Rank Our Players
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OkaForPrez
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Its a way of flushing out the makeup of the team. I was never the best player on any team I ever played on, I wasn't so naive to think so, it didn't make me feel less important to the team. These guys have been at this a long time, if they are reading the boneyard, and I doubt they are, I really think the wouldn't give a rats ass about what a bunch of armchair quarterbacks thought about them.
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This is an extremely tough exercise, because honestly, any of our top six could be #1 and I wouldn't be surprised. I'll give it a try...
1. Hamilton - I've already spilled thousands of words on him, but I'll make it simple: 13 players were ranked ahead of him in the class of 2014. Only one of them is playing college basketball next season.
2. Miller - Dominant defensive rebounder, can guard 1-5, can operate in the middle of a zone, space the floor with mid-range jumpers...oh, and he shoots 83% at the foul line.
3. Gibbs - Might be #1 if he were a better defender. Without his shooting, it would be difficult to envision us constructing a championship level offense.
4. Brimah - He's probably #1 - in terms of value - if we made this list last year, and I wouldn't object to anybody ranking him #1 this year. However, I think the potential to install Miller as a small ball five makes him slightly less vital.
5. Adams - His emergence as a secondary facilitator will be crucial, and will allow Gibbs to work off the ball more.
6. Purvis - Real wild card. If he's the player he was in the final eight he could win AAC POY. If he's the player he was before that, he'll sit crunch time.
7. Facey - I see him playing spot minutes at center this season. I think people are sleeping on him - he can do some things defensively (switching onto the perimeter) that make him extremely valuable as the first big off the bench, and he's more polished offensively than people realize.
8. Omar/Cassell - One of these guys is going to play minutes and the other isn't. It's probably as simple as who makes shots. Cassell adds more as a ball-handler/passer, Omar is more valuable as a slasher.
9. Nolan - He'll be better than he was last year, when he played injured. He's an important piece to have because he knows the schemes and because of AB's inevitable foul trouble.
10. Enoch - Don't see him playing many minutes.
1. Hamilton - I've already spilled thousands of words on him, but I'll make it simple: 13 players were ranked ahead of him in the class of 2014. Only one of them is playing college basketball next season.
2. Miller - Dominant defensive rebounder, can guard 1-5, can operate in the middle of a zone, space the floor with mid-range jumpers...oh, and he shoots 83% at the foul line.
3. Gibbs - Might be #1 if he were a better defender. Without his shooting, it would be difficult to envision us constructing a championship level offense.
4. Brimah - He's probably #1 - in terms of value - if we made this list last year, and I wouldn't object to anybody ranking him #1 this year. However, I think the potential to install Miller as a small ball five makes him slightly less vital.
5. Adams - His emergence as a secondary facilitator will be crucial, and will allow Gibbs to work off the ball more.
6. Purvis - Real wild card. If he's the player he was in the final eight he could win AAC POY. If he's the player he was before that, he'll sit crunch time.
7. Facey - I see him playing spot minutes at center this season. I think people are sleeping on him - he can do some things defensively (switching onto the perimeter) that make him extremely valuable as the first big off the bench, and he's more polished offensively than people realize.
8. Omar/Cassell - One of these guys is going to play minutes and the other isn't. It's probably as simple as who makes shots. Cassell adds more as a ball-handler/passer, Omar is more valuable as a slasher.
9. Nolan - He'll be better than he was last year, when he played injured. He's an important piece to have because he knows the schemes and because of AB's inevitable foul trouble.
10. Enoch - Don't see him playing many minutes.
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Ranking based most impact on total number of Ws. In other words, take him off the team and how do we do?
Brimah
Hamilton
Gibbs
Adams
Miller
Purvis
Facey
Nolan
Calhoun
Enoch
Cassell
Logic goes like this - Brimah is the rim protector and will, hopefully, be able to give us 10 PPG and 8 RPG. Will make a big difference on the overall D by forcing opponent guards to stay out of the paint. Worth 5-10 PPG in scoring differential just being out there.
Hamilton is a close second. Does it all and will force 100% attention from 1 defender, and draw others. Everybody prospers. The Brimah DHam connection is worth 6 a game, on an off day.
Gibbs will shoot lights out and open the floor for DHam. Experience and ball handling will open the floor in general. Everybody prospers.
