2022-2023 MBB team

[the Blades]

Another one bites the dust..........


So regarding that culture thing.....hows that workin' out for ya DH ??? Also funny now that Benedict and the Uconn AD thought the hoops team was in such good hands that they could go up 200% on donations next year, and beat the long time season tix holders over the fricken' head ...LOL!

" When UConn season ticket holders checked their phones to a message from Benedict on Monday afternoon, many were expecting a minimal price increase to their current ticket prices.
What they weren’t expecting was a total price increase of more than 200% for many tickets, and lower level season ticket prices reaching $5,000, in some cases.

Why fans should care about UConn’ Basketball’s Season Ticket price increase

“Please know we appreciate that UConn fans like you have helped carry the load for many years and have provided countless opportunities for the 600+ young men and women who proudly wear the Husky uniform,” writes David Benedict, the athletic director of the University of Connecticut.

dailycampus.com

NOW regarding that 2022-23 roster. Hey they did get bigger....featuring a walk-on or Richie Springs in the back-up guard slot........( that is unless they leave too, because of lack of PT !)

Starters-
Andre Jackson .....6-6/210..... PG....JR
Jordan Hawkins.....6-5/185.....SG... SO
Alex Karaban..........6-8/210..... F......FR
Samson Johnson....6-10/205....F.....SO
Adama Sanogo.......6-9/245.......C....JR

Richie Springs.........6-9/230......F....RS JR
Donovan Clingan.....7-2/265.....C......FR
Andrew Hurley..........6-1/175......G....JR

 

[the Blades]

I guess I can correct the roster above ....

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

They need to deepen that bench. Even if Drew Hurley is pushed back to being 9th man due to Newton commitment, I would rather see other guys in that 9 hole. I am amazed that Richie Springs stuck with the program. A truly loyal soldier to the program. Hope he is rewarded for his work.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Coach Hurley- please deepen that bench with some guys who can play and maybe a 3 point shooting specialist!

 

[the Blades]

Another one bites the dust..........

View embedded media

So regarding that culture thing.....hows that workin' out for ya DH ???

Hurley speaks :
-- about telling kids where they stand
-- getting better, the portal and next year....

Some snips for those who can't read it-
>>>We’ve entered a new era of college basketball, one in which many players think the grass is greener elsewhere and all coaches have the responsibility to recruit top talent from the portal, which featured some 1,300 players.<<<

“I tell these kids the truth about themselves,” Hurley said. “Bouk will tell you what my nickname was. When I first started coaching Bouk I became known as ‘Shade King,’ like I’m throwing shade on people. Once James grew up a little bit, he moved me to ‘Truth King.’

“For the most part, I understand the basketball moves made by the guys who left,” Hurley said. “The last two years, we made a lot of progress but it’s not up to the standard that I’d like it to be. It was very clear that we needed to get better in the late signing period here. I get that their roles had diminished where it made sense for them to leave, for the most part. Part of why they’re leaving is because we understand we have to go out and get better.”

" In an ideal scenario, Gaffney would have improved this past season to the point where it would have been easy to pass him R.J. Cole’s point guard torch. But he didn’t. Diggins never played a meaningful minute. He wasn’t going to. Floyd, who reclassified to enroll early at UConn, would have played next season. Or, he would have at least been a front-runner to play. But behind Newton. So he is headed elsewhere without ever playing a game for the Huskies. That’s his right, just like it’s Hurley’s to recruit with the urgency that his contract demands."

“I think the core of Adama and Jordan and Andre with Tristen, that’s a strong four,” Hurley said. “You’ve got three guys that are legitimate NBA-level prospects with length and athleticism and talent and skill around a potential All-American, preseason player of the year in the Big East. I love the spot we’re in. We can go into next season with our best team.”...... Hurley wants to add two guards capable of playing right away from the portal in the coming weeks.

UConn men’s basketball transfers a ‘wake-up call’ for Dan Hurley as roster reshapes

The UConn men’s basketball program has lost multiple players in recent weeks but picked...

www.nhregister.com

 

[the Blades]

Coach Hurley- please deepen that bench with some guys who can play and maybe a 3 point shooting specialist!

I'd also add the need for a Ricky Moore type off the bench who can slow down a small guard ( say like Tyus Edney -the year B4 he got to Storrs or Allen Iverson), when Uconn plays a team with those quick PG's.

