Starting five for 2025-26

[Lambeau]

BY board wildly overestimated Stewart last preseason, and is at it once more; I agree with Ruff, Mullins at 3 is the key.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I'd be shocked if he didn't backup the 2 and 3 to start the season. If Stew is also seeing time at the four there is plenty of time to be had between the two.

We won a championship 2023 without a single player playing 30 minutes
The 5 playing 28. That team was at its peak in April.
That leaves 50+ minutes to distribute
Stewart plays the 3-4
So unless your moving Ball to the 3
That’s a possible 20 minutes available at the three
Plus another 10 at the 2
So the you could have a bench player conceivably playing 30 minutes , not likely but hypothetically.
Ray Allen started 0 games as a freshman but was the 2nd leading scorer
Boock came off the bench as freshman until season ending injuries to Polley and Akok. If this kids comparable to them I’m already salivating . The board has a fixation with starting which to some kids is critical but to a real mature confident kid it’s about PT and contributing.
My and Hurley’s concern is minutes during contested times . The reality they’re human and humans have good nights and not so good plus injuries always loom in the background. The key to success is to have players ready to step in. Last year an injury was pretty detrimental . The year before we survived with key injuries to Castle and Clingan on a team with questionable depth .Every year is different a kid or multiple kids may prove to be huge . Joey C abd Diarra became Huskie’s legends as bench superstars . That’s what great about college basketball each year is completely different from the last in team personality.
I am already excited . This years team is going to be very good .

 

[jibsey]

No one dissing or underestimating Mullins. Let’s see what he’s got defensively in the BE. We should know a lot by Jan 1.

 

[AdamaNation]

Mullins is the wild card. A kid that highly rated more than likely will earn a starting role so the three is going to be interesting.

I really think Mullins is a special talent. His release is so quick and he just looks like he is going to become way better of the dribble because he squares up and releases the ball so quickly.

Karaban, Reed Jr, Ball and Demary have to be locks to start. I see Mullins and Stewart in a competition for the last spot in the starting five.

If we get a 4/5 player in the portal like most think we will plus Stewart, Smith, Reibe, and Ross….here we go again.

Another team that will look really deep on paper.

He’s our Rex Chapman.

 

[SwampYankee]

No one dissing or underestimating Mullins. Let’s see what he’s got defensively in the BE. We should know a lot by Jan 1.

Mullins is projected as a strong defender by most scouts. Per Adam Finkelstein: "The other area of the game in which Mullins is a true standout is on the defensive end. He's quick laterally, very active with his hands (1.4 steals per game), and competitive with a scrappy mentality." There's only one reason these defensive issues keep getting raised on the BY, and it's a pretty tired one. Meanwhile, according to Evan Miya, JStew and Solo are barely on the right side of a negative defensive rating, trailing Reed, Diarra, McNeeley, Johnson, Karaban, and yes, even Mahaney.

 

[jibsey]

Mullins is projected as a strong defender by most scouts. Per Adam Finkelstein: "The other area of the game in which Mullins is a true standout is on the defensive end. He's quick laterally, very active with his hands (1.4 steals per game), and competitive with a scrappy mentality." There's only one reason these defensive issues keep getting raised on the BY, and it's a pretty tired one. Meanwhile, according to Evan Miya, JStew and Solo are barely on the right side of a negative defensive rating, trailing Reed, Diarra, McNeeley, Johnson, Karaban, and yes, even Mahaney.

Mullins is 190 lbs. but I’m glad he’s rating that highly. As I said, we will know much more Dec end. I gotta see against tough BE forwards. Eye test.

 

[SwampYankee]

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

The biggest indicator that Mullins and Solo are both likely to start is the fact that our number one portal target was always going to be a jumbo PG. Silas will run the offense while guarding the best wing on the opposing team. He's intended to cover any size issues that comes from have two true shooting guards on the floor for long stretches.

 

[Lafayette]

Mullins is 190 lbs. but I’m glad he’s rating that highly. As I said, we will know much more Dec end. I gotta see against tough BE forwards. Eye test.

190 lbs? I see it mostly at 180 or 185 everywhere but UConn's site at 190. Also seeing his height anywhere from 6'4" to 6'6" so who really knows.

 

[SwampYankee]

Mullins is 190 lbs. but I’m glad he’s rating that highly. As I said, we will know much more Dec end. I gotta see against tough BE forwards. Eye test.

Mullins is a standout offensive player. He's also a standout defensive player. That's why he's a 10-15 range prospect. And yet, we don't hear "well, gotta see how he shoots against BE defenders." Instead, there's a fixation on his defense. There's only one reason why that comes up from Boneyarders who aren't knowledgeable about his game and as I said, it's tired.

 

[Lafayette]

Mullins will start or begin to start ~8 games in. He is basically as prized by UConn as Liam was coming in. Different position though.

Speaking of rosters: Diaby is listed on UConn's athletic roster since he sat out as a partial qualifier last year, I believe he is our 6'5" guard for practices and some minutes should we need him.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

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

Mullins is the best shooter/scorer in the entire 2025 freshman class, and you think Hurley recruited him for defense?

