Solo's Replacement - Paul McNeil

[EBonz30]

McNeil and Ball are both SGs, Mullins leaving is assumed, but only one can start. Would McNeil be OK being a backup for two years?

Both could start- they are both wings- SG is a outdated term- just like Mullins & Ball started this year at wings.

 

[Son of Robert]

Veteran shooting guard, McNeil is smooth out there. There's an economy and efficiency of movement with him getting an open look, also doesn't need much room. Gets vertical with a high release, hard to defend, many of those shots in the film session the defender is tight on him. Think he would thrive in Hurley's offense. Whoever said they got Rashad Anderson shooting vibes from this guy, I agree.

 

[Fishy]

We need a Malachi Smith and more size. Adding a shooter makes sense as well.

But we need multiple players.

We're one twisted ankle away from having to play 210-pound small forward Nik Khamenia at center and another twisted ankle away from having to bring a fan out of the stands to play point guard.

 

[FearThePups]

Stroke reminds me a little of Ray in the first few clips and like that he’s battle tested in the ACC.

Good range too

 

[tenyears]

Kinda like Joey California. Spark plug three.

Pauley Carolina?

 

[nomar]

Ok can’t take it anymore. The Yankee outfielder is Paul O’Neill. Different last name.

You don't say!

I'll be darned, that got by the rest of us. Thank God you're here!

 

[Inyatkin]

Ok can’t take it anymore. The Yankee outfielder is Paul O’Neill. Different last name.

I'm actually aware of that. I was making a joke based on the similarity of their names

 

[husky99]

We are getting derailed....lol

 

[auror]

I doubt we can afford McNeil with what we have allocated elsewhere and will need to allocate for a backup big.

And if we could afford more... we'd probably just get a better 2nd big instead of paying for McNeil.

 

[Fishy]

We are getting derailed....lol

 

[nomar]

I doubt we can afford McNeil with what we have allocated elsewhere and will need to allocate for a backup big.

And if we could afford more... we'd probably just get a better 2nd big instead of paying for McNeil.

I think we could use a shooter. We were counting on Ball returning to form.

If we're looking for a backup C and PF, and a Joey C type, then I think we've got the money to sign this kid.

 

[FearThePups]

Let me translate. We don’t have a backup pg on the roster. Isn’t that a bigger need? Others like county, Ross or silas can slide to the 2.

Two things can be true at the same time. Yes we need a backup point guard but we also need to replace Solo’s point production.

 

[UCFan1513]

I think we could use a shooter. We were counting on Ball returning to form.

If we're looking for a backup C and PF, and a Joey C type, then I think we've got the money to sign this kid.

I think this kid would be the rich man's Joey C. County plays the backup PG minutes if needed and Braylon develops more handles (like Solo running point sometimes last year). I just hope it wouldn't impact our backup C. Backup PF might be the one that gets cut the most

 

[Kemba15]

Absolutely, I'm shocked some don't see it that way. We need another starter who can put the ball through the net.

Seems like some plugged in folks are saying we're targeting backups and the starting 5 is set

 

[Fishy]

We need a Malachi Smith and more size. Adding a shooter makes sense as well.

But we need multiple players.

We're one twisted ankle away from having to play 210-pound small forward Nik Khamenia at center and another twisted ankle away from having to bring a fan out of the stands to play point guard.

From Borges' article, it seems like Dan Hurley is comfortable with Junior County backing up Silas at point.

Good enough. (But actually play him, Dan Hurley.)

 

[nomar]

I think this kid would be the rich man's Joey C. County plays the backup PG minutes if needed and Braylon develops more handles (like Solo running point sometimes last year). I just hope it wouldn't impact our backup C. Backup PF might be the one that gets cut the most

Yeah, I didn't word that well at all. I agree, this would make a Joey C type moot.

Apparently County will be our backup PG.

 

[aburks41]

Seems like some plugged in folks are saying we're targeting backups and the starting 5 is set

Because that is exactly what Borges reported an hour ago lol. I guess thar means we're out on McNeil unless he wants 20 minutes off the bench

 

[Huskyforlife]

We are not getting this dude, you people will believe anything.

We’ve spent a massive amount of our budget already on the starters. There isn’t any left for another expensive starter.

We have multiple backups to pay still. Even if County is the projected backup PG, you need a better emergency option than AM. You need a good backup center in a heavily inflated big man market. And we probably want a solid big bodied wing to backup Khamenia at the 4.

Our 5 star SF is getting a chance to start in a competition with our returning senior. Landrew has Castle type potential, people just forgot about him because he committed before the season. He’s 6’6 230, strong, athletic, a dog, and he gets downhill in the half court. If he’s a year away, Ross has an incredibly high floor as an elite 3nD wing, he was better than Solo last season, and was key in us making the national title game. He might have a jump coming on the ball anyways.

 

[husky429]

We need a Malachi Smith and more size. Adding a shooter makes sense as well.

