Liam’s Return Is the Only Thing that Matters

[Hunt for 7]

We can discuss everything. But if this season turns out in anyway successful meaning at least a sweet 16 appearance the only thing that matters is when and how Liam returns. I do think at worst we are a one loss BE team with him playing. We were on our way he was learning to accept being the Alpha (not AK) and we were close to being top 6 team in country.

So really everything else is second page material. We need our stud back simple as that and when he comes back we have to hope he is 100% and can get to where he was before the injury in one or two games. We make a deep run in the BE tourney has to be the final and we just might still get a top four seed. But if he is out another two weeks the calculus all changes.

 

[bazzdog]

We can discuss everything. But if this season turns out in anyway successful meaning at least a sweet 16 appearance the only thing that matters is when and how Liam returns. I do think at worst we are a one loss BE team with him playing. We were on our way he was learning to accept being the Alpha (not AK) and we were close to being top 6 team in country.

So really everything else is second page material. We need our stud back simple as that and when he comes back we have to hope he is 100% and can get to where he was before the injury in one or two games. We make a deep run in the BE tourney has to be the final and we just might still get a top four seed. But if he is out another two weeks the calculus all changes.

He’ll be back early Feb
Use those 3 weeks to get back where he was by March
That’s when it all matters

 

[Sphinx]

I like the progress made by Ball, Johnson and Mahaney in Liam's absence. We will be a substantially better team in March than we were in December.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I like the progress made by Ball, Johnson and Mahaney in Liam's absence. We will be a substantially better team in March than we were in December.

Agree last night was Mahaney’s best game this year. He finished drives and played with a bit more confidence. But those four misses at the foul line from him and Diarra…how much did we lose by….had a huge impact on the game. If Mahaney makes those free throws could have been a different game. So he is still in his head a bit confidence wise but he is getting better.

Ball actually had a few good drives and used his length effectively to finish and shoot 11 boards.

Johnson we are finally starting to see how much havoc he can create and for all those high hedge haters one of those led to a trap steal and dunk at a critical time.

Keep on bashing Ross but the kid has the making of a lockdown defender. Keep him on the court let him play through his mistakes and next year he will be a lock down defender. Everyone is trying to do to much and he is the biggest offender in that area. Just play within yourself and not try to make every play a game changer. Stewart I think with the skill sets of who we have coming in may be the biggest casualty next year.

 

[EricLA]

I get that after 2 consecutive NC's, with all the buzz surrounding the program, it was easy to jump on the 3-peat bandwagon, but Hurley did neither the team, nor the fans, any favors by publicly putting that out there. After losing 4 starters, 2 of them top 10 draft picks, it was unrealistic and unfair to put that out there and create those high expectations.

Without Liam, this team would be fortunate to get past the first weekend in the NCAA's. With him, I honestly see the sweet 16 as the ceiling for these guys (maybe elite 8 if we are lucky and have good matchups). Sure they will be better come March, but so will every other team who actually practices.

I think fans will be much more at peace if they generally realize that this team, even if firing on all cylinders, is simply not a NC caliber team. Not even final 4. Bask in the glow of the last 2 seasons, and root hard for these guys, but be realistic.

I get that we beat Baylor and Texas and Gonzaga, but there hasn't been a game since MD Eastern (save maybe for Depaul) that the team has been fully in control from start to finish. The wins have been nail biters, the losses excruciating.

Getting Liam back will help for sure. With him gone, other guys have been forced to step up and that has to bode well for the rest of the year. Maybe the team will surprise and make a deep run, but for me, it will be better to have it be a really pleasant surprise than an expectation...

 

[alexd]

I still believe by March, with Liam we will be rolling and be one of those mid level seeds thats peaking and the "experts" will be saying "no one wants to play". But that's just me.

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

With McNeeley, we have one of the best starting 5s, especially with the way the two “weaker” positions have been playing in Diarra and Samson. Then looking at the bench, it’s pretty deep with Tarris, Mahaney, and either Stewart/Ross (depending on who’s playing better that day) all having the potential to make a big impact. Certainly a team that can make a deep run without big east refs in the tourney.

 

[Pmac923]

Watch the first half against Texas and watch it again. This team has the ability to look spectacular with McNeeley as the focal point. We can surprise anyone but lose to anyone.

 

[lateralous]

I get that after 2 consecutive NC's, with all the buzz surrounding the program, it was easy to jump on the 3-peat bandwagon, but Hurley did neither the team, nor the fans, any favors by publicly putting that out there. After losing 4 starters, 2 of them top 10 draft picks, it was unrealistic and unfair to put that out there and create those high expectations.

