Will Whaley consider returning? | The Boneyard

Will Whaley consider returning?

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It is amazing how much he brings to this team emotionally and intangibly. In the pre-season, he mentioned that he would consider a 5th year to have a more "normal" senior season. I know we have Samson coming in next year, but since Javonte transferred and Bouk is likely leaving, we have two open scholly's and I would love to see a fifth year senior named Isaiah Whaley on the roster next season. Thoughts?
 
Who knows. Earlier Whaley said he would consider it. The other week Hurley mentioned that Whaley will be moving on as a senior (in one of his videos) .... I would love for him to be back, but would it clash with Adama's progress ?
 
Marat said:
Who knows. Earlier Whaley said he would consider it. The other week Hurley mentioned that Whaley will be moving on as a senior (in one of his videos) .... I would love for him to be back, but would it clash with Adama's progress ?
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It certainly would limit Springs' ability to get on the floor. I think Whaley would need to come in understanding he'd be in a backup role, maybe 10 minutes a game. If he is set to graduate and doesn't need more time to do so, I'm not sure why he wouldn't just get on with his post college life.
 
As remarkable as his career has turned out considering he didn't play at all his first year with Hurley, we need to continue to move on from the old KO guys.

People were super excited to have Carlton and Polley return this year, they are now depth pieces at best. If AG came back that's what he would be now too.

I'm sure people want Whaley back, but we have Sanogo, Akok, Samson Johnson and Springs to take minutes down low. Hurley is continuing to restock the pond with more talented fish. Unless Whaley would be willing to come back in a role similar to what Carlton has become this season (doubt it when he can go make a nice living overseas) it doesn't make sense to give him our last scholarship spot.

Love the kid and he is going to be huge in whatever success we achieve down the stretch this year, but it is in the best interest of everyone for him to part ways after this year.
 
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I would love for it to happen but I don’t think it will. Hurley has already hinted at the seniors all moving on.
 
Adama will be the only true center on the team next year with Javonte no longer in the fold. Definitely going to be alot of quicker, smaller lineups with Samson, Akok, Springs? at the five.
 
BigErnMcCracken said:
I don't know if he's coming back or not but the idea that he would lose minutes to guys he's still going to be better than next year is a bit strange.
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I started laughing so hard. Whaley leads the Big East in defensive rating and blocks this season according to sports-reference.com, but if he came back next year he’d need to be a backup and play 10 minutes a game.
 
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Psolo12 said:
Adama will be the only true center on the team next year with Javonte no longer in the fold. Definitely going to be alot of quicker, smaller lineups with Samson, Akok, Springs? at the five.
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Two open scholarships once Bouk declares. Have to imagine one is used on a center.
 
No, he's going to make money playing basketball and leave. Same with Polley and Carlton
 
I personally view having Sanogo, Johnson, and Akok, as not nearly the number of post bodies that we need to get through a game next year, let alone a season where any kind of nagging injury could show up. If Springs can't even grab a minute this year, I don't know how you can count on him at all. We have no idea if he can contribute. There are very few top 100 2021 players available, we don't have an overseas pipeline on the men's side, and I doubt there are jucos to help. That means that we will be filling 2 or more spots via the transfer route. In my mind we need to get a significant big, and the best scorer possible that is 6'5 to 6'8. I would welcome any of our guys back in a heartbeat.
 
HuskyHawk said:
It certainly would limit Springs' ability to get on the floor. I think Whaley would need to come in understanding he'd be in a backup role, maybe 10 minutes a game. If he is set to graduate and doesn't need more time to do so, I'm not sure why he wouldn't just get on with his post college life.
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HH not sure why you would say that? He would be our best big defender once again and shot blocker. Why would our overall best big get only 10 minutes next year? If he wants to come back and be all in, he gets close to what he's getting this year and we're a better team for having him return I think don't you? Unless of course Johnson or Springs take some of his minutes having earned them.
 
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mauconnfan said:
HH not sure why you would say that. He would be our best big defender once again and shot blocker. Why would our overall best big get only 10 minutes next year? If he wants to come back and be all in he gets close to what he's getting this year and we're a better team for having him return I think?
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He's not our best big now. And if Akok was healthy, the starters would and should be Sanogo and Akok. Without a doubt. Johnson will also want to play, and Springs will be a Junior. Not saying we wouldn't be better if he comes back for the added depth, but I think the guys recruited expecting to have the seniors graduate shouldn't be negatively impacted. Don't we also project to have two more open scholarships as well, if Bouk goes?
 
My vote is no. He'll be riding good momentum to a possible pro career and it's doubtful he'll get the same minutes next year so while I'd love him back, it's wise for him to try to make some $$$ next year.

I'd take his available scholarship for a grad transfer big who is comfortable playing a "Josh Carlton 20-21 role" behind Adama in exchange for playing at a higher level program, hopefully a guy who's always wanted to play at UConn.

For example, a EJ Anosike from Sacred Heart to Tennessee would be an ideal situation.

