The Legacy of Alex Karaban

[Deleted at users request]

I think it is definitely worth diving into. Without Karaban, Jaylin Stewart or Samson Johnson starts at PF. That changes the entire dynamic of the team in only negative ways

He played the third most minutes, scored the third most points, had the third most rebounds, and made the second most threes. Scored 20+ points 8 times (tied with Cam for second most behind Newton's 9). 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks in the Final 4 including the dagger 3

He's not what we wanted him to be this year, but that's because we wanted him to be literally one of the 5 best players in America

If we don't 3peat (which is the most likely outcome as of today), it will be so heartbreaking if anybody sees his career as "Alex Karaban was a good role player" and not "Alex Karaban was an irreplaceable piece of multiple title runs"

Eh, we don’t know what Jaylin Stewart does or becomes being thrusted into a big role with 30 minutes a game. Maybe with the consistent playing time he performs like Karaban did his freshman year with the extra freedom and confidence.

Not trying to downplay Karaban’s impact, but we just don’t know these things. There’s no way Jeremy Lamb becomes Jeremy Lamb if he wasn’t given all those minutes his freshman year to figure things out. That just goes for any young, talented player.

 

[Spaceman213J]

Karaban is a guy who is smart and instinctual. Those type of guys tend to do better with similar types of players, which the team had in spades in the last two seasons.
Aside from McNeeley, who on UConn is a multi-level threat. The closest thing is Ball, but he isn't great at the rim. Spencer, Newton, Hawkins, Joey C. could all shoot lights out from 3 and all drive to the hoop. Sanogo and Clingan ate up space and added the 3 point shot (much more Sanogo though), but Clingan was a great passer.
On offense, Johnson, Reed, Diarra, Ross and Mahaney have underperformed or are pretty one dimensional. Ball at least has a midrange shot. The loss of McNeeley makes it really easy for teams to take away the things that Karaban does well. There have been times when they get mismatches and instead of dumping down low to Karaban (even Reed a few times) Diarra decides to try and take the big on the outside. For how great he is at defense and running in open floor, Diarra is awful at feeding the post. Reminds me of a few guys we had under Ollie who just threw it in with no thought or purpose (w/exeption of CV).
Also, I mentioned in another post. Hurley's and the staff's offense doesn't work if you don't actually constantly hit people with the screens. A few of the younger players show screen, but then fade and rarely ever body somebody. Karaban did a lot of the 'dirty' work. He looks to hit somebody and when floor opens up or guys turn their heads, he'll cut then. Some of these guys just go through the motions.
If we can get McNeeley back fully healthy and keep him healthy and Stewart continues to take the next step, which he appears he may be doing, the team will be fine. They need to realize they have a far less margin for error than the last few years and need to play a full 40 minutes every time out. Even yesterday, there was a play where AK rotated to Kalkbrenner, but neither Diarra or Reed dropped down from the double team/hedge after to the 3 point shooter. Kalkbrenner then found the guy for a wide open 3. If everyone pays attention to detail, and AK ends his shooting slump, this team could still be very dangerous.

 

[Gurleyman]

I think we need to see how it plays out. The final chapters are still going to be written. Maybe we have a great run in March - if we don’t win it all but go down swinging in a great game where he plays well, it’d cement a really positive legacy. Or even if maybe this year is a struggle and he decides to come back as a senior and next year we are dominant again (FF or NC), then we’re talking 3 great tourney runs in 4 years, which would be new territory too.

A lot of a player’s legacy comes from circumstances, too. KEA and Napier are considered among our greatest winners and have great legacies - but they both were bailed out. KEA was 0-12 from the floor in what would have been the most disastrous loss in our history against Gonzaga (George Mason x10 - at least we had 2 titles when that one happened). Then he made tons of plays in the FF. Napier was having a really rough night against St. Joe’s before Brimah put back his miss for a three-point play. Then he was money the rest of the way. But if we lose to St. Joe’s, he’s maybe seen a role player on a national champion and is appreciated for staying with the program through probation, but probably not seen as much of a leader after being the starting PG on two first round loss teams.

Even Kemba - he was already a legend for bringing us back from the depths of 2010 - but if that Horne three in the corner goes in for Arizona, he’s probably in the same boat as Caron. Beloved and transformational, but in tier two.

Ben Gordon also had his ups and downs before the title run. Felt like he was struggling with the burden of being our main scorer and had some rough nights.

