New Commit: Uroš Paunović (Merged)

[Son of Robert]

Last year we had no point guard with size. I don’t understand how adding this guy could make some people mad lol

I love getting top players to come to UConn. In the spirit of caring for the well-being of the existing players on the roster though, there is a legitimate concern for some of the ripple effects on playing time and opportunity which I understand because I have some of that too. At the same time though, if UConn wants to stay on top, this is what it looks like. There is a balance to be had, and I am sure Hurley and his coaching staff do their best for the program and their players.

 

[ucp990411]

The internet tells me the oldest college basketball player was Ken Mink, age 73. Played for Roane State Community College (and apparently made two free throws).

The guy played college ball in the 1950s and came back to play in 2008. Was ruled ineligible to play for Tennessee State in 2010 because more than 5 years passed between the 1950s and 2010s (so close).

I bet we could get a judge to overrule the legality of that if Ken is both alive and interested.

I believe there was a Ken Mink who played for Weaver HS in the 1970's.

 

[UCTitleTown]

He's getting initials from me on this board. He's got accents in his name that my keyboard can't handle.

 

[Jimdish255]

I know it's just highlights but this young man looks like a baller.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[RuffRuff]

We need someone that can talk some Serbian s@## against Illinois.

 

[Mooch82]

I know it's just highlights but this young man looks like a baller.

I agree. Fishy said Roumoglou was "an orbit better"...but not sure where he is getting that. This kid has good size and handle, definitely looks like he can play the PG to me, plays with a really nice pace and has a good feel for the game. Also has a nice looking shot. Again, don't expect him to get big minutes but I do think he's talented and is a great practice add.

 

[DogMania]

I agree. Fishy said Roumoglou was "an orbit better"...but not sure where he is getting that. This kid has good size and handle, definitely looks like he can play the PG to me, plays with a really nice pace and has a good feel for the game. Also has a nice looking shot. Again, don't expect him to get big minutes but I do think he's talented and is a great practice add.

My guess, in addition to being a practice and developmental pisyer, he might get some late game minutes when they have a big lead, or compete for the backup PG (with Furphy) if one of the primary ones, Demary & Smith, is not available due to injury for a long period of time.

Just a lot of competition. Might be in the mix next season, depending on his talent level and progress.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I am not going to make any predictions on what this young man is going to deliver. Clearly you have a player at 22 who has a ton of game experience. The competition has to be questioned.

But he clearly knows what a ball fake is and he uses angles well, at this height and how he plays you have to think Cam. Not making any predictions for this year with who he is going to have to beat out but clearly he appears to have some BBIQ.

One last thought if Solo had a right hand that was half as good as Uros left hand he would average 4 more points per game. One of my biggest critique’s of Solo’s game has been his complete lack of skill with his off hand when attempting to finish at the rim. That is just so critical at this level when you can shoot it as well as Solo and you know he is going to be defended in man coverage off his left hand, he would be so much better, in fact he would pretty much be un-guardable if he could go to his right and finish with his off hand. I mean as well as he shoots you have to stay close to him on the perimeter.

Whoever coached him in his really formative years did not do Solo any favors. I just don’t understand how a player can have no ability with his off hand at this level.

 

[Mike Honcho]

I am not going to make any predictions on what this young man is going to deliver. Clearly you have a player at 22 who has a ton of game experience. The competition has to be questioned.

But he clearly knows what a ball fake is and he uses angles well, at this height and how he plays you have to think Cam. Not making any predictions for this year with who he is going to have to beat out but clearly he appears to have a some BBIQ.

One last thought if Solo had a right hand that was half as good as Uros left hand he would average 4 more points per game. One of my biggest critique’s of Solo’s game has been his complete lack of skill with his off hand when attempting to finish at the rim. That is just so critical at this level when you can shoot it as well as Solo and you know he is going to be defended in man coverage off his left hand, he would be so much better, in fact he would pretty much be un-guardable if he could go to his right and finish with his off hand. I mean as well as he shoots you have to stay close to him on the perimeter.

Whoever coached him in his really formative years did not do Solo any favors. I just don’t understand how a player can have no ability with his off hand at this level.

I hope and expect this was a point of emphasis for him this off-season, because I fully agree with you.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Time to resurrect the Israeli Connection.

PT scouting, Hassan Diarra’s side gig

 

[Windham4th]

I love the breaking news about his jersey #.

Borges putting in the work

 

[Lafayette]

Well, for most here, it seems to be the exchange rate. 13 in Europe is apparently 22 in the US.

