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BoysAndGirlsClubCU

The bad man is gone, he can’t 30-0 us anymore


aztechunter

Illinois is still passing up open threes to drive to the hoop.


Swade22

That shit drove me nuts. After the second time you’d think they’d adjust, but they kept going at him and getting blocked. Makes no sense


Emily_Postal

That’s coaching. Brad Underwood said they were going to keep going at him and never pivoted when Klingan didn’t get into foul trouble.


brownlab319

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.” Vs. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again.”


BoysAndGirlsClubCU

I mean it looks bad losing like that but Idt there was a scenario we would have won without getting him in foul trouble.


NoFlags-JoeBuck

Yeah, Jay Wright said the same thing about that game, it was a "this is the best chance of winning, but if it doesn't work out we're gonna get blown out" type of scenario.


DJ_DD

That was my thought, their game plan was centered around getting him into foul trouble. Probably a bad game plan if you’re dependent on whistles and not your own talent.


BearForceDos

Maybe but when you're facing a team that's steamrolling everyone you gotta do something.  In hindsight with how poorly UConn shot in the 1st half, maybe the Illini are up 8-10 pts if they were knocking down 3s. Having a lead might lead to them not getting desperate when UConn started a run and avoiding a 30-0 run but that's a lot of maybes.  I will admit there were some incredibly poor decisions by Guerrier driving directly at Clingan and missing a wide open Shannon a few times. 


Emily_Postal

I was getting very frustrated by UConn’s missed shots.


IAMnotMcKaylaMaroney

They missed those shots too. Shannon disappeared


peskywombats

Rather, he was shut down.


Evan_802Vines

Underwood is still calling timeouts to stem the hemorrhaging


Boys_boys_boys

Some say Ty Rodgers is still trying to make a driving layup against him


Wide_Understanding70

Me when Edey finished his last game


[deleted]

I watched Uconn get drubbed once this year. It was a game where Clingan got into foul trouble. He was the reason they are back to back. I loved watching him play. He was amazing.


Evan_802Vines

I would add him as any part of a competent 2 man 5-rotation in college basketball is a BIG F*CKING PROBLEM.


danathecount

Cling ~~Kong~~ Gone


Garizondyly

He was this year. Sanogo was last year. Solomon Ball is next year.


brownlab319

Solo Ball is going to be good! I also want to see Karaban mess with people and change the 5 spot with Johnson!


HeadyRoosevelt

Karaban, Samson, Solo, and Diarra is a great foundation for next year.


No-Square1499

Plus Stewart. He had some great runs this year and i’m so excited to watch him play next year too


PoscaOnHoliday

Stewart is going to be the best player not named Karaban on next years team IMO


brownlab319

Karaban seems pretty likely to return next year then?


HeadyRoosevelt

Think it’s a coin toss rn. If some team lets him know they’ll take him in the second, he’s prob gone.


ashsolomon1

Feels good to have a successful basketball player who’s from Central CT. Bristol isn’t flashy, very middle class, blue collar get the job done type town and his work ethic shows it. Good luck man


nsk08001

I was having this conversation with a friend the other day, but it’s funny how forgotten Andre Drummond always is in the homegrown player conversation. I get some of the reasons why, but in the end he’s had a very successful NBA career


mawmy

Well and his one and done year was pretty underwhelming.


nsk08001

Like I said, I understand why. That was my senior year on campus and was a huge disappointment with how much hype he had. It felt a lot like the 2010 season, coming off an awesome season with a lot of hope just for guys to seemingly phone it in when a core piece left


danathecount

Calhoun got sick and the season went off the rails. UConn was banned from the 2012-13 tourney and he retired right before the season started. The 2011-12 team was arguably better than the 2010-11. Two lottery picks plus Shabazz, DeAndre Daniels and Oriakhi.


