Calhoun would have won that game

[Tuna]

You’re telling me Calhoun would have stuck with Gilbert????? Sorry but he would have ran him off the team by now or recruited someone to take his minutes.

So you’re saying Calhoun would’ve run him off after averaging 12.6 ppg and 3.5 apg behind Adams last year?

Or you’re saying he would’ve run him out before then after suffering injuries?

The first is absurd so I think you’re saying the second and the second is frankly despicable.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

This. Remember when Calhoun was the coach that couldn’t win the big one? Until he did. And did again. And did a third time. But in 1998 he was known as the best coach in the country not to have gone to the Final Four.

All but the "This"

Not sure anybody thought there was somebody else who'd get the team over the hump

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

This. Remember when Calhoun was the coach that couldn’t win the big one? Until he did. And did again. And did a third time. But in 1998 he was known as the best coach in the country not to have gone to the Final Four.

I would imagine that a good percentage of the people on this board did not experience rooting for a UConn team that had never won a national championship.

The last couple years have been an abomination but they are on a decidedly upward trajectory. It sucked to lose a game that would have been a nice little statement for a team trying to climb back into relevance, but last night was the most fun I've had watching UConn basketball in years. (Granted, I had the house to myself and crushed a bottle of Williams Selyem and smoked a doink the size of my forearm but still . . .)

At the end of the Ollie years and last year even the wins felt like unfulfilling slogs. I didn't even bother watching half the games I couldn't catch live. Now I actually look forward to watching this team play. Last night they looked like a real basketball team trading haymakers with a tough, seasoned Xavier team. Yeah they gave away too many possessions and the Gilbert giveaways down the stretch were frustrating but it's a process, there's gonna be strikes and gutters. They are definitely on the come-up though. Given Hurley's track record I think this team is going to be pretty duck good by the end of the year, and I think they'll be a tournament team.

And next year, with Akok and Bouknight as sophomores, a senior Carlton, a junior Adams, and Springs, Jackson and Cole I think they're going to start paying people back for the last few years.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Let's hope Hurley's a young Calhoun in the making.

"Something like this" meets "No such thing"

 

[HuskylnSC]

Yeah, but he's too busy asking the young ladies to bring him coffee.

He ASKED??

 

[intlzncster]

This. Remember when Calhoun was the coach that couldn’t win the big one? Until he did. And did again. And did a third time. But in 1998 he was known as the best coach in the country not to have gone to the Final Four.

There were a decidedly nonzero number of barkers over the years who want JC gone along the way, post multiple championships. "The game has passed him by" was the refrain.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Yeah you’re probably right, JC would’ve definitely passed on a McD all-american...

Some fans get more upset than others after a loss, that’s fine. I don’t necessarily understand what could possibly create such a mentality but so be it. But to disparage kids to the extent some do around here is pretty gross. You‘re either an older guy ripping on amateur athletes representing their school or you’re a contemporary/younger guy who couldn’t hold these guys’ jocks. Either way, take a look in the mirror.

Uh @Tuna, could you define older. Are you suggesting we should be happier after a loss? The mentality is that we like to win. It feels good.

And lets face it. probably 2 or 3 of us WERE better than the 13th guy on a 12 man roster. I learned real quick in high school. After a game I heard either, "Wow, We won, Great game!" OR Wow, I can't believe you guys lost last night." You play the game you wear the losses and the wins. That's the way it goes.

 

[CL82]

Yeah, but he's too busy asking the young ladies to bring him coffee.

That would be he’s too busy stomping on K-cups

 

[TheChamps990411]

But in 1998 he was known as the best coach in the country not to have gone to the Final Four.

Yup. But I wouldn't have traded him for any other coach in the world. Calhoun was and always will be my coach. I loved the way he did it. Lets be honest though you could see a national title coming sooner or later. I totally believed that. I cant sit here and lie though I did not see 3 nevermind 4

 

[gampelcrazies]

So you’re saying Calhoun would’ve run him off after averaging 12.6 ppg and 3.5 apg behind Adams last year?

Or you’re saying he would’ve run him out before then after suffering injuries?

The first is absurd so I think you’re saying the second and the second is frankly despicable.

I’m saying the 2nd. I’m not saying I agree/disagree with it but he would have probably asked him to transfer after the injuries. That’s college sports.

If he continues playing poorly this season and wants to play another year in college he will be a grad transfer elsewhere.

 

[Tuna]

Uh @Tuna, could you define older. Are you suggesting we should be happier after a loss? The mentality is that we like to win. It feels good.

And lets face it. probably 2 or 3 of us WERE better than the 13th guy on a 12 man roster. I learned real quick in high school. After a game I heard either, "Wow, We won, Great game!" OR Wow, I can't believe you guys lost last night." You play the game you wear the losses and the wins. That's the way it goes.

Uh, older as in older than these players? I’m suggesting some people should take it easier on personally crapping all over kids on our own team. Especially considering it’s the 5th game of the season.

