15-5 could easily be 16-4. If you asked me for that record at the 20 game mark before the season...

[DogMania]

...I'd sign up for that big time!!!

They could have easily have won the Marquette game, but even at 15-5 (5-3 in the BE) is pretty darn good. They could easily go 6-4 or even 7-3 down the stretch where they end up 22-8 or 23-9. I can't remember our record last season, which I thought was a more talented team, but I'd say that either of those two records outdo what we saw last year.

I think they can get Ws against: @SJU, @SH, Nova, @DePaul, GU, @USF, PC

Likely losses against: SU and UC (H & A)

I would not be shocked if they lose a game or two from the top list and win one of the games in that 2nd list.

Now none of the games in the first list are slam dunk Ws. They could hit a wall. It wouldn't be the first time we saw that happen in the 2nd half to 2/3rds of the season, after a solid start in conference play. I just think this team is mentally tough and finds ways to both stay in games and win some that most think they shouldn't.

Too bad we won't get to see them play in the post season. I would have loved to see how far they could go in the BET. I don't think they have enough to overcome the problems they have in the post to go far in either tourney, but I feel robbed that we won't find out one way or the other.

 

[mauconnfan]

Gritty and plucky year by this team. Tough schedule unlike other higher ranked teams in the Big East who fill the cupcake molds...........

http://syracusefan.com/threads/uconn.42583/

Somebody let these guys know we are now one game behind.....there really can't be a less informed group of fans in the USA, they are a pitiful but funny crew!!!...full thread on a "MAC team"....not sure we ever had one here?!?!?

"But they have more players in the NBA....." and they have only 2 more NC's than us!! ........can't teach morons can you? Having said that we will have trouble with their zone if So Florida gave us trouble. Maybe not though because Fair got 3 rebounds yesterday vs that tough Pitt team and Christmas, what a stud. Another groomed big man from the Orange lol........

 

[Kitaman]

Quite honestly with the close victories, opponents late missed shots, and OTs we could also be 11-8. Some of our wins have been so damn 'either way' close.

Its some good karma we are riding on. This team I believe is starting to show late game confidence, and fight like hell with all of our limitations. Its got to be the Ollie effect. I don't think quick hooks, temper tantrums and bellowing in your face instructions would work with this squad. Ollie is pushing buttons his way and its effective.

 

[Hoophound]

This team wasn't supposed to be 15-5. This team doesn't know how to rebound, it doesn't know how to close out on deadly 3 point shooters, it doesn't have much of a front court and it doesn't have size in the backcourt.

What This team has is guts and heart. It has confidence and self respect. Kevin Ollie put it there. They win because Kevin has taught them how. I am thrilled with KO. I don't care if we need OT to beat USF and PC, we won, yet again.

 

[Ricky1Moore]

They also have Napier and he's pretty damn good

 

[upstater]

I'm seriously never going to forgive Aresco from insisting UConn play in the BET.

 

[champs99and04]

Quite honestly with the close victories, opponents late missed shots, and OTs we could also be 11-8. Some of our wins have been so damn 'either way' close.

Its some good karma we are riding on. This team I believe is starting to show late game confidence, and fight like hell with all of our limitations. Its got to be the Ollie effect. I don't think quick hooks, temper tantrums and bellowing in your face instructions would work with this squad. Ollie is pushing buttons his way and its effective.

I hear you, but we could also be 19-1. The Marquette, Pittsburgh, New Mexico, and N.C. State games came down to the final minutes.

 

[DogMania]

This team wasn't supposed to be 15-5. This team doesn't know how to rebound, it doesn't know how to close out on deadly 3 point shooters, it doesn't have much of a front court and it doesn't have size in the backcourt.

What This team has is guts and heart. It has confidence and self respect. Kevin Ollie put it there. They win because Kevin has taught them how. I am thrilled with KO. I don't care if we need OT to beat USF and PC, we won, yet again.

One thing that they do well most of the time, is defend. Last year's bigger and more talented team would get beat down the court in transition time after time and threaded often in the half-court.

This year's team is not very good with most of the above that you mentioned, but are solid defensively most of the time. I can't remember if last year's team had horrible scoring droughts, but this year's team hasn't been prone to that. Now they've had some bad halves in a handful of games, but for the most part they score throughout the game at a consistent enough clip to stay in games.

They seem to know how to finish games well even though they have their share of squanders. That last possession with plenty of time to get off a good shot (Bazz takes a rushed and highly contested deep 3) has happened a few times. But all in all, they seem to make more plays during winning time than their opponent.

I'm not sure I agree with you about closing out on deadly 3 point shooters. All teams have lapses on that from time to time. It's not like we're getting torched night after night by that. I can remember in the past, certain guards going over the screen instead of ducking under it to stay with deep shooters. I don't recall this happening regularly this season. They've played very good help-D and some surprisingly good 2-3 zone D as well. Times they did get torched, were usually against bigger, stronger and more talented teams. Pitt had their way with us for one half. UL dices us up good in both transition and in the half-court in the 2nd half of their game.

All in all, for a clearly undermanned team, KO has gotten the most out of this team and I'm thrilled they're winning regardless if it takes OT against weak teams or not. As long as they win most of the games they should and steal a few they weren't expected to win, it's a highly successful season.

