I LOVE today's show. You are the only analyst (maybe A. Torres too) that see what we all see in Solo and Jaylin. Best role player in ALL TIME UConn history... Doug Melody. I was at the 1970 slowdown game as a kid at the Field House for in effect the Yankee Conference Championship against URI. (Also saw Dr. J there when he was at UMASS, 1971 maybe?). His role. ball handling after Bobby Boyd our top scorer was suspended for the game. He collapsed with exhaustion at the end of the game.
@@LockedOnUConn You deserve it man you totally know your stuff you deliver it so clean and never with a pretentious or better than you attitude that you hear so often.
Dude great UConn stuff but you need to study your history. UConn started playing football in 1896! They played their first basketball game in 1900. They didn't split D1football until 1978 and UConn moved to FBS in 1999. People always seem to think the program just started!
I'll push back on this, I understand Uconn football has a long history, but it' doesn't mean that it's had a great history. for people of a certain age like myself, low 40s, we grew up on the Calhoun years when Uconn Football didn't have the same relevance as Uconn womens and mens' basketball. I don't think intimated that the football program is new, i just said nobody has really cared about it ever. ANd those that have are either alums, absolute diehards or people that love to root for underdog teams. Great players have come through but great teams really have not.
@@LockedOnUConnthis is a good take by MZ. In the pre-RF days, I still remember what a big deal. It was reading the campus newspaper about Edsall piloting the team to a win over Iowa State with Seneca Wallace at QB and what a big deal it was. And then times got very dark after Edsall left the first time - felt as if the BCS Bowl appearance was squandered- don’t know what else the Huskies could’ve done though with Boston College blocking them from joining the ACC. I will still celebrate that period of time where they were able to get a bowl win over coach Steve Superior, beat ND at home and make Fiesta Bowl. I live in the Midwest now so I would always make time to go see them play Cincinnati or Louisville and the energy was real
And anyone who thinks BE is better for us than ACC doesn’t grasp big picture and overall good for Athletics Dept. and doesn’t get BE is now small Catholic university… not a league of rivals.
I doubt Duke and UNC would leave the ACC unless it was facing PAC-12 level of destruction. I think high level mid majors like Gonzaga, St Mary’s and San Diego State would be more obtainable. I don’t know if it’s possible as it would be a logistical nightmare but it would be cool to see how those teams fare in a top conference.
Why, BC and Syracuse are basically no name brands. Since they joined the ACC they lost their Mojo! I think UCONN has won 3 Men’s National Championships. Many more to come. UCONN’s brand has eclipsed every program on Tobacco Road! Just saying!
@@dantefazzina9037 Why would we join the ACC? We're the brand, have them come join us, that's the point. The Big East should be looking to cater to us, not us looking to join other conferences to bolster their profiles.
@@dantefazzina9037 eh, they really havent...im not a fan or UNC or Duke..but those programs were making FFs and being great long before UCONN even began to become decent..yes the NC are great...but Duke and UNC or college bball blue blood royalty...nothing UCONN can do to over shadow them to be honest
@@LockedOnUConn Let’s get to the bottom line. Economics. Basically, the sports industry (network NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox and others) have over paid for programming rights. As a 40 plus football fan, the product has been watered down. Today, college conference realignment has damaged the institutional integrity and brands of the colleges chasing money. This is a long term losing strategy.
Again- Never a bad or even mail it in show from MZ. The segment on role players was super fun. Unique perspective on why Hurley is #1 ! I know maybe this doesn’t count, but I loved the role Shabazz played as a freshman on the 2011 championship team.
My favorite starting 5 minus A.K. PG Hassan SG Ball SF McNeeley PF Stewart C Johnson Hassan and Johnson have no more years of eligibility left so I don’t see why we wouldn’t at least start the game with them. Ball & Stewart return that Championship DNA and will be very eager to uphold the UConn standard “Reign and Repeat” I also believe our 2nd unit could beat most other schools starting 5. We’ll get a chance to see a lot of it early on in our non conference schedule. 2nd String PG Nowell SG Mahaney SF Ross PF Abraham C Reed GO HUSKIES!!!
