Starting five for 2025-26

[caw]

Have we seen any demonstrations at all of Stew being a kid that scored off the dribble? I feel like we can count them on one hand.

Most of his buckets were spot up threes, put backs or dump ins deep/lobs.

He showed some decent mid-range shooting but it's not a major part of Hurley's offense and it was mostly against zones IIRC.

 

[Lafayette]

Stew and Ross are likely better as Juniors and to what degree is just speculation at this point.

When super frosh was Castle he started and we went with Newton / Castle / Spencer / Clingan / Karaban for many minutes.

When super frosh was McNeeley he started.

This year is super dependent on Reed’s progression to let Hurley feel comfortable with 3 guards and AK with him but I am sure we will see it.

 

[mauconnfan]

It’s nice to have a guy who has experience off the bench and can fit in the 3 or 4 if needed. I think Mullins starts and he can shoot it as well as handle and pass it.

 

[RuffRuff]

You are assuming no improvement next year and I am hoping there is, especially for Solo and Stew. For Mullins his time on the court will be predicated on defense

Improvement is one thing, expecting a player to become something they are not is another.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I love JStew but someone said it best. If Mullins is starting it means he is elite. Higher ceiling for us if Mullins starts. JStew is a great off the bench spark.

 

[RuffRuff]

I love JStew but someone said it best. If Mullins is starting it means he is elite. Higher ceiling for us if Mullins starts. JStew is a great off the bench spark.

I can see JStew getting 25 minutes between backing up the 4, playing the 3 when we have Solo on bench.

Let’s not forget he wasn’t not great defending quicker wings.

 

[MrJama100]

Hurley said Mullins is the next one-and-done and when he say that (Castle, McNeeley) the kids starts sooner rather than later.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Guys, why are we so hung up on the starting 5? Let's consider the whole depth chart:

PG: Demary (30), Smith (10)
SG: Ball (30), Smith (10)
SF: Stewart (10), Mullins (20), Ross/Furphy (10)
PF: Karaban (30), Stewart (10)
C: Reed (25), Reibe (15)

I'd expect something like that for an 8.5 man rotation (and I'm not as versed on the new guys so don't @ me if I've forgotten someone or over/under/mis-stated their likely role).

 

[jibsey]

Defend and rebound. Stewart has the muscle to do that and we’ll see if Mullins does. Stew probably has 25 lbs. on him. Stew is 6’7 215 Mullins is 6’5 190 as listed. Do they play the same position?

 

[GampelGladiator]

Full season minutes per game...

30 Ball
30 Karaban
25 Demery Jr
25 Reed Jr
20 Mullins
20 Stewart
15 Reibe
15 Smith
10 Furphy
10 Ross

PG: SDJ (25) & MS (15)
SG: SB (30) & BM (10)
SF: JS (15) & BM (10) & JF (10) & JR (5)
PF: AK (30) & JS (5) & JR (5)
C: TRJ (25) & ER (15)

 

[aburks41]

Defend and rebound. Stewart has the muscle to do that and we’ll see if Mullins does. Stew probably has 25 lbs. on him. Stew is 6’7 215 Mullins is 6’5 190 as listed. Do they play the same position?

Mullins is more of a 2/3 while Stew is more of a 3/4. They're gonna overlap though a lot at the 3

 

[metsfan2323]

The 3 spot is wide open and highly competitive, for all we know Furphy might steal the position if he can be a point forward, Ross making a leap is also a possibility.

 

[jibsey]

Mullins is more of a 2/3 while Stew is more of a 3/4. They're gonna overlap though a lot at the 3

OK, and that overlap is going to have defensive ramifications. I can tell you one thing, I’m excited about this. How much longer do we have to wait?

 

[REB1094]

Pros and cons to each

If Mullins starts, our front 3 is small and weak defensively, but we have LIGHTS OUT shooting. If this is it, that means we’re aiming to outscore everyone

If Stewart starts, we have a versatile guy to plug holes, but we lose offensive firepower so it has to be made up by Stewart’s defense. If this is it, that means we’re putting all of our playmaking ability on Silas and Solo and letting Stewart fit into whatever the game needs at the time

Neither is a bad option. Personally I’d like to see Silas/Solo/Mullins/AK/Reed start with Stewart splitting 20 minutes a game at backup SF and PF

 

[SwampYankee]

I'm not sure what is more perplexing: the number of posters who think "loyalty" will discourage Hurley from starting a top-15 freshman or the the fact that some people think that Indiana's Mr. Basketball left home to come off the bench at the UConn. Really great strategy if your goal is to turn off all future 5* recruits. Also, the revisionist history of how good Stew was last year makes me wonder if I was watching a different program...

