Sanogo Feat

[husky429]

I can't believe the criticism of Adama's game after his last 2 performances. He,'s barely into sophomore year and improving every game. Unbelievable

No one is criticizing him. He's a phenomenal player. Saying he isn't as athletic as a 10 year NBA vet who was drafted because of his athleticism isn't criticism. Saying he doesn't have the perimeter skillset of someone who plays A DIFFERENT POSITION isn't criticism. It's realism. Harrell isn't gonna post anyone up or finish as softly as Sanogo either. They're totally different players. That isn't criticism--it's a fact.

Sanogo is super skilled around the basket, and plays tough interior defense. Ignoring that and claiming he's got the skillset of a face-up, super athletic power forward is a discredit to the hard work that Sanogo has put in to develop his own skills despite having some height and athleticism limitations when he stepped on campus.

We can debate whether or not Sanogo's skillset will allow him to be drafted another time. But we need to establish what that skillset even IS before we can have a realistic discussion. I can say he'll be drafted because he has handles like Kemba, passes like Jokic, and the athleticism of a prime Lebron. Just because I say it doesn't mean it's accurate, and it's certainly not a criticism to say he is NOT those guys. Just as saying is NOT Harrell isn't criticism, it's evaluation.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Montrezl Harrell says otherwise. They are the exact same type of player

 

[HuskyHawk]

NBA doesn't have a place for 6'8 earthbound, traditional bigs any more. The kid is a hell of player and will Mke a living playing this game, but it won't be in the league.

I'd love to be proven wrong.

I don't see anything that suggests he can't learn to shoot from outside. His made range jumper looks good, even if he rarely takes it. In the very few times I've seen him put the ball on the floor and attack, he actually seems quite good at it.

I think he can become a Grant Williams type player, and he has arguably better interior offensive and defensive skills than Williams.

 

[jibsey]

My thing is that he is adding and improving rapidly. Saying he is limited in this or that can change quickly with this guy. The NBA will love him I predict at the rate he's going.

 

[BGesus4]

He definitely doesn’t have a game at the moment that has a natural fit in today’s NBA. That’s pretty indisputable. However, given how he works, his ridiculous strength and touch, I wouldn’t bet against him figuring out a game style with his ability that works in the NBA. Hard to see how he could ever be a first rounder but I don’t think it’s overly far fetched to see him as a second rounder who finds a way to be effective.

He hasn’t been playing that long so he has a very narrow game at this point and is still unreal in terms of how effective he is. He made the two athletic 7+ foot, defensive stoppers he played against this year (Kessler and Obiagu) look like they didn’t belong on the court. His biggest challenge is probably his raw foot speed, but he’s got a lot of other things going for him.

 

[awfuldan]

I don't see anything that suggests he can't learn to shoot from outside. His made range jumper looks good, even if he rarely takes it. In the very few times I've seen him put the ball on the floor and attack, he actually seems quite good at it.

I think he can become a Grant Williams type player, and he has arguably better interior offensive and defensive skills than Williams.

Yeah the midrange shot has been money for him this year. He's taken at least 3 or 4 and I feel like he's made every single one.

Remember when he took a 3 early in the Auburn game? What was up with that? Maybe just feeling it? To date that's his only career attempt.

 

[jibsey]

He definitely doesn’t have a game at the moment that has a natural fit in today’s NBA. That’s pretty indisputable. However, given how he works, his ridiculous strength and touch, I wouldn’t bet against him figuring out a game style with his ability that works in the NBA. Hard to see how he could ever be a first rounder but I don’t think it’s overly far fetched to see him as a second rounder who finds a way to be effective.

He hasn’t been playing that long so he has a very narrow game at this point and is still unreal in terms of how effective he is. He made the two athletic 7+ foot, defensive stoppers he played against this year (Kessler and Obiagu) look like they didn’t belong on the court. His biggest challenge is probably his raw foot speed, but he’s got a lot of other things going for him.

So he has none of the skills of Okafor who did more than OK in the NBA? Close in size, strength,rebounding, scoring, blocking shots at the same point in their careers. Remember it's blasphemy to say their names in the same sentence.

 

[navery12]

So he has none of the skills of Okafor who did more than OK in the NBA? Close in size, strength,rebounding, scoring, blocking shots at the same point in their careers. Remember it's blasphemy to say their names in the same sentence.

