Chuck Alexinas question

[AZHuskiePop]

Nobody could make Corny any faster and nobody could be any slower.

Corny never was at peek condition at UConn. Which is scary.

If he played for JC..who knows injuries change careers.

I remember seeing him in a a Euro game years later and he didn't look like the same guy. He starred in both the Italian and Spanish Leagues ,winning MVPs and a playing. For a Euro Champs. The guy made a lot of money playing basketball.

 

[Waquoit]

My understanding/speculation was that Chuck left UK after being disappointed that the offense didn't run through the post after Robey and Phillips left, and Chuck became the starter. Kyle Muncy was the focal-point of that offense following the 78 NC. I think Chuck's turn may have come in time. Or not.

That's what I heard. Kyle Macy BTW, not the current UConn guy.

I remember seeing him in a a Euro game years later and he didn't look like the same guy. He starred in both the Italian and Spanish Leagues ,winning MVPs and a playing. For a Euro Champs.

Very true, I remember watching his Euro team playing Magic's Lakers in a pre-season game. He looked good, must have lost 50 pounds.

 

[Yonick]

After transferring from KY, he announced for PC. Around Labor day, of that year, just before the start of classes, Alexinas decided to enroll at UConn.
After sitting out a year, Perno had difficulties incorporating Alexinas into the frontcourt. Even though Chuck was the ideal center, Corny was the ideal PF, and Mike McKay was the ideal SF. Somehow, these guys didn't jell. McKay was lost his junior year. After little progress, Chuck's playing time dropped. He was disappointed. Same with his family, as his mom wrote letters to the newspaper.
Chuck eventually lost his job to Bruce Kuczinsky (sp), and I don't believe Chuck stayed with the team to finish his sr. year.
Nobody from that era is still with UConn. For him to not mention the final 3 years of his hoop career, after 30+ years, is pretty sad for him.

 

[mauconnfan]

Nobody could make Corny any faster and nobody could be any slower.

I disagree…….JC would have whipped him into shape and the rest of his game was there in a big way……….the kid had skills - shot it great, rebounded like a man, posted up with moves and had great court vision passing the ball…….would have been a star under JC

 

[arch]

I disagree…….JC would have whipped him into shape and the rest of his game was there in a big way……….the kid had skills - shot it great, rebounded like a man, posted up with moves and had great court vision passing the ball…….would have been a star under JC

Mau, he was a star under Perno. I doubt he would have signed with JC. Unimportant, but I have always been a Corny guy. Still remember Arnold Dean announcing the signing (and I don't remember much anymore).

 

[mauconnfan]

Mau, he was a star under Perno. I doubt he would have signed with JC. Unimportant, but I have always been a Corny guy. Still remember Arnold Dean announcing the signing (and I don't remember much anymore).

I agree he may have not liked playing for JC and elected to go elsewhere as he had so many offers………

The thing with the Huskies is you can't have Bobby Dulin and Clay Johnson as your guards with a front line like that……they had no shot!

 

[AZHuskiePop]

After transferring from KY, he announced for PC. Around Labor day, of that year, just before the start of classes, Alexinas decided to enroll at UConn.
After sitting out a year, Perno had difficulties incorporating Alexinas into the frontcourt. Even though Chuck was the ideal center, Corny was the ideal PF, and Mike McKay was the ideal SF. Somehow, these guys didn't jell. McKay was lost his junior year. After little progress, Chuck's playing time dropped. He was disappointed. Same with his family, as his mom wrote letters to the newspaper.
Chuck eventually lost his job to Bruce Kuczinsky (sp), and I don't believe Chuck stayed with the team to finish his sr. year.
Nobody from that era is still with UConn. For him to not mention the final 3 years of his hoop career, after 30+ years, is pretty sad for him.

Didn't Hobbs overlap with these guys?

 

[Alum86]

At least spell his name right. Aleksinas. No x. Scored about 80% of Wamogo's points in HS. Totally destroyed the Berkshire League, which we all know isn't much. Went to UK and won a ring as back up in '78 with Hall. Then left and we got him. Was a big coup back then. A decent big man, enough said. Yes those teams under Perno could have done more. Who knows if Calhoun was there if things would have been different. All from memory, no google on this post.

 

[uconnbill]

Nobody could make Corny any faster and nobody could be any slower.

