Sanogo, Clingan, Johnson, and Springs

[Spaceman213J]

On Paige, they were up almost 20 with under a minute to go. They could have used a walk on or a fan from the stands, and they would have won.

Agreed, I just think Geno figured she just had to walk the ball up the floor. It really was as 'freakish' an injury as I've ever seen. She just kind did one of those change of pace jab step type moves and it shows how quickly things can change. It's why I wouldn't want Sanogo out there in a blowout polishing his game at one end and going full tilt doing so.

 

[ctchamps]

This is # 13’s lucky year. He will start at the 4 and play 28-30 minutes a game.

Now I don’t believe a word I’m writing. But someone has to give Richie some love!

 

[REB1094]

Agreed, I just think Geno figured she just had to walk the ball up the floor. It really was as 'freakish' an injury as I've ever seen. She just kind did one of those change of pace jab step type moves and it shows how quickly things can change. It's why I wouldn't want Sanogo out there in a blowout polishing his game at one end and going full tilt doing so.

My heart stopped every time RJ did one of those violent, full force jump-stops when UConn was up double digits with just a couple minutes to go

Last year we didn't have a garbage time unit that could close out blowouts without giving up a 10-0 run in 90 seconds. Hopefully we have that this season so we can avoid situations like those. On paper we certainly have that squad

 

[coachn]

On what planet is Clingan going to be on the court at the same time as Sanogo? That is asking for absolute disaster on offense and defense.

And the only way Springs cracks the rotation is if he plays back up, back up minutes at the 5. The 4 spot is going to be a mix of Jackson, Karaban, and Johnson at all times. I don't see him getting any playing time over Clingan unless he is really struggling to adjust - and you definitely are not taking the likely BE Preseason POY off the court to give Springs additional minutes.

BS Look for Clingan to be IMPACT.
TOO BIG WITH BIG WINNING ATTITUDE.

 

[coachn]

Disagree with your initial premise. I think Johnson will start at the 4. Karaban will play some 4 and some 3. Jackson might play 5-10 mpg at the 4 but will mostly be the 3 like last year. I don’t see many minutes for Clingan in league games, unless Hurley completely changes his defense. I’d say Johnson gets as much time as the backup 5 as Clingan. Those may be the minutes where AJax is a 4. I expect Alleyne to be the 6th man.

As for Sanogo and Clingan, it wouldn’t make sense. Sanogo can show his face up game on offense as a 5. He doesn’t need to do that with Clingan standing in the paint. In fact, he’d be more effective with if we essentially leave the post empty. Sanogo and Clingan together is a bad defensive lineup.

Last year's lineup was a loser. Hurley better find a lot of time for Clingan somewhere if he wants to win. UC has never had anyone like him.
How many 3 pt attempts did Clingan block from NWC et all last year.
Clingan is a BASKETBALL PLAYER. WATCHED EVERY CIAC TOURNAMENT GAME HE PLAYED LASTYEAR.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Last year's lineup was a loser. Hurley better find a lot of time for Clingan somewhere if he wants to win. UC has never had anyone like him.
How many 3 pt attempts did Clingan block from NWC et all last year.
Clingan is a BASKETBALL PLAYER. WATCHED EVERY CIAC TOURNAMENT GAME HE PLAYED LASTYEAR.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say he might be asked to defend some better players and systems than he did against NWC. Love his potential, but let’s maybe keep the expectations for a freshman center in check.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Last year's lineup was a loser. Hurley better find a lot of time for Clingan somewhere if he wants to win. UC has never had anyone like him.
How many 3 pt attempts did Clingan block from NWC et all last year.
Clingan is a BASKETBALL PLAYER. WATCHED EVERY CIAC TOURNAMENT GAME HE PLAYED LASTYEAR.

Is UConn playing CIAC teams next year? I hope he’s great. But he’s slow, and I’m not sure he can overcome that.

