5 questions for UConn

[djct1999]

per Zagsblog:

http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/03/16/...pressing-questions-for-the-future/#more-69695

thoughts???
here are mine:
1. Lamb is a goner. Really nothing to gain by staying. Higher risk of being more exposed by coming back than getting better. Take your top 10 money and run.
2. AD is a wild card. Seems like the kid enjoys college and is mature off the court. Could see him returning or going.
3. Oriakhi is a troubling one. Seems like the relationship with Calhoun is long gone. However, if UConn is able to play in tourney, doesn't really benefit by leaving.
4.Calhoun will most likely stay unless Herbst and Manuel are willing to give Ollie the job now.
5. Recruiting will definitely be affected. It always is.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I pretty much agree with you. I think Calhoun will probably say as much to Lamb and will probably steer Drummond towards returning because while he would be drafted high, let's be honest, Drummond would be written a ticket for the D-League the second he's drafted.

 

[caw]

Drummond will come down to his parents, IMO. DO NOT take this the wrong way. His mom said he was ready for college, she will let him know if he is ready for the NBA (which I can't imagine she would believe at this point).

Lamb could benefit from coming back but he should test the waters and see where he will be drafted/get feedback. He is good enough to be a great second man in the NBA much like Ray and Rip.

Oriakhi, I have no clue but something needs to be discussed and worked out.

JC, I agree.

Recruiting has already been affected and that won't change until UConn is past 2013 and/or has a new coach.

I guess the bigger question is whether Herbst/JC release any player who wants release. Herbst has said she will. I don't think many players would take her up on that, though. Calhoun could, as could Daniels.

 

[djct1999]

what are the odds oriakhi joins coombs-mcdaniel at hofstra?

 

[jfuchs91]

what are the odds oriakhi joins coombs-mcdaniel at hofstra?

Minimal, I'd say. He would leave UConn because they're not eligible for the NCAA tournament. Why go to another school that isn't going to make the tournament?

 

[NutmegState]

Minimal, I'd say. He would leave UConn because they're not eligible for the NCAA tournament. Why go to another school that isn't going to make the tournament?

You don't honestly believe that if Oriakhi departs, it's because we can't play in the tournament, do you?

If he departs, it's because he wants to. The tournament would just be a convenient excuse.

 

[UConn5]

Those are legitimate questions. I would say that whether or not UConn is able to secure eligibility for the NCAA tournament impacts almost all of them,

1) I am not sure there is anything that Lamb would gain from coming back. I don't think he's going to suddenly be capable of the assertiveness that he lacked all season. If UConn remains banned from the tournament then this is 100% a done deal.

2) Drummond certainly could use another year in college, but with UConn's uncertain NCAA tournament status, my guess is that he is gone.

3) I think this is going to be impacted by a) whether Drummond stays; and b) whether UConn is indeed barred from the tourney next year.

4) I don't think there is any way JC retires. He has made it pretty clear that his mission is to leave UConn in a place where they are capable of long term, sustained excellence. Unless his health dictates that he absolutely cannot do it, I don't see him walking away from the program when it will be ineligible for the tournament and likely losing players because of it.

5) I think that as long as JC is coming back, Omar Calhoun will come to UConn. I don't see them having any shot at Noel without being eligible for the NCAA tournament, although I know most think that UConn has little shot anyway.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

You don't honestly believe that if Oriakhi departs, it's because we can't play in the tournament, do you?

If he departs, it's because he wants to. The tournament would just be a convenient excuse.

If we end up not being banned from the tournament, Oriakhi would have to sit out a year before he would be able to play at a different school. Most juniors aren't looking to do that.

 

[jfuchs91]

You don't honestly believe that if Oriakhi departs, it's because we can't play in the tournament, do you?

If he departs, it's because he wants to. The tournament would just be a convenient excuse.

