Amore: Crumbling Connecticut Foundation? Kevin Ollie Under Scrutiny With UConn Men

[superjohn]

Stop this crap about 2 healthy returning players. Alterique is healthy and about to resume full-contact basketball. Larrier is healthy. Diarra has been cleared for full activity. Moreover the incoming players Polley, Carlton, Cobb, Anderson are healthy. Cobb has some D1 experience at center.

The glass is half-full and I understand that some may be dismayed that it is half-empty, but there's no basis for claiming it is empty and has a hole in the bottom.

You can spin it however you want, the fact remains we have two returning healthy players who played last season and as it stands now we have far from a full team.

 

[Huskybass]

Stop this crap about 2 healthy returning players. Alterique is healthy and about to resume full-contact basketball. Larrier is healthy. Diarra has been cleared for full activity. Moreover the incoming players Polley, Carlton, Cobb, Anderson are healthy. Cobb has some D1 experience at center.

The glass is half-full and I understand that some may be dismayed that it is half-empty, but there's no basis for claiming it is empty and has a hole in the bottom.

I am not going to stop anything and you have no right to tell me to do so. The program is a dumpster fire. To state anything else is ignoring reality. Do you really think the team will be OK at the 4 and 5? Are you thinking Gilbert and Larrier return to 100% after a redshirt year without missing a beat? Add to all that some very questionable coaching over the past three seasons, and 2017-2018 is likely an uphill battle to say the least.

 

[intlzncster]

No, they wouldn't. Go back to posts from 2010 and 2012 to see how many people thought JC's time was up.

The reason that people are reflexively supporting KO--maybe more than he deserves--is that this board can't handle any adversity. Calhoun had a down year in 2007 with no post-season, and everyone said he couldn't reach kids anymore. We have a disappointing NIT season in 2010 and we need to get rid of him. It's cyclical, and makes some of this stuff feel like the boy who cried wolf.

Oh man, it was brutal. There was an entire "the game has passed him by crowd". Was amazing.

Overall post is how I feel. I don't think I'm in either the positive or negative crowd on this particular debate. Generally positive elsewhere. But I do feel the need to trend positive now, because I see a bunch of the same garbage on here as there was in JC's later years. It was downright unreadable and I'd like to avoid that currently and in the future.

 

[intlzncster]

If Ollie doesn't right the ship in a big way, he will be out of here by 2019. The clock has already started and he needs to win big to set it back.

I don't think he needs to win big per se. I could see this scenario: next year they have a decent season, yet miss the tournament...but win a few games in the NIT. In 2019, they make the tournament and wins a couple games. Ollie wouldn't be going anywhere.

Note: I absolutely 100% want them to make the tournament next season. And will be dissappointed if they don't, whether that's realistic of me or not.

 

[CTBasketball]

I don't think he needs to win big per se. I could see this scenario: next year they have a decent season, yet miss the tournament...but win a few games in the NIT. In 2019, they make the tournament and wins a couple games. Ollie wouldn't be going anywhere.

Note: I absolutely 100% want them to make the tournament next season. And will be dissappointed if they don't, whether that's realistic of me or not.

Of course I'll be disappointed any time we don't make the tournament. However think this season really relies on how well Jalen and the guards play.

This team will be a hard out come tournament play, such is the nature of great guard oriented teams. But the regular season will probably be a struggle, lots of peaks and valleys with probably double-digit losses. But in tournament play I love our chances in the AAC.

 

[Huskybass]

Cobb scored 27 points total in 24 games at South Carolina. He is literally the most experienced and accomplished "big" that we have. Perhaps he has developed substantially since then, but overall we don't have much up front unless Carlton is an impact player as a freshman.

I have a hard time envisioning lots of tournament success with no depth in the frontcourt unless our players really step up AND stay out of foul trouble.

 

[intlzncster]

I have a hard time envisioning lots of tournament success with no depth in the frontcourt unless our players really step up AND stay out of foul trouble.

Pretty much gonna have to hope for a 2014 blue print. This means Larrier is going to have to assume the DD stretch 4. And that will be the hardest thing to do. DD seems longer than Larrier and more suited to playing D down low. I'm not sure if he can (or will want) to adjust to this.

I think who we have coming in can replicate freshman Brimah/Nolan.

 

[Huskybass]

Pretty much gonna have to hope for a 2014 blue print. This means Larrier is going to have to assume the DD stretch 4. And that will be the hardest thing to do. DD seems longer than Larrier and more suited to playing D down low. I'm not sure if he can (or will want) to adjust to this.

I think who we have coming in can replicate freshman Brimah/Nolan.

If you include DD as a "big", the 2014 team had far more depth up front as DD, Olander, Brimah, Facey, and Nolan were all 6'9" or taller. And for all of Nolan's limitations, he was very solid on the defensive end for sure.

 

[the Q]

If you include DD as a "big", the 2014 team had far more depth up front as DD, Olander, Brimah, Facey, and Nolan were all 6'9" or taller. And for all of Nolan's limitations, he was very solid on the defensive end for sure.

And this team has Larrier, Carlton, Polley, and Cobb.

If they land a guy like the VCU or St John's transfer, I don't see how you could say it has "far" more depth. I'm not even sure it's more depth.

 

[Huskybass]

And this team has Larrier, Carlton, Polley, and Cobb.

If they land a guy like the VCU or St John's transfer, I don't see how you could say it has "far" more depth. I'm not even sure it's more depth.

Polley and Larrier are not low post players. Larrier may need to play down low out of necessity though.

And your list is comprised of a 3 playing out of position in Larrier, two incoming freshmen, and a guy who scored 27 total points in 24 games at South Carolina. I will take the frontcourt of the 2014 team over the current roster any time.

