Nowell in the transfer portal

[mauconnfan]

I would take another healthy Diarra in a heartbeat.

Appreciate all he did in the situation but we need to do a lot better to get back to expectations.

 

[Scrutineer]

Just how well did the other Philly PG do at his second school? Hang any banners?

 

[Deleted at users request]

Obviously no one is surprised by this news. But I have a feeling he will have a lot of success with another program.

Keep this in mind...the UConn offense is very hard to master and it is difficult for a young PG to get to the point where he isn't "thinking" about what needs to be done and is instead playing freely and naturally.

This is what has me nervous about the complete reliance on a transfer PG next year. I have full faith in Hurley and our coaching staff--so it isn't a criticism. But look at every PG that has come in under Hurley--they have all had major struggles the first year and look like they are in over their head. Even TNewton looked horrible his first season until late February rolled around. Diarra looked completed overmatched when he first arrived his first season. AMahaney was a shell of himself all year this year. Heck even this year's NBA rookie of the year looked like half the player he is in the NBA 6 months later for the first half of last season. Alleyne struggle mightily for the first half of his season here. Before that, we had Gaffney and Diggins who never lived up.

Given the track record of first year PGs at UConn for the past few years, I think we need to give Nowell a break. I suspect he will end up being a very good college player in two years. UConn and Hurley can be a very tough place for inexperienced PGs. I am hoping and have faith that we get an experienced transfer PG and Hurley can shorten the learning curve next year immensely.

BINGO

 

[Deleted at users request]

Seems like more of a Philly problem than a UConn problem

Well I hope we don’t want any recruits from Philly if this is the case. I imagine we won’t have the best rep in that city anytime soon.

I don't see how we're in a materially worse position as a result of this or how keeping either one of those guys would be "ideal."

Abraham was a back half of the top 100 kid. It's not 15 years ago where Hilton Armstrong will bide his time for 3 years and then get picked in the lottery. If he doesn't want to stick around for a few years with a shot at being a role player that's the nature of college basketball right now. There's going to be competition at his spot every year. Nowell and Abraham might very well end up being good college basketball players but in an era where a lot of teams are going to trot out new starting 5s every year I don't see how this is much of an event.

I assume we're going to focus on 5 star or 5 star adjacent high school kids that look like they can contribute from day 1 going forward and then supplement the rest with the portal, until the rules inevitably change again.

Hilton Armstrong started 22 games his freshman year. I’m not sure why you’re comparing that to what Abraham and Nowell did this year.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Crazy how 7 of the top 8 guards on this list were instant impact players. 3 of them are top players on teams still in the tourney currently.

Texas Tech also has a freshman guard ranked outside of the top 100 who is 5’11 and one of their best players.

2024 Industry Top Basketball Point Guard Recruits

A list of the top 2024 Basketball recruits based off of a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all 3 major recruiting media services, including Rivals.

www.on3.com

 

[champs99and04]

Hilton Armstrong started 22 games his freshman year. I’m not sure why you’re comparing that to what Abraham and Nowell did this year.

It's not apples to apples but I think the point is that he didn't play more than 12 MPG until his senior year. Those kind of career trajectories don't exist much anymore, which is why the value of recruiting a guy that can't contribute from day one has diminished.

On the other hand, nobody bats .1000 on transfer evals either. You're going to have some of these every year because that's the numbers game. You think a kid is one thing and then you find out he's something else when you get him on campus. There were a few of those on this year's roster and that hurt them.

 

[Kitaman]

Maybe I’m just a crabby jerk but when a guy says he doesn’t want to be part of the family anymore, for whatever reason, the last thing on my head is “hey pal! Best of luck!”

You’re not with us anymore. You’re against us. You didn’t buy into our process and work hard enough to earn your time and you quit. Good riddance.

Nowell doing the right thing (for him) does not mean he doesn't want to be here or that he doesn't want to play for Hurley. Uconn jersey or not, incoming transfers are quitters as well.

Just saying, kids who quit may be making the correct move for their future and careers. I'd like to think that our kids who transfer are great kids who just didn't fit or didn't want to wait (with more uncertainty) for their time.

 

[boog204]

Zeigler, Sears, Brayden Smith, LJ cryer, Pettiford, Pedulla, Jamal Shead last year etc etc. There are tons of good small guards, I’d take any of them in a second. Everyone obsesses now about having “big guards.” I’ll just take a complete guard who can penetrate, create, facilitate, & defend. If they’re bigger, great, but I wouldn’t rule ones out that can play like those guys.

