The Adams and Enoch Future

[Sphinx]

I know nothing of Gibbs apart from what he's shown in two exhibitions, but I see not a trace of Kemba or Shabazz in his performance. All such traces are found in Jalen Adams alone. Gibbs is due a fair shot in the regular season, but if Adams is not our PG come March, I really think that our hopes of a deep run are wishful thinking.

Ditto Brimah. Give us a true alpha dog at PG (possibly Adams), and Amida will serve well enough at C. But if all we get is competence at PG, we need a dominant center, and Enoch is our only shot. Others here have acknowledged that he is a massive presence, has great hands and a quick move to the hoop, but "will need more that that" to replace Brimah. Huh? I don't think so, and if you do, just read the above sentence again, please.

This is a great team, and it may find many ways to win, but the most certain way it can find to win is to develop and exploit the incredible natural abilities of its two freshmen.

 

[4in16]

Gibbs is more of a shooter but is capable of making plenty of assists. Try to watch some of his Seton Hall tape. I wouldn't put too much stock into the expeditions in relation to how the regular season lineup will flow.

 

[Rocktheworld]

That short PNR on the baseline OOB play between the two that got Enoch at least two buckets can be absolutely deadly by next year.

And this year at least, you have Brimah/Miller waiting on the weak side, with DHam/Purvis/Omar and Gibbs waiting on the perimeter for a kick-out to shoot or drive after the defense has already shifted to defend said PNR. Amazing offensive options there.

 

[Gringo]

This is a great team, and it may find many ways to win, but the most certain way it can find to win is to develop and exploit the incredible natural abilities of its two freshmen.

Sorry, but this is not the most certain way to win. You are very quick to dismiss a guy who averaged over 16 ppg last year and is our best 3 point shooter. Also very quick to dismiss our most dominant interior presence.

I think everyone is excited about our freshman this year, but I can assure you Gibbs and Brimah will play a very large role in how far this team goes this year. More so then Adams and Enoch.

 

[intlzncster]

I know nothing of Gibbs apart from what he's shown in two exhibitions, but I see not a trace of Kemba or Shabazz in his performance. All such traces are found in Jalen Adams alone. Gibbs is due a fair shot in the regular season, but if Adams is not our PG come March, I really think that our hopes of a deep run are wishful thinking.

Ditto Brimah. Give us a true alpha dog at PG (possibly Adams), and Amida will serve well enough at C. But if all we get is competence at PG, we need a dominant center, and Enoch is our only shot. Others here have acknowledged that he is a massive presence, has great hands and a quick move to the hoop, but "will need more that that" to replace Brimah. Huh? I don't think so, and if you do, just read the above sentence again, please.

This is a great team, and it may find many ways to win, but the most certain way it can find to win is to develop and exploit the incredible natural abilities of its two freshmen.

Zero chance Adams (or Enoch for that matter) start this year, unless UCONN has injuries. The value of a junior/senior experience level is too great in college ball these days, especially in March. Gibbs didn't come here to come off the bench. The added benefit is that there's two change of pace guys off the bench.

 

[Rico444]

Threads like this are what happens when you put way too much stock into two exhibition games.

 

[aceboon]

If you only saw Shabazz in the exhibitions or against the overmatched teams his last 2 years you probably wouldn't think much of him either. This post, good grief man...

 

[Sphinx]

Your first sentance totally negates any credibility in your last sentance. Yes, Adams is dynamic, and will be a star, but he is a freshman. Yes he has looked good, but we have not seen him play against D1 teams yet. We are less likely to go very far if we are relying on a frosh as our primary point gaurd. You have seen two EXHIBITION games which you are basing your opinion on that we are doomed if Gibbs is our primary point gaurd. In all likelyhood, Gibbs is holding back and/or feeling the team out at this point, it will take them all some time to gel and for us to really get a feeling for what this team will be. Gibbs is a proven and mature player who we will need if we want the younger and/or more dynamic players to flourish.

A reminder that KEA was a freshman in 1997-8, and nevertheless replaced a reasonably competent junior PG called Ricky Moore, and the result was an Elite Eight appearance derailed only by a UNC team featuring Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison playing before a home crowd. Moore was good, Gibbs is good, but KEA was "dynamic" and so, I submit, is Jalen Adams.

