Updated MBB Roster

[Huskyforlife]

Tarris has only one year of UConn coaching and he inexplicably came off the bench and averaged a hair under 20 minutes per game. He's simply more talented than Sanogo and I think we'll get to see it this upcoming season and he's going to be an NBA player, IMO.

Hawkins was more solid defensively than Solo up to this point but Solo was certainly just as good as Hawkins on the offensive end.

There's no way Reibe will be as impactful as freshman as Donovan was as a freshman.

I haven't watched the video.

Would you say Hawkins was better or worse inside the arc?

 

[RuffRuff]

Tarris has only one year of UConn coaching and he inexplicably came off the bench and averaged a hair under 20 minutes per game. He's simply more talented than Sanogo and I think we'll get to see it this upcoming season and he's going to be an NBA player, IMO.

Hawkins was more solid defensively than Solo up to this point but Solo was certainly just as good as Hawkins on the offensive end.

There's no way Reibe will be as impactful as freshman as Donovan was as a freshman.

I haven't watched the video.

Difference between Solo and Hawk was offensive dependability. Hawk had such good endurance rolling off picks, and could elevate so quickly on his jumper, he needed so little space to get his shot off (also 2 inches taller). Solo doesn’t have that and has a tendency to disappear for longer stretches.

Was definitely more of a sniper and able to hunt shots.

 

[husky429]

Would you say Hawkins was better or worse inside the arc?

They were both pretty bad. Similar percentage. 46 vs 48% from 2

 

[gsmooth]

Difference between Solo and Hawk was offensive dependability. Hawk had such good endurance rolling off picks, and could elevate so quickly on his jumper, he needed so little space to get his shot off (also 2 inches taller). Solo doesn’t have that and has a tendency to disappear for longer stretches.

Was definitely more of a sniper and able to hunt shots.

Teams that sell out to stop the 3 pt shooting by having their defenders draped on the shooters coming off screens or any off the ball action can diminish the 3 pt shooting and the number of attempts of most offensive players. However, it was more difficult to do this with Hawk because he has such a quick release on his shot and quick hops. It's why he got fouled on so many 3 pt shots and shot 3 FTs.

Also, Hawk was good at taking contested 3 pt shots with a defender's hand up or in his face whether it was on catch and shoots or 1-2 dribbles and then pull up shots. I think he averaged about 1.1 PPP (it was in his YouTube draft profile video if I recall correctly).

When Hawk went off, it was like scoring bomb and it changed the trajectory of games. When he went on that 2nd half 13 pt burst vs Iona, I knew UConn was going to win as it provided them a good cushion. It's why Shaka told Oliver Max-Prosper, a long armed athletic player and very good player who got drafted in the NBA, to defend Hawkins as the #1 priority above any offense in the BET game.

I will take Hawk over Solo, but I think Solo will do great things for UConn this year and that he took a too much blame last year even with his lousy defense, which Hawk is also better at.

 

[superjohn]

Teams that sell out to stop the 3 pt shooting by having their defenders draped on the shooters coming off screens or any off the ball action can diminish the 3 pt shooting and the number of attempts of most offensive players. However, it was more difficult to do this with Hawk because he has such a quick release on his shot and quick hops. It's why he got fouled on so many 3 pt shots and shot 3 FTs.

Also, Hawk was good at taking contested 3 pt shots with a defender's hand up or in his face whether it was on catch and shoots or 1-2 dribbles and then pull up shots. I think he averaged about 1.1 PPP (it was in his YouTube draft profile video if I recall correctly). When Hawk went off, it was like scoring bomb and it changed the trajectory of games. When he went on that 2nd half 13 pt burst vs Iona, I knew UConn was going to win as it provided them a good cushion.

I will take Hawk over Solo, but I think Solo will do great things for UConn this year and that he took a too much blame last year even with his lousy defense, which Hawk is also better at.

The way I view them offensively Hawkins hit tougher threes, he was the best high degree of difficulty three point shooter in the country in his sophomore season but Solo is a better open three point shooter than Hawkins. I also take Solo as a pull up shooter inside the arch over Hawkins. Neither is good at finishing at the rim but I would give the advantage to Hawkins.

 

[Lafayette]

Teams that sell out to stop the 3 pt shooting by having their defenders draped on the shooters coming off screens or any off the ball action can diminish the 3 pt shooting and the number of attempts of most offensive players. However, it was more difficult to do this with Hawk because he has such a quick release on his shot and quick hops. It's why he got fouled on so many 3 pt shots and shot 3 FTs.

Also, Hawk was good at taking contested 3 pt shots with a defender's hand up or in his face whether it was on catch and shoots or 1-2 dribbles and then pull up shots. I think he averaged about 1.1 PPP (it was in his YouTube draft profile video if I recall correctly).

