Excited about the future after a loss

[CTPride]

I know we lost but the atmosphere of this game just felt like the special teams we had in the past. It was a typical hard fought game where we found ourselves down by a basket or two majority of the game. I was expecting us to swoop in and take the lead in the final minutes, but we just couldn't push it over the edge. Clean up the turnovers and get a couple calls to go our way and we will turn these close L's into W's. Either way, we fought extremely hard and showed a ton of emotion and swagger, something we had with Kemba and Bazz, and have been missing the past few years.

 

[GemParty]

Energized XL. If we’re going to win close games AG, needs to get calls & do better at Making his FT when he does.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Energized XL. If we’re going to win close games AG, needs to get calls & do better at Making his FT when he does.

The whole team does. They also need to cut the turnovers in half

 

[StepbackCity]

Cobb's right, we need to stay true to UConn. Can't let one tough loss can't destroy this recent good mojo.

 

[NYC_HUSKY22]

If this team starts to solve these fixable problems, and gel like i think they are capable. With our schedule down the stretch, i see no reason why we can't go 25-6 or 24-7. Tough lose, but a ton of energy from the fans / team. I'm starting to believe with a little work and mental toughness we can become something special this year.

 

[jibsey]

Those 24 and 25 win numbers sound like a stretch. I'd be thrilled with 20 or 21 wins.

 

[JB75]

U have to figure everyone on team is going to get 10-20% better before March. I’d even say more of an improvement- percentage wise from Sid and AG. Of course other teams will improve as well but do you really think there’s more than a handful of teams in the country that will improve as much as we will and are as deep as we are come March? It’s a miracle we didn’t lose that game by 15. Between the horrible play of our guards and about 5 ridiculous calls by the refs, we cudda won that Game by 8-10 if we just played decently.

 

[JB75]

And that’s not even including Diarra getting back to 100% and the slight chance of alok getting into the fold next semester to give us some length down low and another theee point shooter. We ll be fine.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Those 24 and 25 win numbers sound like a stretch. I'd be thrilled with 20 or 21 wins.

This should be a rebuilding year but our style of play and our record has a lot of us excited, expecting unrealistic results. I do see us as a tournament team and agree with about 20-21 wins. We do need to win against FSU and Nova

 

[Caronimo]

Cobb's right, we need to stay true to UConn. Can't let one tough loss can't destroy this recent good mojo.

Big respects to Cobb for hanging tough through his suspension last year, getting in shape and having it pay off this year. He and Ollie clearly did not get along.

 

[Jay-Bone]

I know we lost but the atmosphere of this game just felt like the special teams we had in the past. It was a typical hard fought game where we found ourselves down by a basket or two majority of the game. I was expecting us to swoop in and take the lead in the final minutes, but we just couldn't push it over the edge. Clean up the turnovers and get a couple calls to go our way and we will turn these close L's into W's. Either way, we fought extremely hard and showed a ton of emotion and swagger, something we had with Kemba and Bazz, and have been missing the past few years.

I was surprised that my 74 yo aunt who has season tix at the XL, despite being a chief casual fan, called me after the game to say how excited she was about the atmosphere, never mind the loss. That's a good sign.

 

[UconnU]

I’d like to see Tyler Polley get more looks. Not sure how many shots DD was taking per game in 2014 but he needs about that many looks. His shooting form is perfect, he’s really the only one I trust behind the arc(maybe AG when he’s not concussed). His body looks to be in noticeably better shape this season. We should run pick and pop plays for him and look for him more often in the open floor.

 

[AllAbout5]

And that’s not even including Diarra getting back to 100% and the slight chance of alok getting into the fold next semester to give us some length down low and another theee point shooter. We ll be fine.

he’s redshirting the semester

 

[InKembaITrust]

Next year potential lineup:

• Alterique/Gaffney
• Vital/Bouknight/Adams
• Sid/Polley
• Akok/Mamadou
• Carlton/Kofi??

what's not to like....

 

[intlzncster]

Those 24 and 25 win numbers sound like a stretch. I'd be thrilled with 20 or 21 wins.

That's where I've been at since preseason. I'll stick with that, unless some miraculous development occurs.

 

[intlzncster]

Of course other teams will improve as well but do you really think there’s more than a handful of teams in the country that will improve as much as we will and are as deep as we are come March? It’s a miracle we didn’t lose that game by 15.

Why will other teams not improve as much as ours? Is it something in the water?

And we are not deep, if we are taking talent level into account.

 

[intlzncster]

This should be a rebuilding year but our style of play and our record has a lot of us excited, expecting unrealistic results. I do see us as a tournament team and agree with about 20-21 wins. We do need to win against FSU and Nova

Those two don't go hand in hand unless they win the conference tournament. That's the only chance I see anyway.

 

[intlzncster]

he’s redshirting the semester

Where are you seeing this? As of one week ago, Hurley mentioned a mid December return.

Technically he can't, as he's already used up his one redshirt. He could potentially apply for a 5th year waiver at the end of his eligibility.

 

[JB75]

Because we are in a unique situation. Coming from a place like the last 2 years and now we have a coach. Only stands to reason that guys like Jalen Cobb and Carlton will get better. Maybe vital will calm down a bit. Gilbert and Wilson merely scratching the surface. Other teams will improve as well but we actually got worse last year as the year went on. I mean I’m assuming if you look at the way uconn player in the Iowa game and How bad our guards guards played in yesterday’s game if we played those teams again in March I just think that will be a better team than those teams would- improvement wise.

