What about this lineup for now?

[HuskyHawk]

Yeah, we disagree. Of course offense is a concern with what we have returning right now. That's why Hurley and staff aren't close to finished constructing this team.

We lost 41 ppg with our three starters gone from this season and 45 ppg of our NCAA tournament scoring gone with those three starters. So far we've replaced them with two starters who averaged 6.5 ppg and 5.7 ppg and you want that third starter to be Jayden Ross who averaged 4.6 ppg on the season 4.0 ppg in over 20 minutes per game in the 6 NCAA tournament games or by Landrew who doesn't have the rep of our past three star freshmen. No thanks. I don't think Hurley sees it that way either.

Well we will find out.

I think it's a bit disingenuous to label Ross at 4 ppg. He wasn't 4 ppg when he actually got in, especially later in the year after he gained confidence in his shot. You also seem to be penciling in Mullins for the 12 he got last year. I think he's BEPOY and 1st team AA and gets closer to 18. Nik was behind Cam Boozer who had one of the highest usage rates in the country. He's not a 5.7 a game guy in our offense where he'll be featured. If Hurley thought that, he wouldn't be here. Can he completely replace Karaban? I hope he doesn't play that many minutes honestly, we overused AK. So we do need another 4. I'd love to see us bring in a 5 behind Hines that can actually score. That's my main concern. A pure defense and rebounding 5 does present offensive concerns.

You're also completely discounting Junior County who comes in as the #6/8 SG in the class. Jordan Hawkins was #12. County can absolutely shoot and score. I expect a similar impact from him.

 

[superjohn]

Well we will find out.

I think it's a bit disingenuous to label Ross at 4 ppg. He wasn't 4 ppg when he actually got in, especially later in the year after he gained confidence in his shot. You also seem to be penciling in Mullins for the 12 he got last year. I think he's BEPOY and 1st team AA and gets closer to 18. Nik was behind Cam Boozer who had one of the highest usage rates in the country. He's not a 5.7 a game guy in our offense where he'll be featured. If Hurley thought that, he wouldn't be here. Can he completely replace Karaban? I hope he doesn't play that many minutes honestly, we overused AK. So we do need another 4. I'd love to see us bring in a 5 behind Hines that can actually score. That's my main concern. A pure defense and rebounding 5 does present offensive concerns.

You're also completely discounting Junior County who comes in as the #6/8 SG in the class. Jordan Hawkins was #12. County can absolutely shoot and score. I expect a similar impact from him.

"I think it's a bit disingenuous to label Ross at 4 ppg."

Come on man, please read my post again. I gave Jayden's ppg for the season 4.6 and I gave his ppg for the 6 NCAA tournament games 4.0 ppg. Just like I gave Hines and Khamenia's ppg.

And why are you now bringing Junior County into the conversation? We were talking about who was going to start and I don't think it should be Jayden or Landrew, you do think it should be one of them. Since you're now weirdly bringing him into the conversation County isn't going to start and I think he's likely to be Demary's main backup at point. He doesn't shoot it like Hawkins and is highly unlikely to be a lottery pick after 2 seasons.

 

[HuskyHawk]

"I think it's a bit disingenuous to label Ross at 4 ppg."

Come on man, please read my post again. I gave Jayden's ppg for the season 4.6 and I gave his ppg for the 6 NCAA tournament games 4.0 ppg. Just like I gave Hines and Khamenia's ppg.

And why are you now bringing Junior County into the conversation? We were talking about who was going to start and I don't think it should be Jayden or Landrew, you do think it should be one of them. Since you're now weirdly bringing him into the conversation County isn't going to start and I think he's likely to be Demary's main backup at point. He doesn't shoot it like Hawkins and is highly unlikely to be a lottery pick after 2 seasons.

I don't look at just starters. I view Ross/Landrew as being in an even minutes split based on matchups and needs. Bring in a starting 3 or 4 (moving Nik to 3) and it's likely both of them will be out of here. Neither Mullins nor Hurley would want Mullins back at the 3.