Moral of the story is that the guy needs to be good. Having a “big” guard is ideal. But a small one who can play will do just fine. Nowell, bc of injuries or whatever, just wasn’t very good yet. He looked a step slow, couldn’t shoot, couldn’t handle, etc. Diarra was an absolute warrior this year. But he isn’t a super talented guy. He couldn’t shoot, injuries robbed him of quickness, and he constantly picked up his dribble in horrendous places. If Aidan was 1/2 of what Hurley expected, he would’ve been the starter with Diarra as the sixth man.

 

[Deepster]

I hope you are joking. Otherwise, that is a sad, petty view. These are 18 year old young men. Sometimes, it just doesn't work out, for any number of reasons. It's not like he went all Dionte Johnson on us and refused to play. If he wasn't working hard, he wouldn't have seen a minute of playing time. Good luck, Ahmad.

They’re paid athletes. Not innocent little 6th graders. And “not working out” means I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to get paid more and go somewhere else. You’re being naive.

 

[Deepster]

Nowell doing the right thing (for him) does not mean he doesn't want to be here or that he doesn't want to play for Hurley. Uconn jersey or not, incoming transfers are quitters as well.

Just saying, kids who quit may be making the correct move for their future and careers. I'd like to think that our kids who transfer are great kids who just didn't fit or didn't want to wait (with more uncertainty) for their time.

Counterpoint…you don’t know the first thing about them or why they’re doing what they do.

 

[Deleted at users request]

It's not apples to apples but I think the point is that he didn't play more than 12 MPG until his senior year. Those kind of career trajectories don't exist much anymore, which is why the value of recruiting a guy that can't contribute from day one has diminished.

On the other hand, nobody bats .1000 on transfer evals either. You're going to have some of these every year because that's the numbers game. You think a kid is one thing and then you find out he's something else when you get him on campus. There were a few of those on this year's roster and that hurt them.

I think if Nowell or Abraham played as consistently as Hilton did this year even with 10 MPG they would’ve been fine and happy. Hilton started more games than Nowell played in. Abraham just didn’t play at all.

 

[Chin Diesel]

It’s like if you can’t get an elite 5*, don’t bother. Just portal.

Like Pitino said.

 

[willie99]

…..as we watch Zakai Ziegler destroy Kentucky and your narrative.

and let us not forget about
Kemba
Bazz
Taliek
Boatright

Ricky was 6'2", so I'll leave him off the sensational short guard list of national champions

 

[RuffRuff]

It seems to me that Dan Hurley has this program at a point where he may need recruiting classes filled with 5* players that can immediately contribute or they simply arent going to play much. Wish him the best wherever he goes. 20 years ago he wouldve been the protypicall big east pg but now the game has changed so much a guy like him may not be a fit in certain systems in spite of his talent.

This. Brought this up earlier in season in anticipating off season. Go grab kids that are instant contributors and starters by year 2 minimum or pass. Unless you can find the high upside kid/international, maybe a big, you could stash on your bench. The last thing you need is a bunch of freshman malcontents in the locker room. Stay in the top 30 for frosh. This is basically the Duke model this year.

We can replicate.

 

[Conndog]

I wonder if Hurley told Nowell that he wouldn’t get major playing time next year- essentially, nudge him to the portal. Maybe they have their targets and already know who is coming in from portal. UConn’s success these last 3 seasons both in tourney & sending guys to NBA speaks for itself

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I wonder if Hurley told Nowell that he wouldn’t get major playing time next year-

Yes. That much seems very obvious.

 

[Hoophound]

I mean the fact that Duke is at worst the second best team in the country would suggest otherwise but I think we’re basically saying the same thing. The notion of recruiting high school kids that aren’t going to be major pieces year one seems to be out the window. Traditional bigs might be an exception.

I agree. I just have no expectation to consistently get the Cooper Flaggs of the world. It’s so rare and we probably aren’t going to be one of the few schools paying many millions of dollars for that kind of player. This Duke team would be lousy without Flagg.

Our stars will need to be portal guys sometimes because even 5 stars can’t carry a team most of the time. Look how good Castle was, still he was nothing compared to Flagg.

 

[Stew Crew]

They’re paid athletes. Not innocent little 6th graders. And “not working out” means I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to get paid more and go somewhere else. You’re being naive.