When Hawk went off, it was like scoring bomb and it changed the trajectory of games. When he went on that 2nd half 13 pt burst vs Iona, I knew UConn was going to win as it provided them a good cushion. It's why Shaka told Oliver Max-Prosper, a long armed athletic player and very good player who got drafted in the NBA, to defend Hawkins as the #1 priority above any offense in the BET game.

I will take Hawk over Solo, but I think Solo will do great things for UConn this year and that he took a too much blame last year even with his lousy defense, which Hawk is also better at.

At least this year seems everyone can hit 3s now (Demary Jr, Solo, Mullins, Reed, Jr hilariously can, AK, Stewart, Reibe, Furphy). Only so many defenders can come over or under each screen - we will be passing the ball around the perimeter faster than they can adopt and whoever is open can bomb it or Reed, Jr. can get a pass inside and dunk it.

We'll have to see the different between releases - AK and Solo are similar forward shooters though Alex is taller, but have not seen enough of Mullins and Furphy and Reibe's releases but I believe Mullins doesn't even have to fully extend.

 

[RuffRuff]

Looks like Roth not moving off UM ahead of us. I’d love to know where he thinks they’re actually better than us anywhere on the floor. I know Yaxel gets lots of pub, but I’m still taking Tarris and think we are better at every position on floor.

Elliot Cadeau (9.4 PPG at North Carolina)
Roddy Gayle Jr. (9.8 PPG)
Nimari Burnett (9.4 PPG)
Yaxel Lendeborg (17.7 PPG at UAB)
Morez Johnson Jr. (7.0 PPG at Illinois)

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Looks like Roth not moving off UM ahead of us. I’d love to know where he thinks they’re actually better than us anywhere on the floor. I know Yaxel gets lots of pub, but I’m still taking Tarris and think we are better at every position on floor.

Elliot Cadeau (9.4 PPG at North Carolina)
Roddy Gayle Jr. (9.8 PPG)
Nimari Burnett (9.4 PPG)
Yaxel Lendeborg (17.7 PPG at UAB)
Morez Johnson Jr. (7.0 PPG at Illinois)

Every media guy needs 1-2 eye-openers in a preseason ranking. Most outlets have Michigan between 15-20.

 

[caw]

Would you say Hawkins was better or worse inside the arc?

They were both pretty bad. Similar percentage. 46 vs 48% from 2

One thing to be added, Hawkins shot almost twice as many shots inside the 3PT line and got between a third to double the FTs.

Defensively, I don't think it was necessarily fair to say Hawkins was better because he had some better defenders around him to cover for him.

 

[PAHusky]

His point was Reed hasn’t had a season like junior Sanogo and Reed is going on his senior year. Don’t think anyone questions Reeds physical prowess. Don’t think there’s anyone outside of them who doubts Reed will be a monster this season anyways.

The Solo/Hawkins comparison is fair. Sophomore Hawkins was a significantly better overall player than Sophomore Ball, you’d have to project significant improvement in his areas of weakness. Everyone knows they’re about the same as shooters.

Putting the odds of Riebe being more impactful than freshman Clingan at less than 5%. No disrespect to Riebe, Clingan was ridiculously special.

I don’t really agree that Hawkins was a significantly better player as a sophomore than Solo at the same age. They have about the same per season stat line. They’re about even as a shooter. Hawkins a slightly better defender but Solo at least started turning that around end of season (also Hawk was not a great defender here by any stretch - he was serviceable). Hawk had the benefit of a much better supporting cast at that age. Solo bailed us out almost single-handedly a few times last year.

Overall think they had much more similar second years than most think and think Solo’s junior year puts him in another stratosphere.

 

[superjohn]

I don’t really agree that Hawkins was a significantly better player as a sophomore than Solo at the same age. They have about the same per season stat line. They’re about even as a shooter. Hawkins a slightly better defender but Solo at least started turning that around end of season (also Hawk was not a great defender here by any stretch - he was serviceable). Hawk had the benefit of a much better supporting cast at that age. Solo bailed us out almost single-handedly a few times last year.

Overall think they had much more similar second years than most think and think Solo’s junior year puts him in another stratosphere.

Hawkins shot 50% from three in the tournament on the way to UConn mauling everyone and winning the championship. When SDSU made a final push and got the game kind of close it was Hawkins who put the nail in their coffin with a dagger three. His shooting in the tournament is what made everyone say he was the best shooter in the country and I'm sure it elevated his draft position a few places.

Solo hit clutch threes throughout last season and with Liam out he elevated his play even more. The season didn't go exactly how we all wanted it to but Solo kept us afloat with Liam out and Karaban's struggles. Without his shooting/offense we would've been in a world of hurt.