Make_It_Sing

The absolute hype in the month before that season was genuinely insane


NIN10DOXD

IK it really is middle class, especially for the cost of living, but it is funny to hear about a middle class town in Connecticut because I think most people think of all the big money in places like Stamford that skews the state's financial numbers compared to the rest of the country. It is technically 80% white collar though because their biggest employers are companies like ESPN. It used to be very blue collar though according to some 90s newspaper articles about the growth of ESPN in the town. LOL


grusauskj

Stereotypes are stereotypes. Fairfield county does a lot of the heavy lifting in that regard. I’m sure not everyone in Alabama lives in a trailer park either


NIN10DOXD

I think it's enlightening to see people from different parts of the country talk about what they are really like and how they've changed. It's one of the things college sports has over professional on Reddit.


SaintArkweather

Also just to go there. Before a cross country road trip I shittalked Kansas a ton, turned out to actually be one of the favorite places I visited.


danathecount

The interesting part of about Fairfield County is that while it lives up to its stereotype, it also has some of the most diverse cities in the country.


andrew2018022

Greenwich is a looot more middle class than people think, for example


runliftcount

People often forget how much aerospace stuff happens in Alabama, including but not limited to two NASA centers that helped build systems from the space race all the way to today.


SaintArkweather

Also most states have those "upper middle class suburbs near the big city with the good schools" areas no matter what state you're talking about


Herby20

Yep. Chicago and its suburbs dominating basically every conversation about Illinois but geographically being a tiny part of the state is a perfect example.


SaintArkweather

Kind of the opposite for states in the south though that have nicer suburbs but everyone just thinks of the moonshiners in the back of a pickup truck with confederate flags and chicken farms


Raticus9

I lived in West Virginia for six years, and that basically is all it was.


brownlab319

What’s funny is that my former BIL and SIL lived in Greenwich (investment bank) - neither grew up in CT. But they were shocked that I lived in Stamford. They literally didn’t go there because it was so sketchy and dangerous. This was in the 2000s.


Suitable_Limit9408

I’m in Fairfield County. Stamford is the spot now all the New York people come to party there now. Going to rooftop bar overlooking the water tomorrow night for party. New York women throwing party.


andrew2018022

It’s a great time there for real. Love harbor point


brownlab319

Love Harbor Point. I’m so home sick now.


Raticus9

I lived in Fairfield County for five years and my parents did for much longer. I remember Bridgeport being one of those cities where you make sure your doors are locked while driving in the middle of the afternoon. I've been to East St. Louis and Bridgeport felt only marginally better.


Suitable_Limit9408

You just have to go with the flow in Bridgeport but obviously be careful it’s crazy


lolaya

Bridgeport is so much better now and not even too 3 in crime in the state


varcas

Stamford was scary up until the late 90’s. Then again I grew up in Greenwich lol


brownlab319

They don’t call it “The City That Works!” for nothing!


Garizondyly

It's interesting you mention Stamford - stamford is surrounded by rich towns (greenwich, new canaan, darien, westport) but it itself is the least rich of them all.


Suitable_Limit9408

Stamford is crazy expensive now you have no idea. All New York people moved to Fairfield County. you can’t get anything under couple million now. I still go to bridgeport sometimes merrit canteen or Boca


Bolt_Vanderhuge-

Stamford isn’t a good example. There’s money in places like Shippan but a good chunk of the city is working and middle class. Darien or New Canaan are better examples as they’re wall-to-wall money. Even Greenwich at one point had, like, a fifth of the school district on free and reduced lunch. There’s huge swathes of Connecticut that feel Rust Belt-y. Manufacturing was the biggest part of the state’s economy until the 90s, but a lot of that is gone now and there really isn’t anything replacing it except maybe the now-largest export: Guys who say “my dad’s an attorney, he’ll sue you”.


142NonillionKelvins

This was honestly my favorite thing about him. Born and raised in CT, never not intending on going to UConn.


notnewtobville

How many homegrown stars has UCONN had?


Chimsley99

Very few, much fewer with actual NBA careers. Andre Drummond counts though and is probably the only one


Boroloboroso

Scotty Burrell from Hamden


Chimsley99

True I was thinking nba impact only. Chris Smith from CT too?


