5* or borderline 5* guys.

 

[TheChamps990411]

As we scan the portal for our second point guard why can’t it be Junior? Strong, has a handle, slasher and shooter inside and behind the line. Yes there’s a learning curve and there will be some painful learning moments but why couldn’t he be the one to give 20 minutes a game? The way the portal is these days if the kids don’t get the floor time to develop they are gone. He’s in the top 30-50 player range.

You want to put the ball in the hands of a freshman at the most important position on the floor? Howd that work out for Duke? No. Give me two experienced PG or give me death.

 

[Bigbrad1029]

For back PG We should go after Preston Edmead from Hofstra last year’s CAA Freshman of the year in the CAA and in NCAA 1st round against Bama went head to head with Philon…his game is a lot like Tanner kid at Vandy, he is small 6’1 , great shooter , penetrator and distributor, has already visited Oregon and would come relatively cheap and be a great back up to Silas….better overall talent than Malachi because he is so young and plays more under control, Danny could help him be a better defender and he could stay 3 years if things work out…

 

[upstater]

So risk success next year (the last year with Ball, Mullins, and Demary) in order to hopefully retain County who may or may not even be worth keeping in the long run? By playing him out of position as at a key position? A position that when Mahaney failed at throw the entire season off the rails.

Instead of just bringing in an actual PG so that there is one pure PG on the team? Something that might come in handy along the way.

"A position that when Mahaney failed at throw the entire season off the rails."

Anyone can fail at it. A portal transfer. A freshman.

 

[boog204]

For back PG We should go after Preston Edmead from Hofstra last year’s CAA Freshman of the year in the CAA and in NCAA 1st round against Bama went head to head with Philon…his game is a lot like Tanner kid at Vandy, he is small 6’1 , great shooter , penetrator and distributor, has already visited Oregon and would come relatively cheap and be a great back up to Silas….better overall talent than Malachi because he is so young and plays more under control, Danny could help him be a better defender and he could stay 3 years if things work out…

Yes… but he’s visiting Oregon and NC State and others to be the starting PG. Not a backup.

 

[Bigbrad1029]

Yes… but he’s visiting Oregon and NC State and others to be the starting PG. Not a backup.

You’re right, that’s fair but Silas is a Senior and County looks like more of a potential 2 so a lot of Opportunity to grow at the best CBB program in America UConn in future and he might play in a final four..never happening at Oregon or NC State who just lost their coach…

 

[HW611]

There is no way Hurley is trusting a freshman coming in who is ranked in the 40s, and isn't even a true PG, to be the backup on a team with national title aspirations. The reality is that MOST of the time in this era of transfers, the only freshmen that are ready to get minutes on elite college teams are all 5* or borderline 5* guys.

This just isn’t true. We’re just looking at it from the UConn centric vantage point of Ahmad Nowell.

Who was a complete outlier as far as the freshman guards in his class and their ability to contribute. Think he may have had one of the lowest amount of minutes in the top 100 players in that class.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I think he potentially could find himself at the backup PG spot, but the question is: how long will it take him to develop into that role? Does Hurley take the chance of bringing him in and working with him to get to that point come the start of the season or does he focus on getting someone who has proven himself at this level already? I don't like it, but it seems like we have to think of things so differently now. Will player development continue to be a hallmark of Hurley and the UConn program, or has that ship sailed? I certainly hope we can continue to get players in where there is a mutual loyalty between them and the program, but you just don't know. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but it seems we have to kind of think this way now. The age of instant gratification has deeply infected the tradition of college basketball as we've come to know it.

I think schools will still get to develop players- if they sit as freshman in the beginning and then start to get more minutes as the year goes on- when they want to start as a sophomore, if they progressed enough to get major minutes at UConn then we obviously have the advantage to retain the kid over other schools.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

"A position that when Mahaney failed at throw the entire season off the rails."

Anyone can fail at it. A portal transfer. A freshman.

I think the point was that we tried to take someone that wasn’t a true PG and rely on them to develop into that immediately. This is a complex offense. One that veteran PGs like Silas even took a reasonably long time to really look comfortable in. Expecting that out of a freshman CG is risky. If Hurley thinks he can, I’ll get on board though.

 

[auror]

Silas is going to play 34 minutes a game. Khamenia will have some playmaking responsibilities. We're only going to need someone to play 6 min or so of PG.

They're going to need to groom Junior. I think they'll give him a shot.

 

[KillaCam]

Silas is going to play 34 minutes a game. Khamenia will have some playmaking responsibilities. We're only going to need someone to play 6 min or so of PG.

They're going to need to groom Junior. I think they'll give him a shot.

Unfortunately there are injuries and fatigue. You really needs 2nd experienced PG. Junior is shooter first and then facilitator. Think how it ended with attempt to convert a shooting guard (yet more experienced one) into a PG. Silas is not going to carry this position alone nor should he.