 

[HW611]

I don't look at just starters. I view Ross/Landrew as being in an even minutes split based on matchups and needs. Bring in a starting 3 or 4 (moving Nik to 3) and it's likely both of them will be out of here. Neither Mullins nor Hurley would want Mullins back at the 3.

How is Ross still not getting the proper respect in these defensive analytics lol

 

[RuffRuff]

How is Ross still not getting the proper respect in these defensive analytics lol

How do you latch onto one guy with this much glaze?

 

[HuskyHawk]

Borges thoughts on the lineup.

 

[husky99]

Some portal names.. obviously take with a grain of salt

 

[RuffRuff]

Borges thoughts on the lineup.

Count backup pg

 

[uconnric]

Is Nanak supposed to be Hines?

Nanak is a 5'5" eskemo from the NorthWest Territorities. Typical under the radar (and off the grid) recruit.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Count backup pg

County? Yes. I said before I like it. The Solo move means you have SG filled in 27, have to find out if County can handle PG. Still need a Millender type for injury and another guard for depth.

 

[RuffRuff]

County? Yes. I said before I like it. The Solo move means you have SG filled in 27, have to find out if County can handle PG. Still need a Millender type for injury and another guard for depth.

Sounds like the plan - makes sense. Biggest curiosity now is the backup 5 and SG. How big are they going?

 

[bendm]

We lost 41 ppg with our three starters gone from this season

And our 5 starters were at 62ppg, I think this is realistic:
Silas- 14 (+4)
Mullins- 20 (+8)
Ross- 8 (+4)
NK- 10 (+4)
Hines- 10 (+3)
Total: 62

 

[navery12]

I'm shocked by how many people reference bringing in a Millender type. He was a practice body, we can and should be aiming much higher

 

[GlastonTim]

I'm shocked by how many people reference bringing in a Millender type. He was a practice body, we can and should be aiming much higher

Was a good culture fit too

 

[gsmooth]

Still think Hurley should take a look at the Georgetown point guard Mack as backup. He can shoot the three.

No, no, no, to Malik Mack. He is inefficient on offense and jacks up ill advised shots too many times. Also, the ball sticks in his hands too much and he over dribbles a lot despite what the 4 assists/game would suggest. I don't have any subscriptions to the advanced analytics sites like Evan Miya, KenPom, and others but I am willing to bet his defensive numbers are not too hot just based off of what I saw.

If Hurley goes after any former Georgetown players it should be or should've been Julius Halaifonua or Drew Fielder. This is of course assuming the money is there to get them. It's too late for Fielder as he is going to Alabama, but Halaifonua would be a solid pickup. Now Halaifonua might be looking for a huge payday out of UConn's price range; then he will get removed from the list.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

He hasn’t played a minute in a Husky uniform. I’d go with Jaden and his three years of experience over an incoming and unproven freshman. If he earns the spot in practice, great.

I do not remember you or anyone else for that matter, saying that about Liam or Braylon. Just saying….the kid is legit. Just wait.

 

[RuffRuff]

I'm shocked by how many people reference bringing in a Millender type. He was a practice body, we can and should be aiming much higher

He was also deep insurance, and we will likely need someone similar this year for the same reasons. You can never be short a PG.

 

[HailUConn]

I’m going to die on the hill that Landrew will surprise lots of people like superjohn.

Heck Junior County may be back up PG.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

This isn't even close to being accurate.

Top 20 guys:

Rip Hamilton
Ray Allen
Donyell Marshall
Andre drummond
Caron Butler
Ben Gordon
Taliek Brown
AJ Price
Daniel Hamilton
Jalen Adams

Top 25:
Deandre Daniels
Kemba Walker

I can find more than this.

Not to mention earlier players before the days of national rankings, back when Street & Smiths listed them by region. I guess there were All-American first and second teams back then so you could guess who were in the top 10.

But Corny Thompson and Earl Kelley were both national recruits with big time offers. I'd say they'd both be top 25 if they ranked them.

Your list is better than the first, but I am flabbergasted that Donovan Clingan has not been brought up. Holy God are you kidding me????? How quickly do we forget the most impactful center to enter the NBA is a few years??????

