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

[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.

 

[LetsGoUC]

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.

 

[Waquoit]

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

Yeah, the not smear my own players camp.

 

[CTBasketball]

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.

What an epic day in Hartford.

 

[RedStickHusky]

People have short memories.

Some people think they're not fanning hard enough if they're not flaming somebody.

 

[bendm]

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.

Interesting, seeing as how UK fans think they have a god given right to every 5* recruit that walks this earth

 

[Waquoit]

fun fact, Liam backwards is Mail

Also, Stroh's spelled backwards is shorts.

 

[mauconnfan]

Some people think they're not fanning hard enough if they're not flaming somebody.

Huge difference in flaming and honesty and I don’t see much flaming at all.

 

[KembaRunner]

I met the team, there is no team would have to become I met the team and all the NIL money looks like it’s for one guy to get Arkansas over a bevy of other schools

I need a translator

 

[UconnU]

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.

Our season essentially starts in June again, right? With the Eurotrip? Hurley’s pitch has to be sign now, move up to Storrs end of school year and let’s get to work on the threepeat.

 

[KembaRunner]

I apologize for the bold text- I cannot figure out how to shut it off.

 

[KembaRunner]

Starting Monday a 2 day full court press. Wonder what those look like, what steakhouse?

Capital Grill in Hartford

 

[Sibeerian]

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

How much of a factor is the complexity of our system? Seems like it could take a while to catch on, and the guy who knows the playbook would have a head start.

 

[Sibeerian]

fun fact, Liam backwards is Mail

Yes, and backwards Liam Neeson has not seen his.

 

[August_West]

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

Did you know Andrew Hurley never started a game?

 

[aburks41]

Our season essentially starts in June again, right? With the Eurotrip? Hurley’s pitch has to be sign now, move up to Storrs end of school year and let’s get to work on the threepeat.

We have another Eurotrip this summer?

 

[UConnRock]

fun fact, Liam backwards is Mail

Reed backwards is Deer

 

[Jbirdp5]

We have another Eurotrip this summer?

I am pretty sure rules allow that only once every few years

 

[aburks41]

I am pretty sure rules allow that only once every few years

That was my understanding as well. I can’t find anything saying we have another one this summer either

 

[Mr. French]

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.

Most of all of that is true … but I never said he is right now Hawkins year 2, without any of his faults.

I literally just said he’d slot into Hawkins role easily. He’s at least as good a shooter as Hawkins was coming in. He fills the role of outside shooting threat. I didn’t say anything beyond that.

This kid is a 5* who can REALLY shoot.

 

[ec33]

Most of all of that is true … but I never said he is right now Hawkins year 2, without any of his faults.

I literally just said he’d slot into Hawkins role easily. He’s at least as good a shooter as Hawkins was coming in. He fills the role of outside shooting threat. I didn’t say anything beyond that.

This kid is a 5* who can REALLY shoot.

True. I take back everything, I said.

I bet it looks more like Spencer, though. Excellent shooters with more complete games.

 

[Mr. French]

True. I take back everything, I said.

I bet it looks more like Spencer, though. Excellent shooters with more complete games.

Haha whether that’s real or facetious, good response.

But really, that’s why I was saying “or Hawkins, or…” because I think he’s very much his own player but can fill multiple roles.

I think the easiest things to translate are the Cam and Hawkins qualities, so to speak: high IQ plays and outside shooting. Even frosh year he should be plug and play there, or close to it.

We definitely agree overall.