Oskar Giltay Commits to UConn

[Scrutineer]

Definitely a decent athlete. I wonder if Hurley can get more out of him offensively. He looks to be mobile in the video.

,

OK, I admit I'm biased towards the positives about OG, but the doubters need to notice how much agility and quickness he shows staying with his man on inside moves and how effective he was blocking shots. Plus, he's looks strong and showed speed on the fast break.

The doubters need to look back at SJ's statistics. He was a non-factor his first two years and as a junior in the backup role with Clingan he played meaningful minutes for the first time in his career, 640. His first two years he played a total of 68 and 47! As a junior he averaged less than 1 block per game and as the starter in his senior year he only averaged about 1.5 per game. OG as a freshman compared all around pretty favorably to SJ as a junior.

I think he's a great get and look forward to saying so at the end of this year! Let us pray.....

 

[Henry]

Welcome Oskar!

I'm sure Braylon will enjoy having someone who can set good screens.

 

[husky99]

Love this signing. 3 years to learn the system. Good foot work. Block and picks... let's go

 

[Excalibur]

Yes, that's why I said a lot of people on the board seem to be thrown off by his size and think he's a 3/4 when his position has been a 2/3.

We may play him at 4 sometimes out of necessity but in no way is that his natural position and he's even more shooting guard than wing.

Offensively, the 2, 3, and 4 are pretty interchangeable for us. So it really comes down to who he guards.

 

[Huskyforlife]

We need be able to offer a quality backup G a 15mpg role like Smith had, so I don’t think we need lAndrew to play 3 positions when he can get 25mpg between both forward spots. 9 man rotation:

Silas 30 / County 10
Mullins 25 / Transfer 15
Ross 25 / Landrew 15
Nik 30 / Landrew 10
Hines 25 / Giltay 15

Probably won’t be the popular opinion, but I just think Mullins will be closer to 35 minutes per game than 25. I don’t think he comes out unless he’s in foul trouble, ever. He’s the superstar of the team, Dan is gonna lean on him like he did Alex. Both him and Demary will be pushing 35 minutes because of what they mean to the team. I think the combo guard is gonna be someone of the Giltay talent level.

 

[Gurleyman]

I liked Reibe's offensive potential, but like others, I was sorta concerned about some things defensively as to whether he would ever be a good anchor down there. Giltay might not block shots at the rate that he showed in a limited sample size, but he looks like someone who can at least body up and hold his ground and isn't the sort of guy who when he comes in, the other team says "let's go right at him."

It is probably a bit hard to find portal guys willing to take on back-up roles, although we have fortunately had some success with that (Diarra, Smith, Alleyne, JoeyC - even Reed maybe was told he'd back up Samson in year one and start in year two). Someone who can hold the fort for 10-15 minutes, with the potential for more, is a strong addition.

 

[nomar]

We need be able to offer a quality backup G a 15mpg role like Smith had, so I don’t think we need lAndrew to play 3 positions when he can get 25mpg between both forward spots. 9 man rotation:

Silas 30 / County 10
Mullins 25 / Transfer 15
Ross 25 / Landrew 15
Nik 30 / Landrew 10
Hines 25 / Giltay 15

L'Andrew. Is that like D'Angelo?

 

[Waquoit]

Good thing he doesn't have a name that has potential to be butchered on the Boneyard. If you do, HooperScooper will find you.

I dunno. He'll be on the first "Oscar" like stink on merde.

 

[bendm]

Probably won’t be the popular opinion, but I just think Mullins will be closer to 35 minutes per game than 25. I don’t think he comes out unless he’s in foul trouble, ever. He’s the superstar of the team, Dan is gonna lean on him like he did Alex. Both him and Demary will be pushing 35 minutes because of what they mean to the team. I think the combo guard is gonna be someone of the Giltay talent level.

I can see that but we really need another solid G off the bench. Maybe Mullins takes some PT from Ross/Landrew at the 3.