 

[intlzncster]

A reminder that KEA was a freshman in 1997-8, and nevertheless replaced a reasonably competent junior PG called Ricky Moore, and the result was an Elite Eight appearance derailed only by a UNC team featuring Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison playing before a home crowd. Moore was good, Gibbs is good, but KEA was "dynamic" and so, I submit, is Jalen Adams.

Yeah, but the difference is Sterling Gibbs is a stud. He's better than merely good. And he blows Moores scoring out of the water. He's by far UCONN'S best 3pt threat.

 

[Sphinx]

Zero chance Adams (or Enoch for that matter) start this year, unless UCONN has injuries. The value of a junior/senior experience level is too great in college ball these days, especially in March. Gibbs didn't come here to come off the bench. The added benefit is that there's two change of pace guys off the bench.

But then, too, the most recent national champ started three freshmen, including a freshman point. As to experience-level, some experience counts more than the rest; for example, the experience of picking a whipped Jalen Adams pass off your kneecap and putting in the bucket (Enoch -- see NH video). Or would you like to hold your breath waiting for AB to duplicate.

 

[aceboon]

But then, too, the most recent national champ started three freshmen, including a freshman point. As to experience-level, some experience counts more than the rest; for example, the experience of picking a whipped Jalen Adams pass off your kneecap and putting in the bucket (Enoch -- see NH video). Or would you like to hold your breath waiting for AB to duplicate.

Is Enoch going to duplicate Brimah's rim protection and defensive presence? Given how little you have spoken of it my guess is you either don't value it and/or can't evaluate it. I'd also wait to evaluate Enoch's offensive game when he's facing real live opponents but after 1 exhibition game against UNH you seem to have your mind made up.

 

[Sphinx]

Yeah, but the difference is Sterling Gibbs is a stud (1). He's better than merely good (2). And he blows Moores scoring out of the water(3). He's by far UCONN'S best 3pt threat. (4)

That's the great thing about the BY -- always picking up new information. (See numbers in parens where references were inadvertently omitted.)

 

[Palatine]

Gibbs looks like a mature player that understands everything that is happening. He knows he is good. He doesn't have anything to prove in these exhibitions. When things are on the line, he will be a very steady hand. I think he is vastly under appreciated by the OP.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

KEA was one of a kind. He was far more than dynamic as a freshman, and was light years ahead of Kemba, Bazz, and any other PG we have had with possible exception of Sheffer (who was older). I think that the key for Jalen is if he and Sterling can play well together and if Jalen can play under control with relatively few mistakes. I do agree that Jalen is going to be really, really, really good if not great. Maybe even one of the best ever at UConn. Gibbs needs more game time to establish himself. He's been too unselfish so far, IMHO. He has a whole lot more to show us, I expect.

 

[bmayuc]

But then, too, the most recent national champ started three freshmen, including a freshman point. As to experience-level, some experience counts more than the rest; for example, the experience of picking a whipped Jalen Adams pass off your kneecap and putting in the bucket (Enoch -- see NH video). Or would you like to hold your breath waiting for AB to duplicate.

You are trying to fix something that aint broke, as they say. Everyone has really good roles, clear roles right now.

Starters
Gibbs can play PG, make plays like last night(some sweet oops, drives, etc) and shoot the lights out(45% 3pt).
Purv can focus on scoring.
DHam can be a playmaker and all-around stat beast.
Shonn can beast on the boards and score in the post
Brimah can focus on D & finishing from oops.

Jalen can bring energy/creativity boost off the bench, play lock-down defense(shabazz version 2011, lol the "reacharound bandit")
Enoch looks like our energy/size/inside scoring big
Facey looks like our energy/athleticism/versatile big
Nolan is our Defensive specialist Big
Calhoun/SC2 are shooters off the pine

Those are REALLY solid roles for November.

With that being said, I anticipate as JA gains experience, he will play in our "closing" small lineup, like Bazz did in 2011. But don't rush it, man.

Aint Broke, Don't fix it.

 

[Walker11]

The OP is obviously undervaluing Gibbs in a huge way but no one will be surprised if Jalen is finishing games by the middle of the season. It will be interesting to see how KO manages end of game lineups, and how potentially, a veteran will welcome react to being on the bench in the biggest moments.

 

[intlzncster]

But then, too, the most recent national champ started three freshmen, including a freshman point. As to experience-level, some experience counts more than the rest; for example, the experience of picking a whipped Jalen Adams pass off your kneecap and putting in the bucket (Enoch -- see NH video). Or would you like to hold your breath waiting for AB to duplicate.

