Kisunas released from LOI

[JimHurley]

We need a guard who can stroke it and handle PG duties, a wing who can stretch the floor and another serviceable big. Then, maybe, we're a top 40 team. Lots of pieces to the puzzle to be fit in as of now. Our core of Adams, CV, Gilbert, Wilson, Diarra, Carlton must be kept in tact.

Disagree that we NEED another wing and big. A guard, definitely. But Sid/Polley can hold down the wing position. Diarra, Whaley, Cobb, and Carlton are "serviceable" I would say as well. Plus I'd rather have Hurley get a wing and a big in the 2019 class rather than filling the roster just to fill it.

 

[intlzncster]

That would seem to be the logical baseline as of now. The "potential" concept & "coach 'em up" concept is pretty much projection (and hope....)

I am 100% certain they will be better than last year. Maybe markedly. That's a projection I'm willing to make.

 

[8893]

Meh, I'm still in the HurleyWatch afterglow.

Personally, today of all days, I'm a little miffed that he hasn't won us another championship yet.

 

[JimHurley]

I don't understand why so many of these types of posts omit Polley. Obviously he's a limited player who needs a lot of improvement, but the kid shot 42% from 3. When's the last time a freshman did that at UConn?

Even if his role never grows beyond "stand there and hit a shot every four minutes," that's a valuable rotation piece.

Yes, my fault on that one. I have hope for Polley. So JA, CV, SW, MD, and JC with a backup guard in AG, backup wing in TP, and backup big IW is a solid roster.

 

[Jaybird65]

I am 100% certain they will be better than last year. Maybe markedly. That's a projection I'm willing to make.

Me too....just not sure if a tournament team but hoping like crazy....

 

[August_West]

Given that our season is over, it is incredibly difficult at the moment to guess whether we can have a decent team next year. On the one hand, if Adams comes back, Gilbert stays healthy, Carlton shows a big leap and we add at least decent depth with the open roster spots, we could have three AAC impact players (Adams, Gilbert and Wilson), decent play at the 4 and 5 and adequate depth, which could be enough to compete for an NCAA bid. On the other hand, if Adams leaves, Gilbert is not the player who signed with us and all we add with the open roster spots is talent at a level of our off season additions last year, we would have a substantially less talented team and would be relying on better coaching to even play up to last year's level.

Time will tell.

”The fundamental question is, Will I be as effective as a boss like my dad was?… Until I am, it's gonna be hard to verify that I think I'll be more effective.”.

 

[the Q]

Well, that's a big gap between tournament team talent level, and a FF powerhouse. I mean, look at Duke vs URI. And the diff in those players.

Adams might start, Wilson would get minutes on a FF team.

If he was guaranteed healthy, Gilbert would probably get minutes too.

I will say that Whaley and Vital could have roles as well. Ideally as key bench players. They were both extremely solid with BPM.

I think Vital is a better 3pt shooter than his numbers for 2 reasons 1) his FT% and 2) his shot selection is beyond abysmal right now.

Hurley providing some actual accountability and reigning that in will only see that number spike.

 

[3rdbass]

I will say that Whaley and Vital could have roles as well. Ideally as key bench players. They were both extremely solid with BPM.

I think Vital is a better 3pt shooter than his numbers for 2 reasons 1) his FT% and 2) his shot selection is beyond abysmal right now.

Hurley providing some actual accountability and reigning that in will only see that number spike.

I don't see the love for Whaley. He played well earlier in the season when he were playing smaller teams but as we got to the end of the year he could barely get off the bench due to his limited offensive skills and being outmuscled by almost all opposing players. He needs to hit the weights hard and gain a shot before we can talk about Whaley making an impact.

 

[Jaybird65]

Do we think we can get to 22 wins???? It just seems like 22 wins is the number of wins an AAC team needs to make the tournament without the automatic bid the last couple of years...

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Let’s just skip next season

 

[businesslawyer]

”The fundamental question is, Will I be as effective as a boss like my dad was?… Until I am, it's gonna be hard to verify that I think I'll be more effective.”.

??? Don't recognize the quote.

 

[ctchamps]

I don't understand why so many of these types of posts omit Polley. Obviously he's a limited player who needs a lot of improvement, but the kid shot 42% from 3. When's the last time a freshman did that at UConn?

Even if his role never grows beyond "stand there and hit a shot every four minutes," that's a valuable rotation piece.

If he could drive to the basket and not charge or lose the ball and if Jalen could shoot 42% from three next year could be interesting. Otherwise it’s easier for opposing teams to defend against their strengths.

 

[superjohn]

I don't understand why so many of these types of posts omit Polley. Obviously he's a limited player who needs a lot of improvement, but the kid shot 42% from 3. When's the last time a freshman did that at UConn?

Even if his role never grows beyond "stand there and hit a shot every four minutes," that's a valuable rotation piece.

Same people seem to be lamenting we lost a knock down shooter Jeremy Lamb clone in Emmitt Matthews who shot 29% from three in high school.

 

[August_West]

??? Don't recognize the quote.

Little Carmine Lupertazzi. The Sopranos.

 

[ctchamps]

We've already got two wings in Wilson and Pollie, so I don't think that's a problem.

One can shoot from outside but is really limited in driving to the basket and the other is the polar opposite. Can we surgically merge them and have one complete player.

 

[auror]

I don't understand why so many of these types of posts omit Polley. Obviously he's a limited player who needs a lot of improvement, but the kid shot 42% from 3. When's the last time a freshman did that at UConn?