I was up until 12:45 last night watching. I care. I want them to win. It does feel good. But if the Huskies losing a game gets you upset enough to disparage these kids at the level some do, maybe you should find a new hobby. Better yet, go lace them up yourself at the local Y to get a nice taste of humility.

I could go through the threads after last night and pick out the 10 worst offenders and would guarantee none of them were ever any good at any sport. If they were they would know better.

 

[MexicoHusky]

I dislike this comparison. It's not fair to Hurley at this point in his career. And not fair to our program at this point in time. As all of us know, the program has regressed. And so has our recruiting cache. We are not signing the same types of bigs that we once did. We are signing small school bigs. The type of bigs we would simply out-muscle and out-run in the calhoun era.

I would ask yourself the same question about the KO era. Would KO win this game? I suspect we wouldn't of been in the game at all.

At half we were getting rolled down low. Defensive adjustments were made and we didn't get beat up as much in the 2nd half.... to me, that's progress. I'll take it.

Calhoun is almost 80. I have the fondest memories of that era, but i have definitely moved on.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Let's hope Hurley's a young Calhoun in the making.

Hes not. Never will be. Those expectations are crazy.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I agree with this. Truth is, the Boneyard would have fired Calhoun many times over before he ever won anything.

As a guy who watched his teams play in the field house as student, absolutely. Thank God there was no internet then. We didn’t have cable TV or nitpick every decision.

My own view is that Hurley is a very good coach. He’s caught between what he ideally wants to do, and the capabilities of his actual players. Here’s the rub, he will never, ever have a lineup that fits his ideal way to play. Hurley will need to learn to adjust to the guys he has and maximize what they can do. Like our players, he’s learning. At the moment I think he’s focused too much on “how do I use this non ideal guy Josh”, and it’s causing him to under-utilize Akok And probably Polley.

So I rely on this. His dad was a legend. He loves the game. He loves what UConn can be again. He’s smart and will get there. He is on the way now. Getting Vital to mostly play within himself is. Big step given CVs overinflated view of his game. Now he needs to convince Akok that he can’t be stopped. Because he probably can’t. Sid looks like a guy who needs a little rope. Give him a shot. Hurley is making adjustments. Some don’t work out, but he has to try.

 

[bazz&boujee]

Ollie would of won too

 

[NJHusky]

My point in starting this was what another post brought up. Game management

We had 18 seconds at the end of regulation yet we didn’t leave enough time for 1 rebound..which we got and made the bucket after time expired. Sorry that is coaching. He starts that play 3 seconds sooner we win

OLook at the box score. Top 3 guys were 8-37. We have a tiny pg that was 2-13!!

In the st joes game he waited until we were down 25 to change it up. We were down 10 in the first half yesterday and didn’t take even 1 time out!

Dan Hurley has the guys playing hard, can obviously recruit but game mgt,,,?

 

[cohenzone]

Calhoun walked on water and never lost a game.

 

[Dove]

And that's my boy, Boat. Favorite Husky of all time.

@Huskybass

 

[NJHusky]

My point in starting this was what another post brought up. Game management

We had 18 seconds at the end of regulation yet we didn’t leave enough time for 1 rebound..which we got and made the bucket after time expired. Sorry that is coaching. He starts that play 3 seconds sooner we win

St joes game we get down 25 before we decide to press. Yesterday we were down most of first half and don’t even take 1 time out to break momentum. We went to the break with 4 TO. Dan Hurley has done a great job motivating and recruiting. Game mgt needs some work

 

[Deepster]

I’m a huge Hurley fan. I am ecstatic he’s our guy.

If I had one wish, it’d be for this place to stop with the Calhoun comparisons. Let Hurley find his way. Let him guide the team his way. The BS like “Calhoun wouldn’t have lost this game” is ridiculous.

 

[formerlurker]

I've never understood the mindset of what ifs or would haves

 

[NJHoops]

Well that was harsh Mrs. Hurley.

you’re 0 for 2 with that comment

I know you’re just joking, but it’s even more important to notice that Husky and Hoops are different words when that other person is saying nonsense.

 

[MexicoHusky]

I would imagine that a good percentage of the people on this board did not experience rooting for a UConn team that had never won a national championship.

The last couple years have been an abomination but they are on a decidedly upward trajectory. It sucked to lose a game that would have been a nice little statement for a team trying to climb back into relevance, but last night was the most fun I've had watching UConn basketball in years. (Granted, I had the house to myself and crushed a bottle of Williams Selyem and smoked a doink the size of my forearm but still . . .)

At the end of the Ollie years and last year even the wins felt like unfulfilling slogs. I didn't even bother watching half the games I couldn't catch live. Now I actually look forward to watching this team play. Last night they looked like a real basketball team trading haymakers with a tough, seasoned Xavier team. Yeah they gave away too many possessions and the Gilbert giveaways down the stretch were frustrating but it's a process, there's gonna be strikes and gutters. They are definitely on the come-up though. Given Hurley's track record I think this team is going to be pretty duck good by the end of the year, and I think they'll be a tournament team.