 

[the Blades]

So regarding that culture thing.....hows that workin' out for ya DH ???

It's a new day..... from the Courant
“Adapt or die,” Hurley said Wednesday night. “You’re going to have to blend, in the recruiting process, high-impact guys who are freshmen who are ready to go right away and help you win, and guys who need a little more development but have the talent to have a role here, and then being strategic with transfers.”

“You’ve got to adjust and be smart enough to adapt and try to build relationships a lot quicker,” Hurley said. “I got into coaching for relationships that build over time and grow over time and coaching a team that has that consistent continuity. But it’s a much different game than it was two or three years ago. I’m going to be agile and adjust.”

Dom Amore: Transfer portal gives, takes and forces UConn men’s coach Dan Hurley to adapt to new reality

The UConn men's basketball program has been hit with a wave of transfers, to be expected in an era when the transfer portal is filled with more than 1,300 players. Navigating this new world of college basketball will be the challenge for coach Dan Hurley, as he builds a team for his fifth season.

www.courant.com

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

We are witnessing firsthand, as UConn fans, the profound impact of the transfer portal on recruiting and roster construction. As I mentioned in another post, it is creating chaos, but it also is creating opportunity. There is an extremely unpredictable aspect of transfer portal acquisitions- in many cases you will never know what you need AND what is available until weeks after the smoke clears on your transfer portal departures and those of other schools. However, I see lots of opportunities for guys to just drop into the laps of a lucky, fast acting school. I think the keys to transfer portal success are:

1. Attempt to maintain a solid 3-4 man corps of returning players who can be built around
2. Identify the likely transfer portal departures as soon as possible in exit interviews.
3. Identify needs and recruiting objectives.
4. Have an assistant coach provide daily updates of a "transfer portal board" of players who can be targeted based on #3.
5. Head coach must be "agile and adjust" on fly, as DH says, but maintain a distinctive organizational and operational philosophy to share with recruits.
6. As part of #3 above, emphasize recruitment of individuals who want to work on their games, be driven and pushed by their coaches, and not have things handed to them that have not been earned.

Although there is chaos, there is also opportunity, and excitement. A team like UConn, with a solid returning corps, can maybe be a national championship contender with 2-3 transfer portal guys and/or freshmen who need a year or two to develop.

 

[the Blades]

We are witnessing firsthand, as UConn fans, the profound impact of the transfer portal on recruiting and roster construction. As I mentioned in another post, it is creating chaos, but it also is creating opportunity. There is an extremely unpredictable aspect of transfer portal acquisitions- in many cases you will never know what you need AND what is available until weeks after the smoke clears on your transfer portal departures and those of other schools. However, I see lots of opportunities for guys to just drop into the laps of a lucky, fast acting school. I think the keys to transfer portal success are:

1. Attempt to maintain a solid 3-4 man corps of returning players who can be built around
2. Identify the likely transfer portal departures as soon as possible in exit interviews.
3. Identify needs and recruiting objectives.
4. Have an assistant coach provide daily updates of a "transfer portal board" of players who can be targeted based on #3.
5. Head coach must be "agile and adjust" on fly, as DH says, but maintain a distinctive organizational and operational philosophy to share with recruits.
6. As part of #3 above, emphasize recruitment of individuals who want to work on their games, be driven and pushed by their coaches, and not have things handed to them that have not been earned.

Although there is chaos, there is also opportunity, and excitement. A team like UConn, with a solid returning corps, can maybe a national championship contender with 2-3 transfer portal guys and/or freshman who need a year or two to develop.

I completely agree. It's an interesting time now where players can leave and play right away. Speaking of UConn and it's effect. It's why a guy like stubborn Randy Edsall got fired because he wanted to break everything down and lose with HS kids ( most who redshirt anyway ) instead of as DH said "ADAPT or DIE" ...

UConn's Randy Edsall on players in the transfer portal: 'They've got issues'

While Edsall doesn't want transfers from four-year schools, he'll happily take transfers from junior colleges.

www.yahoo.com

It was complete insanity by RE not wanting to try to upgrade his team with older players, looking for that new chance, in the current climate of college sports where as you said KSTW: "Although there is chaos, there is also opportunity, and excitement.".......