 

[mauconnfan]

It’s not a shot against him, that’s just not his game. He’s a big traditional low-post center that doesn’t have the foot speed to match up well when he has to guard the perimeter (especially with someone that can put it on the floor, see Nova). You deal with it to keep his offense in the game but asking him to do that when it’s not totally necessary is bonkers. There’s literally no upside in this situation. What is the challenge it poses to the opposing defense? That we have a 7 footer who isn’t a threat to create from the perimeter forced to camp out at the three point line and hopefully shoot/pass well enough to not be a total non-factor on offense? It’s a lineup that hurts UConn offensively and defensively.

I have no clue where to even start with this point.

Of course you don’t know where to start we have no idea who’s going to step up, none. Not sure what you’re thinking or if you even are. Are they playing 4 guards with Sanogo? I mean no way Clingan is starting I do realize that but who is, Johnson or Karaban? Alleyne? Who? We probably have a clue on 3 or 4 that’s it. There will be many different lineups, starting as well I’m guessing.

 

[bmayuc]

Is UConn playing CIAC teams next year? I hope he’s great. But he’s slow, and I’m not sure he can overcome that.

I think the board has now officially gone wayyyy overboard burying Clingan to psychologically self-protect and depress expectations for the Boneyard Hive-Mind.

But I hope the pendulum comes back just a bit - I think its hard to properly calibrate how valuable a 7'2 skilled offensive big is. Is defense a question mark - sure. But the first time you see Clingan out there towering 6" taller than some 6'8 kid playing center for (fill in random school here) just mauling him at the rim will be quite satisfying and just hard to stop period.

And on defense, just to stand up to a Kalkbrenner type who crushed our undersized bigs last year will be hilarious when he turns and just looks up at DC and knows its a different matchup this year.

 

[aburks41]

Is UConn playing CIAC teams next year? I hope he’s great. But he’s slow, and I’m not sure he can overcome that.

Being 7’2” with a gigantic wingspan helps overcome that.

 

[husky429]

Being 7’2” with a gigantic wingspan helps overcome that.

I highly doubt he's blocking many people on the perimeter as coachn suggested. His blocks are going to come in the helpside

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Of course you don’t know where to start we have no idea who’s going to step up, none. Not sure what you’re thinking or if you even are. Are they playing 4 guards with Sanogo? I mean no way Clingan is starting I do realize that but who is, Johnson or Karaban? Alleyne? Who? We probably have a clue on 3 or 4 that’s it. There will be many different lineups, starting as well I’m guessing.

My point is that having some question marks does not make a lineup necessarily a terrible idea. Having two centers with questionable at best foot speed and little to no ability to create from the perimeter does. All July rotation speculations are not created equal.

 

[navery12]

I think the board has now officially gone wayyyy overboard burying Clingan to psychologically self-protect and depress expectations for the Boneyard Hive-Mind.

But I hope the pendulum comes back just a bit - I think its hard to properly calibrate how valuable a 7'2 skilled offensive big is. Is defense a question mark - sure. But the first time you see Clingan out there towering 6" taller than some 6'8 kid playing center for (fill in random school here) just mauling him at the rim will be quite satisfying and just hard to stop period.

And on defense, just to stand up to a Kalkbrenner type who crushed our undersized bigs last year will be hilarious when he turns and just looks up at DC and knows its a different matchup this year.

You unintentionally hit the nail on the head here, Kalkbrenner is the perfect comp for Clingan. He did crush our bigs last year, but that was as a sophomore. His freshman year went how I expect Clingan's to go. He averaged 13 minutes, with more against weak competition, and showed flashes on offense. But lots of games where he looked lost on defense and was in foul trouble which kept his minutes limited

 

[mauconnfan]

My point is that having some question marks does not make a lineup necessarily a terrible idea. Having two centers with questionable at best foot speed and little to no ability to create from the perimeter does. All July rotation speculations are not created equal.

Wait, what makes you think Adamas foot speed is questionable? He was so much better at guarding the opposition, frankly very good for his size by years end. I have no doubt Clingan will have trouble on the defensive end if he needs to go out tot he perimeter, much like AS as a freshman but he still brings things to the table which can create a nuisance for the other teams defense and he can shoot it a bit from the perimeter. By no means do I see tons of minutes but so many are leaving him as "wait until he's a junior." Guess we will all see.

