don't have insider... a little help...drummond

[UConnSwag11]

not sure if this has been posted but says, sources say drummond likely to return but can't read the whole thing http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/feat...espn.go.com/ncb/features/rumors?date=20120328

 

[UConnSwag11]

from andy katz Drummond might not bolt, though. The source said the staff isn’t so sure Drummond will leave even if the Huskies can’t play in the NCAA tournament. The reason is that Drummond may see the need to continue to improve his game in college to be better prepared for the transition.

 

[Rico444]

It just links to this Andy Katz article, which can be read by anyone.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/56677/3-point-shot-as-connecticut-turns

 

[UConnSwag11]

oh ok thats what i posted... thanks... this can be deleted if people want it to be

 

[businesslawyer]

I have been saying, Lamb and Drummond should not be particularly influenced by the NCAA ban. They have a multimillion dollar decision to make -- take quick money or invest in themselves and come back hoping to make more money starting at a later date. I don't see the NCAA ban being particularly relevant to the decision.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I have been saying, Lamb and Drummond should not be particularly influenced by the NCAA ban. They have a multimillion dollar decision to make -- take quick money or invest in themselves and come back hoping to make more money starting at a later date. I don't see the NCAA ban being particularly relevant to the decision.

I agree with you in part, some posts make it seem as if not having an NCAA possibility somehow nullifies the entire season. What I worry about is removing the NCAA carrot results in a scarlet letter and dishonorable mention every time UConn is discussed and less TV exposure = less player exposure.

Nevertheless, isn't the journey and the 35 games the majority of the fun? All but one team loses in the NCAAs eventually and after a one and out year I'd think people would be able to see that the NCAA tourney is far from the only result that matters in a season. I think one could make an argument that in 2011 UConn's Big East tournament games and ultimate victory was as good and maybe even more exciting and enjoyable than their NCAA tournament games.

 

[businesslawyer]

I agree with you in part, some posts make it seem as if not having an NCAA ban somehow nullifies the entire season. What I worry about is removing the NCAA carrot results in a scarlet letter and dishonorable mention every time UConn is discussed and less TV exposure = less player exposure.

Nevertheless, isn't the journey and the 35 games the majority of the fun? All but one team loses in the NCAAs eventually and after a one and out year I'd think people would be able to see that the NCAA tourney is far from the only result that matters in a season. I think one could make an argument that in 2011 UConn's Big East tournament games and ultimate victory was as good and maybe even more exciting and enjoyable than their NCAA tournament games.

Exposure, from a money point, is not relevant to either Lamb or Drummond because the NBA is already acutely aware of each of them. And it's not like UConn isn't going to be on TV all year next year anyway, especially if they're back,

Seriously, I don't think this had a lot to do with AO transferring, and it won't have a lot to do with Drummond's and Lamb's decisions.

 

[djct1999]

i partially disagree. i think drummond's potential return has a lot to do with ao's transferring.

 

[rman726]

I agree with you in part, some posts make it seem as if not having an NCAA possibility somehow nullifies the entire season. What I worry about is removing the NCAA carrot results in a scarlet letter and dishonorable mention every time UConn is discussed and less TV exposure = less player exposure.

Nevertheless, isn't the journey and the 35 games the majority of the fun? All but one team loses in the NCAAs eventually and after a one and out year I'd think people would be able to see that the NCAA tourney is far from the only result that matters in a season. I think one could make an argument that in 2011 UConn's Big East tournament games and ultimate victory was as good and maybe even more exciting and enjoyable than their NCAA tournament games.

I disagree. I watch the games because they matter in terms of seeding and making the tournament. If there is no postseason possibility, I'm sure i'll still watch some, but will definitely miss many games that I would never have missed in the past.

Exposure, from a money point, is not relevant to either Lamb or Drummond because the NBA is already acutely aware of each of them. And it's not like UConn isn't going to be on TV all year next year anyway, especially if they're back,

Seriously, I don't think this had a lot to do with AO transferring, and it won't have a lot to do with Drummond's and Lamb's decisions.

I think it did. The eligibility allows AO to transfer with a waiver to play next year. I don't think he will return now, even if we are ruled eligible next year to play, because he essentially burned a lot of bridges already. But if he had known he would have to sit out a year, I think he would have stuck around for another year. Maybe he would have still left figuring the only way he will improve his NBA stock is to sit a year and play in a system without Drummond. Who knows?

 

[orangehomer]

i don't think lamb has a whole lot to gain from coming back, he is already projected top ten but i don't think he has elite type talent to the point where another year in college is going to make him number one or two overall or something like that. i see him sort of like dion, these guys were meant to play pro basketball, they might as well get started.

drummond is a more interesting question. even though he is projected top 3 or 4 i can't help but think he would be better off coming back. i thought the quotes from the scouts a little while back were interesting, wondering about his "love" for the game. when you watch him, his skill level is so low compared to his athleticism it is just hard to picture him as a guy that loves to play basketball. when i was a kid you just couldn't get my friends and i out of the gym. as an 7-8th grader i was manager for the varsity team, my school was so small that they needed extra bodies for practice. i used to go to my own practice, and then stay and practice with the jv and varsity teams. i loved it, it was all i cared about. when you watch drummond do you ever feel like he wants it like that, wants to be better every minute than the next guy? i think he needs another year in college just to learn how to work more than anything else, he just looks like he has never had to work for it. it's weird that oriakhi is leaving, you would think that those two could really push each other in practice and get better.

