OGT-MBB Florida vs #5 UConn 12/7 9:00 pm ESPN2

Is that what you are predicting?

 

Play Kugel and Aberdeen in the backcourt, Reeves at the wing, Fudge at the power forward, and Castleton at Center. That gives you three players who are between 6"5" and 6'" and 6'9" and 6'11" We need people who can shoot higher percentages consistently. Fudge and Castleton have been the most consistent over the 10 games. With his athleticism and energy, Kugel has earned a starting position and will make good things happen. Perhaps we should see how Aberdeen does in the starting lineup. These veteran guards are underperforming.

 

West Virginia, there was an absolute no-show. And after that debacle, UConn results in an almost similar result. I don't think it is a coincidence that against tough teams, many of the players lack confidence and aggressiveness. It's not like UConn has been lighting up the recruiting or transfer portal trails.

 

What was UConn's recruiting class ranked

 

Are you sure that you want Kugel coming off the bench just as he is starting to
develop some confidence. Kugel certainly can play better than he did tonight, but he still scored 13 points in 20 minutes. Bonham, Reeves, Lofton, Richard and Jones in the aggregate scored 11 points in 102 minutes.

If the Gators are going to continue to play their current offense, which seems to involve getting the ball to CC or creating scoring opportunities off the bounce, I think that I want Kugel to be the guy who creates off the bounce. Lofton doesn’t look like he can do it. He’s more of a distributor than a creator. Bonham is a little too small and a little too out of control. Jones doesn’t look like he can do it. Reeves is more of a scorer than a player who creates for other players. It seems that we are left with Kugel who can both score and create for others. We’ll see.

 

I agree, but part of that comes from lack of aggression. Kugel is an aggressive player. Fudge is an aggressive player. Castleton is an aggressive player. Reeves is not, but Reeves is perhaps the best pure shooter on the team. Someone needs to keep reminding him of that fact. Someone needs to remind him of this video. What was all this for if you are not gong to use it in the games that matter? We need aggression. Aberdeen seems to be aggressive with a better shooting touch than Bohham. Bonham is aggressive, but his shot goes cold in big games.

 

That's enough of this kind of nonsense.

 

They actually have been lighting up the recruiting trial and transfer portal‍♂️

 

What I saw was a team that, as good as they can be when their size works against their competition, looks really desperate on offense when the other team is more athletic. CC just can't score well against the upper-echelon centers. I agree that we should have at least tried CC and JJ together. Shake things up.

Someone HAS to step up to help CC on offense. Aberdeen may be an option. Not sure about Richards. He seems to be a general player who, when the opportunity comes around, scores and plays effective perimeter defense. I don't know whether he is a player to design plays around. Maybe he becomes our only 3-shooter parked on the perimeter.

Lofton to me gets a pass because of coming back from an injury. But still, if he is ineffective, park him back on the bench. Bonham gets the old "bless his heart". He is what he is. This was NOT a game for him to shine. Too much size to overcome. Reeves, until further notice, is a street game player. My guess is that teams are going to let him do his thing and let him shoot himself into a funk.

How about a team with CC, Fudge, Kugel, Aberdeen and Richard starting? Probably as good as we have right now.

 

Bonham was flat awful last night and played practically the whole game. Didn’t make a shot and ONE assist. I don’t get Goldens personnel decisions in game. Jitoboh should’ve played until he fouled out for ex.
I’ll stop there before I tear into how many times I saw Castleton let them go over his back for a rebound. He will not succeed in the NBA from what I’ve seen

 

UConn looks like a final four team with studs at every position.

I wondered who the refs were. Shows and the others made sure UConn stayed unbeaten. They are loaded, but like West Virginia, they let them get timely calls, time and time again. Why do the refs hate us, it seems like it is in vogue to put us down, ssshh!

 

I’ve been saying for years, we are the only team to get repeatedly “homed” at home. The officiating has gotten worse over the last couple years (especially in the SEC) which I didn’t think possible.

 

Coaching carousel - or more likely a craps table. Even when we get a decent coach fans have zero patience and a penchant for gambling.

 

Perhaps bad calls are a product of reputation, just like all of those called strikes Tom Glavine never threw over the plate. I swear, I think officials are ready to blow a whistle before a play finishes due to anticipation. I don't think it's deliberate but ranked teams don't seem to get that treatment as much.

Nevertheless, UConn is really good.

 

As if uou know something.

 

I hear ya but it’s been this way for a while

 

I think Richard or Reeves would make that the best starting five. And it allows for growth for next year.

 

Breaking down the UConn men's recruiting classes of the last 19 years

perhaps in the transfer portal which is a crap shoot as we are finding out. But their HS School recruiting is not off the charts.

they have not even made it to the dance in 6 years. I think we need to get our players’ heads better prepared for big games. They cower under tough competition.

 

2023 #4 recruiting class
2022 #40 (Clingan)
2021 #7 (Hawkins, karaban, Johnson)
2020 #26 recruiting class(sonogo and Jackson
And we made the dance the last two years

 

The only thing I would add is Richards had to guard a 6’8” forward that was fast as greased lightning. SF at Belmont works, not so much at Florida. He is better when he is out front, unless the opponent has small front line players. he is a better three point shooter than Riley. We need them both on the floor like either one at guard or sf. Riley is a little taller and likes to drive, small forward fits him beautiful. Just saying!