Article from Goodman

[Kitaman]

I've stated a couple of times Ollie can not be accurately evaluated for a few more years.

This is his first complete team, but even some of these players have an asterisk (recruiting under violations cloud). After this year the team will consist thoroughly of Ollie's players most notably prized recruit Jalen Adams. Albert G. (who I expect to be around for 4 years) could be Ollie's 'Chris Smith'.

Secondly he had a big coaching turnover with Hobbs and Blaney leaving. (It wasn't just Ollie who out-coached Izzo, Cal, JB and others.). So essentially we have a new staff including Ollie (sans Miller). Just saying that the staff is an important part of the evaluations, not just the head coach.

By the time our freshman class graduate we will have a more accurate picture of Ollie's coaching, development and recruiting. I think between now and then his first AA (not counting Bazz, but he should get partial credit) will emerge, with a couple more to follow. The minutes our 3 freshman are playing now will make them very good D1 ballers, so they have a head start already.

I really feel we will be return to prominence by the time Vance and the others graduate. UConn prominence to me is 25+ win seasons, with successive national rankings. Also I really feel recruiting will continue to improve. I really am confident our future looks bright.

 

[UconnFanNVa]

I've stated a couple of times Ollie can not be accurately evaluated for a few more years.

This is his first complete team, but even some of these players have an asterisk (recruiting under violations cloud). After this year the team will consist thoroughly of Ollie's players most notably prized recruit Jalen Adams. Albert G. (who I expect to be around for 4 years) could be Ollie's 'Chris Smith'.

Secondly he had a big coaching turnover with Hobbs and Blaney leaving. (It wasn't just Ollie who out-coached Izzo, Cal, JB and others.). So essentially we have a new staff including Ollie (sans Miller). Just saying that the staff is an important part of the evaluations, not just the head coach.

By the time our freshman class graduate we will have a more accurate picture of Ollie's coaching, development and recruiting. I think between now and then his first AA (not counting Bazz, but he should get partial credit) will emerge, with a couple more to follow. The minutes our 3 freshman are playing now will make them very good D1 ballers, so they have a head start already.

I really feel we will be return to prominence by the time Vance and the others graduate. UConn prominence to me is 25+ win seasons, with successive national rankings. Also I really feel recruiting will continue to improve. I really am confident our future looks bright.

I don't hear enough about the coaching changes. Those alone can throw things way out of whack.

 

[Chief00]

I've stated a couple of times Ollie can not be accurately evaluated for a few more years.

This is his first complete team, but even some of these players have an asterisk (recruiting under violations cloud). After this year the team will consist thoroughly of Ollie's players most notably prized recruit Jalen Adams. Albert G. (who I expect to be around for 4 years) could be Ollie's 'Chris Smith'.

Secondly he had a big coaching turnover with Hobbs and Blaney leaving. (It wasn't just Ollie who out-coached Izzo, Cal, JB and others.). So essentially we have a new staff including Ollie (sans Miller). Just saying that the staff is an important part of the evaluations, not just the head coach.

By the time our freshman class graduate we will have a more accurate picture of Ollie's coaching, development and recruiting. I think between now and then his first AA (not counting Bazz, but he should get partial credit) will emerge, with a couple more to follow. The minutes our 3 freshman are playing now will make them very good D1 ballers, so they have a head start already.

I really feel we will be return to prominence by the time Vance and the others graduate. UConn prominence to me is 25+ win seasons, with successive national rankings. Also I really feel recruiting will continue to improve. I really am confident our future looks bright.

Good post. People underestimate Blaney's basketball wisdom and yes I know I will be criticized for saying that - which is strange. Goodman is crazy - with the right talent KO will do fine - needs to change his recruiting profile by recruiting shooters and rebounders with some creators. We need a true Bigs coach yesterday and not let the zone nonsense take up too much practice time.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Good post. People underestimate Blaney's basketball wisdom and yes I know I will be criticized for saying that - which is strange. Goodman is crazy - with the right talent KO will do fine - needs to change his recruiting profile by recruiting shooters and rebounders with some creators. We need a true Bigs coach yesterday and not let the zone nonsense take up too much practice time.

he's proven he can get the great guards and i believe vance and vital can become good shooters... but yeah we need a kid to come in and not be a project but talented at the 4/5 and a kid that can come in and shoot. zone might be a necessity this year due to injuries though

 

[tower1]

This is BS for so many different reasons. First of all, if we didn't have all of these injuries, we have a much better record than 5-7 and nobody is talking about Ollie being on the hot seat. So now to acknowledge the fact that there are tons of injuries, but still proclaim Ollie is in a tenuous position due to "lack of development of the bigs" makes it seem like Goodman is really reaching to put things together.