But we need multiple players.

We're one twisted ankle away from having to play 210-pound small forward Nik Khamenia at center and another twisted ankle away from having to bring a fan out of the stands to play point guard.

I have one year of eligibility left. If they'll waive the 4 in 5 rule and make it 4 in 20, I'll suit up.

 

[Fishy]

I have one year of eligibility left. If they'll waive the 4 in 5 rule and make it 4 in 20, I'll suit up.

Fine.

I don't care what your NIL ask is because you're not getting it. You get free sneakers. Maybe a snack after games.

 

[nomar]

We are not getting this dude, you people will believe anything.

We’ve spent a massive amount of our budget already on the starters. There isn’t any left for another expensive starter.

We have multiple backups to pay still. Even if County is the projected backup PG, you need a better emergency option than AM. You need a good backup center in a heavily inflated big man market. And we probably want a solid big bodied wing to backup Khamenia at the 4.

Our 5 star SF is getting a chance to start in a competition with our returning senior. Landrew has Castle type potential, people just forgot about him because he committed before the season. He’s 6’6 230, strong, athletic, a dog, and he gets downhill in the half court. If he’s a year away, Ross has an incredibly high floor as an elite 3nD wing, he was better than Solo last season, and was key in us making the national title game. He might have a jump coming on the ball anyways.

Yeah seems this was nothing but a car wash rumor. But I'm a bit surprised the plan to replace Solo is bringing in a Joey C type guy.

 

[FearThePups]

If this has already been posted my apologies:

MSN

good to know. But this article is 4 days old and was before the Solo news. If you were O’Neal, would you rather go to a team loaded for another tourney run or a team with a complete rebuild going on with a new coach?

 

[boog204]

We need a Malachi Smith and more size. Adding a shooter makes sense as well.

But we need multiple players.

We're one twisted ankle away from having to play 210-pound small forward Nik Khamenia at center and another twisted ankle away from having to bring a fan out of the stands to play point guard.

Well, that's what puzzling about people thinking we just need a Millender clone. Obviously was a great kid, but he struggled against Furman. Anyone who thinks he could have been a true backup against a real team is nuts.

 

[Hoophound]

Fine.

I don't care what your NIL ask is because you're not getting it. You get free sneakers. Maybe a snack after games.

Most people here would quit their job and move to Storrs for free snacks.

 

[karstenkibbe]

Yeah seems this was nothing but a car wash rumor. But I'm a bit surprised the plan to replace Solo is bringing in a Joey C type guy.

McNeil is definitely not a “Joey C type guy”. Dude averaged 14 ppg on an ACC squad that made the tournament. Joey was a nice bench piece, 165lbs soaking wet, for us from the University of San Diego. They aren’t comparable.

 

[NJHusky]

You give people a gold bar and they complain how heavy it is.....

Thinking we have a higher nil priority is not complaining. It’s a different opinion oracle

 

[Fishy]

Well, that's what puzzling about people thinking we just need a Millender clone. Obviously was a great kid, but he struggled against Furman. Anyone who thinks he could have been a true backup against a real team is nuts.

I don't think people have adjusted to the 15 scholarships.

We essentially have a second team of players who are not going to be used in games - we're going to bring in guys like Milllender or Koroma or the inevitable foreigners on their year in residence who are not intended to see the court. They're practice guys.

 

[superjohn]

Seems like some plugged in folks are saying we're targeting backups and the starting 5 is set

Let's wait and see. The starting 5's posters and Borges are suggesting is a step down from last season offensively and doesn't exactly align with what I've heard Hurley is going for and the backup center Borges is suggesting is a clear step down from Reibe in terms of production and size.

We're going to have to put the ball through the net and expecting Mullins to be Ray Allen in his second season is a huge ask.

 

[FearThePups]

I’d rather spend on Diop or Thiam as 5 / stretch 4… we have enough shooters in Mullins Khamenia Demary Ross and Landrew…We need a big physical frontcourt and pairing one of Diop or Thiam with Hines would be game over

Pitino is all over both those guys as is Michigan and Gonzaga.

 

[AllHusky]

My concern with County as the backup PG is: what happens if Demery misses extended time? It's one thing to spell Silas for 10 minutes a game but he's a HS combo guard -- stepping up as the starting PG is a huge challenge. And it's not like the SG is a combo guard either. Hopefully Mullins tightens his handle but he's a wing, not a guy who can initiate the offense. I don't mean to insult County but I just have absolutely no idea whether he's capable of shouldering that load.

I think we need a backup PG who's closer to Smith than Millender, a backup 4 and a backup 5. And I think those are our needs irrespective of whether this rumor is true.

Silas 100% healthy, all year.

Just build the roster as you want not based on worst case scenarios. Gotta have some GOOD luck with health. Poor shooting, refereeing and health issues were 3 strikes and your Runner Up this year. Can’t win National Championship without some decent luck(except in 23&24 🤣)