Projected Starting Line Up

[superjohn]

Never pictured him as a point guard. He's a 2 and a top 50 recruit last year, one of the best players we have ever recruited. Mahaney was top 150 and just came from a mid major. Happy he joined but I don't see him stealing minutes from Ball, especially the way Hurley has talked about him since the season ended.

Mahaney is going to be way better than you think, he has first team all-Big East potential.

 

[444JR]

Remember how last year it was almost shocking when someone made an actual mistake? We'll have to be a little patient with the new team early on as they get their footing with four or five new starters.

Yes. It was like rooting for, and expecting, perfect execution all game long, the entire season.

Perfect execution was the game within the game because the team was blowing everybody out.

Even when the end of the bench subbed in during garbage time, Hurley was coaching for perfect level execution and had Husky Nation rooting for that perfection.

Stomping Purdue by 19 at one point in the second half of the National Championship says it all. I always rooted for the team to lead by 20 before relaxing, which they accomplished most games.

What a luxury to support a team where your expectation as a fan is seeing them up by 20 before you feel satisfied.

The only relevant losses to speak of @ Seton Hall and @ Creighton were so excruciatingly painful because the team got so far away from its identity and execution. The ‘24/25 team has its work cut out to get to that level, but I don’t see the coaching staff settling for anything less. The team will be ready by the time March rolls around.

 

[auror]

Mahaney is going to be way better than you think, he has first team all-Big East potential.

Especially in that role in our offense. The last 2 guys that played combo/off ball shooter/2 guard in our offense were both 1st team All Big East.

 

[david]

When you take everything into account.

We have a transfer from a top 25 team that is going to want big minutes. Stewart is looking for a larger role after biding his time for the upperclassman and same with Solo.

Diarra does next expect a starter role, neither will Nowell.

Obviously talent is going to play into the decision as well, but it makes the most sense for Solo to play PG and be the guy alongside Mahaney, Stewart, and whoever between AK or LM. If we want any shot at 7 he has to be the guy to take the leap.

We aren’t winning with a backcourt of Diarra and Mahaney trying to be the best guards in the country. No disrespect to those guys. Solo has the talent to be that. Diarra is an amazing 6th man.

Price (Solo), Austrie (Diarra), Kemba (Nowell), Dyson (Mahaney) is how those roles and minutes can be allocated.

FYI I fully support the vision. If Ball and staff want to eventually work him towards becoming a combo guard that can handle and initiate the offense or play off the ball, that sounds fantastic. If he developed those skills with his size and athleticism that would be an amazing combo. Having said that, he hasn’t shown any of those skills yet so it’s hard to take posts about him playing pg seriously.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Never pictured him as a point guard. He's a 2 and a top 50 recruit last year, one of the best players we have ever recruited. Mahaney was top 150 and just came from a mid major. Happy he joined but I don't see him stealing minutes from Ball, especially the way Hurley has talked about him since the season ended.

Ahh okay, the post you relied to was about him playing PG.

 

[Deleted at users request]

FYI I fully support the vision. If Ball and staff want to eventually work him towards becoming a combo guard that can handle and initiate the offense or play off the ball, that sounds fantastic. If he developed those skills with his size and athleticism that would be an amazing combo. Having said that, he hasn’t shown any of those skills yet so it’s hard to take posts about him playing pg seriously.

If you guys say so

 

[Deleted at users request]

On issue (which I believe is clouding the judgement of a few here) is when he did receive limited time in important situations later in the season, as he had so few opportunities he often attempted to do too much.

Ding ding ding

 

[aboogieee]

Ding ding ding

Which game(s)?

 

[Huskyforlife]

As a general question, I wonder if McNeeley would've committed if he wasn't given any indication he'd start, given he lives up to expectations in practice? There wouldn't be a more talented 6th man in the country if this is the case.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Which game(s)?

Fwiw, I’m not saying he can play PG based on anything he did last year. Purely off what he’s shown before last season.

My theory is that his role dictated his lack of showcasing those skills. Hard to be a playmaker when you’re a catch and shoot guy or a guy who comes in for 3 possessions at the end of a game.

If you give him Tristan Newton’s role he can play make just fine.

 

[UofCT]

As a general question, I wonder if McNeeley would've committed if he wasn't given any indication he'd start, given he lives up to expectations in practice? There wouldn't be a more talented 6th man in the country if this is the case.

Kemba didn’t start as a freshman
Shabazz didn’t start as a freshman
Hawkins didn’t start as a freshman
Andre didn’t start as a freshman
Donovan didn’t start as a freshman

 

[Lambeau]

Tough management job keeping everybody on the reservation while recruiting.
I guess that's why Dan Hurley was holding his head in relief when the portal closed and Stewart and Ball and Diarra and Johnson haddn't left.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Kemba didn’t start as a freshman
Shabazz didn’t start as a freshman
Hawkins didn’t start as a freshman
Andre didn’t start as a freshman
Donovan didn’t start as a freshman

Karaban didnt start as a freshman?