If he wants a career in basketball, which I'd assume he does, it wouldn't make sense for him to downgrade so significantly for just one season. I know there are factors other than just the NCAA Tournament, but to me, it makes little sense to switch to a lesser school when you're just one year away from graduating and can continue to play at a school with better coaches, exposure, and better overall competition.

 

[caw]

I'm not sure if a team like Hofstra could make the tournament even with AO and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel. They were 3-15 in the CAA and 10-22 overall. They were below William and Mary.

AO having a good year in the BE even without a postseason would help his chances at the NBA over going to Hofstra for a year.

 

[jfuchs91]

If we end up not being banned from the tournament, Oriakhi would have to sit out a year before he would be able to play at a different school. Most juniors aren't looking to do that.

In this instance, that isn't the case. The NCAA has a waiver for players who have one year of eligibility left, but whose teams are ineligible for postseason play in that year. In those cases, the players can switch schools without needing to sit out a year.

 

[jibsey]

In this instance, that isn't the case. The NCAA has a waiver for players who have one year of eligibility left, but whose teams are ineligible for postseason play in that year. In those cases, the players can switch schools without needing to sit out a year.

Assuming he's getting his degree, would he rather have it say Hofstra or UCONN on it? I know what I would rather have.

 

[caw]

I doubt he goes to Hofstra, doesn't mean he's not leaving. There are much better programs and schools that would want him.

 

[SouthTampaBill]

If he leaves, I predict BCU.

He has been in New England for a while and where do you go outside the Big East and stay there?

 

[HuskyBballFan]

If he leaves, I predict BCU.

He has been in New England for a while and where do you go outside the Big East and stay there?

Well that would be another way to ensure last night was his last NCAA tournament game.

 

[willie99]

JC will not leave after a down year, he won't leave with a black cloud threatening his baby, he won't leave until his hand picked successor is ready to take over

and Sue loves the guy too

 

[Richmondhsky]

per Zagsblog:

http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/03/16/...pressing-questions-for-the-future/#more-69695

thoughts???
here are mine:
1. Lamb is a goner. Really nothing to gain by staying. Higher risk of being more exposed by coming back than getting better. Take your top 10 money and run.
2. AD is a wild card. Seems like the kid enjoys college and is mature off the court. Could see him returning or going.
3. Oriakhi is a troubling one. Seems like the relationship with Calhoun is long gone. However, if UConn is able to play in tourney, doesn't really benefit by leaving.
4.Calhoun will most likely stay unless Herbst and Manuel are willing to give Ollie the job now.
5. Recruiting will definitely be affected. It always is.

1. He was already exposed, believe he dropped in the draft over the past month
2. Believe he stays...two years of school for Mom and although the comparison is not completely accurate, the last UCONN big who left....HT...didn't work out so well. AD is light years ahead on the athlete side but AD after one year and HT after two...HT was more dominant.
3. Oriakhi is indeed troubling. Has to make his peace with JC. Imagine him returning but not being a captain based on the latter part of this year???
4. No way Calhoun doesn't return if he wants to...he stays until the practice facility is completed to give the next guy all he needs to recruit and the program has continuity. It is however not lost on me that Iowa St's coach is a Kevin Ollie kinda guy with no former coaching experience
5. Recruiting will depend on the NCAA decision on our appeal.

 

[Mots010]

Lamb could benefit from coming back but he should test the waters and see where he will be drafted/get feedback. He is good enough to be a great second man in the NBA much like Ray and Rip.

.

Dude, Ray Allen is a sure fire hall of famer, and Rip showed he's a first team college all american, NBA champion, and is an NBA all star once or twice, along with a final four MVP.

Lamb cannot beat a man off the dribble at this point, and rode the coat tails of Kemba last year. The guys guarding him in the NBA will be anywhere from 6-5 to 6-9 and super athletes. NBA teams are nuts to commit millions of dollars to him at this point.

Doesnt mean he wont go, but i'm not sure he's ready.

