Which players do you think fans are sleeping on for this season? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Which players do you think fans are sleeping on for this season?

We know what Jalen and Vital can give but we have a lot of faces we just haven’t seen in games like Wilson and Smith. Gilbert is a facilitator and will make the team better. His shoulder is fixed, I have zero worry on that so he is the difference maker.
 
If it is Sid, as I hope, we will all be really happy. AG is going to be really good if healthy. We know that. I will leave the rest to chalking up as optimism.
 
Definitely Sid Wilson for me, I haven't seen much of anything from him in a UConn jersey, so I'm sleeping hard. Hope he wakes me up aggressively
 
Brendan Adams. At 6'4 195, he has the size, handle, willingness to dime and outside shooting ability to allow Hurley to be creative with lineups.

The front-court depth is spotty, so I wouldn't be surprised if Adams gets decent minutes as the matchup 3rd guard in small ball lineups, especially against teams like Houston (Brooks), UCF (Griffin), and Cincy (Cumberland) who have guards who will play a lot of minutes at the 3.

In the long term, I'm also excited for Adams/Bouknight/Polley revitalizing the team's formerly dreadful three-point shooting.
 
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Diarra won't play until the second half of the season. To step forward he has to finish around the rim.
 
Seeing everyone on the team listed more or less. Interesting.

I think Alterique will be an adsolute star
I think Carlton will have much improved numbers
I think Cobb will contribute quite a bit

I think CV is most overrated player by some here. Not sure he gets more minutes than Smith. Wouldn’t mind him proving me wrong.

Wilson, Polley and Whaley are wildcards. Yawke too really. Not sure what to expect from any of them. Polley came on shooting the 3 late last year, but can he defend on a Hurley team?
 
I really think people (not UConn per se) are sleeping on Jalen. He was Isiah Briscoe's equal before he got to UConn. Ollie just didn't develop him and he was playing damn near all game last year.

If he gets under Hurley and commits to excellence he is capable of 1st team AA. He's a Senior and people aren't expecting him to carry this team. I think he is capable in a Kemba type of way. He's a baller who is confident in his skills and knows he can be the best player on the court.
 
Kitaman said:
I really think people (not UConn per se) are sleeping on Jalen. He was Isiah Briscoe's equal before he got to UConn. Ollie just didn't develop him and he was playing damn near all game last year.

If he gets under Hurley and commits to excellence he is capable of 1st team AA. He's a Senior and people aren't expecting him to carry this team. I think he is capable in a Kemba type of way. He's a baller who is confident in his skills and knows he can be the best player on the court.
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He didn’t work on his long range shooting enough. Whether we can fault KO or not, he didn’t. He didn’t work on getting stronger and finishing through contact. So he doesn’t draw enough fouls. Watching Rob Gray and Jalen dual in our game last year, that was the difference. Gray got “and one” baskets and Jalen didn’t. He also didn’t defend with intensity, which I blame on playing too many minutes and having no backup.

Hurley seems to have made sure Jalen knows this. He clearly got stronger. It will be exciting to see what he can be at his best.
 
HuskyHawk said:
He didn’t work on his long range shooting enough. Whether we can fault KO or not, he didn’t. He didn’t work on getting stronger and finishing through contact. So he doesn’t draw enough fouls. Watching Rob Gray and Jalen dual in our game last year, that was the difference. Gray got “and one” baskets and Jalen didn’t. He also didn’t defend with intensity, which I blame on playing too many minutes and having no backup.

Hurley seems to have made sure Jalen knows this. He clearly got stronger. It will be exciting to see what he can be at his best.
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I don't think that's accurate tbh. @Matrim55 effectively outlined the problems with his shooting here: Which players do you think fans are sleeping on for this season? I will not be surprised to see JA as a 40% 3pt shooter this year if he does what Hurley tells him.
 
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Kitaman said:
I really think people (not UConn per se) are sleeping on Jalen. He was Isiah Briscoe's equal before he got to UConn. Ollie just didn't develop him and he was playing damn near all game last year.

If he gets under Hurley and commits to excellence he is capable of 1st team AA. He's a Senior and people aren't expecting him to carry this team. I think he is capable in a Kemba type of way. He's a baller who is confident in his skills and knows he can be the best player on the court.
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One question on Jalen. Overall he is a very good player but can he shoot 40% from 3 his senior year? That’s what he needs to get to that next level complete his game and get an NBA career shot. It’s not been a strength for him so far, so we’ll see. And if he is that threat along with everything else he brings then other players benefit too.
 