Second, and more importantly, I have questioned the shaky development of UConn bigs for years. But right now, what I am seeing on the court out of Facey, Enoch, and Brimah, has actually been pretty impressive... WHEN THEY GET OPPORTUNITIES. If you want to blame Ollie for not getting them enough touches, that's fine. But all three of our big men have improved significantly, especially this year. (Within their own limitations as athletes, Brimah simply doesn't have good hand-eye coordination).

What games have you been watching? They had a couple of ok games these last few games. But by no means have they been impressive! Facey is the same player he was as a freshmen and Enoch has not improved at all. Brimah has been a shot blocker for four years and has not improved his offense and his fouling.

 

[King Husky]

What games have you been watching? They had a couple of ok games these last few games. But by no means have they been impressive! Facey is the same player he was as a freshmen and Enoch has not improved at all. Brimah has been a shot blocker for four years and has not improved his offense and his fouling.

They aren't utilized correctly, they don't get enough touches, they don't get the benefit of consistency, and finally, they too often receive the ball too far from the basket (Idk who to blame for this). If you focus in on the actual individual skill level, you see they have all improved within their own ceilings/limitations. Facey has shown what he is capable of in a couple games now this season, so if you ask "why doesn't he have games like this more often?" I think you'll see that my first sentence above has a lot to do with it. That's my two cents... keep an eye on it in tomorrow's game.

And again, regarding Brimah, I have long given up hope he will ever be an offensive talent. That is no one's fault. But that newly developed jump-hook he has isn't terrible.

 

[willie99]

Ollie is not on the hot seat, so any argument that begins with that premise doesn't get to first base

He has highly regarded kids coming in, he'll get a chance to work and win with them

Right now I want him to figure out how to turn 16/17 around

 

[donyell34]

Hard to turn around this season considering the hits we've had. One after another bam, bam, bam. So record wise we can throw that out the window, but there is a lot of BB to play. Seeing improvements in the young guys and how KO handles the hand he's been dealt. I do like that he doesn't whine about it. As long as the effort is there which it is and they give it all they got I'll be happy but Damm let's make this a one year deal. For the mental health of the boneyard. Happy new year. 2017

 

[Chief00]

My other issue with the article was how he threw away KO's first season: they were banned, so who cares.

The fact that KO coached that team to 20 wins -- despite defections and no light at the end of the tunnel -- was a very impressive feat, Sloth.*

*Goodman looks like Sloth. ROCKY ROAD!

I thought KO did a great coaching job in year 1 with Calhoun recruited players. We may be on to something?

 

[UConnSwag11]

He did not inherit a mess from Calhoun - look at who recruited the stars of the 2014 team.

what does 2009 have to do with Ollie?

The penalties currently being served by the Men's Basketball program include the suspension of the head coach for three conference games during the 2011-12 season, scholarship reductions for three academic years, recruiting restrictions, permanent disassociation of a booster and three years' probation (until February 21, 2014).

The verdict means UConn is ineligible not only for the 2013 Big East tournament, but also the NCAA tournament. Yes, really. This action isn't unprecedented -- the NCAA brought the hammer on SWAC schools last year -- but it has never been implemented on a program as powerful as Connecticut's until now.


UConn is willing to impose these penalties on itself because the basketball program would probably feel long-term competitive effects from tournament ineligibility. It might have already hurt the Huskies on the recruiting front. Anthony Bennett, a top-rated power forward in Nevada, excluded UConn from his list of schools. He told The Courant in January that the potential of tournament ineligibility in 2013 was "kind of a factor" in that decision. UConn men's basketball: UConn Proposes Own Penalties To NCAA Over APR Failures


Smith is the latest player to leave UConn after the Huskies received a 2013 postseason ban for low Academic Progress Rate scores. Because UConn is ineligible, Smith could play for the Rebels this season, though Rice could not confirm that Friday....Alex Oriakhi earlier announced he is transferring to Missouri for his senior season. Michael Bradley is transferring to Western Kentucky.