 

[3rdbass]

Kemba didn’t start as a freshman
Shabazz didn’t start as a freshman
Hawkins didn’t start as a freshman
Andre didn’t start as a freshman
Donovan didn’t start as a freshman

Karaban and Castle started as Freshmen. Castle would be a good comparison since he is a McDonald's All American too.

 

[husky429]

Never pictured him as a point guard. He's a 2 and a top 50 recruit last year, one of the best players we have ever recruited. Mahaney was top 150 and just came from a mid major. Happy he joined but I don't see him stealing minutes from Ball, especially the way Hurley has talked about him since the season ended.

You're taking potential over proven production. Never a good bet.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

You're taking potential over proven production. Never a good bet.

So I'm guessing from your posts that you aren't a Solo or Samson fan lol.

 

[Huskybass]

So I'm guessing from your posts that you aren't a Solo or Samson fan lol.

As a Junior, Samson averaged 5 and 3 and struggled to stay on the court due to foul trouble. He fouled out in only 5 minutes of playing time in the National Championship game. Like 429, I am a fan of Samson, but also realistic about his likely production next season. It's not an either/or. You can be a fan and also be realistic.

 

[husky429]

So I'm guessing from your posts that you aren't a Solo or Samson fan lol.

I'm a fan of every player on the team.

I think Samson has a minority chance of starting but a decent one. Call it 35%. He and Reed both need to improve a lot, but Samson has very little margin for error on defense with his size. And he needs a stark improvement in the two most important skills a big has to have (rebound and don't foul). Reed needs to learn the system on both ends, wjicj is also tough. And stop with the 25% TO rate

Solo I love. We're comparing him to the 2nd best player on a top-25 team for two years. Both those guys are going to improve in the off-season but if we're being seriousxand objective, Mahaney is better. Solo HAS to learn to pass and handle the ball adequately.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

As a Junior, Samson averaged 5 and 3 and struggled to stay on the court due to foul trouble. He fouled out in only 5 minutes of playing time in the National Championship game. Like 429, I am a fan of Samson, but also realistic about his likely production next season. It's not an either/or. You can be a fan and also be realistic.

no its about seeing the potential and realistically forecasting where a player can get to based on his skill set and measurables. A Poster compared Samson to Richie Springs a year ago. Also said Castle couldn't guard PG in his high school scouting report. Citing Solo's assist numbers in limited minutes. I can go on. Clingan shouldn't be used on low block. etc etc. These receipts exist.

Alot of posters rely too much on prior stats and use that as unfair ceiling on forecasting where Dan Hurley will get them IMO. All that being said, I DO think Mahaney is a better player than Solo, not because of prior statistical performance, but rather the eye test in watching alot of basketball. The same reason I was among the first championing Reed over Cliff, Wolf etc. Forecasting Realistic POTENTIAL.

Mahaney is a well rounded creator while Solo is the archetype athletic explosive scorer. I'd always take Ginobli over Westbrook or Cam Spencer over <insert name here>

PS- Penalty flag for saying Samson fouled out in 5 minutes. He was defending Edey

 

[mauconnfan]

no its about seeing the potential and realistically forecasting where a player can get to based on his skill set and measurables. A Poster compared Samson to Richie Springs a year ago. Also said Castle couldn't guard PG in his high school scouting report. Citing Solo's assist numbers in limited minutes. I can go on. Clingan shouldn't be used on low block. etc etc. These receipts exist.

Alot of posters rely too much on prior stats and use that as unfair ceiling on forecasting where Dan Hurley will get them IMO. All that being said, I DO think Mahaney is a better player than Solo, not because of prior statistical performance, but rather the eye test in watching alot of basketball. The same reason I was among the first championing Reed over Cliff, Wolf etc. Forecasting Realistic POTENTIAL.

Mahaney is a well rounded creator while Solo is the archetype athletic explosive scorer. I'd always take Ginobli over Westbrook or Cam Spencer over <insert name here>

PS- Penalty flag for saying Samson fouled out in 5 minutes. He was defending Edey

But to be honest he was in foul trouble against much less type players than Edey way too often nonetheless. He reaches 35 feet from the basket, he can’t get back to find position to box out quite often and gets called for holding often. He’s a real nice piece and back up. Who knows if he improves like we saw from 22-23 to 23-24 he may prove us wrong again. But for me in order to be really good again we need Reed to be the man who Samson backs up.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

But to be honest he was in foul trouble against much less type players than Edey way too often nonetheless. He reaches 35 feet from the basket, he can’t get back to find position to box out quite often and gets called for holding often. He’s a real nice piece and back up. Who knows if he improves like we saw from 22-23 to 23-24 he may prove us wrong again.

"Prove us wrong again" once again shows the hivemind ceiling placed upon players, without seeing their potentials. Yes you are right Samson fouls too much. Gotta clean up the screening. But the defensive foul stuff is because he's refining the high hedge with the defensive ferocity Hurley wants. He got alot of fouls flying around on the high hedge (which im not a big fan of), then out of position for rebounding during regular season. But the wrench wasnt the Wrench at first. Offensively it took Facey a few years to get confidence but you could see it was there. Reed, you can see from his stroke and hs tape, can hit the 3, but statistically its not there.