 

[jibsey]

Tarris has only one year of UConn coaching and he inexplicably came off the bench and averaged a hair under 20 minutes per game. He's simply more talented than Sanogo and I think we'll get to see it this upcoming season and he's going to be an NBA player, IMO.

Hawkins was more solid defensively than Solo up to this point but Solo was certainly just as good as Hawkins on the offensive end.

There's no way Reibe will be as impactful as freshman as Donovan was as a freshman.

I haven't watched the video.

Tarris more talented than Sanogo? Hmm.

 

[RuffRuff]

Tarris more talented than Sanogo? Hmm.

Physically, yes. Bigger, stronger, more athletic. Can he refine that down to find his “thing” like Adama did, jury out. Adama was so patient and strong with the bb. I feel like Tarris needs a “go to” move he can patent.

I stood next to Tarris in Austin last year - this guy is not normal. When Hurley says freak, it’s appropriate. We’re talking a kid creeping on 6’11” built like an NFL defensive end. Skies the limit for a kid with that level of physicality if he can harness it. There is no one at the college level that can keep up with him physically if he gets himself working efficiently, including Zubi (two inches and 20+ pounds).

This is the part that I think is going to express up Reibe’s development, going against Tarris daily. Anyone else is going to feel like a lightweight next to him.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Physically, yes. Bigger, stronger, more athletic. Can he refine that down to find his “thing” like Adama did, jury out. Adama was so patient and strong with the bb.

I stood next to Tarris in Austin last year - this guy is not normal. When Hurley says freak, it’s appropriate. We’re talking a kid creeping on 6’11” built like an NFL defensive end. Skies the limit for a kid with that level of physicality if he can harness it. There is no one at the college level that can keep up with him physically if he gets himself working efficiently, including Zubi (two inches and 20+ pounds).

This is the part that I think is going to express up Reibe’s development, going against Tarris daily. Anyone else is going to feel like a lightweight next to him.

Sure and by the same metrics, Anthony Richardson is bigger, stronger and faster and can jump better than Tom Brady.

Tarris doesn't have Sanogo's post moves or back to the basket game. He's good, above average for a modern center, but Sanogo probably had the best back to the basket game we've seen in many years (all teams not just UConn). Tarris is a better rebounder and I expect he will have a face-up game that is better than what Adama had. They're different players. I am worried about Reed's fouling.

 

[superjohn]

Tarris more talented than Sanogo? Hmm.

Yes, he's bigger than him and a more fluid athlete than him. He's a better rebounder and shotblocker than him and I think we'll see he's on par with him offensively once Tarris gets the requisite minutes this upcoming season.

Remember Sanogo had the benefit of being coached up by the best staff in the country for three seasons and we didn't see the great offensive efficiency and expanded perimeter game until his final season.

 

[RuffRuff]

Sure and by the same metrics, Anthony Richardson is bigger, stronger and faster and can jump better than Tom Brady.

Tarris doesn't have Sanogo's post moves or back to the basket game. He's good, above average for a modern center, but Sanogo probably had the best back to the basket game we've seen in many years (all teams not just UConn). Tarris is a better rebounder and I expect he will have a face-up game that is better than what Adama had. They're different players. I am worried about Reed's fouling.

Not sure you can use the QB position as a way of comparing - talk about apples to oranges, but I get it. Agree with what you’re saying but Sonogo also had to start somewhere and had 3 years with the UConn staff. Tarris seems like a very capable player athletically, will simply be about whether he finds a way of using it that is dependable.

 

[Umami Zen]

Looks like we got our 7'2" developmental Big as well. Practices are gonna be brutal- Can only help in March

 

[jibsey]

Yes, he's bigger than him and a more fluid athlete than him. He's a better rebounder and shotblocker than him and I think we'll see he's on par with him offensively once Tarris gets the requisite minutes this upcoming season.

Remember Sanogo had the benefit of being coached up by the best staff in the country for three seasons and we didn't see the great offensive efficiency and expanded perimeter game until his final season.

Uh no. Physically more imposing, stronger, yes. Reed is not in the same universe with Sanogo in their footwork which led to great baseline moves and inside scoring. Then he was able to hit some 3’s. Blocks and fouls the same. Tarris as junior
9 pts. Sanogo 14 pts. (6 more min) As a senior Sanogo over 17 points. Then of course his dominant postseason work.
But of course we are all hopeful that he improves, limits fouling, and can dominate against the best opponents.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Uh no. Physically more imposing, stronger, yes. Reed is not in the same universe with Sanogo in their footwork which led to great baseline moves and inside scoring. Then he was able to hit some 3’s. Blocks and fouls the same. Tarris as junior
9 pts. Sanogo 14 pts. (6 more min) As a senior Sanogo over 17 points. Then of course his dominant postseason work.
But of course we are all hopeful that he improves, limits fouling, and can dominate against the best opponents.

