Of the 5 incoming freshmen

[Huskyforlife]

I didn't notice that. If Newton and Jackson are coming back they start along with Castle, Karaban, and Clingan.

I'm sure I'll be told that starting 5 can't shoot. Yes they can, not quite like this past season but they'll do some things even better and Timberlake will play a ton because of his shooting.

It’s not a good shooting lineup. Just saying “yes it is” doesn’t make it true.

At the end of the day, he is going to have to beat out the 25 year old sharp shooting specialist who’s currently being sold on slotting into Hawkins vacant spot, who fits seamlessly next to our returning stars. If you think he will because his highlight videos and high school ranking gave you an superjohn, then fine. But this sheer belief most of you have in a kid you’ve never seen play a full game of basketball once, is shocking me. Especially when so many 5 stars and highly touted freshmen never reach the expectations their fans place on them year 1.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I get that Ball is a bulldog attacking guard, but I wouldn't compare him to Hassan Diarra too quickly.

He's going to be able to score right away.

Not in talent level or play style, just the spot in the rotation.

 

[superjohn]

It’s not a good shooting lineup. Just saying “yes it is” doesn’t make it true.

At the end of the day, he is going to have to beat out the 25 year old sharp shooting specialist who’s currently being sold on slotting into Hawkins vacant spot, who fits seamlessly next to our returning stars. If you think he will because his highlight videos and high school ranking gave you an superjohn, then fine. But this sheer belief most of you have in a kid you’ve never seen play a full game of basketball once, is shocking me. Especially when so many 5 stars and highly touted freshmen never reach the expectations their fans place on them year 1.

I've seen close to a dozen full games Castle has played. I think he'll most likely be a lottery pick after next season.

 

[bendm]

It’s not a good shooting lineup. Just saying “yes it is” doesn’t make it true.

Not as good as this year but It’s a better shooting lineup than the Cole/Martin/AJ/Whaley/Sanogo lineup from last year

 

[UConn3432]

Excluding Castle, I’m excited about everyone but something about Ross excites me most/differently. The other 3 guys are going to be very good, but are somewhat specific and could take some time to carve out and own their roles (YS, JS, maybe SB). Ross is a guy who plays with hair on fire jumping passing lanes and drilling corner 3s or sneaking behind you for lobs. You can just throw him out there in any lineup and his sneaky athleticism will surprise teams, especially as the 4th or 5th option on the floor. His ranking is so low and highlights are highlights, so who knows how quickly he adjusts to college game, but I have a good feeling.

 

[KingAG]

It’s not a good shooting lineup. Just saying “yes it is” doesn’t make it true.

At the end of the day, he is going to have to beat out the 25 year old sharp shooting specialist who’s currently being sold on slotting into Hawkins vacant spot, who fits seamlessly next to our returning stars. If you think he will because his highlight videos and high school ranking gave you an superjohn, then fine. But this sheer belief most of you have in a kid you’ve never seen play a full game of basketball once, is shocking me. Especially when so many 5 stars and highly touted freshmen never reach the expectations their fans place on them year 1.

It’s not a bad shooting lineup.

 

[superjohn]

It’s not a bad shooting lineup.

Newton shot it 37% from deep this season and he would get to play even more off the ball. Karaban is a knock down open shooter, who showed more and more versatility with his shooting as the season got older. Castle only shot 31% from deep his senior season but it was on crazy high volume with a ton of deep and contested threes. Timberlake will play big minutes as 6th man and hits shots from all over.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I've seen close to a dozen full games Castle has played. I think he'll most likely be a lottery pick after next season.

If that’s true, your opinion is more valid. But I’m sure 99% of us haven’t seen that much.

 

[Huskyforlife]

It’s not a bad shooting lineup.

Yes it is.

Newton shot it 37% from deep this season and he would get to play even more off the ball. Karaban is a knock down open shooter, who showed more and more versatility with his shooting as the season got older. Castle only shot 31% from deep his senior season but it was on crazy high volume with a ton of deep and contested threes. Timberlake will play big minutes as 6th man and hits shots from all over.

He hopefully will shoot better next season. But in his junior season he shot 2 more 3s per game and his percentage was 4% worse. Usually when guys increase their volume, their percentage goes down, unless you’re talking the truly gifted shooters. And obviously I know Timberlake will shoot great off the bench if that’s what happens, but I was strictly talking about the starting 5, who will obviously play lots of minutes together.

 

[giddyup]

You newer know who will hit or miss. I looked at UConn’s top recruits of all time and sone did good, some did great and some just never made an impact. I’ll let Hurley figure it out.

