Biggest Game Coaching mistake Calhoun ever made

[nelsonmuntz]

Jeff played the game of the George Mason bigs better than they did and would have willed a win. Only JC keeping him off the court could have stopped him, and that's what happened. At least that's how it felt to me at the time (and ever since) . . . and so much so that I'm actually commenting in agreement with an OP who way more often than not makes me wonder why he posts silly and/or inflammatory stuff when he's obviously capable of good insights.

Then again, RichZ notes a whole lot of other things that might have changed in subsequent UCONN history, so I can easily enough just accept what's so.

Armstrong and Boone were not even slowing GMU's bigs down in that game, they were just getting out of the way. I have trouble coming up with any other UConn game where I ever questioned a player's effort, but I do question what happened in that GMU game.

 

[Gurleyman]

Can't believe no one here is talking about the biggest underachieving Uconn team of them all 1995-96. Loss to Miss st. in the sweet 16. IIR we were down about 20 points when we decide to start up the press and cut it to 2 before ultimately losing to that chump team. That loss hurt way more than the Florida loss. That Uconn team was way better with or without Ricky Moore. Even though if we had won we would have forfeited the games because of the violations.

Ricky wasn't a big loss statistically, but he was a card that we needed to play in order to make an adjustment. He was a guy who could have changed the pace of the game and improved our matchups on defense. He could have guarded Wilson (their shooter), and pushed the ball up the floor when we were stuck in the half court. We couldn't really press with no backup guards - Sheffer had to play 40 and he was a bit hobbled too.

Losing Ricky then would be like losing Napier in 2011 and losing the adjustment of being able to put Kemba off the ball. There's nothing in Ricky's 1996 stats or Bazz's in 2011 that makes it seem like they were vital, but they were guys who were important to us strategically.

The chump team actually punked the best Kentucky team Pitino ever had in the SEC title game and beat a very good Cincy team after us - giving them wins over 3 of the top 6 teams in the country in a span of two weeks. We needed Ray-Doron-Travis to be on their games to win and we just got Ray for a half and a few minutes of Doron late. Not enough.

 

[ASweet3781]

Can't believe no one here is talking about the biggest underachieving Uconn team of them all 1995-96. Loss to Miss st. in the sweet 16. IIR we were down about 20 points when we decide to start up the press and cut it to 2 before ultimately losing to that chump team. That loss hurt way more than the Florida loss. That Uconn team was way better with or without Ricky Moore. Even though if we had won we would have forfeited the games because of the violations.

Which is why the statement that the MSU loss hurt more than Florida is kinda absurd. 1996 wouldn't have counted even had we beaten MSU. 1994 had a legit shot to win had they not choked against UF. It certainly could have been atleast a Final Four year with BC awaiting in the regional.

I don't know how anyone can say any loss hurt more than that Florida one. George Mason was embarrassing. Laettner was heartbreaking. Florida was embarrassing, heartbreaking, and infuriating. Thankfully we got some revenge this year!

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Can't believe no one here is talking about the biggest underachieving Uconn team of them all 1995-96. Loss to Miss st. in the sweet 16. IIR we were down about 20 points when we decide to start up the press and cut it to 2 before ultimately losing to that chump team. That loss hurt way more than the Florida loss. That Uconn team was way better with or without Ricky Moore. Even though if we had won we would have forfeited the games because of the violations.

Was that the year UConn lost at Gampel to Charlie Ward and Florida State? All I remember from that came was a co-ed naked body surfing in the student section. Not sure if that made in on the CBS broadcast.

 

[CallMeBruce]

I thought that team overachieved a little. The lineup was Sheffer, Allen, King, Knight and Moore or Rash as the 5th starter. That team basically had no bench, and neither of the front court players were creators even if they got the ball on the blocks. That team was susceptible to a really good defensive squad, and was protected by an OK Big East that year that did not expose the team's holes.

What? Moore and Jones were both great off the bench, and Hayward played a ton of very productive minutes, too. Also, the Big East was loaded that season. Nothing you just said makes sense.

 

[Inyatkin]

I thought that team overachieved a little. The lineup was Sheffer, Allen, King, Knight and Moore or Rash as the 5th starter. That team basically had no bench, and neither of the front court players were creators even if they got the ball on the blocks. That team was susceptible to a really good defensive squad, and was protected by an OK Big East that year that did not expose the team's holes.

Rudy Johnson started that season, Ricky came off the bench. We entered that game at 32-2. I don't know how you could view Mississippi State as anything other than a total letdown, future sanctions notwithstanding.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Rudy Johnson started that season, Ricky came off the bench. We entered that game at 32-2. I don't know how you could view Mississippi State as anything other than a total letdown, future sanctions notwithstanding.

That MSU team had 3 future NBA players on it.

 

[Inyatkin]

That MSU team had 3 future NBA players on it.

That UConn team had Ray Allen on it. You're going to argue that wasn't a total letdown on UConn's part? OK, I'd say otherwise.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

That UConn team had Ray Allen on it. You're going to argue that wasn't a total letdown on UConn's part? OK, I'd say otherwise.

I am saying that I don't think it was a coaching failure. There were not a lot of levers to pull on that UConn team. There were basically 4 very good starters and then gimpy kneed Rudy Johnson or some frosh. I believe Moore was out that game, right? That team was really dependent on Ray Allen for scoring, and if the other team could slow or stop him, there wasn't a good plan B. I don't think that team was as good as its record either. It was a good team, but not 34-2 good.

 

[Waquoit]

It's seems KO has adopted the rule too, is that correct? Can anyone remember him not doing it this year?

I know he has played guys with 2 fouls in the first half, I just don't recall the exact games. He would have put Bazz back in against Nova if he needed to,

 

[Excalibur]

I know he has played guys with 2 fouls in the first half, I just don't recall the exact games. He would have put Bazz back in against Nova if he needed to,

He's more willing to do it with his role players. Boat, Bazz, and Daniels sat with two.