Donnie Freeman in the portal

[GHLF]

I don’t know about Autry, but I’m sure via Luke Murray that Hurley has been hitting up Brendan Straughn to get the run down on Donnie. Hurley even with 2 national championships and a 3rd championship game appearance has never had a player with the ceiling that Donnie has (he’s not even close to reaching it) and he has had some amazing players that him and his staff has developed. Stephon Castle was a top 10 guy, but Donnie was an unfinished Power Forward in the top 10. Like if they get him to breakout, he looks like a genius. If not, he better have backup plans to mitigate the damage (I’m sure he is thinking of those with every other move he is planning). Also just interesting timing for Hurley, he doesn’t just lose Luke Murray, but Alex Karban which has been the glue guy of the resurgence for UConn. He already has a great legacy, but I think he knows the next 4 years are even more important, even if he doesn’t replicate the same level of success, but a few final fours or big east championships, will go along way with how people will revere him in history and these last 4 years weren’t just a lightning in a bottle time with an all time assistant coach and players.

I really don't know DF's ceiling, He has been injured, has not gotten any stronger. He sort of gets manhandled. If he can stronger improve his defense on the block as well as help, continue to improve his outside shot and develop a stronger inside presence with foul percentage we would see. Then stay injury free. That would literally tell me he needs improvement in every area of the game. I am not saying he can't do it, I hope he gets nasty and stays injury free and we will see. I think it was good for both parties long game

 

[richard levy]

William Kyle - Red gave him the chance to play and he had his best rebounding, blocks and steal #’s for his career.

I wouldn't say Kyle got better. If you look at his career numbers by year, his per minute averages across the board were very consistent. Red did give him an opportunity, however

 

[granthath9]

Kentucky for Donnie. No surprises.

 

[sufan59]

A trend of some of our former players including Nait George and looking like Donnie Freeman playing for hot seat coaches.

 

[RF2044]

Kentucky for Donnie. No surprises.

I hate UK.

But better there than Uconn.

 

[Orangezoo]

I hate UK.

But better there than Uconn.

Honestly UConn would have been 1000x better for him. Pope isn’t the guy to get the best out of Donnie like he needs. That said he will get a nice paycheck.

 

[sufan59]

Honestly UConn would have been 1000x better for him. Pope isn’t the guy to get the best out of Donnie like he needs. That said he will get a nice paycheck.

This

 

[Cheriehoop]

I wouldn't say Kyle got better. If you look at his career numbers by year, his per minute averages across the board were very consistent. Red did give him an opportunity, however

Sorry I disagree, I doubt if he didn’t have the year he did at SU, he wouldn’t have earned a pre draft workout with the Knicks. Kyle himself said this past year at SU was a redemption year for him. For the stats I noted specifically in my post - rebounds, steals and blocks, he had his 4 year career highs this past year at Syracuse. He also played his highest minutes per game here. Another good comparison would be to look at his stats for 40 minutes.

William Kyle’s redemption year at Syracuse: ‘I didn’t know if I’d go to another high-major school’

Syracuse wanted William Kyle two years ago, but didn't have the budget to get him. After a lost year at UCLA, Syracuse got another chance at the athletic center.

www.syracuse.com

William Kyle III College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

William Kyle III - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

 

[granthath9]

I hate UK.

But better there than Uconn.

Honestly UConn would have been 1000x better for him. Pope isn’t the guy to get the best out of Donnie like he needs. That said he will get a nice paycheck.

Agree with both of you. Sounds like he was just chasing the money. He would’ve been a potential All American with Danny in my eyes.

 

[Newhouser]

He's going to have to increase his effort and toughness a ton. Every night that league is a battle.

 

[Orangezoo]

Agree with both of you. Sounds like he was just chasing the money. He would’ve been a potential All American with Danny in my eyes.

I don’t think with his foot AA was in the cards but absolutely on an All BE 1st team.

 

[atlanticuse]

I wouldn't say Kyle got better. If you look at his career numbers by year, his per minute averages across the board were very consistent. Red did give him an opportunity, however

We all loved WKIII, but his efficiency numbers were never great - only between 1.4 and 2.37 - over his career.

Blame the game (team), not the player? Maybe.
But the whole team of 5 on court can be driven by 1 or 2 guys. Coached well.

 

[Cusefan0307]

He’s just going for the biggest check if he goes there. I realize that’s what a lot of guys do, but never thought he was a UConn player.