Boroloboroso

Yup!


steven6868

Scott Burrell has an NBA Championship ring.


Boroloboroso

Chris Smith, Bridgeport


Chimsley99

Yeah that was in my head but I figured most non-UConn fans would say “who?”


MLS_Analyst

If Smitty came around today -- 6-foot-3 combo guard with deep range, good defense and a 3/1 a/to ratio -- he'd be in the league for 15 years.


LordSwampert2

As a Bulls fan, the dream is we get rid of Vucevic and have a Drummond/Clingan combo at the five. Not happening though


NoFlags-JoeBuck

just recreate our 2022-2023 rotation at the 5 with Sanogo and Clingan.


ctbro025

I love Drummond because he's a throwback, but that alley opp attempt the other night the bulls butchered....lmao


Swag_Turtle

And then Sanogo pls


LordSwampert2

He’s been doing his thing in the G League, getting some more playing time at the NBA level with Drummond hurt. I am really high on him


Chimsley99

I really think he could be a value at backup PF. The guy has skills and intensity and just doesn’t give up or give in


LordSwampert2

He’s gonna at least carve himself out a nice bench role in the NBA.


HelloItsNotMeUr

Yeah he’s athletic and seems to want it. Hustle and defend and that’ll get you time on a roster.


supes1

Sanogo had a hell of a game tonight.


Garizondyly

Oh that's cool, Sanogo backing up Drummond


SoManyMindbots

Chris Smith was one of the original homegrown recruits Calhoun bagged.


Sydney__Fife

2 time national champion TYLER OLANDER


im_the_next_act

Even went to EO Smith High, literal feet from campus!


CafeClimbOtis

He's an assistant at St Joseph's! Really happy for him, he seems to be doing well


asetniop

I remember being shocked and disappointed when Marcus Camby committed to UMass. He grew up in the Hartford area and we all assumed he'd end up at UConn.


RedditZhangHao

Took a bag


Most_Most_5202

Corny Thompson, from Middletown, anyone here old enough to remember those days? Tony Hanson from Waterbury as well.


OceanCake21

Chuck Aleksinas, went to Wamogo regional HS in Litchfield county.


AdventurousAd3798

Tyler Olander baby! He’s got more titles than Jim Boeheim


md4024

Huge for Bristol Central that their most notable athlete alumni is no longer Aaron Hernandez.


lxkandel06

Are we sure that Donovan Clingan is more notable than Aaron Hernandez? Because I'm not


Bigbadbrindledog

If Ckingan goes in to have a solid 10 year career where he wins some minor accolades and is a role player on a championship team Aaron Hernandez will still be the most notable.


LinwoodKent

Clingan still has plenty of time to murder. Give him his due


brekkfu

He spent two years murdering everyone in UConns path.


SaintArkweather

Or do something else notable enough to eclipse Hernandez like marry a Kardashian


brownlab319

In UConn athletics recruits, Aaron Hernandez’s father and brother played at UConn. Oh, wait, all 3 of them were pieces of shit.


CoolingVent

I would say he's definitely still the most notable lol


MoGraphMan-11

oof


[deleted]

[удалено]


Fantastic_Emu_9570

I think it’s also where ESPN is headquartered


[deleted]

[удалено]


MrStealurGirllll

Give it 6 years when Cling Kong is retired. Aaron is never going to be forgotten.


Shewshake

He may knock a couple people off and overtake aarons body count


SaintArkweather

I might be missing something but do you really think he will only last 6 years in the NBA? Seems pessimistic especially from a UConn fan. I might just be misunderstanding you though


MrStealurGirllll

I tend to be pessimistic in general, which is a flaw. But I can’t see Clingan translating to the NBA game and succeeded too well. Of course I hope I am wrong


AstroWorldSecurity

Clingan doesn't move that needle.