Great idea,Duke,UNC, & NC State. I have for years thought that conferences need not be all or nothing. Have basketball conferences like the Big East, football conferences,hockey conferences and so on. Have regional conferences for the Olympic sports. Why does the women’s volleyball team need to be travelling all over the country? They could be in a league with the old Yankee conference schools,Northeastern,Boston University,Quinnipiac, Central Connecticut, you get the picture. Away games are a bus trip. No hotel if playing URI or UMASS. Save a bunch of money.
Let me ask you a question , when did he get to play this year?😂😂 he just showed that vertical leap multiple occasions on defense with block shots early in the year. You’ll see it next year for sure.
I hope so I looked back at HS and AAU clips. He look pretty athletic but not like Jackson or Stanley Robinson or even OG Ben Gordon. More like a Jerome Dyson. 45 is just a crazy number I don’t think any nba prospect has officially jumped that high.
As you mentioned, with or without Karaban, they will be really deep next year. Maybe too deep when it comes to trying to keep players happy with minutes.
I was concerned Solo and Stewey would go into the portal with the additions of Mcneely and Mahaney. We will if Solo and Stewy can be what we need them to be. This is a great kudos to Hurley retaining these two.
I think Solo is going to burst on to the scene next season. Far too talented and was only held back by having to play behind 4 guys who absolutely balled out, 3 of which will likely be drafted including one as a lottery pick. It would not surprise me to see him average 15 points and challenge for all conference teams. Stewart needs to get his shooting to a consistent point and he will be a huge problem for opposing teams. Would not be surprised if he averages 12-4 points and 6 rebounds. Whats great about him is he appears to have the clutch gene. He wont shrink when the bright lights come on. I think Karaban is coming back and this team will be loaded and ready to make another run.
If someone like Duke gets invited into the (one of the) super conference, they have to go. Can’t turn down the money. Teams that don’t get invited won’t survive in the long run. That’s my biggest concern when it comes to UConn.
Couldn't agree more. UConn will be on the outside looking in if it doesn't latch onto one of the 3 remaining power conferences. Their basketball operations will inevitably suffer and be less competitive after realignment. If they can thumb a ride with the Big 12, that will solve a lot of their current funding challenges for the entire athletic department. I love the Big East, but it will become tougher and tougher for Big East schools to compete with the Power 3 basketball powers, assuming the ACC goes the way of the PAC 12.
@@LockedOnUConn It doesn't matter, that is what NEEDS to happen. Would Duke and UNC want to leave big football money to join the Big east? The whole show was a premise. The real premise is that UConn needs to get to a legit football conference.
If karaban comes back, I would honestly start Ball at Pg, Karaban at SG, Liam at SF, Jaylin at PF, and Samson at C... the size would be unreal and you still have 4 dudes in the lineup that can hit a 3... diarra is the man but he brings that energy from the bench @steadylearner1
I really think you are going to see Samson make a big impact next year. I think Solo will finally have the opportunity to put up more shots and Stewart is a potential starter at the 4 spot if Karaban goes. If not I think those guys are fighting for 6th man. I see Samson being a lot like Hilton Armstrong, who took until his senior season to develop fully. As long as he can stop moving on every screen he sets and he can learn to post up more confidently, you will see him on the court more.
Big Eastbis small Catholic university now. We belong in ACC! Last I remember our biggest rivals were Cuse, Pitt, BC, Duke… Big East is small time! And no ACC school is going to leave to join Big East… rafts just folly!
@@LockedOnUConn this is modern bball...you dont need to play in NYC or even a big name school for the NBA to find you or to "showcase" yourself...not to mention the NCAA tournament is played in locations like Omaha, KC and other non NYC type of cities
Bro he played like 3 min a game lol. How you tell that? Always amazes me we praise Hurley and co about who they love and we don’t trust that they know what their talking about with a guy like solo. 🤷🏼♂️
Mark's a good, reliable reporter and commentator.