But AK’s baseline is two-time champion, who wasn’t ever just along for the ride. We never had a close game - but his buzzer beating threes at the half against Gonzaga and Miami were big for momentum. He had a couple other key moments - beating Illinois to the rim three times in that 30-0 run, a basket and foul to stop Miami’s final push. A three against Purdue when we separated.

 

[yungdowork]

I think the lack of pure athleticism and a sharp handle just forces him into a situation where his role on the team isn't matching his skillset at the moment. In previous years, he was able to keep things simple and limit mistakes. As one of the leaders on this team, he's had to try to shoulder the load a few times to try to get things going, and it's resulted in some bad shots and some uncharacteristic turnovers. The good news for him is that NBA teams were never going to ask him to do the things he has to do on this team.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I think we need to see how it plays out. The final chapters are still going to be written. Maybe we have a great run in March - if we don’t win it all but go down swinging in a great game where he plays well, it’d cement a really positive legacy. Or even if maybe this year is a struggle and he decides to come back as a senior and next year we are dominant again (FF or NC), then we’re talking 3 great tourney runs in 4 years, which would be new territory too.

A lot of a player’s legacy comes from circumstances, too. KEA and Napier are considered among our greatest winners and have great legacies - but they both were bailed out. KEA was 0-12 from the floor in what would have been the most disastrous loss in our history against Gonzaga (George Mason x10 - at least we had 2 titles when that one happened). Then he made tons of plays in the FF. Napier was having a really rough night against St. Joe’s before Brimah put back his miss for a three-point play. Then he was money the rest of the way. But if we lose to St. Joe’s, he’s maybe seen a role player on a national champion and is appreciated for staying with the program through probation, but probably not seen as much of a leader after being the starting PG on two first round loss teams.

Even Kemba - he was already a legend for bringing us back from the depths of 2010 - but if that Horne three in the corner goes in for Arizona, he’s probably in the same boat as Caron. Beloved and transformational, but in tier two.

Ben Gordon also had his ups and downs before the title run. Felt like he was struggling with the burden of being our main scorer and had some rough nights.

But AK’s baseline is two-time champion, who wasn’t ever just along for the ride. We never had a close game - but his buzzer beating threes at the half against Gonzaga and Miami were big for momentum. He had a couple other key moments - beating Illinois to the rim three times in that 30-0 run, a basket and foul to stop Miami’s final push. A three against Purdue when we separated.

Man, those guys you put him with were stars. I didn’t watch much of KEA because he was before my time so someone else would have to speak on that. But even without those tourney runs everyone else had moments where they completely took over games and put the team on their backs as one of the best players in the country.

Karaban has made some great plays throughout his run here. But he is not those guys. He’s much more in the Josh Boone, Jeff Adrien, Rashad Anderson category of players (role wise not winning wise).

 

[Gurleyman]

Man, those guys you put with were stars. I didn’t watch much of KEA because he was before my time so someone else would have to speak on that. But even without those tourney runs everyone else had moments where they completely took over games and put the team on their backs as one of the best players in the country.

Karaban has made some great plays throughout his run here. But he is not those guys. He’s much more in the Josh Boone, Jeff Adrien, Rashad Anderson category of players (role wise not winning wise).

Yeah - I’m comparing him to guys on a different level. You’re right. More that was just to show how fickle “legacy” can be. It can affect role players too. There was a kid on the KEA team - Rash Jones - who more or less is going through what Mahaney is this year. He was a program guy and stuck with it, but he more or less lost his mojo halfway through his career, and his legacy would have been a guy who never panned out, except he ended up a key component of a national championship team and the ball ended up in his hands as the clock hit zero. Another guy - Ricky Moore - didn’t pan out as a point guard - but changed his role and became a legendary defensive stopper.

Was thinking yesterday that another guy who lost his mojo halfway through his career - after transferring - was Stephen Ashworth. But he battled through it and now is now indispensable to Creighton. Hoping we see something similar from Aidan.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Yeah - I’m comparing him to guys on a different level. You’re right. More that was just to show how fickle “legacy” can be. It can affect role players too. There was a kid on the KEA team - Rash Jones - who more or less is going through what Mahaney is this year. He was a program guy and stuck with it, but he more or less lost his mojo halfway through his career, and his legacy would have been a guy who never panned out, except he ended up a key component of a national championship team and the ball ended up in his hands as the clock hit zero. Another guy - Ricky Moore - didn’t pan out as a point guard - but changed his role and became a legendary defensive stopper.

