What’s next immediate need? PF or Center

[KillaCam]

I doubt Hines averages more than 23 or so minutes a game. There will be another five on the roster who will get minutes along with an emergency five.

There will also be another competent ball handler on the roster before long.

I agree re: what is needed. Let’s hope the required level of talent will be secured. It is crucial. I strongly feel that with a more serviceable bench the output of the last game would have been different.

 

[3rdbass]

I agree re: what is needed. Let’s hope the required level of talent will be secured. It is crucial. I strongly feel that with a more serviceable bench the output of the last game would have been different.

Our bench was actually a strength but unfortunately Reibe disappeared end of the year and Stewart got injured. Both Ross and Smith provided great minutes off the bench. If we can get a couple more guys that meet our needs I think we will be fine. Still have time as Portal entries doesn't close to Tuesday. I trust Dan Hurley on getting this done right. Only the 24-25 team wasn't done right and that team was only a couple points away from knocking out the National Championship team that year.

 

[uconntoatl]

We need a 2026 version of Jeff Adrien

Do you know about Colben Landrew?

 

[willie99]

I'm shocked, but maybe I shouldn't be, that people still think we need more. We're not getting anymore studs. We have a great rotation as is. We made it to the championship game, and might have beaten MI if James Breeding wasn't the referee

What about the matchup problems we create?

As always, in Hurley I trust

 

[KillaCam]

Our bench was actually a strength but unfortunately Reibe disappeared end of the year and Stewart got injured. Both Ross and Smith provided great minutes off the bench. If we can get a couple more guys that meet our needs I think we will be fine. Still have time as Portal entries doesn't close to Tuesday. I trust Dan Hurley on getting this done right. Only the 24-25 team wasn't done right and that team was only a couple points away from knocking out the National Championship team that year.

The strength of the bench existed on the paper/in posts as paraphrasing “the strength disappeared” as rather based on the anticipation and not what transpired. Nobody said that I do not trust in Hurley. I will even use his words with challenges of putting deep roster that without money the will lose “Basketball Capital of the World” status. And while I am certain a bench will be assembled, we can judge its serviceability by their involvement in the games in the upcoming season. I also think that the minutes available to the bench were a direct result of inability of the starting 5 in building safe lead in most of the games. And we can only blame it on BE that much. Yes, we made it to the final game and all glory to the team and the staff, but it is hard to ignore that with more serviceable bench, the championship game output would very likely be different. And the more serviceable bench this year is my wishful thinking.

 

[UConn Dan]

I'll take one Jonny Selvie type and one Hassan Diarra type.

The Solo stuff is taking too long. Not sure what the deal is there.

Could it already be a done deal and they are just fanning out the announcements?

My guess is Solo going last since he’s the senior leader and they want to give him his own time in spotlight.

Most credible reporters saying he’s back. His responses to others returning on instagram also positive indicators.

Hoping the announcement is today so they don’t make us wait until Tuesday night.

 

[KillaCam]

Do you know about Colben Landrew?

Very good analogy with the style of play. I spent several hours watching any games available on Landrew. The size and his strength will be great while bruising thru big east. Although not much backing players to the basket, Colben appears to enjoy absorbing contact while driving to the hoop. Hopefully between him, the ex-fools kid and the ex-SH center we will shrink foul calls disparity. Also, he showed a neck for the rebounds which sometimes can be deceiving when watching a physically dominant high school senior playing against other high school teams. College with some 24 years old is a good verification of those skills and we should hope that he can shine in that aspect of the game. Especially for his size, he is a gifted shooter. Lots of outside shots made. Noticed a decent sample of plays where he did not hassle on defense mainly coming back from scoring but also missing cues on his defensive assignment. I am sure Denny will work on that aspect of his game. CL is not afraid to put the ball on the floor and drive a fast brake with a surprising speed for his size. When going he is like a freight train often bending the iron with a powerful slam. His shooting and rebounding are the most enticing attributes. Easy to see why he was high in the wish list with potential versatility providing some interesting options to the staff.

 

[bendm]

Freaking reibe. Woulda been a perfect compliment to Hines and we’d only be looking for a Malachi replacement as the last piece of the puzzle. Oh well. Couldn’t realistically be happier with the portal so far. Hopefully ball is next and we can put our remaining budget into a backup big and PG.

