Dauster Podcast on Jacob Furphy Signing, Early Season Expectations:
Login to view embedded media

Looks like Jordan will be starting effective immediately:

I think AJ is a good comparison from an energy standpoint, although Ross is a much better shooter. I didn't see it, but heard he won the 3 point shooting at First Night. This did not surprise me, although with presumptive event favorite McNeely sidelined, my money would have been on Karaban or Mahaney. There are lots of guys who can make 3s on this team.

the Blades said:

Seems he could really help on D and rebounding, which will be a big area of need with a smallish line-up compared to last year.

Login to view embedded media

Click to expand...

This may be true with some other teams on the schedule but rebounding will not be a concern until UConn arrives in Maui. Anyone can play up front in all of the pre Maui games. Certainly Stewart should help in that area and he is the best defender out of the forward group and the only one capable of covering Hopkins of PC, just for example. I can still remember Hopkins eating Karaban alive. When UConn plays PC Stewart should get lots of minutes because you have to stop that guy when you play Providence. He is a live body.

Regarding Jayden Ross, he is a very high energy guy who I think will also be a good defender. I thought he played a little too fast at times vs URI, but it seems like UConn's strategy was to play very fast against URI and wear them down, which they did very successfully I thought. I think Ross might be the highest energy guy on the whole team.

the Blades said:

Personally I'd like to see a true beast mode PF rebounder/defender. Seems like the only thing the team is lacking for a versatility match-up vs. an opponent who has a similar front line.

Click to expand...

The board work was definitely lacking against URI. As the game went on, UConn improved on the boards. Which I think was partly depth wearing URI down. Hurley seemed to think the only legit concern might be defensive rebounding. He seemed certain offensive rebounding can and will be fixed.

Plus it's going to 15 scholarships next year so with 2 out, there will be 3 available scholies.

There will be at least 2 scholarships to fill when Karaban and McNeely depart for the NBA, maybe 3 if Ball also declares.

He is going to be a main man player for Richmond. He just picked the wrong 2 years to come to UConn. Too many guys ahead of him. But he was by far the best of the deep bench mop up guys and he looked like a great shooter when he came in at the end of blowouts for his mop up minutes.

UConn Gets Rice Football Coach Fired:

Meanwhile, in other exhibition action of note, UConn's primary rival in the Big East won:
Login to view embedded media

the Blades said:

Not much info on the other "pre-season game", since after all it's secret !

Click to expand...

No box score because it is secret, and really no info at all, because it was a secret, and no press was allowed in. Last year, Harvard went 14-13, with their most high profile game being an 89-76 loss to Indiana. However, they really have a new team. Their roster lists 7 freshman and 4 sophomores, so they are very young.

So I guess that means they are NOT done recruiting foreign players. I heard they were recruiting an Australian shooting guard but who else is on the radar?

the Blades said:

Evers......not showing much in grasping an offense, reading opp's D's and decision making.

Click to expand...

This is the problem- and a lack of experience. He was heavily criticized on CBSSN by Logan Ryan for his poor passing accuracy. Probably time to look at Fagnano. The offense was very uneven today and I think the change needs to be made.