Ollie quote on Alterique and Adams for upcoming season...

[aceboon]

If AG doesn't start, which i think he absolutely will, then OK try starting Larrier at small forward and push JA and Purvis to guards. I however think Ollie is going to play much more small ball and pressure defense this season, and then mix and match depending on opponents strengths and match ups.

There is absolutely no way Larrier should be playing any PF this season with his frame. The guy missed a full season of in game experience, which I'm sure is going to show early in the season with a lack of poise. He's going to need to prove himself before he starts in my opinion. Plus the defensive combo and speed of AG/JA/Purvis is going to be the backbone of this team this upcoming season. Start there and then work off of it....

Also don't know why you're against starting Enoch. He's our biggest guy with the highest potential for defense rebounds, which was clearly our achilles heel last season. Showed flashes of greatness and athleticism past season just needs to get his timing and defensive rotation down

Giffey was 6'7", 6'10" wingspan and weighed 200lbs, he played plenty of PF. DHam was 6'8", 6'9" wingspan, and weighed 197lbs(likely significantly less his freshman year) and he played plenty of PF. DD was 6'9", 7'2" wingspan(a big plus, and it showed with his ability to defend the rim) and weighed 196lbs, and he played plenty of PF. Larrier is 6'8" with a 6'10" wingspan and weighs 190lbs, he will actually have to show that he can defend and rebound at PF, but he shouldn't be excluded just based off of his size when he's not much of an outlier from guys who logged plenty of minutes there the last 4 years. Also, why does he need to come off the bench and "prove himself"? If KO feels he's the best option for a starting spot then he will start, Purvis had to sit out his 1 game due to the summer league suspension but he started right off the bat after sitting out a year.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Giffey was 6'7", 6'10" wingspan and weighed 200lbs, he played plenty of PF. DHam was 6'8", 6'9" wingspan, and weighed 197lbs(likely significantly less his freshman year) and he played plenty of PF. DD was 6'9", 7'2" wingspan(a big plus, and it showed with his ability to defend the rim) and weighed 196lbs, and he played plenty of PF. Larrier is 6'8" with a 6'10" wingspan and weighs 190lbs, he will actually have to show that he can defend and rebound at PF, but he shouldn't be excluded just based off of his size when he's not much of an outlier from guys who logged plenty of minutes there the last 4 years. Also, why does he need to come off the bench and "prove himself"? If KO feels he's the best option for a starting spot then he will start, Purvis had to sit out his 1 game due to the summer league suspension but he started right off the bat after sitting out a year.

To some degree who plays at the 4 will also depend on the matchups, but I agree it will depend on Terry to some degree. A light switch seemed to come on for Giffey where he became kind of a quiet beast in the ferocity he showed on the boards in the 2014 tourney (as a senior). I hope that all of the Husky bigs get that same sort of intensity, but it might take a while to develop playing against bigger and/or stronger opponents. I also agree that Juwan could be a major factor as the season progresses if healthy, but he is very slender as well. Diarra may well become the banger/enforcer type who can come in and compete against the burly PFs who have often killed UConn in the past. Should be really fun to see how this plays out.

 

[intlzncster]

There is absolutely no way Larrier should be playing any PF this season with his frame. The guy missed a full season of in game experience, which I'm sure is going to show early in the season with a lack of poise. He's going to need to prove himself before he starts in my opinion. Plus the defensive combo and speed of AG/JA/Purvis is going to be the backbone of this team this upcoming season. Start there and then work off of it....

Larrier's body type (6'8/190) is similar to Deandre Daniels (6'9/196). Different games from what I've read, but it's not a stretch (pun) to play him at the four from a physical perspective.

 

[intlzncster]

Giffey was 6'7", 6'10" wingspan and weighed 200lbs, he played plenty of PF. DHam was 6'8", 6'9" wingspan, and weighed 197lbs(likely significantly less his freshman year) and he played plenty of PF. DD was 6'9", 7'2" wingspan(a big plus, and it showed with his ability to defend the rim) and weighed 196lbs, and he played plenty of PF. Larrier is 6'8" with a 6'10" wingspan and weighs 190lbs, he will actually have to show that he can defend and rebound at PF, but he shouldn't be excluded just based off of his size when he's not much of an outlier from guys who logged plenty of minutes there the last 4 years. Also, why does he need to come off the bench and "prove himself"? If KO feels he's the best option for a starting spot then he will start, Purvis had to sit out his 1 game due to the summer league suspension but he started right off the bat after sitting out a year.

you beat me to it.

 

[intlzncster]

I think the line up and expectations could all change if Durham is healthy. We will have to wait and see. For now anyone's speculation could come true, the spots are opened for someone to take them. Besides Jalen, Rodney (maybe best as 6th man?) and AB anything can happen. We can't leave a hungry Jackson out and AG isn't going to make it easy to not have him running the team.

