Coach Ollie is Human

[CL82]

I play jarts.

It's a very dangerous game.

 

[Javjudah]

It wasn't true the first 14 times you said it.

I'm sure recruits were blown away with Rutgers W/L record last season.

I think some coaches will sell there soul for a recruit. Kevin Ollie wouldn't do that. Maybe Mathis was promised to start right away... I remember hearing a coach said to a recruit that coach Calhoun was sick and he was dying. Recruiting is cut throat and Kevin Ollie is not built like that. He's going to get his fair share of kids that believe his message. One thing for certain is he's not promising a starting job to anyone.

 

[UC313]

I play jarts.

I just made a trade for an original set of jarts myself. I need a couple of new wings though.

 

[CL82]

I just made a trade for an original set of jarts myself. I need a couple of new wings though.

Probably taken off for safety reasons.

 

[BlueMAB]

Ollie either needs to learn how to close or needs an SEC style bag man. If not, we might as well enjoy the history for what it was and settle for the occasional NIT title.

 

[pj]

I play jarts.

I play Spider Solitaire but I try not to brag about it.

 

[SouthBayHusky]

Let's be honest the All American conference is hurting recruiting in a major way. I remember Coach Calhoun saying he sold recruits on playing against Georgetown, Syracuse, St. John's... and playing in the Big East conference. Eventually we start winning and it became easier to recruit. It was definitely difficult to get top recruits to come to UCONN prior.
With this new generation no one cares about what you did years ago they care about now. Some may say UCONN is in the middle of no where, they play in the All American conference... The question is what are we selling that no else can? Come on people put your affinity for UCONN aside this is an uphill battle Coach Ollie is fighting. He will figure it out.

If it was all about the conference, why did UConn have like the #6 ranked recruiting class in nation just a couple years ago, and a top 25 class the following year before the de-commit? The conference excuse by itself would work if we never recruited great players before in the AAC. The reason not conference but that's a handy excuse

 

[CL82]

Disagree. Pretty much any kid who is a D1 recruit in watching March Madness and certainly the championship game. They'd be either freshman or sophomore in HS in 2014 and Bazz and Boat had a great run. Connecticut player have had a great success in getting to the NBA, I have to believe that most these guys are aware of that. Connecticut's success is modern era, not in the 50's.

I just saw this quote from an article on new UConn transfer AA:

He said that Flynn and Kemba Walker were his two favorite players growing up

What? He was a fan of Kemba? Impossible! HIgh school kids don't follow college basketball!

 

[UCweCONN]

I just saw this quote from an article on new UConn transfer AA:

He said that Flynn and Kemba Walker were his two favorite players growing up

What? He was a fan of Kemba? Impossible! HIgh school kids don't follow college basketball!

He probably just saw Kemba breaking McGhee's ankles replayed over and over on Sports Center.

 

[Northbound]

Very cute. I was thinking the same, it seems as though your thought process sounds really young and your mind and perception is stuck in a box. I don't play checkers, I play chess.

That's why your theories are, well let's just say provocative - we're talking about basketball here not board games.

 

[Javjudah]

I think some coaches will sell there soul for a recruit. Kevin Ollie wouldn't do that. Maybe Mathis was promised to start right away... I remember hearing a coach said to a recruit that coach Calhoun was sick and he was dying. Recruiting is cut throat and Kevin Ollie is not built like that. He's going to get his fair share of kids that believe his message. One thing for certain is he's not promising a starting job to anyone.

In a recent article about Anderson, he was quoted as saying he was offered a starting position at Georgia Tech, NC State, Seton Hall... UCONN told him he has to work and earn his playing time. I bet this has happened many times where kids were offered starting position at other programs and we offered them to work hard and earn there playing time but they choose to take the easy way out.

 

[temery]

Um, just curious, how old are you?

I'm guessing 38.

 

[Huskybass]

He probably just saw Kemba breaking McGhee's ankles replayed over and over on Sports Center.

Oh you mean back when we used to have highlights on sportscenter?

 

[mauconnfan]

I play jarts.

You play darts I play corn hole.

 

[Waquoit]

To suggest that winning natties 2011 and 2014 is ancient history to today's college players is just nonsense.

That the program is in disarray and 4 players that committed decided to leave just a few months ago appears to have more weight.

 

[mauconnfan]

You play darts I play corn hole.

That was JARTS dammit iMac blows

 

[Waquoit]

You play darts I play corn hole.

I bet you do!

BTW, the corn hole championships are on the Ocho today at 12:30pm.