Samson is an athletic freak who will be drafted, as I posted last summer. Watch the Uconn highlight tape of him in NCAA tourney, mastering the high hedge, then back for blocked shot. I think followed by a dunk? Raf drooling over his high hedge all tourney. I like the high hedge now, and i think he will even use Reed with it at times. This year, Samson's improvement wont surprise some of us. He has another level.

 

[Huskybass]

no its about seeing the potential and realistically forecasting where a player can get to based on his skill set and measurables. A Poster compared Samson to Richie Springs a year ago. Also said Castle couldn't guard PG in his high school scouting report. Citing Solo's assist numbers in limited minutes. I can go on. Clingan shouldn't be used on low block. etc etc. These receipts exist.

Alot of posters rely too much on prior stats and use that as unfair ceiling on forecasting where Dan Hurley will get them IMO. All that being said, I DO think Mahaney is a better player than Solo, not because of prior statistical performance, but rather the eye test in watching alot of basketball. The same reason I was among the first championing Reed over Cliff, Wolf etc. Forecasting Realistic POTENTIAL.

Mahaney is a well rounded creator while Solo is the archetype athletic explosive scorer. I'd always take Ginobli over Westbrook or Cam Spencer over <insert name here>

PS- Penalty flag for saying Samson fouled out in 5 minutes. He was defending Edey

Let's look at this a different way. Take ANY other player who averaged 5 and 3 as a junior and find what they did the following season. Use your best example. What do you come up with?

Samson is competing for a starting role with a guy who has already put up 9 and 7 and doesn't have the propensity to foul. One guy has potential...the other guy has proven production, is younger, and will be receiving vastly better coaching and entry passes this season. It's not hard to envision Reed Jr. starting.

 

[Umami Zen]

I'm a fan of every player on the team.

I think Samson has a minority chance of starting but a decent one. Call it 35%. He and Reed both need to improve a lot, but Samson has very little margin for error on defense with his size. And he needs a stark improvement in the two most important skills a big has to have (rebound and don't foul). Reed needs to learn the system on both ends, wjicj is also tough. And stop with the 25% TO rate

Solo I love. We're comparing him to the 2nd best player on a top-25 team for two years. Both those guys are going to improve in the off-season but if we're being seriousxand objective, Mahaney is better. Solo HAS to learn to pass and handle the ball adequately.

I'm with you on all of the above. With Solo-to my eye- It seemed like he got lost on certain defensive rotations. Out of position or even missed assignments. I think that contributed to PT last year. Has the physical tool kit and skills to be disruptive defensively. Offensively he'll be fine.

As of now-Mahaney has shown himself to be a better offensive player based on his performance on the court. We know Solo has the potential.

 

[husky429]

Let's look at this a different way. Take ANY other player who averaged 5 and 3 as a junior and find what they did the following season. Use your best example. What do you come up with?

Samson is competing for a starting role with a guy who has already put up 9 and 7 and doesn't have the propensity to foul. One guy has potential...the other guy has proven production, is younger, and will be receiving vastly better coaching and entry passes this season. It's not hard to envision Reed Jr. starting.

I think it's probably a little closer than you think. Samson is going to figure a lot out this summer. But I still give the nod to Reed.

 

[UofCT]

You're taking potential over proven production. Never a good bet.

I mean not really. He went like 3-17 vs. Grand Canyon. Lets chill out a bit

 

[husky429]

I mean not really. He went like 3-17 vs. Grand Canyon. Lets chill out a bit

I can't tell if you're trolling or not. Well done.

 

[Mooch82]

Let's look at this a different way. Take ANY other player who averaged 5 and 3 as a junior and find what they did the following season. Use your best example. What do you come up with?

Samson is competing for a starting role with a guy who has already put up 9 and 7 and doesn't have the propensity to foul. One guy has potential...the other guy has proven production, is younger, and will be receiving vastly better coaching and entry passes this season. It's not hard to envision Reed Jr. starting.

I read the comment about Samson being older than Tarris and randomly decided to look up how old a bunch of guys on the team were. VERY fun fact I found....both our transfers (Tarris and Aidan) were born on the exact same day, August 5th, 2003. What are the chances?

 

[UofCT]

I can't tell if you're trolling or not. Well done.

If we are being honest sometimes I don't know if I am either. I feel like I make a prediction and then troll and double down until the thread gets blocked.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I understand the excitement for Mahaney after Cam, but Cam was a 6’4 200 guard who was a 44/43 shooter before he came here.

Aiden is 6’3 180 and is a 38/35 shooter. Think we should temper the expectations some. Cam was really good before he got here (43% 3 point shooting as the guy for Rutgers was insane)

 

[auror]

I understand the excitement for Mahaney after Cam, but Cam was a 6’4 200 guard who was a 44/43 shooter before he came here.

Aiden is 6’3 180 and is a 38/35 shooter. Think we should temper the expectations some. Cam was really good before he got here (43% 3 point shooting as the guy for Rutgers was insane)

Aidan was 44/40 the year before on more volume than Cam had at Rutgers.