Andy Katz AAC 2018-19 Preview

[AZHuskiePop]

Think Chief is like 50.

Since that was around 30 years ago and Chief probably was a basketball prodigy he was old enough to have an opinion. I also suspect the likelihood of him being sober was remote at that time in his life .That fact just might color his rationality.

 

[HooperScooper]

I’m not expecting miracles this season but damn I’d be disappointed if the Huskies finish 8th in the AAC. UConn has probably the best player in the conference and the conference as a whole should be down. Finishing 8th would be a kick in the nuts. Especially what we’ve been through the last 2 seasons.

 

[Madmannsucks]

He wasn’t a great defender either but he was a quiet nice guy. I played against him several times even 2 on 2 - nothing stood out. In contrast, Earl could really explode when he wanted to, Jimmy O’Brien was the best passer I ever played with and Cliff had pro written all over him if he could unlearn the off court stuff Earl taugh him. Just Chief keeping it real.

Spider told me Earl was one of the best players he ever saw.

 

[Madmannsucks]

Your most disappointing post ever . Were you even born when he played .
He shot 40% from the three . He hit many clutch shots including one to beat top 10 Georgetown at the HCC . He would start at the three this year in a heartbeat and dominate against much weaker competition in a league that’s laughable compared to the mid 80’s Big East.
His numbers were against a group of teams that was possibly the toughest top to bottom in basketball history and
that produced 7 HOF coaches .
He averaged in double figures all four years . 15 a game as a junior.
He was not among the top 54 players drafted but for reference Cliffy a future NBA all star and 6th man award winner went 36th. But he was good enough to be invited to the Philly camp but was undersized at the four on that level . He did however have a long overseas pro career.
We’re talking about a guy on the list of the top 50 greatest Huskies of all time
who scored 1300 career points.
You owe him a sincere apology. I don’t think JC would be happy with your put down one of his most hard nose guys. Especially one so instrumental in putting UConn on a National Stage.
Without his NIT performance UConn history changes dramatically.
Would Smith come here without that Championship maybe but maybe not..
Sorry to be so hard on a fellow UConn fan but you got the old man angry.

He did score 1300 and missed 15 games due to grades, making his accomplishment all the more commendable.

 

[Chief00]

Since that was around 30 years ago and Chief probably was a basketball prodigy he was old enough to have an opinion. I also suspect the likelihood of him being sober was remote at that time in his life .That fact just might color his rationality.

I don’t know what you want me to say, I played with Phil numerous times, he just never jump out at me as a special player. He obviously had some moments but also got some great looks because of attention on Cliff.

 

[Chief00]

Spider told me Earl was one of the best players he ever saw.

Earl had like 50 points in a Spurs scrimmage but then got cut the next day once the test results were received.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Spider told me Earl was one of the best players he ever saw.

Earl was PG who could shoot. Pretty much carried UConn ala Kemba.
Comparing his ball skills to a 2-3 is pretty dishonest.
Also since Robinson and Gamble were pretty much the offense Phil also got a lot of attention. As freshman Phil averaged more PPG than Cliff
Like you said. Earl was his own worse enemy but if my recollection is correct without Earl screwing up. Perno might have lasted another year . That team started 8-0 but we were blown out in our own Cupcake Classic* by JC ‘s , Northeastern team. That was eye opening.
Then that team went into a death spiral when Earl was suspended which sealed Perno’s fate.
Guys with guns never are good for the schools image.
Rumors that it was really Chief’s gun are not true.
Chief getting Earl suspended so Dom would get fired and we would bring in JC is just a legend.
* the not so affectionate name us synical fans gave our annual Christmas Tournament.
Perno was amazing People think we just weren’t competitive ,although partly true
we really were not blown out that much and lead in many games against quality teams.of course which we usually lost.
Us serious fans always wondered in what creative way would we manage to blow the game.
Once We had a one point lead and the ball out of bounds against Georgetown .
with seconds left to play .
We managed to not only turn it over on our inbounds play but could not stop them from getting an easy basket for the win.
Yet I don’t remember ever a crowd of under 10-12 m at the HCC

 

[Scrutineer]

Since that was around 30 years ago and Chief probably was a basketball prodigy he was old enough to have an opinion. I also suspect the likelihood of him being sober was remote at that time in his life .That fact just might color his rationality.

If he was a prodigy, could Chief actually be Tate George or Steve Pikiell?