Even if his role never grows beyond "stand there and hit a shot every four minutes," that's a valuable rotation piece.

Polley took 1 3pter (not made 1) per game on the season. It's take a shot every 25 minutes, make 1 every other game.

The sample size and limited shot selection devalue his shooting %'s. I'm not saying "He can't shoot". I'm saying he hasn't proven it yet.

Still, I agree that he'll grow into a nice rotational piece.

 

[Hi-Low]

Honestly ok with me all 3 of KO's recruits decomitted .....a coach recruits the players he wants for multiple years usually so doesn't make a lot of sense for Dan Hurley or the players to make a 4 year commitment to one another when they are strangers....he already has to get to know the players already here so why tie up the 3 other schollies unless you're "in love"

 

[Matrim55]

Polley took 1 3pter (not made 1) per game on the season. It's take a shot every 25 minutes, make 1 every other game.

The sample size and limited shot selection devalue his shooting %'s. I'm not saying "He can't shoot". I'm saying he hasn't proven it yet.

Still, I agree that he'll grow into a nice rotational piece.

Fair.

 

[Danzz]

I agree about the 2018 recruits not being apart of his vision(sans Akinjo). But I whole heartedly disagree about the amount of talent we have on this team. Ollie was just a terrible coach. We didn’t lack the talent sufficient enough to make the tournament, we lacked the direction and leadership

We lacked the mix of talent to make the tournament. No PG, no 2G scorer.

 

[KingAG]

We lacked the mix of talent to make the tournament. No PG, no 2G scorer.

To say JA isn’t a PG is moronic

 

[intlzncster]

I will say that Whaley and Vital could have roles as well. Ideally as key bench players. They were both extremely solid with BPM.

Not quite as high on Whaley as you are. For next year at any rate. He's pretty damn raw and still very thin. We'll see.

I think Vital is a better 3pt shooter than his numbers for 2 reasons 1) his FT% and 2) his shot selection is beyond abysmal right now. Hurley providing some actual accountability and reigning that in will only see that number spike.

Fully agree on that; I've been banging that drum as well. I'm not sure about spike, but they should increase.

I think a similar concept will apply to Jalen too. I don't believe he's as bad as he's shown. I think, not having to do everything and having more open space will be a huge benefit. Along withnot having 3 guys guarding you all game.

Now, that assumes we get more guards. With only 3 in the fold, it's hard to enforce accountability without limiting playing time.

 

[Danzz]

To say JA isn’t a PG is moronic

JA is a combo guard. Anyone who can't see that is moronic.

 

[intlzncster]

Same people seem to be lamenting we lost a knock down shooter Jeremy Lamb clone in Emmitt Matthews who shot 29% from three in high school.

Don't be so dramatic. Nobody said he was a clone of Lamb. I mentioned him in that I hoped he could eventually become Jeremy Lamb-lite. Which is not the same thing. He is smooth like Lamb, good bounce, can handle a little, has a soft looking shot, and is rangy for his weight. Reminiscent. There is some potential there.

I'm certainly not crying we lost him.

 

[KingAG]

JA is a combo guard. Anyone who can't see that is moronic.

John Stockton type Pg’s don’t exists anymore. He may be a different type of pg but he’s the exact prototype of a modern day pg.

 

[Robertelamin]

JA is a combo guard. Anyone who can't see that is moronic.

Except he has never really done anything off the ball in 3 years.

 

[KingAG]

Except he has never really done anything off the ball in 3 years.

^Reality

 

[Danzz]

Except he has never really done anything off the ball in 3 years.

That question will be answered if Gilbert is healthy.

 

[HuskyHawk]

every time lawyers fight with each other on the boneyard an angel gets its wings.....

If we get angels like that, I'll fight more BY lawyers.

 

[the Q]

Not quite as high on Whaley as you are. For next year at any rate. He's pretty damn raw and still very thin. We'll see.



Fully agree on that; I've been banging that drum as well. I'm not sure about spike, but they should increase.

I think a similar concept will apply to Jalen too. I don't believe he's as bad as he's shown. I think, not having to do everything and having more open space will be a huge benefit. Along withnot having 3 guys guarding you all game.

Now, that assumes we get more guards. With only 3 in the fold, it's hard to enforce accountability without limiting playing time.

I feel you. I’m probably the Whaley champion on the board. I have a soft spot for guys like him. But he was a very effective defender. Versatile. He can guard a lot of positions. But is upside is probably more Kevin freeman like. I’m good with that. I’m excited to see what he looks like as an upperclassmen. I think he can win AAC dpoy at some point.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Disagree that we NEED another wing and big. A guard, definitely. But Sid/Polley can hold down the wing position. Diarra, Whaley, Cobb, and Carlton are "serviceable" I would say as well. Plus I'd rather have Hurley get a wing and a big in the 2019 class rather than filling the roster just to fill it.

Agreed. There are players up front if we have a coach who will use them. Ideally we need another ball handler, and I think Grad Transfer is our best bet there. My reasoning is that Gilbert's surgeon suggested that this latest procedure should leave him good as new. Better than he's been since his initial HS injury. I don't know how many top freshman PGs want to come in and sit behind Gilbert and Adams. Next year is when we target a freshman PG.

This year, if we can land a freshman SG, and a grad transfer PG that would be ideal. Add a PF/C if we find one that is worth the scholarship.