Reply to thread

Message

[QUOTE="NHUConnfan, post: 5225515, member: 647"]
I think the biggest thing UConn needs to evaluate for is how well these players play through contact. The Big East has always had a reputation as a physical league. For guards, they need to be able to handle their dribble through hard contact. I think this is where Mahaney really struggled this year...and because being physical worked so well, it just gave every team permission to guard him really tightly. I finally saw him turn the corner in the BET where he was much more comfortable playing in tight coverage.

Basically, guards in the BE need to earn respect. If they don't get thrown off their game when played tightly, teams give them space.

So of any potential transfer, I want to see how closely they were guarded and what their ball handling skills are in pressure. That [I][B]probably[/B][/I] means that the guard will need to be bigger, but as folks pointed out here, there are definitely exceptions to that. (And yes, if the rumors of Braden Smith potentially entering the portal, I'd 100% want UConn to pursue him because he is a baller.)
[/QUOTE]

Verification

First name of men's bb coach