Rahsool Diggins’ HS coach supporting UConn men’s basketball frosh

[HooperScooper]

“He’s starting to understand it,” said Mosco, who texts with Diggins frequently throughout the season. “He’s starting to work. He had a knee injury at the beginning, he was hurt for a couple of weeks. It’s always an adjustment. Then when you’ve got the older guys coming back, it’s hard to get the younger guys time. If you look, Villanova has a lot of talented freshmen not playing, also.”

According to Mosco, Diggins has at times been frustrated.

“In the beginning of the year he was,” the coach said. “He and Danny (Hurley) talked. Danny’s got to get the confidence in him, he’s got to get confidence in Danny. It’s a long process.”

“I’m just trying to keep him focused,” Mosco said. “Coming back (Saturday was) tough, because Villanova recruited him. But at ‘Nova, he wouldn’t have been playing. And this year, with everybody else coming back, it’s a tough sell for everybody.”

Rahsool Diggins’ HS coach supporting UConn men’s basketball frosh: ‘He’s starting to understand’

 

[Ts5034]

Interrsting quotes…Im done trying to make sense of the Diggins and Johnson situations. I guess we just have to trust Hurley when he insinuated they are just not ready to contribute.

 

[Huskybass]

Players want to play. I am still optimistic we will see some Diggins highlights. I'd love to see Cole play off the ball, even if it's next season.

 

[Ratso]

the minutes he plays is solid. danny has gotta relax

 

[navery12]

Not easy coming in and not playing. Glad his HS coach is approaching this reasonably and helping him through it.

 

[Umami Zen]

Sool in year 2 will be a junk yard dog.. All good

 

[gtcam]

Reading between the lines, I don't really like the sound of these statements
I really like Sool and hope he decides to stay but he has to do what is best for him
Let's see if he gets some burn in the upcoming games - that might tell us a lot.
The kid has a ton of talent - he can/should be getting P/T

 

[tcf15]

Just out of curiosity, here’s all freshman back to 1993-94 that averaged under 10 minutes a game:

2021-22: Rahsool Diggins (6.3), Samson Johnson (6.3)

2020-21: Javonte Brown (2.0)
2016-17: Juwan Durham (8.3)
2015-16: Steven Enoch (7.0)
2014-15: Rakim Lubin (6.5)
2013-14: Terrence Samuel (9.0)
2012-13: Leon Tolksdorf (7.4)
2010-11: Niels Giffey (9.9), Tyler Olander (9.6), Enosch Wolf (4.2)
2009-10: Darius Smith (4.5), Jamaal Trice (2.7)
2008-09: Scottie Haralson (4.1)
2007-08: Donnell Beverly (5.1)
2006-07: Curtis Kelly (9.4), Gavin Edwards (6.5), Jonathan Mandeldove (6.5), Ben Eaves (2.4)
2005-06: Marcus Johnson (8.9), Rob Garrison (8.9)
2001-02: Chad Wise (2.8)
2000-01: Robert Swain (3.9), Shamon Tooles (2.6)
1999-00: Marcus Cox (5.5), Doug Wrenn (7.0)
1997-98: Albert Mouring (2.1)
1996-97: Sam Funches (4.1), Michael LeBlanc (4.0)
1995-96: Antric Klaiber (5.7)
1994-95: Uri Cohen-Mintz (4.1), Ruslan Inyatkin (2.3)
1993-94: Kirk King (6.7), Marcus Thomas (1.8)

32 total players
9 played their entire careers at UConn
23 left/transferred elsewhere

Here’s hoping it works out at UConn for both of these guys.