Jim Mora on the other hand got it right away coming back to coaching and seeing how things were in college, the last few years at ESPN. He broke it down perfectly in this talk with former NFL Player Chris Long ( Howie's son) at about the 2 minute mark... "attack the transfer portal ...It's like the NFL. You use college recruiting like the NFL draft but then enhance your team through free agency in the NFL or in this case the transfer portal " And Mora ain't playing. Especially with so many players on a FB team. He doesn't have a coach looking at the Portal, Juco's, comings and goings. He hired a whole dept of Player Personal to oversee it.

2022 UConn Football Staff

2022 UConn Football Staff

uconnhuskies.com

 

[the Blades]

OK back to next year---- Media day today, here's a few tweets

 

[the Blades]

Good to hear on the inside stuff too. I would have Andre just play one on one..... alot. That's where you learn to be a scorer, not dunking the ball. Post ups, off the dribble moves, etc., but vs. a defender... winner take all style !

 

[the Blades]

 

[the Blades]

 

[the Blades]

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Regarding Andre in one on one situations- there was a game against Georgetown in which he executed a basic crossover dribble on his man, and then exploded through a crease to the hole for a posterizing dunk. He just needs to watch this and do some more:

FOX Sports News, Scores, Schedules, Odds, Shows, Streams & Videos | FOX Sports

Watch FOX Sports and view live scores, odds, team news, player news, streams, videos, stats, standings & schedules covering NFL, MLB, NASCAR, WWE, NBA, NHL, college sports & more!

www.foxsports.com

 

[the Blades]

Regarding Andre in one on one situations- there was a game against Georgetown in which he executed a basic crossover dribble on his man, and then exploded through a crease to the hole for a posterizing dunk. He just needs to watch this and do some more:

FOX Sports News, Scores, Schedules, Odds, Shows, Streams & Videos | FOX Sports

Watch FOX Sports and view live scores, odds, team news, player news, streams, videos, stats, standings & schedules covering NFL, MLB, NASCAR, WWE, NBA, NHL, college sports & more!

www.foxsports.com

I disagree, that's the problem not the solution. Dunking is the easy part (for AJ) but seldom do you have a chance to do that at the next level after HS ball. I'm sure he's leaned that now with his comments above. In high level college ball with guys switching, cutting the driver off, taking charges. etc.... Good scorers need an array of moves and body control plays vs. real defense. Maybe learn what a pull up jumper is etc. Instead of that off balance, off the wrong foot, shot put thing he tries to score with. More Rip Hamilton moves will help him score. Instead of worrying about a wow dunk that's almost never open.

 

[the Blades]

So regarding that culture thing.....hows that workin' out for ya DH ???

Here's his direct answer in Today's Courant article:

“In terms of organizational culture, honesty is something that pays dividends over a long period of time. In the short term, sometimes honesty hurts a little bit. With my guys, I’m going to tell them where they are at in their careers and what we are thinking in terms of adding to the program. Obviously a combination of what we planned to do in terms of adding and where guys are at with their career forced what happened.”

Also : “Listen, we don’t have a lot of players, as many you need to start a season, but the ones we have are really good,” he said. “We like the one (Newton) that we got a lot. We love the core we are bringing back. Not a lot a of schools in the country that wouldn’t want to trade their best four for our best four. It will be exciting for Alex Karaban and Samson Johnson. These are high-level recruits for us.”

>>>While four players have left, the addition of Newton is a key one for the Huskies. He gives them a point guard which the roster has lacked. Newton averaged 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists during the 2021-22 season. “He’s got great size,” Hurley said. “The ability to switch on the perimeter, the athletic ability and the length is exciting. It allows you to do more things. The thing with him is the three-level scoring and the ability to see everything in the ball-screen game because he’s close to 6-foot-5.” <<<

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Was thinking about the best strategy for filling out the roster and I think it's with incoming freshmen who are a year away from being high minute players. Sort of like Hawkins this year or maybe a poor man's Hawkins. The transfer portal talent is all hunting playing time or starting jobs. What you really want is guys who can play 10-15 minutes per game in the 8, 9 and 10 spots, and move Drew Hurley down to 11 or 12 on the depth chart. Guys who will accept being developed for a year or two and not demand to be prime time players without having earned it. Perhaps some more Richie Springs types.

