UCONN 2025 Draft

[navery12]

I'd prefer not to see Karaban at the 5 against a 7 footer, but in most games we will be able to go to a 5-out lineup with Karaban, Stewart, Liam, Ball, and Mahaney that can all stroke it - have fun trying to check that NCAA!

It might not be fun watching that on defense, but it would be even less fun for opposing teams to watch their 7 footers chase Alex off screens.

Not saying I want him starting at the 5 or anything, but the days of us matching lineups is over. Play our best guys and create mismatches for other teams to deal with

 

[auror]

Can Pikiel coach any offense?

No, but they might be good enough 1v1 players that it might not matter.

 

[controlfade]

I'd prefer not to see Karaban at the 5 against a 7 footer, but in most games we will be able to go to a 5-out lineup with Karaban, Stewart, Liam, Ball, and Mahaney that can all stroke it - have fun trying to check that NCAA!

I’ve been saying it all off season. I expect that you will see many minutes of Stewie , Liam and AK on the court together. Whether it’s AK at the 5 or Liam at the 2.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

It might not be fun watching that on defense, but it would be even less fun for opposing teams to watch their 7 footers chase Alex off screens.

Not saying I want him starting at the 5 or anything, but the days of us matching lineups is over. Play our best guys and create mismatches for other teams to deal with

And there is no Zach Edey in college right now. AK might be mismatched defensively, but we are putting up 90+ if an immobile center has to guard him lol.

 

[aceboon]

The men's game won't be ignored this year like it has been by the national media these past couple of years. Can't expect to be as dominant as last year's team but this would be a good year to have a great team again.

 

[Umami Zen]

I’ve been saying it all off season. I expect that you will see many minutes of Stewie , Liam and AK on the court together. Whether it’s AK at the 5 or Liam at the 2.

Or Stewie at the 2

 

[yungdowork]

I think these mock drafts are going to be pretty interesting to follow throughout the year outside of Flagg and Bailey. Those 2 guys just have physical traits that make it hard to imagine them outside the top 3. I've seen mocks with Harper pretty much anywhere between 1-10. Nolan Traore seems to be trending upwards since the FIBA U18 tournament and some people have even been putting him above Harper.

I'm pretty surprised I've seen McNeely as low as mid-20's in some mocks just considering how valuable his skillset is in the NBA, but I think he'll have plenty of opportunity to improve on that

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

The men's game won't be ignored this year like it has been by the national media these past couple of years. Can't expect to be as dominant as last year's team but this would be a good year to have a great team again.

Diaper dandies are good for college hoops

 

[aceboon]

ESPN top 100 update that was posted this morning, Liam #10, Alex #30, Jaylin #33, Samson #85. Only the top 25 got write-ups.

From No. 1 to 100: Here's our new ranking of the 2025 NBA draft prospects

Duke's Cooper Flagg tops the list, but who else is turning scouts' heads? ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony has the top players ahead of the season.

www.espn.com

10. Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, UConn​

Height: 6-7 | Age: 18.9 | Prev. rank: 10

Well-regarded for his feel and versatility at forward, McNeeley will be a key player on a reloading UConn team that will want to play to his strengths. His intangibles fall in line with what NBA teams have come to expect from Huskies prospects in recent years -- he's a competitive, smart player who can make contributions in a range of areas, with good passing chops and a developed shooting stroke.

All of those strengths have allowed his game to play up, and outweighed an average physical profile for his position. Considering the apparent fit between player and program, the adjustment at UConn is expected to be smooth, giving McNeeley a shot to be a lottery pick. -- Woo

 

[RuffRuff]

I think these mock drafts are going to be pretty interesting to follow throughout the year outside of Flagg and Bailey. Those 2 guys just have physical traits that make it hard to imagine them outside the top 3. I've seen mocks with Harper pretty much anywhere between 1-10. Nolan Traore seems to be trending upwards since the FIBA U18 tournament and some people have even been putting him above Harper.