 

[Kathy]

Just out of curiosity, here’s all freshman back to 1993-94 that averaged under 10 minutes a game:

2021-22: Rahsool Diggins (6.3), Samson Johnson (6.3)

2020-21: Javonte Brown (2.0)
2016-17: Juwan Durham (8.3)
2015-16: Steven Enoch (7.0)
2014-15: Rakim Lubin (6.5)
2013-14: Terrence Samuel (9.0)
2012-13: Leon Tolksdorf (7.4)
2010-11: Niels Giffey (9.9), Tyler Olander (9.6), Enosch Wolf (4.2)
2009-10: Darius Smith (4.5), Jamaal Trice (2.7)
2008-09: Scottie Haralson (4.1)
2007-08: Donnell Beverly (5.1)
2006-07: Curtis Kelly (9.4), Gavin Edwards (6.5), Jonathan Mandeldove (6.5), Ben Eaves (2.4)
2005-06: Marcus Johnson (8.9), Rob Garrison (8.9)
2001-02: Chad Wise (2.8)
2000-01: Robert Swain (3.9), Shamon Tooles (2.6)
1999-00: Marcus Cox (5.5), Doug Wrenn (7.0)
1997-98: Albert Mouring (2.1)
1996-97: Sam Funches (4.1), Michael LeBlanc (4.0)
1995-96: Antric Klaiber (5.7)
1994-95: Uri Cohen-Mintz (4.1), Ruslan Inyatkin (2.3)
1993-94: Kirk King (6.7), Marcus Thomas (1.8)

32 total players
9 played their entire careers at UConn
23 left/transferred elsewhere

Here’s hoping it works out at UConn for both of these guys.

Hard to use that unless you specify who they were playing behind. For example 93-94 - king was playing behind Donyell and Donny, Thomas was behind Ray, KO, sheffer and Brian fair. That's the information you need for context

 

[karstenkibbe]

Just out of curiosity, here’s all freshman back to 1993-94 that averaged under 10 minutes a game:

2021-22: Rahsool Diggins (6.3), Samson Johnson (6.3)

2020-21: Javonte Brown (2.0)
2016-17: Juwan Durham (8.3)
2015-16: Steven Enoch (7.0)
2014-15: Rakim Lubin (6.5)
2013-14: Terrence Samuel (9.0)
2012-13: Leon Tolksdorf (7.4)
2010-11: Niels Giffey (9.9), Tyler Olander (9.6), Enosch Wolf (4.2)
2009-10: Darius Smith (4.5), Jamaal Trice (2.7)
2008-09: Scottie Haralson (4.1)
2007-08: Donnell Beverly (5.1)
2006-07: Curtis Kelly (9.4), Gavin Edwards (6.5), Jonathan Mandeldove (6.5), Ben Eaves (2.4)
2005-06: Marcus Johnson (8.9), Rob Garrison (8.9)
2001-02: Chad Wise (2.8)
2000-01: Robert Swain (3.9), Shamon Tooles (2.6)
1999-00: Marcus Cox (5.5), Doug Wrenn (7.0)
1997-98: Albert Mouring (2.1)
1996-97: Sam Funches (4.1), Michael LeBlanc (4.0)
1995-96: Antric Klaiber (5.7)
1994-95: Uri Cohen-Mintz (4.1), Ruslan Inyatkin (2.3)
1993-94: Kirk King (6.7), Marcus Thomas (1.8)

32 total players
9 played their entire careers at UConn
23 left/transferred elsewhere

Here’s hoping it works out at UConn for both of these guys.

Yikes. Not a lot of great point guard comps there, but here’s wishing someone points out to him that Albie turned his freshman 2.1 mpg into a 1200+ point career at UConn.

 

[jrazz12]

Just out of curiosity, here’s all freshman back to 1993-94 that averaged under 10 minutes a game:

2021-22: Rahsool Diggins (6.3), Samson Johnson (6.3)

2020-21: Javonte Brown (2.0)
2016-17: Juwan Durham (8.3)
2015-16: Steven Enoch (7.0)
2014-15: Rakim Lubin (6.5)
2013-14: Terrence Samuel (9.0)
2012-13: Leon Tolksdorf (7.4)
2010-11: Niels Giffey (9.9), Tyler Olander (9.6), Enosch Wolf (4.2)
2009-10: Darius Smith (4.5), Jamaal Trice (2.7)
2008-09: Scottie Haralson (4.1)
2007-08: Donnell Beverly (5.1)
2006-07: Curtis Kelly (9.4), Gavin Edwards (6.5), Jonathan Mandeldove (6.5), Ben Eaves (2.4)
2005-06: Marcus Johnson (8.9), Rob Garrison (8.9)
2001-02: Chad Wise (2.8)
2000-01: Robert Swain (3.9), Shamon Tooles (2.6)
1999-00: Marcus Cox (5.5), Doug Wrenn (7.0)
1997-98: Albert Mouring (2.1)
1996-97: Sam Funches (4.1), Michael LeBlanc (4.0)
1995-96: Antric Klaiber (5.7)
1994-95: Uri Cohen-Mintz (4.1), Ruslan Inyatkin (2.3)
1993-94: Kirk King (6.7), Marcus Thomas (1.8)

