What have we learned?

[HooperScooper]

Does anyone care what this guy says? Just because someone posts a take on UConn on social media doesn't mean it should be taken as important.

 

[RitzLuce1]

1. Our defense is vastly improved from last years disaster

2. Mullins may be our best player

3. Reibe will be a two headed monster with Reed if….

4. We need to get Reed healthy

5. We have shown we can play with the best in the country even without 2 of our best players.

6. Point guard play still needs to improve and hopefully will as they both get comfortable

7. Our offense really hasn’t fired
On all cylinders yet. Do we have a killer in closing time. Mullins? Silas? Solo?

8. Karaban and Ball have ceilings to their games and have a hard time crossing it when players are out.

9. Jaylin Stewart has been a tremendous disappointment and we probably should have upgraded from him in the portal in the offseason. He was given every opportunity with Mullins out to show his stuff and as a 3rd year player should be more consistent and impactful.

10. Dan has been calmer this year.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

My take:

We are one of the teams in title contention because we have the talent, determination and depth to win a bunch of ways. Also, we don't need every star guy to have a big game in order to win. Also, we have a damn good floor and we haven't seen our ceiling yet.

 

[GHSWolverines]

We have learned the Big East is pathetic and we need to do everything in our power as fans to make as much noise as possible to get us out of it ASAP.

I agree as long as it is with the ACC. I would like to keep it "local"

 

[Deepster]

Last year when McNeeley went down, we really suffered offensively. We were far more reliant (silly or not) on a freshman to carry a large part of the offense.

This year? I wouldn't blink if we lost any one player for any stretch of time (other than the postseason).

 

[RuffRuff]

Does anyone care what this guy says? Just because someone posts a take on UConn on social media doesn't mean it should be taken as important.

Direct descendant of Clark. You should listen.

 

[GampelPBA]

In no particular order and off the top of my head:

Phog Allan Fieldhouse is a tough place to play

Our freshman are for real and both likely to be major contributors to any postseason run.

Stewart and Ross haven't made a quantum leap in terms of their play. Both are contributors, though. Ross is making more of his minutes and seems to have a bigger upside.

Demary can play, but he's not the second coming of Tristen Newton.

Smith was a more valuable pick up than many of us thought. He absolutely gives us a quality backup point guard, but I'm more comfortable with him in. His decision-making needs to improve a bit, but it will.

Koroma is more than a practice player. Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't want to see him out there 40 minutes, but he can come in and contribute for short stretches. Especially with Reed out, he gives us needed depth at the center spot.

Reibe is the real deal. Watching his progression game to game is a blast. I don't think he bumps a healthy Reed from the starting spot, but his size and skill allows us to have the 2 Headed monster at center that has been so successful for us. Sanogo/Clingan, Clingan/Johnson etc.

Mullins is the real deal. He still looks physically young, but man that kid can play. If he keeps on his same trajectory, he will be a high draft choice. I'd love to have him for a second year, but it doesn't seem likely.

Solo may not be "the guy" on this year's team. Hopefully he finds his three-point shot so that he is as consistent as last year. It appears he's heading in the right direction. Don't get me wrong, he's a great piece for us, I just thought he might be more dominant this year.

Alex seems to have regained some of his confidence. He seems willing to take shots when needed though he seems more comfortable as a third/4th option in the offense.

 

[lonsharkin51]

With Braylon's probable emergence as a 3, Stew needs to reinvent himself as a 4, especially as his shot hasn't been falling. He has about one good, tough, physical rebound in traffic each game where I think he might be getting it that he can be a Kevin Freeman type, but then the moment passes and he disappears again.

 

[Scottobot]

I agree as long as it is with the ACC. I would like to keep it "local"

It would be nice if best teams from acc and bigeast formed an east coast conference

…. but I don’t think conference matters if UConn is able to schedule non conference matchups like they did this season. 6 top 25 in non conference plus 2 against st johns is probably enough for a decent resume

 

[RuffRuff]

With Braylon's probable emergence as a 3, Stew needs to reinvent himself as a 4, especially as his shot hasn't been falling. He has about one good, tough, physical rebound in traffic each game where I think he might be getting it that he can be a Kevin Freeman type, but then the moment passes and he disappears again.

Just not sure how many minutes are there to be had TBH. I agree in concept. He's in a weird spot.

 

[NewBlood]

I agree as long as it is with the ACC. I would like to keep it "local"

The ACC would definitely feel more relevant. Cuse, BC, Notre Dame, Louisville, plus big matchups with UNC and Duke every year. I want nothing to do with SMU (reeks of the AAC years). I don't know why the ACC wouldn't be salivating to have us but it would also feel like the clock is ticking before the ACC blows up and we are looking for a home again.

Best bet, Big 10

 

[Captbluefin]

Stew has had 2 years of opportunity to solidify a forward spot. I’m sorry to his loyalists but he is who he is. Now Ross is bringing skills that contribute to the fold.
Mullins blew past both in Phog last night. Eye test and box score..
The Stew/Ross battle is now first forward off the bench.