Was thinking yesterday that another guy who lost his mojo halfway through his career - after transferring - was Stephen Ashworth. But he battled through it and now is now indispensable to Creighton. Hoping we see something similar from Aidan.

Agreed, and I don’t think this season hurts Karaban’s legacy at all as a two time national champion still.

Aiden is going through what almost every transfer here except Cam Spencer did so this isn’t very surprising to me at least. He should be much better next year once he’s more comfortable and familiar with what his role will be. Just like Cole, Martin, Newton, and Diarra did before him.

 

[Gburyhusky]

Husky of Honor (no brainer)

 

[RuffRuff]

Agreed, and I don’t think this season hurts Karaban’s legacy at all as a two time national champion still.

Aiden is going through what almost every transfer here except Cam Spencer did so this isn’t very surprising to me at least. He should be much better next year once he’s more comfortable and familiar with what his role will be. Just like Cole, Martin, Newton, and Diarra did before him.

If he’s content coming off the bench again.

Ashworth wasn’t asked to play a non natural position. Mahaney has one potential role at UConn and it’s as a PG. He is and will always be a liability at 2G. He’s not growing or getting faster.

With a group of 6’5”+ combo guards we have coming in that far better align with the staff strategy, not sure what his place is next year. I’m sure they’ll sit down after this season and figure out what makes sense.

 

[Deleted at users request]

If he’s content coming off the bench again.

Ashworth wasn’t asked to play a non natural position. Mahaney has one potential role at UConn and it’s as a PG. He is and will always be a liability at 2G. He’s not growing or getting faster.

With a group of 6’5”+ combo guards we have coming in that far better align with the staff strategy, not sure what his place is next year. I’m sure they’ll sit down after this season and figure out what makes sense.

I’ve said since the summer he’s more Joey C than Cam Spencer. So we’re in agreement there.

 

[superjohn]

Great player, all-time winner and one of our best connectors ever but as a player below our other all-time winners Bazz, Clingan, Newton. If he wins a third he's our winningest of all-time but below those other three as a player. He's a little better than Freeman and a lot better than Giffey.

 

[Flipside]

Great Player!

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Alex is a great player who has had a bit of rough stretch. That is all.

 

[RuffRuff]

I’ve said since the summer he’s more Joey C than Cam Spencer. So we’re in agreement there.

Joey played with so much pace and hunted shots, shot off the move and felt like an instant offense guy. Aidan is so deliberate and always feel like he needs to think first before he shoots, maybe that changes. Not sure they’re really the same at all, although could play similar roles I suppose.

 

[uchusky32]

All time great! Great system player. He needs to play within his game. Problem is we need him to play how he can't. And he probably also wants to show the NBA he could do more. And I believe he can within his game. He's got to get out of his head.

 

[superjohn]

All time great! Great system player. He needs to play within his game. Problem is we need him to play how he can't. And he probably also wants to show the NBA he could do more. And I believe he can within his game. He's got to get out of his head.

Disagree, I think the way he's playing lately is hurting us. I wish Hurley would tell him to play the way he always played. He's not a put it on the deck scorer and yet we're using him that way.

 

[freshler40]

Alex has nothing to prove

To rest on your laurels has somebody gaining on you or is it don't look back............

 

[dtrumpet]

Its not coincidental that his rough stretch is timed with Liam's injury. He was scoring in the high teens and 20's with LM playing, but aside from the bounce back GTown game (19) after Villanova , he's scored 13, 10 and yesterday's 8.

 

[uchusky32]

Disagree, I think the way he's playing lately is hurting us. I wish Hurley would tell him to play the way he always played. He's not a put it on the deck scorer and yet we're using him that way.

I agree it's hurting us. Between taking spots to far out. And not being able to finish around the rim. We are saying the same thing.

He shouldn’t be but he is.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Disagree, I think the way he's playing lately is hurting us. I wish Hurley would tell him to play the way he always played. He's not a put it on the deck scorer and yet we're using him that way.

Don't want him driving to basket trying to create a shot. He can't do that, not part of any skill set he has.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Alex is a great player who has had a bit of rough stretch. That is all.

Alex is without question a great player and if the fan base didn't have the expectations that we had coming off the past two seasons, we would look at this proudly as him being a major component of a team capable of spending the entire season ranked.

Without question he is the type of guy who not only could be valuable as the third, fourth or fifth best player on the court for the team (many cannot adapt to that role) but he also can thrive as the guy the opponent had to devote the least amount of effort to.