 

[Javjudah]

That's why your theories are, well let's just say provocative - we're talking about basketball here not board games.

This my theory Northbound, give me yours.

The recruits from the championship team of 2014 was Mostly made up of UConn's 4 th or 5 th option in the recruiting world.
I believe we had Napier reclassified after striking out on Selby, Knight...
Boatwright decommited from West Virginia
Giffey wasn't a top 100
Kromah came from George Washington as a 5th year senior
Brimah
Nolan
Daniels
Olander
Omar Calhoun who considered decommiting after Calhoun retired
Terrence Samuel
Tolksdorf...
who are we kidding, none of these guys will make a roster at Kentucky or Duke or any of the top programs. Maybe Napier.
What this team had was heart not talent and was well coached.
Coach Calhoun health hurt us in the recruiting front his last few years.
Many forgot Kevin Ollie was giving a 6 months contract for the 2012-2013 season. This was the biggest blunder as it hurt us even more as no kid will commit to a program without knowing who the coach will be. This killed us with recruiting in 2013 and 2014. Without talent you don't win games and that will not attract top recruits Especially after we were put in the All American conference to play Tulsa, tulane, USF, UCF... Recruits are promised to start or guarantee playing time at other programs. At UCONN you have to work hard and earn your playing time.
Kevin Ollie did a great job with the roster he had the first 2 years. I don't think anyone could have done better with that roster. Additionally, Kevin Ollie's divorce and his mom health didn't help. Many of us may know dealing with such issues can be detrimental to ones health.

 

[superjohn]

In a recent article about Anderson, he was quoted as saying he was offered a starting position at Georgia Tech, NC State, Seton Hall... UCONN told him he has to work and earn his playing time. I bet this has happened many times where kids were offered starting position at other programs and we offered them to work hard and earn there playing time but they choose to take the easy way out.

It's really helping our recruiting.

 

[Northbound]

This my theory Northbound, give me yours.

The recruits from the championship team of 2014 was Mostly made up of UConn's 4 th or 5 th option in the recruiting world.
I believe we had Napier reclassified after striking out on Selby, Knight...
Boatwright decommited from West Virginia
Giffey wasn't a top 100
Kromah came from George Washington as a 5th year senior
Brimah
Nolan
Daniels
Olander
Omar Calhoun who considered decommiting after Calhoun retired
Terrence Samuel
Tolksdorf...
who are we kidding, none of these guys will make a roster at Kentucky or Duke or any of the top programs. Maybe Napier.
What this team had was heart not talent and was well coached.
Coach Calhoun health hurt us in the recruiting front his last few years.
Many forgot Kevin Ollie was giving a 6 months contract for the 2012-2013 season. This was the biggest blunder as it hurt us even more as no kid will commit to a program without knowing who the coach will be. This killed us with recruiting in 2013 and 2014. Without talent you don't win games and that will not attract top recruits Especially after we were put in the All American conference to play Tulsa, tulane, USF, UCF... Recruits are promised to start or guarantee playing time at other programs. At UCONN you have to work hard and earn your playing time.
Kevin Ollie did a great job with the roster he had the first 2 years. I don't think anyone could have done better with that roster. Additionally, Kevin Ollie's divorce and his mom health didn't help. Many of us may know dealing with such issues can be detrimental to ones health.

Too Long/ Won't Read - Ollie's inexperience, 2014 wasn't a bunch of hacks, promises of playing time from other programs have always been there, conference affiliation - a challenge not insurmountable, personal issues are unfortunate - but paid to be scrutinized regardless

Few care about my theory besides you and I really don't have a theory.

As much as I want Ollie to succeed he's not done a good job with the program since the title year. I attribute that to his overall lack of program management experience - the guy played in the league for a long time, mainly due to his determination and commitment to his craft. Then he was an assistant for a couple of years and then was handed the keys to one of the top programs in the country - by any objective evaluation his resume didn't warrant him getting the gig (I'm not one to say UCONN should have hired X or Y - we've got the guy we've got and I hope he knocks it out of the proverbial park).

This job is more than just coaching - it about how you run a multimillion dollar business - how you staff it, how it's sold, to what investments you make and divest from (players), etc. Right now the optics are not good - between the transfers (not a big deal in a vacuum), the decomit from MAL (again not a big deal in a vacuum), the lackluster on-court performance (anomaly or a trend - TBD) and the seeming inability to woo and close on the recruiting trail. For example, whether folks think MAL will be good or not, KO needed to find a way to keep him in the fold in the face of the transfers and the poor on-court performance - he's a highly rated kid and to have him honor his commitment serves as a counter point to the transfers and helps manage the external perception of the program.

