2024 Recruiting: Liam McNeeley, the Second of His Name, 2.0

[Waquoit]

I mean there was a solid stretch of the season where that was absolutely the correct assessment.

You guys...

 

[Scrutineer]

I think this is where Marc D really helps…he’s got all the social media and Corp connections

And wait till the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade Committee gets involved and gets him commercials for Aer Lingus, for his first flight to the old sod where he can legally have his first Guinness and have it served in a Waterford crystal beer glass.........

 

[jibsey]

Wow, that's going to be really awkward when they take him there.

Sitting him on those bar saddles might not impress him.

 

[Scrutineer]

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Kentucky fans delusional as always. If Pope made such a big impression on him in that zoom call then why did it end without them scheduling a visit?

Maybe McNeeley asked Pope what his record is as a head coach and how many titles he's won.........

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

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Kentucky fans delusional as always. If Pope made such a big impression on him in that zoom call then why did it end without them scheduling a visit?

everyone needs to stop listening to matt jones

 

[UCTitleTown]

everyone needs to stop listening to matt jones

He hammered the hiring, now he acts like he wanted Pope all along.....

 

[aburks41]

I know it means absolutely nothing but there’s a McNeeley thread on Rupp Rafters (UK board) and 90% of the comments on it are saying this is UConn’s battle to lose. We can’t let him leave campus without a commitment.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

You guys...

I see what camp you’re in with this one.

 

[Conndog]

I know it means absolutely nothing but there’s a McNeeley thread on Rupp Rafters (UK board) and 90% of the comments on it are saying this is UConn’s battle to lose. We can’t let him leave campus without a commitment.

Reel him in!

 

[Huskyforlife]

I know it means absolutely nothing but there’s a McNeeley thread on Rupp Rafters (UK board) and 90% of the comments on it are saying this is UConn’s battle to lose. We can’t let him leave campus without a commitment.

This is probably true, given the lack of other planned visits.

 

[87Xfer]

There is a substantial gap in skill between Hoss and Johnson.

In whose favor?

 

[Matrim55]

In whose favor?

Hoss's. Dude's going to be amazing for us.

 

[87Xfer]

Hoss's. Dude's going to be amazing for us.

That's the way I'm leaning. Looking forward to seeing how it plays out.

 

[jibsey]

We get him, I'm opening champagne... to go with my other cocktails

 

[Tenspro2002]

No matter who starts, a true 20/20 center rotation is tremendously unlikely.

Yes, it is highly likely that one is better than the other, even infinitesimally, and that guy will get the starter's 25-30 mpg, with the other guy getting 10-15 mpg, pending foul trouble, etc.

 

[HailUConn]

Hoss's. Dude's going to be amazing for us.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I mean there was a solid stretch of the season where that was absolutely the correct assessment. He was getting worked over on defense and was getting shut down offensively. He definitely picked up his game quite a bit the last stretch of the season, though there are still absolutely valid concerns regarding his ability to defend the post and rebound well enough to be a starter.

There is a camp that won’t acknowledge he improved tremendously from his low point and a camp that won’t acknowledge he had a low point or still has a huge way to go to be a solid starter. To be honest, they’re both equally dumb positions to take at this point.

The problem with Johnson is that the things he does well are so strongly dependent on what's going on around him -- guards effectively using ball-screens, getting a defender on their back and another in front that has to commit to stopping the dribble, and freeing up Johnson for the alley-oop. Yeah, there's a good chance we'll still have some of that ability, but if not, his assets go way down in value and his liabilities are highly pronounced.

 

[QuickDraw]

fun fact, Liam backwards is Mail

 

[ec33]

?

I just think (imo) that the Hawkins comp is tough because Hawkins was an incredible shooter with seemingly boundless energy and little else. McNeeley already appears to be much better around the rim and much better at all the standard basketball skills like passing and dribbling.

"Hawkins without the faults" is a rather high bar for a kid who has yet to set foot on campus.

 

[August_West]

I mean there was a solid stretch of the season where that was absolutely the correct assessment. He was getting worked over on defense and was getting shut down offensively. He definitely picked up his game quite a bit the last stretch of the season, though there are still absolutely valid concerns regarding his ability to defend the post and rebound well enough to be a starter.

There is a camp that won’t acknowledge he improved tremendously from his low point and a camp that won’t acknowledge he had a low point or still has a huge way to go to be a solid starter. To be honest, they’re both equally dumb positions to take at this point.

And there is a point this season where Clingan was out and Johnson was the starter and pretty much single handedly won the St John’s game before Xmas coming off Seton Hall loss. We were undefeated in the BigEast with Johnson as a starter.

People have short memories.

 

[GoConn]

if we land him, would this make our 2024 class top 10 nationally?

 

[Matrim55]

fun fact, Liam backwards is Mail

and both are anagrams for Mali, which is where Adama's from. Which basically means that Liam's as good as ours.

 

[HailUConn]

We were undefeated in the BigEast with Johnson as a starter.

Do you know Huskies is 12-0 in NCAATwith Andrew hurley played? You are diminishing the rest of the team.

 

[Bazz4A]

if we land him, would this make our 2024 class top 10 nationally?

Yes we’d jump Miami for the 10 spot

 

[mauconnfan]

And there is a point this season where Clingan was out and Johnson was the starter and pretty much single handedly won the St John’s game before Xmas coming off Seton Hall loss. We were undefeated in the BigEast with Johnson as a starter.

People have short memories.

I don’t think there’s anyone is doubting how valuable he was off the bench and how important his improvement was to this seasons success. But he still has a ways to go to be that guy because he was mostly inconsistent. Perfect back up although I wasn’t happy the many times DC got 2 in the first half and he got his 2 fouls soon thereafter. He needs to get away from the reaching, the highly visible inability to box out and get rebounds as well.

If he improves yet again Reed may be backing him up, we will see. No matter his minutes will increase he’s a great back up.