Karaban still weighing decision whether to return or go pro

[D$]

This is getting ridiculous with Alex. He’s had plenty of time. The belief that everyone on the inside is informed is blind hope. If he’s coming back, just announce it, if he’s not, we have undoubtedly lost opportunity to replace him.

 

[uconn_jack]

when he does decide, half of us will say he should have stayed, half of us will say he should have gone. so sorta makes sense why it's taking so long

Late to this conversation, but I think there are very few who actually don't want him to come back. I think most do actively want him back, while the rest would welcome him back but thinks he's done enough for UConn and would be good with him leaving if the situation is best for him and we can get a good player in the portal.

 

[aburks41]

I do not know if the St. John's mercenary approach will work but the best comparison for this is Kansas. Bill Self is a good coach, but it is not going well by their standards given how much money has been deployed and the talent at their disposal.

It's undeniable you need talent to win, but you also need continuity. In a normal Big East, that St. John's team is a 3rd or 4th place finisher so I do feel they got a bit lucky.

Next year's team will be more talented but less roster continuity and more top line guys that aren't used to being 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th options. There's only one basketball.

There roster construction is also kinda weird especially for a Pitino team, like he overcorrected from last year, but we will see.

Suffice to say I think they will be good, but not as good as they should be.

Their starting guard trio averaged a combined 3 assists per game last year. 3. That team is going to be a whole bunch of iso hero ball from guys who do not like passing or being the 2nd or 3rd option. I think you nailed it with the KU comp. Lotta talent, awful roster construction.

 

[NJHusky]

This.
What’s transpired has not been some hugely unlikely outcome. If this has torpedoed our roster somehow, then that’d be brutal mismanagement by the staff. I’m confident they have a plan for the very scenario that’s playing out that they feel good about.

They might have a plan…but the options are changing.

If they knew he was leaving last week there would be more options to replace him.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

Their starting guard trio averaged a combined 3 assists per game last year. 3. That team is going to be a whole bunch of iso hero ball from guys who do not like passing or being the 2nd or 3rd option. I think you nailed it with the KU comp. Lotta talent, awful roster construction.

It is also going to be impossible to score against them

 

[Fatroony5]

Did everyone realize Silas Demary is also going through the draft process? Assume nothing to be concerned about but just saw an interview where he said he’ll decide whether to go pro or back to school by Mid May. Also said he’d only go if guaranteed first round and not seeing him on any draft boards. Just had no idea he was going through the process.

Wasn’t aware of that. He’s not listed on Givonys top 100 prospect list, so he should be at UConn. I’m not even sure he’d get a combine invite. Alex remains a top 40 prospect for Givony as of today. Will be interesting to see how it shakes out. Wonder what’s going to happen with RJ Luis, still crazy to me they ran him off. Hes a fringe top 60 prospect, he should come back to college. If Alex is gone, curious if they’d look his direction. It’s not an exact fit, but he’s a good player.

 

[Fan1978]

I do not know if the St. John's mercenary approach will work but the best comparison for this is Kansas. Bill Self is a good coach, but it is not going well by their standards given how much money has been deployed and the talent at their disposal.

It's undeniable you need talent to win, but you also need continuity. In a normal Big East, that St. John's team is a 3rd or 4th place finisher so I do feel they got a bit lucky.

Next year's team will be more talented but less roster continuity and more top line guys that aren't used to being 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th options. There's only one basketball.

There roster construction is also kinda weird especially for a Pitino team, like he overcorrected from last year, but we will see.

Suffice to say I think they will be good, but not as good as they should be.

Pitino is far better than self and has won in a variety of ways. He will figure it out and continue to help UConn keep big East relevant

 

[navery12]

They might have a plan…but the options are changing.

If they knew he was leaving last week there would be more options to replace him.

There hasn't been anyone who committed in the last week that they missed out on while waiting on Alex to decide

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I read somewhere that there are 10 schools with $10mil rosters. St. Johns is one of them. We can hate all we want, but the reality is that kind of money means we cannot make recruiting mistakes. And not having Alex as a 4 and /or not having a high end alternative to replace him if needed would qualify as a huge mistake.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

It is also going to be impossible to score against them

I could be wrong but at least since the shot clock was implemented I don't believe a team has ever been shut out in a college basketball game.

I'm confident that with the players that we know we will have in 25-26 we should be able to score at least six or seven points against St John's.

