Cam Johnson officially released from Pitt

[FartMan69]

Exhibit A

You realize the whole point of this place is to have an opinion and then react to other opinions? Is this your first day on the internet?

 

[KingAG]

And who do you think initiates the "fake fan" arguments? The "fantasy" side or the "misery" side as it seems to be called?

Exactly.

Both. Im not on a side. But between Russ56 and posters ripping ollie for welcoming wichita st I must say the misery side sounds ridiculous a lot more often. This doesnt mean you BU, i actually think you make decent points and arent an idiot. But the idiots on this board have grown immensly. I do not remember seeing the majority of them pre January. They a bandwagon haters who started showing up when we started losing. The old boneyard(6mnths ago) was wacky but fun, ppl had mature opinions and wackos were called out. The wackos have over run this board now. Its painfully obvious..

 

[KingAG]

You realize the whole point of this place is to have an opinion and then react to other opinions? Is this your first day on the internet?

Cool. Tell me more..

 

[FartMan69]

Cool. Tell me more..

Bees are dying at an alarming rate.

 

[KingAG]

Bees are dying at an alarming rate.

Bzzz..

 

[BUConn10]

Both. Im not on a side. But between Russ56 and posters ripping ollie for welcoming wichita st I must say the misery side sounds ridiculous a lot more often. This doesnt mean you BU, i actually think you make decent points and arent an idiot. But the idiots on this board have grown immensly. I do not remember seeing the majority of them pre January. They a bandwagon haters who started showing up when we started losing. The old boneyard(6mnths ago) was wacky but fun, ppl had mature opinions and wackos were called out. The wackos have over run this board now. Its painfully obvious..

Yes I agree, certain bickering about changes outside of the programs control can be ridiculous. But there's several things going on that certainly are in the staff's control at the end of the day.

 

[Walker11]

It's not pretty and I won't say it is. But the constant need to find every thread and fault something KO or something UConn mens basketball is just whacked these days. It was a real bad year, but people here have made the BY really unenjoyable, consistently I might add. We all have criticism but can we keep a little bit of loyalty to the program that has given us so much. In other words quit repeating the obvious.

The only thing bad is the basketball discussion. The food and beer talk, cesspool arguments and random entertainment talk have been top notch.

 

[SouthBayHusky]

It's not pretty and I won't say it is. But the constant need to find every thread and fault something KO or something UConn mens basketball is just whacked these days. It was a real bad year, but people here have made the BY really unenjoyable, consistently I might add. We all have criticism but can we keep a little bit of loyalty to the program that has given us so much. In other words quit repeating the obvious.

The only reason why you're seeing more negative comments is because this is unprecedented in terms of how rapid and recent our decline has become. I don't think people are looking for new things to be down about, it's just that new things to be down about keep happening. It's one thing to endure mediocre seasons, and a lost season from the tournament here and there, but when the tailspin culminates into your first losing season, since the microwave oven, and then becomes compounded daily by the loss of now 4 of Ollie's own top recruits there is just nothing to be positive about. But unfortunately, more/constant negative comments are simple reflection of the current reality, rather than a new norm of people looking for sh$t to be down about. And I think people are just trying to figure out what is wrong and why. I mean clearly we have lots of problems and we have lots of players who are having a hard time getting on board with our coach. People are just searching for answers and venting. That said, I get it it's not fun to hear and it's not what any of us wants to hear and I definitely think no one wants us to fail we're just searching for answers

 

[KingAG]

Yes I agree, certain bickering about changes outside of the programs control can be ridiculous. But there's several things going on that certainly are in the staff's control at the end of the day.

Yes this is true. Im just an optimist at heart. I dont believe everything needs a pessimistic spin on it. For example, a poster A says, " this off-season sucked, but at least we have 4 really talented players coming back" Poster B responds, "Jalens overrated, gilbert's arm is going to fall off, CV stinks, and larrier is a chucker."
Why was it necessary for poster B to take a reasonable positive with our team next yr and find the most pessimistic scenerio possible. Those are the type of discussions that getting exhausting. But judging KO and the staff for royally pooping the bed this past yr is more than fair.

