Rothstein at Practice Today 7/15

[dennismenace]

Some of it is likely how the staff wants the player to play. Adding weight/muscle can often come with reduced speed/quickness/stamina, so it’s a fine line of where the staff wants each player to be.

So does this mean that after having Alex put in a staggering amount of minutes over the first four years that they did a 180 and said pack some muscle on? Or is it a case of the NBA revealing to him that at 6-8 with his lack of athleticism his only chance in the pro's (either here or Europe) is to pack on some muscle and get serious about being a rebounding threat at PF. He doesn't have to become muscle bound but he will need weight to keep from being pushed around and do some of that pushing around himself (say 225-230). Just because "he's Hurley's second coach on the floor" doesn't mean he should be playing 36 minutes plus every game as a big or any position. He's not going to be somebody's second coach at any next level.

UConn star forward Alex Karaban returning to Huskies for senior season

The 6-foot-8, 210 pounder was UConn’s third-leading scorer last season, posting career-high averages in points, rebounds and blocks.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Waquoit]

In most cases adding muscle adds good weight and contributes to speed, quickness and stamina. But you're right, it has to be done correctly. Which is why there is a person on staff whose job it is to figure that out.

This is a carryover from the JC years where a couple of players each year added "solid" muscle, not the other kind. I still remember Taliek's neck.

 

[husky99]

On the road. Sorry if posted

 

[Kitaman]

First game Stewart starts, he ain't letting a freshman take his spot, just like Boat wasn't going to take Bazz spot.

Come January we will see, but for now I see Mullins used as the motivational stick, the one all coaches use on talented upperclassmen, to push Stewie to perform. Its an effective weapon for coaches especially when the media is used to hype up the freshman.

Just saying Stewart is no ordinary Junior. He is a Champion, he knows the coaching staff's system, he knows what it takes to win the Big East and NCAA Championships, he has played with NBA talent and he is a leader. Hard for any freshman to come in initially beat that resume.

This is a great time to be a Husky fan, having so much talent and talented players pushing one another at every position.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

On the road. Sorry if posted

I’ve heard this from him a couple times, but Reibe starting over Tarris continues to be one of the dumbest takes I’ve seen on the internet in a long time. Delusional message board poster level take.

 

[auror]

I’ve heard this from him a couple times, but Reibe starting over Tarris continues to be one of the dumbest takes I’ve seen on the internet in a long time. Delusional message board poster level take.

It's half a bit, because he's a Michigan fan who thought Reed stinks, so he's holding on to a glimmer.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

First game Stewart starts, he ain't letting a freshman take his spot, just like Boat wasn't going to take Bazz spot.

Come January we will see, but for now I see Mullins used as the motivational stick, the one all coaches use on talented upperclassmen, to push Stewie to perform. Its an effective weapon for coaches especially when the media is used to hype up the freshman.

Just saying Stewart is no ordinary Junior. He is a Champion, he knows the coaching staff's system, he knows what it takes to win the Big East and NCAA Championships, he has played with NBA talent and he is a leader. Hard for any freshman to come in initially beat that resume.

This is a great time to be a Husky fan, having so much talent and talented players pushing one another at every position.

Don't underestimate how good Mullins is.

 

[Huskyforlife]

It's half a bit, because he's a Michigan fan who thought Reed stinks, so he's holding on to a glimmer.

He dropped it for a few weeks before the U19s and now after watching Reibe he’s back at it.

It’s definitely partially a bit with him, but I think he does genuinely like Reibe a lot, he made multiple videos about his recruitment and said he was his favorite center in the class, so I can see why he’d think Reibe has a chance to start.

You’d think someone who follows the sport that closely would know what we spent on NIL to keep Reed from the vultures though, there’s no shot you pay that price to bring him off the bench.

 

[RuffRuff]

He dropped it for a few weeks before the U19s and now after watching Reibe he’s back at it.

It’s definitely partially a bit with him, but I think he does genuinely like Reibe a lot, he made multiple videos about his recruitment and said he was his favorite center in the class, so I can see why he’d think Reibe has a chance to start.