 

[Son of Robert]

He didn‘t make anything look easy. Shot 38% from 2 and 30% from 3. High usage low efficiency player. And couldn’t defend.

People interpret words differently, and they make assumptions. Again, McNeeley did make it look easy; he put the ball on the floor and drove the lane at will. That he was not real successful at scoring in the lane more so after his injury is not something I addressed, nor the threes, nor his defending. So just keep it real here.

 

[Horatio]

We need about 2-3 more players. I’d guess that at least one of those players would be a threat to get some minutes. We’ve had 3 solid years of limited to zero injuries. To not pick up 2-3 more guys after Hassan and McNeeley’s injuries last year is coaching malpractice.

 

[Horatio]

I'm not sure what is more perplexing: the number of posters who think "loyalty" will discourage Hurley from starting a top-15 freshman or the the fact that some people think that Indiana's Mr. Basketball left home to come off the bench at the UConn. Really great strategy if your goal is to turn off all future 5* recruits. Also, the revisionist history of how good Stew was last year makes me wonder if I was watching a different program...

Things changed once he won “ Mr. Basketball Indiana “. Plus the fact that Hurley already labeled him a one and done. If he shows up this summer as the real deal, I can’t see him sitting the bench.

 

[DRBackup]

True that. McNeeley made it look so easy, just drive the lane man, make it happen. It's what Jalen needs to do to bring his game to the next level. He has a lot more shake and bake than he has shown and a very good handle. There are spots in these offensive sets to look for your shot; Jalen needs to be aggressive and take advantage.

He did ? Maybe in some games, but certainly not consistently. The idea is to score when that happens, and that wasn't the case a bit too often

 

[Deepster]

Oh good! I'm glad someone posted this so we can beat it to death over the next 6 months!

 

[Inyatkin]

We need about 2-3 more players. I’d guess that at least one of those players would be a threat to get some minutes. We’ve had 3 solid years of limited to zero injuries. To not pick up 2-3 more guys after Hassan and McNeeley’s injuries last year is coaching malpractice.

I'm confused

 

[Horatio]

I'm confused

Dyson, AJ Price level injuries vs last year. Last season could’ve been handled better with depth, which didn’t have

 

[Lafayette]

Positionless is what the coaches love - guys who can slot > 1 traditional role:

Guards that lean PG: Silas, Malachi
Guards than lean SG: Solo, Braylon
Wings that are SF/SG: Braylon, Jacob
Wings that are SF/PF: Jaylin
Wings that are SF/PG: Jayden
Wings that are PF/PG: Alex
Centers pure: Tarris
Center that are C/PF: Eric

This allow for flexibility vs who the opponents are putting in:

3 Guards if Reed and Alex can anchor the frontcourt vs smaller teams: Silas, Solo, Braylon
Go Big lineup if we need: Tarris, Eric, Alex or Tarris, Alex, Jaylin
Guards if they have a tough full court press: Silas, Malachi, Jayden (yes, we was a PG before he grew).

Anyway lots of possibilities with this crew and 1-2 more players for practice or small minutes will really help.

 

[Slick]

Hurley said Mullins is the next one-and-done and when he say that (Castle, McNeeley) the kids starts sooner rather than later.

I think what people have to realize is that Mullins seems to be a wonderful defensive player who picks up a lot of steals

 

[Mooch82]

Dyson, AJ Price level injuries vs last year. Last season could’ve been handled better with depth, which didn’t have

PG was the biggest issue, which was really just an Aidan issue. That was clearly a mis-evaluation, and we've already corrected that this offseason by bringing in a true point to backup Demary. As of right now Furphy is probably the 3rd string PG....I'd like to bring in a big and a combo guard to fill out the roster. If I'm greedy, I'd like a 4/3 as well.