little bit of a mess he inherited... he had to reach for guys like evans, lubin, even facey and brimah... you can see his inexperience there... the guy never coached a team before in his life... the program was dragged through the mud from '09 on with bad publicity from the media just to take shots at the program. Ollie had to deal with negative media coverage of the program as well and constant rumors of him leaving the program for the nba

 

[UConnSwag11]

I thought KO did a great coaching job in year 1 with Calhoun recruited players. We may be on to something?

and im tired of people saying "those were calhouns recruits"... ollie was there from day one with them and even worked with kemba throughout his growth his junior year. Ollie had as much to do with developing bazz and them as calhoun did. calhoun wasn't there for the banned season, when he beat izzo twice, jay wright, donovan, the mayor, cal, or when ollie won the NC... We're struggling bc we cant rebound at all and get out and run or have a possession before teams get 2 or three. Ollie will fix this and like I said, once the seniors are gone we're going to be loaded with talent... Just need bigs as a priority, chemistry and leadership, and they have to put in work in the offseason

 

[Chief00]

It's not a knock on Ollie but reality - Calhoun selected recruits - were the labor KO used to have a 20 win season in year 1 and a NC in year 2. Calhoun had a recruiting formula to put together a team - in part the best players he could get - but also a creator scorer, a PG, a defensive stopper to put on the other team's best player, a shooter and a guy who can rebound and screen.

During that time KO out coached some elite coaches. Despite the early loses before the injuries I thought we would be good this year - but the boat has too many holes now.

I am holding out hope that we can still make a run in the conference tournament - but really we need to lay the ground work for next season. We have three injured guys, plus Durham - who we have no idea regarding how well they will recover - ACL is typically two years to play with confidence. A shoulder injury makes me wonder how a guy who needs to work on his shooting can do so? Larry Bird shot 500 practice shots daily in the summer. Basically, if nearly all went in - he would stop after 500. He might shoot a thousand if he was off a little until it got corrected. If he missed they went to the right. A good Bigs coach teaches rebounders such tendencies of the other team's most frequent shooters.

 

[Pudge]

I know we don't love the guy around here (and often for good reason) but Jeff Goodman on ESPN wrote this earlier today. I think it is a fair article for both the people who want to run Ollie out of town, and the people who want to be patient, especially with all the injuries this year.

Put in a healthy trio of Adams, Gilbert and Larrier -- with the addition of Ashton-Langford -- and the Huskies will almost certainly be a completely different team. But it has been the lack of development with UConn's big men that has hampered the program. Amidah Brimah hasn't become more than a one-dimensional defensive presence, Kentan Facey hasn't showed more than a reserve up front and Steven Enoch has been a non-factor for most of this season.

Ollie's future has been a source of speculation the past couple seasons, but it centered on questions whether an NBA team would pluck him. Now, despite the rash of injuries, it's more about whether he'll get another contract in Storrs.

He's still got that card. But is there an expiration date?

Can Kevin Ollie fix what ails UConn?

OF COURSE ...

I would point to Enoch and Facey in the last two games and UNDERLINE what I think of Goodman: He really isn't giving you his opinion. He talks to 5-20 others and filters this and then takes credit. This is a couple weeks ago POV ... and thus, really captures this uniquely.

If you saw our last 4 games, the major factor you are looking at (besides that we need Adams) is how Kentan Facey IS a force, that Enoch is thinking better. Goodman is a shrill compiler and not a analyst.

 

[David 76]

If we let Ollie go, I really hope we can get Chief to coach

 

[Hi-Low]

Johnny Jones got crushed last year for having No. 1 pick and not making NCAA tourney. Washington's Lorenzo Romar has potential No. 1 this year, Markelle Fultz, and just lost to Washington State at home. Huskies now 7-6 with two losses to TCU, one to Nevada, one to WSU, one to Yale and one to Gonzaga. Not pretty.

Does this jerk do anything besides rag on people.....doesn't have to be a cheerleader but does't have to be a tool either. Romar may not be a terrific coach but how often does a freshman carry an entire program, they have other good players but no other 5* top players.

