2014 Priorities

[Tenspro2002]

I'd rather reproduce a Jake Voskuhl or Josh Boone.

It took Thabeet 3 years to be a legitimate contributor on both ends of the floor, and Calhoun basically sold out that generation of players for Thabeet's development. Fortunately both he and the team blossomed in time to become a Final Four contender, but I'd rather not sacrifice two years on the hope that a project develops into a stud.

 

[mauconnfan]

Not sure I see a "project" in Chukwu even as a junior in HS never mind with another full year of improvement!

 

[Rico444]

I'd rather reproduce a Jake Voskuhl or Josh Boone.

It took Thabeet 3 years to be a legitimate contributor on both ends of the floor, and Calhoun basically sold out that generation of players for Thabeet's development. Fortunately both he and the team blossomed in time to become a Final Four contender, but I'd rather not sacrifice two years on the hope that a project develops into a stud.

Sacrifice two years? Hasheem won Big East DPOY his sophomore year, averaged 10 pts, 8 rebounds, 4.5 blocks and shot 60% from the field. He was 2nd team all Big East.. what exactly were you expecting from him?

I'll give you that he wasn't very good his freshman year, but Emeka Okafor in his prime wasn't taking us to the NCAAs. We went 17-14 and weren't invited to ANY postseason tournament.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

It took Thabeet 3 years to be a legitimate contributor on both ends of the floor, and Calhoun basically sold out that generation of players for Thabeet's development. Fortunately both he and the team blossomed in time to become a Final Four contender, but I'd rather not sacrifice two years on the hope that a project develops into a stud.

I have no idea what this means. Thabeet's second year was a successful one for the entire team (right until AJ Price got hurt) and was a pretty good indication of what was coming in 2009. No idea what you're talking about.

 

[UConNation]

UConn teams of the 90s and early to mid-2000s were known for their size, physicality, and shot blocking ability. We all know that. It seems like the last few years we've been recruiting PG/SGs a little too heavily. There's no doubt that we've done a pretty good job of it, but I want to see a return to the days where no one dared to enter the paint against us (not to mention we almost never had games where we got out rebounded by 10+... which happened regularly last year). Bottom line is this. We're starting a new conference next year and I'd like to see UConn on top of it and defining what kind of basketball will be played in it. I know KO is a great recruiter, but I'd like to see him focus more on SF/PF/C.

 

[UConNation]

At a minimum, it would be great to get a four to five star big and guard.
Who they will be depends upon what the player wants and whether Coach Ollie thinks they would have ten toes in.
It seems like UConn is listed by 20-30 players, so hopefully that is a good prognostic sign.

We get listed by 20-30 ESPN 100 players every year this time of the year. It's too early to know which way they're leaning.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I'd like to lock up hill,gant, and chuckwu now if possible. Than add Joseph to that and that's a dream 2014 class

 

[husky99]

I'd like to lock up hill,gant, and chuckwu now if possible. Than add Joseph to that and that's a dream 2014 class

black also

 

[upstater]

I'd rather reproduce a Jake Voskuhl or Josh Boone.

It took Thabeet 3 years to be a legitimate contributor on both ends of the floor, and Calhoun basically sold out that generation of players for Thabeet's development. Fortunately both he and the team blossomed in time to become a Final Four contender, but I'd rather not sacrifice two years on the hope that a project develops into a stud.

The Thabeet I remember was a force like no other in the country in both his sophomore and junior seasons. At this point, I think it's safe to say we need to temper our expectations.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Maybe I'm not giving Thabeet enough credit for what he did sophomore year, but I remember him being a liability on the offensive end.

Either way, it's safe to say Calhoun staked the 2007-2009 teams to Thabeet's development, and if he had come up short that entire 3-year span would have been a waste.

I'd rather get more of a sure thing than a project in the frontcourt.

 

[aceboon]

Maybe I'm not giving Thabeet enough credit for what he did sophomore year, but I remember him being a liability on the offensive end.

Either way, it's safe to say Calhoun staked the 2007-2009 teams to Thabeet's development, and if he had come up short that entire 3-year span would have been a waste.

I'd rather get more of a sure thing than a project in the frontcourt.

What do you mean by this comment? Who else was he supposed to play at C? Mandeldove, Curtis Kelly, or Gavin Edwards? Thabeet was better than all 3 of those guys despite his limitations on offense. His sophomore year UConn was a top 4 team in the BE and they were a 4 seed in the tourney. Who knows what would've happen if AJ didn't blow his knee out but its not like UConn wasn't a very successful team 2 out of Thabeet's 3 years.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Either way, it's safe to say Calhoun staked the 2007-2009 teams to Thabeet's development, and if he had come up short that entire 3-year span would have been a waste.

Still not making any sense. The 2007 team struggled, the 2008 was very good, and the 2009 team was really good. It was virtually the same group of players on all three teams, and those guys collectively got better during those three years - none more than Thabeet. How could that era have been a waste?