Adams will be a critical ball handler. Can't win with just 1 ball handler (ask 06). Will open the floor up.
Miller fill the role of workhorse in the paint. Gobbles up rebounds and defends their 2nd big. Will be the glue guy in the middle for the team.
Purvis will be a scoring spark plug, but scoring is not a weak spot for this team.
Facey will be an important rebounding big off the bench.
Nolan will be his usual serviceable self.
Calhoun, Enoch, Cassell will all be spot players.
Brimah
Hamilton
Gibbs
Adams
Miller
Purvis
Facey
Nolan
Calhoun
Enoch
Cassell
Logic goes like this - Brimah is the rim protector and will, hopefully, be able to give us 10 PPG and 8 RPG. Will make a big difference on the overall D by forcing opponent guards to stay out of the paint. Worth 5-10 PPG in scoring differential just being out there.
Hamilton is a close second. Does it all and will force 100% attention from 1 defender, and draw others. Everybody prospers. The Brimah DHam connection is worth 6 a game, on an off day.
Gibbs will shoot lights out and open the floor for DHam. Experience and ball handling will open the floor in general. Everybody prospers.
Adams will be a critical ball handler. Can't win with just 1 ball handler (ask 06). Will open the floor up.
Miller fill the role of workhorse in the paint. Gobbles up rebounds and defends their 2nd big. Will be the glue guy in the middle for the team.
Purvis will be a scoring spark plug, but scoring is not a weak spot for this team.
Facey will be an important rebounding big off the bench.
Nolan will be his usual serviceable self.
Calhoun, Enoch, Cassell will all be spot players.
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1. Hamilton will be our best all around player
2. Purvis will be our leading scorer
3. Gibbs will stir the drink
4. Adams will be Kemba, circa-2009
5. Brimah will continue to block shots and may make me look stupid for putting him here
6. Miller will be a KFree type stabilizing force on the boards while keeping defenses honest
The others are all wildcards.
2. Purvis will be our leading scorer
3. Gibbs will stir the drink
4. Adams will be Kemba, circa-2009
5. Brimah will continue to block shots and may make me look stupid for putting him here
6. Miller will be a KFree type stabilizing force on the boards while keeping defenses honest
The others are all wildcards.
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or motivate the players to climb the Boneyard official player rankings during the season. So when the thread is re-visited in April 2016 the players can take pride in knowing that the revised rankings have them higher than preseason . These are just preseason player rankings. ESPN, CBS, Sporting News, SI and BR ect ect..do not have the same talent pool as the BY to engage in this type of intellectual gymnastics. So please participate and make your vote count. Thank you and good day.
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1.Purvis
2.DHam
3.Gibbs
4.Brimah
5.Adams
6.Miller
7.Omar
8.Facey
9.Cassell
10.Nolan
I think Purvis puts it together this year and I still believe he is our most talented player. I think Purvis could go for something like 18 4 and 4 this year with Hamilton around 13 5 and 5 not a big difference but I'll take Purvis by a hair. I'd take Purvis and DHam against pretty much any wing pairing we've ever had.
2.DHam
3.Gibbs
4.Brimah
5.Adams
6.Miller
7.Omar
8.Facey
9.Cassell
10.Nolan
I think Purvis puts it together this year and I still believe he is our most talented player. I think Purvis could go for something like 18 4 and 4 this year with Hamilton around 13 5 and 5 not a big difference but I'll take Purvis by a hair. I'd take Purvis and DHam against pretty much any wing pairing we've ever had.
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If Purvis is our best player then I think this is a final four / national championship caliber team. We know we are going to get a very good year from Gibbs based off what he did last year. I'm also very optimistic DHam will continue to grow and have a very good year. if Purvis is playing ahead of them, and I think he is capable of it, then we will have a very good team.
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1. Gibbs
2. Brimah
3. Hamilton
4. Adams
5. Purvis
6. Miller
7. Facey
8. Cassell
9. Omar
10. Nolan
11. Enoch
I truly believe Enoch will be a beast for the huskies one day but this is not the year. He's kind of a project and needs time to grow. Give him a year or two.
2. Brimah
3. Hamilton
4. Adams
5. Purvis
6. Miller
7. Facey
8. Cassell
9. Omar
10. Nolan
11. Enoch
I truly believe Enoch will be a beast for the huskies one day but this is not the year. He's kind of a project and needs time to grow. Give him a year or two.