 

[FloridaCuse]

Apparently Kentucky is not a done deal for Donnie, yet. Many reports on X/Twitter that Donnie is visiting UConn on Saturday. It's possible Kentucky may be bringing in someone else. No reliable sources on X/Twitter to post.

 

[im4cuse]

He's going to have to increase his effort and toughness a ton. Every night that league is a battle.

Don’t think those weak ass fall aways gonna cut it.

 

[PauliePeppas]

Apparently Kentucky is not a done deal for Donnie, yet. Many reports on X/Twitter that Donnie is visiting UConn on Saturday. It's possible Kentucky may be bringing in someone else. No reliable sources on X/Twitter to post.

Id bet on Uconn

 

[Scott11]

I feel like I'm the only one on this board who feels this way, but if we had kept Donnie along with all the new additions I'd feel much better about our roster. I would have loved for the new staff to have coached him and to have seen what they could have gotten out of him.

 

[Cheriehoop]

I feel like I'm the only one on this board who feels this way, but if we had kept Donnie along with all the new additions I'd feel much better about our roster. I would have loved for the new staff to have coached him and to have seen what they could have gotten out of him.

I agree but I do wonder at what NIL cost it would have taken. I can’t blame him for looking for $ if as reported he took a lower amount last year hoping sacrificing some $ would have lead to more wins.

 

[Sbucketball]

I feel like I'm the only one on this board who feels this way, but if we had kept Donnie along with all the new additions I'd feel much better about our roster. I would have loved for the new staff to have coached him and to have seen what they could have gotten out of him.

I agree as of now. We need a star and maybe he could have been a star under gmac. Hopefully we get a better one with the 3m he wanted and gerry doesn't regret that. With that said I totally get letting him walk over that money, with his injury history, and his play style. Hope when we're looking back in hindsight it was the right move. We'll see what happens here.

 

[sufan59]

I feel like I'm the only one on this board who feels this way, but if we had kept Donnie along with all the new additions I'd feel much better about our roster. I would have loved for the new staff to have coached him and to have seen what they could have gotten out of him.

If we lost Sadiq, sure. It only makes sense to keep one. I think we kept the better fit. Maybe not the player with the highest ceiling, but the better fit. Sadiq has a high ceiling as well.

 

[orangepassion]

I feel like I'm the only one on this board who feels this way, but if we had kept Donnie along with all the new additions I'd feel much better about our roster. I would have loved for the new staff to have coached him and to have seen what they could have gotten out of him.

You are not the only one

 

[Cuseball]

If we lost Sadiq, sure. It only makes sense to keep one. I think we kept the better fit. Maybe not the player with the highest ceiling, but the better fit. Sadiq has a high ceiling as well.

If you believe that Sadiq got less than $1M and Donnie is looking for $2M+ then its a no brainer to let Donnie go and build with White. Even if that difference is closer, I think White really fits what GMAC is trying to do. Donnie has tons of talent and I wish him well but have some doubts about his motor and ability to make others better.

Cuse!

 

[STEVEHOLT]

The headliner of the Autry era. If it were to work out we never would’ve made a coaching change. Yeah Donnie put up some numbers, but was never the leader and program role model that was needed and probably expected for a recruit of his calliber to deliver Red successful results. So yeah of course he isn’t going to make it through a coaching change. Would be stunned if Syracuse attempted and successfully flips him back. For Donnie, I’m choosing the hard coach and maybe lesser play and promises option on a good team versus a continuation of his situation similar to the Cuse even if the pay check is a little bit more. He has all the tools in the world to be the real deal, he needs an old school coach to unlock it. Rick Pitino would do wonders for him if Pitino opened the door. My own honest opinion. I don’t think Pope and Kentucky is going to change his trajectory even though I don’t think he will be THE featured player with Pope.

“Lead Su in scoring and rebounding despite missing 9 games” ….goes on to list rate stats that don’t depend at all on how many games you played

 

[Sbucketball]

If you believe that Sadiq got less than $1M and Donnie is looking for $2M+ then its a no brainer to let Donnie go and build with White. Even if that difference is closer, I think White really fits what GMAC is trying to do. Donnie has tons of talent and I wish him well but have some doubts about his motor and ability to make others better.

Cuse!

My understanding is that Donnie wanted roughly 3x what Sadiq wanted.

I like Sadiq. My concern is fouling out. We need a competent back up.

 

[alexd.]

He's visiting Storrs tomorrow.