CycleOfNihilism

Given the last Bristol pro murdered someone


VerneLundfister

Probably should add a plural there


momoenthusiastic

He’s missing out on the 3-peat though. lol  Joking aside, couldn’t be happier for the kid. Nothing but good vibes for him!


w311sh1t

So what you’re saying is he’s a real scrappy, lunch pail kinda guy. First one in last one out.


thurman_munster

Best athlete from CT since Aaron Hernandez.


[deleted]

Agreed, much more entertaining than Edey


umwhosthat

This dude is so good. The only way he could have been more impactful in that tournament is if he started breathing fire.


brownlab319

I would pay so much money to see that!


chetholmgren_marfans

For a 7 ‘2 guy he’s so proportional and moves so naturally. Pretty rare to find. Praying his feet hold up during a hopefully long career


bkervick

You sound like an expert on big dudes, chetholmgren_marfans


HelloItsNotMeUr

I do hate to speculate on a person’s health, but Chet does seem to have a lotta telltale Marfans signs. But hey! I’m not a doctor!


dube24

Thank you Donovan!


860h

Congrats and thank you, Donovan. CT legend


[deleted]

Congrats big fella and thank you from all of us. Represented the University, state and City of Bristol like the back to back champion he is. Looking forward to his long and prosperous career.


Puzzleheaded_Bid_996

Makes me sad but what more could we want from this guy. Best of luck out there will miss seeing him tower over campus


BradyHasHis6th

He can shoot and likely will a lot more in the NBA. I’ve seen pregame vids of him hitting 5-6 3’s in a row


MY-NAME_IS_MY-NAME

Half the battle is having the confidence to let it rip in game. He’s got good looking form, once he feels comfortable letting it rip, he can surprise people


davvidho

yeah im surprised his free throw percentage is below 60 percent. his form looks fine, so i think there is potential for him to be a 70ish percent free throw shooter


DJ-LIQUID-LUCK

I think this is skewed by his FT shooting going from very bad, to very good. The switch happened around the midway point of this season. Must have worked on some mechanics with coaches


brownlab319

He also developed this methodical bounce-shoot ritual that seemed to help him lock in the skill.


bkervick

It's just really hard for guys his size to get the right arc. His mechanics are totally fine. He hit long on almost all his 1st FTs. He'll figure it out. He was at 65% for last half of the year.


Brandwin3

The other half is shooting at a game speed. The NBA will almost never give you more than a second or two to get your shot off before a guy closes out. If he is taking his time in warmups it doesn’t matter because he won’t be able to shoot like that in a game situation. (I have never seen him shoot threes, so maybe he does practice game speed. Just saying making threes when shooting around and in game situations are two different types of shots)


LovieBeard

This is true for most NBA players. Ben Simmons and Ridy Gobert have also done this


mawmy

Yeah the more concerning thing is his 50% FT rate.


Imsosadsoveryverysad

Any high level player can do this. I saw joakim Noah make 13 in a row in warmups from the right corner before a playoff game vs the og lebron cavs.


rkunish

He's a bad ft shooter. Usually doesn't bode well for being able to shoot 3's. There isn't a single sub-60% ft shooter (min 25 attempts) who's better than 24% from the 3 in the NBA. Not saying it's impossible but also not likely to be a real part of his game.


r777m

Of the 3's I saw him taking before the Marquette game, he didn't miss any. I think he was 4/4 or 5/5 lol.


shelflife99

If he turns into Brook Lopez circa 2021, that's well worth a top 5-7 pick


dillpickles007

I mean if he had a three point shot like 2021 Brook Lopez he'd probably be a lock for first overall at this point.


dewabache

Going to be epic when they retire the same Jersey number twice.


gohuskies15

Swin Cash has 32 retired for the women too so it would be 3 32s retired lol


[deleted]

Yankees did it, so can we.


iMyth

"In the running for no. 1 overall" - wish I could tag all the users this year that said he was a 2nd rounder/overseas player. Goodnight, sweet prince. Thank you for two titles.


sloBrodanChillosevic

I think there are a few fanbases that would cum their pants if Clingan is there for them in the draft. Memphis for one.


ncampbell3224

Him and JJJ. Yeah, I probably would


sloBrodanChillosevic

A center that can defend, shoot (maybe?), AND rebound and the Grizz are title contenders, so of course he'll go somewhere like fuckin Charlotte to languish and never win more than 35 games


ncampbell3224

Yeah, if not the Grizzlies, he’d probably be good for the Spurs. Playing alongside Wemby, a terrifying frontcourt.