Most importantly is what we get for improvement from others anyway, it's all about Hawkins, Johnson and Karaban as well as how the transfers fit in. So many question marks yet so much excitement about the potential lineups.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Wait, what makes you think Adamas foot speed is questionable? He was so much better at guarding the opposition, frankly very good for his size by years end.

We were clearly watching different games. I'm not saying the dude has lead feet, but he's a 240-250 lb center and if you're asking him to go guard a modern 4 the can create from the perimeter, it's going to be a bad time for everyone, which will end with some very quick foul trouble. It's the same reason I don't think Hurley should be asking Hawkins to defend a post player, it's just not his game.

 

[PAHusky]

I must say, the near total write-off of DC and the persistent under-valuation of AK, two of the more exciting freshmen prospects we have recently recruited, is breathtaking!

These two were not recruited for their athleticism, which invariably takes time to adjust to college-level play (e.g., Hawkins, Jackson, etc.). They were recruited rather for their specialties, DC specializing in massive interior intimidation and AK in deadeye sharpshooting. Besides which, both have demonstrated a degree of passing skill and overall court awareness -- bonus traits that nicely enhance their immediate potential. Pardon me if I expect a contribution from these two that is likely to exceed the improvement we hope for from several aforementioned returnees.

But this and some of the delusional DC takes on here are the perpetual UConn fan offseason problems. We had a whole other set of exciting freshmen prospects last year, and almost none besides Hawkins got any run. Hawkins himself was touted as a more NBA ready prospect than anyone we have coming in this year and he looked like he couldn't dribble a basketball for large stretches of the season.

Long story short, I think we need to pump the breaks on the impact these kids have next year. If DC plays around 8 mpg in the BE portion of the schedule and looks like he belongs that would be a huge win. If Karaban can come off the bench once in awhile and provide some three point shooting, another huge win. Let's stop acting like these are top 10 recruits saddled with coming in and immediately setting the world on fire. We have enough talented returning kids/transfers in not to expect too much too soon from these guys.

 

[ARIDE]

Curious what folks think about how Hurley will use these four players.

Karaban and Jackson will play at the 4 spot, but the four players I listed are essentially our 'bigs'. We know primarily how Hurley will use Sanogo, but I'm thinking it might be smart to throw Clingan into the fire with backup center's minutes early and consistently, so he might contribute later in the season when Sanogo is out of the game with fouls etc.. And if not, do Johnson and Springs spend any time at the 5? I know Johnson will spend time at the 4, but what about Springs, might he get some time at the 4? Will Springs be part of the rotation?

Whatya all think?

No one knows how this offense or the new talent will play out..everything is speculation..so I'll just wait and see ..no need to be the nay sayer

 

[superjohn]

But this and some of the delusional DC takes on here are the perpetual UConn fan offseason problems. We had a whole other set of exciting freshmen prospects last year, and almost none besides Hawkins got any run. Hawkins himself was touted as a more NBA ready prospect than anyone we have coming in this year and he looked like he couldn't dribble a basketball for large stretches of the season.

Long story short, I think we need to pump the breaks on the impact these kids have next year. If DC plays around 8 mpg in the BE portion of the schedule and looks like he belongs that would be a huge win. If Karaban can come off the bench once in awhile and provide some three point shooting, another huge win. Let's stop acting like these are top 10 recruits saddled with coming in and immediately setting the world on fire. We have enough talented returning kids/transfers in not to expect too much too soon from these guys.

Freshmen not playing every year and transferring out is a recipe for no success.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Hopefully not. Hopefully we are less of a hard hedging one trick pony.

Maybe. In theory, with a team loaded with wings, big guards and guys who can defend multiple positions, they could switch more. Play D more like the Celtics. It's something I'm watching to see. If so, then the 5 should sag more in the paint against most teams. Cole was a limiting factor in our ability to switch last year, and probably Polley as well, guarding quicker guys.

 

[mauconnfan]

But this and some of the delusional DC takes on here are the perpetual UConn fan offseason problems. We had a whole other set of exciting freshmen prospects last year, and almost none besides Hawkins got any run. Hawkins himself was touted as a more NBA ready prospect than anyone we have coming in this year and he looked like he couldn't dribble a basketball for large stretches of the season.