32 total players
9 played their entire careers at UConn
23 left/transferred elsewhere

Here’s hoping it works out at UConn for both of these guys.

I was curious how 6.3 was calculated because that didn't sound accurate at all. But I guess it's just based on games played. 44 minutes/7 GP. In reality his number is 2.1 MPG because of all the DNP, not sure if the other years are calculated the same but that looks really bad.

 

[Husky Alien]

Reading between the lines, I don't really like the sound of these statements
I really like Sool and hope he decides to stay but he has to do what is best for him
Let's see if he gets some burn in the upcoming games - that might tell us a lot.
The kid has a ton of talent - he can/should be getting P/T

Be careful with what you wish for now. Next year different story.

 

[Fatroony5]

Just out of curiosity, here’s all freshman back to 1993-94 that averaged under 10 minutes a game:

2021-22: Rahsool Diggins (6.3), Samson Johnson (6.3)

2020-21: Javonte Brown (2.0)
2016-17: Juwan Durham (8.3)
2015-16: Steven Enoch (7.0)
2014-15: Rakim Lubin (6.5)
2013-14: Terrence Samuel (9.0)
2012-13: Leon Tolksdorf (7.4)
2010-11: Niels Giffey (9.9), Tyler Olander (9.6), Enosch Wolf (4.2)
2009-10: Darius Smith (4.5), Jamaal Trice (2.7)
2008-09: Scottie Haralson (4.1)
2007-08: Donnell Beverly (5.1)
2006-07: Curtis Kelly (9.4), Gavin Edwards (6.5), Jonathan Mandeldove (6.5), Ben Eaves (2.4)
2005-06: Marcus Johnson (8.9), Rob Garrison (8.9)
2001-02: Chad Wise (2.8)
2000-01: Robert Swain (3.9), Shamon Tooles (2.6)
1999-00: Marcus Cox (5.5), Doug Wrenn (7.0)
1997-98: Albert Mouring (2.1)
1996-97: Sam Funches (4.1), Michael LeBlanc (4.0)
1995-96: Antric Klaiber (5.7)
1994-95: Uri Cohen-Mintz (4.1), Ruslan Inyatkin (2.3)
1993-94: Kirk King (6.7), Marcus Thomas (1.8)

32 total players
9 played their entire careers at UConn
23 left/transferred elsewhere

Here’s hoping it works out at UConn for both of these guys.

Thanks for putting this together. Yikes at the list.

 

[karstenkibbe]

Just out of curiosity, here’s all freshman back to 1993-94 that averaged under 10 minutes a game:

2021-22: Rahsool Diggins (6.3), Samson Johnson (6.3)

2020-21: Javonte Brown (2.0)
2016-17: Juwan Durham (8.3)
2015-16: Steven Enoch (7.0)
2014-15: Rakim Lubin (6.5)
2013-14: Terrence Samuel (9.0)
2012-13: Leon Tolksdorf (7.4)
2010-11: Niels Giffey (9.9), Tyler Olander (9.6), Enosch Wolf (4.2)
2009-10: Darius Smith (4.5), Jamaal Trice (2.7)
2008-09: Scottie Haralson (4.1)
2007-08: Donnell Beverly (5.1)
2006-07: Curtis Kelly (9.4), Gavin Edwards (6.5), Jonathan Mandeldove (6.5), Ben Eaves (2.4)
2005-06: Marcus Johnson (8.9), Rob Garrison (8.9)
2001-02: Chad Wise (2.8)
2000-01: Robert Swain (3.9), Shamon Tooles (2.6)
1999-00: Marcus Cox (5.5), Doug Wrenn (7.0)
1997-98: Albert Mouring (2.1)
1996-97: Sam Funches (4.1), Michael LeBlanc (4.0)
1995-96: Antric Klaiber (5.7)
1994-95: Uri Cohen-Mintz (4.1), Ruslan Inyatkin (2.3)
1993-94: Kirk King (6.7), Marcus Thomas (1.8)

32 total players
9 played their entire careers at UConn
23 left/transferred elsewhere

Here’s hoping it works out at UConn for both of these guys.

