Big East video about Ollie

[OkaForPrez]

Okafor,

Problem is I don't know that other changes occur that quickly. And unless and until they do and we go somewhere else, UConn is not going to be just fine. We are going to be in a terrible league. And there is a huge risk that unless Ollie is exceptional, we'll be dragged down to the level of the league, not the other way around. I doubt Ollie is exceptional. When I see Kevin Ollie take the floor I have images of Bill Stewart leading West Virginia in football. This was an emotional as opposed to a rational selection,mostly because Calhoun has this fear that a new coach will replace him in the pantheon of UConn coaches or something, and heading where we're likely heading, this has 2 huge problems. 1. Ollie can look good without being good given that we have lots of games against really bad teams. Really bad. Basically, barring someone saving us, UConn's conference schedule will look a lot like this years' November-December one. And I don't care what people want to believe, it is unlikely that the non-conference schedule gets upgraded that much. Some, but we aren't playing 8-10 top 50 teams, and they aren't coming to UConn because they don't have to. We have to play a lower level of teams just to have a reasonable number of home games.

2. The second problem is that by the time we do get scooped up by say the ACC, we could be in a situation where we are miles behind where UConn has been the past 25 years, Ollie will be recruiting A-10ish level players if we're lucky(and really that is what he has been recruiting this year), and we won't any longer have the big time contacts. I really felt this was an opportunity to land a big time coach and maintain the level of the program. We went small time, largely because of Calhoun, but I can't argue with that way of thinking given where we are headed.

Why plant your flag at the intersection of the worst case scenario on the Ollie and Conference axis?

Yes there is a scenario where Ollie is a bust. But even if we crudely divide coaching into motivation, in game strategy, preparation, and recruiting we know with certainty that Ollie has two of these attributes in spades. His personality is captivating in its unwavering optimism. He has shown the ability to establish a vision, communicate it effectively, and incorporate it into all aspects of his "program." I don't think there is any doubt that he is an exceptional motivator. I don't think we need a bigger sample size to conclude this.

In terms or preparation, our sample size is 15 years of grinding to keep his job in the league. The Blaney quote in the video in this very thread talks about the value Kevin has brought in pro style individual drills. I don't think Kemba's leap in his Sophomore to Junior year was coincidental to Ollie joining the program. Our guards have been our overwhelming strength since Ollie has come aboard. Wolf is developing in front of our eyes. Deandre has taken a step forward. Giffey is an invaluable role player this year.

In game strategy we will have to see over time, but we have certainly masked our inefficiencies against more talented front courts this year. As our low post help defense has become more effective, so has our overall defensive success. Calhoun commented on how important this was and is during the MSU game in Germany on his broadcast with Joe D. Ollie has implemented a solution which has helped to keep us competitive down low. I'm not saying this is a foregone conclusion, but there is reason for optimism. We will see.

And as for recruiting, targeting A-10 guys is just not correct. You can't win without talent, but the contract should help. As will the UConn Brand, Ollie's appealing personality and what he stands for, his NBA network, and his own story of perseverance. The conference uncertainty and the need for the program to reassert itself will be challenges.

Yes there is a scenario where we are left out of the conference realignment shakeup. But we have a 3 year clock before our basketball conference hits rock bottom with the C7 departure. ND is still in the league for at least another year. Don't forget that even though our ship hasn't come in yet, if and when it does if Cinci gets the nod too I believe there are enough votes to dissolve the league and we can leave immediately and without penalty.

There are several quotes from AD's around the country that are suggesting realignment isn't over on the record, most recently Mizzouri's AD. We are also now a clear outlier of the remaining schools in terms of our academic profile and revenues. You can read for years on the conference realignment board if you don't already. There is a lot we have going for us and we are increasing our attractiveness in academics when most are on the decline.

Yes there is a chance that UConn regresses severely, but it is far less likely than many of the other scenarios.

Since we are dealing with extremes, lets say Ollie has the goods to back up what he is at face value, isn't that chance sublime? Here is our guy. Bleeds husky blue. Makes you want to run through brick walls. Makes you feel great about the state of Connecticut. A guy who earned everything he's got in life through sweat and perseverance. This guy who shows signs of potential greatness and has all the building blocks. He's not worth betting the program on? He's not worth the risk of a setback? You see mid major doomsday in that? I say we were spoiled by one of the top 10 college basketball coaches for 25 years and there is a chance that we might be on the doorstep of something else extraordinary.
This is exciting.

 

[OkaForPrez]

This was an emotional as opposed to a rational selection,mostly because Calhoun has this fear that a new coach will replace him in the pantheon of UConn coaches or something

P.S.

B.S.

 

[3uconn]

FREESCOOTER:
To your second point your WRONG. We have a commitment from Kentan Facey. He was one of this past summers biggest risers. He had offers coming in daily and had schools like UK and UNC watching him and he committed to UConn. He is a consensus top 100 player. We also have a commitment from Terrance Samuel. He is a very good player. He would possibly be top 100 if he accepted a prep school offer to play high school basketball but he stayed true to his high school and stayed. He is only going to get better with more practice. Also UConn has gone after but not gotten tons of top players. You mean to say that we have been recruiting A-10ish players? We have commitments from Kentan Facey and Terrance Samuel as I said above. We have also made countless top 3, top 5, top 10 lists. These players were Xavier Rathan Mayes (top 25), Brandon Austin (will end up top 50), Reggie Cameron (top 75), Dominic Woodson (top 100), Wes Clark (top 100), Kuran Iverson (top 25), Noah Vonleh (top 5), Jabari Parker (top 2), Brannen Greene (top 30). That list doesn't seem A-10ish!

 

[mauconnfan]

freescooter.........Happy New Year!

Hopefully you'll get a grip in the next 6 1/2 hours so you can enjoy 2013 rather than live in the bowels of your own sorrow!