 

[businesslawyer]

I disagree. I watch the games because they matter in terms of seeding and making the tournament. If there is no postseason possibility, I'm sure i'll still watch some, but will definitely miss many games that I would never have missed in the past.

I'm sorry -- yes, I agree with you that the fact that he doesn't have to sit out a year made it easier to transfer. My point was that missing the tournament per se I don't believe did. At least not much.


I think it did. The eligibility allows AO to transfer with a waiver to play next year. I don't think he will return now, even if we are ruled eligible next year to play, because he essentially burned a lot of bridges already. But if he had known he would have to sit out a year, I think he would have stuck around for another year. Maybe he would have still left figuring the only way he will improve his NBA stock is to sit a year and play in a system without Drummond. Who knows?

 

[UConnSwag11]

i partially disagree. i think drummond's potential return has a lot to do with ao's transferring.

drummond said a few weeks ago... before the tourney

 

[Ts5034]

But that would be shot below the belt if Uconn isnt able to play in the tournament and AD comes back and is having a monster season. Thats why i would almost rather see a down year if they cant play in the tournament because that would kind of suck wondering what could of been if this team is top 25 all season.

 

[businesslawyer]

But that would be shot below the belt if Uconn isnt able to play in the tournament and AD comes back and is having a monster season. Thats why i would almost rather see a down year if they cant play in the tournament because that would kind of suck wondering what could of been if this team is top 25 all season.

I find that amazing. If we are banned from the tourney next year, that, to me, will make winning the Big East all the more important.

 

[Ts5034]

I

I find that amazing. If we are banned from the tourney next year, that, to me, will make winning the Big East all the more important.

Of course i will still support them and go to the games but it would just be a little bitter sweet if we dominate next year. Remember the Big East still has to decide what they want to do with us as far as the BET if the NCAA ban sticks.

 

[champs99and04]

i don't think lamb has a whole lot to gain from coming back, he is already projected top ten but i don't think he has elite type talent to the point where another year in college is going to make him number one or two overall or something like that. i see him sort of like dion, these guys were meant to play pro basketball, they might as well get started.

drummond is a more interesting question. even though he is projected top 3 or 4 i can't help but think he would be better off coming back. i thought the quotes from the scouts a little while back were interesting, wondering about his "love" for the game. when you watch him, his skill level is so low compared to his athleticism it is just hard to picture him as a guy that loves to play basketball. when i was a kid you just couldn't get my friends and i out of the gym. as an 7-8th grader i was manager for the varsity team, my school was so small that they needed extra bodies for practice. i used to go to my own practice, and then stay and practice with the jv and varsity teams. i loved it, it was all i cared about. when you watch drummond do you ever feel like he wants it like that, wants to be better every minute than the next guy? i think he needs another year in college just to learn how to work more than anything else, he just looks like he has never had to work for it. it's weird that oriakhi is leaving, you would think that those two could really push each other in practice and get better.

Good post, I agree with all most all of it. In my opinion, Lamb has a lot more to lose than he has to gain by returning. He's already tasted the glory of winning a title, and if he leaves now, he'll likely be a mid-first rounder at worst. In some ways his game is more suited for the marathon of an NBA season than the franatic pace in college.

Drummond is a completely different story. Quite frankly, the kid has no idea how to play, and if he enters the draft now he'll get swallowed alive. Nobody is going to be there in the NBA to light a fire under his ass every day like Calhoun is now. Nobody is better at coaching a big man how to defend than Calhoun, and with Drummond's talent, he could be a dominant defensive player in the NBA if he simply learned some of the basic fundamentals. Not to mention, he doesn't have a single post move, he has no clue how to shoot, etc.

 

[champs99and04]

But that would be shot below the belt if Uconn isnt able to play in the tournament and AD comes back and is having a monster season. Thats why i would almost rather see a down year if they cant play in the tournament because that would kind of suck wondering what could of been if this team is top 25 all season.

Honestly, if UConn is ineligible for the tournament that would just make me care that much more about the regular season. With no tournament, the team should treat every game like an elimination game. If there is no shot to finish the season #1, you have to make it your goal to finish the regular season #1. You can't tell me it wouldn't be greatly satisfying to see UConn finish the regular season #1, only to watch the tournament play itself out with everybody wondering if everybody is playing for second.

 

[Kitaman]

Money is the great equalizer. NBA ready or not it takes a lot of discipline/self control to turn down millions of dollars for development reasons. His decision will have little to do with the team and more to do about himself. Which is normal and understandable.

Drummond's decision may not come till very late in the process, and very little to do with post season ban (there is nothing really for him to showcase in the post season). Even though he is not ready I think its 50/50 regardless of his public comments.

