Lubin and the Front Court

[HuskyBballFan]

Seriously, Nolan is rough out there. We need more depth down low to bang efficiently.

Exactly. And his head coach (who watches these guys play on a daily basis) has determined that Phil Nolan is ahead of Lubin on the depth chart. That speaks volumes.

And it's only going to get tougher for Lubin as additional big man reinforcements are brought in.

Sure, he could improve rapidly. But so could Facey, Enoch, etc. and all of those guys are currently ahead of Lubin. He has a long ways to go.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Amidst all of the Nolan bashing that's occurred here this season, here's a thought:

What if (shocking as it might seem) Lubin hasn't shown Ollie enough to make him think that he's a better option for those minutes than Nolan?

Then what in the blue hell did Ollie see to give him his only d1 scholarship? Maybe he has to learn things, but Nolan gives us literally nothing. At least I think Lubin could rebound, or take out the other teams best player

 

[Bonesbrigade]

Amidst all of the Nolan bashing that's occurred here this season, here's a thought:

What if (shocking as it might seem) Lubin hasn't shown Ollie enough to make him think that he's a better option for those minutes than Nolan?

For sure that is a possibility. That's the kind of stuff I'd like to know though (as we all would like to). Sounds like he has a long way to go...hopefully for everyone involved it happens.

 

[Stainmaster]

I never said he had tremendous upside, I'm saying he has to be better than Nolan. Kid had to have gotten another d1 offer, doesn't mean it's listed on a website.

Not how it works. I'll believe he got when I see solid proof.

 

[Stainmaster]

Then what in the blue hell did Ollie see to give him his only d1 scholarship? Maybe he has to learn things, but Nolan gives us literally nothing. At least I think Lubin could rebound, or take out the other teams best player

This isn't Kentucky - not all players are brought in with the intention of swooping in and taking over veterans' spots in the lineup right off the bat as a freshman. Ollie offered him for the end product of 4 years, not instant impact as a freshman.

 

[KembaStepback]

Who cares about star ratings now that he's here? All I know is that Lubin looks better than Nolan on offense. Nolan is a superior defender. That is why Nolan plays.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I have a feeling Ollie is one of those coaches who"redshirts" freshman. Unless they can block shots like brima or creat like Hamilton...

 

[tcf15]

Who cares about star ratings now that he's here? All I know is that Lubin looks better than Nolan on offense. Nolan is a superior defender. That is why Nolan plays.

Not sure why people don't understand that.

 

[Huskyforlife]

This isn't Kentucky - not all players are brought in with the intention of swooping in and taking over veterans' spots in the lineup right off the bat as a freshman. Ollie offered him for the end product of 4 years, not instant impact as a freshman.

I'm not saying Lubin should start, as a bench player I find it hard to believe he can't out produce Nolan, jmo

 

[HuskyBballFan]

I have a feeling Ollie is one of those coaches who"redshirts" freshman. Unless they can block shots like brima or creat like Hamilton...

Oh brother.

Omar Calhoun, Amida Brimah, and Daniel Hamilton all played plenty as freshman under Kevin Ollie......because those guys were good enough to play as freshman.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Oh brother.

Omar Calhoun, Amida Brimah, and Daniel Hamilton all played plenty as freshman under Kevin Ollie.because those guys were good enough to play as freshman.

That's my point, Hamilton and Omar were top 50 recruits, brima was a three star but he has a great skill. I'm just looking at facey, Lubin, tsam for most of last year.

 

[Stainmaster]

I'm not saying Lubin should start, as a bench player I find it hard to believe he can't out produce Nolan, jmo

You've seen Lubin make fewer mistakes because he's been on the court for fewer minutes than Phil has. Thinking he'd be better because Phil has had more poor plays is like Chief suggesting that we put Pat Lenehan in as our 3-point specialist since Omar's been off lately.

 

[Huskyforlife]

And before anyone suggests I think I know more than coach. I don't. These are just my thoughts

 

[Huskyforlife]

You've seen Lubin make fewer mistakes because he's been on the court for fewer minutes than Phil has. Thinking he'd be better because Phil has had more poor plays is like Chief suggesting that we put Pat Lenehan in as our 3-point specialist since Omar's been off lately.

I'd just like to see Lubin get a chance, but I see your point.

 

[jibsey]

He can make a layup at point blank range. Nolan not so much.