 

[Goat]

Jim Calhoun had a great first year at Northeastern, but then was a 0.500 coach for the next 6 years. I am completely okay with Kevin Ollie taking more time to fully hit his stride. When he does he has the capacity to be on a trajectory to be the greatest coach in college basketball because he certainly will be one of the greatest recruiters of all time. He is an exemplar of what parents of would be college stars and pro athletes would want for their children after their playing days are over. Further, he cares about his players and identified and recruited players of high character even as he struggled with signing talent. To players, he's been in the league and he'll prove he can get them there. He's certainly smart enough to learn the additional pieces of the puzzle.

Ollie's championship was a big deal. A couple of sweet 16 seasons and we are on our way. How can the boneyard dismiss the NC so easily while blaming him for this anomalous season?

I don't have a personal relationship with any Insiders at UConn, but I think that Jim Calhoun's probably telling them all to shut up and watch Kevin's team play. There's no one I would rather see coaching the Huskies.

 

[jibsey]

I have a hard time holding KO to the same standards we had when we were in the OBE. Not getting a great talented player is hurting us I believe with all due respect to Jalen and Gilbert. KO is recruiting well but we still lack top 10 talent, talented shooters, talented bigs. Is it asking too much for 1 per year? Maybe in our league it is. Have to have the ingredients.

 

[UConnSwag11]

I have a hard time holding KO to the same standards we had when we were in the OBE. Not getting a great talented player is hurting us I believe with all due respect to Jalen and Gilbert. KO is recruiting well but we still lack top 10 talent, talented shooters, talented bigs. Is it asking too much for 1 per year? Maybe in our league it is. Have to have the ingredients.

agreed, i've said before the only two things that have killed us in the last few years and culminated this year is our lack of outside shooting and no big men. IMO Brimah and Facey were reaches do to everything that happened when Ollie inherited the program. Once he starts getting the big men I believe everything will start rolling positively. We have great and good guards and wings now and coming in. Chemistry is another big thing... We've had several to top 100, 50, 30, players. He is way ahead of peoples expectations when it comes to recruiting. He'll get those top 10s soon. I think if we land talented bigs and they dont develop then we need to look at someone else other than Miller. Whether the players put in the time in the offseason is up to them

 

[UCweCONN]

Jim Calhoun had a great first year at Northeastern, but then was a 0.500 coach for the next 6 years. I am completely okay with Kevin Ollie taking more time to fully hit his stride. When he does he has the capacity to be on a trajectory to be the greatest coach in college basketball because he certainly will be one of the greatest recruiters of all time. He is an exemplar of what parents of would be college stars and pro athletes would want for their children after their playing days are over. Further, he cares about his players and identified and recruited players of high character even as he struggled with signing talent. To players, he's been in the league and he'll prove he can get them there. He's certainly smart enough to learn the additional pieces of the puzzle.

Ollie's championship was a big deal. A couple of sweet 16 seasons and we are on our way. How can the boneyard dismiss the NC so easily while blaming him for this anomalous season?

I don't have a personal relationship with any Insiders at UConn, but I think that Jim Calhoun's probably telling them all to shut up and watch Kevin's team play. There's no one I would rather see coaching the Huskies.

I wouldn't mind seeing Geno coaching the men. They'd be damn good at fundamentals, that's for sure.

 

[David 76]

I have a hard time holding KO to the same standards we had when we were in the OBE. Not getting a great talented player is hurting us I believe with all due respect to Jalen and Gilbert. KO is recruiting well but we still lack top 10 talent, talented shooters, talented bigs. Is it asking too much for 1 per year? Maybe in our league it is. Have to have the ingredients.

We didn't get a top ten recruit every year, ever.
Every once and a while we would get a Donyell or Drummond.

 

[Richmondhsky]

Thank you! Spot on post. Under JC we always recruited bigs who were projects. Okafor and Drummond might be exceptions but both were defensive players. We used to complain about recruits who signed with Duke etc got big bumps ratings wise.
Sometimes it appears the majority of the posts here are made by people with little historical perspective. Honestly, it's hard to read. Imagine if your sales team at work lost your top three producers....hmmmm, not pretty right?

 

[mauconnfan]

I wouldn't mind seeing Geno coaching the men. They'd be damn good at fundamentals, that's for sure.

You really going to go there? Please stop

 

[mauconnfan]

Thank you! Spot on post. Under JC we always recruited bigs who were projects. Okafor and Drummond might be exceptions but both were defensive players. We used to complain about recruits who signed with Duke etc got big bumps ratings wise.
Sometimes it appears the majority of the posts here are made by people with little historical perspective. Honestly, it's hard to read. Imagine if your sales team at work lost your top three producers....hmmmm, not pretty right?