 

[Tex-Lager93]

Several of these guys, key guys no less, haven’t played big time basketball in a long time. By the time they shake the rust off and gain experience, a conference tourney champion / auto bid could be a possibility. We’ll see.

 

[JB75]

I said “slight chance” akok plays next semester. I have heard nothing 100% official that is redshirting for sure next semester and until next semester starts or Hurley says so I ll leave the window open just a crack

 

[AllAbout5]

Where are you seeing this? As of one week ago, Hurley mentioned a mid December return.

Technically he can't, as he's already used up his one redshirt. He could potentially apply for a 5th year waiver at the end of his eligibility.

“Akok is expected to enroll at Storrs in the next month, but will redshirt the second semester and suit up as a redshirt freshman next season.” on ESPN. Akok Akok commits to UConn (ESPN) And I was referring to Akok not Diarra. Diarra should play this year and Akok should redshirt

 

[intlzncster]

“Akok is expected to enroll at Storrs in the next month, but will redshirt the second semester and suit up as a redshirt freshman next season.” on ESPN. Akok Akok commits to UConn (ESPN) And I was referring to Akok not Diarra. Diarra should play this year and Akok should redshirt

Yup, I see, when you said "he", I thought you were talking about Diarra.

 

[browndog319]

I was surprised that my 74 yo aunt who has season tix at the XL, despite being a chief casual fan, called me after the game to say how excited she was about the atmosphere, never mind the loss. That's a good sign.

Your aunt is awesome!

 

[NYC_HUSKY22]

Those 24 and 25 win numbers sound like a stretch. I'd be thrilled with 20 or 21 wins.

Perhaps a bit. I reckon we'll split with UCF and Cincy (the latter i pray - i can't stand losing to mick).. but the rest of the schedule (with fl state and nova sprinkled in) is very winnable. Very big that we don't have to play Houston at their new stadium. I may be being a little too optimistic, and we will more then likely drop a game or two that I have in the W column right now. But they have impressed and for the first time in a long time, Uconn Bball doesn't make me depressed and anxious .. well maybe a little anxious ;-). I think if we play together and gel as the season goes on and split fl state / nova 23-25 isn't out of the question.

 

[pj]

Those 24 and 25 win numbers sound like a stretch. I'd be thrilled with 20 or 21 wins.

It's a 31 game schedule, followed by the AAC tourney and NCAA or NIT. So far they've won 75%, which if kept up would translate to 23-8 or 24-7 plus the post-season. I don't see the remaining schedule as dramatically tougher than what we've been through. 20 or 21 wins would be a major disappointment.

 

[intlzncster]

It's a 31 game schedule, followed by the AAC tourney and NCAA or NIT. So far they've won 75%, which if kept up would translate to 23-8 or 24-7 plus the post-season. I don't see the remaining schedule as dramatically tougher than what we've been through. 20 or 21 wins would be a major disappointment.

Conference play is notoriously fickle for most teams.

 

[spudzj6]

It's a 31 game schedule, followed by the AAC tourney and NCAA or NIT. So far they've won 75%, which if kept up would translate to 23-8 or 24-7 plus the post-season. I don't see the remaining schedule as dramatically tougher than what we've been through. 20 or 21 wins would be a major disappointment.

Major disappointment in our eyes and probably the players, but not the coaching staff. It's a process, and Hurley is working through it. Honestly, I see us as a true bubble team, and the loss to arizona will actually hurt down the road. The AAC will be tougher than anyone expected. Houston/Cincy will be tougher than the Arizona team we just lost to. We seem to have UCF's number, but they are not a sleeper team. Theres a stretch in Feb with @ Memphis/Houston/@ SMU/Cincy...will be our toughest four game stretch of the season - not only with the level of competition, but travel (note: there is a week between Houston and @ SMU). My guess is 19-10/20-9...true bubble team/outside looking in. Losing to anyone not named Houston/Cincy/UCF will be a killer.

Again, if we can say we are in the second weekend of the tourney next year, and spending the majority of our time in the top 25 for the foreseeable future, this year's "disappointing" record will be all part of the process - changing the culture is more important than winning this year for long term success.

 

[tzznandrew]

It's a 31 game schedule, followed by the AAC tourney and NCAA or NIT. So far they've won 75%, which if kept up would translate to 23-8 or 24-7 plus the post-season. I don't see the remaining schedule as dramatically tougher than what we've been through. 20 or 21 wins would be a major disappointment.

I think that's not quite true. 5 of our 6 wins are against sub-200 schools. There are only 6 more of those. That gets them to 12-2 if you account every one a win. Say every 150+ is an easy win. That gets them to 13-2. Every other game will be a dogfight, and you have them winning 10-11 of the 15 games against Top 125 (ish) competition. I'd like to believe that, but I think 7-8 is more reasonable.

KenPom

Games Played
19 Syracuse
41 Iowa
47 Arizona
236 Cornell
261 Morehead St.
277 UMass Lowell
278 UMKC
339 New Hampshire

Games to Come

17 Florida State
18 Villanova
36 Cincy
36 Cincy
40 Houston
43 UCF
43 UCF
75 Temple
75 Temple
82 WSU
82 WSU
87 SMU
87 SMU
123 Memphis
128 Tulsa
190 Tulane
227 USF
245 Drexel
255 ECU
255 ECU
302 Manhattan
312 Lafayette

 

[pj]

Reasonable analyses. But, if we win all games to Kenpom 75 and below, and lose all above except the win against Syracuse, then we're 22-9 heading into the AAC tourney. I like our chances to win a few games in the AAC tourney, we'll improve more than other teams as the kids get used to each other and to Hurley's coaching.