Yikes. Not a lot of great point guard comps there, but here’s wishing someone points out to him that Albie turned his freshman 2.1 mpg into a 1200+ point career at UConn. I’d love to have a guy like Mouring on this current roster.

 

[Kemba15]

Just out of curiosity, here’s all freshman back to 1993-94 that averaged under 10 minutes a game:

2021-22: Rahsool Diggins (6.3), Samson Johnson (6.3)

2020-21: Javonte Brown (2.0)
2016-17: Juwan Durham (8.3)
2015-16: Steven Enoch (7.0)
2014-15: Rakim Lubin (6.5)
2013-14: Terrence Samuel (9.0)
2012-13: Leon Tolksdorf (7.4)
2010-11: Niels Giffey (9.9), Tyler Olander (9.6), Enosch Wolf (4.2)
2009-10: Darius Smith (4.5), Jamaal Trice (2.7)
2008-09: Scottie Haralson (4.1)
2007-08: Donnell Beverly (5.1)
2006-07: Curtis Kelly (9.4), Gavin Edwards (6.5), Jonathan Mandeldove (6.5), Ben Eaves (2.4)
2005-06: Marcus Johnson (8.9), Rob Garrison (8.9)
2001-02: Chad Wise (2.8)
2000-01: Robert Swain (3.9), Shamon Tooles (2.6)
1999-00: Marcus Cox (5.5), Doug Wrenn (7.0)
1997-98: Albert Mouring (2.1)
1996-97: Sam Funches (4.1), Michael LeBlanc (4.0)
1995-96: Antric Klaiber (5.7)
1994-95: Uri Cohen-Mintz (4.1), Ruslan Inyatkin (2.3)
1993-94: Kirk King (6.7), Marcus Thomas (1.8)

32 total players
9 played their entire careers at UConn
23 left/transferred elsewhere

Here’s hoping it works out at UConn for both of these guys.

Sheesh. Sool had offers from Nova and Kansas. We can’t afford to screw this up

 

[pj]

On that list, only Kirk King, Albert Mouring, and Niels Giffey became major contributors at UConn. A few were good elsewhere (Curtis Kelly, Juwan Durham, Steve Enoch). But that's an 80-90% failure rate.

I'm optimistic both Samson and Rahsool will be major contributors, but it's unusual for future contributors to play so little.

 

[Greedo]

I find it hard to believe that he isn’t good enough to get a little burn on this roster, but what do I know. I’m not seeing the practices. From the small amount of play we’ve seen I see a kid with a good handle that plays with a lot of jitters. He just hasn’t had enough game minutes to work those jitters out. His handle alone makes me want to see more of him, but again we haven’t seen enough to really know if he can hang at this level yet or not.

 

[navery12]

Have to remember there's a whole extra class of players on this year's roster compared to the past. I suspect those numbers of minutes would look a whole lot different if Whaley and Polley weren't on the roster

 

[Fatroony5]

On that list, only Kirk King, Albert Mouring, and Niels Giffey became major contributors at UConn. A few were good elsewhere (Juwan Durham, Steve Enoch). But that's an 80-90% failure rate.

I'm optimistic both Samson and Rahsool will be major contributors, but it's unusual for future contributors to play so little.

Part of that has to do with seniors returning too. Definitely had a trickle down effect… would have liked to see them get a little more run, at least Diggins anyway given the roster construction. We’ll see what happens.

 

[Giddyup5]

Samson would definitely be getting a lot more minutes if the Covid 5th year rule was not in place. Imagine no Polley or Whaley. Samson would be getting 15 a game.

