So You’re Telling Me There’s A Chance

[jibsey]

However Hurley finishes this year’s roster all we realistically want after number 5 is to be in position for a chance. And Clingan in the 5 spot is what makes that possible this year with a bunch of pieces around him. Don’t know if it’s possible to have his backup be as productive or influential as he was because there were many times when we looked better with him in there. We’ll worry about next year next year but Clingan makes all things possible for us.

 

[Dove]

I'm glad we clinged to Clingan.

 

[Jaydumo20]

However Hurley finishes this year’s roster all we realistically want after number 5 is to be in position for a chance. And Clingan in the 5 spot is what makes that possible this year with a bunch of pieces around him. Don’t know if it’s possible to have his backup be as productive or influential as he was because there were many times when we looked better with him in there. We’ll worry about next year next year but Clingan makes all things possible for us.

Purdue was #1 much of the year with a dominant big surrounded by a bunch of freshmen, if I remember correctly. And Clingan has more lateral ability and quickness than Edey so he won't get exposed by smaller teams (ala FDU).

 

[McLovin]

Purdue was #1 much of the year with a dominant big surrounded by a bunch of freshmen, if I remember correctly. And Clingan has more lateral ability and quickness than Edey so he won't get exposed by smaller teams (ala FDU).

And he will add an outside shot, which Edey didn’t have…

 

[HailUConn]

I have faith in Hurley and his coaching staff. Over the last year, we witnessed the growth and development from players, coaches, offense and defense schemes across the board. And more importantly, our talent level continues to rise. We may have ups and downs along the way, but by March, Hurley will have a potent squad in the big dance.

 

[Conndog]

But not having Sanogo is gonna hurt, he was so dominant in scoring. Love Clingan and I hope his scoring becomes a bigger factor this next year- it will be needed for sure.

 

[Tiamat7]

Need a couple more pieces in the portal, but likely Jaylin Stewart is a bucket- getter off the bench.

 

[ctchamps]

I haven’t read the OP but I believe there’s always a chance. After 50 years with the same woman I still believe I can win the next argument.

 

[CL82]

Sanogo/Clingan was a hell of a 1-2 punch at center. Add to that guys who could put it in the hole from distance and two guys who could slash and make their way to the basket and it’s no surprise that teams had such difficulty with us.

 

[Phoenixhusky]

I expect Karaban to make a jump as well.

 

[prankster]

I haven’t read the OP but I believe there’s always a chance. After 50 years with the same woman I still believe I can win the next argument.

Triumph of hope over experience.

BTW. Winning the argument is simply the beginning of the new argument.

 

[ElGreco]

I have faith in Hurley and his coaching staff. Over the last year, we witnessed the growth and development from players, coaches, offense and defense schemes across the board. And more importantly, our talent level continues to rise. We may have ups and downs along the way, but by March, Hurley will have a potent squad in the big dance.

Spot on. The trip to Europe and early season tournaments will be of tremendous value to this team!

 

[storrsroars]

Purdue was #1 much of the year with a dominant big surrounded by a bunch of freshmen, if I remember correctly. And Clingan has more lateral ability and quickness than Edey so he won't get exposed by smaller teams (ala FDU).

Edey might have been the slowest player in D1 this century. OTOH, Clingan gets up and down the court faster than most bigs.

I was really hoping we'd have faced Purdue as I saw a 40 pt beatdown coming.

The big question is how many minutes can Clingan reasonably deliver w/o getting burned out like Adama did in '22.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I expect Karaban to make a jump as well.

Karaban showed confidence late in the year putting the ball on the deck, beating defenders to the paint, and finishing through contact. I expect him to do more of that, while maintaining the excellent shooting/spacing/passing he showed this year.

 

[jibsey]

I haven’t read the OP but I believe there’s always a chance. After 50 years with the same woman I still believe I can win the next argument.

I have exciting news for you. After my interaction with the opposite sex over the past 70+ years I feel that I'm very close to cracking this case on how to deal and how to win. I honestly think in the next just 25-30 years I'll have the solution.

 

[ctchamps]

I have exciting news for you. After my interaction with the opposite sex over the past 70+ years I feel that I'm very close to cracking this case on how to deal and how to win. I honestly think in the next just 25-30 years I'll have the solution.

I actually did win an argument once. And then I woke up!

 

[storrsroars]

I actually did win an argument once. And then I woke up!

I've actually won a few. And there's a name for when you win one: pyrrhic victory.

 

[Offhegoes]

Clingan is going to be a monster, however stepping into a main role on a team with extended minutes, defenses designed for you, players going at you to get you in foul trouble - there will definitely be an adjustment period and learning curve. He will be the man.

 

[jibsey]

I've actually won a few. And there's a name for when you win one: pyrrhic victory.