 

[jibsey]

Mullins is a standout offensive player. He's also a standout defensive player. That's why he's a 10-15 range prospect. And yet, we don't hear "well, gotta see how he shoots against BE defenders." Instead, there's a fixation on his defense. There's only one reason why that comes up from Boneyarders who aren't knowledgeable about his game and as I said, it's tired.

What’s tired is you thinking Stewart came back to be a backup. Reed was better than Johnson and Johnson started the whole season.
Mullins if that great will play equal minutes to Stew and along side of him but you would bet your life on him starting over Stew? Uh no you wouldn’t.

 

[Marat]

Mullins is the best shooter in the entire 2025 freshman class, and you think Hurley recruited him for defense?

Hopefully he will be lights out for us. Still our success and championship contender status will be determined by our team defense ability. A top 10 offense and top 100 defense will not win us a title. If Mullins is quick on defense laterally than great.

 

[SwampYankee]

What’s tired is you thinking Stewart came back to be a backup. Reed was better than Johnson and Johnson started the whole season.
Mullins if that great will play equal minutes to Stew and along side of him but you would bet your life on him starting over Stew? Uh no you wouldn’t.

I have no idea what Stewart's thought process was. Maybe he figured Karaban would go pro and guessed wrong. I haven't seen anything from the past two years that should have convinced him he's guaranteed 20 minutes a night just because he came back. The more important point is, you're out of your mind if you think the best HS player in Indiana (of all places) got lured to UConn to ride the pine. Would I bet my life he doesn't get beat out? No. That's insane. But Hurley better give him every opportunity if he wants to keep getting the top prospects.

 

[jibsey]

I have no idea what Stewart's thought process was. Maybe he figured Karaban would go pro and guessed wrong. I haven't seen anything from the past two years that should have convinced him he's guaranteed 20 minutes a night just because he came back. The more important point is, you're out of your mind if you think the best HS player in Indiana (of all places) got lured to UConn to ride the pine. Would I bet my life he doesn't get beat out? No. That's insane. But Hurley better give him every opportunity if he wants to keep getting the top prospects.

Look, we both want him to excel. McNeeley was a lights out 3 point shooter…..until he was welcomed to the Big East. Big strong bodies in your face when you shoot kinda does that.
Hope he proves to be as good on both ends as you think he will.

 

[k-walk]

Look, we both want him to excel. McNeeley was a lights out 3 point shooter…..until he was welcomed to the Big East. Big strong bodies in your face when you shoot kinda does that.
Hope he proves to be as good on both ends as you think he will.

Apparently liam shot like 43% on open catch and shoot 3s and 11% off the dribble. I think Liam would’ve been fine if he wasn’t asked to be our offensive creator.

 

[3rdbass]

Yeah I think Reibe is definitely a 5 but does tend to drift to the outside a bit. He's also a freshman and isn't going to be a Clingan type freshman. Just would feel much more comfortable in the event of injury (hope not) and foul trouble (inevitable) if we have a real 3rd string center. Especially since we're a bit light at the 4 and don't really have a true backup there either.

Well Stewart played the backup 4 last year. I mean it is great to get more guys who coupld contribute but do we have the money left to pay that? Also, it would someone want to play only 10 minutes and maybe a few more if bothr bigs are in foul trouble? I just don't see it unless we pay like St. John's seems to be doing.

 

[Colin G]

30 Silas
30 Ball
20 Jaylin
30 Alex
25 Tarris
25 Mullins
15 Furphy
15 Ross
10 Smith/Reibe




200 Minutes- Not sold yet on Reibe, and Malachi Smith might be a worse defender than Mahaney. It's been said that Furphy can play 1-3 and I expect more wing-heavy lineups similar to what we see in the NBA, especially if Hoss or Silas are on the bench. I think Tarris will be a beast and have a borderline all conference season, but will still struggle with foul trouble. Think we see more 5 out looks next year, with Alex playing more minutes at the 5 in a switchable lineup. With any level of improvement offensively from Ross he will play more as he is the one guy that is a true "stopper" on this roster, something we sorely missed last year. I think Solo plays slightly less, but we see something similar on a spreadsheet that we saw with Adama Sanogo his Junior year, where he plays fewer minutes with stronger depth behind him, but ultimately his averages go up. At some point this season the 'yard will melt down over mullins not starting over stewart a la Samson and Tarris debate all year.

 

[RuffRuff]

Mullins is the best shooter/scorer in the entire 2025 freshman class, and you think Hurley recruited him for defense?

My guess - not nearly as good as the heralded shooter he’s tabbed (so was Liam) but a better defender than we’d expect. He is light on his feet.

 

[Apollo]

Put me in the Jayden Ross camp. The athleticism is there. It’s up to the coaching staff to figure out his role, and on Jayden to figure out the pace.

At times his movement seemed to be ahead his mind. I think he’ll be at 15 minutes/ game and will be interchangeable with Mullins depending on offensive/ defensive matchups.

