Another dumpster fire of a season of UCONN's mens basketball has concluded.
This marks 3 years in a row of no NCAA Tourney.
The tourney is a pipe dream at this point, as its been 2 years in a row of no post season play whatsoever (not even an invite to the pathetic CBI).
You'd like to have hope that next season will end these dubious streaks, but with the returning player crop that seems far fetched.
Likely Returning Player Grades 2018-2019
Christian Vital: B
Best returning player on the team. Showed improvement in the weakest parts of his game, shot selection and perimeter shooting. Most aggressive offensive and defensive player. Heart makes up for physical attribute deficiencies. 40% from 3, 80% from FT, 45% overall from the field. Efficient yet mysteriously fell out of favor with the DH towards the end of the season………
Alterique Gilbert: C
In between all the injuries you’ve been waiting for the play to catch up to the hype. It hasn’t
Below average efficiency and perimeter shooting. Average (being nice) play making and distributing ability. Rarely gets teammates open looks but often is asked too………….Unfortunately showing to be > his recruiting hype. Would have been beaten out by Akinjo for starter had he stayed.
Josh Carlton: B-
Effective in limited time. A physical presence when physical presence has been absent. Limited skills but knows his role. Would have more value as a bruiser on a better team. Matchup rotational player
Sidney Wilson: F
Hard to imagine people that scout basketball for a living rated this kid a 4 star when he is absent of any skills that would require you to be a 4 star.
Only asset appears to be jumping. Poor in every other skill measured statistic. Dribbling, passing, shooting, on ball defense. Physicality is a zero. Add this to a suspension to start the season and you have…………….Makes you wonder if the stellar talent giving out the ratings are on the take. Couldn’t even secure steady minutes when guys were injured and the season was obviously over. Just awful.
Tyler Polley: C-
Only attribute appears to be wide open perimeter shooting. Cannot create his own offense. Has little to offer outside of catch and shoot. Suppose he would look better if he played with others that could get him more open looks. Not the case here. He makes open perimeter shots and offers nothing else at the moment. Has potential to improve but needs to put in the work.
Brendan Adams: Not worth grading. Would be a walk-on at best on NCAA Tourney quality teams
Isiah Whaley: See above
Barring a miraculous improvement from the returning class, and miraculous contributions from the incoming class, it will be a 4th straight year not qualifying for the tourney. AT UCONN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At this point I might settle for an above 500 record and invite to any post season tournament.
A disappointing first season for DH given the roster he inherited in my opinion.
The longer this goes on, the tougher it becomes to restore the program to credibility. Brand recognition only lasts so long.
This marks 3 years in a row of no NCAA Tourney.
The tourney is a pipe dream at this point, as its been 2 years in a row of no post season play whatsoever (not even an invite to the pathetic CBI).
You'd like to have hope that next season will end these dubious streaks, but with the returning player crop that seems far fetched.
Likely Returning Player Grades 2018-2019
Christian Vital: B
Best returning player on the team. Showed improvement in the weakest parts of his game, shot selection and perimeter shooting. Most aggressive offensive and defensive player. Heart makes up for physical attribute deficiencies. 40% from 3, 80% from FT, 45% overall from the field. Efficient yet mysteriously fell out of favor with the DH towards the end of the season………
Alterique Gilbert: C
In between all the injuries you’ve been waiting for the play to catch up to the hype. It hasn’t
Below average efficiency and perimeter shooting. Average (being nice) play making and distributing ability. Rarely gets teammates open looks but often is asked too………….Unfortunately showing to be > his recruiting hype. Would have been beaten out by Akinjo for starter had he stayed.
Josh Carlton: B-
Effective in limited time. A physical presence when physical presence has been absent. Limited skills but knows his role. Would have more value as a bruiser on a better team. Matchup rotational player
Sidney Wilson: F
Hard to imagine people that scout basketball for a living rated this kid a 4 star when he is absent of any skills that would require you to be a 4 star.
Only asset appears to be jumping. Poor in every other skill measured statistic. Dribbling, passing, shooting, on ball defense. Physicality is a zero. Add this to a suspension to start the season and you have…………….Makes you wonder if the stellar talent giving out the ratings are on the take. Couldn’t even secure steady minutes when guys were injured and the season was obviously over. Just awful.
Tyler Polley: C-
Only attribute appears to be wide open perimeter shooting. Cannot create his own offense. Has little to offer outside of catch and shoot. Suppose he would look better if he played with others that could get him more open looks. Not the case here. He makes open perimeter shots and offers nothing else at the moment. Has potential to improve but needs to put in the work.
Brendan Adams: Not worth grading. Would be a walk-on at best on NCAA Tourney quality teams
Isiah Whaley: See above
Barring a miraculous improvement from the returning class, and miraculous contributions from the incoming class, it will be a 4th straight year not qualifying for the tourney. AT UCONN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At this point I might settle for an above 500 record and invite to any post season tournament.
A disappointing first season for DH given the roster he inherited in my opinion.
The longer this goes on, the tougher it becomes to restore the program to credibility. Brand recognition only lasts so long.
