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agreed. we need an elite point-forward that can also shoot to round out the starting lineup. otherwise we're lacking both ball handling and shooting. also need a backup big.
The good news is that there are 13 scholarships available and there are only 12 players/ open slots listed in that group. So there is room to bring in 2 transfers who will battle for starting spots and 1 that will be a role player. The only returning player that would command any sort of significant NIL money would be Karaban and there should be a lot of NIL money freed up with who will be graduating/ heading to the NBA. So UConn should get at least 2 transfers that should be MAJOR impact guys that are top 25 transfers in college basketball this off season and at least one more transfer that fills a specific need.
Because of injury, yes.
Luckily we don’t need to have Solo start at “this moment” but we can certainly project him as a starter next season. Whether he does or not is up to the time and effort he puts in
I think we need another big and a guard much more. If Karaban returns we have the forward position locked up with him and Stewart.
Agreed. Not saying he's going to make the same jump as Hawkins, but this is like a repeat of when people questioned Hawkins starting sophomore year. Through the same point his freshman year Hawkins was averaging 6 points and 2 rebounds on 41% shooting and 34% from 3. Solo is at 5 and 2 on 44% and 32% from 3. It's not hard to imagine him making a big jump this off-season
Honestly Nowell and Solo is still one beefy tough back-court.“I talked with Steph; we want him to go to the NBA if it’s his time,” Nowell said in a postgame interview. “For us to be in the same backcourt, that would be a scary sight. Time will tell.”
Four star UConn commit Ahmad Nowell ready for big role with Husky roster turnover | Zagsblog
By CHARLIE PARENT SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Ahmad […]www.zagsblog.com
In the nicest way possible to Solo, I think Hawkins talent was more obvious to the eye test. But I’m willing to concede it’s possible Solo shows enough to be a projected starter eventually.
Very different styles. Not sure solo will be runnimg through multiple screens across the court and then catch and shoot. I think solo will get his threes and drives more like Alex, facing up, shooting and driving. Hawk was special.
No doubt, they're not similar players. Just saying that sophomore jump is a big one and I wouldn't write him off as a starter based on how he's played this year. Doesn't mean we shouldn't get a great guard out of the portal, I just expect him to be starting next to Solo
Is this kid as athletic as Solo (who has things like a 43" vertical)? They look like halfbacks!
In the video I watched he had three guys guarding him and still got to the rim.. he also can dunk and at 6 ft with his weight that’s pretty impressive
See a finesse team as you've constructed it. Getting a strong 5(portal)is key. .Johnson is not the answer as a starting 5 based on this year. Would love to add another portal shooting guard (like Spencer).. A strong bench 4/5 to "bang" off the boards would be great. Concerned about where we're going to get our Boards from next year.
I think we pull 1 big time transfer this year that changes the entire outlook for the season. I think it’s a big. I think Johnson is 5 year guy candidate. He could really good by then if so.
I think Stewart is a starter next year. I hope you are right about Karaban returning but I think he will go pro. Next year anyone who can shoot 3 well, will get good minutes. If everyone stays I don’t think Hurley will be that aggressive with portal. I think he will play players from this team, and build up for a couple years out.
If he keeps playing like he has, Hurley will drag him kicking and screaming to the draft if he has to.