Agree but reality is they thought Okafor would be a "project" of sorts too but guess what, he was basketball smart, high IQ and coachable. Another one who started playing late yet was a factor in his freshman year and blossomed thereafter. Not all kids are that as we know.

 

[HuskyHawk]

You really going to go there? Please stop

Obviously was never going to happen, but anyone who thinks that Geno could not have coached men's college basketball is crazy.

My concern with Ollie is the same as it has been in other areas of the athletic department. UConn is in the American. We cannot afford to suck, even for a short time. We don't have the latitude that Michigan or even Indiana has. Our ability to remain relevant is just like Gonzaga's, we have to be ranked all the time, every year...and our name has to be on that ESPN ticker, and our games the highlight games on TV.

In other words, Ollie will be a great coach someday...but he has to start fixing this right damned now. We are out of time.

 

[mauconnfan]

Obviously was never going to happen, but anyone who thinks that Geno could not have coached men's college basketball is crazy.

My concern with Ollie is the same as it has been in other areas of the athletic department. UConn is in the American. We cannot afford to suck, even for a short time. We don't have the latitude that Michigan or even Indiana has. Our ability to remain relevant is just like Gonzaga's, we have to be ranked all the time, every year...and our name has to be on that ESPN ticker, and our games the highlight games on TV.

In other words, Ollie will be a great coach someday...but he has to start fixing this right damned now. We are out of time.

He could coach the men not sure I said otherwise But he wouldn't develop this teams fundamentals any better it's not women playing against women. And it's definitely not the best women playing against worst women. Fundamentals is how they become great players on their end, they can win without athleticism. Different world, just making sure we don't try to develop this thought it's ridiculous.

 

[HuskyHawk]

He could coach then men not sure I said that. But he wouldn't develop this teams fundamentals any better it's not women playing against women. And it's definitely not the best women playing against worst women. Fundamentals is how they become great players on their end, they can win without athleticism. Different world, just making sure we don't try to develop this head it's ridiculous.

I think he'd be different than some men's coaches. Not all of them emphasize the same things. I see Geno as being very much like Bobby Knight, who was able to create great teams without always having great talent. I watch good teams all the time and it's amazing how infrequently anyone blocks out properly anymore. It's a little like what Princeton used to do on the men's side under Carril.

I'd say that right now, this particular UConn men's team could use a big old heaping helping of those kinds of fundamentals.

 

[upstater]

Agree but reality is they thought Okafor would be a "project" of sorts too but guess what, he was basketball smart, high IQ and coachable. Another one who started playing late yet was a factor in his freshman year and blossomed thereafter. Not all kids are that as we know.

Yep. Okafor was top 100. Maybe 10 spots higher than Facey. And Facey was known, NY state player of the year, with many good other offers, recruited over a year before he enrolled. As for Okafor, he came on the scene very late. I believe UConn beat out maybe Rice and Vanderbilt for his services? Thank god Stanford didn't offer him.

 

[storrsroars]

he's proven he can get the great guards and i believe vance and vital can become good shooters... but yeah we need a kid to come in and not be a project but talented at the 4/5 and a kid that can come in and shoot. zone might be a necessity this year due to injuries though

Shooting (mostly finishing) is definitely the #1 problem, IMO. Even with the issues with our big men, I'm generally impressed with the squad's defense - especially considering who's left to play, the minutes our guards have to endure and often playing 2 bigs. We're not playing many blowouts so intensity is needed the full 40 minutes. But recruits generally aren't all that interested in intense defense.

Agree fully on the need to go get some shooters who are ready right out of the gate. One thing JC had even during "down" seasons was that he was still putting guys into the NBA. That still matters to recruits. Even Boeheim keeps putting guys into the NBA despite no NCs since forever. Assuming none for this year, that gives KO three thus far - Bazz and Daniels (not his recruits, and ancient history to current prospects) and DHam (not on an NBA roster).

I think we're nowhere close to seeing Adams' ceiling, and he's likely the next to go to the NBA, unless Diallo comes on board. Until then, we're not a particularly attractive destination compared to the blue bloods and other top tier programs we generally recruit against. We may think differently as we're "insiders", but we're not a kid who thinks he has a chance to make millions playing a game. The optics over the last couple of years aren't all that good.