There is a 100% chance Gilbert won't start over Rodney imo.

I've got really high hopes for Gilbert, and I hope he gets it from day one, but my personal expectations for him are about what Kemba was like his freshman year. El Amin is the only guy ever at UCONN who stepped in from Day 1 and looked like he'd been there already. Two of UCONN's best players every (Kemba/Shabazz) couldn't do that.

 

[mauconnfan]

There is a 100% chance Gilbert won't start over Rodney imo.

I've got really high hopes for Gilbert, and I hope he gets it from day one, but my personal expectations for him are about what Kemba was like his freshman year. El Amin is the only guy ever at UCONN who stepped in from Day 1 and looked like he'd been there already. Two of UCONN's best players every (Kemba/Shabazz) couldn't do that.

I have to disagree on the 100%. I mean if Jalen does not adapt to being the guy we will need a PG. So while I see it going that way, there may be a need for AG to start at some point. Let's hope not.

 

[dennismenace]

Giffey was 6'7", 6'10" wingspan and weighed 200lbs, he played plenty of PF. DHam was 6'8", 6'9" wingspan, and weighed 197lbs(likely significantly less his freshman year) and he played plenty of PF. DD was 6'9", 7'2" wingspan(a big plus, and it showed with his ability to defend the rim) and weighed 196lbs, and he played plenty of PF. Larrier is 6'8" with a 6'10" wingspan and weighs 190lbs, he will actually have to show that he can defend and rebound at PF, but he shouldn't be excluded just based off of his size when he's not much of an outlier from guys who logged plenty of minutes there the last 4 years. Also, why does he need to come off the bench and "prove himself"? If KO feels he's the best option for a starting spot then he will start, Purvis had to sit out his 1 game due to the summer league suspension but he started right off the bat after sitting out a year.

Good analysis. This also brings up the perennial question of starting vs. "6th man" etc. In the end the amount of minutes is what probably matters and what the winning combination seem to be as
experiments go on in the first half of the year. I am going to enjoy the competition for minutes and expect that the competition in practices would be pretty intense. There is a lot of young talent there to blend and I can't help but think that 2017 recruits are eyeballing that as well as they consider committing.

 

[TheChamps990411]

I just want a fun season. I want to enjoy us being in the top ten most of the season and win atleast 24 games in the reg season. Seems like forever since we`ve been a top ten team week to week.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Jalen should be in for a great year. I see people are wondering if he can be the man but based on last year I think he is more than ready. The offense looked very smooth under him and he would a great job of attacking and moving the ball. He's not much of an off ball player IMO. He has to start at PG and lead. Gilbert will play that Kemba/Bazz freshman year role where he comes off the bench as a spark. Hopefully Jalen worked on his off ball game to be able to play off when AG comes in. My safe starting lineup is JA/Purv/Larrier/Facey/Brimah but my wild card lineup is JA/Purv/Larrier/Jackson/Brimah. Of course if Durham is healthy that changes a lot.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Jalen seemed to always make plays when needed last year especially in close games. I'm really excited to see what he could do with more responsibility and another year to work on his game.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Jalen seemed to always make plays when needed last year especially in close games. I'm really excited to see what he could do with more responsibility and another year to work on his game.

Yeah i think last season we clearly played better when he was put into the starting lineup and it was his inexperience that hurt him but you can see he is a talented player. He and Gilbert should be fun to watch this season and if they stay together for a second season we could see a Boat/Bazz 2.o and hopefully the same result.

 

[CL82]

Jalen should be in for a great year. I see people are wondering if he can be the man but based on last year I think he is more than ready. The offense looked very smooth under him and he would a great job of attacking and moving the ball. He's not much of an off ball player IMO. He has to start at PG and lead. Gilbert will play that Kemba/Bazz freshman year role where he comes off the bench as a spark. Hopefully Jalen worked on his off ball game to be able to play off when AG comes in. My safe starting lineup is JA/Purv/Larrier/Facey/Brimah but my wild card lineup is JA/Purv/Larrier/Jackson/Brimah. Of course if Durham is healthy that changes a lot.

I think we are going see of JA and AG on the court together. By season's end I think that AG gets "starter minutes" even if he does not start.

 

[tomtom80]

Jalen seemed to always make plays when needed last year especially in close games. I'm really excited to see what he could do with more responsibility and another year to work on his game.

And you know his confidence kept on growing and culminated in the 2nd OT vs CINCI when he demanded DHAM give him the ball for the last (3/4 court) shot. WINNER!! I think he is gonna be a monster this year