Post by mhbruin on Apr 4, 2024 14:25:17 GMT -8
What was the formula for this team?
Hurley put together a mix of mostly 4-star players along with one 5-star and some transfers who over-performed their HS rankings. There's only one McDonald's AA on the team, but lots of 4-star players.
It is not age. They play 3 seniors, but two sophomores and a freshman start.
One key is no injuries. No key player missed more than 6 games and 6 of the 8 rotation players missed at most one game.
The real key is passing. UConn has the best A/TO ratio in the country. Their top six players have ratios that to from good to outstanding. Cam Spencer is #7 in the country, but there isn't a weak ball-handler in the bunch.
By contast, Will McClendon had our best ratio at 2.1. We had three players at 1.5 or better. They had six.
So a national-championship-caliber team is easy to put together. Focus on players who pass well and don't turn the ball over. Start with a bunch of 4-star players. Add a McDonald's All American. Find some underrated transfers. Avoid injury.
FWIW, we had a team that was a legitimate contender in 22-23, but we didn't follow the last principle: Avoid injuries.
Hurley put together a mix of mostly 4-star players along with one 5-star and some transfers who over-performed their HS rankings. There's only one McDonald's AA on the team, but lots of 4-star players.
It is not age. They play 3 seniors, but two sophomores and a freshman start.
One key is no injuries. No key player missed more than 6 games and 6 of the 8 rotation players missed at most one game.
The real key is passing. UConn has the best A/TO ratio in the country. Their top six players have ratios that to from good to outstanding. Cam Spencer is #7 in the country, but there isn't a weak ball-handler in the bunch.
By contast, Will McClendon had our best ratio at 2.1. We had three players at 1.5 or better. They had six.
Class | Stars | Ranks | Transfer from | Games Played | A/TO | |
Tristen Newton | Sr 5 | Unranked | East Carolina | 38 | 2.4 | |
Cam Spencer | Sr 5 | Unranked | Rutgers | 38 | 3.6 | |
Alex Karaban | So | 4 | 118 | 37 | 1.5 | |
Donovan Clingan | So | 4 | 73 | 33 | 1.8 | |
Stephon Castle | Fr | 5 | 9 | 32 | 2.0 | |
Hassan Diarra | Sr | 4 | 98 | Texas A&M | 38 | 2.2 |
Samson Johnson | Jr | 4 | 58 | 38 | 0.6 | |
Solomon Ball | Fr | 4 | 44 | 37 | 0.7 | |
Jaylin Stewart | Fr | 4 | 56 | 35 | 1.3 |
So a national-championship-caliber team is easy to put together. Focus on players who pass well and don't turn the ball over. Start with a bunch of 4-star players. Add a McDonald's All American. Find some underrated transfers. Avoid injury.
FWIW, we had a team that was a legitimate contender in 22-23, but we didn't follow the last principle: Avoid injuries.