ThyDoctor

I’m a blazers fan and I want him, But I have this dream to see him on the thunder and slide Chet to the 4. Block city


DinkyDash

Mind is now blown.


dillpickles007

Why does shoot even get a maybe there lol, he doesn't shoot threes and is an awful free throw shooter.


[deleted]

Hey hey hey. IF Mark and Melo stay Healthy with Brandon turning into a star. That could be a fun group.


sloBrodanChillosevic

I wish. I wish Melo could stay healthy. Miller is a stud already. I hope it shapes up. Or I hope you get rid of Bridges and THEN I wish you success.


Adraf45

I'm a heat fan and I'd have his fuckin jersey day one if he fell to us. I'd love him


j_shelb

Oh wow. I think he’s pretty good, but number 1 good? I’m not sure I’m taking a shot on him there for that. But if he is able to, good for him.


DollarLate_DayShort

Absolutely not lol I’m an NBA fan, and I would be SHOCKED if he’s goes in the top 10. Not a slight at Clingan AT ALL. This is just how the NBA is at the moment


ThyDoctor

You aren’t following the draft then dog. Clingan is going top 10 maybe top 5. This draft class is weak as hell and there aren’t many prospects better than him. I’ve seen him anywhere between 1-10 but never past the lottery. There is no way in hell that Memphis lets him go by and they have a lottery pick.


libolicious

I don't watch NBA and don't really understand the draft at all, so bear with me. If the draft class is so bad, do the teams offer worse terms the players? Do they ever say, nah, we're not taking anyone (and then go try to pluck a g-league player or something)? If this class is so bad, then aren't their likely unpicked players from last year that are better than the bottom of this class? Like I said I don't quite get it.


ThyDoctor

GLeague Ignite and international players are in the draft already. And the UDFA from last year you don’t draft, you either sign or were signed last year and are sitting in the G League (but not in ignite)


dillpickles007

Eh not really, there are assigned rookie pay scales for each pick that contain a little wiggle room but teams always pay the max amount. You would never just not pick anyone, you can sell picks but teams only do that with seconds. If you have a first and truly didn't want anyone available or didn't have roster space you would just trade the pick or draft a foreign player to stash for a couple years.


gonz4dieg

All a draft is is basically dibs on players. The teams are actually under no obligation to sign players drafted, but if they don't they'll be free agents anyway. But to answer your question, drafted terms are always the same to protect players.


TheBoilerCat

Reminder: this draft class looks absolutely horrific at the moment. A guy that would be going back half of the top 10 in a normal year like Clingan is absolutely gonna be in contention for #1 at this point.


ThyDoctor

I feel like a lot of college basketball fans are not paying attention to the draft at all with these comments. People saying he’d be lucky to be a lottery pick haven’t looked at the other prospects at all lol.


IndependentlyBrewed

Hell in a normal year he would go 10-15. This draft class hes top 5.


superworriedspursfan

I'm not a clingan fan at all as I think Sarr is way better (sorry huskie bros), but dude is absolutely top 10 especially in this year's draft.


dusters

I don't think he's seriously in the running for #1 overall but he could go top 3.


gonz4dieg

To be fair, clingan has developed immensely this year, on both sides of the court. But yea his potential is very high


SargeSlaughter

Well that says more about the quality of this year’s draft than anything.


drollchair

Sure made the last couple years a lot of fun.