Yup, that's when you find out later you actually lost? Been there many times.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

The big question is how many minutes can Clingan reasonably deliver w/o getting burned out like Adama did in '22.

That's the thing. I imagine that it would be a huge stretch to believe sophomore year DC would be better conditioned than sophomore year AS. In a perfect world, I believe Hurley would like to keep Clingan at 28-30 minutes each game. This would require some contribution from Singare and possibly some fill in minutes with two fours (AK & SJ). As I imagine the minutes SH wants from AK & SJ will exceed 40 per game I don't think it is a leap to think this is part of Hurley's plan.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I think we’ll have the number 1 defense if Hurley can surround Clingan with non potato level defenders. He’s gonna have the rim on lockdown, just need guys to stifle the 3pt line if Newton/Andre aren’t around to continue their high level play.

With a strong defensive foundation comes a very promising team. I’ll be interested to see how the staff builds an entirely new offense around the Castle/Clingan PnR, especially with shooting currently a weakness. I suspect half of our playbook to be thrown out and replaced with more paint heavy sets.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Karaban showed confidence late in the year putting the ball on the deck, beating defenders to the paint, and finishing through contact. I expect him to do more of that, while maintaining the excellent shooting/spacing/passing he showed this year.

Yeah i think Karaban is going to be really, really good next season. He was a freshmen yet so big a contributor to the title run. Cling needs to work on his conditioning because he wont likely have the luxury of a stud coming off the bench to give him a breather and keep him fresh into March.

 

[HooperScooper]

The big question is how many minutes can Clingan reasonably deliver w/o getting burned out like Adama did in '22.

“Donovan’s not going to be able to be a 32 to 34 minutes a game player, nor do we want him to be,” Hurley said. “We want Donovan to be able to be in that 26-to-28-minute range I think in a perfect world and there’s gonna be more frontcourt minutes there.”

With uncertainty looming over roster, UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley calls for patience

With plenty of roster decisions still up in the air, UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley is preaching patience as players like Tristen Newton and Andre Jackson decide on their NBA futures…

www.courant.com

 

[GHSWolverines]

Yeah i think Karaban is going to be really, really good next season. He was a freshmen yet so big a contributor to the title run. Cling needs to work on his conditioning because he wont likely have the luxury of a stud coming off the bench to give him a breather and keep him fresh into March.

Also needs to work on free throw shooting

 

[Khal Drogo]

“Donovan’s not going to be able to be a 32 to 34 minutes a game player, nor do we want him to be,” Hurley said. “We want Donovan to be able to be in that 26-to-28-minute range I think in a perfect world and there’s gonna be more frontcourt minutes there.”

With uncertainty looming over roster, UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley calls for patience

With plenty of roster decisions still up in the air, UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley is preaching patience as players like Tristen Newton and Andre Jackson decide on their NBA futures…

www.courant.com

Article says four in the transfer portal. I only count three.

 

[jibsey]

Karaban can work on getting his own shot off the bounce more but at his size he’s not super quick. This kid lives and breathes basketball by his own admission and sees a pro future to work toward.

 

[Chief00]

Sanogo/Clingan was a hell of a 1-2 punch at center. Add to that guys who could put it in the hole from distance and two guys who could slash and make their way to the basket and it’s no surprise that teams had such difficulty with us.

I still don’t think people fully appreciate that 1-2 punch. We got 60% shooting from that position, rebounds and blocked shots. We could out muscle and out tall you all in the same game.
As much exposure as Adama got in March, I think the teams are going to be a little surprised at how quick his feet are. Sure point guards 25 feet from the basket could break him down off the high hedge but there are very few front court players he can’t keep in front of him 1 on 1.

 

[Chief00]

Karaban can work on getting his own shot off the bounce more but at his size he’s not super quick. This kid lives and breathes basketball by his own admission and sees a pro future to work toward.

The thing that impresses me about Karaban is that he always plays better the second time around on conference foes. He learns from and corrects his own weaknesses. More than a little of our improvement from January was about that on both ends of the court.

 

[geordi]

I agree with your assessment of Clingan. He's a beast. But don't get too enthusiastic about DC being a centerpiece of championship # 6 right now. He's got to learn how to play without fouling. He was in foul trouble several times after only a few minutes of game time last year. If he were to play roughly 30 minutes per game, at that rate he'd average 4.5 - 5 fouls a game. Fouling out of half of our games is not going to help us much. That being said, Clingan is a game changer that can certainly be an important cog in the new season.

 

[TheHorde]

Need a couple more pieces in the portal, but likely Jaylin Stewart is a bucket- getter off the bench.

I think people are sleeping on how much Stewart, Ross, and Ball will produce. Castle is more known, but those other incoming freshmen will be better than most realize. And Singare will develop a lot just from practicing against Clingan.