I LOVE today's show. You are the only analyst (maybe A. Torres too) that see what we all see in Solo and Jaylin. Best role player in ALL TIME UConn history... Doug Melody. I was at the 1970 slowdown game as a kid at the Field House for in effect the Yankee Conference Championship against URI. (Also saw Dr. J there when he was at UMASS, 1971 maybe?). His role. ball handling after Bobby Boyd our top scorer was suspended for the game. He collapsed with exhaustion at the end of the game.
I’m expecting big things from Solo & Stewart this coming season.
Mark is very good never annoying and gives us tons of info
Yes, this podcast lives up to the tired of shouting premise
That’s why I find so many of the network sports shows super annoying due to the yelling.
@@paulkersey820 Yes good points and totally agree
So glad I found you and subscribed to your channel ❤.
Thanks for subbing!
@@LockedOnUConn You deserve it man you totally know your stuff you deliver it so clean and never with a pretentious or better than you attitude that you hear so often.
Dude great UConn stuff but you need to study your history. UConn started playing football in 1896! They played their first basketball game in 1900. They didn't split D1football until 1978 and UConn moved to FBS in 1999. People always seem to think the program just started!
Vinny Clements was a Beast. But it was a shame they always got blown out by Yale.
I'll push back on this, I understand Uconn football has a long history, but it' doesn't mean that it's had a great history. for people of a certain age like myself, low 40s, we grew up on the Calhoun years when Uconn Football didn't have the same relevance as Uconn womens and mens' basketball. I don't think intimated that the football program is new, i just said nobody has really cared about it ever. ANd those that have are either alums, absolute diehards or people that love to root for underdog teams. Great players have come through but great teams really have not.
@@LockedOnUConnthis is a good take by MZ.
In the pre-RF days, I still remember what a big deal. It was reading the campus newspaper about Edsall piloting the team to a win over Iowa State with Seneca Wallace at QB and what a big deal it was.
And then times got very dark after Edsall left the first time - felt as if the BCS Bowl appearance was squandered- don’t know what else the Huskies could’ve done though with Boston College blocking them from joining the ACC.
I will still celebrate that period of time where they were able to get a bowl win over coach Steve Superior, beat ND at home and make Fiesta Bowl.
I live in the Midwest now so I would always make time to go see them play Cincinnati or Louisville and the energy was real
And anyone who thinks BE is better for us than ACC doesn’t grasp big picture and overall good for Athletics Dept. and doesn’t get BE is now small Catholic university… not a league of rivals.
I like the different combinations of lineups if AK returns could be a very active defense with Karaban at center.
Can U maybe do separate podcasts ? Some of us only want UCONN Hoop updates !
I doubt Duke and UNC would leave the ACC unless it was facing PAC-12 level of destruction. I think high level mid majors like Gonzaga, St Mary’s and San Diego State would be more obtainable. I don’t know if it’s possible as it would be a logistical nightmare but it would be cool to see how those teams fare in a top conference.
What about reconstituting the original East? BC and Syracuse? Or trying to join the ACC?
I don’t want out of the Big East if we can help it
Why, BC and Syracuse are basically no name brands. Since they joined the ACC they lost their Mojo! I think UCONN has won 3 Men’s National Championships. Many more to come. UCONN’s brand has eclipsed every program on Tobacco Road! Just saying!
@@dantefazzina9037 Why would we join the ACC? We're the brand, have them come join us, that's the point. The Big East should be looking to cater to us, not us looking to join other conferences to bolster their profiles.
@@dantefazzina9037 eh, they really havent...im not a fan or UNC or Duke..but those programs were making FFs and being great long before UCONN even began to become decent..yes the NC are great...but Duke and UNC or college bball blue blood royalty...nothing UCONN can do to over shadow them to be honest
@@LockedOnUConn Let’s get to the bottom line. Economics. Basically, the sports industry (network NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox and others) have over paid for programming rights. As a 40 plus football fan, the product has been watered down. Today, college conference realignment has damaged the institutional integrity and brands of the colleges chasing money. This is a long term losing strategy.