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Dude, there is virtually no way this happens, and I'll bet my house against it.
He scored 8 and then 11 ppg in his first two years.
He had 2.4 rebounds and 1.2/1.3 assists in his first two years.
There is zero chance he adds 7 pts per game, doubles his rebounding, and triples his assists. He is a scorer, pure and simple, and he hasn't, and won't, bring much more than that.
And that's OKAY. We need Purvis to spot score and to play at least good D, and not bone head TOs.
With Gibbs, Hamilton, and Adams, we have a much better scoring team, and, if anything, his offense will be less required, not more.
When you throw in that his FT shooting is awful, I see our crunch time lineup as Gibbs/Adams/DHam/Brimah/Miller.
Once again, however, I believe that too much is being expected of this young man. I'll be very happy to ee him get 12/2/2 with a reduction of 1 or 2 bone head plays a game.
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Purvis averaged over 17ppg in March, and scored somewhere between 13-15 from 2/1 on (16 games).
I wouldn't put money on him averaging 18ppg, but I'm of the belief that something clicked for the kid, and that the injuries hurt him early.
I would put 14ppg as the floor, and say he'll be closer to 16-17ppg. He's our most explosive athlete, he shot well from range, and if he starts actually making his FTs he's going to get a ton of buckets.
As for your points about assists and rebounds...yeah, I'm with you on that.
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Obviously there's no way Purvis is going to reach those numbers, but you're the same guy that has Brimah averaging 8 rebounds a game which is probably even more ridiculous.
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I can't remember exactly where(I believe it was a michigan site), but someone checked the synergy stats on Miller and he was a below average midrange jump shooter last year. I don't think that's really his game.
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My rankings may differ a bit (not much) but as usual a good read. Thank you for adding great insight. Everyone in the state of CT is waiting for Part2 of the 2015-16 UConn season preview. Not surprised at all by your ranking. The Gibbs vs. Hamilton choice is as tough as deciding between Jessica Alba in her prime vs. Monica Bellucci. Tough call...
Love Miller also in the top 3 coming in at #2. Not sure whether I would put him #2 but def strong consideration!
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Keeping in mind that this list is based on value and impact, I tried to think about how opposing coaches would prioritize their team's focus, and which of our players would take up an opposing coach's most planning time, both on the offensive and defensive end. So perhaps this is less about pure talent, and more about how important each player is to wins and losses this year.
So here's my list:
1. Gibbs -- Likely first team AAC, likely our leading scorer, with the ball in his hands most of the time.
2. Brimah -- Should come into his own on the offensive end this year, and will keep opposing coaches up at night on defense.
3. Hamilton -- Should take a leap in production, after what was already a great freshman year. Can hurt you in a variety of ways.
4. Purvis -- Seemed to put it together at the end of last year, and will likely be our leading scorer in games where Gibbs is not.
5. Miller -- His talent is significant, and he has versatility, but he falls here because I doubt opposing coaches will game plan him like 1-4.
6. Adams -- Talented, but still a freshman. Will undoubtedly have his ups and downs. If it "clicks" for him, he could move up this list.
7. Facey -- Our first big off the bench. Has shown promise, and should improve to become an important role player.
8. Calhoun -- He has the talent to contribute (his freshman year proves that), but until he gains consistency will not be a huge factor.
9. Cassell -- Should be better than last year, but should still only see reserve minutes most nights
10. Nolan -- Good for a charge or two, and will see some non-garbage time minutes, but that's it.
11. Enoch -- I doubt he'll see much of the floor this year, even though he has a chance to be a contributor in future years.
So here's my list:
1. Gibbs -- Likely first team AAC, likely our leading scorer, with the ball in his hands most of the time.
2. Brimah -- Should come into his own on the offensive end this year, and will keep opposing coaches up at night on defense.
3. Hamilton -- Should take a leap in production, after what was already a great freshman year. Can hurt you in a variety of ways.
4. Purvis -- Seemed to put it together at the end of last year, and will likely be our leading scorer in games where Gibbs is not.
5. Miller -- His talent is significant, and he has versatility, but he falls here because I doubt opposing coaches will game plan him like 1-4.
6. Adams -- Talented, but still a freshman. Will undoubtedly have his ups and downs. If it "clicks" for him, he could move up this list.