I watched Corny so many times during high school and at UCONN. I can tell you his skill coming out of Middletown high was advanced and he regressed at UCONN under Perno. That is a fact.

 

[Jimdish255]

For what it worth, I credit that to Perno. Thomson and McKay didn't really seem to improve over the years. Corny was a great talent. One wonders what Calhoun would have with him.

Absolutely correct. While I was there the teams often looked great early but never improved much during the season. Perno either never had a plan or his plan was lousy. A shame because they had some talent.

And McKay would have been a more talented offensive version of Giffey if a little less on the boards. He pretty much stayed a catch and shoot guy.

 

[ConnEd]

That's what I heard. Kyle Macy BTW, not the current UConn guy.
.

Macy! Right. Scary how much and how quickly my memory has gone.

I believe Aleksinas led the Spanish league in scoring at least once. But Corny was a much better player.

 

[mauconnfan]

Some of McKay's finishes were with power, he was a high flyer who could shoot lights out form the corner on a given night……….

These guys would have all been petter if they were coached by JC no doubt in my mind………played against Bruce K and Corny T in HS and while Corny was a lot better Bruce also could have been a better player under JC…….but Corny would have lasted longer in the NBA if he had a tougher push form the likes of a JC for sure, he was loaded with talent for a big man and tough!

 

[TRest]

Absolutely correct. While I was there the teams often looked great early but never improved much during the season. Perno either never had a plan or his plan was lousy. A shame because they had some talent.

And McKay would have been a more talented offensive version of Giffey if a little less on the boards. He pretty much stayed a catch and shoot guy.

I remember our forwards were never able to handle the ball. McKay could shoot from the corner or dunk on the break, but could never beat anyone off the dribble. Chuck was glued to the floor, outside of the paint. And our guards were definitely Yankee Conference or worse (once Whelton left). Norm Bailey was the most athletic guy we had for a few years.

 

[mauconnfan]

I remember our forwards were never able to handle the ball. McKay could shoot from the corner or dunk on the break, but could never beat anyone off the dribble. Chuck was glued to the floor, outside of the paint. And our guards were definitely Yankee Conference or worse (once Whelton left). Norm Bailey was the most athletic guy we had for a few years.

Joey Whelton a few years later or Early Kelley a few years earlier would have made this group of bigs a lot better although they cracked the then "Top 20" and the "others with votes" often that year despite their backcourt………

Another thing was that team was the best FT shooting team until this years ever at UConn and maybe THE best…….all starters were solid with Corny being tremendous at the line.

 

[John]

At least spell his name right. Aleksinas. No x.

if he's not in the family, I'll spell his name however it suits me......

 

[huskyrob1]

For what it worth, I credit that to Perno. Thomson and McKay didn't really seem to improve over the years. Corny was a great talent. One wonders what Calhoun would have with him.

I agree. If JC had had those kids it would have been a final four year for us. Corny was Parade's #1 HS player when he committed to UCONN, he was not slow (as some have said), but not fast up and down the court either. If we had had JC in those years I think kids like Rod Foster, John Pinone, John Garris, Harold Jensen, Charles Smith, John Bagley, and others, would have considered us.

 

[Waquoit]

I remember our forwards were never able to handle the ball. McKay could shoot from the corner or dunk on the break, but could never beat anyone off the dribble. Chuck was glued to the floor, outside of the paint. And our guards were definitely Yankee Conference or worse (once Whelton left). Norm Bailey was the most athletic guy we had for a few years.

That's another good point. I remember Randy Smith wondering why Perno couldn't recruit better guards, especially with Corny to pass to. I also remember Arnold Dean saying that Red Auerbach told him that he thought Giscombe was a pretty good player. Yet, Dom preferred Bobby Dulin.

 

[Waquoit]

Another thing was that team was the best FT shooting team until this years ever at UConn and maybe THE best…….all starters were solid with Corny being tremendous at the line.

Funny stat, 2013 UConn was the best FT shooting NC in years. 2004 UConn was the worst.

 

[weo777]

Rowe/Perno both really missed out on a ton of talent in the 70 s 80 s,especially in that big time basketball era in Bpt/New Haven. I was a decent baller in the 70s at Harding High School,Coach Kish would tell the seniors such and such schools want to look at some of you but no one until Mike McKay would even consider the school at that time. Lot of good players from Calvin Murphy,Wes Matthews,,Charles Smith .Mahorn,Williamsons etc and not a one played for the Huskies.