 

[dsturdy5]

This is sort of like the Auburn football situation in the mid 1990's. They went unbeaten and couldn't play in a post season game. They were flat out dominant at times. If UConn can't play in the post season, let that be their motivation.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

I disagree. I watch the games because they matter in terms of seeding and making the tournament. If there is no postseason possibility, I'm sure i'll still watch some, but will definitely miss many games that I would never have missed in the past.



I think it did. The eligibility allows AO to transfer with a waiver to play next year. I don't think he will return now, even if we are ruled eligible next year to play, because he essentially burned a lot of bridges already. But if he had known he would have to sit out a year, I think he would have stuck around for another year. Maybe he would have still left figuring the only way he will improve his NBA stock is to sit a year and play in a system without Drummond. Who knows?

You only watch games because of the tourny - really ?? Not a serious fan - you need to watch for the future at least. Are you a football fan ? If all us football fans thought like you than nobody would follow the team because it is not realistic to think we will play for the national championship in football in the near future.

 

[Dogdeacon]

You only watch games because of the tourny - really ?? Not a serious fan - you need to watch for the future at least. Are you a football fan ? If all us football fans thought like you than nobody would follow the team because it is not realistic to think we will play for the national championship in football in the near future.

Yep.
Think of it this way, UConn had zero shot at winning a national championship and it was a pipe dream to just make the tourney from the founding of the Big East until 1990. But fans watched and the journey is the point. Why is there even basketball at 250 D1 schools that have virtually no realistic hope of winning a championship?!

No tourney might feel a bit like a circular journey, but I agree with others suggesting you galvanize the team and set out to prove you are the best. Yet I think there are many current UConn fans that feel the way rman does, seasons are about winning championships and that's all - at least he had the stones to admit it. No doubt I think/want/hope that UConn has lofty goals, but I simply enjoy watching them win basketball games . Next January when they throw the ball up its not going to matter to me that a big road win over Pitt has no NCAA seeding implications. I want to watch UConn win games.

 

[prankster]

A couple of things:
1 - It doesn't really matter about fan exposure, this is all about exposure to the people who matter....NBA scouts and the like. In that regard, whether UConn is tournament eligible or not is almost inconsequential. The players will still have all of the necessary exposure to NBA scouts, because they are playing in the BE and for UConn (and the players are therefore already on most of the radar screens that count). A great tournament performance might enhance draft position by a little bit, but the scouts know enough to influence their decisions, already, before March.

2 - Things are a world of different for Lamb and Drummond. I agree with the Lamb assessments. He is a fairly known quantity and it is unlikely that next year will provide that much opportunity for him to vastly improve. He might go from a 12-15 pick to a top 10 (or not) but he is likely unable to move into a top 5 pick no matter what.

Drummond, on the other hand, has just so much more to learn/gain. The kid is still so very very raw, that an additional year at this level will only elevate him. I agree with the way folks characterize the vast gulf between his raw ability and his comfort with and knowledge of the game.

3 - As much as I want Drummond fto come back, I cannot make a real persuasive economic argument as to how this would benefit him. Have an accountant run the numbers.....the difference between having all those millions today, as opposed to having them a year from now....well (unless you pull a Brewster's Millions and spend the entire bundle as fast as you make it), you are always better off with the cash in hand, invested today, than you are deferring it.

4 - I am not at all convinced that Drummond is your typical NBA-bound player. The kid was only a couple of days/weeks removed from having spent last year playing high school ball. He truly seems to be enjoying the heck out of being an 18 year old kid. College is a unique experience, and I think it suits Andre very well. He will have ample opportunity to be an NBA player/millionaire for years to come. He only has this one opportunity to be a college student. The NBA money will be there, waiting for him.

I hope he stays! I think he would not regret that decision.

 

[Danzz]

Exposure, from a money point, is not relevant to either Lamb or Drummond because the NBA is already acutely aware of each of them. And it's not like UConn isn't going to be on TV all year next year anyway, especially if they're back,

Seriously, I don't think this had a lot to do with AO transferring, and it won't have a lot to do with Drummond's and Lamb's decisions.

AO wanted out and my guess is the tourney ban gave him the perfect opportunity to leave and still play next year. He probably would have stayed if he had to sit out a season after transferring.

 

[aceboon]

Next year's draft class looks pretty weak with this incoming crop of freshmen and who's projected to leave. I expect Lamb to go top 10 this year anyway but he most definitely could jump into the top 3-5 with a great year next year. That being said, he's not coming back.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I think Lamb has reached a ceiling and he knows it. He doesn't have much to improve on, skill-wise. Sure it couldn't hurt for him to put on 15 pounds of muscle, but that's the case for everyone leaving early for the draft.

The traits that prevent him from being a top-5 pick are not the sort of thing you work on in the offseason; I'm talking about assertiveness. Lamb will never be like Kobe or MJ, demanding the ball in crunch time, even on the college level. He's a nice complementary piece, not a guy you build a franchise around.

Late lottery is really his upside, and he's better off taking it now than risk his stock falling like Sullinger and Barnes.