Quote from Hurley about Solo and Jayden

[Waquoit]

Chess, not checkers.

But sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

 

[El Obrero]

But sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Right. And just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean someone isn’t following me.

 

[Huskyforlife]

To be fair to Hurley, he said Ross had an awesome practice, not that he's been practicing all off season like a future top 20 pick. I think the point was to remind fans Ross has talent, even if he's near the end of our rotation.

The Ball stuff is just obvious at this point, he's starting and looks to be our next breakout sophomore star.

 

[ctbro1999]

I've been saying for months Solo is gonna bust out this year similar to how Hawkins did his sophomore year.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I've been saying for months Solo is gonna bust out this year similar to how Hawkins did his sophomore year.

If Solo can get to 16-20 mpg and 9-11 ppg, I'll be thrilled. Anything better than that is really bad for UConn opponents.

 

[Palatine]

If the season started right now, Justin Brown would be our starting center. -- Jim Calhoun

 

[RuffRuff]

Solo’s ceiling has always been very high. His athletic ability is highest on team, when you consider standard measurables like wingspan and vertical. He has a really soft touch, ball comes off his hand really pure.

His challenge has been the mental side and confidence. He tends to take ill advised shots, and lacks some consistency with little things like setting his feet squarely. He’s the kind of kid that can hit a 3 that looks like he can hit the next ten, then airball one. His handle is a little loose, in part due to his wingspan as his dribble sometimes feels far from his body. He does a bit too much staring on both ends rather than being consistently active. Hasn’t felt like the offense has clicked for him through last season as part of the orchestra. If he can get comfortable and confident on these things, tidey up, he will sky rocket. I’m really excited to see him this season.

 

[Drame]

To be fair to Hurley, he said Ross had an awesome practice, not that he's been practicing all off season like a future top 20 pick. I think the point was to remind fans Ross has talent, even if he's near the end of our rotation.

The Ball stuff is just obvious at this point, he's starting and looks to be our next breakout sophomore star.

Hurley also commented in the summer practice video that Ross had taken a big step forward.

 

[Palatine]

Solo’s ceiling has always been very high. His athletic ability is highest on team, when you consider standard measurables like wingspan and vertical. He has a really soft touch, ball comes off his hand really pure.

His challenge has been the mental side and confidence. He tends to take ill advised shots, and lacks some consistency with little things like setting his feet squarely. He’s the kind of kid that can hit a 3 that looks like he can hit the next ten, then airball one. His handle is a little loose, in part due to his wingspan as his dribble sometimes feels far from his body. He does a bit too much staring on both ends rather than being consistently active. Hasn’t felt like the offense has clicked for him through last season as part of the orchestra. If he can get comfortable and confident on these things, tidey up, he will sky rocket. I’m really excited to see him this season.

I think most of this is right on. He has a little bit of Jerome Dyson in his game. He gets into the game by forcing things. I am hoping that more experience will translate into a better understanding of what the team needs from him.

 

[HooperScooper]

Solo’s ceiling has always been very high. His athletic ability is highest on team, when you consider standard measurables like wingspan and vertical. He has a really soft touch, ball comes off his hand really pure.

His challenge has been the mental side and confidence. He tends to take ill advised shots, and lacks some consistency with little things like setting his feet squarely. He’s the kind of kid that can hit a 3 that looks like he can hit the next ten, then airball one. His handle is a little loose, in part due to his wingspan as his dribble sometimes feels far from his body. He does a bit too much staring on both ends rather than being consistently active. Hasn’t felt like the offense has clicked for him through last season as part of the orchestra. If he can get comfortable and confident on these things, tidey up, he will sky rocket. I’m really excited to see him this season.

So basically he was a normal freshman.

 

[ctbro1999]

I think most of this is right on. He has a little bit of Jerome Dyson in his game. He gets into the game by forcing things. I am hoping that more experience will translate into a better understanding of what the team needs from him.

