Can the Argument be Made...

[uconnphil2016]

...that it's easier to be a UConn football die hard right now than basketball? I'm not saying right now as in this immediate moment, but at this general juncture for both programs. I'd consider myself die hard in football and a fan of basketball, and all that I could think last night was that if this type of stuff was happening to the football team I'd be ripping my eyes out. Obviously the bball program is better than us (duh), but when you think about the trajectory and output vs expectation of each program, I'd argue that being a football die hard is a much easier task right now.

 

[FDNY99]

I think the main issue with the basketball team is that they don't have that traditional scorer who has ice water running through his veins and can hit any shot (3 included) from any where at any time. There isn't a kid like a Ray Allen, Rip hamilton, Caron Butler, Kemba Walker, Shabazz Napier on this team. IMHO kids like Purvis and Calhoun were supposed to be that kind of player but they just didn't pan out. Hopefully KO has found that kid on the recruiting trail.

 

[uconnphil2016]

Hamilton is definitely a good player, but more fits the mold of guys like Deandre Daniels and Jeremy Lamb who were very solid second options but not the types of guys who had the make up to be court generals and consistently take games into their own hands

 

[DoctorWho85]

I think the main issue with the basketball team is that they don't have that traditional scorer who has ice water running through his veins and can hit any shot (3 included) from any where at any time. There isn't a kid like a Ray Allen, Rip hamilton, Caron Butler, Kemba Walker, Shabazz Napier on this team. IMHO kids like Purvis and Calhoun were supposed to be that kind of player but they just didn't pan out. Hopefully KO has found that kid on the recruiting trail.

I'm not a huge fan in basketball in general, but I have watched a couple games this year. I agree that right now we don't have the go to shooter, but Adams looks prime to be that guy in the next couple years.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I wish everyone could be equally "die hard" about the two programs. But since that's not the case, your argument is true. I just hate the divide between football-only fans and basketball-only fans. The truth of the matter is, success on both sides is important for national recognition. The brand is the importance. The University is the importance.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I am a big fan of both.....but definitely lean more to football. I think it is due to the sport in general. I can't even watch pro basketball but I do enjoy pro football. I also kind of enjoy the underdog element the football team has right now.

The hoops team right now is a tough watch....I found it easy to shut it off at the half last night and watch the debate.

 

[uconnphil2016]

I wish everyone could be equally "die hard" about the two programs. But since that's not the case, your argument is true. I just hate the divide between football-only fans and basketball-only fans. The truth of the matter is, success on both sides is important for national recognition. The brand is the importance. The University is the importance.

I totally agree with you, and I like UConn basketball. I go to several games every year and watch when they're on ESPN despite having no interest in any other basketball team. When it comes to football, I'll watch any college or pro game, so similar to what Shaky was saying, it's more of a being more interested in football in general kinda thing than having a bone to pick against any UConn program. Of course I want UConn basketball to win.

 

[Srqhusky]

...that it's easier to be a UConn football die hard right now than basketball? I'm not saying right now as in this immediate moment, but at this general juncture for both programs. I'd consider myself die hard in football and a fan of basketball, and all that I could think last night was that if this type of stuff was happening to the football team I'd be ripping my eyes out. Obviously the bball program is better than us (duh), but when you think about the trajectory and output vs expectation of each program, I'd argue that being a football die hard is a much easier task right now.

Can't leave giffey or sheffer off that list!!

 

[BlueDogs]

Hamilton is definitely a good player, but more fits the mold of guys like Deandre Daniels and Jeremy Lamb who were very solid second options but not the types of guys who had the make up to be court generals and consistently take games into their own hands

Agree. He's a good scorer but just out there doing his own thing with no chemistry. He plays poor defense, low energy and even looks disinterested in being the go to guy. As crazy as it sounds, he's a very good player that contributes to a toxic mix. In fact, I'd go so far as to say their are 5 independent players out there wearing the same uniform but not a singular team. I think we're looking at talented, personal stats players. Calhoun had a few bad chemistry teams too.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

If only UConn had one fan base. No way we'd be stuck in this hellhole conference right now.

I realize that the women's hoop team has a totally,ummmm, different demographic but if more men's hoop fans spent less time bemoaning the football program and more time supporting it, we'd have had our golden ticket by now.

That said, I absolutely detest basketball but follow, root for, and attend a few men's games a year.

 

[formerlurker]

I totally agree with you, and I like UConn basketball. I go to several games every year and watch when they're on ESPN despite having no interest in any other basketball team. When it comes to football, I'll watch any college or pro game, so similar to what Shaky was saying, it's more of a being more interested in football in general kinda thing than having a bone to pick against any UConn program. Of course I want UConn basketball to win.

You described my fandom to a tee.

But, as for the OP, there's no way to convince me it's easier to be a UCONN FB fan right now when the MBB team owns very recent National Championship hardware and rings.

I want all UCONN teams to win as well and don't get the friction between fanbases.

 

[weyuo]

You know the basketball team is in dire straits when their troubles leak over to the football forums.

