Last few tweets:
Josh Carlton looks the part of a breakout sophomore, but the motor needs to stay turned on all the time. Has to be at least 8 and 8 guy for UConn in 18-19.
Would expect Dan Hurley to regularly use three and sometimes four guard lineups. Huskies have no real proven commodities aside from Jalen Adams.
Blown away with how well Alterique Gilbert shoots the ball in non-contact drills. Much more than just a slasher and a driver. Excellent form and mechanics.
The wildcard position for UConn is PF. Huskies can go small with Sidney Wilson, skilled with Tyler Polley, or big with Kassoum Yakwe.
Brendan Adams gives UConn a big and sturdy presence on the wing that it hasn't had recently. Think a "Denham Brown" type build at 6-4.
Early prediction on UConn's starting five: Alterique Gilbert, Jalen Adams, Christian Vital, Tyler Polley, Josh Carlton.
Good news there:
- Alterique ready to go, we need that.
- Christian keeping his starting spot ahead of Sid Wilson. Pressure on the rookie.
- Tyler stepping up? The 4 spot is wide open, I doubt any player has an inside position yet. This could be coach-speak to tell the other players there's more work to do to earn a spot. Tyler might be in the last position for all we know, after all he was last in the "practice points" contest, therefore, naming him doesn't make players think the coach has picked a favorite. Interesting that Sid is thought of as a potential 4 in a 4-guard lineup, and that Yakwe is currently the leader among the big men for the 4-spot. Maybe Hurley is tactically labeling the senior as the favorite, keeping the developmental pressure on the younger forwards. Saying Sid and Tyler could take their minutes is a strong statement that the forwards need to step up to win playing time.
- Hurley continuing to anoint Josh as a starter and asking him to step up production.
- Hurley encouraging Brendan Adams -- crowded perimeter with Alterique, Jalen, Christian, Sid, and Tarin ahead of him, I think Hurley doesn't want him to get discouraged thinking that minutes will never materialize.