Quote from Hurley about Solo and Jayden

[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.

 

[Deleted at users request]

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 Dan Hurley 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 Dan Hurley W T.

 

[Deleted at users request]

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

 

[444JR]

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?

He was a freshman who got a late start with the team because his high school finished later. Then he picked up an injury in the summer that delayed his integration even more. A couple of factors that explain why it took him time to get up to speed, yet he finished the season as an important part of the 8 man rotation that may have been the most dominant team in the history of college basketball.

He’s got great size at 6’7, a dynamic athlete in terms of his fluidity, tons of skill with a deep bag of iso moves, and he’s shown himself to be a team first guy willing to simplify his game to fit the system.

Despite the slow start he was the only freshman besides #4 overall pick Stephon Castle to feature regularly down the stretch for a team that went 37-3 and dominated college basketball.

The guy hit three straight 3s in the BET championship game against a top 10 ranked opponent to break the game open.

We’ve seen enough sophomore(2nd year) leaps from guys under Hurley(Bouknight, Hawkins, Clingan, Newton) that I’m inclined to expect it again.

I watched 10+ full games of JStew with Seattle Rotary and Garfield HS and have seen what he can do as a first option playmaker and scorer.

From my pov, he’s got that quiet assassin approach to his game, much like Tristen Newton. Although he shows more emotion than TNew after big plays, so I think he’ll step up as another leader, culture setter, and on court extension of the coaching staff this season(which will help Karaban and Diarra in setting the tone for the new guys).

A lot of this can be said of Solo Ball too, but I view JStew’s game as more developed right now(having only seen very small sample sizes of their play this summer, I’m expecting leaps from both sophomores).


If you watch some of these highlights from his freshman year, I think there are plenty of instances that showcase his pro ready ability after getting his first full offseason of college basketball under his belt.

Skipping to the end of the video(start of the season), I think he had plays that showed his NBA level talent against lesser teams like
Arkansas Pine Bluff: very frustrating start to the game against a lesser team until JStew came in and made a couple plays off the dribble and a tough finish at the rim off a baseline inbound.
Manhattan: Showcases how well he understands spacing and moving off the ball despite being much more ball dominant in HS. Pure catch and shoot 3.
Northern Arizona: his finish in transition looked like something Jayson Tatum would do. Much lesser competition, but I’m trusting the eye test and Hurley’s ability to develop talent.

I’m making a prediction, so it’s not an exact science by any means.

 

[Deleted at users request]

He was a freshman who got a late start with the team because his high school finished later. Then he picked up an injury in the summer that delayed his integration even more. A couple of factors that explain why it took him time to get up to speed, yet he finished the season as an important part of the 8 man rotation that may have been the most dominant team in the history of college basketball.

He’s got great size at 6’7, a dynamic athlete in terms of his fluidity, tons of skill with a deep bag of iso moves, and he’s shown himself to be a team first guy willing to simplify his game to fit the system.

Despite the slow start he was the only freshman besides #4 overall pick Stephon Castle to feature regularly down the stretch for a team that went 37-3 and dominated college basketball.

The guy hit three straight 3s in the BET championship game against a top 10 ranked opponent to break the game open.

We’ve seen enough sophomore(2nd year) leaps from guys under Hurley(Bouknight, Hawkins, Clingan, Newton) that I’m inclined to expect it again.

I watched 10+ full games of JStew with Seattle Rotary and Garfield HS and have seen what he can do as a first option playmaker and scorer.

From my pov, he’s got that quiet assassin approach to his game, much like Tristen Newton. Although he shows more emotion than TNew after big plays, so I think he’ll step up as another leader, culture setter, and on court extension of the coaching staff this season(which will help Karaban and Diarra in setting the tone for the new guys).

A lot of this can be said of Solo Ball too, but I view JStew’s game as more developed right now(having only seen very small sample sizes of their play this summer, I’m expecting leaps from both sophomores).


If you watch some of these highlights from his freshman year, I think there are plenty of instances that showcase his pro ready ability after getting his first full offseason of college basketball under his belt.