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

Still not making any sense. The 2007 team struggled, the 2008 was very good, and the 2009 team was really good. It was virtually the same group of players on all three teams, and those guys collectively got better during those three years - none more than Thabeet. How could that era have been a waste?

He is making sense, you just disagree with him. The 2008 and 2009 teams were good BECAUSE Thabeet worked out. Which is his point. We are not at the point roster wise where we can take on a project. I have no idea if Chukwu qualifies as such, but if he does, then his point stands. If Thabeet didn't develop then 08 and 09's teams wouldn't be nearly as good.

Obviously, you can say that about any player, but the original point is that we need impact players right away not so called projects.

By the time the 2014 class gets to campus, Shabazz, Wolf, Giffey and Olander will all be gone. Boat and Daniels and even possibly Calhoun as well. That is why it is such a vital recruiting class for us. Chukwu looks very good in his videos, but I would have to agree with the original point that we need players who can help right away, not two or three years from now.

 

[Rico444]

He is making sense, you just disagree with him. The 2008 and 2009 teams were good BECAUSE Thabeet worked out. Which is his point. We are not at the point roster wise where we can take on a project. I have no idea if Chukwu qualifies as such, but if he does, then his point stands. If Thabeet didn't develop then 08 and 09's teams wouldn't be nearly as good.

Obviously, you can say that about any player, but the original point is that we need impact players right away not so called projects.

By the time the 2014 class gets to campus, Shabazz, Wolf, Giffey and Olander will all be gone. Boat and Daniels and even possibly Calhoun as well. That is why it is such a vital recruiting class for us. Chukwu looks very good in his videos, but I would have to agree with the original point that we need players who can help right away, not two or three years from now.

Every big man is a project. Those that aren't, are ranked in the top 15 prospects. So, yeah, if given the choice, I would say Calhoun should've gone after Kevin Love or Deandre Jordan, but don't mind him taking the player he knew would take a year to get acclimated, but eventually become great. I also trust his ability to evaluate talent.

 

[aceboon]

He is making sense, you just disagree with him. The 2008 and 2009 teams were good BECAUSE Thabeet worked out. Which is his point. We are not at the point roster wise where we can take on a project. I have no idea if Chukwu qualifies as such, but if he does, then his point stands. If Thabeet didn't develop then 08 and 09's teams wouldn't be nearly as good.

Obviously, you can say that about any player, but the original point is that we need impact players right away not so called projects.

By the time the 2014 class gets to campus, Shabazz, Wolf, Giffey and Olander will all be gone. Boat and Daniels and even possibly Calhoun as well. That is why it is such a vital recruiting class for us. Chukwu looks very good in his videos, but I would have to agree with the original point that we need players who can help right away, not two or three years from now.

The poster said that Calhoun sold out 2 years of the other player's development, no offense to him but that is one of the dumbest things I've ever read on here. That team in Thabeet's 2nd year was a top 4 BE team, 4 seed in the NCAA, a year after they were terrible, which was not solely Thabeet's fault, JC's young teams mostly always go through those kind of issues. With that kind of progress, no NCAA, 4 seed, then Final 4, how in the hell did JC sell out the rest of the team to develop Thabeet at C when there were no better options to play ahead of him?

 

[upstater]

He is making sense, you just disagree with him. The 2008 and 2009 teams were good BECAUSE Thabeet worked out. Which is his point. We are not at the point roster wise where we can take on a project. I have no idea if Chukwu qualifies as such, but if he does, then his point stands. If Thabeet didn't develop then 08 and 09's teams wouldn't be nearly as good.

Obviously, you can say that about any player, but the original point is that we need impact players right away not so called projects.

By the time the 2014 class gets to campus, Shabazz, Wolf, Giffey and Olander will all be gone. Boat and Daniels and even possibly Calhoun as well. That is why it is such a vital recruiting class for us. Chukwu looks very good in his videos, but I would have to agree with the original point that we need players who can help right away, not two or three years from now.

How about this then? Brimah and Facey and Nolan will hold the fort down until Chukwu becomes a monster all-world stud!!!

 

[uconnbill]

Maybe I'm not giving Thabeet enough credit for what he did sophomore year, but I remember him being a liability on the offensive end.

Either way, it's safe to say Calhoun staked the 2007-2009 teams to Thabeet's development, and if he had come up short that entire 3-year span would have been a waste.

I'd rather get more of a sure thing than a project in the frontcourt.

I don't know. I like a center that can block shots, rebound and score some. The reason UConn was and is known as Wing U was because of the 2's/3's are the scorers. I would like Hill, Black, Chukwu and another three.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

How about this then? Brimah and Facey and Nolan will hold the fort down until Chukwu becomes a monster all-world stud!!!

I LOVE THAT!!!!