Long story short, I think we need to pump the breaks on the impact these kids have next year. If DC plays around 8 mpg in the BE portion of the schedule and looks like he belongs that would be a huge win. If Karaban can come off the bench once in awhile and provide some three point shooting, another huge win. Let's stop acting like these are top 10 recruits saddled with coming in and immediately setting the world on fire. We have enough talented returning kids/transfers in not to expect too much too soon from these guys.

Your take on DC is perfect and I don't think there's many if any who believe he will ever be putting in 10-12 minutes games. If he can put in 5-8 minutes a game when AS is tired or in foul trouble it will be excellent. I realize there are others and other lineups that can be played but having that big in is important most of the time.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

It's not hope, they've all shown it

Samson has shown he is an above average shooter???

 

[Palatine]

The PPG that Donovan contributes misses the point.

In some games he will get meaningful minutes. In others he will barely see the floor. His impact will be felt if he can help us win a few more games. If he can deliver or even just hold his own in a match up that favors our opponents. That he has a game or two where he blows up and makes a major contribution. Can he help us stay above water in a game or two where fouls force him on the floor?

These are the minutes that will count for DC this year. They will determine his value. And that value could, indeed, be significant.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

by now, i thought we'd be discussing how deep we could go in the tourney with this crew
jax, hawk, adama, alex, donovan, jalen, corey, samson, cook.
nice looking squad, no?
but, alas, no.
instead, we get a seemingly hodgepoge group that we are all wondering 'who stands where on the court? who does what?'

im told 'we have shooters.' who are these shooters? can they shoot when it means something, ya know, like 'clutchtime?'
to be fair, these guys say that im all wet, and beyond wrong by asking the question:
'These teams are set up to put on a shooting display in 2022-23:'
Projecting college basketball's best shooting teams in 2022-23
of course, i don't pay much attention to tv stock geniuses either, so there's that.
im told that we have wall guys, and guys who are locks for the league. who are these wall people, and who are these nba locks? if the draft indicated anything aboot all these superstars in our league, well, mebbe blowing smoke should be a league stat.
and, there seems to be a lot of chat here devoted to, not the upcoming season, but the season after next. not really the way it is supposed to work, unless ncaa tourney futility defines our recent past.

given these facts at hand, for alex, donovan, and samson not to see meaningful court time this season (what can they do? how will we know if they never get to actually show us?) would be, prima facially, coaching malpractice.
what do we have to lose?

mr newton is a lifetime .31% 3 baller.
mr alleyne is a lifetime .39% 3 baller, so there's that.
of course, tyler was a .37% 3 baller...

 

[ClifSpliffy]

dang, somtimes the hate stalkers just come flyin at me. pretty funny to watch the meter spin backwards. hey management! i should get some kind of award for reverse spins at the next BY awards banquet. i got skilz. 50s or benjy's would be nice.
u mad, brahs?


i mean, sumone has to take out the trash. can get smelly, real quick, if not.

 

[bendm]

i could see us beginning the season with a small ball lineup (newton, hawk, alleyne, aj, sanogo) but Samson replacing alleyne in that lineup and aj shifting back down to SF by the start of BE play raises the team's ceiling the highest. he could be akok 2.0.

 

[ctchamps]

Of course you don’t know where to start we have no idea who’s going to step up, none. Not sure what you’re thinking or if you even are. Are they playing 4 guards with Sanogo? I mean no way Clingan is starting I do realize that but who is, Johnson or Karaban? Alleyne? Who? We probably have a clue on 3 or 4 that’s it. There will be many different lineups, starting as well I’m guessing.

LOL. You are correct. All of the suggestions in this thread are based on conjecture. There are a lot of unknowns given the amount of change including the loss of important contributors.

Now there are better and worse probabilities of what might take place. But never say never or say absolutely something will happen. We've seen so many predictions or surprises over the years to realize that the only predictable thing is nothing is predictable absolutely. You'd think by now most posters would realize this but that failure supports our contention that things don't follow expectations.