SG Hamidou Diallo (UConn Offer)

[ctchamps]

If Purvis does leave like expected, I would think we'd either go for a grad transfer 2 guard or try and get Diallo to reclassify. I love Gilbert but asking a 5'10 freshman point guard to start on a team that wants to compete for a championship is a tall order.

I hope Cassell improves a lot this year and is ready to really contribute in his final year of eligibility. He won't get many opportunities to score this year so hopefully he takes a page out of Giffey's book and makes himself an efficient producer in limited FGA.

I hate creating pressure for a freshman, but I think Gilbert has the goods to lead the team as a freshman. He wouldn't be the first one to come to UConn with that ability and that height.

 

[mauconnfan]

If Purvis does leave like expected, I would think we'd either go for a grad transfer 2 guard or try and get Diallo to reclassify. I love Gilbert but asking a 5'10 freshman point guard to start on a team that wants to compete for a championship is a tall order.

I hope Cassell improves a lot this year and is ready to really contribute in his final year of eligibility. He won't get many opportunities to score this year so hopefully he takes a page out of Giffey's book and makes himself an efficient producer in limited FGA.

I think it will be easier for Alterique based on the fact he will have Jalen next to him though. He should impact immediately upon arrival he has the tools and personality I believe.

 

[RipCity]

I hate creating pressure for a freshman, but I think Gilbert has the goods to lead the team as a freshman. He wouldn't be the first one to come to UConn with that ability and that height.

There's still a good amount of risk there. That's a backcourt of Adams, Gilbert, and Cassell. Gonna need someone else unless Hamilton stays and plays the 2, both of which won't happen.

 

[ctchamps]

There's still a good amount of risk there. That's a backcourt of Adams, Gilbert, and Cassell. Gonna need someone else unless Hamilton stays and plays the 2, both of which won't happen.

No arguments about the need for an additional player at the position. Just advocating a belief Alterique is a special player.

 

[mauconnfan]

There's still a good amount of risk there. That's a backcourt of Adams, Gilbert, and Cassell. Gonna need someone else unless Hamilton stays and plays the 2, both of which won't happen.

They will have 3's who can handle too but I think they cold use another guard potentially a 5th year or something.

 

[CGarr]

For those of us that like to read way too much into what's happening on social media. Hami and Alterique started following each other on twitter today.

Considering our need for a SG, why did we stop recruiting Bruce Brown? He's unbelievably talented. His cousin is on the team. He was quoted not too long ago saying he hoped UConn would start recruiting him again. hmmm

 

[Stainmaster]

For those of us that like to read way too much into what's happening on social media. Hami and Alterique started following each other on twitter today.

Considering our need for a SG, why did we stop recruiting Bruce Brown? He's unbelievably talented. His cousin is on the team. He was quoted not too long ago saying he hoped UConn would start recruiting him again. hmmm

Kevin Ollie must have his reasons, and I trust him.

 

[tcf15]

Seems more and more likely Bruce Brown was somebody UConn wanted only for 2015 and not for 2016.

As an aside, it's strange how Brown's recruitment has been kind of stagnant after a solid summer - Indiana has been the one constant HM involved, and then the next school you see associated with him is UMass.

 

[superjohn]

It's strange how little interest there is for a top 50 recruit, it seems like it's between Indiana and UMass.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Maybe Indiana has had him in the bag for awhile? Kinda like how no one recruited Enoch cause they knew he was coming here.

 

[RipCity]

The Vermont Academy coach could have also done something that made KO sour on him.

 

[Stainmaster]

The Vermont Academy coach could have also done something that made KO sour on him.

This is an interesting possibility. I remember last spring there were rumors of a pipeline being developed. Now, Tyrique Jones and Samuel Japhet-Mathias are committed elsewhere and we're not involved with Brown anymore. It's also worth noting that VA has had a bunch of recruits with high-major offers transfer out over the past couple of years: Sedee Keita (PSA), Christian Vital (STM, UNLV commit), K.J. Santos (Sunrise Christian in KS). Who know what's going on there?

 

[DogMania]

This is an interesting possibility. I remember last spring there were rumors of a pipeline being developed. Now, Tyrique Jones and Samuel Japhet-Mathias are committed elsewhere and we're not involved with Brown anymore. It's also worth noting that VA has had a bunch of recruits with high-major offers transfer out over the past couple of years: Sedee Keita (PSA), Christian Vital (STM, UNLV commit), K.J. Santos (Sunrise Christian in KS). Who know what's going on there?

Interesting. We're only guessing, but maybe KO just didn't feel he was the best fit and simply have interest in other two guards or saving it for 2017. Maybe KO knows that HamD is in the bag. Or maybe KO knows there's some bad smoke going on up there and is staying clear of recruits from that program. Who knows? Brown's recruitment is very strange though.