 

[the Blades]

What you really want is guys who can play 10-15 minutes per game in the 8, 9 and 10 spots,

Yeah probably like a guy the 2014 team had in GW transfer Lasan Kromah who didn't mind playing a roll or coming off the bench, good defender, did a little bit of everything including hitting some clutch FT's to ice the NC.​

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

I would take a guy like Kromah if they can find one as a grad transfer from a lower echelon school. Right now UConn has a solid 8:

STARTERS
5 Sanogo
4 Johnson
3 AJ
2 Jordan Hawkins
1 Tristan Newton

BENCH
Donovan Clingan
Alex Karaban
Richie Springs
?
?
Drew Hurley

THEY NEED SOME GUARDS- ballhandling, assist minded PG types who do not need to score is what they need behind Newton, and maybe a 3 point shooter

 

[the Blades]

THEY NEED SOME GUARDS- ballhandling, assist minded PG types who do not need to score is what they need behind Newton, and maybe a 3 point shooter

Yep that's the plan as DH told media:
>>> UConn plans to add two more transfer guards capable of playing right away, and probably one or two other “developmental” players to fill out the roster. <<<

 

[the Blades]

More from DH plus an update on Bazz who's working out with the team and passing on some knowledge.

 

[the Blades]

Right now UConn has a solid 9:

STARTERS
Possible Starters-

Tristan Newton......6-5/200..... PG......SR
Naheem Alleyne.....6-4/195......G......SR
Jordan Hawkins.....6-5/187.....SG.... SO
Andre Jackson ......6-6/210..... F/G....JR
Samson Johnson....6-10/205....F......SO
Adama Sanogo.......6-9/245.......C.....JR

Alex Karaban...........6-8/210..... .F.........FR
Richie Springs..........6-9/230.......F......RS JR
Donovan Clingan....7-2/250........C......FR

One thing this team ain't.... is small ! ...DH... mentions adding 2 more perimeters players again in this article...also " Freshman Alex Karaban, Hurley said, can play both forward positions, but he’s more of a shooter than a post player. Sophomore Samson Johnson is a power forward, long, wiry.......

So Uconn at times could go 6-5, 6-6, 6-8, 6-9, and 6-10 (or 7-2 when Clingan plays)
or small ball with 6-4, 6-5, 6-5, 6-6 and 6-9

 

[piantinofamily_a_gmail.com]

View embedded media

So agree. Mental and physical strength is part of it all

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

The article in which Hurley said Sanogo fatigued down the stretch was consistent with what I saw. UConn was way over-reliant on him for low post offense. Double and triple teams were more effective on him than they should have been for myriad reasons, only one of which was his undeveloped passing skills. Someone else needs to be a threat inside who can spell him or play with him

 

[the Blades]

The article in which Hurley said Sanogo fatigued down the stretch was consistent with what I saw. ..... Someone else needs to be a threat inside who can spell him or play with him

Yeah that article mentioned Clingan could help Sanogo out and Hurley mentioned him losing lbs.
I doubted him playing much next season because of his conditioning. But his movement/quickness does look a alot better last week than when I saw him in HS this year and he was heavier... So who knows. He does look all of 7 feet + playing against the 6-11 kid he scored on.

From the article:
>>Expectations should be tempered. Clingan has a lot to learn and a lot of development ahead. Still, those expectations can include, at the least, his participation as a member of the rotation and an ability to spell Sanogo as an inside presence

I think around 20 pounds,” Hurley said. “That was good. Just got to get him into the type of condition, at the body weight, that he’s going to need to be at to be able to play at this level. But from a skill standpoint and a guy who has a motor and wants to be out there and believes in himself and thinks he’s a great player, he’s got all of that. He’ll help Adama a lot.” <<

 

[the Blades]

Update- Right now UConn has a solid 9:

STARTERS
Possible Starters-
Tristan Newton......6-5/200..... PG......SR
Naheem Alleyne.....6-4/195......G......SR
Jordan Hawkins.....6-5/187.....SG.... SO
Andre Jackson ......6-6/210..... F/G....JR
Samson Johnson....6-10/205....F......SO
Adama Sanogo.......6-9/245.......C.....JR

Alex Karaban...........6-8/210..... .F.........FR
Richie Springs..........6-9/230.......F......RS JR
Donovan Clingan....7-2/250........C......FR

One thing this team ain't.... is small ! ...DH... mentions adding 2 more perimeters players again in this article...also " Freshman Alex Karaban, Hurley said, can play both forward positions, but he’s more of a shooter than a post player. Sophomore Samson Johnson is a power forward, long, wiry.......

