Why Adama Sanogo's 3-point prowess could mean more playing time for UConn freshman Donovan Clingan (Borges)

[pj]

Even if you play Karaban at the 4 only, you still have 80 minutes to distribute among 3 players, or 27 each. You can give 30 each to Sanogo and Karaban and 20 to Clingan. Sanogo gets 20 at center alongside Karaban and 10 at PF alongside Clingan.

Figured it might be helpful to put lineups in a table format:

BIG - C	BIG - PF	MINUTES/GAME	PERIMETER - PRIMARY	PERIMETER - BACKUPS
Sanogo	Karaban	20	Newton - Hawkins - Jackson	(Alleyne or Calcaterra for Hawkins or Jackson), (Diarra for Newton)
Clingan	Karaban	10	Newton - Hawkins - Jackson	(Alleyne or Calcaterra for Hawkins or Jackson), (Diarra for Newton)
Clingan	Sanogo	10	Newton - Hawkins - Alleyne	(Calcaterra for Hawkins or Alleyne), (Diarra for Newton)

This rotation always has 3 perimeter shooters (Newton & Hawkins backed by Alleyne or Calcaterra with one of Karaban or Alleyne) and has the double big for 10 minutes per game without Jackson on the court.

This is an 8 player rotation if Calcaterra doesn't get minutes, 9 if he does.

 

[Jbirdp5]

It’s reasonable to play the two bugs for stretches and play some zone on defense. 5 minutes in the first half and if it’s bad the number can be zero in the second half, if it went well try it again

 

[Conndog]

I am with this. Notably as an anti-two centers guy (two centers doesn’t a work) but offensively sanogo play the perimeter.

Seems counter intuitive, but he is better as a face up big with threat to shoot than as a low post back to the basket option.

Hell, I would play Jackson in the 5 on offense and sanogo on the perimeter as a 4.

Defensively? Could be a train wreck if you go Karaban at the 3 against a classic 3-guard lineup. He can’t guard out there like that.

I am disappointed in Hurkey’s creativeness with the team, tbh. There were other combinations out there, especially with a weird skill set guy like Jackson who you can’t have on the court on offense, and have to have on the court if you are going to win.

I think Sanogo is a pretty good defender actually, I've seen him in other games guarding well and moving feet well. I feel he could do fine

 

[PAHusky]

Putting AJax at 5 would also potentially clear the opponents 5 from the paint, and put one of our best rebounders in position for putbacks or kickouts off misses. Lots to like

In this scenario, is Sanogo playing the 4 and switching onto Jackson's guy on defense? Because there's no way Jackson can guard most centers in the BE.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I think it's situational really.

It's completely situational but I would have zero problem with a three man rotation (and basically identical minutes) of Sanogo, Karaban and Clingan manning PF & C against Providence.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Future Headline? : "Dan Hurley-(in a move many considered to be pure coaching genius), decides to play two of his teams best players at the same time and powers Uconn to a Fifth NC"

Since I would have been giving Sanogo minutes at the 4 in Nov , Dec. because it’s critical to get him to the next level as well as a wild card in certain matchups . I don’t consider it genius move more like a pragmatic one.

 

[CL82]

Putting AJax at 5 would also potentially clear the opponents 5 from the paint, and put one of our best rebounders in position for putbacks or kickouts off misses. Lots to like

Yeah, I’m not sure that I see Jackson being happy, banging away against bigger guys. Yes, he can out jump them, but is he going to be affective in boxing them out and stopping them when they body him up and drive to the basket?

 

[Tyler2Rings]

@PAHusky @CL82
Yes I am proposing this as an option on offense. I am very happy with his current defensive role as a shutdown perimeter guy

 

[CL82]

@PAHusky @CL82
Yes I am proposing this as an option on offense. I am very happy with his current defensive role as a shutdown perimeter guy

Ah got it. From what I’ve seen of Jackson, he doesn’t like banging very much. So I can’t see him as a traditional back to the basket 5. On the other hand, any opportunity you have to utilize his athleticism, would seem to be a good thing. So I see looking for him with a lot of cuts to the basket and alleyoop opportunities. But movement is the key. I also think you have to clear other people out of the paint to make him comfortable.

 

[Tyler2Rings]

Ah got it. From what I’ve seen of Jackson, he doesn’t like banging very much. So I can’t see him as a traditional back to the basket 5. On the other hand, any opportunity you have to utilize his athleticism, would seem to be a good thing. So I see looking for him with a lot of cuts to the basket and alleyoop opportunities. But movement is the key. I also think you have to clear other people out of the paint to make him comfortable.

He's such a unique player. Utilizing his athleticism and motor in an unconventional way will disrupt opposing teams gameplans and maximize his effect

 

[Husky pride]

I agree with most of what you said, but I also believe that if/when we have AS and DC both in together, if the opponent was to have their 4-man chase Sanogo out to the 3 point line, then that leaves Donovan one on one with their 5-man. In that scenario, it (1) let's DC try to take advantage of a height mismatch and (2) if/when help comes over, it let's DC with his very good passing ability hit the open man on the perimeter (Hawk or Alex or Tristen most likely).

Also, if you get a high-low with DC at the key, he either sets effective picks or is able to find the open man down low (often AS or a cutter) by passing over the top of the defense.

What's not to like on offense?

Defensively, I think it can work for periods of man to man and with a zone. This would throw monkey wrenches at our opponents and that is exactly what is needed in tourney time when teams either know you well (BE tourney) or have lots of scout time (NCAA tourney). It's all about which team adjusts better.

I know I'm picking out happy path scenarios, but I just don't see why the AS/DC combo can't be done for 5-10 minutes a game depending on matchups, foul trouble, etc.

I think if this were to be successful, it would take us from sweet sixteen potential to Elite 8 or better potential. That's why I think the staff should use the next 5 games to give this a try.

Makes every sense both defensively as well as offensively. From your lips to Danny’s ears!!!!!

 

[Scottobot]

I have been reading a lot of articles about how no one will draft Sanogo because he is too small for NBA center and they don’t think he can play for 4 position. I think Adama can defend the four spot, and can score from the outside as well as drive to the hoop. Hurley needs to play him beside Clingan so he can prove it to the scouts. He owes it to Adama.

 

[tentoes4rings]

The tradeoff isn't Jackson to Clingan though, I agree though that on offense the spacing is no different. It's on defense where I don't think that lineup can compete. Clingan at the 5 is an upgrade, but Sanogo guarding 4's and Karaban guarding 3's is a negative compared to against 4's and 5's.

I'm not against it for a few minutes in some games for a few minutes, but it's not the solution to the offensive spacing issues. I just think it's funny there's a thread like this every few days over Clingan getting 12-13 minutes instead of the 15 people want. It's splitting hairs

Why not some zone when the two bigs are in together? Especially versus Seton Hall and St. John’s, two teams that struggle from deep.

 

[husky429]

I have been reading a lot of articles about how no one will draft Sanogo because he is too small for NBA center and they don’t think he can play for 4 position. I think Adama can defend the four spot, and can score from the outside as well as drive to the hoop. Hurley needs to play him beside Clingan so he can prove it to the scouts. He owes it to Adama.

I love the faith iinour guy, but he absolutely cannot defend 4s. Doesn't have the lateral footspeed.

 

[JohnFSilver]

I think Sanogo is a pretty good defender actually, I've seen him in other games guarding well and moving feet well. I feel he could do fine

He is a good judge defender. But he isn’t particularly long or big, and isn’t the rim protection that hurkey needs. He is likely a PF due to that.