 

[BlueDogs]

If only UConn had one fan base. No way we'd be stuck in this hellhole conference right now.

I realize that the women's hoop team has a totally,ummmm, different demographic but if more men's hoop fans spent less time bemoaning the football program and more time supporting it, we'd have had our golden ticket by now.

That said, I absolutely detest basketball but follow, root for, and attend a few men's games a year.

I don't think many Football fans are anything but full fledged UConn basketball, hockey, baseball and soccer fans. One U. If you go the BB board there is a contingent that hates Football and blames it for the current slide and conference. They don't realize Football rules the college roost. The rest appears to be secondary. Need one U.

 

[weyuo]

I don't think many Football fans are anything but full fledged UConn basketball, hockey, baseball and soccer fans. One U. If you go to the BB Board there is a contingent that hates football and blames it for the current slide and conference. They don't realize Football rules the college roost. The rest appears to be secondary. Need one U.

Geez that one is hard to believe. A UConn fan...any UConn fan not pining for the ultimate prize, a football National Title. Who is this contingent?

 

[BoatShow]

The splintering off of FB MBB and WBB fans is puzzling and frustrating.

 

[Dooley]

One thing I'd love AD Benedict to work towards is uniting our fanbases into one fanbase, similar to how our alumni has now been united into one alumni connection. How it became so segmented into football/hockey/MBB/WBB fans is puzzling and, not to mention, frustrating.

I emailed the ticket office about offering a cross-bundling discount program (think cable company bundling) that would give discounts to fans who buy season tickets to more than one sport. I want to see UConn being promoted to fans/alum/donors, not individual sports.

 

[FDNY99]

One thing I'd love AD Benedict to work towards is uniting our fanbases into one fanbase, similar to how our alumni has now been united into one alumni connection. How it became so segmented into football/hockey/MBB/WBB fans is puzzling and, not to mention, frustrating.

I emailed the ticket office about offering a cross-bundling discount program (think cable company bundling) that would give discounts to fans who buy season tickets to more than one sport. I want to see UConn being promoted to fans/alum/donors, not individual sports.

My opinion Dooley..(watching as the men's & women's hoops teams started their meteoric rise under Jim & Geno in the 90's)...is that Calhoun helped foster this divide as much as anyone with the seperation between the 2 fan bases. From there is has snowballed. While there isn't good amount of crossover fans..there is still a great divide between some of the sports..mainly hoops...especially women's.

 

[huskysupporter]

I love football, and don't enjoy basketball. I root for all UCONN teams, but no team nearly as much as UCONN football. I think there are more UCONN basketball fans due to their success and their longer history.

 

[TRest]

As far as the OP goes, I started out as a diehard BB fan at the age of 12 or so but am a fan off all programs, as any alumnus should probably be. I don't see the football team struggling to make a minor bowl as being on a better trajectory than hoops. One is a national program and the other is an afterthought. KO has a really good recruiting class coming in next year, also.

 

[TheDoggPound]

The basketball elitist are annoying. I've stated this before and I say it again: If you're going to be a fan of just UConn basketball don't even bother. We don't want you rooting for UConn if that's the case.

 

[storrsroars]

The OP might be right because it's awful following UConn hoops right now. Crappy conference we can't even dominate, no rivals, lackluster play, low hoops IQ, etc. etc. etc. Football is still mostly about potential and less about expectations.

I gave up on the NFL a few years ago. Really just don't care anymore about the pro game. I imagine part of that comes from having moved to Pittsburgh and having the Steelers shoved down my throat 24/7/365. But between all the horrible analysts trying to make the game seem more complicated than it is, announcers who just want to hear themselves talk and obnoxious player behavior, I can't stand watching anymore.

I do watch most UConn football games when they're on TV here. While I can certainly appreciate defense, it would be nice to actually have a decent QB again. I thought Cody could've developed into one if he put down the weed. Whitmer had a moment or two then turned to crap. At least Shireffs seems to be able to manage a game... but it seems like ages since there was a dynamic QB who could put the team on his back. I'll bleed UConn Blue, but man, getting through the PP years and even this year with games where neither team could score double digits... it's not all that engaging.

 

[Stinger92860]

I root for all teams UConn. All sports, all genders. I suggest everyone do the same.

 

[BlueDogs]

As long as the BB fan base continues with return to the Big East to save the program nonsense, this will continue. They see the AAC as a football driven outcome that is destroying the ability to maintain and compete. Of course, they cant even dominate the AAC. They don't realize they are in the same U boat and throwing football overboard does nothing to help the cause over the long term. The only thing the saves everybody and unites everybody is a P5 membership.

 

[Palatine]

The bb team has 4 NCs.

The football team has one BCS bowl visit.

It's not really close.

 

[hardcorehusky]

I have been a fan of all UCONN sports since the early 70's(as a kid). I still went to the Rent all these years but this basketball team does not deserve to wear the uniform. We have had more talented teams that failed, less talented that played hard but didn't have it. This team is less talented and doesn't play smart or hard. They are hard to watch.

That said, they all deserve our support.