Again- Never a bad or even mail it in show from MZ. The segment on role players was super fun. Unique perspective on why Hurley is #1 !
I know maybe this doesn’t count, but I loved the role Shabazz played as a freshman on the 2011 championship team.
Kevin freeman and Ricky Moore should be on that list
Mark, you went to Maloney HS in Meriden? No way! Me too. What year did you graduate?
Great podcast by the way.
Small World. Class of 99
My favorite starting 5 minus A.K.
PG Hassan
SG Ball
SF McNeeley
PF Stewart
C Johnson
Hassan and Johnson have no more years of eligibility left so I don’t see why we wouldn’t at least start the game with them. Ball & Stewart return that Championship DNA and will be very eager to uphold the UConn standard “Reign and Repeat”
I also believe our 2nd unit could beat most other schools starting 5. We’ll get a chance to see a lot of it early on in our non conference schedule.
2nd String
PG Nowell
SG Mahaney
SF Ross
PF Abraham
C Reed
GO HUSKIES!!!
Great idea,Duke,UNC, & NC State. I have for years thought that conferences need not be all or nothing. Have basketball conferences like the Big East, football conferences,hockey conferences and so on. Have regional conferences for the Olympic sports. Why does the women’s volleyball team need to be travelling all over the country? They could be in a league with the old Yankee conference schools,Northeastern,Boston University,Quinnipiac, Central Connecticut, you get the picture. Away games are a bus trip. No hotel if playing URI or UMASS. Save a bunch of money.
Just curious I never seen him show anywhere near close to a 45 inch vert. He def has long arms but where has this been shown or translated on court.
Let me ask you a question , when did he get to play this year?😂😂 he just showed that vertical leap multiple occasions on defense with block shots early in the year. You’ll see it next year for sure.
I hope so I looked back at HS and AAU clips. He look pretty athletic but not like Jackson or Stanley Robinson or even OG Ben Gordon. More like a Jerome Dyson. 45 is just a crazy number I don’t think any nba prospect has officially jumped that high.
As you mentioned, with or without Karaban, they will be really deep next year. Maybe too deep when it comes to trying to keep players happy with minutes.
Is that California Penal League All Star Rick Vaughn on your shirt?
Yes sir it is
I was concerned Solo and Stewey would go into the portal with the additions of Mcneely and Mahaney. We will if Solo and Stewy can be what we need them to be. This is a great kudos to Hurley retaining these two.
I think Solo is going to burst on to the scene next season. Far too talented and was only held back by having to play behind 4 guys who absolutely balled out, 3 of which will likely be drafted including one as a lottery pick. It would not surprise me to see him average 15 points and challenge for all conference teams.
Stewart needs to get his shooting to a consistent point and he will be a huge problem for opposing teams. Would not be surprised if he averages 12-4 points and 6 rebounds. Whats great about him is he appears to have the clutch gene. He wont shrink when the bright lights come on.
I think Karaban is coming back and this team will be loaded and ready to make another run.
If someone like Duke gets invited into the (one of the) super conference, they have to go. Can’t turn down the money. Teams that don’t get invited won’t survive in the long run. That’s my biggest concern when it comes to UConn.
Couldn't agree more. UConn will be on the outside looking in if it doesn't latch onto one of the 3 remaining power conferences. Their basketball operations will inevitably suffer and be less competitive after realignment. If they can thumb a ride with the Big 12, that will solve a lot of their current funding challenges for the entire athletic department. I love the Big East, but it will become tougher and tougher for Big East schools to compete with the Power 3 basketball powers, assuming the ACC goes the way of the PAC 12.
UConn NEEDS to get to a football conference. Yes, I get it, Big East is our history, but they NEED the football money to protect the basketball teams.