You’d think someone who follows the sport that closely would know what we spent on NIL to keep Reed from the vultures though, there’s no shot you pay that price to bring him off the bench.

A frosh center starting over a very talented senior at center is a rarity. Not happening. Especially since Hurley stuck Tarris behind Sampson last year.

100% has to do with this guys jaded view of Tarris at UM under Howard.

 

[RuffRuff]

Some of it is likely how the staff wants the player to play. Adding weight/muscle can often come with reduced speed/quickness/stamina, so it’s a fine line of where the staff wants each player to be.

My guess is that it’s largely because his “prove it” year for NBA scouts didn’t work and looked fairly one dimensional, and he had a poor year in that one dimension (shooting). Maybe he packs on some muscle to improve his interior game, where last year he showed a pretty poor ability to take the ball to the rim and finish.

We have a lot of system tenure in the roster this year so I’d think Alex’s minutes get reduced to a more balanced 31-32 minutes.

 

[REB1094]

My two cents on the two conversations:

Karaban should be stronger. These are 18-22 year old athletes, they should be getting stronger every year. But it feels like Rothstein is exaggerating here, Karaban doesn’t look significantly bulked up from the offseason videos we’ve seen. I won’t think too much into it

Stewart and Braylon will battle it out for starting SF. My guess would be Braylon gets it but Stewart will spend plenty of time on the floor, including time with Silas and Solo. I think we both overrate and underrate him at times. He has potential to be a versatile SF-PF defender that gets scrappy buckets and hits the occasional 3. That’s a valuable player, but not one that I’d start above the 5 star sharpshooter. Hard to pass up the idea of a 6’5 PG, a low post beast at C, and 3 lethal shooters around them

 

[CL82]

He dropped it for a few weeks before the U19s and now after watching Reibe he’s back at it.

It’s definitely partially a bit with him, but I think he does genuinely like Reibe a lot, he made multiple videos about his recruitment and said he was his favorite center in the class, so I can see why he’d think Reibe has a chance to start.

You’d think someone who follows the sport that closely would know what we spent on NIL to keep Reed from the vultures though, there’s no shot you pay that price to bring him off the bench.

You pay that money to keep him on the team, but once paid it's a sunk cost. Coaches build their roster based upon what gets wins, not on how much did we pay this guy. That said, as good as Reibe appears to be, he's a freshman trying to assimilate Hurley's very complicated system. He's not starting. It wouldn't surprise me if Hurley looks at Reed and Reibe as a reprise of Sanogo and Clingan. Opposing posts have to bang against a big physical center, and when he goes to the bench suddenly they have to change up their game to deal with a 7 foot mobile player. If I recall correctly, that combo worked out pretty well for us the last time.

 

[Lafayette]

If we keep saying Mullins is a wing, not a shooting guard, we have Stewart, 2 Rosses, Furphy, and Mullins all for one position? Mullins shines as a 2 guard, shooter, with some flashes of wing, but not to put him the same as Cam, we had 3 guards a lot 2 seasons ago: Newton, Castle, Spencer / Newton Diarra, Castle etc. No reason not to see Demary / Ball / Mullins as 3 guards this coming season with AK and Tarris, but we will definitely see AK, Tarris and Stewart with Demary and Ball as well.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I think Furphy is going to play more than some of the returning players. I look at him and think ultimate glue guy and I think Demary is going to be a score first type of point guard, just like Newton. He (Demary) is also a plus rebounder and defender.

I just don’t see how Ross finds any minutes with this roster. We are stronger in every area that he found playing time for last year.

He really has to bring that practice game onto the floor. I really believe that even though we have fewer cupcake games to start the year than usual, those games will play a big part in deciding playing time for 8-10. Reibe is a lock and I think Stewart is a lock for 6-7 rotation pieces.

Smith/Furphy/Ross I think will be a battle for the remaining minutes. Maybe it is a nine man rotation but eight man is more than likely. As long as he has been with UConn that has been Hurley’s MO. How many times have we asked questions on why certain players are not getting more minutes. I just think Hurley prefers eight man rotations.