 

[KingAG]

The only reason why you're seeing more negative comments is because this is unprecedented in terms of how rapid and recent our decline has become. I don't think people are looking for new things to be down about, it's just that new things to be down about keep happening. It's one thing to endure mediocre seasons, and a lost season from the tournament here and there, but when the tailspin culminates into your first losing season, since the microwave oven, and then becomes compounded daily by the loss of now 4 of Ollie's own top recruits there is just nothing to be positive about. But unfortunately, more/constant negative comments are simple reflection of the current reality, rather than a new norm of people looking for sh$t to be down about. And I think people are just trying to figure out what is wrong and why. I mean clearly we have lots of problems and we have lots of players who are having a hard time getting on board with our coach. People are just searching for answers and venting. That said, I get it it's not fun to hear and it's not what any of us wants to hear and I definitely think no one wants us to fail we're just searching for answers

I get it I really do. Im nervous as hell for this program. And as i told BU your not one of the ones im talking about. But when you add the wacko doomsday posters on top of yhe reasonable ones who just think its really bad, it becomes a depressing place

 

[BUConn10]

Yes this is true. Im just an optimist at heart. I dont believe everything needs a pessimistic spin on it. For example, a poster A says, " this off-season sucked, but at least we have 4 really talented players coming back" Poster B responds, "Jalens overrated, gilbert's arm is going to fall off, CV stinks, and larrier is a chucker."
Why was it necessary for poster B to take a reasonable positive with our team next yr and find the most pessimistic scenerio possible. Those are the type of discussions that getting exhausting. But judging KO and the staff for royally pooping the bed this past yr is more than fair.

Agreed.

 

[JMick]

The only reason why you're seeing more negative comments is because this is unprecedented in terms of how rapid and recent our decline has become. I don't think people are looking for new things to be down about, it's just that new things to be down about keep happening. It's one thing to endure mediocre seasons, and a lost season from the tournament here and there, but when the tailspin culminates into your first losing season, since the microwave oven, and then becomes compounded daily by the loss of now 4 of Ollie's own top recruits there is just nothing to be positive about. But unfortunately, more/constant negative comments are simple reflection of the current reality, rather than a new norm of people looking for sh$t to be down about. And I think people are just trying to figure out what is wrong and why. I mean clearly we have lots of problems and we have lots of players who are having a hard time getting on board with our coach. People are just searching for answers and venting. That said, I get it it's not fun to hear and it's not what any of us wants to hear and I definitely think no one wants us to fail we're just searching for answers

Yup. It sucks here because the last few teams have sucked. Not super complicated

 

[djct1999]

Heard we called but got basically zero response.

If this is true, RIP UConn basketball as Calhoun built it. It's over. The premise that we were a one coach program appears accurate. Not entirely surprisingly, but the speed of deterioration surely is. Not even getting a response? Wow. That speaks volumes.

 

[6xChamps]

Zona already a top 5 team next year

 

[intlzncster]

Yes this is true. Im just an optimist at heart. I dont believe everything needs a pessimistic spin on it. For example, a poster A says, " this off-season sucked, but at least we have 4 really talented players coming back" Poster B responds, "Jalens overrated, gilbert's arm is going to fall off, CV stinks, and larrier is a chucker."
Why was it necessary for poster B to take a reasonable positive with our team next yr and find the most pessimistic scenerio possible. Those are the type of discussions that getting exhausting. But judging KO and the staff for royally pooping the bed this past yr is more than fair.

The ones that grind my gears the most are the guys who come out of the wood works at times like these. You probably know the cast of characters so I won't list them. They get to complain, to pick apart every little nuance, to shout the sky is falling from the hilltops, spreading negativity and destruction in their wake.

