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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.
Starting five for 2025-26
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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.
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.
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.
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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.Mullins is the best shooter/scorer in the entire 2025 freshman class, and you think Hurley recruited him for defense?
Apollo
step back from the ledge
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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.
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.
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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!
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!
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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
Prescribing Hardwood Excellence
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Finkelstein is just making things up. I doubt he's ever watched him play a high school game.
The kid hasn't showed anything on defense because he hasn't HAD to. He's overwhelmingly been the best player on the floor every time he touches it in high school. They play a lazy zone.
He has tools to be good on defense and has proven nothing.
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32ppg in a public school league. Context matters here. Clingan averaged 30 for BCHS and wasn't great offensively as a freshman.
What he did on the Adidas circuit and his great physical profile for an NBA SG are why he's ranked so high. Kid can shoot the rock, is fast and can jump outta the gym.
That's my starting five with a very deep and vertical bench.
Context matters here also, as I only was replying to a guy who posted “my guess - he’s not nearly as good a shooter as he’s tabbed”. Thought that was a strange comment on a heralded 5 star UConn recruit who averaged 32ppg.
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Haven’t seen anyone, no.
I think I kinda said that, actually in the form of a question, but thanks for pointing it out again.
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Hey look when he wrote the article and when Mullins played Adidas S33B circuit - also given his height is now listed at 6'6" I would say things change and when the article was written was one writer's view at that time.
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Way I see it Stew will get 5-7 minutes backing up the 4, another 15-16 minutes playing the 3 with Mullins/Silas playing the 2. Maybe a couple with Solo at the 2. I’d think he’s in for 25ish minutes this year, a nice bump for him and an opportunity to show growth.
Huskyforlife
Akokbouk
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Despite the inefficiency of Liam and AK often times last year, our offense was still very good. I think the offensive upgrade at point and center will contribute to a better offense, and hopefully AK having a consistent shooting season for once. Don’t think it’s a major concern if Stew or Mullins are breakdown creators for the type of shots we try to generate.
The defense is what held us back for the majority of the year, we need leaps on defense from Ball and Stewart. I don’t want to hear any excuses, it’s year 3 in this system and we all believe in Dans ability to develop players, and these guys have the physical talent to develop.
I’m still in the camp that Mullins starts. I think the story of the team will be our insane shooting duo, and support from Demary and AK. It’ll be a top 5 offense.
The defense is what held us back for the majority of the year, we need leaps on defense from Ball and Stewart. I don’t want to hear any excuses, it’s year 3 in this system and we all believe in Dans ability to develop players, and these guys have the physical talent to develop.
I’m still in the camp that Mullins starts. I think the story of the team will be our insane shooting duo, and support from Demary and AK. It’ll be a top 5 offense.
Huskyforlife
Akokbouk
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Demary(25)-Smith(15)
Ball(30)-Demary(5)-Mullins(5)
Mullins(20)-Stew(15)-Ross or Furphy(5)
Alex(30)-Stew(10)
Reed(30)-Reibe(10)
Ball(30)-Demary(5)-Mullins(5)
Mullins(20)-Stew(15)-Ross or Furphy(5)
Alex(30)-Stew(10)
Reed(30)-Reibe(10)