This Year’s Lineup

[Huskyforlife]

Let’s make the assumption Ross has a massive off season and makes a Solo like jump. How do we create the minute crunch now.

I think furphy and smith are most likely to have minutes eaten if Ross performs….but how do you split it out If Ross is getting 15-20mpg?

If Ross makes a solo type jump we’re going 40-0.

 

[HuskyHawk]

no chance Demary and Smith are splitting minutes like that, more like 25-15 or more likely 30-10. Demary is a stud

It's based on Demary playing some at the PG spot. But yeah all of this remains to be seen. If Mullins is fantastic, we may see him at SG and Smith just doesn't play as much.

Nobody should be viewing my numbers (too high for Stewart) or others so literally. Furphy could come in and blow the whole thing up and demand 20 a game. Or not play much. Injuries happen too.

There are guys who have positional flexibility.
Stewart SF/PF
Demary PG/SG
Mullins SG/SF
Ross SG/SF

Solo, Alex, Reed, Smith are all pretty locked into one position. So crunching numbers is harder.

 

[husky429]

Mullins' dad tweeted today that Braylon is already up to 200lbs. 247 has him at 185 and UConn had him listed at 190. So that's a huge positive. Those extra 10 pounds will help a ton against the physical BE wings

I had a post about this typed but never pressed post. I heard 205 a few weeks ago. He looks visibly bigger than during his hs season.

If he can get his pre-season weight to 205-210 or so without losing that quickness, we're golden at the 3.

 

[HooperScooper]

Who says they won't both be needed as ball handlers at the same time?

Absolutely there will be times when both are in the backcourt together. Could easily see that lineup in a close game where the Huskies are up and trying to secure the win.

 

[superjohn]

These threads are always silly but it's obvious a lot of people are sleeping on Braylon.

 

[navery12]

All I know is Jayden Ross is not seeing the floor. I don't think it was happening before FIBA U19 nationals and I certainly don't see it now. Everyone else has a pretty wide range (+-10 minutes) depending on how some guys break out and play in any given game

 

[Jumpman62114]

Would love for Stewart to start at the 3 but his handles are not at the point where he can get to his spots efficiently. When he has to catch and shoot or catch and make 1 move he does great. Really hoping his ball handling makes that jump to open his game up.

 

[RuffRuff]

Reality is that Hurley is going to throw all these guys in the gym and let them battle for minutes, looking at what the most balanced/effective roster is. By March someone beyond player 8-9 is going to be odd man out and likely riding pine. Hurley isn’t going to just play guys to be deep or for the hell of it. The board went through these exact same exercises last year thinking we’d go 30 deep and none of it played out. Now we’re back at it.

I’m with Navery that Ross is going to have to make a major leap to have a chance. Surprised he was back honestly.

 

[EricSD]

I know it's summer and speculation is about all we have to do at this time, but the reality is (and I know this is a big "duh") that some guys will be better than expected and some guys worse.

Once the practices start in earnest, as Ruff said, the guys are going to practice and go at it every single day. Some will rise, some will fall, and we will be left most likely with 8-9 barring injuries, illnesses, or foul trouble.

Let the practices begin - I can't wait... and side note - Hurley has changed how he does things almost every year (to his credit) building on what works well, tossing what doesn't, and fine tuning or tweaking too. He's really really good. And has surrounded himself with a very smart group of assistants...

 

[Lafayette]

I know it's summer and speculation is about all we have to do at this time, but the reality is (and I know this his a big "duh") that some guys will be better than expected and some guys worse.

Once the practices start in earnest, as Ruff said, the guys are going to practice and go at it every single day. Some will rise, some will fall, and we will be left most likely with 8-9 barring injuries, illnesses, or foul trouble.

Let the practices begin - I can't wait... and side note - Hurley has changed how he does things almost every year (to his credit) building on what works well, tossing what doesn't, and fine tuning or tweaking too. He's really really good. And has surrounded himself with a very smart group of assistants...

I think your signature needs a bump: Women have 12, Men have 6.

Otherwise I agree completely with your post. Let's see how it happens - will be out in August on vaca for a few weeks.