 

[KembaStepback]

Lubin would be a marginal upgrade on offense over Nolan. Plus I don't think they want either of them shooting or posting up at this point.

Nolan as proven to be a good post defender.

 

[donyell34]

Very much doubt he'll ever be close to Hayward or Nelson. If he stays at Uconn for the whole off season and works with a trainer each and every day losing unneeded weight, work the lower body to get some lift, getting in much better overall shape and learning basketball moves that would benefit him we might have a player and contributor down the road. With Enoch here will have a tough time getting playing time. I like the guy but please don't ever put Adrian and the Rock in the same sentence as BB goes.

 

[Bonesbrigade]

Nolan has more experience. Is taller. Better defender I'm hearing. I totally see why he is getting the minutes. Can't finish. Wish he could finish better. How can't you finish better when you're 6'10''. I once heard Shaq O'Neil couldn't dunk until he was 6'8''...that blows my mind..

I always said if I was taller, could jump higher, shoot better, and dribble better I would have been one hell of a basketball player...

 

[ctchamps]

Who cares about star ratings now that he's here? All I know is that Lubin looks better than Nolan on offense. Nolan is a superior defender. That is why Nolan plays.

I actually like PN on offense alongside AB more than Kelis Fisher. It's not because PN can score better than Kentan. It's because he knows where to be on the court as the team is running plays. He sets screens better both on the perimeter and interior and does the pick and roll better. Both Kentan and the Rock have to be told what to do and that bogs down the offense. On defense Kentan is the best rebounder between PN, Kelis Fisher and RL, but he is prone to be lost on defense although better than RL. Not the case with Phil. Of the three Kelis Fisher should have the most upside. But he has to figure out how to play team ball.

I've liked the adjustments PN has made the last three or so games. He's playing more like he did at the end of last season.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I actually like PN on offense alongside AB more than Kelis Fisher. It's not because PN can score better than Kentan. It's because he knows where to be on the court as the team is running plays. He sets screens better both on the perimeter and interior and does the pick and roll better. Both Kentan and the Rock have to be told what to do and that bogs down the offense. On defense Kentan is the best rebounder between PN, Kelis Fisher and RL, but he is prone to be lost on defense although better than RL. Not the case with Phil. Of the three Kelis Fisher should have the most upside. But he has to figure out how to play team ball.

I've liked the adjustments PN has made the last three or so games. He's playing more like he did at the end of last season.

I wish I could see all the things you claim you're seeing. Maybe I need to watch closer...

 

[azescobar]

I like Lubin's effort and he seems like a really nice kid; a gentle giant type, but I just don't think he's athletic enough to be a factor at this level.

The scouting reports from his high school coach on twitter were that he was an above the rim finisher with power. I'm not sure I've seen him dunk. He may evolve into a dependable role player, particularly when the starting bigs get in foul troublr or we need a bigger body, but I can't see him ever playing more than 10 minutes a game here, even as a senior. His lack of lift in my opinion is his biggest obstacle.

Adrien was much more cut, and had that lift. Plus Adrien had freakishly long arms, so he was really playing as a 6-10 guy, not 6-6.

I hope I'm wrong, and guys improve a lot in the offesason, particularly freshman to sophomore year, but I think we need to be realistic here. There is a place for Lubin on the squad, and it's good to have an enforcer, but he's likely the last big option off the bench for his entire four years (let's hope we recruit higher caliber bigs in the next few years, otherwise that's not a good depth chart).

 

[ctchamps]

I wish I could see all the things you claim you're seeing. Maybe I need to watch closer...

If you intend this as being facetious so be it. You're entitled to your opinion. I think KO is more in line with my point of view based on recent playing time for the three players. Ask him as opposed to taking my word why Kentan's minutes have been reduced and RL barely sees the court.

 

[Pudge]

First ... Some have said that Lubin is amongst the least talented guys whom UConn has given a scholarship. He is not. We have had Lubin types (and I am not saying Hayward or Ed Nelson ... but Mike Hayes and a few others). I have seen some skill with Lubin & a good shot. He isn't getting minutes cause he simply isn't ready. A few years and he will be more valuable.

Then ... Nolan does play a role that few of the posters knocking him understand. Suffice it to say that. Positional interior defense is just part of the Team game; Phil has always seemed to know this part. (and then, Facey & Brimah are learning)

 

[tcf15]

The scouting reports from his high school coach on twitter were that he was an above the rim finisher with power. I'm not sure I've seen him dunk.

