Billy Donovan sour grapes..

[boog204]

As was said, it was a lucky series of events. BD stated it that way. Also, we got outplayed in 94 by a much less talented Florida team. That was not luck; that happens. We have been on the other side quite a few times and no UConn fan would state that we were simply lucky.

 

[willie99]

well then Billy, let me just say that when using your definition of luck, a whole lotta luck happens every game ever played

 

[Rondogg]

As was said, it was a lucky series of events. BD stated it that way. Also, we got outplayed in 94 by a much less talented Florida team. That was not luck; that happens. We have been on the other side quite a few times and no UConn fan would state that we were simply lucky.

94 was the worst. 2011 made up for it.

I once saw a Duke Board thread many years ago asking about the best teams that never made it. We are blamed for destroying 2 of their "greatest" seasons.

 

[seanmc94]

No, Billy. "Luck" was Florida going on to the Elite Eight in 1994, when Donyell Marshall couldn't make a foul shot (he had two chances) with very little time left in regulation. "Luck" was Florida then not being able to miss a shot in overtime. Billy, Billy, Billy . . . "luck" was a lesser talented Gator team sneaking past perhaps UConn's best team ever, talent wise (Marshall, Donny Marshall, Diron Sheffer, Kevin Ollie, Ray Allen, Brian Fair, Travis Knight, et al). "Luck" is a basketball program that's no better than UConn actually being in a Power Conference, and not screwed over in conference realignment, because the football program has been good forever. That's "luck", Billy. Now go away.

y

C'mon, UF has won to NC and just went to the FF. It's not like they suck at hoops. Florida is one of the premiere athletic schools in the country. They didn't luck their way into a power conference.

 

[Dmike]

It was pretty darn lucky to get the ball back out of that scrum -- and not just back, but to the team's best shooter in a wide open spot at the elbow.

But Bazz has that Kemba-like magic, he makes things happen and is always in the right spot. He knows how to be lucky.

What oftentimes appears to be luck isn't just being in the right place at the right time, its recognizing the moment and making the most of the opportunity. This year's going to be a wild one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Husky25]

94 was the worst. 2011 made up for it.

I once saw a Duke Board thread many years ago asking about the best teams that never made it. We are blamed for destroying 2 of their "greatest" seasons.

The funny part is that 1999 was not a fluke. UConn was 34-2 and the more experienced team. Langdon and Carrawell were the only upperclassmen of note and while it seemed Duke scored in the 90s every game and beat everyone by 20, the ACC was weak overall that year. Only 3 ACC teams made the Tournament.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

After a ground maintenance delay, whiny Donovan also blames Delta Airlines

 

[sparky]

It's wasn't luck the shot went in, but the tip was the assist. Billy Boy you just got Bazzed. Patrick Young is a Man in more ways than just basketball,.. Great game

 

[Waquoit]

I once saw a Duke Board thread many years ago asking about the best teams that never made it. We are blamed for destroying 2 of their "greatest" seasons.

I'm always on the look-out for a reason to link to one of my favorite blog posts of all time. Thanks!

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

The quote. "We made the decision we would trap him and we got him to take a very difficult off-balance shot," Donavan said. "The guy who won the game for them was DeAndre Daniels, who made an unbelievable tip out when he was off balance which kept the ball alive. We had guys on Napier who ran to the rim to defensive rebound which left a space for Napier. I have a lot of respect for Napier at the end of games. I think he's a big shot-making guy. His shot was luck because it was tipped to him." The quote.

I don't have a problem with the quote as recorded here. Usually, I draw a distinction between luck' and 'good fortune,' claiming that the former should only be reserved for things that one has seemingly nothing to do with its occurring (Example: I got pretty lucky with respect to being born post-War, middle class, white-skinned American, but my love relationship is more good fortune, even when I'm feeling pretty lucky). Most people aren't so careful in their choice of words. Donovan would be completely insufferable if he parsed things out like I just did.

The ball going back to Bazz the way it did was certainly no less than great good fortune, and I think Donovan was saying that his team had pretty much done everything he wanted them to do at the end, and that pretty much only that tip to that player in that position with that amount of team produced a gut-wrenching loss. I thought Donovan coached a good game that required a lot in response. As to the shot itself, I'd have been shocked if it did not go in.

 

[huskyrob1]

94 was the worst. 2011 made up for it.

I once saw a Duke Board thread many years ago asking about the best teams that never made it. We are blamed for destroying 2 of their "greatest" seasons.

Greatest teams didn't make it? There's only one IMO, Depaul 1980-81, with Mark Aguirre, Terry Cummings, Clyde Bradshaw, and Skip Dillard. Lost to St Joes 49-48 in the 2nd round, maybe the biggest upset in NCAA history.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

y

C'mon, UF has won to NC and just went to the FF. It's not like they suck at hoops. Florida is one of the premiere athletic schools in the country. They didn't luck their way into a power conference.

No . . . just that UConn got screwed out of being in a power conference. As for Florida back in '94, they were no where near the program they are today under Billy the Kid. Back then, basketball was our sport - we were the big dog, not them. Wouldn't have minded, though, repaying the '94 debt on the football field. Yeah, UConn upsetting Florida in football (even with this year's 4-8 team) would be comparable to the '94 game.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Not sure if it has been covered in a thread here but how classy is it for the opposing coach to refer to the winning shot as luck. He praised Deandre for the tip back but did everything he could not to say something nice about Napier. I thought Billy D was classier than that.

It was a great game played by teams with different strengths. Both sides played their hearts out. That Patric Young he walked into crowd of UConn players to say nice game.

Hey Billy- Its not luck when the kid does it against, Florida, Indiana and a handful of other top programs. You dont have him and we do.

Wasn't Jordan who said Luck is 90% practice?

 

[willie99]

Wasn't Jordan who said Luck is 90% practice?

"practice, we're talking about practice"

the man with no answers

 

[cohenzone]

The guy didn't say Bazz made a lucky shot or that UConn was lucky to be in a close game. He observed what was pretty obvious, and that was that a tipped ball came right back to Bazz, he was wide open, and he needed every bit of what w as left on the clock. I think we were lucky as hell with that bounce of the ball, but the shot doing in wasn't luck. Fun game with an even better ending if you're UConn fan. I don't think he was "whining."