- Joined
- Feb 28, 2012
- Messages
- 1,906
- Reaction Score
- 5,967
It is natural to make comparisons to the more recent '24 team. But UConn also won in '23. The better and more accurate prognosticator is to make comparisons to the '23 team. Doing so, makes evaluating the chances of winning another championship, more accurate. IMO.
The '23 team had a lot of questions, at the start of the season, about our guards, our bench and no one could imagine the impact of Clingan. Only sure thing was Sanogo at the 5. This years UConn can not replicate a senior Sanogo or freshman/sophomore Clingan. But a veteran Samson and Tarris may match a younger and very capable Sanogo. That may be enough. Does this team have players to match Jackson Jr, Naheim A, and Joey Cal? Pretty close. A sharpshooter like Hawkins and unknown talent that was Newton? Given this years depth, doable. We replace the '23 team with a veteran Karaban and Hassan D. UConn still has the best and most confident coaching staff.
I feel better making the comparison to the '23 championship team with the only difference being this years team has a target on its back and there is no element of surprise.
The '23 team had a lot of questions, at the start of the season, about our guards, our bench and no one could imagine the impact of Clingan. Only sure thing was Sanogo at the 5. This years UConn can not replicate a senior Sanogo or freshman/sophomore Clingan. But a veteran Samson and Tarris may match a younger and very capable Sanogo. That may be enough. Does this team have players to match Jackson Jr, Naheim A, and Joey Cal? Pretty close. A sharpshooter like Hawkins and unknown talent that was Newton? Given this years depth, doable. We replace the '23 team with a veteran Karaban and Hassan D. UConn still has the best and most confident coaching staff.
I feel better making the comparison to the '23 championship team with the only difference being this years team has a target on its back and there is no element of surprise.