UConn out on Valdir Manuel | The Boneyard

UConn out on Valdir Manuel

tcf15

tcf15

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One player UConn is no longer in on is Valdir Manuel, a big man out of Harcum Junior College in Pennsylvania. The Huskies showed some initial interest in Manuel, but it appears he is heading back to Harcum for next season.
 
That sucks. I was hoping he would come. We need another big. Anyone else left or are we stuck with that we have?
 
That's a bit surprising and definitely disappointing. Are there any decent players who could reclassify? I'm assuming no. At this point I would take almost any grad transfer with size, even if we don't expect much from them. I think we have an excellent recruiting class, and I trust Hurley in the long-run, but playing with an open scholarship - on top of being down one and having Cole sitting out - is certainly not ideal. If I'm trying to be optimistic, I'll definitely say that I'd rather leave the spot open then bring in a mediocre freshman.
 
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Much prefer to leave the scholly open than reach for anyone who isn't a 1 year grad transfer.

We are on a ton of great talent for 2020. It is this staffs first defining class.

Roll with whaley as a back up 5. Yes, we may sacrifice a win or two vs tougher comp compared to a higher level player. But we need to be prepared to light up the big east. aac reaches aren't going to help with that
 
At this point getting someone acclimated with Hurley’s system would be a steep learning curve anyway. Leave the scholarship open.
 
I like the idea of having an open scholarship at this point. You never know if a kid decides to leave scool early like Akok did. I feel like Whaley can give some solid minutes.
 
husky429 said:
Much prefer to leave the scholly open than reach for anyone who isn't a 1 year grad transfer.

We are on a ton of great talent for 2020. It is this staffs first defining class.

Roll with whaley as a back up 5. Yes, we may sacrifice a win or two vs tougher comp compared to a higher level player. But we need to be prepared to light up the big east. aac reaches aren't going to help with that
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Normally I’m against banking scholarships, but with the 2020 buzz that has been going around about UConn since the Big East news, I’ll make an exception. It should be a 4 man class now barring us adding anyone.
 
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Guapo said:
It sounds like we backed off him, not the other way around.

Not sure why anyone would be upset about that.

Quality>quantity
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Amen - been saying for a while grabbing him to fill a spot would be a regret 2-3 years from now. Hurley can do much better with that scholarship in 2020 and beyond.
 
Get a grad transfer over 6-8 who can do two of the following: block shots, rebound, set good non-illegal screens, shoot outside of 3 feet.

I realize the middle 2 are the most likely, and I’m totally okay with that
 
UConnStats said:
Normally I’m against banking scholarships, but with the 2020 buzz that has been going around about UConn since the Big East news, I’ll make an exception. It should be a 4 man class now barring us adding anyone.
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4 if Gilbert leaves correct? I think right now we only have 3 open.
 
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lange10 said:
4 if Gilbert leaves correct? I think right now we only have 3 open.
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Wouldn't have to be Gilbert, but I think the staff will try to sign 4 and let the pieces fall where they may next spring.
 
Maybe he wasn’t making the grades needed in summer school to gain admission. That seemed to be the sticking point originally, right? I would have preferred to have him this year for depth but don’t think it’s the end of the world. I expect Hurley will use the spot for someone even better.
 
I don't even care if the grad transfer doesn't play much, it's just a good idea to bring in another big to battle with Carlton and Whaley in practice.

WKU's Moustapha Diagne intrigues me. The kid was the #58 recruit in the '15 class and was originally signed by 'Cuse, but then played a year in JC, then spent his first year at WKU backing up the very good frontcourt duo of Dwight Coleby (27.6 mpg)/Justin Johnson (34.6 mpg) and then his second year backing up a potential 1st rounder Charles Bassey (31.4 mpg).

The kid is 6'9 230, only played 7.4 mpg last year, but played his most minutes against teams with bigger key players. For example, against North Texas and their 6'9 235 starting center Zachary Simmons, Diagne played 15 minutes, some alongside Bassey. In a tight game against Old Dominion, Diagne played 11 minutes replacing Bassey, helping to guard ODU's 7'1 285 Elbert Robinson.

A guy like Diagne would be most valuable against weak shooting teams with strong frontcourt presence. Let's say if we are playing SMU with Chargois or Tulsa with Igbanu, a guy like Diagne would be valuable to have off the bench (in addition to Whaley) to provide Carlton a breather when he's battling these guys all night.
 
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Son of Robert said:
Praying for a Cliff Omoruyi reclass or some magical 1 yr big man from somewhere on these 7 continents. I want to have the best season possible THIS YEAR!!
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At some point, we need to start being UConn on the court again. Manuel would have had immediate impact and was worth far more to this team than an extra scholarship. This one hurts. His grades must really suck.
 
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The 2020 class might be the most important recruiting class in UConn history. That feels dramatic to type, but I really believe it.

3 out of the 4 need to be top targets. (we will have 4 schollys if Alterique leaves)

Give me:

Cam
Andre
Richie
Cliff
 
CL82 said:
Lol, stuck with what we have?
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Ya Stuck with what we have. I'm not a Whaley fan. He's an undersized foul machine who cant shoot. I think Carlton and Akok will be a good duo but they will need rest and foul trouble. Unless Whaley improves a lot he is a liability. imo
 
Amazing how many people are taking the "didn't really want him anyway" approach all of a sudden.
 
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