That’s why comparing to other years is hard. This is a very unique year with the super seniors.

 

[ToolzieFan]

On that list, only Kirk King, Albert Mouring, and Niels Giffey became major contributors at UConn. A few were good elsewhere (Curtis Kelly, Juwan Durham, Steve Enoch). But that's an 80-90% failure rate.

I'm optimistic both Samson and Rahsool will be major contributors, but it's unusual for future contributors to play so little.

Gavin Edwards was also a major contributor during his senior year, as well as a solid bench player on the 2009 Final Four team. He certainly had a bigger impact at UConn than the more heralded Kelly, although Kelly was fine at Kansas State.

Your overall point stands, though. I’m still optimistic about Diggins and Johnson.

 

[Fantana]

Niels, Olander and King all played significantly more min since those min/game do not take into account DNPs. Heck Niels and Tyler started a bunch as freshman. The only players on that list who stayed who played as little (in terms of total min) as the current two frosh were Mouring, and Shamon Tooles.

 

[superjohn]

On that list, only Kirk King, Albert Mouring, and Niels Giffey became major contributors at UConn. A few were good elsewhere (Curtis Kelly, Juwan Durham, Steve Enoch). But that's an 80-90% failure rate.

I'm optimistic both Samson and Rahsool will be major contributors, but it's unusual for future contributors to play so little.

I would certainly hope they'll he major contributors, Hurley has talked about Samson being a future lottery pick.

 

[superjohn]

Have to remember there's a whole extra class of players on this year's roster compared to the past. I suspect those numbers of minutes would look a whole lot different if Whaley and Polley weren't on the roster

I can understand it a bit with Samson because of Sanogo and Whaley in front of him and a couple guys who can slide to the four when we go small but he still should've gotten more minutes in the early going. Diggins I don't understand at all, we don't have a backup point guard and Gaffney has played a ton of minutes here playing every game of his career.

Hurley made a huge mistake in roster construction this offseason thinking Gaff would be the guy and not bringing in one or two transfers at guard and he's doubling down on it not giving Diggins minutes. You have to be able to live with freshman mistakes when your veteran is giving you nothing. Gaff is a really nice kid and he's trying so I don't mean to disparage him but this is big boy college basketball and his play doesn't even come close to cutting it and it's put a tremendous burden on Cole. Gaffney is averaging 5 ppg on the season 33% fg and 29% from the three. Over his last 12 games he's averaging 2.8 ppg and 0% from three.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Interrsting quotes…Im done trying to make sense of the Diggins and Johnson situations. I guess we just have to trust Hurley when he insinuated they are just not ready to contribute.

In the little ive seen Diggins he doesnt look at all ready. Johnson either but he seems to be coming along. Gave us some minutes against Nova but hes clearly not ready to contribute. Hope both of them trust the process and really blossom here.

 

[navery12]

I can understand it a bit with Samson because of Sanogo and Whaley in front of him and a couple guys who can slide to the four when we go small but he still should've gotten more minutes in the early going. Diggins I don't understand at all, we don't have a backup point guard and Gaffney has played a ton of minutes here playing every game of his career.

Hurley made a huge mistake in roster construction this offseason thinking Gaff would be the guy and not bringing in one or two transfers at guard and he's doubling down on it not giving Diggins minutes. You have to be able to live with freshman mistakes when your veteran is giving you nothing. Gaff is a really nice kid and he's trying so I don't mean to disparage him but this is big boy college basketball and his play doesn't even come close to cutting it and it's put a tremendous burden on Cole. Gaffney is averaging 5 ppg on the season 33% fg and 29% from the three. Over his last 12 games he's averaging 2.8 ppg and 0% from three.

Diggins would be playing more if Polley was gone, that would open up another 20 minutes a game for Martin and Jackson to be playing in their correct role as a 3. Gaffney certainly hasn't earned those minutes at the 2 so that's where I think Diggins playing time would come from.