I wasn't arguing whether Chukwu would be good or not. Or that our current players wont turn out to be very good either. just that given the choice, I would rather take a guy who can contribute now rather than later.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

The poster said that Calhoun sold out 2 years of the other player's development, no offense to him but that is one of the dumbest things I've ever read on here. That team in Thabeet's 2nd year was a top 4 BE team, 4 seed in the NCAA, a year after they were terrible, which was not solely Thabeet's fault, JC's young teams mostly always go through those kind of issues. With that kind of progress, no NCAA, 4 seed, then Final 4, how in the hell did JC sell out the rest of the team to develop Thabeet at C when there were no better options to play ahead of him?

Yeah that is ridiculous. I didnt really see that he said that. Thats absurd.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

Every big man is a project. Those that aren't, are ranked in the top 15 prospects. So, yeah, if given the choice, I would say Calhoun should've gone after Kevin Love or Deandre Jordan, but don't mind him taking the player he knew would take a year to get acclimated, but eventually become great. I also trust his ability to evaluate talent.

Agreed sort of. Josh Boone wasn't a project. He also wasn't a huge huge recruit or a superstar as a freshman either. He was a very good freshman player who contributed right away.

I guess I would love another Josh Boone right now (rather than Freshman Thabeet). Does that make sense?

 

[Tenspro2002]

Look, all I'm saying is that Calhoun hitched the 2007-2009 wagon to Thabeet's development. He happened to work out and develop into a monster on defense and reliable on offense, especially in that 3rd year. He is a big reason why we went to the Final Four.

But, in the hypothetical universe where he doesn't pan out -- as is often the case with projects --and we're left with second-string Gavin Edwards at center, the team isn't nearly as successful. In this universe, you'd be right to argue that we would have been better off going after a lower-risk, lower-ceiling prospect.

All I'm saying is that going forward, we shouldn't always be enamored of these project big men. Obviously we're not getting the next Anthony Davis (or even Andre Drummond) every year. Like the post above says, a guy like Josh Boone would be ideal.

 

[aceboon]

Look, all I'm saying is that Calhoun hitched the 2007-2009 wagon to Thabeet's development. He happened to work out and develop into a monster on defense and reliable on offense, especially in that 3rd year. He is a big reason why we went to the Final Four.

But, in the hypothetical universe where he doesn't pan out -- as is often the case with projects --and we're left with second-string Gavin Edwards at center, the team isn't nearly as successful. In this universe, you'd be right to argue that we would have been better off going after a lower-risk, lower-ceiling prospect.

All I'm saying is that going forward, we shouldn't always be enamored of these project big men. Obviously we're not getting the next Anthony Davis (or even Andre Drummond) every year. Like the post above says, a guy like Josh Boone would be ideal.

I just don't see where he hitched his wagon to him, Thabeet was obviously a major piece but he wasn't the team, that team was driven by AJP imo. AJ tears his ACL, they look disorganized and they lose to San Diego. AJ gets completely taken out by MSU's D on the high ball screen, they lose in the Final 4. Thabeet was expected to develop into a competent C the same way expectations were placed on Adrien, Sticks, Dyson, and AJ at their positions, JC didn't place the immediate future of the program on Thabeet's shoulders.

 

[7774]

Look, all I'm saying is that Calhoun hitched the 2007-2009 wagon to Thabeet's development. He happened to work out and develop into a monster on defense and reliable on offense, especially in that 3rd year. He is a big reason why we went to the Final Four.

But, in the hypothetical universe where he doesn't pan out -- as is often the case with projects --and we're left with second-string Gavin Edwards at center, the team isn't nearly as successful. In this universe, you'd be right to argue that we would have been better off going after a lower-risk, lower-ceiling prospect.

All I'm saying is that going forward, we shouldn't always be enamored of these project big men. Obviously we're not getting the next Anthony Davis (or even Andre Drummond) every year. Like the post above says, a guy like Josh Boone would be ideal.

I have no clue why you think Thabeet was such a project compared to Josh Boone. What is your definition of a project?

 

[kansashusky]

I realize we all probably read to much into the social media, and I am doing the same. However, when Purvis posted a Husky on instagram, Black commented that he didnt realize Purvis was considering us and said "You going there? Hit me up!" So that is good they are least are friends and Purvis can try and help recruit him here.

A guy can dream right?

 

[Rico444]

The issue with this talk about Boone is that there may not have been a Josh Boone available in that class, who was also interested in coming to UConn. It's not like there are that many big men who are ready to contribute at the college level immediately; I mean, Chukwu is about the 9th or 10th ranked center prospect by Scout. Any lower than him, and you start talking about serious project level (Brimah, Hilton, etc.). So, leaving out the elite centers in the class, that only really leaves you with a few more choices, and who knows how many of them are interested in coming to UConn? It's not like Calhoun is Calipari, who pretty much gets the pick of the litter. He has to gamble sometimes. And it usually worked out.