 

[3rdbass]

For back PG We should go after Preston Edmead from Hofstra last year’s CAA Freshman of the year in the CAA and in NCAA 1st round against Bama went head to head with Philon…his game is a lot like Tanner kid at Vandy, he is small 6’1 , great shooter , penetrator and distributor, has already visited Oregon and would come relatively cheap and be a great back up to Silas….better overall talent than Malachi because he is so young and plays more under control, Danny could help him be a better defender and he could stay 3 years if things work out…

Not happening.

 

[KillaCam]

This just isn’t true. We’re just looking at it from the UConn centric vantage point of Ahmad Nowell.

Who was a complete outlier as far as the freshman guards in his class and their ability to contribute. Think he may have had one of the lowest amount of minutes in the top 100 players in that class.

I agree re: UConn centric view. However, Ahmad moved on to a two steps below VCU and maintained his level of contribution despite initial excitement on VCU side labeling him “the most important” transfer.

 

[HW611]

I agree re: UConn centric view. However, Ahmad moved on to a two steps below VCU and maintained his level of contribution despite initial excitement on VCU side labeling him “the most important” transfer.

Not saying we did anything wrong. That not a road worth going down.

I’m just saying there’s plenty of freshman guards all over the country that come in ready to play 10-15 mins a game (which is what we’d ask of County) that aren’t top 25 players.

A top 50 guard is more than good enough for a backup role.

If our movement with guards in the portal is any indication, so does Hurley. If we want to be intentional about planning for County to succeed then we have to move like we expect him to succeed.

Bringing in another guy would be moving and planning for him to not succeed.

 

[kobebeanbryant]

Silas is going to play 34 minutes a game. Khamenia will have some playmaking responsibilities. We're only going to need someone to play 6 min or so of PG.

That is no different than this year and look at how critical Smith was.

We can’t rely on a freshman in that role. Too big of a risk for a national title contender. It could derail the entire season.

 

[RuffRuff]

Not saying we did anything wrong. That not a road worth going down.

I’m just saying there’s plenty of freshman guards all over the country that come in ready to play 10-15 mins a game (which is what we’d ask of County) that aren’t top 25 players.

A top 50 guard is more than good enough for a backup role.

If our movement with guards in the portal is any indication, so does Hurley. If we want to be intentional about planning for County to succeed then we have to move like we expect him to succeed.

Bringing in another guy would be moving and planning for him to not succeed.

What happens if Demary gets hurt, like he did last year? Do you think we want to hand the pg role to a freshmen? Hell no. County is barely top 50. Go find a real backup and let County get some minutes between the 1 and 2 if he's any good.

Hurley hasn't done it, won't do it. Not sure why forcing this agenda when it's clearly not part of how Hurley operates, it's how Calhoun operating in 2010. That was not a time where you could get a reasonable backup PG in the portal.

A Malachi Smith is perfect - mid major PG with one year remaining. Everything opens up the following year.

 

[UCfor3]

Silas is going to play 34 minutes a game. Khamenia will have some playmaking responsibilities. We're only going to need someone to play 6 min or so of PG.

They're going to need to groom Junior. I think they'll give him a shot.

And if Silas has another injury? St. Johns would be fun with a developing frosh. Ball handling and Center are two areas where "better safe than sorry" should be the mantra. After we just saw Malachi save our bacon, I'm surprised some are on board with rolling the dice. Obviously budget is a concern so that is the caveat.

 

[HW611]

What happens if Demary gets hurt, like he did last year? Do you think we want to hand the pg role to a freshmen? Hell no. County is barely top 50. Go find a real backup and let County get some minutes between the 1 and 2 if he's any good.

Hurley hasn't done it, won't do it. Not sure whey are trying to force this agenda when it's clearly not part of how Hurley operates, it's how Calhoun operating in 2010. That was not a time where you could get a reasonable backup PG in the portal.

Malachi averaged 4 points 3 assists this year.

In his time filling in for Silas he had

4 points and 7 assists
2 points and 6 assists

Did a great job facilitating (which tbh I think any PG can do with this offense that generates good shots). But it’s really not a crazy bar to clear like some of you all are making it.

Playing freshman PGs isn’t some pre-portal folk lore. Everyone else in the country does it.

The guards who were ranked around where County is last year include

Jamarion Batemon
Acaden Lewis
Dereck Dixon

Would we not have liked to have any of those guys as a backup PG?

 

[Bigbrad1029]

Not happening.

Thanks for the update

 

[RuffRuff]

Malachi averaged 4 points 3 assists this year.

In his time filling in for Silas he had

4 points and 7 assists
2 points and 6 assists

Did a great job facilitating (which tbh I think any PG can do with this offense that generates good shots). But it’s really not a crazy bar to clear like some of you all are making it.

Playing freshman PGs isn’t some pre-portal folk lore. Everyone else in the country does it.

The guards who were ranked around where County is last year include

Jamarion Batemon
Acaden Lewis
Dereck Dixon

Would we not have liked to have any of those guys as a backup PG?