I don't disagree that Hurley made a big mistake thinking he could count on Gaffney, we'd be a much better team with a legit 2nd ball handler on the team to play next to Cole and give him breathers. But Gaffney has barely been playing the past month after Hurley called him out publicly. He's down to around 9 minutes a game and I guess those minutes could be going to Diggins, but at this point there's not much to suggest he should be doing that other than blind hope. Just because he didn't make the adjustment people here wanted when cutting Gaff's minutes (playing Diggins) doesn't mean the adjustment wasn't made (more Jackson as a point forward while Cole sits).

 

[Northbound]

These guys have to get more run early on - they got no action early and now they get in a game at any point are like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs - jittery and frenetic.

 

[JB75]

These guys have to get more run early on - they got no action early and now they get in a game at any point are like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs - jittery and frenetic.

Like I said numerous times- Hurley had the Chance to play diggins Johnson and springs in that 3 game stretch agsinst the cupcakes after the Bahamas to get thier feet wet and to see what they have. For some mystifying reason, he chose to give gaffney extra minutes and give those guys nothing. Like a previous poster stated, I get having a hard time finding Johnson minutes due to the logjam, but why in the world diggings didnt even get a sip of playing time is one of the bigger head scratchers in a while with this program.

 

[bendm]

Hard to use that unless you specify who they were playing behind. For example 93-94 - king was playing behind Donyell and Donny, Thomas was behind Ray, KO, sheffer and Brian fair. That's the information you need for context

Not really. The list goes back 30 years and the fact that only 2 or 3 of the guys on it became major players while at UConn is the takeaway.

Likewise, I’m sure a list of all the freshmen that averaged more than 10mpg over the past 30 years would be almost entirely filled with stars

 

[Watchdog]

I think the more important issue is the point guards' minutes for the players not listed.

Just out of curiosity, here’s all freshman back to 1993-94 that averaged under 10 minutes a game:

2021-22: Rahsool Diggins (6.3), Samson Johnson (6.3)

2020-21: Javonte Brown (2.0)
2016-17: Juwan Durham (8.3)
2015-16: Steven Enoch (7.0)
2014-15: Rakim Lubin (6.5)
2013-14: Terrence Samuel (9.0)
2012-13: Leon Tolksdorf (7.4)
2010-11: Niels Giffey (9.9), Tyler Olander (9.6), Enosch Wolf (4.2)
2009-10: Darius Smith (4.5), Jamaal Trice (2.7)
2008-09: Scottie Haralson (4.1)
2007-08: Donnell Beverly (5.1)
2006-07: Curtis Kelly (9.4), Gavin Edwards (6.5), Jonathan Mandeldove (6.5), Ben Eaves (2.4)
2005-06: Marcus Johnson (8.9), Rob Garrison (8.9)
2001-02: Chad Wise (2.8)
2000-01: Robert Swain (3.9), Shamon Tooles (2.6)
1999-00: Marcus Cox (5.5), Doug Wrenn (7.0)
1997-98: Albert Mouring (2.1)
1996-97: Sam Funches (4.1), Michael LeBlanc (4.0)
1995-96: Antric Klaiber (5.7)
1994-95: Uri Cohen-Mintz (4.1), Ruslan Inyatkin (2.3)
1993-94: Kirk King (6.7), Marcus Thomas (1.8)

32 total players
9 played their entire careers at UConn
23 left/transferred elsewhere

Here’s hoping it works out at UConn for both of these guys

I think the more important issue is the names of the point guards and forwards not listed, as well as the strengths of the rosters they were on compared to this year's team.

Without going too deeply with too many comparisons let's just look at Craig Austrie and Jeff Adrien compared to the much more highly touted RD and SJ. Their 2005-06 team won the Big East and ended up #2 in the final AP poll.

We've had point guards like KEA, TB, KW, SN, and RB, who aren't on this list because they played a lot of minutes and were on championship teams, but there's also Craig Austrie who played 561 minutes as a freshman (16.5 minutes per game).

Since Dan Hurley said SJ would be a lottery pick and have his number on the wall in Gampel, when does Jeff Adrien's jersey go up? He played 543 minutes as a freshman.

I know you can't just compare two years' rosters and make assumptions, but it's difficult to accept that RD and SJ who were so highly rated couldn't find minutes on a roster much less impressive than the ones on which Austrie and Adrien played so many minutes as freshmen.