He has already given us far more than we could have hoped for when he committed and I'm confident that he will continue to add to his accomplishments. Please, be happy with this as it is something special.

Also, I am a bit miffed that at some point in this thread both Alex and Neil's Giffey had their individual accomplishments called into question.

 

[housekeys]

1) We have had a number of Batman and Superman on this team the past three years, but only one Robin.

2) If we win a third straight it will be because of AK.

3) I will value the opinion of Dan Hurley concerning the legacy of AK, a lot more than the opinion of bunch of disillusioned BY'ers.

 

[WrenchFan69]

Guess it depends how you define lore. He’s on a similar level as Niels Giffey. Of course he will be remembered. But not as one of the greatest of all-time. And that’s ok!

Niels is quite literally my favorite UConn player ever. Karaban could quit today and still have 3x the UConn career Niels did.

 

[Horatio]

Giffey

• 4 seasons
• 640 points
• 354 rebounds
• 88 3PM
• 2 championships

Karaban

• 2.5 seasons
• 1130 points
• 452 rebounds
• 190 3PM (5 away from top 10 all time. If he keeps up his current rate then he will be #8 by the end of the regular season)
• 2 championships

Thank you. And I hate that Niels had to be dragged into this.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Don't want him driving to basket trying to create a shot. He can't do that, not part of any skill set he has.

What he should’ve spent time working on was his postgame. It would’ve took advantage of his strength, IQ, and decision making.

Not his shoot off the dribble and driving ability that doesn’t take advantage of any strengths he has.

 

[Kitaman]

This thread is crazy. It's like reading an obituary.

Alex ain't done!

 

[RuffRuff]

This thread is crazy. It's like reading an obituary.

Alex ain't done!

If the boys can figure it out you can bet your butt they’ll play their heart out for him in March. Feels like a post mortem.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I think this entire conversation would be different if his teammates could play a lick of defense. He's scoring well enough as the number 1 or 2 option most games, leads us in scoring, and the offense built around him is currently 7th in the country. He's still an elite off ball threat. Don't just cherry pick his bad games.

His limitations on offense are exacerbated by the failures in roster building. We should have one player who's built to take tough shots, especially when things get tight at the end of games. We're lucky Liam developed quickly in this area, but his loss is really hard on Diarra/Karaban whom shouldn't be tasked with the burdon.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Dan reverts back to Danny while being out coached by McDermott.

The team plays tight and continues to rush shots without opponents forcing them to do so. And doesn't sustain defensive intensity which leaves the other team unrattled and more poised.

Alex and Hassan show the stresses of either deciding or being expected to do too much, and other players decline to step up and step into new roles with greater confidence.

People wail about the loss of Liam, but also claim he won't make enough of a difference when he returns, and Danny agrees, calling the team soft and unfocused.

The team is prone to acting like they don't trust themselves, and the coach is doing so too, but won't more accurately state this. That's fine, so long as he addresses it. And he knows he has to. And we know he has.

It's mid-January, and the things to work on aren't a mystery. Some people are still posting like a trade deadline is looming and we need new players. Once again, this is our roster.

Nova & Creighton were winnable, and both were losses, and too many keep jockeying for the best, "I knew it" and, "I told you so" takes.

And we end up with an invitation to weigh in on Alex Karaban's legacy, as though we can't refuse a post that would be trolling if offered by somebody who doesn't like UConn, but instead is just an ill-timed and ill-advised idea pitched by an egotistical forum veteran who wants to raise an unhelpful question for spritz & wiggles.

So who's having fun?

2 years ago when the board's collective opinion was similarly organizing around flaws, opponents started to press 'the team that didn't have a point guard.' It was rattling, until Dan Hurley settled on freshman Alex being the guy who inbounded the ball. It worked.

Yesterday, Alex had a better end-of-game shot when he caught the ball, and then he moved to the left, and, off-balance, he launched a much worse shot.

Yes, it starts with defense (which keeps lapsing), but we don't currently have a composed offense.

Stick to the next opponent and the next game.

 

[AdamaNation]

I will always view Alex fondly as a great Husky winner and important role player on championship teams. The comp that comes to mind is Kevin Freeman. Alex is a terrific third or fourth or fifth most valuable player on a winning team. But he’s not really a first or second option. But I choose to focus on the positives with him and what he is versus what we hoped he could be.

Well we could get one more year with him and who would not want that!??!