 

[kelde1wd]

Well that would be another way to ensure last night was his last NCAA tournament game.

Nicely put.

1. Lamb is gone
2. Drummond is 50/50
3. I think Alex and coach work things out and he stays
4. Coach isn't going anywhere
5. Recruiting will struggle until next year is sorted out.

 

[caw]

Drummond: I have said and I know others would agree that Drummond was not taught to be a big man in high school or AAU. What exactly did his coaches teach him? His shooting form is poor and while his handles are decent they aren't elite (ie Royce White) for a big. How do you have a kid that athletic and fail to teach him the basics at all. Drummond is a likeable kid with good parents (seemingly) and relatively few hanger-ons, so you would think his coaches would have been able to teach him so fundamentals.

UConn is going to need to get him in the gym working on fundamental hook shots, positioning, foul shooting, rebounding all summer (assuming he comes back).

In hindsight, I think the late decision by Drummond hurt his development some also. The coaches weren't able to give him workout instructions for the entire summer (or get him on campus for summer courses).

 

[mauconnfan]

Drummond: I have said and I know others would agree that Drummond was not taught to be a big man in high school or AAU. What exactly did his coaches teach him? His shooting form is poor and while his handles are decent they aren't elite (ie Royce White) for a big. How do you have a kid that athletic and fail to teach him the basics at all. Drummond is a likeable kid with good parents (seemingly) and relatively few hanger-ons, so you would think his coaches would have been able to teach him so fundamentals.

UConn is going to need to get him in the gym working on fundamental hook shots, positioning, foul shooting, rebounding all summer (assuming he comes back).

In hindsight, I think the late decision by Drummond hurt his development some also. The coaches weren't able to give him workout instructions for the entire summer (or get him on campus for summer courses).

First of all let's not compare Andre to White. Andre is a big man White is listed as a big man but is in all reality 6'6" maybe a 1/2 more. Whites handle is good not great and he was out of control often we just didn't have a good matchup on the guy, he was too strong for Roscoe and Giffey and too quick for the much bigger AD. Our help defense could've taken 3-4 charges on him if they knew how.

Having said that I agree and have said that often...Andre's game coming in was a testament to the coaching he recieved and none should be proud. They taught him very little if anything and he still has a long way to go. His talent is unbelievable and I feel for him that they fought over him to get him and coddled him by allowing him to do whatever he wanted without penalizing him I'm sure. No post up skills, no drive to move people out of the blocks and can't shoot a FT?? Nice job guys.......nice kid, can be a beast - just let JC and the staff make you that beast before you move on...don't go into that league prematurely and embarrass yourself and accept sitting and watching!!!

 

[caw]

First of all let's not compare Andre to White. Andre is a big man White is listed as a big man but is in all reality 6'6" maybe a 1/2 more. Whites handle is good not great and he was out of control often we just didn't have a good matchup on the guy, he was too strong for Roscoe and Giffey and too quick for the much bigger AD. Our help defense could've taken 3-4 charges on him if they knew how.

Having said that I agree and have said that often...Andre's game coming in was a testament to the coaching he recieved and none should be proud. They taught him very little if anything and he still has a long way to go. His talent is unbelievable and I feel for him that they fought over him to get him and coddled him by allowing him to do whatever he wanted without penalizing him I'm sure. No post up skills, no drive to move people out of the blocks and can't shoot a FT?? Nice job guys.......nice kid, can be a beast - just let JC and the staff make you that beast before you move on...don't go into that league prematurely and embarrass yourself and accept sitting and watching!!!

I'm not saying White is amazing (he's a 270 Caron with no jumper) but I'm saying from what I have heard is that his high school and AAU coaches wanted him to be a "all-around (Dirk) basketball player" not a low-post player. How come he has no fundamentals of a guard either? You would think if they were truly trying to teach him to play like that they would have at least taught him to shoot and/or dribble. At the worst if his high school coaches had taught him anything he would be a 7'0 White.