So Uconn at times could go 6-5, 6-6, 6-8, 6-9, and 6-10 (or 7-2 when Clingan plays)
or now small ball with 6-4, 6-5, 6-5, 6-6 and 6-9

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

STARTERS
Possible Starters-
Tristan Newton......6-5/200..... PG......SR
Naheem Alleyne.....6-4/195......G......SR
Jordan Hawkins.....6-5/187.....SG.... SO
Andre Jackson ......6-6/210..... F/G....JR
Samson Johnson....6-10/205....F......SO
Adama Sanogo.......6-9/245.......C.....JR

UConn may have 6 starters but the rules do say only 5 of them can start, which means one has to be 6th man. It appears to me that Hawkins is best built for that role

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

On another note-is roster construction going to be like this every year, in which gaping holes develop because of transfer portal departures, only for the holes to be plugged by transfer portal arrivals? It feels like an air traffic controllers is needed, LOL

 

[the Blades]

UConn may have 6 starters but the rules do say only 5 of them can start, which means one has to be 6th man. It appears to me that Hawkins is best built for that role

You do notice I posted " Possible Starters-" under your former post of Starters meaning yes one must sit, so don't be a butthead ......bevis

 

[the Blades]

On another note-is roster construction going to be like this every year, in which gaping holes develop because of transfer portal departures, only for the holes to be plugged by transfer portal arrivals? It feels like an air traffic controllers is needed, LOL

yep what are the numbers now in CBB , I think one reporter said 1300 transfers this year and something like 1700 last, so the NCAA may have to reevaluate free agency and make a deal with the players union !

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

You do notice I posted " Possible Starters-" under you former post of Starters meaning yes one must sit

so who do you think will sit/be 6th man?

 

[the Blades]

so who do you think will sit/be 6th man?

If I could read DH's mind and as I've mentioned many times his offense this year was a terrible fit for playing 2 bigs.....was more suited for small ball because of the bigs stuck with the ball to far from the hoop. Then add what he said recently that he wants to play "1 in and and 4 out" it can only mean one thing ....

He wants to start Clingan, Sanogo, Johnson in the frontcourt and Jackson and Newton at the guards.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

He wants to start Clingan, Sanago, Johnson in the frontcourt and Jackson and Newton at the guards.

That would be a huge lineup that would likely crush everyone on the boards, but that's not really playing 1 big and "4 out". Plus you would see a lot more of bigs handling the ball and not knowing what to do 25 feet from the basket.........

 

[the Blades]

That would be a huge lineup that would likely crush everyone on the boards, but that's not really playing 1 big and "4 out". Plus you would see a lot more of bigs handling the ball and not knowing what to do 25 feet from the basket.........

TRUE..... but I have to factor DH's offense insanity, when he thought it'd be a great idea for RJ the one dribbler, handing off the ball to a guy who can't dribble and run 20 feet away from him, as the shot clock runs out. Now if you want to know what I would do with DH's crazy idea of an offense, it's probably gonna be positionless ball with 4 guys who can handle ( probably Karaban too) plus a big.

 

[the Blades]

TRUE..... it's probably gonna be positionless ball with 4 guys who can handle ( probably Karaban too) plus a big.

Seriuosly though at a quick glance...It does look like Alex can somewhat play outside off the bounce, for part of the 4 out rotation.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Poor man's Luka Doncic!!!!!!!!!

 

[the Blades]

Poor man's Luka Doncic!!!!!!!!! Slovenia

Wrong country..LOL! ...Karaban’s father, Alexei, is a software engineer and originally from Belarus. His mother, Olga, is a physical therapist and originally from Ukraine

 

[CaNOLEE]

I’d think Naheem would be the 6th man.

I would have thought Akok would have been the starting 4. With Johnson off of the bench. But Hurley probably had other ideas. No other reason for Akok to transfer.

Are we adding Castle? If yes, I see a greater need to add a veteran Big in the portal. If not, we definitely need a backup PG.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

How do you bench Naheem when he has been starting for 3 years and Hawkins has only started a couple of games?