What football conference wants UConn football?
@@LockedOnUConn It doesn't matter, that is what NEEDS to happen. Would Duke and UNC want to leave big football money to join the Big east? The whole show was a premise. The real premise is that UConn needs to get to a legit football conference.
My daily UConn fix. Solo needs to work on his handle /play making. Dyson wasn’t a role player, also Voskuhl was the man !
With his athleticism, which is a little higher than Tristen, if he becomes a playmaker with the smarts of Tristen, he could be a lottery pick.
If karaban comes back, I would honestly start Ball at Pg, Karaban at SG, Liam at SF, Jaylin at PF, and Samson at C... the size would be unreal and you still have 4 dudes in the lineup that can hit a 3... diarra is the man but he brings that energy from the bench @steadylearner1
@@steadylearner1nothing he has shown has him close to a lottery pick. Newton won the best PG award and is considered a fringe first round pick
@@pietrosavastano4641I would never have that lineup out there. Ball and Karaban are not those guys.
@@prettyridesmedia what's your logic behind that statement? (I obviously disagree completely, but to start a dialog with a fellow fan lol)
Antric Klaiber - CHARGE!!! Monquencio Hardnett - What was his nickname?????
I really think you are going to see Samson make a big impact next year. I think Solo will finally have the opportunity to put up more shots and Stewart is a potential starter at the 4 spot if Karaban goes. If not I think those guys are fighting for 6th man.
I see Samson being a lot like Hilton Armstrong, who took until his senior season to develop fully. As long as he can stop moving on every screen he sets and he can learn to post up more confidently, you will see him on the court more.
He needs to also put on at least 10lbs of muscle
People talk about one year improvement of guys like Hawkins but also Sanogo, Clingan and Jackson took big leaps.
Obvious statement is obvious, I know. But, he has to get his fouls under control.
I’ll be happy with a 10” vert
yah...my UConn son will wear Carolina blue, just likes the color
Karaban comes back & UCONN bench will be Real Deep !
with or without Karaban, they will be really deep next year. Maybe too deep when it comes to trying to keep players happy with minutes
Brian Fair should have made the list
Rashamel Jones, Kevin Freeman, Jake Voskuhl
My nephew won a state championship for Maloney! #Spartans
him and I have that in common. Class L state Champ 1999 Tennis
@@LockedOnUConn Salute! He was a WR for the Football team! And I love the show!
DO YOU REMEMBER STACY ARGMAN THATS WHO SOLO BALL REMIND OF
Big Eastbis small Catholic university now. We belong in ACC! Last I remember our biggest rivals were Cuse, Pitt, BC, Duke… Big East is small time! And no ACC school is going to leave to join Big East… rafts just folly!
They are finalizing a deal with FOX/TNT/NBC that will bring almost a billion dollars to the big east.. UConn isn't going anywhere.
@@LockedOnUConn A billion? Pure folly! SEC and B1G combined don’t have that!
dybantsa season :eyes:
If he tops out no diddy I c Westbrook d Wade combo got any body
John Gwynn- cmon
big 12 still courting
I mean it’s fine but who wants to play on The Midwest for the conference tournament
@@LockedOnUConn why not? nothing wrong with playing in the midwest for a conference tourney...
@@carsonc29 nothing like playing in the Mecca! MSG. Hug recruiting aspect too, you wanna be showcased in Omaha or NY
@@LockedOnUConn this is modern bball...you dont need to play in NYC or even a big name school for the NBA to find you or to "showcase" yourself...not to mention the NCAA tournament is played in locations like Omaha, KC and other non NYC type of cities
Stewart yes ! Solo Ball he doesn"t PASS the ball !! Tell me .. hows that going to work ????
Bro he played like 3 min a game lol. How you tell that? Always amazes me we praise Hurley and co about who they love and we don’t trust that they know what their talking about with a guy like
solo. 🤷🏼♂️
..horrible Solo Ball take 😂
@@scee8299 lol