Vital is becoming Vital | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Vital is becoming Vital

I like the 4-years of Sterling Gibbs. So-so but serviceable handle. Ability to surprise you with a nifty drive and finish. (Hopefully) proficient from range ... perhaps not some of the bombs Gibbs would throw up. Seems like a better rebounder though and if he had 4 more inches I'd mistake him for Lasan Kromah.
 
He's our starting SG for the next 3 years. His 3 and D ability will be invaluable on teams with ball dominant scoring PGs as a kick out option, allowing our star guard to 'rest' on D, and by the time he's an upperclassmen I expect an improved handling ability.
 
Huskyforlife said:
He's our starting SG for the next 3 years. His 3 and D ability will be invaluable on teams with ball dominant scoring PGs as a kick out option, allowing our star guard to 'rest' on D, and by the time he's an upperclassmen I expect an improved handling ability.
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Then who sits? I love Vital but assuming Jalen stays, as he should, you see Vital beating out a healthy Alterique for a starting spot? I don't see that happening.
 
tentoes4rings said:
Then who sits? I love Vital but assuming Jalen stays, as he should, you see Vital beating out a healthy Alterique for a starting spot? I don't see that happening.
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Yes, he fits the lineup better than 'Rique, and may be a better defender. Gilbert will be a huge asset running the offense off the bench and giving Adams breaks, but I'm not sure he can play off the ball, and if he can play better defense than Vital.
 
tentoes4rings said:
Then who sits? I love Vital but assuming Jalen stays, as he should, you see Vital beating out a healthy Alterique for a starting spot? I don't see that happening.
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Alterique will be our third guard next year.
 
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Alterique was a starter before his injury, I'm not really sure thats going to change ( he was also playing pretty damn well) Next year ollie can play a 3 guard line up if he wants, he also will have MAL at his disposable on the second unit.
 
So my memory is not what it used to be, and this is looking back 25+ years, but I keep thinking Brian Fair when I see Vital play.
 
caw said:
So my memory is not what it used to be, and this is looking back 25+ years, but I keep thinking Brian Fair when I see Vital play.
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I have zero memories of Brian being able to dribble, pass or defend. Similar form on the jumper tho!
 
This is an interesting discussion. Vital has been surprising from the start and has just gotten better and better. I don't think we know what his limits are as yet, but we have guesses from his dropping to getting few minutes next year (in some other thread) to his being a 3 year starter. He has a quick release, good form on his shot, has a knack for making steals (both in his ability to anticipate some passes as well as digging out dribbles that got too close), and has seemed to become better at driving the ball and playing defense. He sounds to me when I think of this to be at least a competitor for a starter job next year.

A lot depends on how good and ready Alterique is to play to his potential by that time. We are looking for Alterique to be a star at UConn. He needs to be groomed for that role. I have been watching the games from Khalid's freshman year and it is astounding to me how good he was as a freshman (I was astounded before when it happened as well). I cannot think of one other freshman point guard at UConn in the Calhoun/Ollie era (except maybe Doron Sheffer who wasn't a real freshman) who was remotely close to running the team with the confidence and ability he had. Kemba, our greatest player, was not 1/2 the player Khalid was as a freshman. We should not expect Alterique to be Khalid as a freshman and maybe he could adjust to play the Shabazz freshman role if it makes sense. He could be devastating coming in at the 8 minute mark and running the opponents ragged and giving Jalen a blow. Alterique has to come along and be ready to take the reins next year. These things are for KO to work out, but next year could be bright in the backcourt! Vital is a great find.
 
Matrim55 said:
I have zero memories of Brian being able to dribble, pass or defend. Similar form on the jumper tho!
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I'll admit his jumper is best engrained in my mind.
 
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FASTEDDY said:
Christian Vital is becoming Vital :) to our success this year.

CV has played real big, hit some key shots and been clutch at the free throw line.

