Reibe and Furphy at FIBA U19s

[k-walk]

Given that playing backup center is Koroma's role, I would suggest they are looking for a 4th big if they are still looking for bigs.

However you want to look at it the staff is looking for another big

 

[Huskyforlife]

In theory that would be great. But anyone willing to accept being 3rd on the depth chart and get maybe 50 minutes all season is likely not better than Alex Karaban or Dwayne Koroma, so I just don't see it

I’m not convinced those guys are better at the center position than our hypothetical 6’10+ raw prospect.

They’re better basketball players in a vacuum, but are they better at traditional center responsibilities? No.

Maybe Koroma because he played center at the lowest possible level already, but he’s getting eaten alive by any Big East center with a pulse. I think he profiles as a pure 4 going up multiple levels.

But again, I think they are looking for that particular piece, and it’s possible they won’t find it. That’s why it’s taking so long.

 

[navery12]

I’m not convinced those guys are better at the center position than our hypothetical 6’10+ raw prospect.

They’re better basketball players in a vacuum, but are they better at traditional center responsibilities? No.

Maybe Koroma because he played center at the lowest possible level already, but he’s getting eaten alive by any Big East center with a pulse. I think he profiles as a pure 4 going up multiple levels.

But again, I think they are looking for that particular piece, and it’s possible they won’t find it. That’s why it’s taking so long.

I think that's the case, and I don't think it's particularly close. They might not be traditional centers but I think you are severely overrating the level of player willing to accept 1-2 minutes a game over the course of a season like our 3rd center gets

I would 100% rather have Koroma at C than a raw prospect, because it's the only way he's getting on the court. Or I would rather have Karaban get those minutes at C and let Ross get a handful of minutes on the court because that's likely his only path to minutes as well.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I think that's the case, and I don't think it's particularly close. They might not be traditional centers but I think you are severely overrating the level of player willing to accept 1-2 minutes a game over the course of a season like our 3rd center gets

I would 100% rather have Koroma at C than a raw prospect, because it's the only way he's getting on the court. Or I would rather have Karaban get those minutes at C and let Ross get a handful of minutes on the court because that's likely his only path to minutes as well.

You might be right that the player doesn’t exist, we surely haven’t found him yet. But I think it’s noteworthy that they haven’t given up the search for more than a warm body.

But i also would argue that every top team has third stringers at all positions. We have it with Millinder, Ross, and Koroma at the point/wing/forward respectably. Did those guys sign on for this season with a promise of playing time? I don’t think so.

 

[navery12]

You might be right that the player doesn’t exist, we surely haven’t found him yet. But I think it’s noteworthy that they haven’t given up the search for more than a warm body.

But i also would argue that every top team has third stringers at all positions. We have it with Millinder, Ross, and Koroma at the point/wing/forward respectably. Did those guys sign on for this season with a promise of playing time? I don’t think so.

They did not sign on with a promise of playing time, but with the exception of Ross they both have a much clearer path to playing time than anyone new coming in. And Ross is a clear outlier with his brother here

 

[jibsey]

We don’t need a third center especially if they are not going to be decent. We have enough high quality skilled players to go small. By that I mean Stew and Alex who we saw do it in the tourney.

 

[Ricker]

I do think Alex can hold the fort in the post. My issue with him is risking fouls. I do think Koroma is an adequate answer in the post for short minutes against most teams on our schedule. But, it is just unarguable that Okafor missed games, Sanogo missed games, and Clingan missed games. It happens. As the team is configured, I think we are at risk if Reed misses games against teams with strength is the post. With a bonafide chance to win it all, I just think we should want that last guy. If we can recruit a 3rd point guard, I don't see the impossibility of a 3rd center. We always have the option of going small. Why would we want that to be our only option? I'm not really trying to change minds or win a debate, just stating my view. A lower cost statistically unproven but physical guy like Papa Kante would have been a good choice for me, but he has returned to Pitt. There are centers without a home but I've got no opinion as to any names that would be good prospects. If there is no guy out there, and no late summer 2026 reclasses, then the discussion in moot anyway.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

Why does the double bigs thing pop up every year?