I'm pretty surprised I've seen McNeely as low as mid-20's in some mocks just considering how valuable his skillset is in the NBA, but I think he'll have plenty of opportunity to improve on that

100%. Based on what I’m seeing Edgecombe could be in that can’t miss group. Otherwise it looks like the majority the others have a pretty wild delta and are gonna have to show their value this season. It’s considered one of the deepest classes in awhile so will be fun to watch how the stock moves. That depth is why I question whether someone like Stew, who some considered a fringe first rounder, comes out this year. It feels like he’ll be better off with an extra year of development and waiting.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I am so excited about this season. Ask yourself this question: how do you beat UConn? If you want to play quick, well we have incredible quickness and athletic guards and wings. A quick game would unleash Solo, Stewart, and Nowell particularly well. And Samson may not be DC in the low post, but good luck finding a Center who is as quick as he. You want to play us half court? Well, we have a bunch of long, athletic 6'7" to 6'8" wings that can jump through the ceiling (except for AK, but he is more than adequate defensively), and two 6'11" centers that will make it hard for you to get buckets. And in the half court, we have shown for 2 years running that we have the BEST offense in the nation. Oh you can also say "UConn is not as good as last year. They lost too many good players". Well, first they said the same thing two years ago, and we know how that played out. Second, I submit that offensively we got back more than we lost. I believe Liam will be the best offensive player UConn ever saw. In this offense, that kid will score 20 plus points a game without issue. And while we will miss Newton and Cam, Solo has a higher ceiling friends! And so does Nowell. And just imagine if Has improves from last year, as he improved from the year before??? At this point, if you are an opponent, you have to pray that we have a Creighton-away type of bad game to beat us. Because we are so deep, even injuries wont really help you. I am excited. This is going to be a fun year. Again.

 

[RuffRuff]

I’d argue this is the most eagerly anticipated UConn season in history of the program, as they have become as decorated as ever, with a coach coming off a UK/LAL reject tour. Calhouns teams always reset after an NC and it felt like a 2-3 year rebuild after the winning player exodus. DH has now shown to have a system that feels leapyears above the field. So many narratives:

Can AK step up?
Who makes the leap?
How much of the winning was Donovan?
Can they make history?
How good is Liam?
How do the transfers contribute?
Who works into a first rounder?
Can we smack some sense into the Blue Blood doubters?

And more!!

This all in the year of Cooper Flagg. Would only be fitting if we faced him and the Dukies in the final. One can dream.

 

[JerseyAlum]

I’d argue this is the most eagerly anticipated UConn season in history of the program, as they have become as decorated as ever, with a coach coming off a UK/LAL reject tour. Calhouns teams always reset after an NC and it felt like a 2-3 year rebuild after the winning player exodus. DH has now shown to have a system that feels leapyears above the field. So many narratives:

Can AK step up?
Who makes the leap?
How much of the winning was Donovan?
Can they make history?
How good is Liam?
How do the transfers contribute?
Who works into a first rounder?
Can we smack some sense into the Blue Blood doubters?

And more!!

This all in the year of Cooper Flagg. Would only be fitting if we faced him and the Dukies in the final. One can dream.

I could reasonably enjoy an Elite 8 or Final 4 matchup against Duke - Liam vs Cooper! But I am still glowing from seeing Duke lose to NC State in Dallas earlier this year!

 

[Tyler2Rings]

Can we smack some sense into the Blue Blood doubters?

I think the blue blood doubters are unconscious in an alley at this point

 

[JerseyAlum]

The men's game won't be ignored this year like it has been by the national media these past couple of years. Can't expect to be as dominant as last year's team but this would be a good year to have a great team again.

We are so deep our practices can simulate great opponents. Cannot say the same of other programs. Also when DH and co gameplan for a given opponent they can create the optimal starting lineup for that matchup so we may see a lot of different looks with who we are playing against dictating some of that.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon did a mock draft based on who they would take, which means it was not predictive. Liam went #10 and Karaban went #21. Both guys have them ranked similarly. There was no mention of Stewart. It’s reasonable to wait to see more from him in games.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Putting this prediction here:

We’ll have 4 players minimum drafted next year in Liam, Stewart (if starting), Ball, and Karaban. Maybe all 1st rounders.

If Samson and Diarra get drafted that’ll be a lovely boost in the second round.

Looking forward to getting this season started. Hoping they allow Solo to run PG at times this season like UCLA did with Westbrook (who also started at SG next to Darren Collison I believe) to continue helping his development and draft position.