But that's the exception, not the rule, as UK demonstrates late in March every year. I'd also argue that Duke was helped out a bit by the refs during that Wisconsin game.

 

[intlzncster]

The OP is obviously undervaluing Gibbs in a huge way but no one will be surprised if Jalen is finishing games by the middle of the season. It will be interesting to see how KO manages end of game lineups, and how potentially, a veteran will welcome react to being on the bench in the biggest moments.

You think Rodney will be on the bench in those moment then? It sure won't be Gibbs, given his superior shooting ability.

 

[Walker11]

You think Rodney will be on the bench in those moment then? It sure won't be Gibbs, given his superior shooting ability.

I think we will see Gibbs, Hamilton and Miller finish most games. The others will depend on circumstance, matchups, etc. Hopefully we see a lot of super small ball with Miller @ the 5.

 

[MexicoHusky]

I disagree about Gibbs. We will need his shooting. And he looks solid as a ball handler.

I still think Enoch has a chance to start before the end of the year. He certainly has a chance to play an even amount of minutes with Brimah (worded for those whose dont put a lot of stock in starting).

 

[DogMania]

I was at the game yesterday. Adams is very impressive. Ran the offense with a lot of maturity. Before some foul shots, he pulled the team together, something that you don't often see in freshman. He has a really nice feel for the game and seemed to push the ball up the court a bit more than Gibbs did.

I would not be surprised to see Adams getting more and more time at the point as the season goes on, and even supplant Gibbs as the starting point guard by the end of the year. As someone pointed out, it's not who starts the game, but who finishes it. That's something to look for throughout the season.

I was very impressed by Enoch, and would have liked to see more of him. He looked overwhelmed in the first exhibition game but a lot more comfortable in the one yesterday. He's extremely athletic for his size. I have a feeling that we'll see more of him as the season goes on. I think he has a high ceiling and will be the next great UConn frontcourt player who was low to moderately ranked. I'm not saying he's going to replace Brimah in the starting lineup, but has a chance to eat up some of his minutes. Nolan and Facey better start showing improvement or they'll find Enoch grabbing some of their reserve minutes as well.

KO isn't just coaching for this season, but for next season as well. I'm not saying he'll play lesser experienced players at the expense of winning, but will be giving Adams and Enoch minutes to develop them for a strong run next year. I do expect Brimmah and Miller to log the majority of the minutes at the 4 and 5.

 

[Leebo]

Dude, instead of declaring that Gibbs is underwhelming, why not go educate yourself. We don't need to rehash all the highlight videos and stats for you. The info is all here on the board and in other easy to find places.

 

[alfonse]

I am not going to comment on Gibbs because we have not really seen him yet. I would like to point out though that Adams is the real deal. People saying that freshman are freshman and upperclassmen are much more valuable are not seeing the college game is it stands today. I hate Duke as much as the next guy but they won it all with a freshman point guard last year, and a bunch of other freshman as well. It does not always work out perfectly(see some Kentucky teams) but it can work. Obviously early he will not be starting but cream always rises to the top....

 

[polycom]

Troll was successful. If not a troll, lacks understanding of the importance of seniority/in game experience in major D1 college basketball.

 

[businesslawyer]

Your first sentance totally negates any credibility in your last sentance. Yes, Adams is dynamic, and will be a star, but he is a freshman. Yes he has looked good, but we have not seen him play against D1 teams yet. We are less likely to go very far if we are relying on a frosh as our primary point gaurd. You have seen two EXHIBITION games which you are basing your opinion on that we are doomed if Gibbs is our primary point gaurd. In all likelyhood, Gibbs is holding back and/or feeling the team out at this point, it will take them all some time to gel and for us to really get a feeling for what this team will be. Gibbs is a proven and mature player who we will need if we want the younger and/or more dynamic players to flourish.

Let's be clear here -- Gibbs is not Shabazz or Kemba, and he was not brought here to be Shabazz or Kemba. They were both national player of the year candidates. We know what Gibbs was after four years of college -- he's an all conference level player who, depending on how the year goes could be an Honorable Mention AA.

But neither Adams nor Enoch is going to be a national player of the year candidate THIS YEAR either. So if you want to make a case that Adams is already better than Gibbs, fine. Although I don't know how you rationally do that before their first games. But you are not knocking Gibbs by saying he's not Kemba or Shabazz.