None of those teams played on title contenders. Malachi was a massive part of the what got us to the title.

Look where Lewis and Dixon are now. In the portal!!! Such a bad call. Let's season up our freshman PG's so they can go hit the portal!!! There is a refusal to recognize the options available these days in exchange for a system that is archaic for what is a title contender. Even in the Calhoun here, these developed freshman didn't pay real dividends until their junior/senior years. You think we need to go back to that program? I think you can try playing a frosh as a backup PG if he's a top 15 type player, otherwise forget it. Not even sure a Rippey is going to get much time at Duke this year.

 

[Slick]

This just isn’t true. We’re just looking at it from the UConn centric vantage point of Ahmad Nowell.

Who was a complete outlier as far as the freshman guards in his class and their ability to contribute. Think he may have had one of the lowest amount of minutes in the top 100 players in that class.

Ahmad couldn’t even play as a sophomore for VCU. Unfortunately he isn’t good enough. I think junior country is going to be a very good player for us. He’s big, physically strong and athletic.

 

[mauconnfan]

Malachi averaged 4 points 3 assists this year.

In his time filling in for Silas he had

4 points and 7 assists
2 points and 6 assists

Did a great job facilitating (which tbh I think any PG can do with this offense that generates good shots). But it’s really not a crazy bar to clear like some of you all are making it.

Playing freshman PGs isn’t some pre-portal folk lore. Everyone else in the country does it.

The guards who were ranked around where County is last year include

Jamarion Batemon
Acaden Lewis
Dereck Dixon

Would we not have liked to have any of those guys as a backup PG?

I don’t have a problem with the thoughts you have on County but your disrespect for what Malachi brought to this team is entirely wrong. With this team this year, what he brought beyond the numbers with experience and defense, is immeasurable. If you think any freshman could have done the same I think you are incorrect.

But I do hope he gets his chance somehow nonetheless. We will see.

 

[upstater]

I think the point was that we tried to take someone that wasn’t a true PG and rely on them to develop into that immediately. This is a complex offense. One that veteran PGs like Silas even took a reasonably long time to really look comfortable in. Expecting that out of a freshman CG is risky. If Hurley thinks he can, I’ll get on board though.

I hear you on whether County is a PG or not. If we take him to be one, then I want my freshman playing backup.

Why?

For the reason you mentioned. I want him to learn the offense so we don't reproduce the situation we had with both Newton and Demary where things don't start to click until February.

Honestly, the play we've gotten early in the season from our backup PGs in recent years does not tell me that the portal is any better. They all take awhile.

The only question is, Can they do it? I think we feel snakebitten from Diggins/Nowell/Adams etc. UConn used to be know for PGs and lately it seems we've needed to bring them in from other schools to have success.

 

[boog204]

Malachi averaged 4 points 3 assists this year.

In his time filling in for Silas he had

4 points and 7 assists
2 points and 6 assists

Did a great job facilitating (which tbh I think any PG can do with this offense that generates good shots). But it’s really not a crazy bar to clear like some of you all are making it.

Playing freshman PGs isn’t some pre-portal folk lore. Everyone else in the country does it.

The guards who were ranked around where County is last year include

Jamarion Batemon
Acaden Lewis
Dereck Dixon

Would we not have liked to have any of those guys as a backup PG?

I think you are horrifically understating how important Mal was. He had, off the bench mind you, 8 assists against Arizona, 14 and 9 against Illinois, and 9 assists against Texas and Florida. He was the better PG during our OOC gauntlet and his steadying influence was enormous when Silas got injured. When he were sucking against Duke and Michigan, he even got us some points off the bounce. He struggled a bit during BE play, but man, thinking a freshman PG could replicate that is a big ask.

County could be very good. But it’s important to remember he’s not a true PG and he’s a freshman. I’m certain we’ll seek out a veteran PG who has started some meaningful games. And if County is legit, beautiful. This team needs more ballhandling and creators as it is.

 

[boog204]

Honestly, the play we've gotten early in the season from our backup PGs in recent years does not tell me that the portal is any better. They all take awhile.

Malachi was fantastic early in the year. There were thoughts here that he should be starting over Silas. Smith struggled once we got int BE play.

Perfect world, County is our backup, learns, and then is our PG for the next few years. But we have no idea how a freshman, and one is considered a CG, will adapt. I like the idea of having a guy who has actually played and hopefully has a wealth of experience to hold the fort down should Silas get hurt and County not be ready.

 

[upstater]

Malachi was fantastic early in the year. There were thoughts here that he should be starting over Silas. Smith struggled once we got int BE play.

Perfect world, County is our backup, learns, and then is our PG for the next few years. But we have no idea how a freshman, and one is considered a CG, will adapt. I like the idea of having a guy who has actually played and hopefully has a wealth of experience to hold the fort down should Silas get hurt and County not be ready.

I'm really referring to mastery of the offense. When Malachi came in with the second unit early, it was a little helter skelter. He does indeed do well playing like that.