Last year I said Castle and Clingan would both be top 5 picks before the season started. If more teams needed a center in the top 5 it would’ve hit lol

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Putting this prediction here:

We’ll have 4 players minimum drafted next year in Liam, Stewart (if starting), Ball, and Karaban. Maybe all 1st rounders.

If Samson and Diarra get drafted that’ll be a lovely boost in the second round.

Looking forward to getting this season started. Hoping they allow Solo to run PG at times this season like UCLA did with Westbrook (who also started at SG next to Darren Collison I believe) to continue helping his development and draft position.

Last year I said Castle and Clingan would both be top 5 picks before the season started. If more teams needed a center in the top 5 it would’ve hit lol

Would love you to be right on all accounts, but Solo is at best 4th choice PG at this point.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Would love you to be right on all accounts, but Solo is at best 4th choice PG at this point.

I just feel like there’s no real way to know that at this point to make that statement definitively.

Seeing how the lineups are coming out, I’d be surprised to see Nowell find much PT on this roster because there’s just not enough minutes.

The duties will be split between Diarra/Mahaney/Ball most likely. As discussed before, it’s not like Mahaney has played the position much himself. If Ball shows playmaking ability (which Moore mentioned in a Storrs Central interview he’s been showcasing) we may as well develop him for that seeing as he’s the one with an NBA future that can help him if he does.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I just feel like there’s no real way to know that at this point to make that statement definitively.

Seeing how the lineups are coming out, I’d be surprised to see Nowell find much PT on this roster because there’s just not enough minutes.

The duties will be split between Diarra/Mahaney/Ball most likely. As discussed before, it’s not like Mahaney has played the position much himself. If Ball shows playmaking ability (which Moore mentioned in a Storrs Central interview he’s been showcasing) we may as well develop him for that seeing as he’s the one with an NBA future that can help him if he does.

You’ve been on this before so I won’t continue this debate, but Nowell is a PG and a better one than Solo.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

You’ve been on this before so I won’t continue this debate, but Nowell is a PG and a better one than Solo.

I don’t disagree with that.

I just wonder what bench minutes he takes from Mahaney, Stewart/Liam, Ross, and Reed. That’s 9 guys already that are ahead of him as veterans (including starters).

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

I’m also not sure why people are so against getting on board with this idea of developing a 1% athlete at a position that he can excel in at the next level if we do.

Do we not believe in the coaches to develop him for that role?

If Solo can be a 6’3 athletic lead that’s a best possible scenario for us. He’s a top 5 draft pick if we can do that and one of the best players in college hoops. Just by teaching him ball handling and decision making. Things that are very teachable, just look at Boatright when it comes to teaching decision making. Jeremy Lamb when it comes to ball handling from a guy who had similar long arms.

These things are possible with the best development coaches in basketball and a prime opportunity to show that off.

 

[DRBackup]

Preseason basketball buzz: Inside my trips to Rutgers, Duke, UNC and UConn

From top-10 picks to Apple Watch notifications, ESPN's Jonathan Givony reveals what he saw and overheard on his four-school swing to scout practices.

www.espn.com

"There's not as much top-end talent this season..."

I would accept that kind of analysis IF anyone had predicted Tristen Newton or Cam Spencer would be first team all Big East, or in Newton's case, a first team All American. Nobody predicted any such thing. Replacing Clingan is the biggest unknown, but outside of that, the guys coming in have similar or better pedigrees than the guys that had returning last year. On paper, at least.

Nobody knew Newton would be first team AA, but he did put up 19 and 10 in the championship game in 2022, so there is that. I honestly think Diarra is going to surprise the hell out of people, but to date he hasn't had the impact Newton had.

 

[DRBackup]

And people are sleeping on Has. That young dude has grown his game soooo much in two years. If that growth continues from last year, he will be one of the better guards in the BE.

100%. Apparently people can't take into account he didn't get more time because he was behind a first team all american

 

[storrsroars]

The Athletic put out their two-round mock with Flagg being #1 (Nets). McNeilly was 10 (Spurs) and Karaban 19 (KIngs). Only other BEs in 1st round were Kam Jones at 30. Second round BEs were Swain at 43 and Kalk at 49.

Seems BE is low on star power this season. ACC has 9 1st rounders and 4 second rounders, B1G 4/3, SEC 3/5, B12 3/5.