Skipping to the end of the video(start of the season), I think he had plays that showed his NBA level talent against lesser teams like
Arkansas Pine Bluff: very frustrating start to the game against a lesser team until JStew came in and made a couple plays off the dribble and a tough finish at the rim off a baseline inbound.
Manhattan: Showcases how well he understands spacing and moving off the ball despite being much more ball dominant in HS. Pure catch and shoot 3.
Northern Arizona: his finish in transition looked like something Jayson Tatum would do. Much lesser competition, but I’m trusting the eye test and Hurley’s ability to develop talent.

I’m making a prediction, so it’s not an exact science by any means.

I agree. If the starting lineup rumors are true I can see 3-4 first rounders this year depending on where Karaban ends up.

 

[RuffRuff]

He was a freshman who got a late start with the team because his high school finished later. Then he picked up an injury in the summer that delayed his integration even more. A couple of factors that explain why it took him time to get up to speed, yet he finished the season as an important part of the 8 man rotation that may have been the most dominant team in the history of college basketball.

He’s got great size at 6’7, a dynamic athlete in terms of his fluidity, tons of skill with a deep bag of iso moves, and he’s shown himself to be a team first guy willing to simplify his game to fit the system.

Despite the slow start he was the only freshman besides #4 overall pick Stephon Castle to feature regularly down the stretch for a team that went 37-3 and dominated college basketball.

The guy hit three straight 3s in the BET championship game against a top 10 ranked opponent to break the game open.

We’ve seen enough sophomore(2nd year) leaps from guys under Hurley(Bouknight, Hawkins, Clingan, Newton) that I’m inclined to expect it again.

I watched 10+ full games of JStew with Seattle Rotary and Garfield HS and have seen what he can do as a first option playmaker and scorer.

From my pov, he’s got that quiet assassin approach to his game, much like Tristen Newton. Although he shows more emotion than TNew after big plays, so I think he’ll step up as another leader, culture setter, and on court extension of the coaching staff this season(which will help Karaban and Diarra in setting the tone for the new guys).

A lot of this can be said of Solo Ball too, but I view JStew’s game as more developed right now(having only seen very small sample sizes of their play this summer, I’m expecting leaps from both sophomores).


If you watch some of these highlights from his freshman year, I think there are plenty of instances that showcase his pro ready ability after getting his first full offseason of college basketball under his belt.

Skipping to the end of the video(start of the season), I think he had plays that showed his NBA level talent against lesser teams like
Arkansas Pine Bluff: very frustrating start to the game against a lesser team until JStew came in and made a couple plays off the dribble and a tough finish at the rim off a baseline inbound.
Manhattan: Showcases how well he understands spacing and moving off the ball despite being much more ball dominant in HS. Pure catch and shoot 3.
Northern Arizona: his finish in transition looked like something Jayson Tatum would do. Much lesser competition, but I’m trusting the eye test and Hurley’s ability to develop talent.

I’m making a prediction, so it’s not an exact science by any means.

Good share and I appreciate the context, and optimism. I know there are a few here that feel confident that he's got NBA potential this year. The few times I've looked at his stats over the year, and then clips, I just haven't seen enough to substantiate it. Not to say it's not there, just seems more of a flyer considerate of many variables than what he actually showed on the floor in game time. I've also recognized optimism can often generate easily during dominant run endorphins like this fanbase experienced last year .

I don't want to be the constant devil's advocate on this one, but a lot of the video is dunks & threes selected over his good moments. The counter is that he shot 20% from 3, and averaged 2 pts/1 rebound over almost 9 minutes a game. Not exactly indicative stats, so those confident are clearly pinpointing certain moments as being reflective of his upside.

Can't wait to see how it plays out, and hoping he does make that leap.

 

[Drame]

We lose 3 players at least year. Perhaps up to 6. I think Hurley may be trying to bring in 5 freshman for next year.

 

[IndyLives]

Our second 5 is a Top 20 team. UConn has never had this much depth.

 

[HailUConn]

I’m sold. There must be a ring of truth When Consigliere Tom is confirming Solo ball’s improvement…