 

[RuffRuff]

Mullins' dad tweeted today that Braylon is already up to 200lbs. 247 has him at 185 and UConn had him listed at 190. So that's a huge positive. Those extra 10 pounds will help a ton against the physical BE wings

Looks like someone found themselves some DP Dough

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Next years team might resemble 2022-23 NC Where the bench can put you away .
If the 2nd 5 is decent
It looks like bench scoring will kick up

 

[HooperScooper]

The board went through these exact same exercises last year thinking we’d go 30 deep and none of it played out. Now we’re back at it.

It's a Boneyard tradition. As well as the annual points per game predictions that add up to 130.

 

[RitzLuce1]

Regardless of who starts, if Stewart and Ross don’t take a leap this year it will be tremendously disappointing and really limit our ceiling. We cannot have the same version of them show up next year if we have championship aspirations.

 

[Fan1978]

Regardless of who starts, if Stewart and Ross don’t take a leap this year it will be tremendously disappointing and really limit our ceiling. We cannot have the same version of them show up next year if we have championship aspirations.

The tranfers and freshmen can more than compensate. Stewart will be solid. Anything from ross is a bonus. The Georgia kid may be the best player on the team.

 

[Scottobot]

I think Karaban, Ball, Mullins, and Demary are going to play the most with 25+ minutes each. Reed will get a lot of minutes too, but foul trouble will keep him below those four guys.

Any time Demary is out I expect Smith will be in running point.

Stewart is going to have to make a big leap to get more than 10 to 15 minutes. Last year he was able to keep his roll because every other option struggled. He was great at times, but also struggled at time. Next year there will be more competition and that won’t cut it.

Ross will get a chance to have a roll because he is a good guy, Hurley likes him and he works hard. However he will have to play well to keep it. He will need to make big improvements over last year or he will lose his spot in the rotation.

After watching Furphy in Fiba cup, he is absolutely going to carve out atleast a 10 minute+ role which I think will come at expense of Ross and Stewart PT (unless they improve. they will have first crack)

Finally given the way Big East goes, Reed will definitely have his share of foul trouble which will leave plenty of room for Reibe minutes.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Regardless of who starts, if Stewart and Ross don’t take a leap this year it will be tremendously disappointing and really limit our ceiling. We cannot have the same version of them show up next year if we have championship aspirations.

Ross is likely on the outside looking in for real minutes with a very deep roster at his position. Him not taking a leap this year would not “really limit our ceiling”. If he can turn into a reliable 3-and-D wing, that would certainly be a nice piece for the bench though.

 

[RuffRuff]

I think Karaban, Ball, Mullins, and Demary are going to play the most with 25+ minutes each. Reed will get a lot of minutes too, but foul trouble will keep him below those four guys.

Any time Demary is out I expect Smith will be in running point.

Stewart is going to have to make a big leap to get more than 10 to 15 minutes. Last year he was able to keep his roll because every other option struggled. He was great at times, but also struggled at time. Next year there will be more competition and that won’t cut it.

Ross will get a chance to have a roll because he is a good guy, Hurley likes him and he works hard. However he will have to play well to keep it. He will need to make big improvements over last year or he will lose his spot in the rotation.

After watching Furphy in Fiba cup, he is absolutely going to carve out atleast a 10 minute+ role which I think will come at expense of Ross and Stewart PT (unless they improve. they will have first crack)

Finally given the way Big East goes, Reed will definitely have his share of foul trouble which will leave plenty of room for Reibe minutes.

I can’t see how AK isn’t getting 30+ minutes coming off a season he played 36/game. Stew was at 18/game last year and unlikely he came back to get less minutes. Solo is gonna get his 30.

My sense with Stew is he will be primed to assume the starting 4 his senior year. This year, he’ll get 20 between the 3/4, backing up AK and mainly playing the 3 when Solo is off the floor and we roll out a Demary/Smith back court for stretches.

I tend to think the biggest head to head competition for minutes in camp will be Ross and Furphy. May the best man win.

2026 will be where Ross and Stew’s investment in the program pays off. Both seem to have upside, but later bloomers. Maybe they blow it out this year, but I have to see it to believe it.

Assuming Mullins is OAD, with Solo and Demary also potentially moving on if they blow up this year, 2026 is why Stew/Ross are sticking around. That years roster likely starts with Reibe, Stew, Furphy/Ross.