 

[dennismenace]

Yeah they’re absolutely not the exact same players. But they’re both guys whose greatest impacts will be getting down hill to score at the basket or create for their teammates. He might be the best 4th playmaker for a team in the country, but how many minutes can he secure with Newton/Jackson/Castle taking the vast majority? Especially when all 4 of our playmakers will need floor spacing to thrive. I think when people have these conversations, they forget how few minutes really exist outside of the first 6 rotation players.

There is a tendency to think in terms of the "normal" 7 man rotation. I think that Uconn put that to rest last year and went with 8-9 man rotations. With portal availability a much bigger recruiting asset there are other teams going to lean to this new way in the future. Give Dan Hurley credit for going against his old instincts and buying into spreading the minutes in order to maximize the situational talent and keeping players fresh. As the year went on we became an absolute steamroller. Credit also the other coaches and players themselves for trusting in the newer system. I loved how the earlier Uconn teams played with larger rotations and hyper aggressive defenses. We did not see us full court pressure and that was wise. Others opined that full court presses lead to easy baskets with those who know how to break them. We learned that you don't always need to play full court press to be an elite defense.

I think it was Nomar who posted the very astute and interesting 2011 SI article on why we won the NC that year and how elite that team's defense was. That article was worthy of framing. Author developed non box score statistics by reviewing film and presented the evidence.

One thing to be sure of; we are not going to change our defensive attitude. Even when our shooting was way off we could hang in and eventually dominate other teams with elite defense. Should be a great summer as the new players battle for minutes and get whipped into Uconn shape and attitude.

 

[KingAG]

Yes it is.


He hopefully will shoot better next season. But in his junior season he shot 2 more 3s per game and his percentage was 4% worse. Usually when guys increase their volume, their percentage goes down, unless you’re talking the truly gifted shooters. And obviously I know Timberlake will shoot great off the bench if that’s what happens, but I was strictly talking about the starting 5, who will obviously play lots of minutes together.

It’s not. There’s a space in between bad and elite. Bad is what seton hall or Arkansas rolled out last season. I think you’re underrating the shooting ability of Castle AND Clingan. I think Ill be proven right here

 

[caw]

I loved the way the team ran plays this past year, who wouldn't, but next year's team may not be as reliant on the three with Castle looking to be a much better finisher around the rim and Clingan getting more minutes. I could see a lot more high screen and roll. Karaban and Newton wouldn't need to take high volume from three necessarily for the offense to run efficiently.

 

[husky429]

Not to argue about Singare, but he sure didn't look as raw as I expected in his highlights.

Keyword is highlighted. No one looks raw in a a highlight mate

 

[businesslawyer]

10 man rotation:

Castle (20) Ball (10) Diarra (10)
Newton (27.5) Timberlake (12.5)
Jackson (27.5) Timberlake (12.5)
Karaban (30) Stewart (10)
Clingan (25) Johnson (15)

30: Karaban
27.5: Newton, Jackson
25: Timberlake, Clingan
20: Castle
15: Johnson
10: Ball, Diarra, Stewart

I think the scenario (assuming Newton and AJ return) where Castle starts but Timberlake gets more minutes is quite possible.

 

[Umami Zen]

From the tape I've seen on Ball.. I think his outside shooting touch is being underestimated.. He's not lights out.. But the D will have to respect his shot.. And he seems like a young man that is not afraid to work on any part of his game to improve . In the open floor .. He will flourish

 

[NJHoops]

There is a tendency to think in terms of the "normal" 7 man rotation. I think that Uconn put that to rest last year and went with 8-9 man rotations. With portal availability a much bigger recruiting asset there are other teams going to lean to this new way in the future. Give Dan Hurley credit for going against his old instincts and buying into spreading the minutes in order to maximize the situational talent and keeping players fresh. As the year went on we became an absolute steamroller. Credit also the other coaches and players themselves for trusting in the newer system. I loved how the earlier Uconn teams played with larger rotations and hyper aggressive defenses. We did not see us full court pressure and that was wise. Others opined that full court presses lead to easy baskets with those who know how to break them. We learned that you don't always need to play full court press to be an elite defense.

One thing to be sure of; we are not going to change our defensive attitude. Even when our shooting was way off we could hang in and eventually dominate other teams with elite defense. Should be a great summer as the new players battle for minutes and get whipped into Uconn shape and attitude.

Hurley’s best teams have always had 9 or 10 guys in double digits minutes. When that hasn’t happened, it’s because the talent wasn’t there, not because of a change in style. They had the personnel to run an elite offense this past season, but their emphasis on defense isn’t going anywhere. These coaches can teach anyone how to play their level of defense, the will to do so requires both sides to buy in. The leadership and experience of the returning guys are going to be absolutely key.