Assuming health-
-We pretty much know what we have in the backcourt. Jalen+Al is a stud backcourt that can go toe-to-toe with any backcourt in the nation. Vital, Smith and B. Adams provide great depth and rotational options.
- I expect the entirety of the front court to naturally take somewhat of a step forward from last year, given the advanced maturity, strength and coaching. It'll take patience, and it won't be pretty at times. But they should be better.

That leaves two players who need to be the players that we are sleeping on, and those are Sid and Polley.
These two players being consistent, reliable contributors on both ends of the floor are the difference between us being a middle/upper pack AAC team, and a solid NCAA bid. At the moment, I think Jalen and Al are good enough to win us a handful of games alone, but we need the DeAndre Daniels type wing player to complement our backcourt and take us to another level.
 
I'll say Cobb.

He clearly has skill, he needs toughness and discipline, something KO was completely unable to impart, but which Hurley should do much better.
 
Tenspro2002 said:
I'll say Cobb.

He clearly has skill, he needs toughness and discipline, something KO was completely unable to impart, but which Hurley should do much better.
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I think he's plenty tough. He needs discipline, like you said, and to know his role in the system.

If he can follow directions, he's getting minutes.
 
RayIsTheGOAT said:
Assuming health-
-We pretty much know what we have in the backcourt. Jalen+Al is a stud backcourt that can go toe-to-toe with any backcourt in the nation. Vital, Smith and B. Adams provide great depth and rotational options.
- I expect the entirety of the front court to naturally take somewhat of a step forward from last year, given the advanced maturity, strength and coaching. It'll take patience, and it won't be pretty at times. But they should be better.

That leaves two players who need to be the players that we are sleeping on, and those are Sid and Polley.
These two players being consistent, reliable contributors on both ends of the floor are the difference between us being a middle/upper pack AAC team, and a solid NCAA bid. At the moment, I think Jalen and Al are good enough to win us a handful of games alone, but we need the DeAndre Daniels type wing player to complement our backcourt and take us to another level.
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I'm not predicting where either Wilson or Polley may finish their careers. But any thought of them this year playing like Daniels did even his Sophomore year strike me as absurd. We'll see.
 
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businesslawyer said:
I'm not predicting where either Wilson or Polley may finish their careers. But any thought of them this year playing like Daniels did even his Sophomore year strike me as absurd. We'll see.
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That's not what I'm saying, because that is absurd. Hence why I said DeAndre Daniels TYPE player.

I'm saying we need a wing player to step up (Wilson or Polley) in order for this team to have a shot to get into the NCAA tournament. We know what we have at guard, and our frontcourt is pretty limited. Therefore, the wildcard is the wing position.

It is similar to 2014 in that we knew what we had in Shabazz and Boatright, the frontcourt was fairly limited, and the wing players were the X factor (Giffey and Daniels). Obviously I am talking relative to talent, as the 2014 team was miles better than this team will be.
 
HuskyHawk said:
He didn’t work on his long range shooting enough. Whether we can fault KO or not, he didn’t. He didn’t work on getting stronger and finishing through contact. So he doesn’t draw enough fouls. Watching Rob Gray and Jalen dual in our game last year, that was the difference. Gray got “and one” baskets and Jalen didn’t. He also didn’t defend with intensity, which I blame on playing too many minutes and having no backup.

Hurley seems to have made sure Jalen knows this. He clearly got stronger. It will be exciting to see what he can be at his best.
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Jalen's biggest weakness has always been his inability/unwillingness to attack the rim and seek contact. The UConn greats, and college bball greats in general always used their star power to get favorable calls and establish early in a game that the defender would have to give extra space than usual or else the defender would risk getting called for a lot of fouls.

Jalen has actually done the opposite. He uses his incredible athleticism and balance to avoid contact in the air, this ends up making his shot more difficult and reassures the defender that they can defend him really tight near the rim because they know Jalen well use his amazing acrobatics to avoid contact.

His 3 point shot off the dribble is serviceable and his 3 point shot when he is set is actually pretty good. If he can start playing physical on the offensive end and get to the line, then there is no doubt in my mind he will not only be the AAC player of the year but an All-American.
 
AfgHusky15 said:
Jalen's biggest weakness has always been his inability/unwillingness to attack the rim and seek contact. The UConn greats, and college bball greats in general always used their star power to get favorable calls and establish early in a game that the defender would have to give extra space than usual or else the defender would risk getting called for a lot of fouls.

Jalen has actually done the opposite. He uses his incredible athleticism and balance to avoid contact in the air, this ends up making his shot more difficult and reassures the defender that they can defend him really tight near the rim because they know Jalen well use his amazing acrobatics to avoid contact.

