Mullins, Khamenia, and Silas

[gsmooth]

Khamenia will not average 10+

If Khamenia plays 10+ games. I will take that bet he averages at least, but more likely, more than 10+ pts/game.

 

[Gurleyman]

What’s is the major difference between how they use the 4 and the 3 in your eyes?

Offensively, the 4 is used in our offense a lot more as a screener (or decoy screener to run flare actions and slips) than the 3.

Defensively, obviously the 4 defends the post a lot more - but a lot could depend on matchups. Perhaps a 6-6 Landrew at 235 will prove able to defend a physical four if we think NK can stay with the 3 on the perimeter. But maybe Ross-NK won’t be as successful a pairing if there’s a physical post presence at the 4.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

What’s is the major difference between how they use the 4 and the 3 in your eyes?

Defense specifically is different. Karaban, even though he had his faults on that end, was long and blocked a decent amount of shots. Khamenia is just a different type of player, from watching him pretty often.

A lot of us (myself included) observed that AK would unfortunately sometimes get taken to town against physical 4s. Just worried that will be an even bigger issue.

 

[Excalibur]

What’s is the major difference between how they use the 4 and the 3 in your eyes?

For us it really only matters on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Excalibur]

Defense specifically is different. Karaban, even though he had his faults on that end, was long and blocked a decent amount of shots. Khamenia is just a different type of player, from watching him pretty often.

A lot of us (myself included) observed that AK would unfortunately sometimes get taken to town against physical 4s. Just worried that will be an even bigger issue.

Khamenia's block % is lower than Karaban's but his other defensive stats compare very favorably, particularly vs. sophomore Karaban. He's also not that much lighter, with both being listed at 6'8". Karaban was listed at anywhere from 225-230 as a senior. Khamenia comes in at 215, which was basically Karaban's freshman weight.

 

[SubbaBub]

I love Solo and defended him all year when others trashed him, but he certainly was not going to be our best offensive player this season

I said the same thing about Reed last season. Others disagreed. I guess we'll never know.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I think you guys are seriously underestimating our freshmen class. We still have a nasty taste in our mouth for Darious and Aidan, but it is unfair to cast County in that same light before we see him play. The kid has game. You don't get to be a top 50 player in America without having serious game. The question is does he have "deer in headlights" attitude? If he is not timid, if he has King Kong size stones like Mullins, Liam and others have shown, he is going to be fine. Mind you, I am not comparing their games. I am talking about attitude and aggressiveness. And anyone who thinks that Landrew is going to be timid is out of their minds. The kid is going to play, and he is going to flourish. If I am correct about my take on these two boys, that's two additional scorers that are not being accounted for here. And lastly, even Samson Johnson averaged 7.5 games his senior year, and he had absolutely no back to the basket game. Hines will get at least 7 per game based on the video I have seen of him. And again, this roster is incomplete still.

 

[ec33]

Defense specifically is different. Karaban, even though he had his faults on that end, was long and blocked a decent amount of shots. Khamenia is just a different type of player, from watching him pretty often.

A lot of us (myself included) observed that AK would unfortunately sometimes get taken to town against physical 4s. Just worried that will be an even bigger issue.

Khamenia might have fewer blocks (because AK was particularly adept at them) and like AK will not be great against the bulls, but his increased footspeed might help him provide more steals, better D on 1-3 switches, and perhaps better positioning helps some with the troublesome 4's (but that is more on the hopeful side).

 

[temery]

Please stop the Ayatollah nickname.

1) I don't wanna be put on a watchlist

And

2) the kid's family is from Belarus. Trying to give him a nickname of a religious despot isn't likely to be appreciated.

3). See #1 above.

 

[KillaCam]

Please stop the Ayatollah nickname.

1) I don't wanna be put on a watchlist

And

2) the kid's families is from Belarus. Trying to give him a nickname of a religious despot isn't likely to be appreciated.

3). See #1 above.

Thanks for stepping in. Some comments are disrespectful as the keyboard seems to give some a courage to show true colors.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Please stop the Ayatollah nickname.

1) I don't wanna be put on a watchlist

And

2) the kid's families is from Belarus. Trying to give him a nickname of a religious despot isn't likely to be appreciated.

3). See #1 above.

I used it twice. I apologize. I will not use it again, as I totally see your point.