 

[HooperScooper]

I’ve heard this from him a couple times, but Reibe starting over Tarris continues to be one of the dumbest takes I’ve seen on the internet in a long time. Delusional message board poster level take.

I think usually we Yarders know more about the team than most of these experts. I don't think there's any way Reibe starts and plays more than Reed. Reed is ready to break out.

 

[dennismenace]

My guess is that it’s largely because his “prove it” year for NBA scouts didn’t work and looked fairly one dimensional, and he had a poor year in that one dimension (shooting). Maybe he packs on some muscle to improve his interior game, where last year he showed a pretty poor ability to take the ball to the rim and finish.

We have a lot of system tenure in the roster this year so I’d think Alex’s minutes get reduced to a more balanced 31-32 minutes.

This would be ideal along with the new look Alex the Roughneck on the glass.

 

[Palatine]

I think usually we Yarders know more about the team than most of these experts. I don't think there's any way Reibe starts and plays more than Reed. Reed is ready to break out.

Reed will start because he is an upperclassman and Hurley rarely changes his starting line up.

However, Hurley likes to keep the minutes of his centers as equal as he can. If someone is playing better, he will get more minutes. Reed had some poor match ups last season, so there will be games, in all probability, where Reibe will get the majority of minutes.

 

[dennismenace]

You pay that money to keep him on the team, but once paid it's a sunk cost. Coaches build their roster based upon what gets wins, not on how much did we pay this guy. That said, as good as Reibe appears to be, he's a freshman trying to assimilate Hurley's very complicated system. He's not starting. It wouldn't surprise me if Hurley looks at Reed and Reibe as a reprise of Sanogo and Clingan. Opposing posts have to bang against a big physical center, and when he goes to the bench suddenly they have to change up their game to deal with a 7 foot mobile player. If I recall correctly, that combo worked out pretty well for us the last time.

Exactly. A nightmare for opponents the longer the game goes on. Pick your poison.

 

[Waquoit]

He dropped it for a few weeks before the U19s and now after watching Reibe he’s back at it.

It’s definitely partially a bit with him, but I think he does genuinely like Reibe a lot, he made multiple videos about his recruitment and said he was his favorite center in the class, so I can see why he’d think Reibe has a chance to start.

I don't get giving this guy the benefit of the doubt. He didn't just kill Tarris, he called him the stupidest player in D-1. Calling a guy stupid isn't a bit. I dropped this bum for good.

 

[JohnFSilver]

Can Rothstein go to one of these summer things and say….I have grave concerns about the shooting and athletic ability of the team? You can really see the lack of leadership in the backcourt even in summer scrimmages. ‍♂️

 

[SubbaBub]

Reed is going to be a beast and the key to any success we might aspire to have. He will be counted on to score, rebound, and defend while staying on the floor. It's really a big ask but from what I've seen he has been incredibly efficient playing roughly 20 minutes a game. Fouls were the problem, especially early. Later in the season when he was counted on to be the one to play in foul trouble over Samson, he wasn't as efficient but was still holding his own.

This year we need 30 mins a game, most of those without being in foul trouble. If he can do that, I would expect no less than 15/10 a game, letting the shooters have an honest look at the basket.

If we are going to play 4 out, then the 1 in needs to be a difference maker in the Sanogo, Clingan mold. I think he has the stuff to do it.

 

[CL82]

Can Rothstein go to one of these summer things and say….I have grave concerns about the shooting and athletic ability of the team? You can really see the lack of leadership in the backcourt even in summer scrimmages. ‍♂️

Can he? Sure. Will he? No. It's too offbrand. There's a reason why Rothstein gets the access that he does during the summer. Coaches know that they're going to get their teams puffed up and fans are grateful for any information, but especially positive takes.

 

[RuffRuff]

I think Furphy is going to play more than some of the returning players. I look at him and think ultimate glue guy and I think Demary is going to be a score first type of point guard, just like Newton. He (Demary) is also a plus rebounder and defender.

I just don’t see how Ross finds any minutes with this roster. We are stronger in every area that he found playing time for last year.

He really has to bring that practice game onto the floor. I really believe that even though we have fewer cupcake games to start the year than usual, those games will play a big part in deciding playing time for 8-10. Reibe is a lock and I think Stewart is a lock for 6-7 rotation pieces.