 

[superjohn]

And this team has Larrier, Carlton, Polley, and Cobb.

If they land a guy like the VCU or St John's transfer, I don't see how you could say it has "far" more depth. I'm not even sure it's more depth.

The guys on the 2014 team had experience with Daniels, Nolan and Olander. Daniels and Larrier could be comparable talent wise but Larrier hasn't played in two years. Facey and Nolan were ranked higher than any of the guys coming in this year and Olander was ranked at least as high. Some of these new players might turn out to be serviceable or even excellent but as of now I don't see anyway you can compare the frontcourts.

 

[intlzncster]

If you include DD as a "big", the 2014 team had far more depth up front as DD, Olander, Brimah, Facey, and Nolan were all 6'9" or taller. And for all of Nolan's limitations, he was very solid on the defensive end for sure.

No doubt. Our depth is criminally low next year, thanks to defections. Facey and Olander were write offs though. We could count on Nolan for some D, so that was a good end of the bench guy to have.

The absolute key to that front court was DD though. The center was 5 fouls and some D.

 

[Travelman6]

That is absolutely a product of the divorce, at least that's how ive become..

When did he get divorced? because that can´t be used forever... With time (like, over summer, with time to rest emotionally, etc.) one would figure he would get his groove back...

Edit: seems it was 2015...at some point that can´t be an excuse anymore, like...now.

 

[pj]

When did he get divorced? because that can´t be used forever... With time (like, over summer, with time to rest emotionally, etc.) one would figure he would get his groove back...

Edit: seems it was 2015...at some point that can´t be an excuse anymore, like...now.

Agreed. That's why those of us who believe the divorce (and the new coach learning curve) were significant factors, also believe the trajectory is up from here.

 

[Huskybass]

KO went 20-10 and 32-8 in his first two years. A .743 winning %. A great job by any objective standard, especially for a new head coach.

He has gone 61-43 over the past 3 seasons at 20-15, 25-11, and 16-17. That's a winning % of .586. Add all the recent defections to that drop-off in success and many of us are understandably concerned about the status of the program and KO's ability to turn things around.

 

[pj]

KO went 20-10 and 32-8 in his first two years. A .743 winning %. A great job by any objective standard, especially for a new head coach.

He has gone 61-43 over the past 3 seasons at 20-15, 25-11, and 16-17. That's a winning % of .586. Add all the recent defections to that drop-off in success and many of us are understandably concerned about the status of the program and KO's ability to turn things around.

Yes, and Mike Krzyzewski went 10-17 and 11-17 in years 2 and 3 at Duke, and he wasn't dealing with sanctions. Compared to him, KO's record as a young coach is stellar.

 

[KingAG]

I am not going to stop anything and you have no right to tell me to do so. The program is a dumpster fire. To state anything else is ignoring reality. Do you really think the team will be OK at the 4 and 5? Are you thinking Gilbert and Larrier return to 100% after a redshirt year without missing a beat? Add to all that some very questionable coaching over the past three seasons, and 2017-2018 is likely an uphill battle to say the least.

I can imagine you saying the same thing before the 2011 season.....

 

[polycom]

Yes, and Mike Krzyzewski went 10-17 and 11-17 in years 2 and 3 at Duke, and he wasn't dealing with sanctions. Compared to him, KO's record as a young coach is stellar.

This comparison, can we please let this die?

 

[KingAG]

KO went 20-10 and 32-8 in his first two years. A .743 winning %. A great job by any objective standard, especially for a new head coach.

He has gone 61-43 over the past 3 seasons at 20-15, 25-11, and 16-17. That's a winning % of .586. Add all the recent defections to that drop-off in success and many of us are understandably concerned about the status of the program and KO's ability to turn things around.

Cause for concern, yes. Not panic. There is a lot more panic than concern on this board. I think everyone is concerned, you wont find many fans that arent. The disconnect comes when you want the rest of us to panic the way you guys are, and we just arent there yet

 

[Tenspro2002]

Yes, and Mike Krzyzewski went 10-17 and 11-17 in years 2 and 3 at Duke, and he wasn't dealing with sanctions. Compared to him, KO's record as a young coach is stellar.

Why did we have to settle for a young coach?

 

[AZHuskiePop]

All this negativity coming from are own local media and fans has really helped with UConn's biggest problem
Recruiing
Good work guys.

 

[KingAG]

Why did we have to settle for a young coach?

What big time proven coach was coming to coach UConn with a post season ban and recruiting restrictions. In order for your question tonbe answered you must answer the other

 

[KingAG]

All this negativity coming from are own local media and fans has really helped with UConn's biggest problem
Recruiing
Good work guys.

Nope what we say has no effect...

 

[intlzncster]

Nope what we say has no effect...

Disagree, in fact, I think reporters use boards like this as a litmus test for the tenor of the fan base. Or even to drive a narrative they are trying to push.

 

[KingAG]

Disagree, in fact, I think reporters use boards like this as a litmus test for the tenor of the fan base. Or even to drive a narrative they are trying to push.

Sarcasm. Lol

 

[Stainmaster]

What big time proven coach was coming to coach UConn with a post season ban and recruiting restrictions. In order for your question tonbe answered you must answer the other

But...but...but...we were Shaka Smart's dream job! The guy who just went 11-22 at Texas is definitely who we should've entrusted Calhoun's legacy to!

 

[BUConn10]

This comparison, can we please let this die?

Seriously, in what planet is that logic valid? If that stat was a valid reason to keep a coach you could argue 90% of head coach firings in the past have been premature, but I doubt many of the people here get nearly as sentimental about any non-UConn firing.