 

[LIUCHusky]

Rowe/Perno both really missed out on a ton of talent in the 70 s 80 s,especially in that big time basketball era in Bpt/New Haven. I was a decent baller in the 70s at Harding High School,Coach Kish would tell the seniors such and such schools want to look at some of you but no one until Mike McKay would even consider the school at that time. Lot of good players from Calvin Murphy,Wes Matthews,,Charles Smith .Mahorn,Williamsons etc and not a one played for the Huskies.

For many of those years UConn was still in the Yankee Conference. When UConn first joined the Big East we had the worst facilities in the league and no academic support. It is a miracle that Dom Perno did as well as he did with what he had to work with. When JC came on board he was immediately given the academic support needed and Gampel was on the near horizon. As great as Calhoun turned out to be he could have never succeeded in the manner he did without the academic support and Gampel.

 

[dtrumpet]

For many of those years UConn was still in the Yankee Conference. When UConn first joined the Big East we had the worst facilities in the league and no academic support. It is a miracle that Dom Perno did as well as he did with what he had to work with. When JC came on board he was immediately given the academic support needed and Gampel was on the near horizon. As great as Calhoun turned out to be he could have never succeeded in the manner he did without the academic support and Gampel.

I'm not sure he got the support on the academic side until Gamble and Robinson got in academic trouble. Then the case was made. Calhoun made more out of the same players in his first year with guys like Besselink, Gamble, Robinson and Jeff King than Perno ever would have. Nice guy, no question, there is no evidence to think otherwise, but just not a good coach.

 

[UConnNick]

What has to be remembered about the late 70's, early 80's era at UCONN is the school was in a transitional era. Prior UCONN presidents, most notably Homer Babbidge, had come from an Ivy League background and mentality, and Toner was coaching at Columbia before he came to UCONN. Babbidge had a view of UCONN as being a "public Ivy", and as such, he saw us as an academic first, sports second school. They wouldn't let most of the great Conn. players of that era into UCONN because of academics, not because the coaches didn't want them. Once that tradition continued, Conn. HS coaches weren't about to encourage their players to commit to UCONN if they weren't going to get admitted. Without an academic program in place for the athletes, you either made your grades or you were gone, and that's if you made it past the admissions office.

Perno was far from the greatest coach in the world, but he had no support from the school administration, the admissions office or anybody else. He had an AD who was more interested in currying favor with the NCAA, and he let the athletic dept. run by itself, which it didn't do very well. However, Perno still should have been able to accomplish more with the talent that he did have. UCONN won games during that era in spite of the institutional neglect, but the Big East was too big a hurdle to overcome in view of the small mindedness of the UCONN administration. When they finally woke up and took a good look at the situation, they debated whether or not to withdraw from the Big East or commit to upgrading facilities, revamping the admissions process for players, instituting academic counseling, and other things for the basketball program. Luckily they chose the latter course, hired Auriemma and Calhoun, and the rest is history.

 

[hoophuskee]

I agree he may have not liked playing for JC and elected to go elsewhere as he had so many offers………

The thing with the Huskies is you can't have Bobby Dulin and Clay Johnson as your guards with a front line like that……they had no shot!

Clay was too young. After his soph year he was out wasn't he? I somehow remember they played worse without Clay. Not sure how long Bobby Dulin was there with Corny. I just know team was way too slow with Corny, Chuck and Mike.

Corny lost his quickness in favor of "girth." A HUGE mistake. Chuck was slow obviously and Mike couldn't handle the ball thus you could put someone less athletic on him, then what is he going to do?

 

[Richmondhsky]

At least spell his name right. Aleksinas. No x. Scored about 80% of Wamogo's points in HS. Totally destroyed the Berkshire League, which we all know isn't much. Went to UK and won a ring as back up in '78 with Hall. Then left and we got him. Was a big coup back then. A decent big man, enough said. Yes those teams under Perno could have done more. Who knows if Calhoun was there if things would have been different. All from memory, no google on this post.