We don’t have the depth at the 5 and we have enough at the 4 where this makes zero sense.

Didn't work for Clemson way back when, did it? Thanks Scott & Tate!!
You're spot on about the depth. Would it be interesting to see, sure, but we can't afford 2 guys that play the center spot getting fouls at the same time. People seem to forget us having AK at the 5 a few times and Singare's occasional sighting.

 

[DRBackup]

FWIW, the Olympics were meant to celebrate the athlete, no matter the country of origin. Making it mostly about the country began in 1936.

So, only a century or so...

 

[REB1094]

What centers are available in the transfer portal who would be willing to ride the bench for 50% of the games and get 1-5 minutes in the other 50%?

 

[DRBackup]

Stylistically it can actually work this season as opposed to Sanogo/Clingan, Clingan/Johnson, etc. Not saying there'll be a ton of double big, but rather used here and there. Reibe's skillset is the difference this time around.

How do you figure ???

 

[Scottzer]

What centers are available in the transfer portal who would be willing to ride the bench for 50% of the games and get 1-5 minutes in the other 50%?

Exactly. What (rather talented) player wants to decrease their NIL by riding the bench as a third stringer? Bigs command big money In the portal. (I know you get this, but I don’t understand how others don’t). The days of 2004 with 4 really good bigs are over. And, even in that season, if an injury occurred at the wrong time, you’re not advancing anyway. It’s not like we would have beaten Duke if Okafor wasn’t healthy.

 

[Lafayette]

Exactly. What (rather talented) player wants to decrease their NIL by riding the bench as a third stringer? Bigs command big money In the portal. (I know you get this, but I don’t understand how others don’t). The days of 2004 with 4 really good bigs are over. And, even in that season, if an injury occurred at the wrong time, you’re not advancing anyway. It’s not like we would have beaten Duke if Okafor wasn’t healthy.

Bigs that have game do, but Singare is a big...not sure how much NIL love he's now getting.

We have heard thru coaches they want no "big minutes" guys which means Alex is not going to be a 38-40 minute players - the risk of injury is too great. So we will see Stewart at the 4 and Koroma at the 4. And unless Jayden Ross puts on 40 more lbs of muscle, he is not at the 4.

For our C - Tarris is the starter for sure; Reibe will get minutes. Geez, a year ago Samson Johnson was our starting C and he could barely rebound, had no back down game at all, and was great at one thing: dunking. He was allergic to he paint on defense yet he was our 6'10" starter. Reibe is a much more polished version of Johnson...can shoot from 3, can handle the rock, pass and block. If Tarris is injured we have Reibe there..maybe Alex in a pinch or Koroma. But I can see the want for a 3rd C.

Where we are spoiled is at the guard and wing positions.

We thought the wing was Stewart but then Furphy showed us something vs USA and other squads that he can ball. Plus Jayden is more a 3 anyway, so slightly crowded.

Guards: 3 PGs (Silas, Malachi, Alec), 2 SG (Solo, Braylon).

That's a loaded team, with enough top talent to let starters rest, or sometimes we might see 3 G, or 3 front court guys - depends on situation, opponent, player status, etc.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Have we considered five bigs?

Not since Perno was in charge.

 

[Huskyforlife]

They did not sign on with a promise of playing time, but with the exception of Ross they both have a much clearer path to playing time than anyone new coming in. And Ross is a clear outlier with his brother here

Do they? All three of those guys are not getting rotation minutes unless there’s injuries, the same argument we’re making for having a third string center.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Look at the Big East depth charts, tell me if you notice something?

 

[aceboon]

Look at the Big East depth charts, tell me if you notice something?

assuming you're talking about the centers, how many of those 2nd stringers, let alone 3rd stringers, are actually good and not just bodies/dead weight?

