Starting Lineup for Our Return to the BEAST

[Dean Wormer]

Locks: Bouk, Cole, Whalley
If healthy: Polley
Next: No clue

Andre Jackson starts on Day 1 or plays starter minutes by season end. There’s enough talent there that you let him work through the freshman kinks like DH did with Bouk.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Polley isn't starting.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Andre Jackson starts on Day 1 or plays starter minutes by season end. There’s enough talent there that you let him work through the freshman kinks like DH did with Bouk.

Doubt he starts day 1, bouk couldn't even crack the lineup until polley went down. But hopefully shows enough to be playing that much like bouk did.

 

[Ratso]

Doubt he starts day 1, bouk couldn't even crack the lineup until polley went down. But hopefully shows enough to be playing that much like bouk did.

lol, a lot happened in a year. bouk & jackson are the stars. so we’re banking on carlton? ...........gotta say i haven’t been this alive since 2015

 

[ucawn]

lol, a lot happened in a year. bouk & jackson are the stars. so we’re banking on carlton? ...........gotta say i haven’t been this alive since 2015

Carlton to the NBA #Boukit

 

[Horatio]

Diggins
Cole
Andre Jackson
Akok
Sanogo


That is the starting lineup when we actually get to see the floor.

The sad truth

 

[TheChamps990411]

I think Sanogo beats out Carlton at center.

Id be very surprised if he doesn't. Sanogo looks like a beast who doesn't care who he's going up against. He's going to give them hell for every minute he's in there.

 

[Kitaman]

Why is Jackson (an unproven freshman) being so 'starter' hyped in this thread? Is he that good to start, pushing Polley to the bench or even if Hurley starts 3 guards (Bouk, Gaffney, Coles)?

I haven't seen him play other than a few mixtapes. Just asking if he's really BE ready on Game 1.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Why is Jackson (an unproven freshman) being so 'starter' hyped in this thread? Is he that good to start, pushing Polley to the bench or even if Hurley starts 3 guards (Bouk, Gaffney, Coles)?

I haven't seen him play other than a few mixtapes. Just asking if he's really BE ready on Game 1.

It's a rite of summer and early fall where all incoming freshmen are expected to beat out 3-4 year starters because those starters haven't become All-Americans yet

 

[ucp990411]

Cole
Gaffney
Bouknight
Whaley
Carlton

 

[Kitaman]

It's a rite of summer and early fall where all incoming freshmen are expected to beat out 3-4 year starters because those starters haven't become All-Americans yet

Yeah thanks for the reminder.

I do remember Freshman Boat, the our legend out of Chicago, being hyped for starting over sophomore Bazz. And yes, that was around August/September.

 

[Kenny11]

I can see us starting 2 pg's...Cole, Gaffney, Bouknight, Polley, Whaley with Jackson taking Polley's spot pretty quickly.

 

[gtcam]

If Jackson can defend and mix it up for the boards, Polley isn't going to see the floor except when DH feels he needs some 3 pt shooting. I just don't see Polley coming back and eager to get physical - something that doesn't come naturally for him.
Hopefully this isn't the case but my gut tells me he will be a bit timid (and I don't blame him for that at all)

 

[LurkSoHard]

Cole
Bouk
Jackson
Whaley
Carlton

While I don't think this is necessarily our best lineup, I think it's the most likely lineup we see to start the year. Hurley seems to be one of those coaches where he makes the young guys earn it and gives the vets a chance to start for putting in the work the previous year(s).

Of course, by my own logic that would mean Polley would be the 3 and not Jackson. But Jackson has such a diverse skillet it's easy to justify his spot in the starting lineup, and his athleticism combined with Bouk's may be too tantalizing for Hurley to pass up. Throw in the fact that Polley is coming off of a major injury and I can see Hurley viewing him as the first forward off the bench that he puts in when the team is in need of some shooting.

It's really nice to have options again, lol.

 

[nashusky109]

Cole
Bouk
Jackson
Whaley
Carlton

To start the season thats what i see as well. I son't see Hurley as the type to rush Polley back but rather integrate him in game situations to get his feet wet again. Early and often subs as well across the board.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Yeah thanks for the reminder.

I do remember Freshman Boat, the our legend out of Chicago, being hyped for starting over sophomore Bazz. And yes, that was around August/September.

The Boat over Bazz conversations wouldn't be in the top 20 of overreactions of newcomers replacing returning players on this forum. Freshman Bazz wasn't anything spectacular and Boat proved his mettle along the way.

 

[mauconnfan]

To start the season thats what i see as well. I son't see Hurley as the type to rush Polley back but rather integrate him in game situations to get his feet wet again. Early and often subs as well across the board.