 

[aceboon]

This was from ESPN over the summer, his recruitment as a top 50 player is a bit odd

n this day and age "offers" are handed out to high school hoop stars at a rate that causes even the most casual college basketball fan to question the validity of this action. At the Fullcourt Press Cream of the Crop, BABC (Boston Area Basketball Club) star Bruce Brown stated that he had more than 40 offers. However, when asked about which of those 40 had coaches frequently showing up to his games at the Cream of the Crop, he offered only three: UMass, Indiana, and Boston College.

 

[intlzncster]

Kevin Ollie must have his reasons, and I trust him.

Ya, but what are the reasons? It's a good question.

 

[Fishy]

Ya, but what are the reasons? It's a good question.

The Vermont players weren't good enough.

I get the reservations with Brown - I think he's a useful player, but he's a high school power guard.

He's not "unbelievably talented". He doesn't shoot very well and doesn't handle the ball that well - that is the kind of player who doesn't always translate well in college once they're not bigger/stronger than the opposition.

Earlier this year, there was a 'top 100' player who was deciding between Rutgers and Boston College. If you're deciding between those two schools, you're not actually a top-100 player. I think the same carries for Bruce Brown - it is what it is.

 

[Huskyforlife]

The Vermont players weren't good enough.

I get the reservations with Brown - I think he's a useful player, but he's a high school power guard.

He's not "unbelievably talented". He doesn't shoot very well and doesn't handle the ball that well - that is the kind of player who doesn't always translate well in college once they're not bigger/stronger than the opposition.

Earlier this year, there was a 'top 100' player who was deciding between Rutgers and Boston College. If you're deciding between those two schools, you're not actually a top-100 player. I think the same carries for Bruce Brown - it is what it is.

Then why did we recruit him? Why is Indiana recruiting him?

 

[intlzncster]

Then why did we recruit him? Why is Indiana recruiting him?

Maybe they thought his game would develop more over his high school career...and it didn't.

From Fishy's description he almost sounds like a poor man's Briscoe.

 

[Fishy]

Then why did we recruit him? Why is Indiana recruiting him?

Why did we stop? Why did nearly everyone else stop?

This isn't hard.

 

[superjohn]

Maybe they thought his game would develop more over his high school career...and it didn't.

From Fishy's description he almost sounds like a poor man's Briscoe.

He's not like Briscoe who is a point guard with a really tight handle, Brown is a shooting guard who wants to switch to being a point guard but it ain't happening for him, needs too much work on handle and passing.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I hate creating pressure for a freshman, but I think Gilbert has the goods to lead the team as a freshman. He wouldn't be the first one to come to UConn with that ability and that height.

And were any of those undersized talented guards ready to lead as freshmen?

Kemba? Nope
Bazz? Nope
Boat? Nope

So you're putting him above those three when you say he can lead a team as a freshman

 

[Gringo]

And were any of those undersized talented guards ready to lead as freshmen?

Kemba? Nope
Bazz? Nope
Boat? Nope

So you're putting him above those three when you say he can lead a team as a freshman

I think he was referring to Khalid.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I think he was referring to Khalid.

Fair enough but my overall statement stands: you're putting him above Kemba, Bazz, and Boat when you say he's ready to lead a NC contender as a freshman

 

[Gringo]

Fair enough but my overall statement stands: you're putting him above Kemba, Bazz, and Boat when you say he's ready to lead a NC contender as a freshman

Bazz played 25 minutes a game on a national champion team where he played Robin to Kemba's batman. Next year will be Jalen Adams team. I don't think it's unreasonable to think he can play a Bazz type role. But you're right, he won't be leading the team. Adams will most likely be the leader.

 

[ctchamps]

Fair enough but my overall statement stands: you're putting him above Kemba, Bazz, and Boat when you say he's ready to lead a NC contender as a freshman

Your putting words into my post. I don't see any NC in my post. Just has the goods to lead the team.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Fair enough but my overall statement stands: you're putting him above Kemba, Bazz, and Boat when you say he's ready to lead a NC contender as a freshman

Does that mean that Khalid was better than all of those guys? Maybe it's possible that not all players have the same career arc.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Your putting words into my post. I don't see any NC in my post. Just has the goods to lead the team.

I'm not trying to put words in your mouth, but I see our 16-17 team as a contender. And you said you see him having the goods to lead said team.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Does that mean that Khalid was better than all of those guys?

As far as being a capable leader as a freshman, as is the topic of this little tangent? Yes.

 

[ctchamps]

Bazz played 25 minutes a game on a national champion team where he played Robin to Kemba's batman. Next year will be Jalen Adams team. I don't think it's unreasonable to think he can play a Bazz type role. But you're right, he won't be leading the team. Adams will most likely be the leader.

This. I'm not saying Gilbert is better than Adams or will be the team leader. But he can be a floor general at times when KO chooses to use him in that role.

 

[CallMeBruce]

As far as being a capable leader as a freshman, as is the topic of this little tangent? Yes.

So what does that have to do with Gilbert? Why are Kemba, Napier, and Boatright being treated as hallowed untouchables? Some players are able to run NC contenders as freshmen. Maybe Gilbert is one of them. Why bring up Walker, Napier, and Boatright, none of whom had the opportunity, like them not doing it proves something?