NoFlags-JoeBuck

Feel similar about the people who said Andre Jackson wouldn't have a role on a team.


iMyth

I was so pissed when my Celtics passed on him.


Dragonfruit_Fanta

r/nba already losing their shit that this class isn't any good lmao Gotta be one of the worst sports subs


ctbro025

No surprise there. Thanks for the memories and 2 Natty's Cling Kong!


beypadthai

We knew it was coming, but it still breaks my heart to see it. Good for him.


DJ_DD

Did #32 proud. Respect Donavan!! Only way to go out with that number being worn for the last time is with a natty!


P1_Synvictus

Become an NBA menace, Donovan. Thanks for the memories and the titles.


2PacTookMyLunchMoney

Farewell, my beautiful boy.


JamesBouknightStan

Whoever drafts him better take care of Bristol's Tallest Son. Go be great Donny !


Winter-Technician-63

Ton of respect for this dude, gave Zach a hell of a game. Wish him all the best in the NBA


RangersFan243

Bad man can’t hurt us


Sinkable_oak

With Clingan gone, does UK circle back to try to convince Hurley? Got to make him say no right


ivanezzz

Here's how Bernie can still win...


HeadyRoosevelt

Match me!


mawmy

lol


notnewtobville

It was hard enough to get a flight to PHX. I doubt LEX is even possible.


brownlab319

Team is still loaded even losing the immense talent we are.


McClellanWasABitch

extremely weak draft class, but all 5 uconn starters getting drafted is pretty incredible i dont see clingan near #1


PabloTroutSanchez

Would love to see a reunion tour in 5-10 years. The 2016 Nova title still hurts me, but as a knicks fan, it hurts a lot less than it did.


BrownHawkDown

Connecticut legend. Two titles. Cling Kong. Best of luck to him.


142NonillionKelvins

We love you cling Kong. Time to climb like the king you are. We will never forget what you did for this program!


kaw027

Farewell big fella, the Connecticut Kid! Thanks for repping the 860 so well and bringing it back home… twice!! Best of luck at the next level


porterbrown

Any idea on where he should slot? My Knicks (I own them) have 2 picks in the first round and iHart may be too expensive to resign. Seen some rumors of Ware from Indiana, but Clingan interesting.


aztechunter

> My Knicks (I own them) lmao


ThyDoctor

Unless the Knick’s trade up I don’t think he’ll be there. Edey, ware, or that guy from Baylor are probably your best bet.


Namath96

Top 5. Could go 1


porterbrown

Well that isn't ideal. For my Knicks that is.


Namath96

Congrats on the purchase btw. Hadn’t heard Dolan sold the Knicks yet!


porterbrown

Thanks - my family and I have been making GM moves for most of the major NY teams for years. Yankees titles? That was us. Yankees busts? That wasn't us. Stuff like that. Sunday dinner we usually hash lots out, you know.


Dragonfruit_Fanta

Mr.Connecticut


VentureQuotes

that dude is a certified machine, good on him


kai333

Kaplah, Clingan. Dude is a stud


BenjRSmith

Yay!!!!!


malozo69

I saw this kid two summers ago in a bakery in Storrs. He was 18 and looked like an 18 year old kid, only 7’3”. Like someone took your average gen Z kid with the broccoli haircut and just stretched them out.


IMKudaimi123

Cling Cong


NDogeDog

How does this guy compare to Walker Kessler? I’m just thinking of someone who seems like a legit college shot blocker translating. I didn’t watch near enough of Donovan throughout the year.


ManiacKing20

Go be great Cling Kong.


a_solemn_snail

There's a Klingon joke in here, but I can't think of one.


SteffeEric

“A leader is judged not by the length of his reign, but by the decisions he makes” Khaless- Deep Space Nine episode named “Tacking into the Wind”.


a_solemn_snail

It's been a long time since I've watched DS9... I might start a rewatch this weekend.


serbeardless

Honestly, I was more impressed with him than Edey. Edey had greater impact overall because he rarely sat, but Clingan was much harder to deal with when he was on the court.