What’s next immediate need? PF or Center | Page 15 | The Boneyard

What’s next immediate need? PF or Center

Of course it is. All I'm saying is I wasn't looking for a 20/20 split like we've had the last 2 years so I have no problem with the starter being significantly better than the backup
The problem is as much as I love Hines he isn't going to be like Tarris this past season, Sanogo his junior season, or Clingan as a sophomore and now the guy (if it's Giltay) sharing minutes with him is a clear downgrade compared to our bench center the other years.

The closest would be the '25 big man duo of junior year (first year at UConn) Tarris learning the position with senior Samson having an even split. I think Hines can be like junior Tarris but Giltay is a major downgrade from senior Samson.

It would certainly be the weakest duo we've had at center during the run.
 
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The problem is as much as I love Hines he isn't going to be like Tarris this past season, Sanogo his junior season, or Clingan as a sophomore and now the guy (if it's Gilkay) sharing minutes with him is a clear downgrade compared to our bench center the other years.

The closest would be the '25 big man duo of junior year (first year at UConn) Tarris learning the position with senior Samson having an even split. I think Hines can be like junior Tarris but Gilkay is a major downgrade from senior Samson.

It would certainly be the weakest duo we've had at center during the run.
I don't disagree. But the reality is they aren't getting another high level or elite big out of the portal. They can't afford the asking price of 2-3 million for those types of players to be a backup. And those guys don't want to share minutes. It's the new world.
 
If the advanced metrics are a sign of things to come Giltay will be a lot more productive on D than Reibe was this year
 
The problem is as much as I love Hines he isn't going to be like Tarris this past season, Sanogo his junior season, or Clingan as a sophomore and now the guy (if it's Gilkay) sharing minutes with him is a clear downgrade compared to our bench center the other years.

The closest would be the '25 big man duo of junior year (first year at UConn) Tarris learning the position with senior Samson having an even split. I think Hines can be like junior Tarris but Giltay is a major downgrade from senior Samson.

It would certainly be the weakest duo we've had at center during the run.
I agree it'll be the weakest duo we've had overall, I'm just not overly worried about it. If it's these 2 guys we know they're both elite rebounders and elite rim protectors, which is a high floor. Anything on offense is a bonus with what we'll have at the other 4 spots.

If the combo guard is at this same level I'll be disappointed though. That's a spot we should be able to make a splash after losing Solo
 
Of course it is. All I'm saying is I wasn't looking for a 20/20 split like we've had the last 2 years so I have no problem with the starter being significantly better than the backup
It might be ok if everything goes to plan. Problem is, it seldom does and with County and Giltay at backups to PG and C, we could be in serious trouble if there was an injury for an extended period of time. We would also be in serious trouble if we had an injury before the tourney like we did this year. I haven't even mentioned foul trouble yet and we seem to get into that an awful lot too.
 
What are we even talking about? The guy just won BE DPOY. Yes, he was a feared rim protector that stopped players from coming into the lane. If your bar is Donovan Clingan, you’re going to be waiting a while and vastly disappointed.
Great defender, but the guy is no more a rim protector than Tarris. Take a look at Aiden Mara - that is a rim protector. A guy who's shadow hovers over the paint and makes players go in reverse.
 
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Great defender, but the guy is no more a rim protector than Tarris. Take a look at Aiden Mara - that is a rim protector. A guy who's shadow hovers over the paint and makes players go in reverse.
Clingan and Aday Mara are unique. They're both a legit 7'2 (not a basketball in shoes inflated 7'2) and they have great instincts, positioning, recovery, timing, smarts etc. You're lucky to ever get one of those players on a national contender in a season. Clingan is the best I've seen at it since Anthony Davis and Mara isn't far behind.

You shouldn't be comparing him or Tarris to one of the best college rim protectors in a decade.
 
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Clingan and Aday Mara are unique. They're both a legit 7'2 (not a basketball in shoes inflated '72) and they have great instincts, positioning, recovery, timing, smarts etc. You're lucky to ever get one of those players on a national contender in a season. Clingan is the best I've seen at it since Anthony Davis and Mara isn't far behind.

You shouldn't be comparing him or Tarris to one of the best college rim protectors in a decade.
True - I'm getting greedy. Mara reminds me of one of those car lot floats. I guess if we think about 25, that type of player didn't exist that I can recall. Maluach was solid, but not Clingan or Mara. Neither was Kalkbrenner.

Maybe Hines is the guy - someone made a good point that Okafor wasn't the tallest guy. Looks like his wingspan is 7'4" to Hines' 7'2" So much is about timing. Hines blows up off the floor and his double jumps are really quick.
 
Great defender, but the guy is no more a rim protector than Tarris. Take a look at Aiden Mara - that is a rim protector. A guy who's shadow hovers over the paint and makes players go in reverse.
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Another article on the subject. I was wondering, do you think the staff gives Arruda and Borges any hints on what they're looking for or do they just see what is going on like all of us? Or do they just read the Boneyard? 😀

The Huskies have confidence in County being able to come in as a reserve in the backcourt, but will be looking to add another combo guard into the mix as well who can handle the ball, shoot it, and provide an edge at the defensive end.

UConn’s top priority is to add a rotational center who will form the two-headed monster that the program has been so successful with in the past.

UConn will look to add a rotational four man, likely with more of a traditional skillset, to back him up in the frontcourt.


People on here fretting about giving some important minutes to freshmen might find this interesting:

UConn has had a freshman in its starting lineup in each of the last seven seasons.


The RuffRuff Alternate Access™:
Where the UConn men’s basketball roster stands as staff looks to add final pieces for 2026-27 season
 
This rotational 4 man hints at Chol Machot who would be a big add defensively and give UConn all sorts of trickery to work with offensively.
 
Another article on the subject. I was wondering, do you think the staff gives Arruda and Borges any hints on what they're looking for or do they just see what is going on like all of us? Or do they just read the Boneyard? 😀

The Huskies have confidence in County being able to come in as a reserve in the backcourt, but will be looking to add another combo guard into the mix as well who can handle the ball, shoot it, and provide an edge at the defensive end.

UConn’s top priority is to add a rotational center who will form the two-headed monster that the program has been so successful with in the past.
UConn will look to add a rotational four man, likely with more of a traditional skillset, to back him up in the frontcourt.


People on here fretting about giving some important minutes to freshmen might find this interesting:

UConn has had a freshman in its starting lineup in each of the last seven seasons.


The RuffRuff Alternate Access™:
Where the UConn men’s basketball roster stands as staff looks to add final pieces for 2026-27 season

I'd guess they get some hints that we don't to put it in print.
 
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