 

[Palatine]

Love to get that Furman guard who tore us to pieces.

 

[KillaCam]

I'm shocked, but maybe I shouldn't be, that people still think we need more. We're not getting anymore studs. We have a great rotation as is. We made it to the championship game, and might have beaten MI if James Breeding wasn't the referee

What about the matchup problems we create?

As always, in Hurley I trust

Yes, we all trust in Hurley and no the coffers are not unlimited as Danny pinpointed in his recent speech. That is what take time in finding full roster. Unless you have serviceable (I.e. one step behind the starter) rotation, you are one injury away from risking your entire season in college hoops of stacked rosters of Michigans/Dukes. Yes, we fought our way to the championship game. Would this conversation be different if Braylon missed that shot? I am certain it would be about how we could have made it with healthy team and/or deep serviceable bench. So yes, deep bench is very much important. And you cannot just rely on a freshman hitting that shot too often or Duke players

I thought it was Yellowstone

someone last spotted him chasing Yogi.

 

[UCfor3]

Moustapha Thiam

He is most likely a starter wherever he goes and will probably cost a fortune. Doubt we have the budget for him. He's a really good player. The 2nd half of the season he was really good and looked like Cincy's best player at times.

 

[UCfor3]

Love to get that Furman guard who tore us to pieces.

kentucky

 

[ConnMotors]

Freaking reibe. Woulda been a perfect compliment to Hines and we’d only be looking for a Malachi replacement as the last piece of the puzzle. Oh well. Couldn’t realistically be happier with the portal so far. Hopefully ball is next and we can put our remaining budget into a backup big and PG.

Can’t Reibe take his name out of the portal and return if Hurley wanted him back? I believe you can but would you want him.

 

[RuffRuff]

Can’t Reibe take his name out of the portal and return if Hurley wanted him back? I believe you can but would you want him.

We may not be able to afford. I believe part of the equation was likely financial for Reibe and team.

Surprised he hasn't landed yet - all I've heard is USC lately, and they have the Ratliff twins coming in - would seem low priority for them.

 

[willstafa24]

I'm perplexed by this obsession with the 4. How long do we have to watch Hurley to know that he wants four shooters on the court at all times. Not two bigs and not Jeff Adrien type at the 4. He does want size but they have to be able to shoot. Khamenia and Landrew have both.

 

[Khal Drogo]

Hines is a tick smaller, but I think we are going to find him to be a more vertical athlete than Reed. Watching some tape of him, he finishes well with both hands like Reed. The kid has tremendous upside.

If we go with a lineup of Silas, Mullins, Landrew, Khamenia and Hines, we are not that small at all. We'd be plus at just about every position other than Center, and Hines makes up for that with vertical.

Hurley will start with Solo but this will likely be the line up come March

 

[Palatine]

I'm perplexed by this obsession with the 4. How long do we have to watch Hurley to know that he wants four shooters on the court at all times. Not two bigs and not Jeff Adrien type at the 4. He does want size but they have to be able to shoot. Khamenia and Landrew have both.

Did you notice the problem we had against two bigs? It was a weakness. It would be nice to have answer.

 

[bendm]

Did you notice the problem we had against two bigs? It was a weakness. It would be nice to have answer.

Who besides Florida has a giant PF next season? Let’s see who they get as a new starting backcourt before we worry about them.

 

[RuffRuff]

Did you notice the problem we had against two bigs? It was a weakness. It would be nice to have answer.

Flip side, those bigs have to chase. That is the trade off Hurley wants. He makes up for it in ways where he has big guards that can rebound.

 

[Phoenixhusky]

Love to get that Furman guard who tore us to pieces.

He committed elsewhere.

 

[RuffRuff]

He committed elsewhere.

Kentucky - we'll grab him next year when he leaves UK after Pope is fired.

 

[MrDownunder]

Mullins shooting guard 30 min.
Landrew small forward 30 min
Nik K. Replaces Alex 30 min
Demary point guard 35 min
Hines Center 30 min

Ross back up shooting guard and small forward 20 min. Defensive stopper.
Country backup point? 5 min.
Backup center and power?