 

[AllHusky]

McNeil is not happening so hopefully you can still be happy wit

Wish I hadn’t

Boo

 

[Iluvsuebird]

The NCAA will add a 5th year going forward. My take is this: tarris and Alex come back for year 5, which explains the relatively slow progress in getting a 4 and our unwillingness to sign a “top” center or PF. To be clear, I do not have insider info. I am speculating based on an expected new rule. If that happens, we would immediately become the team to beat next year. Hands down.

 

[AllHusky]

Defense should be a juggernaut. A bit worried about scoring. There's still a little more work to do in terms of players who can be counted on to play and produce.

Would you be happy with 8ppg from the 5? I bet we'll do at least that.

 

[AllHusky]

I only like this signing if he’s exclusively playing the 4 with maybe a little bit of 3 mixed in

Whoa Nellie!!

 

[BFieldHusky]

In a perfect world, staff is looking to get a backup PF that could play minutes at the 5 if needed.

 

[navery12]

The NCAA will add a 5th year going forward. My take is this: tarris and Alex come back for year 5, which explains the relatively slow progress in getting a 4 and our unwillingness to sign a “top” center or PF. To be clear, I do not have insider info. I am speculating based on an expected new rule. If that happens, we would immediately become the team to beat next year. Hands down.

Two issues with this. First issue, we just signed one of the top 5 or 6 centers in Najai Hines. Second issue, Alex Karaban does not have any eligiblity even if the 5th year passes

 

[bendm]

Yes, that's why I said a lot of people on the board seem to be thrown off by his size and think he's a 3/4 when his position has been a 2/3.
We may play him at 4 sometimes out of necessity but in no way is that his natural position and he's even more shooting guard than wing.

In a perfect world, staff is looking to get a backup PF that could play minutes at the 5 if needed.

So you’re advocating for a 10 man rotation? The backup G will put us at 9. The backup PF would be 10. So Either Landrew is our backup 4 or we play 10 guys for the first time under Hurley. I’m hoping for the latter but would be surprised.

 

[Scrutineer]

Last season we had 9 guys who could really go before you got to Koroma and Millender. Right now we're at 8. I hope we get to 10 guys who can really go. We need a point guard/combo guard, I'm hoping we get Christian Jones or someone at least at his level. We also need another big guy. All we have is two 6'10 guys. It's short compared to what we're used during this run and short compared to the other top teams we'll be competing against for the top prize. Then we can fill the roster out with Koroma and Millender type guys/practice players.

When you asked the other day why I was using info from 27 years ago to make comparisons I didn't get into a lot of details, but one main thought was "how did we ever win in 99 with a roster nowhere near as talented overall as many here are proposing we'll need next season?
Our guards in 99 were RM and KEA, with Cash Mouring backing them up. For forwards we had Wane backing up Jake and Saunders backing up KFree. No backup for Hamilton, at least in the NC game where he played 38 minutes.
So my question is, "do we really need ten who can really go?"
Can we keep ten guys happy or do we risk some sulking like Reibe?
Or are you thinking we need competent guys to play meaningful minutes during the long season so we don't wear out the current eight?

 

[superjohn]

So you’re advocating for a 10 man rotation? The backup G will put us at 9. The backup PF would be 10.

I'm advocating for 10 guys who can play and produce. Those two additional players need to be a combo guard who can be steady with the ball and another big guy.

I'm having nightmares about Silas missing any time and if we're down a center Landrew or Ross having to be thrown on there for backup center minutes.

 

[husky1bags]

I predict Raftery will call him The Gila Monster.

That is exactly what Ozempic weight loss medication contains Gila Monster venom. But I bet Raf will find a decent nickname for Heeltay

 

[UCFan1513]

We certainly need more than 10/10 combined from the position.

And we will easily get it. Even if Giltay only averages 4&3 again

 

[husky429]

We certainly need more than 10/10 combined from the position.

We're going to get 10 points just from Hines. I imagine he'll average something like 11/7 or 10/8 in his 25 mpg.

 

[Gurleyman]

Two issues with this. First issue, we just signed one of the top 5 or 6 centers in Najai Hines. Second issue, Alex Karaban does not have any eligiblity even if the 5th year passes

If it actually came to that, I imagine there's a chance he could win an appeal. He came to UConn a semester early just to sit and learn, something he would not have done if it would have cost him a year (or perhaps he would available for one more semester and start playing in December).

