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

[Mano]

To answer the OP, Rip (van Winkle)

 

[QDOG5]

My sleeper is a walk-on. I believe his last name is Van Winkle.

 

[superjohn]

He was better than Donovan Mitchell before he got to UConn.

Jalen wasn't exactly brought along properly but let's be honest, he was never going to keep up with Mitchell going forward, completely different level of athlete.

 

[LIuconn]

The grad transfers

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I don’t care if your John Wooden. If the other team doesn’t respect your shooting no offense will work. All offense including motion depend on spreading the D. Guys advocating back door cuts against a packed zone really haven’t a clue.
Last year even a entry pass was difficult but that is not surprising with our shooting.
For that reason I believe shooters will be the priority at least until we establish the fact we can make threes . That’s why I’m high on Polley especially in the half court.
The one exception to the above rule will be offense created by defense.
I suspect we will see both options next year but we won’t pressure for 40 minutes. The lineup for kicking it up a notch will be different than our half court sets. I would play one or two defensive specialist ie Yakwe ,Whaley and three guards or wing a who can defend and run the floor. The reason is not only is a rim protector necessary in a gambling defense fouling is very likely and this keeps your primary big out of foul trouble.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Not the only issue. He was a sieve on defense. He's got relatively slow feet, and it showed.

Upside for Polley is a nice backup player imo. Happy to eat crow if he exceeds that someday.

Polley was 17 years old last year thrust into a bigger roll than anticipated by transfers.
Face it the lineup last year should have been
Gilbert/Vital
Adams
Larrier
Jackson
Enoch/Carlton
That’s a far different team

 

[intlzncster]

Polley was 17 years old last year thrust into a bigger roll than anticipated by transfers.
Face it the lineup last year should have been
Gilbert/Vital
Adams
Larrier
Jackson
Enoch/Carlton
That’s a far different team

Of course. I didn't say he wouldn't improve. But to pretend defense is one of his strengths last year is disingenuous.

And his feet were not quick. Hopefully looks a little better when he figures out what's going on.

 

[Stainmaster]

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.)

A lot of the flaws in his game are easily negatable through good coaching. They’ve been framed as immutable character issues by too many people.

 

[CL82]

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.

Any insider know how Jalen looks. How's his conditioning/fitness?

 

[huskyinfl]

I am not sleeping on anyone. I expect to be a NC contender each year. Even when we are sub .500.

 

[Mano]

My sleeper is a walk-on. I believe his last name is Van Winkle.

Dude. Literally one post before yours.

To answer the OP, Rip (van Winkle)

Just let my bad joke die.