Scouring the transfer market, Montana's Michael Steadman is a guy who would be a nice fit. A 6'10 215 athletic big averaging 11.9p, 7.3r and 50 fg%. After playing in JUCO, San Jose State and Montana, maybe he'd want an opportunity to be part of the Huskies in a reserve role? Just an example. I've seen him play on TV a bit (wife is a UM alum and I like following their program) and while he's a good player, he's had a kinda similar fortune to Josh Carlton: a promising freshman was given more minutes so Montana is playing more of the long game here.

Of course, we need more talent, but there's no true bigs behind Adama in 21-22.
 
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I even wonder if Springs will come back. With or without him, we are certainly going to need to bring in some bigs if nothing else just for depth. Hopefully a grad/transfer or two are coming our way. Or, maybe a high school player that committed to a program which keeps its bigs due to the Covid extra year option would consider coming to UConn instead. The staff is going to have to work hard to ensure we have the needed depth up front.
 
As a fan, I’d take Whaley or Carlton back. We need another solid big. If I were Springs et al, I probably wouldn’t care for that idea. The coach will have to make a hard decision on a couple of these guys and their covid year, should they want to come back. It is entirely possible they will want to go make money and they aren’t an option.
 
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HuskyHawk said:
He's not our best big now. And if Akok was healthy, the starters would and should be Sanogo and Akok. Without a doubt. Johnson will also want to play, and Springs will be a Junior. Not saying we wouldn't be better if he comes back for the added depth, but I think the guys recruited expecting to have the seniors graduate shouldn't be negatively impacted. Don't we also project to have two more open scholarships as well, if Bouk goes?
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HuskyHawk said:
He's not our best big now. And if Akok was healthy, the starters would and should be Sanogo and Akok. Without a doubt. Johnson will also want to play, and Springs will be a Junior. Not saying we wouldn't be better if he comes back for the added depth, but I think the guys recruited expecting to have the seniors graduate shouldn't be negatively impacted. Don't we also project to have two more open scholarships as well, if Bouk goes?
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You know I respect your opinion but on this I will agree to disagree. He is our best big right now overall and that's why he plays all the minutes he does. Sanogo is our best back to the basket offensive player, Akok may have been if 100% not sure. It looks like it won't matter what we think anyway but we're a better team with him back and playing 25-30 minutes a game next year I think. Just can't make that 5th year of experience up easily.
 
HuskyHawk said:
Without a doubt. Johnson will also want to play, and Springs will be a Junior. Not saying we wouldn't be better if he comes back for the added depth, but I think the guys recruited expecting to have the seniors graduate shouldn't be negatively impacted.
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I don't think Springs is beating out a 5th year Whaley for minutes, and Johnson is a high ceiling guy who's raw. Again, I don't really feel strongly about what should happen but I think this underrates Whaley's value, particularly vis-a-vis young, unproven guys. He's not just going to be adding depth with guys that he's better than playing over him.
 
Hey Adrien! said:
My vote is no. He'll be riding good momentum to a possible pro career and it's doubtful he'll get the same minutes next year so while I'd love him back, it's wise for him to try to make some $$$ next year.

I'd take his available scholarship for a grad transfer big who is comfortable playing a "Josh Carlton 20-21 role" behind Adama in exchange for playing at a higher level program, hopefully a guy who's always wanted to play at UConn.

For example, a EJ Anosike from Sacred Heart to Tennessee would be an ideal situation.

Scouring the transfer market, Montana's Michael Steadman is a guy who would be a nice fit. A 6'10 215 athletic big averaging 11.9p, 7.3r and 50 fg%. After playing in JUCO, San Jose State and Montana, maybe he'd want an opportunity to be part of the Huskies in a reserve role? Just an example. I've seen him play on TV a bit (wife is a UM alum and I like following their program) and while he's a good player, he's had a kinda similar fortune to Josh Carlton: a promising freshman was given more minutes so Montana is playing more of the long game here.

Of course, we need more talent, but there's no true bigs behind Adama in 21-22.
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Whaley is not taking anyone's scholarship next year due to the ruling passed by the NCAA. Why are people getting this confused over and over. Yes he might take a spot in the development of a player but not their scholarship.
 
BigErnMcCracken said:
I don't think Springs is beating out a 5th year Whaley for minutes, and Johnson is a high ceiling guy who's raw. Again, I don't really feel strongly about what should happen but I think this underrates Whaley's value, particularly vis-a-vis young, unproven guys. He's not just going to be adding depth with guys that he's better than playing over him.
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Agree. Easy to see the value for the team but less clear what the value is to Poppers’ career.
 
Psolo12 said:
Adama will be the only true center on the team next year with Javonte no longer in the fold. Definitely going to be alot of quicker, smaller lineups with Samson, Akok, Springs? at the five.
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I'm psyched about an Akok Sanogo starting frontcourt next season, I think their games will match perfectly together.
 
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