Everything this year was the best ever.

[Palatine]

Nothing from the past, no coaches, players or events were as good as what happened in the last twelve months.

That stuff that happened before, not as good. The things that happened this year, the best. This is the greatest time. Not the past, now.

 

[warbler1055]

I shudder to think what would have happened if WM had bring in another name coach after a national search. That new coach would have brought in his own staff and all Calhoun assistant coaches would be gone and so was the old tradition and who would know what would have happened. KO kept all the UConn assistant coaches and brought in Ricky Moore and Kevin Freeman. And of course, like they say the rest is history. What an incredible journey!!!

 

[dogpause]

I don't know about the first 11 months, as there were times when I got discouraged and, being candid, disinterested occasionally. It's also like trying to choose which of your children you love the most. However, this NCAA tournament run was definitely the most tension packed because we were underdogs in every game, with the possible exception of the St. Joe's game. In the past, I would approach games with optimism and an expectation of winning. But this time, there was a sense of being okay even if they lost once we had defeated Villanova.

 

[intlzncster]

Nothing from the past, no coaches, players or events were as good as what happened in the last twelve months.

That stuff that happened before, not as good. The things that happened this year, the best. This is the greatest time. Not the past, now.

Eh, it seems every year we win is the best ever in some respect. I still personally tip 1999 as the best ever. If we don't win then, we might never have. Just a game of what ifs.

 

[Scot-e]

1999 was special and still is (my favorite sporting event of all time) - 2011 was an amazing run but lacked the quality opponents of this year's NC. this year approaches 1999 because of what it means for our program moving forward. It will have just as big an impact as 1999 did for UCONN. New coach, no BE- basically starting over with a few guys on the team that JC brought to UCONN.

This NC brought optimism back to UCONN men's basketball- it painted a bright future that did not really exist 6 weeks ago when we lost by 30 to Lville. I can't help but have thoughts about the type and quality of players we will be seeing over the next few years and while I would not mind another run to the FF next year- it sure is great to be NCs all season- we get a year to enjoy it.

 

[UChusky916]

Agreed 100%, nearly a perfect year:

-Cuse/Duke early tourney exits
-Beating Calipari/UK to prevent them from winning another title
-Improbable run resulting in title #4
-Bazz giving it to Emmert and the NCAA in front of the whole country
-Ollie emerging as coaching stud for foreseeable future and quelling any doubters in his ability to keep the program in elite status.
-UConn women winning in conjunction with men makes it that much sweeter

Now let's hope Diaco can get our football team going in the right direction and Warde/Susan are reaching out the Big10.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

. . . with the possible exception of the St. Joe's game.

We were up against Allie LaForce interviewing a 4 year old imitating a hawk; that made us an underdog to an overbird.

 

[RoderickSpode]

I don't know about the first 11 months, as there were times when I got discouraged and, being candid, disinterested occasionally. It's also like trying to choose which of your children you love the most. However, this NCAA tournament run was definitely the most tension packed because we were underdogs in every game, with the possible exception of the St. Joe's game. In the past, I would approach games with optimism and an expectation of winning. But this time, there was a sense of being okay even if they lost once we had defeated Villanova.

I know what you're saying, and I imagine I should've felt that way, but after the St. Joe's game I had a strange sense of calm the rest of the way before each matchup. Not during games (when the ball was in play I was having a heart attack as usual), and I didn't see the whole run coming beforehand, but I felt pretty good about each individual matchup. The further the team went, the more confident I became.

It was a strange feeling, and probably a sure sign of insanity if we hadn't actually pulled it off.

 

[jibsey]

11 games in 2011 when the BE tournament starting out was as hard or harder than the NCAA, preceded by MakersMuppet. But this year is shoulder to shoulder with it.

 

[J-dog]

I don't know about the first 11 months, as there were times when I got discouraged and, being candid, disinterested occasionally. It's also like trying to choose which of your children you love the most. However, this NCAA tournament run was definitely the most tension packed because we were underdogs in every game, with the possible exception of the St. Joe's game. In the past, I would approach games with optimism and an expectation of winning. But this time, there was a sense of being okay even if they lost once we had defeated Villanova.

I has very similar feelings at times throughout this season… Have to admit there were multiple occasions during the regular season where I turned off the TV… At times, they were tough to watch…

I was happy with the way they performed in the AAC tourney & figured that if they could make it to the Sweet 16, that would be a great year for KO in his first NCAA tourney.

Obviously, the run was epic, but every game I watched was met with trepidation until they handled Florida & that was the first time I allowed myself to really believe they would win it all…

While it was a ride for the ages, I do believe that nothing can compare to 1999.

 

[B1GEast]

This year was totally unexpected, it was a treat we never expected, but in hindsight non of us are now surprised, because KO and Bazz were the real deal after all.

 

[IMind]

Nothing from the past, no coaches, players or events were as good as what happened in the last twelve months.

That stuff that happened before, not as good. The things that happened this year, the best. This is the greatest time. Not the past, now.

Hey don't knock it. It's much better than being a Rutgers or Providence College fan where next year is going to be the best ever.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I shudder to think what would have happened if WM had bring in another name coach after a national search. That new coach would have brought in his own staff and all Calhoun assistant coaches would be gone and so was the old tradition and who would know what would have happened. KO kept all the UConn assistant coaches and brought in Ricky Moore and Kevin Freeman. And of course, like they say the rest is history. What an incredible journey!!!

Actually, I think things would have been OK if we had been able to lure a big-name coach.

What would have been an absolute disaster is if we had conducted the national search, none of the big names were interested, and we were forced to settle for someone anonymous and uninspiring. Regardless of the on-court results, the outcome of that process would have broadcast to fans, media, recruits, and the power conferences that we're a small-time program with minimal national appeal.

In acceding to Calhoun's machinations, Warde essentially played it safe and avoided that potentially disastrous outcome (though I know that sounds somewhat paradoxical, considering a lot of people said taking Ollie was a risk).

And, of course, besides that, Ollie has paid off immensely so far.

 

[Goat]

12 active coaches with a NC. No others are undefeated in the tournament.