 

[Storrs South]

It is also going to be impossible to score against them

Everyone they have brought in is offensive oriented. Sure they are long, but I do no think anyone is particularly known for their defense.

 

[Fatroony5]

Everyone they have brought in is offensive oriented. Sure they are long, but I do no think anyone is particularly known for their defense.

Dillon Mitchell is a force defensively. Pitino will get his team to defend; they’re long, athletic, and physical. It’ll come together for them defensively, I’m just not sure what to expect offensively. Lot of guys who can score but no one to really facilitate.

 

[Inyatkin]

St. John's has a shot to be good. There's also a decent chance they pull a Kansas and fall flat on their face. Not sure I would make an assumption one way or the other on them

 

[Storrs South]

Dillon Mitchell is a force defensively. Pitino will get his team to defend; they’re long, athletic, and physical. It’ll come together for them defensively, I’m just not sure what to expect offensively. Lot of guys who can score but no one to really facilitate.

Mitchell yes, but Jackson, Sellers, Sanon, Hopkins are not defensive weapons. Pitino will coach them up but I do not expect a top 10 or possibly even 20 defense again.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

Mitchell yes, but Jackson, Sellers, Sanon, Hopkins are not defensive weapons. Pitino will coach them up but I do not expect a top 10 or possibly even 20 defense again.

I will guarantee you they are a top 20 defense lol

 

[Fatroony5]

Mitchell yes, but Jackson, Sellers, Sanon, Hopkins are not defensive weapons. Pitino will coach them up but I do not expect a top 10 or possibly even 20 defense again.

I’d be pretty surprised if they aren’t a top 20 defense. With their size, athleticism, rebounding ability, they will be really tough to play against, he’ll coach them up to be a good unit again. I’m more curious to see how they fit together offensively.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

I’d be pretty surprised if they aren’t a top 20 defense. With their size, athleticism, rebounding ability, they will be really tough to play against, he’ll coach them up to be a good unit again. I’m more curious to see how they fit together offensively.

It is impossible for them not to be with Zuby and Mitchell

 

[Fishy]

I have no doubt that Pitino will get that team to play defense. I also think there’s a chance they finish the season with like four assists.

Also, Alex needs to decide already. Whatever he’s gonna know about where he stands, he already knows it by now.

 

[Slim Marlo]

This idea that Alex has put UConn in a bind is ludicrous. I am sure he is transparent w his intentions and the staff is well equipped. It’s not like any of this is coming out of left field and blind sighting them.

Completely agree with this

 

[superjohn]

There hasn't been anyone who committed in the last week that they missed out on while waiting on Alex to decide

We don't know what we missed out on or if we missed out at all until he announces his decision. What we do know is any big time starting level 4 isn't committing here until they know what the guy who averages 36 minutes per game is going to do. He's pulling an Aaron Rodgers.

If he comes back, great. If he leaves and is replaced with a big time replacement from the portal, great. If he doesn't come back and we just get a depth piece, not good at all.

 

[Marat]

I have no doubt that Pitino will get that team to play defense. I also think there’s a chance they finish the season with like four assists.

Also, Alex needs to decide already. Whatever he’s gonna know about where he stands, he already knows it by now.

I think Hurley already knows. Its us fans that don't.

 

[marti3td]

Guarantee the staff already know so they can make plans with or without him returning. My gut says he is returning.

 

[J187Money]

Of course it is. If you’re a kid looking to get 25-30 minutes a game at UConn and you’re capable of that talent wise but you’re not sure if Karaban is staying or not do you think that won’t matter??? He’s almost at the point where he better stay or he killed the program he was so proud to be a part of.

So now he is killing the program? Overreact much? LOL. Might as well tell everyone else to quit since they have no chance now.

 

[JoeyBuckets]

Any day now…

 

[J187Money]

That isn't the way it works under this NIL age. It is alll about promoting yourself while making the most money you can with getting a chance to make an NBA roster. Guys aren't coming here to sit behind other player when it is their last year in college. They want to start especially one like Baba who has a point to prove he can play consistently at a higher level.

I said I acknowledge that money and PT are real factors. I'm not ignorant of it. I'm just looking at this holistically. And maybe someone that wants to come in and fight for minutes is someone I want on my team v. someone that wants a ton of money and a promise of 30 minutes a game without ever stepping on the court. This program, and Hurley, isn't for everyone. And for the record, I would have preferred that AK made his decision earlier, but I'm just not that bothered by it that he hasn't. It is my opinion we will be fine either way.