 

[EricSD]

I think your signature needs a bump: Women have 12, Men have 6.

Otherwise I agree completely with your post. Let's see how it happens - will be out in August on vaca for a few weeks.

You are 100% right on my signature, but the mods changed the amount of band width signatures can use, and i can't make any changes to mine, even making the fonts smaller, etc...

 

[Son of Robert]

I think Dwayne Karoma will be in the rotation this year. Tom Moore while scouting/recruiting to fill out this year's roster stated that some of the players they were looking at were rising players at lesser D1 schools that the UConn staff thought could impact this year's team. Karoma who is an athletic and skilled 6'8 last year averaged 11.5pts, 7.2 rebs, and 2 assists. He was 2nd in the nation in effective FG% at 71.8% mostly for his work in the paint, but he can shoot the 3. He is a 4 year veteran of D1 college ball and has gotten better each year. At 17 he was playing in the Munich German League, and now Karoma is a veteran player who is 24 years old. He very well may be our 2nd best player scoring in the paint as well as rebounding. I see him as a backup for Karaban, playing a small double big with Reibe on the floor, and just a very effective frontcourt player and defender that Hurley can have in the mix with any number of players. He will undoubtably be used when there is foul trouble with Reed and Reibe, unless staff picks up another player at the 5.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I think Dwayne Karoma will be in the rotation this year. Tom Moore while scouting/recruiting to fill out this year's roster stated that some of the players they were looking at were rising players at lesser D1 schools that the UConn staff thought could impact this year's team. Karoma who is an athletic and skilled 6'8 last year averaged 11.5pts, 7.2 rebs, and 2 assists. He was 2nd in the nation in effective FG% at 71.8% mostly for his work in the paint, but he can shoot the 3. He is a 4 year veteran of D1 college ball and has gotten better each year. At 17 he was playing in the Munich German League, and now Karoma is a veteran player who is 24 years old. He very well may be our 2nd best player scoring in the paint as well as rebounding. I see him as a backup for Karaban, playing a small double big with Reibe on the floor, and just a very effective frontcourt player and defender that Hurley can have in the mix with any number of players. He will undoubtably be used when there is foul trouble with Reed and Reibe, unless staff picks up another player at the 5.

I think he’ll see some time, mostly because I think the Reed/Reibe combo is going to be relatively foul-prone. Aside from that, a bit hard for me to see him carving out a real role because it would likely come at the expense of minutes for Reibe or Stewart. If Reibe struggles to adjust to the college game, all bets are off though.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Understandable. If the jumper doesn't translate to this level his path to PT gets tougher with our wing depth.

I have heard of athleticism not translating, even smarts. But jumpers????

 

[Iluvsuebird]

no chance Demary and Smith are splitting minutes like that, more like 25-15 or more likely 30-10. Demary is a stud

AGreed....and if they are splitting minutes like that, there was a misevaluation of Demary.

 

[jibsey]

I think Dwayne Karoma will be in the rotation this year. Tom Moore while scouting/recruiting to fill out this year's roster stated that some of the players they were looking at were rising players at lesser D1 schools that the UConn staff thought could impact this year's team. Karoma who is an athletic and skilled 6'8 last year averaged 11.5pts, 7.2 rebs, and 2 assists. He was 2nd in the nation in effective FG% at 71.8% mostly for his work in the paint, but he can shoot the 3. He is a 4 year veteran of D1 college ball and has gotten better each year. At 17 he was playing in the Munich German League, and now Karoma is a veteran player who is 24 years old. He very well may be our 2nd best player scoring in the paint as well as rebounding. I see him as a backup for Karaban, playing a small double big with Reibe on the floor, and just a very effective frontcourt player and defender that Hurley can have in the mix with any number of players. He will undoubtably be used when there is foul trouble with Reed and Reibe, unless staff picks up another player at the 5.