 

[TheChamps990411]

15-5 at this point in the season? ill take it! ollie has done an OUTSTANDING job with this team. this is not a very talented team lets face it but we have one of the toughest sos in the country and to be sitting on this record at this point speaks volumes about coach ollie. the fact we`ve won so many close games shows ollie knows how to coach in crunch time and his kids know how to respond.
i cant wait to see what ollie can do with a loaded squad.

 

[CTBasketball]

I really enjoy reading the Syracuse board. I get a real good laugh.


"San Francisco has more NCAA titles than us as well. It doesn't get me bothered."

 

[kelde1wd]

I am very pleased with this team. I had preseason hopes of a .500 winning % this year, and unless they call off a cliff, they will easily exceed that record. Besides the slow start, one thing jumped out at me today. DD looked slow on defense when on the perimeter. He was beaten a couple times and the result was an easy bucket. It could be that the guy was jus quicker, or it could be DD was a little slow today. Hadn't noticed that before today.

But I digress. This season has been great to watch. I have enjoyed it so much more than last year, and this team was supposed to have lesser talent. Just goes to prove that heart and will can make up for any lacking talent.

 

[CTBasketball]

One thing I got from today's game: Boatright played horrible all around.

And Kevin Ollie prefers Olander than Wolf.

 

[upstater]

One thing I got from today's game: Boatright played horrible all around.

And Kevin Ollie prefers Olander than Wolf.

Olander played much better than Wolf today.

 

[imno1]

One thing I got from today's game: Boatright played horrible all around.

And Kevin Ollie prefers Olander than Wolf.

Uh that 2 things
RB didn't have his best game today but 17 pts 5 rebs is not too shabby

 

[gtcam]

Gritty and plucky year by this team. Tough schedule unlike other higher ranked teams in the Big East who fill the cupcake molds...........

http://syracusefan.com/threads/uconn.42583/

Somebody let these guys know we are now one game behind.....there really can't be a less informed group of fans in the USA, they are a pitiful but funny crew!!!...full thread on a "MAC team"....not sure we ever had one here?!?!?

"But they have more players in the NBA....." and they have only 2 more NC's than us!! ........can't teach morons can you? Having said that we will have trouble with their zone if So Florida gave us trouble. Maybe not though because Fair got 3 rebounds yesterday vs that tough Pitt team and Christmas, what a stud. Another groomed big man from the Orange lol........

Read the comments on that Syacuse blog - while there are contributers on the boneyard who say bonehead things- 90% of the stuff there is plain childish - been going to the BE tournament for years and can honestly say the most inane and uninformed fans are SU and mosy arrgant (with no reason) are ND and Pitt

 

[upstater]

Read the comments on that Syacuse blog - while there are contributers on the boneyard who say bonehead things- 90% of the stuff there is plain childish - been going to the BE tournament for years and can honestly say the most inane and uninformed fans are SU and mosy arrgant (with no reason) are ND and Pitt

I agree with you on Pitt, they are low class. But the Cuse fans at the garden are usually great--totally unlike the psychos on the Cuse board. In face, I often sit near Cuse fans and they seem most like the UConn fans. The G'town fans just generally sneer at people as though they are beneath contempt. Pitt fans are easily the worst of the bunch, though they always make a good showing. By and large, I really only see Pitt, Cuse, UConn and G'town fans, though Ville's fans came out in force last year.

 

[UConnDan97]

I predicted that we would be good this year, so I'm feeling pretty smart right now (as opposed to every other day). It sucks that we are a Cadougan three-pointer away from not only being in first place in the Big East, but also controlling our own destiny. As it stands now, we will need some help to grab the regular season title, and of course....we'll have to keep winning...

 

[Huskies4ever]

Gritty and plucky year by this team. Tough schedule unlike other higher ranked teams in the Big East who fill the cupcake molds...........

http://syracusefan.com/threads/uconn.42583/

Somebody let these guys know we are now one game behind.....there really can't be a less informed group of fans in the USA, they are a pitiful but funny crew!!!...full thread on a "MAC team"....not sure we ever had one here?!?!?

"But they have more players in the NBA....." and they have only 2 more NC's than us!! ........can't teach morons can you? Having said that we will have trouble with their zone if So Florida gave us trouble. Maybe not though because Fair got 3 rebounds yesterday vs that tough Pitt team and Christmas, what a stud. Another groomed big man from the Orange lol........

That thread is called penis envy.

I particularly like the pabst blue ribbon reference. These guys are the UK fans of the north. I wouldn't be surprised if they are all having sexual relations with their sisters, and have no teeth.

Oh, and they obviously know nothing about college basketball.

3-1

 

[Ts5034]

I agree that its all jealousy over at the Syracuse board. Its not even worth our time here to even talk about it. The facts are the facts and they just cant get over it.

 

[OkaForPrez]

They finally escorted me out on the other side of the orange wall. I didn't think I pushed it too far. Oh well, probably did me a favor.

 

[zls44]

"San Francisco has more NCAA titles than us as well. It doesn't get me bothered."

COUGHbullshit

 

[mauconnfan]

They finally escorted me out on the other side of the orange wall. I didn't think I pushed it too far. Oh well, probably did me a favor.

You've been a fair poster over there OFP.......shows the childish overall opinion of UConn which, whether they will ever admit it or not, is complete and utter jealousy. It is amazing they make the PC board look like college basketball intellects!!!