They failed to teach him any useful basketball fundamental skill.

 

[Gurleyman]

I'm not saying White is amazing (he's a 270 Caron with no jumper) but I'm saying from what I have heard is that his high school and AAU coaches wanted him to be a "all-around (Dirk) basketball player" not a low-post player. How come he has no fundamentals of a guard either? You would think if they were truly trying to teach him to play like that they would have at least taught him to shoot and/or dribble. At the worst if his high school coaches had taught him anything he would be a 7'0 White.

They failed to teach him any useful basketball fundamental skill.

There is so much wrong with his skillset right now - he can't shoot properly (he releases at his forehead - negating any height/athleticism advantage he has), he doesn't know how to box out, he clearly can't shoot foul shots, he has no discernible low post move, if he worked a lot on his perimeter game over the years he sure doesn't scare anybody spotting up, and he's a so-so passer, although he seems to think he's a good one so he tries to thread the needle when there's nowhere to go with it. Other than alley-oops, he finishes around the rim like a guard, usually trying to put english on the ball and not going up with power.

His physical gifts (power, strength and athleticism) are immense, but he hasn't been coached to harness them. He's been coached to play to his weaknesses. Why a guy with his tools would get the ball on the low block and shoot a fadeaway with the release at his forehead (maybe 8-9 feet off the ground), instead of going to a powerful jump hook and release the ball 10-11 feet off the ground - it's loony tunes. And as strong and powerful as he is, if he laid a body on people every time a rebound went up, he'd average 12 a game and have nights with 20 at the college level.

UConn's staff really didn't have enough time to work with him this year - it is tough to deconstruct/reconstruct a player's entire skillset in a couple months. If he comes back next year, and doesn't show some improvement, it'll be on the coaching staff. Otherwise, it's up to the guys at the next level.

Looking at Drummond (granted he might not have always been as strong as he is now when he was in ninth or tenth grade) and envisioning a Dirk-type player would be like watching Ray Allen play for a while and trying to turn him into Magic Johnson. Don't shoot Ray, we need you to be a bigger point guard, because the Magic Johnson prototype has worked for so many others.

 

[husky711]

In this instance, that isn't the case. The NCAA has a waiver for players who have one year of eligibility left, but whose teams are ineligible for postseason play in that year. In those cases, the players can switch schools without needing to sit out a year.

I assume you misread the post you replied to? Because the post you replied to stated that if UConn ends up NOT being banned from the postseason next year then Oriakhi would have to sit out a year.

And to the poster who said Lamb should test the waters in the NBA draft... am I misremembering due to all of the NBA talk that surrounded him last April or did he not already test the waters last year? If so, wouldn't that mean if he enters the draft this year then it is the real deal... and can't be used to test the waters again? I always thought you are only allowed to test the waters once... I could be wrong though.

 

[RS9999X]

No one's ready to move on.

NBA money, Calhoun's Health, and NCAA post-season ban are driving the bus.

I don't think JC has anything to coach for in Year 4 of his contract -- That's as good a transition year as any. Next year is a good year for closure but I'm pessimistic about the whole thing.

 

[johnhuskies95]

The fact that Andre almost averaged a double double as a freshman considering his skill level is scary for opposing coaches if he comes back and gets to work with the UConn staff for another year.

 

[caw]

Dude, Ray Allen is a sure fire hall of famer, and Rip showed he's a first team college all american, NBA champion, and is an NBA all star once or twice, along with a final four MVP.

Lamb cannot beat a man off the dribble at this point, and rode the coat tails of Kemba last year. The guys guarding him in the NBA will be anywhere from 6-5 to 6-9 and super athletes. NBA teams are nuts to commit millions of dollars to him at this point.

Doesnt mean he wont go, but i'm not sure he's ready.

Yes, you are correct. Tell me how good were they as sophomores at UConn?