Reed is a Senior and has never averaged 10 pts a game. Sanogo blew past that as a sophomore. People really have short memories. Sanogo had elite footwork and a great post game on day 1, before UConn coaches ever worked with him. He got even better sure, but Reed did not have anything like that offensively.

I don't think Reed is going to be as good a Junior Sanogo was. But that won't stop us from winning another Championship. Hoping he has a great season.

 

[superjohn]

Uh no. Physically more imposing, stronger, yes. Reed is not in the same universe with Sanogo in their footwork which led to great baseline moves and inside scoring. Then he was able to hit some 3’s. Blocks and fouls the same. Tarris as junior
9 pts. Sanogo 14 pts. (6 more min) As a senior Sanogo over 17 points. Then of course his dominant postseason work.
But of course we are all hopeful that he improves, limits fouling, and can dominate against the best opponents.

No, blocks aren't the same. Tarris averaged 3.2 blocks per 40 last season. Sanogo per 40 block averages as a freshman 2.1, sophomore 2.6, junior 1.2.

There is no valid argument that Sanogo and Reed are equals in rebounding and shotblocking, Reed is simply better in those areas.

You aren't refuting what I said about them offensively. Sanogo as a sophomore was a 50% field goal shooter which is pretty bad for a center. As I said we saw him become a great offensively efficient center his final season and he expanded his offensive game out to the three point line. Something we didn't see until his final season. He shot 61% from the field and shot 52 three pointers after shooting just 1 three pointer the season before.

Reed shot 65% from the field last season and he does it differently than Sanogo, he flat out overpowers players where Sanogo used footwork and patience. I expect Reed's scoring and efficiency to be on par with Sanogo's this upcoming season and he will continue to be a better rebounder and shotblocker than him.

Sanogo didn't have a senior year at UConn.

 

[RuffRuff]

Reed is a Senior and has never averaged 10 pts a game. Sanogo blew past that as a sophomore. People really have short memories. Sanogo had elite footwork and a great post game on day 1, before UConn coaches ever worked with him. He got even better sure, but Reed did not have anything like that offensively.

I don't think Reed is going to be as good a Junior Sanogo was. But that won't stop us from winning another Championship. Hoping he has a great season.

The thing about Tarris is that he’s also very skilled for his size. He’s not just a big brute. He’s got great feet, balance and soft hands/touch. For him to get there he just needs it all to click upstairs. This is where you hope the staff does its thing. Too many times when he got the ball in the post last year he just held no composure, was rushed. He didn’t really have a go to move. If he can make himself a nice big entry target consistently and then feel the defense, take a second to assess, he will be a weapon.

He doesn’t have to be Sonogo to have a great year - there are things Reed can do that Adama can’t: better rim protector, elevates faster, better passer. Adama maxed out his ability, Tarris has barely scratched surface.

 

[Dooooooomed]

 

[RuffRuff]

Have to wonder if this means Dan Hurley sees no shot with Diane or the other big.

 

[Mooch82]

Have to wonder if this means Dan Hurley sees no shot with Diane or the other big.

I don't think this impacts that at all, although I'm not currently super optimistic about either.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Tell Seton Hall to get their bag up then. They’re allowed to spend the same money we are,

 

[Palatine]

Why wouldn't UConn have a huge advantage in talent over Seton Hall? UConn has been the dominate college program of the century. SHU is a poor to middlin' basketball program.

 

[businesslawyer]

These guys make me nuts:
Tarris is Adama….except he is bigger, is as fast, is longer and jumps higher than Sanogo. To say there is no comp between the two is just insulting to Bear.
Solo vs. Hawk: OMG. White guy thought Hawk shot better in 22. when presented with the numbers, which show he shot fewer % than Solo last year, his response was what? A 1.5 ppg discrepancy???? Dude is a joke. Solo gonna show this year.
Clingan of 22 vs. Reibe:: Clingan of 22 had ZERO offensive game. Huge D, of course, but no offense. Reibe on year 1 will have sooooo much more offensive game than Clingan of 22, is not even funny.
White dude made me hot.

Did you watch the beginning of '22? Did you see the tournament in Portland? DC was a monster offensively before his minutes went down and conference play started. He had no skills in the half court set offense. His skills were racing down the court with amazing speed for a guy his size and finishing opportunities at the rim over 80% of the time. If you don't think that's a skill, o.k., but I've been watching college basketball a damn long time and I don't remember a big ever doing what he did in that tournament.