I'm not sure if I should quote the Dalai Lama, "Until you have the inner discipline that brings calmness of mind, external facilities and conditions will never bring the joy and happiness you seek" or Buzz Lightyear, "You are a sad, strange little man, and I pity you."

You have your panties all knotted up over a 3rd string PG. Did they have to up your meds when those turncoats Castle and Clingan left last year? Or Hawkins, Sanogo, and Jackson before them? After all, they are just paid athletes that wanted to get paid more and go somewhere else.

 

[Stew Crew]

Counterpoint…you don’t know the first thing about them or why they’re doing what they do.

Neither do you. Just saying. May you find the peace you seek.

 

[Ricker]

I assumed Hurley wasn't giving playing time to kids based strictly on ability to contribute, but it makes sense based on his comments about 50% of the team considering transferring, that he didn't see the benefit of playing them vs giving more time to guys he felt would be here. I hadn't considered that point before. If Nowell's camp had him out the door months ago, why suffer growing pains playing him unless the situation made it necessary.

 

[UCan3]

I agree. I just have no expectation to consistently get the Cooper Flaggs of the world. It’s so rare and we probably aren’t going to be one of the few schools paying many millions of dollars for that kind of player. This Duke team would be lousy without Flagg.

Our stars will need to be portal guys sometimes because even 5 stars can’t carry a team most of the time. Look how good Castle was, still he was nothing compared to Flagg.

One thing with all these discusssion is how much reform is needed in college basketball. Since we’ve done so well recently it’s hard to point this out but here’s the deal…

1) You’ve got billionaire donors now prompting teams up and injecting unheard of $$ into programs. St. John’s was essentailly a billionaire’s club team this year.
2) You’ve got Football $ now being funneled into BB making this Super Teams from the SEC.
3) And now we’ve got student athletes / less students, but employees / free agents just trying to get as much $$ as what most consider now contract employment.
4) None of what I‘ve written is all that insightful or new but College Basketball without reform is headed (or already there) as unrecognizable to what it was 10 years ago and will only get worse over time.

So I’ll continue to watch but anyone getting bent over a player leaving just needs to get over it. It is what it is and many of these kids will never see the opportunity to make this kind of $ again in their lifetime.

 

[RuffRuff]

I assumed Hurley wasn't giving playing time to kids based strictly on ability to contribute, but it makes sense based on his comments about 50% of the team considering transferring, that he didn't see the benefit of playing them vs giving more time to guys he felt would be here. I hadn't considered that point before. If Nowell's camp had him out the door months ago, why suffer growing pains playing him unless the situation made it necessary.

Not sure Hurley wants a camp around that goes to SM far too often to air out grievances either.

 

[Deepster]

I'm not sure if I should quote the Dalai Lama, "Until you have the inner discipline that brings calmness of mind, external facilities and conditions will never bring the joy and happiness you seek" or Buzz Lightyear, "You are a sad, strange little man, and I pity you."

You have your panties all knotted up over a 3rd string PG. Did they have to up your meds when those turncoats Castle and Clingan left last year? Or Hawkins, Sanogo, and Jackson before them? After all, they are just paid athletes that wanted to get paid more and go somewhere else.

I don’t need your dime store psychoanalysis. And I don’t need to wish some kid I don’t know some phony “best of luck” on a message board he’ll never read.

 

[Deepster]

I'm not sure if I should quote the Dalai Lama, "Until you have the inner discipline that brings calmness of mind, external facilities and conditions will never bring the joy and happiness you seek" or Buzz Lightyear, "You are a sad, strange little man, and I pity you."

You have your panties all knotted up over a 3rd string PG. Did they have to up your meds when those turncoats Castle and Clingan left last year? Or Hawkins, Sanogo, and Jackson before them? After all, they are just paid athletes that wanted to get paid more and go somewhere else.

Question for you. Say he transfers to St John’s and knocks us out of the final four next season with 26 pts, 8 assists and 4 steals? You gonna say “Hey! Good for him! Best wishes the rest of the way!”?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Part of the living in the past crew. Need to start putting some sort of medallion on profiles of those who always refer back to old UConn teams as examples of what to do in the future. Shall we also use antenna TV sets too?

We have a new coach, a new system, it’s the portal era, it’s the day and age of analytics. Please for gods sake stop bringing up old UConn teams and Kemba/Shabazz as templates of the future. We don’t play iso ball offense anymore.

What of superfluous excess conveyed by exaggerated hyperbole?