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Why did stew leave if there’s still that much PT available at forward? Best case scenario the backup C we get can play some PF too like Machot

I just woke up from a coma that lasted two years. I did not know that Stewey had become a two guard. How things change!!!

 

[Khal Drogo]

I don't look at just starters. I view Ross/Landrew as being in an even minutes split based on matchups and needs. Bring in a starting 3 or 4 (moving Nik to 3) and it's likely both of them will be out of here. Neither Mullins nor Hurley would want Mullins back at the 3.

Isn’t baby Ross still on the roster

 

[JustbrewitMan]

How is Ross still not getting the proper respect in these defensive analytics lol

How do you latch onto one guy with this much glaze?

Have you ever looked "under the hood" about how Evanmiya's BPR is computed and what it actually represents?

I don't care how much Evan glazes himself on his website and in his social media posts about what a great stat it is, it's a flawed metric in a number of ways to use for benchmarking players for a variety of reasons. It is statistically rigorous, no doubt, but those who watch games can easily find outputs that make absolutely no sense.

For example: Mullins having a 2027 projected DBPR of about 1.4 pts higher than Ross. There is no bleeping way Mullins is a better defensive player than Ross. But I'm sure EvanMiya will have some stats-nerd explanation for why "its true and robust and statistically valid and uber-super-ultra-bayesian predictive".

Whatever, stats-nerd dude, that number was computed based on a bunch of boxscore data and basic play-by play data.

It's informative, but not super-helpful when you pay attention to the actual players on the court. There's a ton that doesn't yet make it into the numbers that go into the modeling.

And it's no surprise that players that play on great teams get better BPR ratings...even though the stats and modeling and adjusting and re-adjusting are supposed to wash out the net effect that one 5* talent playing with a bunch of other 5* and 4* talent has.

/rant

 

[RuffRuff]

Have you ever looked "under the hood" about how Evanmiya's BPR is computed and what it actually represents?

I don't care how much Evan glazes himself on his website and in his social media posts about what a great stat it is, it's a flawed metric in a number of ways to use for benchmarking players for a variety of reasons. It is statistically rigorous, no doubt, but those who watch games can easily find outputs that make absolutely no sense.

For example: Mullins having a 2027 projected DBPR of about 1.4 pts higher than Ross. There is no bleeping way Mullins is a better defensive player than Ross. But I'm sure EvanMiya will have some stats-nerd explanation for why "its true and robust and statistically valid and uber-super-ultra-bayesian predictive".

Whatever, stats-nerd dude, that number was computed based on a bunch of boxscore data and basic play-by play data.

It's informative, but not super-helpful when you pay attention to the actual players on the court. There's a ton that doesn't yet make it into the numbers that go into the modeling.

And it's no surprise that players that play on great teams get better BPR ratings...even though the stats and modeling and adjusting and re-adjusting are supposed to wash out the net effect that one 5* talent playing with a bunch of other 5* and 4* talent has.

/rant

Unquestionably imperfect, simply directional. Players def benefit from being on floor with other great players, it doesn’t fully pluck these out individualized perfectly. For instance Pat Ngonnga isn’t THAT valuable a player.

 

[upstater]

Your list is better than the first, but I am flabbergasted that Donovan Clingan has not been brought up. Holy God are you kidding me????? How quickly do we forget the most impactful center to enter the NBA is a few years??????

He was not highly ranked.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Unquestionably imperfect, simply directional. Players def benefit from being on floor with other great players, it doesn’t fully pluck these out individualized perfectly. For instance Pat Ngonnga isn’t THAT valuable a player.

The other thing to keep in mind is the spread of the data and what it actually means.

The BPR is how many additional points per 100 possessions that player would add to a team of 5 "random average D1 players" if he subbed in for one of them for those 100 possessions, when playing against another team of 5 random average D1 players.

Look at the results for 2026:

Keeping in mind an average game has ~60-70 possessions, the Top 2 dudes (Yaxel & Boozer) add about 8 points to their average team's scoring in an average game.