I just hope with Hurley’s loyalty trait ( I respect it) he realizes that Stew/Ross are who they are nothing more.

 

[Captbluefin]

First college free throws are at Phog to seal a victory and the kid was unfazed and smooth.

He moved on the floor like 2 other players we had that were about the same size..

Rip
Ray

 

[FightOnCT]

Don’t want to come across as a downer, but in 23 and 24, as I watched the teams I told my non-UConn fan buddies that those teams were going to win a Natty. So far, I’m not yet there with this team. Maybe it’s due to the injuries, but the 23/24 teams were just blowing teams away (except that ugly January). Totally believe they can win it this year, but they’ll be growing into March to get there.

Those UConn teams were special, ‘24 was arguably the best champion of all time. This team looks more like previous champions who are elite but not unstoppable. And I’m fine with that, we’ll improve.

 

[superjohn]

I just hope with Hurley’s loyalty trait ( I respect it) he realizes that Stew/Ross are who they are nothing more.

Are you worried one of them is going to start and play more than Mullins? He's not an idiot, Mullins was the starter before he stepped foot on campus.

 

[RuffRuff]

Stew has had 2 years of opportunity to solidify a forward spot. I’m sorry to his loyalists but he is who he is. Now Ross is bringing skills that contribute to the fold.
Mullins blew past both in Phog last night. Eye test and box score..
The Stew/Ross battle is now first forward off the bench.

I just hope with Hurley’s loyalty trait ( I respect it) he realizes that Stew/Ross are who they are nothing more.

Stew is a 4, Ross can play the 2 or 3 because he can defend either.

 

[Punkbo]

We’re better and deeper than last year. Everyone who hits the floor will deserve the minutes they’ve been given. Here is expected minute breakdown:

AK 35
Mullins 30
Demary 28
Ball 28
Reed 27
Reibe 15
Smith 15
Ross 12
Stewart 10

This means that Reed and Reibe will be on the floor at the same time in limited spurts. Demary will play off the ball with Smith on the floor at certain times.

 

[Travelman6]

Does anyone care what this guy says? Just because someone posts a take on UConn on social media doesn't mean it should be taken as important.

I mean, it was positive so, oh well.

 

[OceanDoggie]

I've learned that we have two players who can get to the rack when in need be with Solo and Demary. Feels good when last year it was only Diara who could reliably take his Defender off the dribble. Liam tried but was often with the Defender on his back.

 

[RuffRuff]

I mean, it was positive so, oh well.

HS is the local librarian and BY compliance. All must pass his sniff test.

 

[Tenspro2002]

With Braylon's probable emergence as a 3, Stew needs to reinvent himself as a 4, especially as his shot hasn't been falling. He has about one good, tough, physical rebound in traffic each game where I think he might be getting it that he can be a Kevin Freeman type, but then the moment passes and he disappears again.

With Mullins back and Karaban rightfully entrenched at the 4, Stewart and Ross will get maybe 10-20 minutes combined to spell them, depending on who has the hot hand (Stewart probably more of a 4, Ross more of a 3). Neither has shown that they should get starters' minutes.

Fortunately, you only play 5 at a time. In 2024 we weren't overwhelmingly deep, but our starting 5 was the perfect CBB lineup, with 2 reliable backups. This year we have:

Demary/Smith
Ball
Mullins
Karaban
Reed/Reibe

That's a really strong top 7.

 

[maineuconnfan]

I disagree with you here. The perception here was that Tristen wasn’t Tristen Newton his first year and in the first part of his second year. Just go back and reread the disgruntled posts in the thread started by Fishy on the topic we don’t have a point guard. Demary is struggling right now, but I have seen flashes of what he can become once he becomes comfortable. I would give it time before making that assessment.

yeah, if you look at the numbers after 8 games...pretty identical. Tristen averaged a point or two more, but Silas averaged more assist and has had a better Assist to turnover ratio, both averaged close to 5 rebounds and both had a triple double in that span....we dont need Silas to be 2nd year tristen, but he is good, and with Malachi, we are totally good at the 1

 

[Tyler2Rings]

Jaylin Stewart has been a tremendous disappointment and we probably should have upgraded from him in the portal in the offseason

Nope. Him and Ross are the perfect tandem of backup wings, 8/9 off the bench. We don't need a ton from Stew to be a complete team, but there will be games where he's on and goes for 12/6

 

[NJHusky]

Just not sure how many minutes are there to be had TBH. I agree in concept. He's in a weird spot.

He's been playing out of position his entire time here. I don't think it's a bad idea to keep AK closer to 30 min a game, giving Stew the rest to see how he plays. Having a fresher AK at the end of games can only help.

It's going to be interesting when Alex leaves....Danny has become very reliant on him...playing him almost 40 min a game sometimes

 

[Waquoit]

More confirmed than learned, UConn has the best staff in the game. They excel in all facets. Halftime adjustments? See last night. Bringing in players that fill a need and fit the culture? Ditto. The list goes on.