The only dunk I've seen from him this year, against Houston, was a pretty good one.

 

[mets1090]

The only dunk I've seen from him this year, against Houston, was a pretty good one.

I remember watching that dunk and being stunned. He dunked that in a way that many people his height never could. Obviously he hasn't done much other than that on offense so it doesn't mean much, but it does show he has at least some spring.

 

[joober jones]

Not sure why people don't understand that.

Exactly. Anyone who has ever played basketball competitively past the elementary school level knows the importance of good footwork on defense and the importance of fundamental positional defending. Good defense extends far beyond grabbing rebounds and simply staying next to your defensive assignment.
Nolan's not a guy whose game will look good in the box score and he's not a guy who's going to put up many points. It's very unlikely that either of those two aspects will ever change. However, if you observe Lubin while he's playing defense and are willing to look beyond things that show up on the stat sheet, you'll see that at this point in his career he is miles behind Nolan.

 

[RichZ]

Problem with what? Asking a question? I like good analytical analysis not whiney old wusses who hate looking at themselves in the mirror cause they're old now and can't walk the walk.
Thanks to all those who gave honest real assessments without the negative BS.
Been loving this team since 1989 (my senior year of high school). BY since 2001.

I am certainly old. But I'm not whiney. I'm curmudgeonly. And while age and artery disease have taken the game away from me, once upon a time, back when 6-3 was still tall enough to play inside in HS, assorted rec leagues and the non-stop pickup games in the toughest neighborhoods in Bridgeport, I was a pretty decent interior defender and passable on offense. And at my best, Lubin would eat my lunch. But I didn't have visions of playing D1. Or D2, for that matter.

That having been said, your only question was whether 25 minutes, 9 points, 6 boards and 2 dimes a game seemed realistic. Several people said no. Then you defended that position, and I gave you actual factual numbers of what he produces now and explained why I thought your estimates were likely unattainable given his size and skillset. That IS analysis. I might have been a little snide. Sorry if I hurt your feelings. But the fact is, he's marginal size-wise for a 4, and not nearly skilled enough for the 3. Unless he gets better at defensive positioning and exceptionally good at rebounding, he's never going to see more than token court time.

 

[Bonesbrigade]

I am certainly old. But I'm not whiney. I'm curmudgeonly. And while age and artery disease have taken the game away from me, once upon a time, back when 6-3 was still tall enough to play inside in HS, assorted rec leagues and the non-stop pickup games in the toughest neighborhoods in Bridgeport, I was a pretty decent interior defender and passable on offense. And at my best, Lubin would eat my lunch. But I didn't have visions of playing D1. Or D2, for that matter.

That having been said, your only question was whether 25 minutes, 9 points, 6 boards and 2 dimes a game seemed realistic. Several people said no. Then you defended that position, and I gave you actual factual numbers of what he produces now and explained why I thought your estimates were likely unattainable given his size and skillset. That IS analysis. I might have been a little snide. Sorry if I hurt your feelings. But the fact is, he's marginal size-wise for a 4, and not nearly skilled enough for the 3. Unless he gets better at defensive positioning and exceptionally good at rebounding, he's never going to see more than token court time.

Sounds good. Thanks for the analysis. Although I disagree with your interpretation regarding the chain of events.

Hope we make the tourney.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I once heard Shaq O'Neil couldn't dunk until he was 6'8''...that blows my mind..

He also weighed 300+. I don't care how tall you are, it has got to be hard to get that off the ground.

 

[selles]

Exactly. Anyone who has ever played basketball competitively past the elementary school level knows the importance of good footwork on defense and the importance of fundamental positional defending. Good defense extends far beyond grabbing rebounds and simply staying next to your defensive assignment.
Nolan's not a guy whose game will look good in the box score and he's not a guy who's going to put up many points. It's very unlikely that either of those two aspects will ever change. However, if you observe Lubin while he's playing defense and are willing to look beyond things that show up on the stat sheet, you'll see that at this point in his career he is miles behind Nolan.

Maybe. Phil's D was pretty mediocre last game. Rock has a little Toraino Walker potential, if he gets a shot he may surprise us the same way. I'd like to see him get a shot.