His 3 point shot off the dribble is serviceable and his 3 point shot when he is set is actually pretty good. If he can start playing physical on the offensive end and get to the line, then there is no doubt in my mind he will not only be the AAC player of the year but an All-American.
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Absolutely agree. His body control has allowed him to make acrobatic shots while avoiding contact. It's a useful ability, but it has lead to him now knowing how to score when he gets bumped. He misses those (and misses too many of his overly creative shots too). Needs to learn to take the bump...then contort his body and get the shot off cleanly.

I have no doubt that Hurley has talked to him about this, and getting stronger seems to have been his off season focus. Just another element of why this is shaping up to be such an exciting season. I really want to see the improvement I know these guys can make.
 
RayIsTheGOAT said:
That's not what I'm saying, because that is absurd. Hence why I said DeAndre Daniels TYPE player.

I'm saying we need a wing player to step up (Wilson or Polley) in order for this team to have a shot to get into the NCAA tournament. We know what we have at guard, and our frontcourt is pretty limited. Therefore, the wildcard is the wing position.

It is similar to 2014 in that we knew what we had in Shabazz and Boatright, the frontcourt was fairly limited, and the wing players were the X factor (Giffey and Daniels). Obviously I am talking relative to talent, as the 2014 team was miles better than this team will be.
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O.K. But Daniels wasn't a wing -- he was a stretch 4. Who, by his Sophomore year, was able to handle playing inside against a 4. Polley and Wilson are not going to be that type of player.
 
businesslawyer said:
O.K. But Daniels wasn't a wing -- he was a stretch 4. Who, by his Sophomore year, was able to handle playing inside against a 4. Polley and Wilson are not going to be that type of player.
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Agreed. I am constantly surprised by the number of people here who view a "stretch 4" as a wing playing out of position. Yes, that was Larrier last year and the results were predictable. A true stretch 4 should be able to actually play and defend as a power forward around the rim, while also being able to pull defenders outside to guard them on the perimeter when needed. Daniels could. Donyell could. Rudy Gay maybe.

I hope we don't see Wilson at the 4. Polley may get some time there in certain situations, but he needs 25-30 pounds to really be more effective in that kind of role. I think Cobb could be a stretch 4 if his new weight loss improves his overall speed.
 
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businesslawyer said:
O.K. But Daniels wasn't a wing -- he was a stretch 4. Who, by his Sophomore year, was able to handle playing inside against a 4. Polley and Wilson are not going to be that type of player.
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HuskyHawk said:
Agreed. I am constantly surprised by the number of people here who view a "stretch 4" as a wing playing out of position. Yes, that was Larrier last year and the results were predictable. A true stretch 4 should be able to actually play and defend as a power forward around the rim, while also being able to pull defenders outside to guard them on the perimeter when needed. Daniels could. Donyell could. Rudy Gay maybe.

I hope we don't see Wilson at the 4. Polley may get some time there in certain situations, but he needs 25-30 pounds to really be more effective in that kind of role. I think Cobb could be a stretch 4 if his new weight loss improves his overall speed.
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I think we're splitting hairs when talking about a stretch 4 vs. a wing when considering my point that you are referring to. I was basically saying we need someone who is not a guard or a big to come out of the woodwork. That leaves Polley and Wilson. Stretch 4, Wing, 3rd baseman, whatever you two want to call him, we need them to step up and help out the guards on both ends, like Daniels and Giffey helped out the guards on both ends.

Also, if we are getting into the stretch 4 debate, didn't Hurley even just mention playing Wilson or Polley at the 4 in a possible small ball lineup? And they both can stretch the floor (Polley moreso than Sid), hence, wouldn't that classify them as a stretch 4 if that were to happen? Stretch+4= stretch 4?
 
RayIsTheGOAT said:
I think we're splitting hairs when talking about a stretch 4 vs. a wing when considering my point that you are referring to. I was basically saying we need someone who is not a guard or a big to come out of the woodwork. That leaves Polley and Wilson. Stretch 4, Wing, 3rd baseman, whatever you two want to call him, we need them to step up and help out the guards on both ends, like Daniels and Giffey helped out the guards on both ends.

Also, if we are getting into the stretch 4 debate, didn't Hurley even just mention playing Wilson or Polley at the 4 in a possible small ball lineup? And they both can stretch the floor (Polley moreso than Sid), hence, wouldn't that classify them as a stretch 4 if that were to happen?
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I don't disagree with the overall point. I even said both could see minutes there. In my opinion, that's a small lineup not employing a 4 at all. When we play 3 guards, and we will, we don't call a 6'1" guard a "stretch 3". Wilson is a 3, and once he can shoot, probably more of a shooting guard. Polley is a tall wing with no inside game at this time.