Nobody on this board forgot that Ollie had a short contract to start - Warde got crushed on this board forever for that move and for being on vacation when Louisville got into the ACC.

We all know the history of the recruits in 2014 - you aren't on a comment section of the Courant, it's the Boneyard - here's a refresher off the top of my head for guys I can remember (other folks will chime in and point out where I'm wrong).

Daniels was a very unexpected late pick-up as his recruitment was as wacky as any - rumored to be between KU and UT and he'd never set foot on the UCONN campus before he committed. He was a top 10 or so guy after a post year at IMG Academy.

Calhoun was a top 50 guy out of Christ the King

TSam (South Shore, NY) and Phil Nolan (Riverside in Milwaukee) were in the 100-125 or so range

Amida was a top 15 guy at his position, but could be wrong I'm a bit fuzzy on him.

Giffey was never ranked by the services because he played overseas.

Bazz was top 100 and we did miss on the guys you mention

Boat top 50 and decommitted from WVU after Hinds who was NY Mr. Basketball from Mt. Vernon (BG's Alma Mater) who we struck out on committed there. Boat who thought he was going to be the guy essentially said to Huggins WTF man, I'm out.

We recruited nationally and internationally and pulled in some pretty good guys for that team - it wasn't a bunch of hacks and guys in the 150+ club. I'd think that it's not unrealistic to expect one or two highly ranked guys (top 50) in each class who are supported by guys in the 50-150 range. Leading with guys who are 50-100 might not be the formula for success, but a lot can happen if a kid stays 4 years and develops (another question mark lately - talent development) versus a kid that's in and out in a year.

You're saying that recruits are promised playing time at other programs like that's something new, it's not.

Do I think conference affiliation is challenging, yup, but if you think that's the reason that we can't attract talent to win games then we just disagree, because there are too many teams in other conferences that aren't P5 that attract talent, make the tourney and win games and they are teams with SIGNIFICANTLY less pedigree than UCONN.

While his personal situation is unfortunate, to suggest that Ollie not be placed under a critical eye is unrealistic and naive - one of the things he signed up for when he took the gig and the salary is scrutiny by the university executives, board of directors, students, alumni and fans - regardless of personal circumstances, that's part of the gig - it's a piss poor part of the gig, but it's part of it, it's part of the reason you make that type of coin.

Do not think for a minute that kids don't have short memories and attention spans - 2014 is a long time ago for these kids.

 

[Javjudah]

Too Long/ Won't Read - Ollie's inexperience, 2014 wasn't a bunch of hacks, promises of playing time from other programs have always been there, conference affiliation - a challenge not insurmountable, personal issues are unfortunate - but paid to be scrutinized regardless

Few care about my theory besides you and I really don't have a theory.

As much as I want Ollie to succeed he's not done a good job with the program since the title year. I attribute that to his overall lack of program management experience - the guy played in the league for a long time, mainly due to his determination and commitment to his craft. Then he was an assistant for a couple of years and then was handed the keys to one of the top programs in the country - by any objective evaluation his resume didn't warrant him getting the gig (I'm not one to say UCONN should have hired X or Y - we've got the guy we've got and I hope he knocks it out of the proverbial park).

This job is more than just coaching - it about how you run a multimillion dollar business - how you staff it, how it's sold, to what investments you make and divest from (players), etc. Right now the optics are not good - between the transfers (not a big deal in a vacuum), the decomit from MAL (again not a big deal in a vacuum), the lackluster on-court performance (anomaly or a trend - TBD) and the seeming inability to woo and close on the recruiting trail. For example, whether folks think MAL will be good or not, KO needed to find a way to keep him in the fold in the face of the transfers and the poor on-court performance - he's a highly rated kid and to have him honor his commitment serves as a counter point to the transfers and helps manage the external perception of the program.

Nobody on this board forgot that Ollie had a short contract to start - Warde got crushed on this board forever for that move and for being on vacation when Louisville got into the ACC.

We all know the history of the recruits in 2014 - you aren't on a comment section of the Courant, it's the Boneyard - here's a refresher off the top of my head for guys I can remember (other folks will chime in and point out where I'm wrong).

Daniels was a very unexpected late pick-up as his recruitment was as wacky as any - rumored to be between KU and UT and he'd never set foot on the UCONN campus before he committed. He was a top 10 or so guy after a post year at IMG Academy.

