Opinion: Hurley Is Rebuilding For 27-28

[ddent68]

Calhoun always had a rebuilding year every three or four years that ended with an NIT appearance, which always drove me crazy.

Only because he didn’t have the portal

 

[HW611]

OP takes it too far. Next year's team is easily top 10. It's arguably better than last year's team on paper.

What I do think Hurley is doing is looking to 27-28 and beyond with his portal moves and roster construction. He does not want Pitino's "let's find a whole team every year" model. The system is too complex and continuity is hugely important. So he finds a Sophomore center and another Sophomore center. He finds a Sophomore PF who will likely be in the draft, but if not will be an amazing junior. He reloads with Mullins, he shifts Solo to 27-28 to make space on the roster. He creates opportunity for Senior Ross at SF while providing enough minutes for Landrew to develop and become an force for 27-28 (or by March). He creates space for County to learn as a big PG behind Silas and to be ready for 27-28 or to show Hurley he needs a PG.

Really shrewd roster construction. Win now. Win later.

I love it to be honest. Replacing Karaban with a 5* sophomore clone is pretty crazy.

I’m also loving the investment in our freshman class to create space for them to succeed and be players we build with later.

We are going to have a really big perimeter group as we don’t have a player under 6’4 currently.

 

[Improviser]

IMO, Goose nailed it in post #2. UConn wouldn’t have put the full court press on Mullins if they didn’t think they could win it again next year.

Maybe so, but not having Mullins could have lead to a not so promising year for 26-27, and maybe the brand would not be so appealing to portal and non-portal recruits.

Without Mullins, would that NIL have been enough for an exceptional replacement, we don't know.

 

[UCONNFAN179]

Of course Danny isn't looking at this year as a throw away... but I completely understand the OP's point. I'm confident we will be very good this year, but realistically, with this roster, a LOT of things will need to go right for us to be real contenders. Last year we had a lot more sureties. Demary, Solo, Karaban, Reed, Smith... even Ross/Stewart... They were all proven guys and we knew all their floors. This year, we do have a known entity in Demary leading the team, and quality reserve with upside in Ross... but then we have a TON of question marks. We have to hope Hines makes a MAJOR leap and can avoid foul trouble. Khamenia also needs to make a MAJOR leap. Both those guys have high upside but haven't really proven anything yet. They have little experience and each averaged just 5-7 points per game! Landrew needs to at least be a high quality rotation piece. County has to be able to give us backup minutes. Mullins needs to get ALOT stronger and has a high floor, but if we're truly going to contend, he has to become a star! Not one of those things are givens! Right now, it's definitely fair to say that on paper, this team looks very talented and has potential everywhere, but it is inexperienced and unproven at many positions, and at least on paper, it appears to be set up for better results the following year.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Here's why I love Dan Hurley in this modern era of college basketball: he tries to compete for titles every single season but also has enough hindsight to know that the best teams retain and develop talent.

UConn is not done adding, but they've already situated themselves to be in position to contend for another title if they finish building the roster.

But also, they aren't content just adding one-and-one guys. They're looking at what's ahead of them while also focusing on next season. The presence of mind to also plan ahead well.

This team is not finalized. I'd expect one more portal piece that will be essential to the team's title run (they could also add practice-ish type guys too).

 

[RuffRuff]

Here's why I love Dan Hurley in this modern era of college basketball: he tries to compete for titles every single season but also has enough hindsight to know that the best teams retain and develop talent.

UConn is not done adding, but they've already situated themselves to be in position to contend for another title if they finish building the roster.

But also, they aren't content just adding one-and-one guys. They're looking at what's ahead of them while also focusing on next season. The presence of mind to also plan ahead well.

This team is not finalized. I'd expect one more portal piece that will be essential to the team's title run (they could also add practice-ish type guys too).

Hurley has managed this offseason with precision. I had been wondering how he'd adapt to seeing off a long term foundation with Karaban, his Fab 5 this year. Well he's just fully rebuilt it with his kind of kids.

 

[Windham4th]

I here we might go D2

 

[Umami Zen]

Here's why I love Dan Hurley in this modern era of college basketball: he tries to compete for titles every single season but also has enough hindsight to know that the best teams retain and develop talent.

UConn is not done adding, but they've already situated themselves to be in position to contend for another title if they finish building the roster.

But also, they aren't content just adding one-and-one guys. They're looking at what's ahead of them while also focusing on next season. The presence of mind to also plan ahead well.

This team is not finalized. I'd expect one more portal piece that will be essential to the team's title run (they could also add practice-ish type guys too).

Agree with everything you said. In addition-If I understand the proposed 5 in 5 rule. 1 transfer only. Dan's last three portal adds made their one transfer to UConn. So. Unless they declare for NBA prior to graduating- They would be part of our Program for a few seasons. If my interpretation is correct-Another example of Hurley being out in front of the competition. Multi-year commitments out of the portal. New age of roster construction.

 

[HooperScooper]

Unpopular opinion: we will not be a top 3 pre-season national title favorite any time soon. Not that it matters.

Obviously there's still some movement left for roster building by every top team so who knows where UConn ends up, but is top 4 pre-season not good enough to be mentioned as a potential national title favorite?

College basketball rankings: Florida surges to No. 1 in way-too-early Top 25 And 1 as Thomas Haugh returns

With Haugh's announcement, Florida now returns six of the top seven scorers from last season

www.cbssports.com

 

[RuffRuff]

Obviously there's still some movement left for roster building by every top team so who knows where UConn ends up, but is top 4 pre-season not good enough to be mentioned as a potential national title favorite?

College basketball rankings: Florida surges to No. 1 in way-too-early Top 25 And 1 as Thomas Haugh returns

With Haugh's announcement, Florida now returns six of the top seven scorers from last season

www.cbssports.com

Duke just got Sarr back - not sure how much of a needle mover that is, but it fills their 3 spot. Should be fairly consistent around Florida, UM, Duke, UConn in the top 4, likely MSU 5. 3 B10 teams in the top 5 is here we go again.