Ball? Where does his minutes come from Mullins? Landrew? Ross?
Ball has value. Could get decent NIL and starter minutes on most teams. Thus delay.

 

[jfreeds]

As things play out with Solo and Braylon I am shifting my question on what we need to finish roster construction. What do you guys thing about getting a power forward who can fill in at center or vis a versa or a dedicated power forward or center. And names come to mind?

I like the Hines pick up, however, I don't think he is a championship quality big (maybe in a year or two), especially on top of a lack of depth at the 4/5. To cut the nets down Hines should be a really good back up, not the player we need to rely on in the post. That said, I don't think there is much out there left at the position that is better than Hines so I'm sure we are looking for one more big that just fits the Hurley mold, whoever that is.

 

[Phoenixhusky]

Mullins shooting guard 30 min.
Landrew small forward 30 min
Nik K. Replaces Alex 30 min
Demary point guard 35 min
Hines Center 30 min

Ross back up shooting guard and small forward 20 min.
Country backup point? 5 min.
Backup center and power?

Ball? Where does his minutes come from Mullins? Landrew? Ross?

Demery needs to play 30 tops to rest. Need backup that can play 10.

 

[Hunt for 7]

For the fans sake someone in charge of CBB has to figure out a way to implement a salary cap. There is no way to know how much a team can afford. I mean right now if a team needs one player who wants a couple million to play for you all they have to do is find one rich fan who is willing to pony up knowing that player is more than likely going to get his team/alma mater to a final four and possible ncaa championship.

You cannot run a sport the way CBB is being run long term. It is not sustainable end of story.

 

[TrueBlue22]

When did Jayden Ross become a SG? Can someone please tell me ?

The guy has zero minutes at the 2 over three seasons.

I don’t understand the concept of “ no way this guy can play the position and role he played last year, he’s going to play a role that doesn’t fit his skillset at all, at a position he doesn’t play!!”

Smh.

 

[Brochacho]

Mullins shooting guard 30 min.
Landrew small forward 30 min
Nik K. Replaces Alex 30 min
Demary point guard 35 min
Hines Center 30 min

Ross back up shooting guard and small forward 20 min. Defensive stopper.
Country backup point? 5 min.
Backup center and power?

Ball? Where does his minutes come from Mullins? Landrew? Ross?
Ball has value. Could get decent NIL and starter minutes on most teams. Thus delay.

8 players have averaged 30 mpg under Hurley in the Big East so we definitely will not have 5 on the same team.

 

[navery12]

They are going to be giving away a little. Khamenia isn't going to be the rebounder that AK was (nor the shot blocker).

There will be an uptick in quickness and athleticism, though. AK truly was a 4. Khamenia is a 3 by nature, so that will come with other defensive benefits (which I do expect will work better in Landrew/Khamenia combinations in the future, but I not sure how prevalent that will be next year).

I'm not saying it isn't a concern, but it is a similar enough concern to the one that UConn has faced over the last four years that I am not going to focus on it any more than the past.

Khamenia's rebounding numbers are identical to Karaban's, we won't be giving anything away there. He also said he was up to 230 pounds before last season, the same as Karaban, so I don't think we'll be giving away as much as people suggest

 

[ctbro1999]

Is Darling kid still available? Solid PG and experienced. St. John’s took one of our kids couple years ago so why not pick up theirs and one familiar with their sets? We really need a solid PG none of combos or convertsThoughts?

to Grand Canyon?!?!? This has to be about lots of missed promised or $$. His decision, but I am surprised. Either way that idea goes out the window.

If you're transferring to GCU, it's 100% about the NIL bag.

 

[auror]

Did you notice the problem we had against two bigs? It was a weakness. It would be nice to have answer.

I did not notice, no. Of teams that started at least 2 guys roughly 6'8 and 235+, we beat Duke, Florida, Illinois x2, Kansas, Mich St, Xavier x3. We lost to Arizona and Michigan. So we went 6-2 against KenPom top 25 teams that played double bigs, all 6 of the wins were away from home, and the 2 losses were probably against the 2 best teams in the country (regardless of big status) and 1 of the losses was without Reed.

(I used that size/weight because anything less would've cut out Koa Peat, who I would definitely classify as a big. I omitted Creighton because nobody considers Traudt a real big.)