No they have a lot of overlapping skills. The difference is Emeka Okafor was drafted into the NBA in 2004 and Sanogo is looking to be drafted into the modern NBA who's looking for a different set of skills in their big men

 

[Get a Job]

So he has none of the skills of Okafor who did more than OK in the NBA? Close in size, strength,rebounding, scoring, blocking shots at the same point in their careers. Remember it's blasphemy to say their names in the same sentence.

I know nothing of the NBA, past or present, but I see other posters saying that the game has changed a lot over recent years. Okafor got drafted in 2004, 18 years ago.

 

[BGesus4]

So he has none of the skills of Okafor who did more than OK in the NBA? Close in size, strength,rebounding, scoring, blocking shots at the same point in their careers. Remember it's blasphemy to say their names in the same sentence.

Okafor entered the NBA almost 20 years ago, and I don’t know if you’ve noticed but the league has changed a little in terms of how bigs are used. As a litmus test, Kofi Cockburn and Oscar Tshiebwe would have both been top 10 picks in Okafors day and now it’s not even a guarantee that a team will draft either in the second round.

 

[jibsey]

No they have a lot of overlapping skills. The difference is Emeka Okafor was drafted into the NBA in 2004 and Sanogo is looking to be drafted into the modern NBA who's looking for a different set of skills in their big men

Yeah you’re right, they rebound and shoot very differently now. 6’9” 250-260 block of granite, who would need him? Maybe he can find a job in Equador.

 

[Get a Job]

Yeah you’re right, they rebound and shoot very differently now. 6’9” 250-260 block of granite, who would need him? Maybe he can find a job in Equador.

Didn't know you were on the Boneyard, Mrs. Sanogo.

 

[navery12]

Yeah you’re right, they rebound and shoot very differently now. 6’9” 250-260 block of granite, who would need him? Maybe he can find a job in Equador.

Why did you even ask the question if you didn't care about the answer? But yes, they actually do shoot differently in the NBA now which is one of the reasons he's not a runaway lottery pick. And it's Ecuador

 

[imno1]

Someday we'll be comparing some great college players to Adama

 

[Kenny11]

While not a high flyer he didn’t look earthbound last night. One thing that doesn’t get mentioned is Adama has amazing endurance for someone his size. Sanogo is proving to be the best big in the BE. I’m looking forward to his matchup with Watson.

He has many more dunks this year compared to last year. He has also drastically improved on moving laterally on defense (Whaley taught him the hard hedge well!). He’s still not an explosive leaper and probably never will be, but he damn sure gets the most out of his abilities. I will not be surprised when he develops a 3 point shot. Even with these improvements, will he fit the modern nba game? Probably not. But you can’t rule it out because of how quickly he’s improved on these things and his work ethic.

 

[Kenny11]

Sanogo does not move his feet well laterally. It's probably his biggest weakness as a player. It's basically the only reason he gets in foul trouble.

Agree on everything else though.

I feel he’s made a lot of improvement here. not at nba level but so much better than last season.

 

[tentoes4rings]

NBA doesn't have a place for 6'8 earthbound, traditional bigs any more. The kid is a hell of player and will Mke a living playing this game, but it won't be in the league.

I'd love to be proven wrong.

And that is beyond sad. I loved the NBA back in the 80s through 2010 or so but hate the current game. Steph’s dominance forever changed the game and not in a good way in my opinion.

 

[Huskybass]

Given Sanogo's touch, I have no doubt that he will develop a perimeter game. He is more athletic than some people think. Plus he is so focused and works so hard. He will find a way to play in the league, he is simply too good not to.

Look at how much he has improved in the past year. No reason to think his development won't continue. Loved his passing out of double teams last game, it looks like he learned while watching when he was out.

 

[jibsey]

Given Sanogo's touch, I have no doubt that he will develop a perimeter game. He is more athletic than some people think. Plus he is so focused and works so hard. He will find a way to play in the league, he is simply too good not to.

Look at how much he has improved in the past year. No reason to think his development won't continue. Loved his passing out of double teams last game, it looks like he learned while watching when he was out.

It surprises me that there are some here who don’t think he can do what he needs to become an NBA player, but they are probably the same ones that had Hawkins leaving after this season.

