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Comparing our starters from last year to the squad that started against Buffalo. This is too early for such and comparison considering all the injuries, but I'm doing it anyways.
Newton vs Cole - Cole was a very good shooter. I think he could shoot open threes as good as almost anyone who's played in a UCONN uniform. But he was a liability on D in basically all our big games. Against any team capable of winning a NCAA tournament game. Defense should be less of an issue for Newton. Newton also puts nice pressure on the defense. Pushes the ball forward a lot. In transition and in halfcourt - TBD, but I'm leaning upgrade.
Alleyne vs Martin - probably not the correct comparison considering Hawkins is a likely starter when he returns. At the moment I have to say Martin, but it's my understanding Alleyne is statistically a better 3 pt shooter. He's also physically capable and looks like an OK defender. Maybe even good defender. I don't think Alleyne is giving up a ton athletically or physically. - downgrade for now. We'll see when Hawkins returns and Allenlyne gets some games under his belt.
Diarra vs 21-22 Jackson - another incorrect comparison. Should be comparing 21-22 Jackson to this year's Jackson. And Diarra to Gaff. All that said, this year's Jackson should be better than last year and Diarra looks playable. Gaff was not. No matter how you slice it, we upgrade here. - Upgrade
Whaley vs Karaban - at the moment I've gotta say downgrade. But this is another spot that's been impacted by injuries. The upside of Karaban also seems very high. Whaley won us games with his grit, hustle and athleticism, but we also lost games where the other team appropriately played the numbers and left him wide open. - downgrade
Sanogo vs Sanogo - gotta go with upgrade. Gotta assume the older version of Sanogo is better. But not happy he hasn't learned to consistently pass out of double and triple teams. - upgrade
Last year Bench vs this year - a few of the players above are likely bench players when the roster settles. Based on what I've seen this far, our bench will be considerably better this year. Having a real backup pg is nice. And I haven't even mentioned Clingan - upgrade. I think a significant upgrade. Many of the reserves may put significant pressure on the starters for minutes.
Newton vs Cole - Cole was a very good shooter. I think he could shoot open threes as good as almost anyone who's played in a UCONN uniform. But he was a liability on D in basically all our big games. Against any team capable of winning a NCAA tournament game. Defense should be less of an issue for Newton. Newton also puts nice pressure on the defense. Pushes the ball forward a lot. In transition and in halfcourt - TBD, but I'm leaning upgrade.
Alleyne vs Martin - probably not the correct comparison considering Hawkins is a likely starter when he returns. At the moment I have to say Martin, but it's my understanding Alleyne is statistically a better 3 pt shooter. He's also physically capable and looks like an OK defender. Maybe even good defender. I don't think Alleyne is giving up a ton athletically or physically. - downgrade for now. We'll see when Hawkins returns and Allenlyne gets some games under his belt.
Diarra vs 21-22 Jackson - another incorrect comparison. Should be comparing 21-22 Jackson to this year's Jackson. And Diarra to Gaff. All that said, this year's Jackson should be better than last year and Diarra looks playable. Gaff was not. No matter how you slice it, we upgrade here. - Upgrade
Whaley vs Karaban - at the moment I've gotta say downgrade. But this is another spot that's been impacted by injuries. The upside of Karaban also seems very high. Whaley won us games with his grit, hustle and athleticism, but we also lost games where the other team appropriately played the numbers and left him wide open. - downgrade
Sanogo vs Sanogo - gotta go with upgrade. Gotta assume the older version of Sanogo is better. But not happy he hasn't learned to consistently pass out of double and triple teams. - upgrade
Last year Bench vs this year - a few of the players above are likely bench players when the roster settles. Based on what I've seen this far, our bench will be considerably better this year. Having a real backup pg is nice. And I haven't even mentioned Clingan - upgrade. I think a significant upgrade. Many of the reserves may put significant pressure on the starters for minutes.