UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley looking for freshmen to add depth, but 'got to earn it here'

[navery12]

Where's Ross today? Figured he would play some today like Stewart has. Remember in the preseason when Hurley said Ross had worked his way into the rotation? He played some the first few games and then nothing.

Guessing he was going to play more until we were barely winning the whole 1st half

 

[UofCT]

Where's Ross today? Figured he would play some today like Stewart has. Remember in the preseason when Hurley said Ross had worked his way into the rotation? He played some the first few games and then nothing.

Who is Ross taking minutes from?

 

[HooperScooper]

Who is Ross taking minutes from?

Not sure. Who did he come in for the first few games? I don't remember. He played 9, 13 and 17 minutes the first 3 games. Hasn't played since the UNH game.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

He got some run today. Physically he isn't ready to be a stretch four, his handle isn't there yet to be a wing in this offense.

He'll get PT and develop. Down the road we will be thrilled with Ross and Stewart as our forwards.

 

[superjohn]

Not sure. Who did he come in for the first few games? I don't remember. He played 9, 13 and 17 minutes the first 3 games. Hasn't played since the UNH game.

We have 9 players who are better than him right now. We're the best team in the country, even a talented freshman can get squeezed.

 

[HooperScooper]

We have 9 players who are better than him right now. We're the best team in the country, even a talented freshman can get squeezed.

True. I just figured he'd play some today earlier than garbage time.

So the 9 are the 5 starters (including Castle as a starter), Johnson, Ball, Diarra....... and then Stewart? Stewart's body is more ready.

 

[UofCT]

Stewart looked good today. Gotta clean up the shooting and FTs but could spell Alex for short stretches.

 

[SeattleHoop]

Let’s not overthink this guys. Stewart has been deserving a little more time and he got it today. He extended the lead from around 2 or 3 points to about 8 or so points in just a few minutes in the first half.

He gave us valuable minutes and gave Karaban a nice long breather allowing Karaban to be more efficient as well.

That’s literally the only point I’ve really been trying to make and I think he can service the same role against Gonzaga as well.

We will see what Hurley decides to do against tougher competition. I’m happy overall regardless it’s just something I noticed and have been a little nitpicky about I can admit that but I’ve always liked to advocate hard for talented freshman probably due to experiences I had with coaches dating back to when I used to play

 

[auror]

Let’s not overthink this guys. Stewart has been deserving a little more time and he got it today. He extended the lead from around 2 or 3 points to about 8 or so points in just a few minutes in the first half.

He gave us valuable minutes and gave Karaban a nice long breather allowing Karaban to be more efficient as well.

That’s literally the only point I’ve really been trying to make and I think he can service the same role against Gonzaga as well.

We will see what Hurley decided to do against tougher competition. I’m happy overall regardless it’s just something I noticed and have been a little nitpicky about I can admit that but I’ve always liked to advocate hard for talented freshman probably due to experiences I had with coaches dating back to when I used to play

I'm guessing Hurley gives Stewie a little extra burn in Seattle.

 

[SeattleHoop]

@navery12 what is so amusing or ridiculous about what I just said? Is it really that off base?

Also, regardless if you agree or disagree would appreciate a bit more respect as opposed to a laughing emoji every time I post

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I think a couple people are making a bit too much out of this. There is a very strong chance that Hurley felt Kansas and UNC had too much height at the four for Stewart. I imagine his PT will slowly increase from where it was today throughout the remainder of the season.

 

[navery12]

@navery12 what is so amusing or ridiculous about what I just said? Is it really that off base?

Also, regardless if you agree or disagree would appreciate a bit more respect as opposed to a laughing emoji every time I post

Yes, I find it very amusing that you think Stewart playing against Arkansas Pine Bluff and Stewart playing against Kansas/UNC/Gonzaga are comparable. I do think that's pretty far off base. As much as you or I might want it to happen it's approaching insanity to keep harping on it

 

[SeattleHoop]

Yes, I find it very amusing that you think Stewart playing against Arkansas Pine Bluff and Stewart playing against Kansas/UNC/Gonzaga are comparable. I do think that's pretty far off base. As much as you or I might want it to happen it's approaching insanity to keep harping on it

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Stewart is no stranger to elite competition. He will absolutely have a positive impact in bigger games as well. Just because he hasn’t had that opportunity yet doesn’t mean it’s impossible or even unlikely. Have a great weekend

 

[runner11]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Stewart is no stranger to elite competition. He will absolutely have a positive impact in bigger games as well. Just because he hasn’t had that opportunity yet doesn’t mean it’s impossible or even unlikely. Have a great weekend

Nobody denies that Stewart is extremely talented. More likely than not, Hurley doesn’t fully trust him to avoid missing defensive assignments, esp. against high level teams. We can see he is a little amped on O as his misses are back rim and they will be buckets once he is allowed to get comfortable out there. I am sure enrolling a little later didn’t help and if I remember correctly, he was banged up on the overseas trip. People forget AK spent an entire year practicing with the team before he was ready to launch.