So I'm looking at a stretch 4 as a set of skills. The size and ability to bang down low, rebound, block shots and the ability to handle the ball a little, step outside and knock down 3's. It's rare skill-set. Lebron would be the ultimate example, except he doesn't play that position. Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Giannis Antetokounmpo . Very few college teams have a guy like that. Bagley last year for Duke.

Match-ups, fouls, defensive assignments will all dictate whether we play a guy out of position, as Ollie did most of the year with Larrier or play a classic 4 who isn't a stretch. I think our best bet is to hope that somebody who is a true PF gives us more than we expect. With Diarra out (he would have been my choice), Cobb seems most likely. But it could be Yawke or Whaley. Wilson and Polley will both get abused on the defensive end, as Larrier did all year.
 
businesslawyer said:
I'm not predicting where either Wilson or Polley may finish their careers. But any thought of them this year playing like Daniels did even his Sophomore year strike me as absurd. We'll see.
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Why Polley’s freshman numbers were as good a DD’s.
DD pretty much was a garbage time player as a freshman.
Similar heights both with a decent stroke both not as progressed athletically
DD was a pretty slow to develop who even as a Jr was reluctant take it to the hoop or even put it on the floor.
AfgHusky15 said:
Jalen's biggest weakness has always been his inability/unwillingness to attack the rim and seek contact. The UConn greats, and college bball greats in general always used their star power to get favorable calls and establish early in a game that the defender would have to give extra space than usual or else the defender would risk getting called for a lot of fouls.

Jalen has actually done the opposite. He uses his incredible athleticism and balance to avoid contact in the air, this ends up making his shot more difficult and reassures the defender that they can defend him really tight near the rim because they know Jalen well use his amazing acrobatics to avoid contact.

His 3 point shot off the dribble is serviceable and his 3 point shot when he is set is actually pretty good. If he can start playing physical on the offensive end and get to the line, then there is no doubt in my mind he will not only be the AAC player of the year but an All-American.
Expand ...
Jaylen is one of the most talented guards we’ve ever had.
Unfortunately except his freshman year and especially last year his supporting cast was not great.
He should however be getting to the line 5-6 more times a game ,when you consider the amount of time he has the ball and his ability to penetrate.
Watching replays I don’t think it’s for lack of contact. Arizona beat him like a drum yet he went to the line only 3-4 times in that game .
Whether he is not selling the contact like Kemba shamelessly did occasionally to excess or ref’s simply aren’t protecting him because of the bad teams , that’s something that needs to be rectified. He averaged 18 a game last year. Get to the line more and he is in the mid twenties. The benefits far exceed the additional points as piling up personal fouls effects the opposing teams defensive intensity. That simple adjustment could be a difference maker.
Minor adjustment huge returns.
 
Jalen's floater is his best skill and is at an NBA level. But he should definitely seek contact more. As a senior, he should be able to find the right balance on when to throw up the floater and when to launch his body toward a moving defender.
 
Stainmaster said:
The BY is sleeping on CV, for far more bad reasons than good.
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Explain, please?

(FWIW, I like CV. I think he can do very well in Hurley's system but it probably means less shots (but better looks) and less overall minutes.)
 
AZHuskiePop said:
Why Polley’s freshman numbers were as good a DD’s.
DD pretty much was a garbage time player as a freshman.
Similar heights both with a decent stroke both not as progressed athletically
DD was a pretty slow to develop who even as a Jr was reluctant take it to the hoop or even put it on the floor.

Jaylen is one of the most talented guards we’ve ever had.
Unfortunately except his freshman year and especially last year his supporting cast was not great.
He should however be getting to the line 5-6 more times a game ,when you consider the amount of time he has the ball and his ability to penetrate.
Watching replays I don’t think it’s for lack of contact. Arizona beat him like a drum yet he went to the line only 3-4 times in that game .
Whether he is not selling the contact like Kemba shamelessly did occasionally to excess or ref’s simply aren’t protecting him because of the bad teams , that’s something that needs to be rectified. He averaged 18 a game last year. Get to the line more and he is in the mid twenties. The benefits far exceed the additional points as piling up personal fouls effects the opposing teams defensive intensity. That simple adjustment could be a difference maker.
Minor adjustment huge returns.
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The only part of that at all accurate is that DD was not ready to contribute as a true frosh. Now you want to compare that to Polley? DD was a top ten recruit. DD was playing as a wing as a frosh before they decided to make him a stretch 4. DD didn't get minutes behind Lamb, Giffey and Roscoe at the 3. And DD tried to break in against much, much, much harder opposition. While Tyler played on a team where if you could contribute anything you got a chance.

I'd love to see Sophomore Polley be comparable to Sophomore DD, even knowing that Sophomore DD didn't really start becoming an impact player until the second half of the season. But the odds of that happening are incredibly small.
 
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