We don’t need him to shoot the 3 but to go to war in the paint. The 7 rebounds jumps out. Gotta watch his tapes again.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I think Dwayne Karoma will be in the rotation this year. Tom Moore while scouting/recruiting to fill out this year's roster stated that some of the players they were looking at were rising players at lesser D1 schools that the UConn staff thought could impact this year's team. Karoma who is an athletic and skilled 6'8 last year averaged 11.5pts, 7.2 rebs, and 2 assists. He was 2nd in the nation in effective FG% at 71.8% mostly for his work in the paint, but he can shoot the 3. He is a 4 year veteran of D1 college ball and has gotten better each year. At 17 he was playing in the Munich German League, and now Karoma is a veteran player who is 24 years old. He very well may be our 2nd best player scoring in the paint as well as rebounding. I see him as a backup for Karaban, playing a small double big with Reibe on the floor, and just a very effective frontcourt player and defender that Hurley can have in the mix with any number of players. He will undoubtably be used when there is foul trouble with Reed and Reibe, unless staff picks up another player at the 5.

Stewart should be a better player than Koroma, it makes more sense for him and Alex to play all the PF minutes, which opens up minutes on the wing for Furphy or Ross, two guys also potentially more talented than Koroma. He's a nice practice body and emergency option at the 4 though.

 

[fatlucy]

Ross is family but he’s given no indication that he’ll earn minutes on any level. Stewart regressed last year and should be terrified of the competition he’s about to face with Mullins and Furpy. Stew has the talent, he just has to take the minutes, or he’ll be on the bench cheering.

All our players are family but there is no loyalty when it comes to PT. The best player plays. The rest sit and work on their game.

 

[REB1094]

We don’t need him to shoot the 3 but to go to war in the paint. The 7 rebounds jumps out. Gotta watch his tapes again.

Koroma did well against high major competition. 10pts on 5-5 shooting vs Syracuse, 13/5 on 6-9 against us, 22/8 on 9-11 against Notre Dame. I don't think he will be a regular rotation guy, but if he's in the game for emergencies, I won't stress about it. Dude can hoop

 

[husky429]

Ross is family but he’s given no indication that he’ll earn minutes on any level. Stewart regressed last year and should be terrified of the competition he’s about to face with Mullins and Furpy. Stew has the talent, he just has to take the minutes, or he’ll be on the bench cheering.

All our players are family but there is no loyalty when it comes to PT. The best player plays. The rest sit and work on their game.

Stewart did not regress last year

 

[B1GEast]

I think Dwayne Karoma will be in the rotation this year. Tom Moore while scouting/recruiting to fill out this year's roster stated that some of the players they were looking at were rising players at lesser D1 schools that the UConn staff thought could impact this year's team. Karoma who is an athletic and skilled 6'8 last year averaged 11.5pts, 7.2 rebs, and 2 assists. He was 2nd in the nation in effective FG% at 71.8% mostly for his work in the paint, but he can shoot the 3. He is a 4 year veteran of D1 college ball and has gotten better each year. At 17 he was playing in the Munich German League, and now Karoma is a veteran player who is 24 years old. He very well may be our 2nd best player scoring in the paint as well as rebounding. I see him as a backup for Karaban, playing a small double big with Reibe on the floor, and just a very effective frontcourt player and defender that Hurley can have in the mix with any number of players. He will undoubtably be used when there is foul trouble with Reed and Reibe, unless staff picks up another player at the 5.

Karoma is my dark horse pick to surprise and I think he can get lots of minutes. He didn't come here to sit on the bench. I think he plays his way into the rotation eventually. If he doesn't, still a quality guy to have in emergency situations.

 

[3rdbass]

Not really all that concerned with how things fall beyond 8 guys. 9-12 aren’t the difference makers. I just can’t see Stew seeing majority minutes at the 3 as the season evolves. We can’t have 3 non dribble drive guys at 2-4, again. If you’re telling me that AK/Stew/Solo are all of a sudden going to be deadly off the bounce, I’d say bs. And we can’t have only one guy on the floor that can create off dribble or we’ll stagnate. My hopes are that once Mullins gets up to speed he’s at the 3 and Stew is playing backup 4 and the 3 when Silas/Smith in the back court together.

I think you are underselling Stewart on offense. He has shown in flashes that he can be crafty creating his own shot off the dribble. He has also added some weight so hopefully that allows him to take the contact. I think he will be fine at the 3 and will build off end of year performance to be be a big part of the offense. If he fails we have Mullins or playing both PGs off the bench as Demarry can guard the 3 with his strength and size. We definitely have options but right now I think Stew is going to be big for us at the 3.