 

[Scrutineer]

Earl was PG who could shoot. Pretty much carried UConn ala Kemba.
Comparing his ball skills to a 2-3 is pretty dishonest.
Also since Robinson and Gamble were pretty much the offense Phil also got a lot of attention. As freshman Phil averaged more PPG than Cliff
Like you said. Earl was his own worse enemy but if my recollection is correct without Earl screwing up. Perno might have lasted another year . That team started 8-0 but we were blown out in our own Cupcake Classic* by JC ‘s , Northeastern team. That was eye opening.
Then that team went into a death spiral when Earl was suspended which sealed Perno’s fate.
Guys with guns never are good for the schools image.
Rumors that it was really Chief’s gun are not true.
Chief getting Earl suspended so Dom would get fired and we would bring in JC is just a legend.
* the not so affectionate name us synical fans gave our annual Christmas Tournament.
Perno was amazing People think we just weren’t competitive ,although partly true
we really were not blown out that much and lead in many games against quality teams.of course which we usually lost.
Us serious fans always wondered in what creative way would we manage to blow the game.
Once We had a one point lead and the ball out of bounds against Georgetown .
with seconds left to play .
We managed to not only turn it over on our inbounds play but could not stop them from getting an easy basket for the win.
Yet I don’t remember ever a crowd of under 10-12 m at the HCC

I think the play you're talking about where we lost the game on the inbounds pass was Syracuse in Hartford when Jeff King passed the ball to where one of our guards HAD BEEN but the space was now occupied by Stevie Francis (I believe) who went in for the game winning layup or dunk (too far in the past). As he was passing the ball in I was telling my wife it's so great to have this win in the bag...............

As for Earl, he sure could take over a game and he sure knew when it was money time. It always seemed he'd go 2 for 4 on free throws in the first half and 6 for 6 in the last 10 minutes.
Often looked as if he was sleepwalking early in games, to the point where he yawned one time as he was about to shoot a free throw.

 

[willie99]

Calhoun inherited Cliff Robinson
Phil Gamble
Tate George
Steve Pikell
Gary Besselink
Jeff King
The problem was the Big East was load with better talent
Those were awesome years .
Georgetown
Cuse
Nova
Pitt
Seton Hall
and even PC were good
Cliff, Phil, Besselink would all be staters
Phil & Cliff would be all League
The only guy(s) from this years team that would break into that
starting lineup would be JA and maybe Gilbert

Phil Gamble & Cliff Robinson flunked out after the first semester, and how can you forget about the fact that walk on Greg Economics became a starter?

This year's talent is rated significantly higher

 

[phillionaire]

Don't let UConn being predicted to finish 8th in the AAC distract you from the fact that Cincinnati blew a 22 point lead with 11 minutes to go in an NCAA tournament game

 

[Husky25]

A program coming off 2 sub-.500 seasons, a new coach, and no player standing over 6'-9" in real life is picked to finish 8th in their conference. Let's talk about a team from 1986.

 

[Chief00]

Earl was PG who could shoot. Pretty much carried UConn ala Kemba.
Comparing his ball skills to a 2-3 is pretty dishonest.
Also since Robinson and Gamble were pretty much the offense Phil also got a lot of attention. As freshman Phil averaged more PPG than Cliff
Like you said. Earl was his own worse enemy but if my recollection is correct without Earl screwing up. Perno might have lasted another year . That team started 8-0 but we were blown out in our own Cupcake Classic* by JC ‘s , Northeastern team. That was eye opening.
Then that team went into a death spiral when Earl was suspended which sealed Perno’s fate.
Guys with guns never are good for the schools image.
Rumors that it was really Chief’s gun are not true.
Chief getting Earl suspended so Dom would get fired and we would bring in JC is just a legend.
* the not so affectionate name us synical fans gave our annual Christmas Tournament.
Perno was amazing People think we just weren’t competitive ,although partly true
we really were not blown out that much and lead in many games against quality teams.of course which we usually lost.
Us serious fans always wondered in what creative way would we manage to blow the game.
Once We had a one point lead and the ball out of bounds against Georgetown .
with seconds left to play .
We managed to not only turn it over on our inbounds play but could not stop them from getting an easy basket for the win.
Yet I don’t remember ever a crowd of under 10-12 m at the HCC

What? Man, that sounds like some of those South County, URI conspiracy rumors how Calhoun was an undercover agent to hire Hurley. I was a casual friend with Earl, I would never set him up like that. Earl would be the first one to acknowledge today, he did a pretty good job of setting up bad situations by himself in those days.