7. Facey -- Our first big off the bench. Has shown promise, and should improve to become an important role player.
8. Calhoun -- He has the talent to contribute (his freshman year proves that), but until he gains consistency will not be a huge factor.
9. Cassell -- Should be better than last year, but should still only see reserve minutes most nights
10. Nolan -- Good for a charge or two, and will see some non-garbage time minutes, but that's it.
11. Enoch -- I doubt he'll see much of the floor this year, even though he has a chance to be a contributor in future years.
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That could be, but I guess I assumed he'd be at least a viable midrange jump shooter given the following: 1) He shot a respectable 50% from two at Cornell last year. 2.) He was the #1 option, and so, I would imagine that with every easy shot he took, he took another contested one. 3.) He shot 83% from the line, which tends to be a good indicator of somebody who can hit intermediate shots with time and space (which he should have a lot more of).
If the synergy numbers prove me wrong I'll be willing to concede the point, I'd just be interested in taking a closer look at his shot type (i.e., how many were catch and shoot vs. off the dribble, how many were contested vs. uncontested, etc.) before I give up on him having an Adrien like impact.
Agree with everything you wrote. Something did click for Purv. The guy slashing into the lane and scoring in the conference tournament was an entirely different player from the guy who would drive and throw the ball up for grabs early and mid-year. He also closed the regular season on a 4 game 15-19 run at the foul line. He may never be an 80% guy but I'm optimistic that he'll be in the 70's this year.
Even if people aren't as bullish on Purvis' offense, I don't see how he'll be the odd man out at crunch time. You have to play defense at crunch time too. By the end of the year he had turned into a pretty solid defender, and I think his physicality and athleticism will make him the #1 option to stick the opponent's best non-big scorer down the stretch.
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Yeah, I'm of the mind that if Adams is pushing someone out of the lineup at crunch time, it's going to be one of our bigs. I know that's not popular, but Hamilton can ball, Gibbs is going to be our leading baller, and I think we're going to see March Purvis most of the year.
I think this is going to be a faster, higher scorer team than we've seen in a few years, and one that will have some multiple options.
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You guys pretty much covered it. Purvis is not a well-rounded basketball player -- he may score, but he won't contribute much else. He might not average more than 4 rebounds and assists combined. That said, if he can be an efficient scorer at the 2/3 and avoid hurting us in other ways, that will be a big boost.
Hamilton rebounds and passes exceptionally well for a 3, which makes up for Purvis's deficiencies. Miller is also a versatile guy at the 4 who is both a rebounding machine and unafraid to shoot or drive to the hole.
I actually think one of Purvis or Brimah will be on the bench at crunch time, depending on whether we want to go big or small.
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Purvis is a good defender, and he can easily transition between SG and SF.
That versatility is extremely valuable these days as positions continue to mean less and less.
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1 - Brimah
2 - DHam
3 - Gibbs
4 - Purvis
5 - Miller
6 - Adams
7 - Omar
8 - Facey
9 - Nolan
10 - Enoch
11 - Cassell
2 - DHam
3 - Gibbs
4 - Purvis
5 - Miller
6 - Adams
7 - Omar
8 - Facey
9 - Nolan
10 - Enoch
11 - Cassell
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Here's the article. Unfortunately it doesn't give exact numbers, so it's not entirely helpful, but it does say that he's more efficient in post up situations rather than face-up or catch and shoot jumpers of any kind.
The most impressive stat about Miller to me is that Cornell went 13-18 with him in 2013, 2-26 without him in 2014, and then 13-17 with him again in 2015. Cornell's defense was 250th in KenPom in 2014 and 80th last year. He's clearly a very useful defensive player at the very least.
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Based on what?
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Fail.
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1. Gibbs
2. Purvis
3. Hamilton
4. Brimah
5. Miller
6. Adams
7. Enoch
8. Omar
9. Facey
Top six are all quality players and I could almost see any of them break out to the top of the pack.
2. Purvis
3. Hamilton
4. Brimah
5. Miller
6. Adams
7. Enoch
8. Omar
9. Facey
Top six are all quality players and I could almost see any of them break out to the top of the pack.
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Larrier has to sit out this year as transfer. He can only participate in practice. I guess it could be said he might still be a very valuable player playing high-level in practice making the rest of our players better.
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