 

[Stinger92860]

Any of the freshman (not named Castle) and Johnson will need to play effective D to get minutes. It’s the path to playing time here. Consider how Joey improved his D as the season went on. Work hard and listen is the key.

 

[JohnnyJr]

I’m surprised Diarra is staying I would think he would transfer if he wants more minutes. If even one of these freshman take off besides Castle then he’ll be lucky to see the floor

 

[boog204]

To me you have a 9 man rotation:

PG/2G/SF (Somewhat interchangeable) --> Castle, Newton, Timber, Ball, AJ (Castle, Newton, AJ start)
SF/PF --> Stewart, Karaban, Johnson (Karaban starts)
C --> DC, Johnson (DC starts)

 

[Mr. Hand]

Castle is a good shooter.

If you only look at his percentages, you might get the impression that's not the case.

That would be wrong.

 

[auror]

I’m surprised Diarra is staying I would think he would transfer if he wants more minutes. If even one of these freshman take off besides Castle then he’ll be lucky to see the floor

He'd have to sit out a year.

 

[mauconnfan]

I’m intrigued with all and heck I’ve never seen anything but what people post here on video. But there’s something about Stewart’s game highlights that really have me thinking diamond in the rough. Just the post up and fade away jumpers, score in traffic, range along with his ability to handle for a big guy. Excited about them all though.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Question, let’s say Newton and AJ come back.

If Castle has been told he’s the PG and will start, and we saw Newton struggle when playing off ball last year before switching his and Andre’s role, and Timberlake is suppose to be the natural replacement for Hawkins, how does all of that work?

 

[Mr. French]

Not in talent level or play style, just the spot in the rotation.

I do get that - but I think most of the board is sleeping on Ball. Which is better than sleeping on Springs.

 

[navery12]

Question, let’s say Newton and AJ come back.

If Castle has been told he’s the PG and will start, and we saw Newton struggle when playing off ball last year before switching his and Andre’s role, and Timberlake is suppose to be the natural replacement for Hawkins, how does all of that work?

People get hung up on starting lineups, but after the first 5 minutes it doesn't matter and all 6 guys can get their 25+ minutes easily.

As for Newton, I don't think it was so much that he struggled off ball, as he just struggled figuring out how to adapt to the new role. He was still playing off the ball some, he just learned to play way more aggressive and attack the basket within that role

 

[Deleted at users request]

People get hung up on starting lineups, but after the first 5 minutes it doesn't matter and all 6 guys can get their 25+ minutes easily.

As for Newton, I don't think it was so much that he struggled off ball, as he just struggled figuring out how to adapt to the new role. He was still playing off the ball some, he just learned to play way more aggressive and attack the basket within that role

We started succeeding when Newton ran the show more and Andre learned how to play off ball though. Newton was essentially Steph in the offense and Andre became Draymond.

Even if we’re not talking about the starting lineup, who’s the finishing lineup in this case?

 

[navery12]

We started succeeding when Newton ran the show more and Andre learned how to play off ball though. Newton was essentially Steph in the offense and Andre became Draymond.

Even if we’re not talking about the starting lineup, who’s the finishing lineup in this case?

In the last 15 game stretch where we went 13-2, Newton averaged 5.5 assists per game and Jackson averaged 6.3 assists per game. Both of them were getting a lot of opportunities to run the offense, and Castle isn't a prototypical small PG where he can't split time on and off ball the same way. It won't be an issue

Finishing lineup is hard to say because it'll constantly change depending on what we need. Down 3 you bring Timberlake in for Jackson on offense. Need a stop? You bring in Jackson or even Diarra for Timberlake and/or Castle depending on how their defense is

 

[Mr. French]

People get hung up on starting lineups, but after the first 5 minutes it doesn't matter and all 6 guys can get their 25+ minutes easily.

As for Newton, I don't think it was so much that he struggled off ball, as he just struggled figuring out how to adapt to the new role. He was still playing off the ball some, he just learned to play way more aggressive and attack the basket within that role

Spot on.

I had a response typed up to that post as well, I just don't see it as an issue. Jackson, Castle and Newton are all capable of running our offense, especially when 2 or 3 are on the court simultaneously.

Castle can shoot enough, and Karaban and Newton are both snipers. I wouldn't be worried about that specific lineup's shooting ability.

Timberlake will be our 3rd sniper out of our top 6. That's plenty of shooting.

 

[PNolanFan]

I’m intrigued with all and heck I’ve never seen anything but what people post here on video. But there’s something about Stewart’s game highlights that really have me thinking diamond in the rough. Just the post up and fade away jumpers, score in traffic, range along with his ability to handle for a big guy. Excited about them all though.

He isn't a diamond in the rough, he is ranked in the 60s, I think that almost every program in the country would be planning on either starting him or having him be their 6th man