Usually, it's only after a loss or two, and the tide is stemmed. But when real cracks show? They live for these moments. It's their Superbowl. The canvas with which to paint their masterpiece.

 

[auror]

If this is true, RIP UConn basketball as Calhoun built it. It's over. The premise that we were a one coach program appears accurate. Not entirely surprisingly, but the speed of deterioration surely is. Not even getting a response? Wow. That speaks volumes.

Yeah this is a bridge too far. This is a kid fleeing a program on the downswing looking for immediate improvement. No one in that situation would rationally come here considering other, better options in the short term.

But this doesn't signify we can't or won't upswing if we knock '18 out of the park.

 

[businesslawyer]

That's a good example.

Although, you could argue that potentially 6-7 straight 1996 type seasons creates a better brand/ more program prestige than one 2014 season surrounded by 5 or 6 20-12, 22-10 type seasons.

Not saying I agree, but I can definitely see how some people would see that.

I don't understand this. Why &&& do I care about prestige over winning championships. What kid in any sport loses a game in the playoffs and says "Well, that's unfortunate but I created more prestige for my program by winning regular season games than if I had had a mediocre season and won a championship, so I guess I don't care that much."

Seriously, why do people push this narrative? Yes, everything else being equal you would rather have more prestige than less prestige, but even discussing prestige in the same sentence as winning when it counts is absurd.

 

[Matt1010]

Jemarl Baker just committed to UK. He's a SG and the #73 ranked player in '17. They now have 2 SG, 1 CG and a SF in this class...all top 100 guys. Hard to see Johnson fitting in next year.

 

[WrenchFan69]

Jemarl Baker just committed to UK. He's a SG and the #73 ranked player in '17. They now have 2 SG, 1 CG and a SF in this class...all top 100 guys. Hard to see Johnson fitting in next year.

Have to wait and see what happens at UK. If Bam comes back and/or they get Bamba and/or Knox things get way more interesting. As of how things stand right now, he'd probably start or be their 6th man. Lot of waiting to do around the game still on NBA decisions and transfers

 

[auror]

Jemarl Baker just committed to UK. He's a SG and the #73 ranked player in '17. They now have 2 SG, 1 CG and a SF in this class...all top 100 guys. Hard to see Johnson fitting in next year.

Johnson will fit, Jemarl will be the one that doesn't.

 

[upstater]

Yup. It sucks here because the last few teams have sucked. Not super complicated

Last year's team sucked?

 

[BUConn10]

Jemarl Baker just committed to UK. He's a SG and the #73 ranked player in '17. They now have 2 SG, 1 CG and a SF in this class...all top 100 guys. Hard to see Johnson fitting in next year.

Too bad that has never seemed to matter with Cal.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I don't understand this. Why &&& do I care about prestige over winning championships. What kid in any sport loses a game in the playoffs and says "Well, that's unfortunate but I created more prestige for my program by winning regular season games than if I had had a mediocre season and won a championship, so I guess I don't care that much."

Seriously, why do people push this narrative? Yes, everything else being equal you would rather have more prestige than less prestige, but even discussing prestige in the same sentence as winning when it counts is absurd.

Nobody is saying they'd rather have prestige instead of championships. The argument is:

If you have a great regular season, are relevant and highly ranked all year, then even if you fall short of a championship you've done something positive for the program.

If you have a mediocre regular season, the only way the program comes out positive for the year is if you make an improbable deep run.

 

[mauconnfan]

Johnson will fit, Jemarl will be the one that doesn't.

Yeah I'm not sure who sold this kid the bill of goods but he will see little playing time and is just a back up plan just in case. Then when he improves going into his sophomore year they will have the top 5 recruits coming in with promises of grandeur.

Give it 1 or 2 years we will see his name on the list we treasure so much at the moment.