 

[navery12]

Do they? All three of those guys are not getting rotation minutes unless there’s injuries, the same argument we’re making for having a third string center.

Yes, Millender is the 3rd string PG behind an injury prone Malachi Smith. Koroma is the 3rd string C and will be ahead of this hypothetical new player being added.

And in regards to your depth chart post, I notice rosters filled with guys who would not sniff the court at UConn at center. And that includes most of the backups let alone 3rd string

 

[Huskyforlife]

Yes, Millender is the 3rd string PG behind an injury prone Malachi Smith. Koroma is the 3rd string C and will be ahead of this hypothetical new player being added.

And in regards to your depth chart post, I notice rosters filled with guys who would not sniff the court at UConn at center. And that includes most of the backups let alone 3rd string

I mean, i guess I just don't agree Koroma should play over a "dead weight" level center. I believe having someone with size on the court at all times is foundational to successful basketball.

Ideally Reed and Reibe make it through the season with only expected wear and tear and don't miss many games, and these conversations are irrelevant. But I do think Dan is still looking because he knows Koroma and Karaban are bad emergency plans at center.

I also think we could've added a complete dead weight/practice body by now if we wanted to, cause it truly isn't difficult for the elite programs, as you can see on the depth charts. But i'm guessing we're waiting on someone/s we think has a smidge of potential to be a player down the road.

 

[ec33]

But I do think Dan is still looking because he knows Koroma and Karaban are bad emergency plans at center.

Koroma is a huge upgrade from Singare (the emergency backup plan for two seasons).

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I’m not convinced those guys are better at the center position than our hypothetical 6’10+ raw prospect.

They’re better basketball players in a vacuum, but are they better at traditional center responsibilities? No.

Maybe Koroma because he played center at the lowest possible level already, but he’s getting eaten alive by any Big East center with a pulse. I think he profiles as a pure 4 going up multiple levels.

But again, I think they are looking for that particular piece, and it’s possible they won’t find it. That’s why it’s taking so long.

Maybe Koroma because he played center at the lowest possible level already, but he’s getting eaten alive by any Big East center with a pulse. I think he profiles as a pure 4 going up multiple levels.

Really??? Koroma does not have to outplay anyone. He profiles to play small minutes, if at all. So he will have 5 fouls to spend in limited minutes. Bring toughness and get some rebounds. If he has to do more than that, then I will gladly admit your point is correct.

 

[Lafayette]

Maybe Koroma because he played center at the lowest possible level already, but he’s getting eaten alive by any Big East center with a pulse. I think he profiles as a pure 4 going up multiple levels.

Really??? Koroma does not have to outplay anyone. He profiles to play small minutes, if at all. So he will have 5 fouls to spend in limited minutes. Bring toughness and get some rebounds. If he has to do more than that, then I will gladly admit your point is correct.

What Big East center has a pulse in 2025-2026? Sorber gone, Dixon gone, Kalkbrenner gone, Providence doesn't really have one. St john's yes, but not worrying too much and even with Koroma at the 5 we likely win at every other position.

 

[pj]

Koroma is a huge upgrade from Singare (the emergency backup plan for two seasons).

This. Koroma is a basketball player. He can contribute. So what if we have a funny look and have to double in the post. It will be a challenge to opponents to deal with the change.

 

[AllHusky]

Watched limited Koroma tape, really liked what I saw. Kid will give you something, and don't think he will create a "donut" if he plays center. Hard to imagine that we will be able to come up with a better 3rd option at C at this point in the recruiting process.

 

[Son of Robert]

Geez. More fluid than Cam??? Why stop there? I hear he is seven feet tall! …. Kills men by the hundreds. And if he were at UConn, he'd consume the Big East with fireballs from his eyes, and bolts of lightning from his arse.

I'm gonna walk that back. I've been watching some summer league highlights of Cam Spencer, and he is more fluid than I thought with a very tight handle. Furphy legitimately reminds me of Cam though, how he seeks space in the defense.