And next year, with Akok and Bouknight as sophomores, a senior Carlton, a junior Adams, and Springs, Jackson and Cole I think they're going to start paying people back for the last few years.

Watching the squad compete was nice. Twice in a week against ranked comp even. We got to see a legit halftime adjustment. I'm actually worried i might lose some of the freetime I've gained the past few winters.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Uh, older as in older than these players? I’m suggesting some people should take it easier on personally crapping all over kids on our own team. Especially considering it’s the 5th game of the season.

I was up until 12:45 last night watching. I care. I want them to win. It does feel good. But if the Huskies losing a game gets you upset enough to disparage these kids at the level some do, maybe you should find a new hobby. Better yet, go lace them up yourself at the local Y to get a nice taste of humility.

I could go through the threads after last night and pick out the 10 worst offenders and would guarantee none of them were ever any good at any sport. If they were they would know better.

Wow, all the way to 12:45! you must be a super fan. I would say that 95% of the 'Old men' on this board watched the entire game. But yeah, I agree with you on several points about over reacting and comments that denigrate the kid's entire athletic career. But most posters just point out obvious issues, habits, or traits. There may be one or two posters who consider their junior high rec league coaching qualifies them as an expert. But generally we're all the same arm chair quarterbacks that say Bench Eli, Bench Brady, LeBron's over the hill, Stanton is a waste.etc. I learned in high school, when you decide to play games that matter to other people you put yourself out there for their criticisms. It's a shame you let a bunch of has been arm chair quarter backs like me to upset you.

 

[HuskylnSC]

You’re telling me Calhoun would have stuck with Gilbert????? Sorry but he would have ran him off the team by now or recruited someone to take his minutes.

Don't think so. Yes he would have pulled him and yes, he would have publicly excoriated him, and yes Al would have sat several minutes until Glen Miller got in his ear in a more supportive tone. Then Al would have been back in, without a word, and he would do whatever he was told.

 

[Caronimo]

He would have yanked guys making poor plays. Hurley needs to develop this attribute

Do we have to?

 

[browndog319]

IMO Dan Hurley is too willing to allow poor play during games to let kids figure it out...it's his way...I get it...I just think that if he made a few diff decisions...including starting the final play of regulation 3 seconds sooner so we could get a put back, then we win the game...

I'm a supporter, but looks like in both losses, the coach could have changed the outcome.

I think we expect our coach to figure it out off the court... maybe Ollie let kids figure it out on the court, too, and that’s what we don’t want.
Coach K doesn’t let kids figure it out in game time. They’re kids.

 

[browndog319]

I would imagine that a good percentage of the people on this board did not experience rooting for a UConn team that had never won a national championship.

The last couple years have been an abomination but they are on a decidedly upward trajectory. It sucked to lose a game that would have been a nice little statement for a team trying to climb back into relevance, but last night was the most fun I've had watching UConn basketball in years. (Granted, I had the house to myself and crushed a bottle of Williams Selyem and smoked a doink the size of my forearm but still . . .)

At the end of the Ollie years and last year even the wins felt like unfulfilling slogs. I didn't even bother watching half the games I couldn't catch live. Now I actually look forward to watching this team play. Last night they looked like a real basketball team trading haymakers with a tough, seasoned Xavier team. Yeah they gave away too many possessions and the Gilbert giveaways down the stretch were frustrating but it's a process, there's gonna be strikes and gutters. They are definitely on the come-up though. Given Hurley's track record I think this team is going to be pretty duck good by the end of the year, and I think they'll be a tournament team.

And next year, with Akok and Bouknight as sophomores, a senior Carlton, a junior Adams, and Springs, Jackson and Cole I think they're going to start paying people back for the last few years.

I definitely am a pre-1999 fan. But we were making it to the NCAAs. We were wining the Big East or were at the top.
We at least were in the conversation. Now it’s wondering if we will have a shot to compete to win the AAC to maybe have a shot at the tourney. We haven’t even sniffed the NIT.

 

[intlzncster]

We at least were in the conversation. Now it’s wondering if we will have a shot to compete to win the AAC to maybe have a shot at the tourney. We haven’t even sniffed the NIT.

That's the state the program was left in 1.5 years ago.

Current state of affairs is more like being a fan in the mid 80s when JC arrived. We're hoping we can get to a mid 90s level of success under Hurley (even more if we are super lucky).

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Calhoun walked on water and never lost a game.

Zone
I don’t think these guys understand that being a Calhoun worshipper is detrimental to the program.
It’s what
our opponents sell on the recruiting trail. That UConn is a one coach team. It makes coaching here even more difficult than it should be.
They put the current coach in the same situation as a guy who marries a widow who only recalls an idealistic version of her late husband.The poor guy has to compete with something that never existed “perfection”.