Smith/Furphy/Ross I think will be a battle for the remaining minutes. Maybe it is a nine man rotation but eight man is more than likely. As long as he has been with UConn that has been Hurley’s MO. How many times have we asked questions on why certain players are not getting more minutes. I just think Hurley prefers eight man rotations.

Hurley is playing those OOC games with intention as the BE sucks this year and he’ll have to build SOS outside of it. We also have a lot of returning minutes and will be better off than a lot of teams early trying to figure their chemistry out.

That said I think he’s going to identify his best 5 early, and play them once the cupcakes exhaust. May the best men win. I too have no idea what Ross brings to differentiates to the needs we’ll get out of our best 9 unless he makes a metamorphic leap. If he does, great for him and the team.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I don't get giving this guy the benefit of the doubt. He didn't just kill Tarris, he called him the stupidest player in D-1. Calling a guy stupid isn't a bit. I dropped this bum for good.

He apologized for this a long time ago, and explained he was just talking about basketball IQ.

Is what it is, he also talks up UConn constantly on his show, compliments our coaches/players/program, Reed is just a blind spot for him.

Calling him a bum for one bad take out of 10,000 is lame. You’ve never used harsher language than you intended to describe someone before?

 

[Hunt for 7]

Hurley is playing those OOC games with intention as the BE sucks this year and he’ll have to build SOS outside of it. We also have a lot of returning minutes and will be better off than a lot of teams early trying to figure their chemistry out.

That said I think he’s going to identify his best 5 early, and play them once the cupcakes exhaust. May the best men win. I too have no idea what Ross brings to differentiates to the needs we’ll get out of our best 9 unless he makes a metamorphic leap. If he does, great for him and the team.

Yes understood why he needed to improve the OOC schedule and agree it is the right thing. For the players who are competing for playing time it will make it more difficult.

As we know Hurley is more paranoid than some of us when it comes to conceding we have won a game.

During the 2023-2024 season I had a few friends rib me because I would still be stressing when we were up 20 with like 8 minutes left. Hurley would wait until we were up twenty with like 1:30 left before clearing his bench.

Also get that the metric geeks consider win margin in deciding how good a team is which I kind of understand but look what it has done to sportsmanship in college football and now that will only get worse with the expanded playoff.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I think usually we Yarders know more about the team than most of these experts. I don't think there's any way Reibe starts and plays more than Reed. Reed is ready to break out.

Reed is going to have a monster year IMO. We now have guards who understand and have the size to make good entry passes. If Reed gets the ball 7ft in he is almost unstoppable. Demary is very good from the film I have watched at making entry passes. Not sure about Mullins but he is such a good shooter and appears to have excellent BBIQ and do not sleep on Furphy he looks like a very good passer to me.

 

[Waquoit]

Calling him a bum for one bad take out of 10,000 is lame.

He said Aidan Mahaney was going to be an All-American for UConn.

 

[Huskyforlife]

He said Aidan Mahaney was going to be an All-American for UConn.

That’s not the kind of bad take I meant, but you knew that.

 

[Kitaman]

Don't underestimate how good Mullins is.

I actually hope Mullins is better.

Just saying Stewart is day 1 ready and not an ordinary junior to overtake his starting spot preseason.

 

[PAHusky]

Reed will start because he is an upperclassman and Hurley rarely changes his starting line up.

However, Hurley likes to keep the minutes of his centers as equal as he can. If someone is playing better, he will get more minutes. Reed had some poor match ups last season, so there will be games, in all probability, where Reibe will get the majority of minutes.

I think there’s zero chance outside of foul trouble or injury that Reibe plays more minutes per game than Reed this year.

I think Stewart starts at the beginning of the year and if Mullins is as good as advertised then maybe he’s starting by the time BE play comes around, though I think it’s more likely he’s first off the bench with close to starter minutes the whole season (again barring injury).

Think Furphy is the last man in the rotation and really busts out next year after getting acclimated to D1 ball this season.

This board gets backup quarterback syndrome bad in the dog days of summer