I’m kinda at the point where I implicitly trust the stuff to do the right thing. Every kid who has stayed has gotten developed into a much better player, we are coming of a ‘ship and we are running the best offense in the P6. How could you not at this point.

 

[OceanDoggie]

From Hurley's mouth:

UConn's freshmen scored 25 points, led by Ball's nine points and seven each from Stephon Castle and Jaylin Stewart, who made 3 of 4 shots.

“That earned some trust in the staff...and trust of his teammates," Hurley said of Stewart. “He becomes a guy who can now get into the rotation coming out of today.”

UConn 101-63 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Dec 9, 2023) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the UConn Huskies vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions NCAAM game from December 9, 2023 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

 

[krinklecut]

3 of our starters have rings on their fingers. Freshmen not only have to earn the trust of the coaching staff but the trust of the other guys on the court. If the superior talent doesn’t trust the freshmen on the court, you’re playing down a man.

I doubt Stewart transfers. I hope Ross doesn’t, but he’ll have to be rerecruited by this staff. Really want them both to stay.

 

[Weave047]

I’m not going to be happy until we have an all freshmen starting 5

Seriously though, give Stewart or Ross consistent PT to give Karaban a breather (past just this game) and get their feet wet and we’re good lmao.

I’d like 5-10 minutes against Gonzaga from one those guys. If they’ve been working hard and giving the effort asked of them, reward them with some court time in the big games.

If they aren’t giving the effort asked of them that’s another story but I don’t think Samson does two

 

[runner11]

3 of our starters have rings on their fingers. Freshmen not only have to earn the trust of the coaching staff but the trust of the other guys on the court. If the superior talent doesn’t trust the freshmen on the court, you’re playing down a man.

I doubt Stewart transfers. I hope Ross doesn’t, but he’ll have to be rerecruited by this staff. Really want them both to stay.

When Ross committed he said they staff sold him on earning minutes year 2 or 3.

 

[husky429]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Stewart is no stranger to elite competition.

His high school schedule was worse than every other freshman. He played EYBL, just like 90% of our recruits do. Not sure what you're getting at here.

 

[superjohn]

3 of our starters have rings on their fingers. Freshmen not only have to earn the trust of the coaching staff but the trust of the other guys on the court. If the superior talent doesn’t trust the freshmen on the court, you’re playing down a man.

I doubt Stewart transfers. I hope Ross doesn’t, but he’ll have to be rerecruited by this staff. Really want them both to stay.

Where is this even coming from?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Stewart is no stranger to elite competition.

Every one of these guys was the man in high school. None of them are strangers to elite competition. I thought it was weird when you listed Stewart’s high school accomplishments as a reason that he should be playing more. It’s like when someone posts a video of some high school kid and says he wishes Solo would attack the cup like the kid in the high school video.

 

[krinklecut]

Where is this even coming from?

That’s how the game is now. Retaining a full 5 man recruiting class (minus castle, of course) is exceptionally difficult with the portal what it is now. You have the head coach saying plainly that tampering happens and these kids start to be recruited by other programs in December. That means you’re going to have to re-recruit guys.

 

[superjohn]

That’s how the game is now. Retaining a full 5 man recruiting class (minus castle, of course) is exceptionally difficult with the portal what it is now. You have the head coach saying plainly that tampering happens and these kids start to be recruited by other programs in December. That means you’re going to have to re-recruit guys.

We all know tampering happens. We also know we're losing four or five starters.

Speculating about kids transferring seems ridiculous to me, it used to not be allowed on the board.

 

[ec33]

I would like to see Hurley take a cue from his college football counterparts and give the bench players a freer reign to do there thing despite the lopsided score.

In football, the backups run the full offense complete with plenty of throwing. This gives the backups something to crow about and keeps them happy. The cupcakes just have to understand it is a business decision and not personal.

 

[krinklecut]

We all know tampering happens. We also know we're losing four or five starters.

Speculating about kids transferring seems ridiculous to me, it used to not be allowed on the board.