Rip was at 21.5 PPG on 44%, 40%, 84% and averaged about 2.4 APG, 2.2 TPG, 4.4 RPG and 1.5 SPG in 32.5 MPG
Ray was at 21.1 PPG on 49%, 44%, 73% and averaged about 2.3 APG, 2.0 TPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.9 SPG in 32.8 MPG
Lamb was at 17.7 PPG on 48%, 34%, 81% and averaged 1.7 APG, 2.0 TPG, 4.9 RPG, and 1.7 SPG in 37.2 MPG

As I said, he could benefit from coming back for his junior year just like they did, he is however, not far behind either of them at this point in his career. Sure he isn't a HOF or a MVP or whatever yet, but he has the potential to be as good as either of them and I think has shown that this year. I expect him to get better if he comes back for a third year, but he's on a similar projection to both those players.

BTW Rip couldn't really beat his man off the dribble in the NBA or even really in college. Ray could/can but it isn't/wasn't the main part of his game. Both made careers by playing just like Reggie Miller and working the screens. Both have better screeners in college than Lamb has. Not to mention 3PT%'s are not comparable considering the line was moved back after Rip/Ray left college. 19-9 is much easier than 20-9, though both may be too easy.

 

[tzznandrew]

Yes, you are correct. Tell me how good were they as sophomores at UConn?

Rip was at 21.5 PPG on 44%, 40%, 84% and averaged about 2.4 APG, 2.2 TPG, 4.4 RPG and 1.5 SPG in 32.5 MPG
Ray was at 21.1 PPG on 49%, 44%, 73% and averaged about 2.3 APG, 2.0 TPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.9 SPG in 32.8 MPG
Lamb was at 17.7 PPG on 48%, 34%, 81% and averaged 1.7 APG, 2.0 TPG, 4.9 RPG, and 1.7 SPG in 37.2 MPG

As I said, he could benefit from coming back for his junior year just like they did, he is however, not far behind either of them at this point in his career. Sure he isn't a HOF or a MVP or whatever yet, but he has the potential to be as good as either of them and I think has shown that this year. I expect him to get better if he comes back for a third year, but he's on a similar projection to both those players.

BTW Rip couldn't really beat his man off the dribble in the NBA or even really in college. Ray could/can but it isn't/wasn't the main part of his game. Both made careers by playing just like Reggie Miller and working the screens. Both have better screeners in college than Lamb has. Not to mention 3PT%'s are not comparable considering the line was moved back after Rip/Ray left college. 19-9 is much easier than 20-9, though both may be too easy.

I think a big problem is the difference in minutes played. Those minutes wear you down and don't allow you to recover.

Ray and Rip were better sophomores. They also had upperclassmen who were able to share the burden. Senior KO + "Sophomore" Sheffer > Sophomore Bazz + Freshmen Boat. That stuff matters--in giving rest, in getting the scorer the ball in the right place, etc.

 

[TheChamps990411]

I'm not saying White is amazing (he's a 270 Caron with no jumper) but I'm saying from what I have heard is that his high school and AAU coaches wanted him to be a "all-around (Dirk) basketball player" not a low-post player. How come he has no fundamentals of a guard either? You would think if they were truly trying to teach him to play like that they would have at least taught him to shoot and/or dribble. At the worst if his high school coaches had taught him anything he would be a 7'0 White.

They failed to teach him any useful basketball fundamental skill.

wow! if this is true his hs and aau coaches are morons! 6`10 270 quickeness,huge vertical and explosive off the floor and you want him to play outside? with those physical gifts if he had been taught to play the post from early on he`d be unstoppable on the college level and he wouldve been the player many of us expected and uconn would be a 1 seed getting ready to play next week. i said if he stayed in high school and then turned pro he`d problably be the next kwame brown and i got roasted for saying it but after watching him all season i might not of been to far off. he needs another year of learning how to play in the post before he can really give himself a chance to be a productive nba player.