Berkshire League in CT? Really? S class at best.
Saw him get dunked on by a maybe 6'from NY in a CT v NY city game in New Haven during the summer that my SCSU football team attended, Soft. Two biggest 5's the state has had.... Gminski and Chuck and there isn't any comparison.

 

[hthusky74]

I can't believe I spotted this thread today. Earlier today I was watching a show on cable tv called Gas Monkeys. It's where these guys in Dallas TX go around the country looking for valuable or collectible cars to rebuild and sell for a profit. On today's show they were in CT going to look at some 67 Firebirds that were allegedly the first two ever built. They are on the state roads in CT gong through the Litchfield hills. They come to their destination and this big guy in a blue UK hat comes over and says, "I'm Chuck Aleksinas, are you here to see the Firebirds?" They say yes and ask, "You're pretty tall, did you play any basketball?" The big guy responds, "I played for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA, played some pro ball in Europe, and played in college for Kentucky."
Absolutely no mention of UConn and he's wearing a UK hat!!! The cars were indeed the first two Firebirds built the VINs were both "1", one was a coupe and one was a convertible. 67 was the first year Firebirds were built and they produced 10 "model" cars for commercials, car shows, etc. that's what these were and they happened to be the first two. Ho Chuck got them I didn't hear as my wife was yelling at me to turn off the tv and get going. I'll have to wait for the reruns.

 

[Husky1]

I graduated in 82 and was big fan then. Corny had great year freshman year and maintained that level against improving big east. As a team we did not improve and everyone focused on stopping corney so he got better. Rest of team did not and Perno could not get them to play hard. Biggest problem was our guards - Hobbs, Dulin and Vern hiscomb could not shoot and other teams just sagged on our bigs. Mckay and corney were studs , alexinas was a 7 ft jump shooter who played zero defense and did not have heart

 

[mauconnfan]

I graduated in 82 and was big fan then. Corny had great year freshman year and maintained that level against improving big east. As a team we did not improve and everyone focused on stopping corney so he got better. Rest of team did not and Perno could not get them to play hard. Biggest problem was our guards - Hobbs, Dulin and Vern hiscomb could not shoot and other teams just sagged on our bigs. Mckay and corney were studs , alexinas was a 7 ft jump shooter who played zero defense and did not have heart

Hobbsy and Vern were freshman correct? Vern could certainly shoot it but Perno never used him correctly……

 

[TRest]

Hobbsy and Vern were freshman correct? Vern could certainly shoot it but Perno never used him correctly……

They were also like 5'10" and 5'8", which was another problem. Our dorm used to call them the Turnover Twins.

 

[huskyrob1]

I remember our forwards were never able to handle the ball. McKay could shoot from the corner or dunk on the break, but could never beat anyone off the dribble. Chuck was glued to the floor, outside of the paint. And our guards were definitely Yankee Conference or worse (once Whelton left). Norm Bailey was the most athletic guy we had for a few years.

Agree on Baily, a heck of a player. Left school though, grades I think? He had a very good pro career playing in Europe. One of my favorite players from Calhouns early years was Lyman Depriest, that guy had talent and he played with heart.

 

[UDann]

I can't believe I spotted this thread today. Earlier today I was watching a show on cable tv called Gas Monkeys. It's where these guys in Dallas TX go around the country looking for valuable or collectible cars to rebuild and sell for a profit. On today's show they were in CT going to look at some 67 Firebirds that were allegedly the first two ever built. They are on the state roads in CT gong through the Litchfield hills. They come to their destination and this big guy in a blue UK hat comes over and says, "I'm Chuck Aleksinas, are you here to see the Firebirds?" They say yes and ask, "You're pretty tall, did you play any basketball?" The big guy responds, "I played for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA, played some pro ball in Europe, and played in college for Kentucky."
Absolutely no mention of UConn and he's wearing a UK hat!!! The cars were indeed the first two Firebirds built the VINs were both "1", one was a coupe and one was a convertible. 67 was the first year Firebirds were built and they produced 10 "model" cars for commercials, car shows, etc. that's what these were and they happened to be the first two. Ho Chuck got them I didn't hear as my wife was yelling at me to turn off the tv and get going. I'll have to wait for the reruns.

Here is an article on the show http://ecreditdaily.com/2014/04/fas...1967-firebirds-connecticut-garage-big-profit/