I agree with most everything Hurley does in terms of roster continuity and focusing on culture, even if it sacrifices some short term gain, but it's also become clear he was pretty high on the smell of his own farts this summer after the success of the last two seasons and the Lakers offer. Hell, even the Vegas futures market bought into the idea that he had some sort of magical formula that could somehow produce another title despite all the high end NBA talent that left Storrs in April.

As for the original point, getting McNeeley back and healthy is absolutely everything for this team come March. It's like a hockey team missing their 1D. The other 5 D are asked to take on additional responsibility to help cover the loss. They might be able to do it over a short period of time but as they continue to be asked to do more than they are capable of, they start to break down. As soon as the 1D returns, they can all slot down into their more ideal role and typically everyone looks way better. I suspect we'll see something similar once Liam can take some of the pressure off of guys like Diarra & Karaban.

It would also be a huge help if Stewart and Mahaney could provide depth that's at least a middle ground between 14 point outbursts and being absolute no shows, but that's for another thread.

 

[RuffRuff]

I agree with most everything Hurley does in terms of roster continuity and focusing on culture, even if it sacrifices some short term gain, but it's also become clear he was pretty high on the smell of his own farts this summer after the success of the last two seasons and the Lakers offer. Hell, even the Vegas future market bought into the idea that he had some magical formula that could somehow produce another title despite all the high end NBA talent that left Storrs in April.

As for the original point, getting McNeeley back and healthy is absolutely everything for this team come March. It's like a hockey team missing their 1D. The other 5 D are asked to take on additional responsibility to help cover the loss. They might be able to do it over a short period of time but as they continue to be asked to do more than they are capable of, they start to break down. As soon as the 1D returns, they can all slot down into their more ideal role and typically everyone looks way better. I suspect we'll see something similar once Liam can take some of the pressure off of guys like Diarra & Karaban.

It would also be a huge help if Stewart and Mahaney could provide depth that's at least a middle ground between 14 point outbursts and being absolute no shows, but that's for another thread.

The continuity/culture vs short term will be challenged this portal season. Now that he’s come down to earth it’s going to be really interesting to see if there is portal urgency to get back to the holy land quick. He was riding his own jock for a full 5-6 months, taking any interview he could and dropping “championship DNA” speak at a cult like level. It’s pretty clear this is the headspace he prefers. I sure as heck do not see a NC champ roster next year with this group, but could in the following. Will he stay patient? This will be his most interesting portal season to date.

 

[LIuconn]

Will we be an at large team by then?

 

[bendm]

The continuity/culture vs short term will be challenged this portal season. Now that he’s come down to earth it’s going to be really interesting to see if there is portal urgency to get back to the holy land quick. He was riding his own jock for a full 5-6 months, taking any interview he could and dropping “championship DNA” speak at a cult like level. It’s pretty clear this is the headspace he prefers. I sure as heck do not see a NC champ roster next year with this group, but could in the following. Will he stay patient? This will be his most interesting portal season to date.

It’s obvious that we need an elite starting PG from the portal. Starting PF would be the next biggest need. Can junior stew be fifth best starter on a chip team like AK in 23? Where do you see the other weaknesses? Looks like good depth on paper with everyone (hopefully) a year better. But we thought that this year too.

Transfer / Nowell / Adams
Ball / Mahaney
Mullins / Ross / Furphy
Stew / Abe
Reed / Reibe / Singare

 

[Hoophound]

Will we be an at large team by then?

I hope he’s back for Marquette on 2/1, but I’m thinking he might not be back until we play Creighton on 2/11. That means he’d miss the SJU game too. It’s entirely possible we lose 3 of the next 4—-god forbid we lose to DePaul. The bubble is no joke.

 

[superjohn]

The continuity/culture vs short term will be challenged this portal season. Now that he’s come down to earth it’s going to be really interesting to see if there is portal urgency to get back to the holy land quick. He was riding his own jock for a full 5-6 months, taking any interview he could and dropping “championship DNA” speak at a cult like level. It’s pretty clear this is the headspace he prefers. I sure as heck do not see a NC champ roster next year with this group, but could in the following. Will he stay patient? This will be his most interesting portal season to date.

Well he has to, there's no way in hell he's rolling into next season with Nowell and Mahaney as our point guards. We also need a forward to replace McNeeley and AK.