 

[mauconnfan]

Quite frankly, KO was neither by the end.

Weak post. Go at his in ability to deliver as a coach but also question who he is as a man without actually knowing him is unacceptable. By all accounts from some who know him to this day he's the great man he always was just had some bumps in the road. Not sure any of us can understand the shoes he was in post-JC etc etc.. Better we leave it alone if we're smart.

 

[mauconnfan]

What? Man, that sounds like some of those South County, URI conspiracy rumors how Calhoun was an undercover agent to hire Hurley. I was a casual friend with Earl, I would never set him up like that. Earl would be the first one to acknowledge today, he did a pretty good job of setting up bad situations by himself in those days.

I'm going to be in that South Coutny area this weekend I will look for the 6'5" dude in the Inspector Clouseau trench coat so we can talk some basketball and maybe golf? LOL

 

[BFieldHusky]

Not sure where to put this so figured this thread might be the best. Interesting article on Memphis.

"This Memphis thing is going to work, isn't it?" an SEC coach said to me as he stood a few feet from Hardaway and Miller while watching the Hoop City Basketball Club win the Las Vegas Summer Showcase this week.

I told him the early returns suggest it will.

And the reason, or at least one of the reasons, is because Hardaway and Miller took on the challenge of rebuilding Memphis already in possession of some of the most established and deepest connections to grassroots basketball programs any college coaches have ever had. In fact, the situation is literally unprecedented, and here's why: Five of the top-65 prospects in 247Sports' Class of 2019 composite rankings -- namely No. 1 James Wiseman, No. 14 Trendon Watford, No. 30 Kira Lewis, No. 37 DJ Jeffries and No. 65 Chandler Lawson -- have spent this month playing for a team that was, just four months ago, named for, and formally tied to, either Hardaway or Miller.

How Memphis' Penny Hardaway and Mike Miller became the most fascinating duo on the recruiting trail

 

[Chief00]

I'm going to be in that South Coutny area this weekend I will look for the 6'5" dude in the Inspector Clouseau trench coat so we can talk some basketball and maybe golf? LOL

My bro lives down there and he says it’s gotten pretty conspiracy crazy. Reality was that Danny was leaving - some people don’t seem to get it. Somehow Jimmy just can’t live quietly by the beach with no controversy swirling! - LOL

 

[mauconnfan]

My bro lives down there and he says it’s gotten pretty conspiracy crazy. Reality was that Danny was leaving - some people don’t seem to get it. Somehow Jimmy just can’t live quietly by the beach with no controversy swirling! - LOL

I was in George's of Galilee a couple weekends ago and was stopped after hitting the mens room by a couple URI fans at the bar, they said "you stole our fn coach you bastard" which led to a nice little fun discussion and a round of beers that made my wife hunt for me 10 minutes later ...all good! We were with other friends so don't think I left her there alone people c'mon LOL

 

[Chief00]

I was in George's of Galilee a couple weekends ago and was stopped after hitting the mens room by a couple URI fans at the bar, they said "you stole our fn coach you bastard" which led to a nice little fun discussion and a round of beers that made my wife hunt for me 10 minutes later ...all good! We were with other friends so don't think I left her there alone people c'mon LOL

Yeah that sounds like South County.

 

[willie99]

We're always at our best when we're overlooked, or at least we used to be. If we're going to MUGA, then we might as well start with being disrespected

I like it

 

[Chief00]

Who was that opposition coach who use to say Calhoun woke up mad? Looking to fight someone.
I don’t know if Danny wakes up mad but he wakes up intense after he takes care of meditation or whatever.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Borges did his mid summer's prediction today. He had it as:

1. Cincinnati
2. UCF
3. Houston
4. Witchia State
5. UConn
6. Temple
7. SMU
8. Memphis
9. Tulsa
10. Tulane
11. East Carolina
12. USF

A midsummer’s look at American Athletic Conference men’s basketball

 

[HuskyHawk]

Borges did his mid summer's prediction today. He had it as:

1. Cincinnati
2. UCF
3. Houston
4. Witchia State
5. UConn
6. Temple
7. SMU
8. Memphis
9. Tulsa
10. Tulane
11. East Carolina
12. USF

A midsummer’s look at American Athletic Conference men’s basketball

I don't understand where people are coming from on some of these. It's a very tough league to predict, because so many teams lost good players.