 

[navery12]

Came up in the SI mailbag here

2022 NCAA tournament chances for ACC, Pac 12, WCC - Sports Illustrated

Plus, your questions on Notre Dame, a pair of Big East stars and tourney bids out west.

www.si.com

I think UConn’s chances of keeping Adama Sanogo for a third season in Storrs are pretty good. Sanogo has been immensely productive in his sophomore campaign, but as a 6’9” non-shooting big man he has more work to do to improve his stock. I think eventually Sanogo will expand his perimeter game, and he’s a terrific interior defender already. But that, combined with dealing with nagging injuries throughout much of this season so far, makes me think Sanogo will likely be back for one more year.

 

[dvegas]

Adama is the man. I have no doubt he's the best tight end on athletic scholarship at UConn right now.

 

[pj]

Adama has similar if not better stats to sophomore college Montrezl Harrell, and doesn't look that much different physically - Adama is a little bigger and a little slower, but both are powerful and well coordinated. Harrell developed his NBA game, good for him. Don't count Adama out. I bet he makes the NBA and has an impact. When was the last time the best player on a ranked UConn team failed to make the NBA?

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Adama is the man. I have no doubt he's the best tight end on athletic scholarship at UConn right now.

And maybe we can turn him into a secondary ballhandler that can bring the ball up past the half court line, hand it off to a guard/wing, and then get into the paint for a post-up. I'm only half-kidding as this is something he'd want/need to do in the NBA one day.

 

[Spaceman213J]

I think he'll have a solid NBA career. He listens and works hard. He shows a pretty soft touch for a guy his size.

It's funny to say about a guy his size, but he plays with a lot of finesse around the rim I think this by design so he doesn't pick up fouls from refs who don't really know how to call a game with a guy with his unique frame. However, in the NBA, he will have to bang and bully people with his body more underneath the basket.

Also, like many have said, he needs to show a consistent mid-range shot at least and he has to show some passing ability out of the post.

He defintely has the ability though to do this. He just has to keep working.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Adama has similar if not better stats to sophomore college Montrezl Harrell, and doesn't look that much different physically - Adama is a little bigger and a little slower, but both are powerful and well coordinated. Harrell developed his NBA game, good for him. Don't count Adama out. I bet he makes the NBA and has an impact. When was the last time the best player on a ranked UConn team failed to make the NBA?

I’m not saying Sanogo can’t make the NBA, I’m just answering your specific question. The 2015-2016 team was ranked for five weeks and received votes many other weeks, and none of those players had meaningful NBA careers.

 

[Huskybass]

I’m not saying Sanogo can’t make the NBA, I’m just answering your specific question. The 2015-2016 team was ranked for five weeks and received votes many other weeks, and none of those players had meaningful NBA careers.

That team was an underachieving mess. They lost 10 games, received a poor seed and got bounced from the Tourney in short order due to their seeding and tough matchups. Daniel Hamilton essentially played PG by default. Outside of Shabazz, I don't think anybody from the Ollie era had a meaningful NBA career.

 

[RichZ]

I suppose because of the body type similarities, I thought Wes Unseld (without the outlet pass instinct) would be a good comparison for him.
But while we're raving about the game Adama just had, Unseld averaged 20 points & 19 boards for his 3 years at Louisville. Then won the NBA ROY and MVP in the same season when he went to the league. So the comparison isn't even close. But still, I wish he could sit down and watch game tapes of Wes, to see how a 6-7, 245 pound center can dominate in this game. And mostly, to pick up that outlet pass!

 

[CL82]

I know nothing of the NBA, past or present, but I see other posters saying that the game has changed a lot over recent years. Okafor got drafted in 2004, 18 years ago.

Ouch… It really doesn’t seem like 18 years ago.

 

[Icehawk]

Something else to note - he played the most minutes (40) in a high-tempo game and didn't look gassed out. Bear in mind he hustles down court a lot for big and I find his stamina impressive, maybe like his footwork something his soccer background helped with? Will be a huge boon as the games stack up near the end of the season and endurance becomes a major factor.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Something else to note - he played the most minutes (40) in a high-tempo game and didn't look gassed out. Bear in mind he hustles down court a lot for big and I find his stamina impressive, maybe like his footwork something his soccer background helped with? Will be a huge boon as the games stack up near the end of the season and endurance becomes a major factor.

2 games in 2 days coming up will be a test of everyone's endurance. I like our odds in that department.