 

[Hoophound]

Well he has to, there's no way in hell he's rolling into next season with Nowell and Mahaney as our point guards. We also need a forward to replace McNeeley and AK.

I wonder if AK stays. He’s making very good money.

 

[jibsey]

I wonder if AK stays. He’s making very good money.

How much?

 

[superjohn]

I wonder if AK stays. He’s making very good money.

Never even really entertained that but I really don't see him being a first round pick.

 

[RuffRuff]

Never even really entertained that but I really don't see him being a first round pick.

I doubt it but it is possible I suppose. Assuming he is gone, Hurley could go hard in the portal:

PG
Combo (senior)
PF

Can’t imagine a lineup of:

Nowell - young, zero experience
Ball - defense (small back court)
Mullins - frosh
Stewart - inconsistent, defense
Reed - inconsistent

Ross, Mahaney, Abraham and the other frosh aren’t closing many gaps. That is a roster of 11, so am gonna be really curious on the double down. Tend to think he’d have to push some out to bring in others.

 

[uh-no]

playing defense is the only thing that matters.

We were certainly better with liam, but still not particularly consistent.

 

[Travelman6]

Not too worried about this team (yet). They had a rough January two years ago and now is a rough patch, also in January. Hurley still has time to iron things out, he has in the past and I think he will this year. If, in late February like on the 23 or 26 things are going rough still then it's cause for concern.

Not sure for @Marquette but hoping for a fully healthy team by Feb. 7 at home for St. Johns. Could be a huge statement game against a greatly improved Johnnies team (who will likely be at least 10-2 in the BE by that time) and that game will tell us a lot about where UConn is headed for the remainder of the season IMO.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Never even really entertained that but I really don't see him being a first round pick.

I have no idea what his NIL deal is but is $500k a realistic number? We know some of these portal guys were looking at 7 figure deals. I love AK for caring so much and also the contributions he has made to the program, but he has a lot of missing gaps in his game when you think about his chances to stick in the NBA.

Don’t think his play is moving him up in the draft pecking order. He is going to have to really work on that floater in the lane as he gets cut off by quicker players on his way to the basket on a regular basis. I am watching more NBA games this year than I have since the late 90’s because the Knicks are really good and fun to watch and there are still plenty of good players who use excellent mid range games. Those floaters in the lane have to be makes 60% of the time or better. He is not there yet with that shot.

One thing that I think has stood out is his length even at 6’7” or so he looks to have a significant wing span and he has blocked more shots this year. He can stay on the ground longer against smaller players up to 6’5” and still get to their shots near the rim.

That has been a pleasant surprise. I really don’t know the math as well as some on the nil deals and he is already a fourth year junior so age becomes an issue. But he is a great complimentary player who maybe could find a role at the next level.

 

[RuffRuff]

I have no idea what his NIL deal is but is $500k a realistic number? We know some of these portal guys were looking at 7 figure deals. I love AK for caring so much and also the contributions he has made to the program, but he has a lot of missing gaps in his game when you think about his chances to stick in the NBA.

Don’t think his play is moving him up in the draft pecking order. He is going to have to really work on that floater in the lane as he gets cut off by quicker players on his way to the basket on a regular basis. I am watching more NBA games this year than I have since the late 90’s because the Knicks are really good and fun to watch and there are still plenty of good players who use excellent mid range games. Those floaters in the lane have to be makes 60% of the time or better. He is not there yet with that shot.

One thing that I think has stood out is his length even at 6’7” or so he looks to have a significant wing span and he has blocked more shots this year. He can stay on the ground longer against smaller players up to 6’5” and still get to their shots near the rim.

That has been a pleasant surprise. I really don’t know the math as well as some on the nil deals and he is already a fourth year junior so age becomes an issue. But he is a great complimentary player who maybe could find a role at the next level.

He has enough size and skill to find a place deep on an NBA bench. Mocks or not don’t see first round as he’s generally shown this year he’s fixed talent. I’m fairly surprised he hasn’t come back this year with anything new in his arsenal, or a little polishing of that shot form which is over engineered and limiting. Too many times if he’s not given ample space to load and square, he throws up flat out bricks. AK is a mechanical player, he compliments with smarts & discipline, hinders him in ways of creativity and being multi dimensional.

 

[jake14mw]

McNeeley coming back won't solve the main issues this team has. We will see if the coaching staff can figure out a way to deal with our defensive deficiencies. It seems to me that the guards are simply unable to stay in front of people.