I forget which game it was (either the Elite 8 game against Illinois or Final Four game against Alabama) but Solo was in the game late during mop-up time and he was trying his hardest to make Sportscenter's Top 10 plays as he attempted a poster dunk twice but was either blocked or missed it both times. LOL
He has freakish athleticism and skills...just needs for it to all come together between the ears.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

I forget which game it was (either the Elite 8 game against Illinois or Final Four game against Alabama) but Solo was in the game late during mop-up time and he was trying his hardest to make Sportscenter's Top 10 plays as he attempted a poster dunk twice but was either blocked or missed it both times. LOL
He has freakish athleticism and skills...just needs for it to all come together between the ears.

I wouldn’t put too much thought into a what a freshman was doing during garbage time minutes in a blowout.

Anybody, and I mean anybody including Andrew Hurley, is just thinking about getting buckets to be able to say they got in the stat sheet.

I’ve been saying this all summer that when he has a solidified and actual role he’ll look much better and play a lot more confident.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I forget which game it was (either the Elite 8 game against Illinois or Final Four game against Alabama) but Solo was in the game late during mop-up time and he was trying his hardest to make Sportscenter's Top 10 plays as he attempted a poster dunk twice but was either blocked or missed it both times. LOL
He has freakish athleticism and skills...just needs for it to all come together between the ears.

Just quoting your comment as it's representative of many similar ones about Solo in this thread and on the Yard since Solo's been here.

Without being at practice or in the locker room (which I think we all meet this criteria, unless there are staff or players posting on here incognito), we have no idea whether Solo was given the "green light" to try and go something amazing during his garbage time minutes, and/or instructed to "just shoot if you're open because you need to get more comfortable with in-game shooting"

My point is, many on here are saying he needs to "take smarter shots", "drive to the lane more", etc. When in reality, he may have just been doing what he was told/expected to do with his minutes at the time.

 

[ctbro1999]

Just quoting your comment as it's representative of many similar ones about Solo in this thread and on the Yard since Solo's been here.

Without being at practice or in the locker room (which I think we all meet this criteria, unless there are staff or players posting on here incognito), we have no idea whether Solo was given the "green light" to try and go something amazing during his garbage time minutes, and/or instructed to "just shoot if you're open because you need to get more comfortable with in-game shooting"

My point is, many on here are saying he needs to "take smarter shots", "drive to the lane more", etc. When in reality, he may have just been doing what he was told/expected to do with his minutes at the time.

I was in no way criticizing his shot choice or anything...I just found it funny he was trying to posterize the other team during those last few minutes. I'm sure he must have had the green light from Hurley, otherwise he wouldn't have tried it. Especially multiple times.

 

[Waquoit]

When in reality, he may have just been doing what he was told/expected to do with his minutes at the time.

I dunno, there were a couple of times where he looked like he was playing a different sheet of music than the others.

 

[dennismenace]

The starter at five will be split between Johnson & Reed and I think it will play out where the guy who starts the fewest if the two will still start eight to ten games this season. With Karaban at the four, there only three starting positions remaining. I'm not sayng that it will be a juggling match throughout the entire season, or that the guy who starts the bulk of the games at each position won't do so 25-30 times, but there will be a few games (3, 4. maybe 5) where that guy comes off the bench early.

Stewart, Ball and McNeeley should combine to start all games at the two and three. I highly doubt that there is a need to start one or two of them every game, and I imagine the staff will spend a lot of the earlier part of the season observing how well different combinations work.

What we end up seeng at PG will be dependent on how quickly Mahaney acclimates to this level of competition, how well Nowell develops as a freshman and how impactful Diarra can be as a starter. It would surprise me greatly if the season doesn't begin with Diarra as starting PG but it would surprise me further if there isn't a game or two where the staff doesn't experiment with Mahaney and Nowell starting.

Good take.

Diarra knows the system. Mahaney and Nowell are new to it. I think that Nowell will surprise a lot of people because of his physicality, speed and D. I am kind of wait and see if Mahaney has the physicality for the Big East to go along with his skillset. As noted above we just have a ton of talent and dogs. Somehow are staff will do their magic with this busload of good guys. Going to be interesting how it all works out.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Given his track record of walking the walk, I tend to believe him... What say you, fellow Huskies fan?