Calhoun was a top 50 guy out of Christ the King

TSam (South Shore, NY) and Phil Nolan (Riverside in Milwaukee) were in the 100-125 or so range

Amida was a top 15 guy at his position, but could be wrong I'm a bit fuzzy on him.

Giffey was never ranked by the services because he played overseas.

Bazz was top 100 and we did miss on the guys you mention

Boat top 50 and decommitted from WVU after Hinds who was NY Mr. Basketball from Mt. Vernon (BG's Alma Mater) who we struck out on committed there. Boat who thought he was going to be the guy essentially said to Huggins WTF man, I'm out.

We recruited nationally and internationally and pulled in some pretty good guys for that team - it wasn't a bunch of hacks and guys in the 150+ club. I'd think that it's not unrealistic to expect one or two highly ranked guys (top 50) in each class who are supported by guys in the 50-150 range. Leading with guys who are 50-100 might not be the formula for success, but a lot can happen if a kid stays 4 years and develops (another question mark lately - talent development) versus a kid that's in and out in a year.

You're saying that recruits are promised playing time at other programs like that's something new, it's not.

Do I think conference affiliation is challenging, yup, but if you think that's the reason that we can't attract talent to win games then we just disagree, because there are too many teams in other conferences that aren't P5 that attract talent, make the tourney and win games and they are teams with SIGNIFICANTLY less pedigree than UCONN.

While his personal situation is unfortunate, to suggest that Ollie not be placed under a critical eye is unrealistic and naive - one of the things he signed up for when he took the gig and the salary is scrutiny by the university executives, board of directors, students, alumni and fans - regardless of personal circumstances, that's part of the gig - it's a piss poor part of the gig, but it's part of it, it's part of the reason you make that type of coin.

Do not think for a minute that kids don't have short memories and attention spans - 2014 is a long time ago for these kids.

Too Long/ Won't Read - Ollie's inexperience, 2014 wasn't a bunch of hacks, promises of playing time from other programs have always been there, conference affiliation - a challenge not insurmountable, personal issues are unfortunate - but paid to be scrutinized regardless

Few care about my theory besides you and I really don't have a theory.

As much as I want Ollie to succeed he's not done a good job with the program since the title year. I attribute that to his overall lack of program management experience - the guy played in the league for a long time, mainly due to his determination and commitment to his craft. Then he was an assistant for a couple of years and then was handed the keys to one of the top programs in the country - by any objective evaluation his resume didn't warrant him getting the gig (I'm not one to say UCONN should have hired X or Y - we've got the guy we've got and I hope he knocks it out of the proverbial park).

This job is more than just coaching - it about how you run a multimillion dollar business - how you staff it, how it's sold, to what investments you make and divest from (players), etc. Right now the optics are not good - between the transfers (not a big deal in a vacuum), the decomit from MAL (again not a big deal in a vacuum), the lackluster on-court performance (anomaly or a trend - TBD) and the seeming inability to woo and close on the recruiting trail. For example, whether folks think MAL will be good or not, KO needed to find a way to keep him in the fold in the face of the transfers and the poor on-court performance - he's a highly rated kid and to have him honor his commitment serves as a counter point to the transfers and helps manage the external perception of the program.

Nobody on this board forgot that Ollie had a short contract to start - Warde got crushed on this board forever for that move and for being on vacation when Louisville got into the ACC.

We all know the history of the recruits in 2014 - you aren't on a comment section of the Courant, it's the Boneyard - here's a refresher off the top of my head for guys I can remember (other folks will chime in and point out where I'm wrong).

Daniels was a very unexpected late pick-up as his recruitment was as wacky as any - rumored to be between KU and UT and he'd never set foot on the UCONN campus before he committed. He was a top 10 or so guy after a post year at IMG Academy.

Calhoun was a top 50 guy out of Christ the King

TSam (South Shore, NY) and Phil Nolan (Riverside in Milwaukee) were in the 100-125 or so range

Amida was a top 15 guy at his position, but could be wrong I'm a bit fuzzy on him.

Giffey was never ranked by the services because he played overseas.

Bazz was top 100 and we did miss on the guys you mention

Boat top 50 and decommitted from WVU after Hinds who was NY Mr. Basketball from Mt. Vernon (BG's Alma Mater) who we struck out on committed there. Boat who thought he was going to be the guy essentially said to Huggins WTF man, I'm out.