 

[jibsey]

I think you guys are seriously underestimating our freshmen class. We still have a nasty taste in our mouth for Darious and Aidan, but it is unfair to cast County in that same light before we see him play. The kid has game. You don't get to be a top 50 player in America without having serious game. The question is does he have "deer in headlights" attitude? If he is not timid, if he has King Kong size stones like Mullins, Liam and others have shown, he is going to be fine. Mind you, I am not comparing their games. I am talking about attitude and aggressiveness. And anyone who thinks that Landrew is going to be timid is out of their minds. The kid is going to play, and he is going to flourish. If I am correct about my take on these two boys, that's two additional scorers that are not being accounted for here. And lastly, even Samson Johnson averaged 7.5 games his senior year, and he had absolutely no back to the basket game. Hines will get at least 7 per game based on the video I have seen of him. And again, this roster is incomplete still.

I just rewatched Junior County’s tapes. He has a very good handle when being pressured. He also plays through contact at the rim and passes very well. They’ll have to get him ready but I think he can do it.

 

[CL82]

I don't wanna be put on a watchlist

Pssh, like you're not already on at least one already.

 

[DogMania]

I just rewatched Junior County’s tapes. He has a very good handle when being pressured. He also plays through contact at the rim and passes very well. They’ll have to get him ready but I think he can do it.

Good to hear that. I haven't watch any of his tape for quite some time. I posted in a different thread that Junior County is listed as a two guard and not a CG nor a PG in 247.

I still have my concerns for a freshman being able to handle the backup lead guard duties on both ends of the floor, but maybe he's talented enough, smart enough and his body is mature enough to handle the load and riggers of the Big East.

 

[RuffRuff]

For us it really only matters on the defensive side of the ball.

Exactly - offensive it doesn’t matter much.

 

[RuffRuff]

I think you guys are seriously underestimating our freshmen class. We still have a nasty taste in our mouth for Darious and Aidan, but it is unfair to cast County in that same light before we see him play. The kid has game. You don't get to be a top 50 player in America without having serious game. The question is does he have "deer in headlights" attitude? If he is not timid, if he has King Kong size stones like Mullins, Liam and others have shown, he is going to be fine. Mind you, I am not comparing their games. I am talking about attitude and aggressiveness. And anyone who thinks that Landrew is going to be timid is out of their minds. The kid is going to play, and he is going to flourish. If I am correct about my take on these two boys, that's two additional scorers that are not being accounted for here. And lastly, even Samson Johnson averaged 7.5 games his senior year, and he had absolutely no back to the basket game. Hines will get at least 7 per game based on the video I have seen of him. And again, this roster is incomplete still.

I’m giving him benefit of the doubt but top 50 in this class doesn’t say a lot.

 

[SoCalCanine]

Please stop the Ayatollah nickname.

1) I don't wanna be put on a watchlist

And

2) the kid's family is from Belarus. Trying to give him a nickname of a religious despot isn't likely to be appreciated.

3). See #1 above.

Internet nicknames suck anyways. It's why you never heard Rafferty call Shabazz "The Reach-Around Bandit". Much better to let his teammates or coaches decide on a nickname, they know them best. Occasionally the media decides on one, I'm curious whether "Bringer of Rain" catches on. I guess my examples aren't really nicknames, more epithets but the point is still valid. Let the team figure it out.

 

[SaeHusky]

Khamenia will not average 10+

I would be shocked if he didn't avg 10+ in this offense with the minutes he's expected to play and our current roster. Guess we will see

 

[FightOnCT]

Khamenia will not average 10+

He averaged 10.5 in the ACC tourney with his biggest role yet. Not sure why you’re low on him.

 

[LIUCHusky]

"Wes Bialosuknia’s best scoring season was his senior year (1966–67) at the University of Connecticut, where he averaged 28.0 points per game. This performance ranked him 5th in the nation and established a single-season scoring record for the school"

No 3 point shot then, so he could have exceeded that ppg since many of his shots were from 3 point range. However, he was playing in the Yankee Conference, a New England based conference and as I remember the OOC games were against Syracuse, Rutgers, AIC, PC and BC.

Wes never played against PC.

 

[HooperScooper]

Good to hear that. I haven't watch any of his tape for quite some time. I posted in a different thread that Junior County is listed as a two guard and not a CG nor a PG in 247.

FWIW, On3/Rivals has him listed as a PG.

 

[dennismenace]

Has UConn ever had a player who averaged 25+ points a game??

AI

Highest Single-Season Scoring Averages (25+ PPG)

• Wes Bialosuknia: 28.0 PPG (1966–67)
• Donyell Marshall: 25.1 PPG (1993–94)

 

[Improviser]

Wes never played against PC.

I was not saying he did. I was just referring to some of the OOC teams we played against and the teams in the then Yankee Conference. I don't remember every OOC team we played against only those OOC teams I recall that reflected teams that were considered better teams than the Yankee Conference teams. I saw Wes play the first 2 years I attended UConn and then he graduated. And, Holy Cross seemed to beat us a lot, even when they did not have a good season.