The extra court time he has received this year due to the injuries that we have had, has helped his growth tremendously and I see him as a Vital part of our 4 headed guard rotation next year.
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Who starts next year, Vital or Gilbert...?
 
tykurez said:
I like the 4-years of Sterling Gibbs. So-so but serviceable handle. Ability to surprise you with a nifty drive and finish. (Hopefully) proficient from range ... perhaps not some of the bombs Gibbs would throw up. Seems like a better rebounder though and if he had 4 more inches I'd mistake him for Lasan Kromah.
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That's a great post.

I was going to include Kromah in my comp, but I felt myself rambling.
 
I liked Brian Fair and met him, he was a nice kid. Brian mostly took jumpers and wasn't great at driving to the basket. CV is CV love the kid he plays balls to the wall all day long, what he and Brian have in common is they bleed blue. Go Huskies
 
Vital is 19 for his last 36 from three (over a span of six games). That's insane for anybody, much less a freshman. I don't know when the last time we've seen a freshman get that hot. Lamb?

I don't see the Gibbs comparisons. He was a liability defensively and not in the same realm as Vital athletically (and I'm not saying Vital is an amazing athlete, but Gibbs had the classic old man game).

I mentioned Russ Smith a couple weeks ago, but aside from having similar body types, I'm not sure they're that similar. Smith was never a great shooter, but he was one of the quickest college players I've ever seen and he could finish at an amazing rate for a guy his size.

Lenzelle Smith, who played at Ohio State a few years ago, is a name that comes to mind. He might not be the sexiest comparison, but he played a key role on a final four team as a 3 and D guy + a complementary facilitator.
 
I think I like the comparison best of K. Freeman though a different position. At heart I think Vital is a warrior. Exudes
confidence but willing to bet that he is highly teachable. These kind of attributes suggest to me that the young man has
a high character level; especially for the age. I suspect he probably is very willing to do what is suggested and is not afraid
of hard work. Doesn't let things upset him on the court. This kind of character reminds me as well of Ray A. ("everyday Ray"). If he continues to be teachable and work real hard I think his upside is very high and will continue to "surprise people".
 
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damn these are some great points, if we can stay healthy next year, the backcourt is going to be downright filthy. It's a spoil of riches! Who comes off the bench? Who cares!? When Ollie goes to the bench he will be bringing out guys that nobody wants to see out there. Maybe Alterique is the primary ballhandler, with Jalen as an SG to start, but when we pull Alterique, Jalen becomes primary ball-handler, and Vital is SG. Add in MAL floating around, Jackson and Larrier at the 3 spot.. I like it.

We will likely take a step back with the bigs losing our two starters, but let's be honest, we've done some great things with a super talented back court and untalented bigs who just did some things in the right moments
 
Yesterday Vital attempted a Euro Step. Maybe 2 of them. The one I vividly remember he sorta blew the layup, but was fouled. Anyways, I don't think he would have tried that move earlier in the season. Maybe not even a couple weeks ago. Either he's recently learned it, or his confidence has just improved enough to start making moves like that. It's nice to see.
 
Kembacity said:
damn these are some great points, if we can stay healthy next year, the backcourt is going to be downright filthy. It's a spoil of riches! Who comes off the bench? Who cares!?
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Yep, kind of sounds like we are going to be an up tempo running/pressing team. It hides our limitations in the paint and the tempo will wear down the opposition. I was looking forward to that this year but injuries took it out of play. The depth at the guard positions may be our best asset.
 
Tenspro2002 said:
He's definitely a rich man's Craig Austrie.

Slightly better shooter, more athletic, more aggressive, but he has the same steadiness and basketball IQ.

Excellent 4 year player to have as a 6th man or 3rd guard in a 3-guard lineup.

Or backcourt depth will be ridiculous next year with Adams/Gilbert/Vital/MAL at the 1/2, and I bet at least one of those guys gets significant minutes at the 3 when we go small.
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Agree with this comparison. Hes what CA was his final years as a Frosh already. He`ll get better and be one of those really good 4 year players we all love.
 
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