Yeah nas and Lurk that's where I am also. Believe DH starts with this lineup for various reasons including the Polley injury as well as kids earning time, and heck if it stays this way that would mean Carlton moved more towards the end of his soph year with improvement so we become even deeper. Also believe vs others lineups things may change as the season progresses. As Lurk said it's really nice to have options again.

 

[CL82]

Yeah nas and Lurk that's where I am also. Believe DH starts with this lineup for various reasons including the Polley injury as well as kids earning time, and heck if it stays this way that would mean Carlton moved more towards the end of his soph year with improvement so we become even deeper. Also believe vs others lineups things may change as the season progresses. As Lurk said it's really nice to have options again.

I think our depth allows us to play Hurley basketball with aggressive defense that is fundamentally sound and doesn't gamble.

 

[Huskymagic]

Polley isn't starting.

Polley is our most solid player outside of Bouk and our best perimeter shooter who happens to be 6’9. He’s definitely starting and rightfully so.

Why everyone has Cole starting is ridiculous. Gaffney should be the starter.

Ideally Akok should be starting next to Polley and Whaley with Andre first guy off the bench.

AJacks needs to work on his shot.

 

[ucawn]

Polley is our most solid player outside of Bouk and our best perimeter shooter who happens to be 6’9. He’s definitely starting and rightfully so.

Why everyone has Cole starting is ridiculous. Gaffney should be the starter.

Ideally Akok should be starting next to Polley and Whaley with Andre first guy off the bench.

AJacks needs to work on his shot.

Yep all Polley needed was some beef on his bones to help rebounding and was rebounding pretty well a few games before the injury.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Polley is our most solid player outside of Bouk and our best perimeter shooter who happens to be 6’9. He’s definitely starting and rightfully so.

Why everyone has Cole starting is ridiculous. Gaffney should be the starter.

Ideally Akok should be starting next to Polley and Whaley with Andre first guy off the bench.

AJacks needs to work on his shot.

I'm a big fan of Gaff but won't freak out if Cole starts over him. I know what Gaff brought to the table as a frosh and have a decent feeling of what he should be able to bring as a Soph. If Cole can be better than what I expect a Soph Gaff to be, then I'm okay.

Agree a healthy Polley is starting, and I agree for the reasons you stated.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Polley is our most solid player outside of Bouk and our best perimeter shooter who happens to be 6’9. He’s definitely starting and rightfully so.

Why everyone has Cole starting is ridiculous. Gaffney should be the starter.

Ideally Akok should be starting next to Polley and Whaley with Andre first guy off the bench.

AJacks needs to work on his shot.

I agree Gaff is starting over Cole, but Polley had one good game. He barely rebounded, barely played defense, and couldn't dribble. He'd be perfect for a first off the bench, catch a shoot player. A three-guard lineup or Jackson as our 3 would be better. Our guards played better defense and rebounded better than him. Look at his stats from last year, they're not impressive. He had 5 games out of 15 where he had over 3 rebounds. Off the bench, catch and shoot would fit him perfectly

 

[Deuce]

Polley is our most solid player outside of Bouk and our best perimeter shooter who happens to be 6’9. He’s definitely starting and rightfully so.

Why everyone has Cole starting is ridiculous. Gaffney should be the starter.

Ideally Akok should be starting next to Polley and Whaley with Andre first guy off the bench.

AJacks needs to work on his shot.

Tough choice for you with NJ guard vs NJ guard isn’t it? Kinda like the skinniest fat chick?

edit-I realize this makes me a bad person but I now find myself wanting ONLY guards from New Jersey when it’s something I never once thought of in my entire life before hearing of your bizarre stance.

 

[Waquoit]

I agree Gaff is starting over Cole, but Polley had one good game. He barely rebounded, barely played defense, and couldn't dribble.

Couldn't disagree more. Just before his injury I saw a player in the process making "The Leap." Horrible timing. I really hope he comes back 100% for his sake.

 

[fatlucy]

Polley is our most solid player outside of Bouk and our best perimeter shooter who happens to be 6’9. He’s definitely starting and rightfully so.

Why everyone has Cole starting is ridiculous. Gaffney should be the starter.

Ideally Akok should be starting next to Polley and Whaley with Andre first guy off the bench.

AJacks needs to work on his shot.

Polly had one legit game. He was one of the most frustrating players I’ve watched at UCONN. Coming off a serious injury that could force a regression in his aggression, makes me seriously concerned about his play. I don’t think he’s a lock to start by a large margin.