Silver Linings | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Silver Linings

Were all of the Michigan starters first year transfers? If so, that's a pretty messed up future for college basketball.
We had more players in our starting lineup who started their college careers at Michigan than Michigan did.

Big $ schools will just buy new rosters every year. Broken system
 
Another Silver Lining is Coach Hurley probably recruited Demary, Malachi, Millender, and Koroma on the promise of not playing as much as they’re used to but they would help UCONN get to a final four. That was probably the major factor in getting starters to commit to lesser roles. Hurley delivered on that promise. Millinder contributed in the Furman game, Malachi finally got a spotlight that he would’ve never gotten anywhere else. You can’t put a price on these things, especially when we’ll need to add pieces this portal season.
 
Hoping for a 5 that can start or very least push Reibe for time. And a 4 that can shoot but taller than Alex so he can play 5 in a pinch. Another PG is absolutely necessary, doubt Danny is comfortable running County out as the only other bal handler
Agree on the 5. Love Reibe's offensive potential. If I'm honest with myself, the defense regressed a bit as the year wore on and rebounding was a struggle at times. Also fouls became an issue. Some of this is being a freshman and he will develop and improve in these areas I'm sure. Enough to challenge for another championship and playing 25-30 minutes a game? That would be a major gamble. I trust our coaches but it's pretty obvious we need a very good contingency plan at the very least at C. Most of the best teams this year had 3 bigs. We need more frontcourt size next year regardless. Too many physical mismatches were on the floor for us at times at various positions. The fact we overcame them time and time again is a tribute to both our players and coaches.
 
Agree on the 5. Love Reibe's offensive potential. If I'm honest with myself, the defense regressed a bit as the year wore on and rebounding was a struggle at times. Also fouls became an issue. Some of this is being a freshman and he will develop and improve in these areas I'm sure. Enough to challenge for another championship and playing 25-30 minutes a game? That would be a major gamble. I trust our coaches but it's pretty obvious we need a very good contingency plan at the very least at C. Most of the best teams this year had 3 bigs. We need more frontcourt size next year regardless. Too many physical mismatches were on the floor for us at times at various positions. The fact we overcame them time and time again is a tribute to both our players and coaches.
Love Reibe, but I'm not convinced he can be a starter yet next season. I would ideally prefer an old and experienced 7 footer at the 5 with Reibe still coming off the bench for about 15 min/game.
 
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We need some size. One big isn’t going to get it done unless it’s another Clingon. We seemed to lack another big at the 2.
 
No Nimari Burnett had been there a couple years. But rest assured the future is definitely messed up for college basketball

Hard calling him a starter where by seasons end McKinney was getting more time. 5 brand new players lead that team, which is scary. But so was last Duke last year, who only had Proctor as a returner.

Don’t think Hurley will ever go this route because he simply doesn’t enjoy it.
 
Almost feeling sorry for Jaylin Stewart. Its like he's been forgotten his whole career.

Same here. The fact he keeps coming back is a testament to how much kids love the program. Does Hurley reward his for it next year?
 
The 4 we get in the Portal is going to be the biggest position we will need. I think it is going to be a more athletic player who can sore. Also, need an Athletic 5 to pair with Reibe.
Not reasonable to believe 100% that Reibe will be back at UConn
 
Not reasonable to believe 100% that Reibe will be back at UConn

In today’s world of portal, I don’t think you can call anything 100%. Especially when bigs are at a premium. The staff probably knows that at this point, the entire deck is on the table.
 
The silver lining is that we ended this Michigan team's unstoppable / best of all time narrative. Taking them to the final minute + the duke win makes it feel like we are in control of the sport. We won't win every championship, but if you're going to win one you need to check in with Connecticut
 
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I love the high number 4 but it’s absurd at this point. The good news is that Hurley will bring in elite talent to compliment the players who leave, I’m pretty certain.
There will be endless speculation and threads and everyone here is poised to weigh in to keep us all going until next fall.
Where do we need the help to get back for another shot at the final four?
 
I think we need to do a lot in the portal. We need size and athleticism. We need guys who can attack the rim and a 5. The verdict is out on how to stop us by switching everything on the perimeter. Danny needs to reload and adjust this offseason. I also think there are just two locks to return. Everything else is fluid.
Hopefully, there is a change of pace PG that UConn can land. I'd also like to see a 5 who can offer some rim protection and a big 4. Karaban leaves such a big hole, and though he could be pushed around at times, he was fundamentally as sound as they come and when healthy, turned into a pretty good 1-on-1 defender. There is a lot to replace.
I haven't read anything in a while. Are there any 'late or Spring bloomers' that the staff is also interested in?
 
Almost feeling sorry for Jaylin Stewart. Its like he's been forgotten his whole career.
He's gotten plenty of opportunities here. He just hasn't ever made the next level leap to be a starter at the level that we expect our starters to be at. Ross took bigger strides this year and IMO outplayed Stew on the bench. Not sure either of them will be starting caliber next year, but I'd love to have Ross back with another summer of development off the bench.
 
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We gotta get a rim protector and get taller. We got beat tonight by the rim protection we used to have.
7’3” doesn’t grow on trees but I think I’m not alone in hoping we start to engage the international market a little more.

We comb euro leagues for plays, why not players?
 
He's gotten plenty of opportunities here. He just hasn't ever made the next level leap to be a starter at the level that we expect our starters to be at. Ross took bigger strides this year and IMO outplayed Stew on the bench. Not sure either of them will be starting caliber next year, but I'd love to have Ross back with another summer of development off the bench.
Stewart has talent and skill but isnt aggressive enough. He's got a mild personality. Maybe he's on his phone / game console too much. Hurley made another reference recently about that.
 
Hoping for a 5 that can start or very least push Reibe for time. And a 4 that can shoot but taller than Alex so he can play 5 in a pinch. Another PG is absolutely necessary, doubt Danny is comfortable running County out as the only other bal handler
Your 5 right over Reibe adds the problem of needing a backup 5 so that second request for a 4 that can play backup 5 makes sense. Good luck finding a 6'10" guy who can guard 1 through 5 while putting up 15 points per game on 36% 3-point shooting though.
 

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