Be careful! I got scoffed at by a few here last week for suggesting AJax could still improve in a couple specific areas by returning and turn himself into a lottery pick or at least a guy who gets big minutes rookie year in the NBA. For many the only correct opinion on this board is "it's great everyone goes pro regardless of where they'd be picked, it's selfish to think otherwise, and we'll win the natty again next year even if 4 of our starters leave." I think it's so obvious we're a sustainably elite (blue blood) program it doesn't even need to be questioned whether we'll "be fine." You're not a terrible fan for hoping AJ and TN return (and that it's likely best for them between NIL money and development) and we then have an awesome chance to repeat.
An individual who cares about another person hopes that an outcome provides that other person the most happiness and greatest chance for success.
If the personal goal for Andre and Tristen is to make it to the NBA and their chances are good they can achieve that goal this year I hope it happens. Obviously there is a possibility that waiting till next year can improve their situation but the converse is also true. They ultimately will have to decide.
From the standpoint of UConn’s chances of success next season the situation is significantly better if AJ and TN return. They allow an easier transition for the freshman. Furthermore Andre is the consummate player coach. It would not be an overstatement to say Andre was the most critical element in getting this year’s team to be cohesive.
What we want for either player would be selfish only if we knew absolutely which choice would be better for the players and lobbied for an outcome that benefited our preference more.
Nonetheless I’ve observed enough of humanity to recognize we are very good at making rational sounding statements that make us sound noble when we are trying to deflect our own selfish interests. A good number of us do it so often we actually convince ourselves we are being noble when we are not. And many of these are not con artists, or worse, politicians.
Not implying you fit into this category. Just using your post to make some points.