But it's scary to think we are not even getting to Liam, Alex, Diarra, Samson, J-Stew, Aidan, Tarris...

Ive said Solo is a kid that im not sure knows how good he is or can be. As far as J-Ro that is some big praise from DH who isnt a guy to throw around hyperbole about players. Lets see because we didnt see anything resembling a top 20 draft pick last season. Even as a frosh players show flashes. He did not.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I have always been high on Ross. All of this pre season talk is interesting. If we want a big guard to pair with Mahaney or Nowell I think Ross has a skill set that could translate to shooting guard. Solo should also be considered a big guard with his vertical and wingspan. There are just so many options with this team.

It will be fun to watch at the beginning of the year when we play weaker teams and Hurley can experiment with rotations.

Top 20 pick……..imagine if one of us would have even intimated that Ross might be a first round pick…….

 

[housekeys]

Certainly one of our greatest weapon the past 2 years was Clingan. Not his offense but his defense. Same with Castle. It is all good to talk about improvements in our players, but most posts are focusing on the offensive improvements. Great. It is certainly important. But the cliche's about defense are correct. The most impressive thing about our 30-0 run vs Illinois was not the 30 points scored during the span. We have done it before and other good teams can do that. It was the 0 points allowed during that span. So I believe replicating our teams defensive depth will be a key strength. Offensive depth is looking good. I DH W T.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Top 20 pick……..imagine if one of us would have even intimated that Ross might be a first round pick…….

If only

Post in thread 'Jayden Ross to UConn'
2023 Recruiting: - Jayden Ross to UConn

 

[Hunt for 7]

If only

Post in thread 'Jayden Ross to UConn'
2023 Recruiting: - Jayden Ross to UConn

That is why he looks like a guard on the floor it was his natural position. I love Stewart but his handle is not guard level. I have not seen enough of Liam to have an opinion. Whenever Ross got on the floor he looked more like a guard than Stewart at least to my eye.

I hope Hurley finds some minutes for him. Or I hope he earns those minutes. I just think he has a very high ceiling. His size, speed and handle are in line with next level wings or big guards. He was not shy about shooting and his stroke looked good.

Now that it is out there with Ross why not a late first rounder, we see Stewart being mocked late first round early second round before one game. I can see both Ross and Stewart having that same preseason rating next year going into their junior years.

Ball seems to be in position to get more minutes but Ross is getting attention. Their practices must be sick. More competitive than 75% of the games they will play this year. First five vs second five is like a top twenty match up and every day in practice.

How long until the first game…..

 

[444JR]

That is why he looks like a guard on the floor it was his natural position. I love Stewart but his handle is not guard level. I have not seen enough of Liam to have an opinion. Whenever Ross got on the floor he looked more like a guard than Stewart at least to my eye.

I hope Hurley finds some minutes for him. Or I hope he earns those minutes. I just think he has a very high ceiling. His size, speed and handle are in line with next level wings or big guards. He was not shy about shooting and his stroke looked good.

Now that it is out there with Ross why not a late first rounder, we see Stewart being mocked late first round early second round before one game. I can see both Ross and Stewart having that same preseason rating next year going into their junior years.

Ball seems to be in position to get more minutes but Ross is getting attention. Their practices must be sick. More competitive than 75% of the games they will play this year. First five vs second five is like a top twenty match up and every day in practice.

How long until the first game…..

I disagree with your assessment of Stewart's ball handling ability. I think he is able to handle the ball like a guard and he'll be playing in the NBA this time next year.

JStew was so bought in to his role last season, backing up Karaban at the 4, that he altered his game to suit the system. That is the mark of a high iq, highly skilled basketball player, focused on contributing whatever the team needs him to be. It was easy to tell early on how much manual thinking Stewart had to do to adjust his game to that role. He was a point forward and iso scoring threat his entire basketball career up until last year and showed some flashes of how well he can break down opponents with his handle and ability to impose himself physically.