 

[Lafayette]

Way too early to guess on starting 5, and who are starting 5 are if 3-4 get health minutes doesn't mean much. Some are just better off the bench (See Diarra, Gwynn, etc).

But for what we know:

Silas Demary Jr, Solo Ball, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed, Jr., are 4 starters we can bank on.

Wether it's Stewart as a big, or Mullins as a guard or Ross as a tweener, or even Furphy as a wildcard we cannot yet measure, it really doesn't matter.

Bench will have Smith, Reibe, Diaby and whoever doesn't start from Stewart, Ross, Mullins, Furphy. And we have yet to glimpse how much better any returner is, so Stewart and Ross certainly should improve...let's hope Alex, Tarris and Solo also do!

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Hopefully he will be lights out for us. Still our success and championship contender status will be determined by our team defense ability. A top 10 offense and top 100 defense will not win us a title. If Mullins is quick on defense laterally than great.

Defense is half the game, granted, but for a kid who averaged 32ppg in high school, to say his time on the floor will be predicated on his defense regardless if he’s a big time scorer is a little ignorant. If he blows a defensive assignment after hitting three three’s, sure Hurley or Luke will talk to him but reducing PT for a kid with his offensive talent is stupid.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

My guess - not nearly as good as the heralded shooter he’s tabbed (so was Liam) but a better defender than we’d expect. He is light on his feet.

He’s a decent defender, but 32ppg as a high school senior is not something Hurley or Luke can teach. Not trying to draw anything from high school stats and I hated to see McNeeley leave, but 32ppg vs 12ppg does standout. I mean maybe McNeeley played in a tougher high school league or his hs team didn’t have the players to feed him the ball, but still. Just saying.

 

[jibsey]

We have 6 months to argue about this stuff but no one will truly know until games against high level competition.

 

[superjohn]

He’s a decent defender, but 32ppg as a high school senior is not something Hurley or Luke can teach. Not trying to draw anything from high school stats and I hated to see McNeeley leave, but 32ppg vs 12ppg does standout. I mean maybe McNeeley played in a tougher high school league or his hs team didn’t have the players to feed him the ball, but still. Just saying.

McNeeley played on the best high school team ever and played against the other top high school basketball teams in the country. Mullins is a better shooter than him though, very different players with very different physical/athletic profiles.

 

[Son of Robert]

BY board wildly overestimated Stewart last preseason, and is at it once more; I agree with Ruff, Mullins at 3 is the key.

Speaking for myself I am not overestimating how good Stewart might be this year, or who will be the starter at the 3. I do not have a dog in this fight. As a basketball fan at the college level, specifically a long-time UConn fan, a very substantial part of my enjoyment is derived from watching young players develop as much as they are going to at this level, and how their play fits into the team framework both offensively and defensively. I may inject some wishful thinking here and there, I want each player to find their potential best self, but the players are going to speak for themselves with their play on the court, and that is that. Mullins, Stewart, Ross, Furphy, all will see time at the 3, the minutes will shake out how they shake out.

 

[Mooch82]

Well Stewart played the backup 4 last year. I mean it is great to get more guys who coupld contribute but do we have the money left to pay that? Also, it would someone want to play only 10 minutes and maybe a few more if bothr bigs are in foul trouble? I just don't see it unless we pay like St. John's seems to be doing.

But he’s more of a 3 who can play the 4 in a pinch. I’m not expecting a high end guy, just another body who can play the 5/4, say 8-10 mpg. Wouldn’t be a big $ acquisition…I don’t think anyone still available is getting big $ from anyone to be honest.

 

[3rdbass]

But he’s more of a 3 who can play the 4 in a pinch. I’m not expecting a high end guy, just another body who can play the 5/4, say 8-10 mpg. Wouldn’t be a big $ acquisition…I don’t think anyone still available is getting big $ from anyone to be honest.

Well technically Karaban isn't 4 but is due to his lack of speed. I guess he might have longer reach than Stewie but not even sure about that. We are only asking J-Stew to back up 5-10 minutes a game there similar to what he did this past season. If he is scoring he will be a fine 4 for us. He can rebound too and has good enough size and strength to play there. Have we even been linked with anyone since Karaban announced he was returning?

 

[NJHusky]

He’s a decent defender, but 32ppg as a high school senior is not something Hurley or Luke can teach. Not trying to draw anything from high school stats and I hated to see McNeeley leave, but 32ppg vs 12ppg does standout. I mean maybe McNeeley played in a tougher high school league or his hs team didn’t have the players to feed him the ball, but still. Just saying.

Don’t forget Liam was part of the best HS team in the country, which included Flagg. All 5 starters went to top colleges

Mullins is THE guy on his team. No one else got offers…no way he does that on last years Montverde team

You can’t compare their scoring numbers because the situations are sooo different

 

[Doctor Hoop]

I'd be shocked if he didn't backup the 2 and 3 to start the season. If Stew is also seeing time at the four there is plenty of time to be had between the two.

This