1. UCF deserves the 1. spot based on what they have back, but I think they may blow it
2. Houston. Solid team even after losing Gray.
3. UConn
4. Wichita State. Never sell Marshall short, but they lost a lot.
5. Memphis. New talent, new energy from Penny.
6. Cinci. Lost almost the whole team but Mick will get them to play D.
7. Tulsa. Solid team. May be higher.
8. Temple.
9. SMU. Not sure what they have really.
10. Tulane.
11. ECU
12 USF

But the top 9 could slide almost anywhere. I may have WSU too high. Tulsa too low, perhaps SMU too. The whole league is up for grabs. There isn't an obvious tournament team in the mix, and only three teams are likely to be truly bad, maybe just two.

 

[Slasher]

I don't understand where people are coming from on some of these. It's a very tough league to predict, because so many teams lost good players.

1. UCF deserves the 1. spot based on what they have back, but I think they may blow it
2. Houston. Solid team even after losing Gray.
3. UConn
4. Wichita State. Never sell Marshall short, but they lost a lot.
5. Memphis. New talent, new energy from Penny.
6. Cinci. Lost almost the whole team but Mick will get them to play D.
7. Tulsa. Solid team. May be higher.
8. Temple.
9. SMU. Not sure what they have really.
10. Tulane.
11. ECU
12 USF

But the top 9 could slide almost anywhere. I may have WSU too high. Tulsa too low, perhaps SMU too. The whole league is up for grabs. There isn't an obvious tournament team in the mix, and only three teams are likely to be truly bad, maybe just two.

Cincinnati has never finished worse than 3rd in the conference. They've made the tournament the last eight years. They're not finishing outside the top four in the conference.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Cincinnati has never finished worse than 3rd in the conference. They've made the tournament the last eight years. They're not finishing outside the top four in the conference.

Cincinnati had much, much better teams in each of those years than they do this year. This is a crappy Cincinnati squad by comparison. They will play D, so may slide up if other teams falter. Everybody has a down year eventually, I think this is theirs.

 

[Slasher]

Cincinnati had much, much better teams in each of those years than they do this year. This is a crappy Cincinnati squad by comparison. They will play D, so may slide up if other teams falter. Everybody has a down year eventually, I think this is theirs.

I disagree completely. The teams from a few years ago were Sean Kilpatrick and a bunch of scrubs who couldn't score. This team has two senior PGs, a big-time scorer in Cumberland and the front court will be three juniors.

 

[CL82]

5. UCONN

Best player: Jalen Adams, who Dan Hurley wants (needs) to live up to that moniker every day in practice and in games.

Best newcomers: Brendan Adams, a freshman and brother of Jaylen (not Jalen), and A-10 Sixth Man of the Year Tarin Smith, a grad transfer from Duquesne who played for Hurley’s dad, Bob, at St. Anthony’s.

Biggest loss: Terry Larrier

Biggest question mark: Can Alterique Gilbert, after missing nearly all the past two seasons with shoulder woes, remain healthy? That’s the key to it all.

Hurley’s already turned around two other programs, and he’s got the talent here to do it again. Jalen Adams is the league’s best player. Alterique Gilbert could be AAC preseason Rookie of the Year a third straight season. Christian Vital averaged nearly 15 per game last season.

But there are question marks galore. Can Gilbert finally stay healthy? Can Adams be the best player on the court every night? Can a big man or two (Josh Carlton? Eric Cobb?) step up? Will a team dogged by bad habits and questionable poor work ethic the past couple of years buy into Hurley’s no-nonsense, high-energy style? (It’s telling that not a single player transferred after Hurley replaced Kevin Ollie).

 

[kobe]

Jon Rothstein‏Verified account @JonRothstein
Carleton beats Cincinnati by 19 in Canada. Bearcats now 1-1 on foreign tour. Ravens have beaten UC, Wisconsin, and others in past few years.

We suck

 

[Waquoit]

Calhoun inherited Cliff Robinson
Phil Gamble
Tate George
Steve Pikell
Gary Besselink
Jeff King

Hardly murderer's row. Especially since Cliff and Phil flunked off the team his first year. IMO, Cliff is the most overrated Husky player ever. There's a reason why he slipped out of the 1st round. And why the team got good after he left.

 

[Waquoit]

Right on most of them, but George and Pikiell were his first freshman class. Not sure he recruited them or if they were Perno commits.

Perno. JC's 1st recruit was Lyman De Priest