 

[Matrim55]

Yeah I'm not sure who sold this kid the bill of goods but he will see little playing time and is just a back up plan just in case. Then when he improves going into his sophomore year they will have the top 5 recruits coming in with promises of grandeur.

Give it 1 or 2 years we will see his name on the list we treasure so much at the moment.

He'll be good for USC in a couple years.

 

[businesslawyer]

Nobody is saying they'd rather have prestige instead of championships. The argument is:

If you have a great regular season, are relevant and highly ranked all year, then even if you fall short of a championship you've done something positive for the program.

If you have a mediocre regular season, the only way the program comes out positive for the year is if you make an improbable deep run.

I'm sorry, but that is a total BS response. You are now claiming only that folks are saying it would be better to win games all year long than not? And that someone is arguing with that? Please.

 

[champs99and04]

There's a certain irony in complaining about the board because the board is complaining about the product.

Look, the internet is a bad place. It is a grooming ground for stupidity and ignorance and I don't absolve myself from that. But as far as this board goes, it's actually pretty great. There are a handful of posters who consistently spew nonsense, but people who have more of a negative take on the program aren't any more insufferable than the moralists who won't allow a bad word. If the traffic is higher when they lose, fine. Message boards are meant to vent.

With regard to this program, I'm an optimist. Have no reason not to be. There are about a dozen or so posters on this board who constantly have great takes and no matter how many trolls there are, I'll keep coming back for their posts. Guys like @BUConn10 @Tenspro2002 aren't people I agree with all the time, but they're valuable foils and should not be lumped in as trolls even if they're annoying at times. Nobody ever gets mad about relentless optimism so I'm fine applying the same standard to negativity so long as it's reasonable.

 

[Storrs South]

 

[gtcam]

Nobody is saying they'd rather have prestige instead of championships. The argument is:

If you have a great regular season, are relevant and highly ranked all year, then even if you fall short of a championship you've done something positive for the program.

If you have a mediocre regular season, the only way the program comes out positive for the year is if you make an improbable deep run.

I keep reading this and trying to find some way of agreeing
I showed it to some others and they are not seeing it either
If you looking at success as an annual thing and based only on won/loss record then maybe you very well could be correct but I tend to rate the success of a program over a stretch of time rather than a snapshot

I look at a program like Arizona - great regular seasons but ALWAYS a flameout in the dance (except for some of the LO years)
Even a good number of the Kensucky fans are growing somewhat weary of all these blue chip teams falling short of the ring

Listen - UConn has hit some bumps in the road over the past 3 years and I know in my heart that things will get better. Will they experience the run of the last 20 years? I highly doubt it BUT I also highly doubt ANY program will replicate what UConn has done. Twenty years from now kids will look at the list of NCAA MBB winners and be amazed at what was accomplished at UConn. That doesn't mean that because UConn may not win 4 more NCAAs in the next 20 years it will fall from the ranks of highly visible programs. It has earned that right and will keep it. Not making the tournament this past season doesn't mean that something positive won't come out of the outcome.
We all have our opinions - that's what makes this fun

 

[Tenspro2002]

I look at a program like Arizona - great regular seasons but ALWAYS a flameout in the dance (except for some of the LO years)
Even a good number of the Kensucky fans are growing somewhat weary of all these blue chip teams falling short of the ring

We all have our opinions - that's what makes this fun

Let's look at Arizona, which you correctly characterize as having consistently great regular seasons though they tend to fall short in the Tournament.

Their program, despite fewer championships or Final Fours this decade, is in a much healthier position than ours. Why? Because they're always relevant and can sell recruits on that.

Recruiting is the lifeblood of a program. You lose that and you're finished, whatever your history might be. Recruits care about exposure.

If you're consistently great in the regular season, you get exposure. If you're consistently mediocre in the regular season, you're relying on improbable postseason runs for exposure.

Now we've gotten that a few times this decade, but it's not something this program should count on in the future.

On your last point I wholeheartedly agree - the fun of this forum is being able to have these debates.