In Turkey 200 Liras is about $4.86 US. Maybe I should buy a house here.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I am not going to make any predictions on what this young man is going to deliver. Clearly you have a player at 22 who has a ton of game experience. The competition has to be questioned.

But he clearly knows what a ball fake is and he uses angles well, at this height and how he plays you have to think Cam. Not making any predictions for this year with who he is going to have to beat out but clearly he appears to have some BBIQ.

One last thought if Solo had a right hand that was half as good as Uros left hand he would average 4 more points per game. One of my biggest critique’s of Solo’s game has been his complete lack of skill with his off hand when attempting to finish at the rim. That is just so critical at this level when you can shoot it as well as Solo and you know he is going to be defended in man coverage off his left hand, he would be so much better, in fact he would pretty much be un-guardable if he could go to his right and finish with his off hand. I mean as well as he shoots you have to stay close to him on the perimeter.

Whoever coached him in his really formative years did not do Solo any favors. I just don’t understand how a player can have no ability with his off hand at this level.

We need to stop comparing every unathletic guard to Spencer. It’s getting disrespectful.

 

[HW611]

We need to stop comparing every unathletic guard to Spencer. It’s getting disrespectful.

Yeah the comparison here is Joey C. That’s the exact role he’s going for as an older, ready to make plays transfer.

He has a beautiful jumpshot and showcases the same craftiness that Joey C showed. Hopefully his age and experience will make him as fearless as him too.

 

[HW611]

Moving this over here away from the Mingo thread because it’s relevant here.

Talented International Duo Joining Dan Hurley, UConn Huskies Roster

Dan Hurley added two international players to the UConn Huskies' 2025-26 roster.

www.si.com

Joey Calcaterra College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Joey Calcaterra - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

He's so Joey C coded it’s not even funny down to the turnover issues. The guy is literally a professional who should show up ready to play.

Last season, which was Paunovic’s third in the league, he averaged 9.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 35 percent from behind the arc in 11 games.

If there is one area where Paunovic can improve on to get more minutes with UConn, it’s his decision-making when running the offense. He averaged 1.7 turnovers during his last season.

 

[formerlurker]

 

[navery12]

Moving this over here away from the Mingo thread because it’s relevant here.

Talented International Duo Joining Dan Hurley, UConn Huskies Roster

Dan Hurley added two international players to the UConn Huskies' 2025-26 roster.

www.si.com

Joey Calcaterra College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Joey Calcaterra - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

He's so Joey C coded it’s not even funny down to the turnover issues. The guy is literally a professional who should show up ready to play.

Last season, which was Paunovic’s third in the league, he averaged 9.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 35 percent from behind the arc in 11 games.

If there is one area where Paunovic can improve on to get more minutes with UConn, it’s his decision-making when running the offense. He averaged 1.7 turnovers during his last season.

Moving my reply over here too, you seem ready to die on this hill so you do you, but just know you're going directly against our head coach's public comments

No, he was brought in for a reason and Dan Hurley told us that reason when he committed, for practice depth since rosters expanded to 15.

You keep talking about him playing for the top league in Serbia, the best player in the league last year was Demetre Roberts, a D3 player who played his last year on the FDU team that made that NCAA Tournament run a few years ago. It's not exactly a hotbed of basketball talent

 

[RuffRuff]

The logic says no, as it's hard to believe Hurley was looking to land additional rotation depth in August given how long the rotation line is already. And that there was a random Euro still out there that is that good willing to come sit on the bench. That said, some of his film is impressive. Big body for a guard, can use both hands and uses a lot of dribble pause. Plays with conviction. Who knows. Can't wait for the season to play out.

Someone should hold all of 611's hot takes in their own thread. He's clearly the Stephen A of the Boneyard and should be held accountable for some kind of public hanging once the majority of them go wrong.

 

[Mr. French]

Moving this over here away from the Mingo thread because it’s relevant here.

Talented International Duo Joining Dan Hurley, UConn Huskies Roster

Dan Hurley added two international players to the UConn Huskies' 2025-26 roster.

www.si.com

Joey Calcaterra College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Joey Calcaterra - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

He's so Joey C coded it’s not even funny down to the turnover issues. The guy is literally a professional who should show up ready to play.

Last season, which was Paunovic’s third in the league, he averaged 9.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 35 percent from behind the arc in 11 games.

If there is one area where Paunovic can improve on to get more minutes with UConn, it’s his decision-making when running the offense. He averaged 1.7 turnovers during his last season.