Seems like a really humble kid that wants to do all the right things for his coach because he understands the opportunity this team has to be the best in the country every time they step on the court. We will see more of JStew's offensive repertoire once Hurley trusts his ability to be efficient as a playmaker and 3 level scorer.

Of course there's a chance that doesn't happen until Stewart's junior season, but if this team is going to reach the heights of the last two seasons, I think Karaban, McNeeley, and Stewart are all sure bets to be playing in the NBA this time next season, with guys like Diarra and Samson Johnson making NBA Summer League rosters and maybe even preseason training camps. Cannot wait to see the leap Samson takes if everything cerebrally starts to click on both ends of the floor.

 

[RuffRuff]

I disagree with your assessment of Stewart's ball handling ability. I think he is able to handle the ball like a guard and he'll be playing in the NBA this time next year.

JStew was so bought in to his role last season, backing up Karaban at the 4, that he altered his game to suit the system. That is the mark of a high iq, highly skilled basketball player, focused on contributing whatever the team needs him to be. It was easy to tell early on how much manual thinking Stewart had to do to adjust his game to that role. He was a point forward and iso scoring threat his entire basketball career up until last year and showed some flashes of how well he can break down opponents with his handle and ability to impose himself physically.

Seems like a really humble kid that wants to do all the right things for his coach because he understands the opportunity this team has to be the best in the country every time they step on the court. We will see more of JStew's offensive repertoire once Hurley trusts his ability to be efficient as a playmaker and 3 level scorer.

Of course there's a chance that doesn't happen until Stewart's junior season, but if this team is going to reach the heights of the last two seasons, I think Karaban, McNeeley, and Stewart are all sure bets to be playing in the NBA this time next season, with guys like Diarra and Samson Johnson making NBA Summer League rosters and maybe even preseason training camps. Cannot wait to see the leap Samson takes if everything cerebrally starts to click on both ends of the floor.

I’m asking in the most productive way possible, but what have you witnessed personally that gives you the confidence that Stewart will be in the NBA this time next year? Like which game? What are the plus NBA skills that he’s demonstrated that you’ve seen?

 

[Hunt for 7]

I disagree with your assessment of Stewart's ball handling ability. I think he is able to handle the ball like a guard and he'll be playing in the NBA this time next year.

JStew was so bought in to his role last season, backing up Karaban at the 4, that he altered his game to suit the system. That is the mark of a high iq, highly skilled basketball player, focused on contributing whatever the team needs him to be. It was easy to tell early on how much manual thinking Stewart had to do to adjust his game to that role. He was a point forward and iso scoring threat his entire basketball career up until last year and showed some flashes of how well he can break down opponents with his handle and ability to impose himself physically.

Seems like a really humble kid that wants to do all the right things for his coach because he understands the opportunity this team has to be the best in the country every time they step on the court. We will see more of JStew's offensive repertoire once Hurley trusts his ability to be efficient as a playmaker and 3 level scorer.

Of course there's a chance that doesn't happen until Stewart's junior season, but if this team is going to reach the heights of the last two seasons, I think Karaban, McNeeley, and Stewart are all sure bets to be playing in the NBA this time next season, with guys like Diarra and Samson Johnson making NBA Summer League rosters and maybe even preseason training camps. Cannot wait to see the leap Samson takes if everything cerebrally starts to click on both ends of the floor.

Really no issue but I see him playing more of a small forward position. He handles the ball really well but not like a guard. I think he slots is really nice as a big wing our rotation and possibly the next level. I just think from the limited views I have had that Ross looks to play more like a guard than Stewart.

 

[Fan1978]

I have always been high on Ross. All of this pre season talk is interesting. If we want a big guard to pair with Mahaney or Nowell I think Ross has a skill set that could translate to shooting guard. Solo should also be considered a big guard with his vertical and wingspan. There are just so many options with this team.

It will be fun to watch at the beginning of the year when we play weaker teams and Hurley can experiment with rotations.

Top 20 pick……..imagine if one of us would have even intimated that Ross might be a first round pick…….

The guy has size and stroke. Certainly possible after 4 years at Uconn