Once you get to positions ~5 to really 50ish or so, the BPR difference becomes practically meaningless when comparing across players. The BPRs are in the ~8-10 range., which means they all are adding about 6-7 points to their average team's scoring vs a bunch of average randos.

Is 6 really any different than 7 pts in this modeling of a completely fabricated vanilla-average team matchup scenario? Doubtful. It's not real-life.

Oscar Cluff had a BPR of 9.7, Aday Mara 9.58. I know damn well who I'd want to pick for my team. I don't care what EvanMiya BPR says.

Tyler Tanner was at #12, 9.75, Silas was #20 at 9.39. I'd take Silas on one leg over Tanner 8 days a week.

 

[superjohn]

The other thing to keep in mind is the spread of the data and what it actually means.

The BPR is how many additional points per 100 possessions that player would add to a team of 5 "random average D1 players" if he subbed in for one of them for those 100 possessions, when playing against another team of 5 random average D1 players.

Look at the results for 2026:
View attachment 119896

Keeping in mind an average game has ~60-70 possessions, the Top 2 dudes (Yaxel & Boozer) add about 8 points to their average team's scoring in an average game.

Once you get to positions ~5 to really 50ish or so, the BPR difference becomes practically meaningless when comparing across players. The BPRs are in the ~8-10 range., which means they all are adding about 6-7 points to their average team's scoring vs a bunch of average randos.

Is 6 really any different than 7 pts in this modeling of a completely fabricated vanilla-average team matchup scenario? Doubtful. It's not real-life.

Oscar Cluff had a BPR of 9.7, Aday Mara 9.58. I know damn well who I'd want to pick for my team. I don't care what EvanMiya BPR says.

Tyler Tanner was at #12, 9.75, Silas was #20 at 9.39. I'd take Silas on one leg over Tanner 8 days a week.

I get your overall point but Tyler Tanner is nasty. I love Silas but Silas on one leg wasn't nasty.

 

[mauconnfan]

I hope we learned from the Diarra being the best 6th man to a starter, which turned out at best, adequate. Not saying Ross doesn’t deserve a shot at a spot as a starter, but it’s also fine that he’s the guy with the necessary mentality to be that important 6th man. He has and brings energy, he defends very well, he can make shots. But he doesn’t handle it great or create for himself real well. A decent passer but not great, and he doesn’t finish at the rim unless in transition. Not saying that can’t change but I prefer to keep the consistency of him being the main man off what will be an important bench. He will get his minutes no matter, but don’t force more than what we know.

Landrew at the 3 to start, 6th man of the year JR our biggest impact bench guy!

 

[Shamon30]

I realize the portal as it is now didn't quite exist in 1994, but didn't Brian Fair plan to transfer and then came back?

 

[Rich]

Have you ever looked "under the hood" about how Evanmiya's BPR is computed and what it actually represents?

I don't care how much Evan glazes himself on his website and in his social media posts about what a great stat it is, it's a flawed metric in a number of ways to use for benchmarking players for a variety of reasons. It is statistically rigorous, no doubt, but those who watch games can easily find outputs that make absolutely no sense.

For example: Mullins having a 2027 projected DBPR of about 1.4 pts higher than Ross. There is no bleeping way Mullins is a better defensive player than Ross. But I'm sure EvanMiya will have some stats-nerd explanation for why "its true and robust and statistically valid and uber-super-ultra-bayesian predictive".

Whatever, stats-nerd dude, that number was computed based on a bunch of boxscore data and basic play-by play data.

It's informative, but not super-helpful when you pay attention to the actual players on the court. There's a ton that doesn't yet make it into the numbers that go into the modeling.

And it's no surprise that players that play on great teams get better BPR ratings...even though the stats and modeling and adjusting and re-adjusting are supposed to wash out the net effect that one 5* talent playing with a bunch of other 5* and 4* talent has.

/rant

The only metric I care about is the final score. The rest is details.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I get your overall point but Tyler Tanner is nasty. I love Silas but Silas on one leg wasn't nasty.

According to EvanMiya, they are the close to the exact same player when added to a team of average D1 players.