We can agree it’s not funny.

Joey C was a shooter.

This kid is a PG playing only 22 mpg in a basic pro league.

Every person, upon his commitment, said he’s a practice player.

You don’t HAVE to have opposing views for people to think you’re smart.

 

[HW611]

We can agree it’s not funny.

Joey C was a shooter.

This kid is a PG playing only 22 mpg in a basic pro league.

Every person, upon his commitment, said he’s a practice player.

You don’t HAVE to have opposing views for people to think you’re smart.

This guy is shooting the same from 3 as Joey C and has great mechanics on his jumper.

Look at this beauty of a thread where people were constantly trying to explain to me why Mahaney would start over Solo and be fine for us last year like there was something I was missing. When apparently everyone else was clearly missing something.

Just because the majority of people think something doesn’t make it right.

@FfldCntyFan if you want proof of the Mahaney evaluation

Thread 'Predicting starters, bench rotation, depth outlook for Huskies'

Aug 20, 2024

Article from CBSSports.com. They've been doing these for all the top teams so today is UConn's turn. I hate starting another thread on this subject since we discuss this topic all the time, but I didn't know where to put this. Interesting starting lineup - Diarra, Ball, Stewart, Karaban and Johnson.

UConn basketball 2024-25 roster breakdown: Predicting starters, bench rotation, depth outlook for Huskies

The back-to-back national champions have some big holes to fill as they aim for a three-peat this season

www.cbssports.com

• HooperScooper
• Replies: 184
• Forum: UConn Men's Basketball Forum

• 

 

[HW611]

The logic says no, as it's hard to believe Hurley was looking to land additional rotation depth in August given how long the rotation line is already. And that there was a random Euro still out there that is that good willing to come sit on the bench. That said, some of his film is impressive. Big body for a guard, can use both hands and uses a lot of dribble pause. Plays with conviction. Who knows. Can't wait for the season to play out.

Someone should hold all of 611's hot takes in their own thread. He's clearly the Stephen A of the Boneyard and should be held accountable for some kind of public hanging once the majority of them go wrong.

And if the majority of them goes right people will just ignore it and act like it never happened lol

 

[HW611]

Hilarious this post also references what Hurley has said like the post on this page lmaoooo

 

[auror]

View attachment 111611
View attachment 111612


Hilarious this post also references what Hurley has said like the post on this page lmaoooo

He did start the first 5 games. He didn't end up being good, but Hurley was talking about him like a starter and lo and behold he started. Until he proved it was the wrong decision.

 

[Mr. French]

View attachment 111611
View attachment 111612


Hilarious this post also references what Hurley has said like the post on this page lmaoooo

… he did start.

 

[husky429]

This guy is shooting the same from 3 as Joey C and has great mechanics on his jumper.

I shot 38% from 3 in college and my mechanics are textbook. I assure you I was not good enough to play at UConn, or any other D1 school for that matter. I can shoot 40% from 3 or better in pickup games to this day and I'm out out of shape dork.

What you're saying means close to nothing

 

[RuffRuff]

I shot 38% from 3 in college and my mechanics are textbook. I assure you I was not good enough to play at UConn, or any other D1 school for that matter. I can shoot 40% from 3 or better in pickup games to this day and I'm out out of shape dork.

What you're saying means close to nothing

Can we please get your measurables from the NBA combine?

 

[HW611]

I shot 38% from 3 in college and my mechanics are textbook. I assure you I was not good enough to play at UConn, or any other D1 school for that matter. I can shoot 40% from 3 or better in pickup games to this day and I'm out out of shape dork.

What you're saying means close to nothing

Were you also 6’4 with good guard skills and experienced playing against grown men?

Also if there’s a dip in your jumper I doubt they were textbook 😉

 

[husky429]

Can we please get your measurables from the NBA combine?

I was listed at 6'... I am not 6'. Weight fluctuates depending on taco input.

 

[HW611]

He did start the first 5 games. He didn't end up being good, but Hurley was talking about him like a starter and lo and behold he started. Until he proved it was the wrong decision.

Well it just went back to my other point in that thread where if you’re a transfer you don’t have to earn your starting spot.

If you want to make the statement right on a technicality when the overall evaluation was wrong then go for it.

I said he wasn’t better than the guys ahead of him so he shouldn’t have started. People in that thread were saying he’s going to start because he is.

He started but he wasn’t better than anyone. Our coach made a mistake that was easy to call out ahead of time. The overall player evaluation was wrong.