I can't imagine they'll open the door of everyone suddenly being able to stay. Would be chaos. If you're going to Purdue and all of a sudden Smith-Loyer-TKR are all back, your playing time just dwindled. But who knows - NCAA and lawsuits haven't been a winning combination lately, so they just avoid them.

 

[husky429]

When’s the last time, in the portal era, that we hosted a transfer who DID NOT commit? Has it even happened?

Yes. Guys show up and we learn they're not a cultural fit pretty frequently.

 

[ColchVEGAS]

The combo guard I'm with you on. I personally would be shooting for a Solo replacement like McNeil, but I know that's not happening. But I think we should be able to bring in a legit rotation guy there and still play County plenty of minutes

Agreed. County appears to offer nice flexibility, potentially spelling minutes for both Demary and Mullins. I would like to get another PG or CG that can shoot to replace the gap we have will Solo this season.

If the staff feels confident County can handle being full time backup PG, I am on board and lets get a shooter.

 

[Fantana]

Sounds like a Voskuhl type player. Screens, plays D, rebounds, protects the rim. I will take the lack of O for all of that.

 

[AllHusky]

The drop. Gets him closer to home. I have good feelings about this kid - great BL.



I'm expecting him to be the next KU coach.

Wondering if we might get al little deeper perspective on Mom!

The two new centers combined averaged a total of 9/8/9.6 last year in 32.6 minutes.

Do we need more than 9 points from the 5? Without Solo maybe, but can we expect this:

1-16
2-19
3-14
4-12
5-9= 70

Eyesight is rough but it looks like:

When we scored 70 or more we lost twice, St Johns and Creighton

Creighton is a throw away and Pitino is Kryptonite. We score 70 and we're National Champs.

 

[navery12]

If it actually came to that, I imagine there's a chance he could win an appeal. He came to UConn a semester early just to sit and learn, something he would not have done if it would have cost him a year (or perhaps he would available for one more semester and start playing in December).

I can't imagine they'll open the door of everyone suddenly being able to stay. Would be chaos. If you're going to Purdue and all of a sudden Smith-Loyer-TKR are all back, your playing time just dwindled. But who knows - NCAA and lawsuits haven't been a winning combination lately, so they just avoid them.

Maybe they make an exception for this year, but that defeats the whole purpose. The idea of this new system is that there's no more appeals or exceptions

 

[jibsey]

The NCAA will add a 5th year going forward. My take is this: tarris and Alex come back for year 5, which explains the relatively slow progress in getting a 4 and our unwillingness to sign a “top” center or PF. To be clear, I do not have insider info. I am speculating based on an expected new rule. If that happens, we would immediately become the team to beat next year. Hands down.

St. John’s gets Ejiofor back. Michigan gets their players back? This is a middle finger to kids coming into college basketball and the ones waiting for their turns. What is the premiss for doing this?

 

[RuffRuff]

St. John’s gets Ejiofor back. Michigan gets their players back? This is a middle finger to kids coming into college basketball and the ones waiting for their turns. What is the premiss for doing this?

I don't care if we benefit, would be chaos to turn this on now. You need a gap year for it to go into effect without creating a free for all. It would mean an extra year for Ross, Silas next year.

 

[Umami Zen]

Agreed. County appears to offer nice flexibility, potentially spelling minutes for both Demary and Mullins. I would like to get another PG or CG that can shoot to replace the gap we have will Solo this season.

If the staff feels confident County can handle being full time backup PG, I am on board and lets get a shooter.

Delaware portal entry-Christian Bliss-6'4" CG -16.5 pts /game.6 assists/game 2steals/game.40/40/85 shooting splits. Originally from Queens. 3 years of eligibility .CUSA Freshman of the Year. Shooter and ball handler. Started career in ACC for Va. Redshirt one year/foot injury second year. Could level up to our schedule as a backup/support to County. Knock on wood-injury insurance.