I don’t think saying the staff is likely going to have to re-recruit Ross to some extent amounts to transfer speculation.

We’re going to have to re-recruit every freshman who gets limited minutes, every year, for the foreseeable future. Didn’t think that was that hot of a take.

 

[SeattleHoop]

Every one of these guys was the man in high school. None of them are strangers to elite competition. I thought it was weird when you listed Stewart’s high school accomplishments as a reason that he should be playing more. It’s like when someone posts a video of some high school kid and says he wishes Solo would attack the cup like the kid in the high school video.

I only did that and continue to point it out because people here keep making the point that games against teams like Kansas and Texas etc are above his level.

I don’t think that’s the case.

My point is he has played in games against that type of talent pool and he was also a starter on one of the best AAU teams in the country.

I am fine if people want to debate his playing time and I see they’re point but I don’t get the higher competition/above his talent level argument.

I do relate more to the not understanding defensive assignments type of argument for his lack of playing time or the fact that they’re are just great players ahead of him.

Honestly, I can’t believe I’m having to argue such silly minute points but I’m only doing so because my argument has been blown completely out of proportion and attacked.

I’ve never argued that he should be a huge rotational piece just get a few minutes against higher competition and Hurley seems to be alluding to the fact that he will soon.

Edit:

I should also state and admit that I was a little bothered when Rob Dauster and a few posters on this board (not saying you) implied that the competition out here is a tier below and that guys like Stewart coming from here take longer to adjust.

That irked me because not only is this notion not true but in fact you could almost argue the exact opposite as the density of NBA and pro level players per person out here is among the highest in the country. There have been articles written about this.

So the homer in me felt a little insulted if I’m being completely honest with you

 

[krinklecut]

I only did that and continue to point it out because people here keep making the point that games against teams like Kansas and Texas etc are above his level.

I don’t think that’s the case.

My point is he has played in games against that type of talent pool and he was also a starter on one of the best AAU teams in the country.

I am fine if people want to debate his playing time and I see they’re point but I don’t get the higher competition/above his talent level argument.

I do relate more to the not understanding defensive assignments type of argument for his lack of playing time or the fact that they’re are just great players ahead of him.

Honestly, I can’t believe I’m having to argue such silly minute points but I’m only doing so because my argument has been blown completely out of proportion and attacked.

I’ve never argued that he should be a huge rotational piece just get a few minutes against higher competition and Hurley seems to be alluding to the fact that he will soon.

Absolutely. It’s not a talent thing. The talent is there. Both Hurley and Stewart have remarked that it’s a pretty massive transition from high school to the offense and defense Hurley runs, and Stewart is still learning. There’s a really steep learning curve and Stewart got here late and missed some time with injury. He’s going to be there soon, and today was a really good step forward.

 

[superjohn]

I don’t think saying the staff is likely going to have to re-recruit Ross to some extent amounts to transfer speculation.

We’re going to have to re-recruit every freshman who gets limited minutes, every year, for the foreseeable future. Didn’t think that was that hot of a take.

Your last paragraph is all transfer speculation. You're already making your picks on who stays and who might not stay.

 

[krinklecut]

Your last paragraph is all transfer speculation. You're already making your picks on who stays and who might not stay.

Hurley going out there and saying “my guys are already being recruited by other schools and I have the tell them not to pick up the phone” and expecting us to not talk about it would be absurd.

 

[businesslawyer]

You know I love Hurley but he is kind of being unrealistic with this comment. I understand that Stewart and Ross probably have not shown him/them (coaching staff) that they are ready. But we just need one of them not to be a liability. I do think he could have done a better job to date to give one of the a 7-8 minute runs. When Stewart has played I am seeing a kid that wants to show he can compete but then rushes. Then gets pulled. Maybe I am a bit out of line with the critique on player development. But more minutes for one of them seems like it could have happened. It's early so I won’t comment on any player specifically but we all know we are going to be susceptible to portal impact. It is what it is and how the team building game is now played. But between SC, DC and AK. One will be back. And it won’t be SC.

My bad it’s just a huge peeve of mine as you’re aware of.

Hilton and Deandre were starters way before they were ready for Pete’s sake. There definitely was no “earning” playing time then. It was always guys get better by playing.

Deandre Daniels barely got game time his freshman year . Hilton split time at the 4 his freshman year with a bunch of guys (including Marcus White and Shamond Tools) because no one won the position. Pet peeves are fine, but this one doesn’t even seem based on anything.