We recruited nationally and internationally and pulled in some pretty good guys for that team - it wasn't a bunch of hacks and guys in the 150+ club. I'd think that it's not unrealistic to expect one or two highly ranked guys (top 50) in each class who are supported by guys in the 50-150 range. Leading with guys who are 50-100 might not be the formula for success, but a lot can happen if a kid stays 4 years and develops (another question mark lately - talent development) versus a kid that's in and out in a year.

You're saying that recruits are promised playing time at other programs like that's something new, it's not.

Do I think conference affiliation is challenging, yup, but if you think that's the reason that we can't attract talent to win games then we just disagree, because there are too many teams in other conferences that aren't P5 that attract talent, make the tourney and win games and they are teams with SIGNIFICANTLY less pedigree than UCONN.

While his personal situation is unfortunate, to suggest that Ollie not be placed under a critical eye is unrealistic and naive - one of the things he signed up for when he took the gig and the salary is scrutiny by the university executives, board of directors, students, alumni and fans - regardless of personal circumstances, that's part of the gig - it's a piss poor part of the gig, but it's part of it, it's part of the reason you make that type of coin.

Do not think for a minute that kids don't have short memories and attention spans - 2014 is a long time ago for these kids.

Good post

Amidah Brimah was ranked 269
Phil Nolan was ranked 221
Terrence Samuels was ranked 126
Rakim lubin 409
Micheal Bradley 210
Donell Beverly 244
Omar Calhoun 44
Kemba Walker 14
Deandre Daniels 16
Jeremy lamb 85
Ryan Boatright 55
Shabazz Napier 98
Giffey, tolksdorf, Enosch Wolf...
Tyler olander...

 

[temery]

Anyone killed by Jarts was going to be a Darwin Award winner sooner or later, anyway.

The only thing their banning accomplished was ruining the fun for everyone able to drink and throw them at each other responsibly.

Probably taken off for safety reasons.

 

[Goat]

"We recruited nationally and internationally and pulled in some pretty good guys for that team - it wasn't a bunch of hacks and guys in the 150+ club. I'd think that it's not unrealistic to expect one or two highly ranked guys (top 50) in each class who are supported by guys in the 50-150 range. Leading with guys who are 50-100 might not be the formula for success, but a lot can happen if a kid stays 4 years and develops (another question mark lately - talent development) versus a kid that's in and out in a year."

That would mean 4-8 top 50 kids on every team. We'd be perennial over dogs.

 

[Northbound]

Good post

Amidah Brimah was ranked 269
Phil Nolan was ranked 221
Terrence Samuels was ranked 126
Rakim lubin 409
Micheal Bradley 210
Donell Beverly 244
Omar Calhoun 44
Kemba Walker 14
Deandre Daniels 16
Jeremy lamb 85
Ryan Boatright 55
Shabazz Napier 98
Giffey, tolksdorf, Enosch Wolf...
Tyler olander...

You're wrong on some the rankings here's what I get after a cursory google search (player name and recruiting ranking), but whatever, who cares - that team and that success is in the rear view mirror.

Nolan
Rivals - thttps://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2012/phillip-nolan-59788

Brimah - read down he was 16th at his position Kevin Ollie gets his first commit

Daniels - Rivals.com

Boatright - Rivals.com

One of issues is that guys that the program used to routinely get even if they were a back-up plan are now saying "thanks, but no" and chosing traditionally inferior programs and that data point taken with some of the other data points give folks every right to be concerned.

He's got to get the deal fixed - it's on his shoulders - no excuses because when it's all said and done nobody cares about those and that's true for anyone at any job.

Can we put this whole thread to bed now - Ollies human, but he's like any other human in any other job - he's got to get it done or he'll be s**tcanned.

 

[Northbound]

"We recruited nationally and internationally and pulled in some pretty good guys for that team - it wasn't a bunch of hacks and guys in the 150+ club. I'd think that it's not unrealistic to expect one or two highly ranked guys (top 50) in each class who are supported by guys in the 50-150 range. Leading with guys who are 50-100 might not be the formula for success, but a lot can happen if a kid stays 4 years and develops (another question mark lately - talent development) versus a kid that's in and out in a year."

That would mean 4-8 top 50 kids on every team. We'd be perennial over dogs.

Come on man Christ. it's a generalization you get this idea - let me spell it out for you.

Get your share of highly ranked guys (who may bolt early) and fill in with top 100-150 guys who will play and stay and get lower ranked guys to fill out the roster with the hope to develop them.