Frustrating

[Ts5034]

I honestly thought those two threes by Purvis and then Adams were going in. After how frustrating this season has been, I figured at least one thing had to go right for us. Its just tough because of how well things always went for us over the years. This has been the most frustrating year that I can remember.

 

[housekeys]

The fundamentals. That is what is so frustrating. Making a simple pass. Hitting FT's. Staying in bounds while no one within 10 feet of you. Blocking the ball and not sending it to the moon. And for KO, an occasional ripping into a ref to show your players you have their back.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

The driving layup Adams hits 99/100 at the end of regulation hurt. However, if Facey could hit a damn FT we aren't having this discussion

 

[upstater]

I've only been to 2 games this year, but it is clear to me that Ollie lays into the refs but you don't see it on camera. At the Houston game, he was animated and on them, but I noticed he was yakking at the guy trailing the play. All the players were already in the front court. I'm not sure if that happens regularly. If so, maybe we're not seeing it. But it happened a lot in the Houston game.

 

[Hankster]

The driving layup Adams hits 99/100 at the end of regulation hurt. However, if Facey could hit a damn FT we aren't having this discussion

FT's and points off turnovers. Ouch.

 

[Stinger92860]

This year is a write-off at this point. Just hope the experience helps the 2 freshman. What bothers me is the appearance that KO is in over his head. I believe we should still be able to beat a Tulsa with the players we have available.

 

[PAHusky]

It's just an awful season overall. Ollie is a good coach when he's got the players for a pro system but ask him to adapt to anything and he's completely lost. Our front court is a joke at this point and isn't getting better next year. Vital gets ripped on but he was ranked outside the top 100 for a reason. Jackson would have been too if he shot anything like this in hs. Durham is mentally compromised. I just want this year over so I can spend the offseason chugging the blue kool aid and convincing myself we're natty contenders next year

 

[TitleTown]

The fundamentals. That is what is so frustrating. Making a simple pass. Hitting FT's. Staying in bounds while no one within 10 feet of you. Blocking the ball and not sending it to the moon. And for KO, an occasional ripping into a ref to show your players you have their back.

That all falls on coaching. Ollie was/is not ready to coach at this level!

 

[ctchamps]

That all falls on coaching. Ollie was/is not ready to coach at this level!

First ten toes and now you. There has to be something with people who choose certain names. They don't even realize the absurdity of their statements that contradicts their names.

Ok let's take away title four mr. title town.

Even the insane aren't this crazy.

 

[Jaker]

It's frustrating watching us miss open shot after open shot, Shots off the side of the back board. I thought the offensive movement was actually good today, but if no one can make shots, you won't win many games.

 

[gtcam]

I've only been to 2 games this year, but it is clear to me that Ollie lays into the refs but you don't see it on camera. At the Houston game, he was animated and on them, but I noticed he was yakking at the guy trailing the play. All the players were already in the front court. I'm not sure if that happens regularly. If so, maybe we're not seeing it. But it happened a lot in the Houston game.

Thank you. I've been saying this all season
KO is coaching and moving and is talking to the refs
Of course the TV cameras show him when he is sitting so that's what people not seeing it all will surmise

 

[Hi-Low]

One of the worst things about these loses is freaking ESPN pointing it out.....awesome that our next 5 games are not easy at all. Hope the team has a thick skin....we're all gonna need to keep calm & carry on this season...hang in there guys!

Connecticut's loss to Tulsa dropped the Huskies' record to 5-8. They had 11 losses (in 36 games) all of last season. This is the first time UConn has had eight losses before Jan. 1 since 1968-69, when the Huskies were 0-8 entering the new year and finished 5-19.

 

[Jaker]

I hate friggin espn

 

[TitleTown]

First ten toes and now you. There has to be something with people who choose certain names. They don't even realize the absurdity of their statements that contradicts their names.

Ok let's take away title four mr. title town.

Even the insane aren't this crazy.

You mean the title that was won in spite of Ollie and not because of him? The title that was won with all of Calhoun's recruits? The title that was won virtually single-handedly by Napier?

 

[Mr. French]

You mean the title that was won in spite of Ollie and not because of him? The title that was won with all of Calhoun's recruits? The title that was won virtually single-handedly by Napier?

Actively trying to be a troll / unintelligent dope? Seems that way.

 

[Gurleyman]

You mean the title that was won in spite of Ollie and not because of him? The title that was won with all of Calhoun's recruits? The title that was won virtually single-handedly by Napier?

Don't know if you're being facetious, but just in case.

Ollie took over a dumpster fire after a mass exodus with a team on probation. Built up that team over two years. Daniels and Giffey were buried on JC's bench, Boat only had a year under his belt, and Napier had been promising, but enigmatic as a sophomore.

During the tourney, Napier's overall body of work was fantastic - but he was terrible against St. Joe's, was on the bench during a key 15-0 run against Nova, and was effectively game-planned out of the game by a veteran Florida team and their defensive schemes.

Say what you want about what's happened since (and we have peaked in March every year after some underachievement previously), but Ollie coached his balls off to get us that title. Beat four national championship coaches on the way (Wright-Izzo-Donovan-Cal). There are NO asterisks on his ring

 

[mauconnfan]

You mean the title that was won in spite of Ollie and not because of him? The title that was won with all of Calhoun's recruits? The title that was won virtually single-handedly by Napier?

Wow just when you think people can't get any more ignorant. Calhoun recruits played really good under Kevin Ollie didn't they? How good were Giffey and Deandre under JC? Shabazz soph year? Pain in the butt, not a leader at all but became on under KO. Boat got a lot better too. KO added a nice piece in Lasaan too and used him at all the right times. Not sure what you're thinking or even if you can but try again when you catch up on UConn basketball. But we appreciate your interest!

 

[TitleTown]

Don't know if you're being facetious, but just in case.

Ollie took over a dumpster fire after a mass exodus with a team on probation. Built up that team over two years. Daniels and Giffey were buried on JC's bench, Boat only had a year under his belt, and Napier had been promising, but enigmatic as a sophomore.

During the tourney, Napier's overall body of work was fantastic - but he was terrible against St. Joe's, was on the bench during a key 15-0 run against Nova, and was effectively game-planned out of the game by a veteran Florida team and their defensive schemes.

Say what you want about what's happened since (and we have peaked in March every year after some underachievement previously), but Ollie coached his balls off to get us that title. Beat four national championship coaches on the way (Wright-Izzo-Donovan-Cal). There are NO asterisks on his ring

They were still all of Calhoun's recruits!

Terrible against St. Joe's? Napier had 24pts 8rbs 6a 3s against St Joe's. Game planned out of the game against Florida? Not his best game but he still had 12pts 6a 4s against the Gators.

Nothing like letting facts get in the way of your argument.

 

[TitleTown]

Wow just when you think people can't get any more ignorant. Calhoun recruits played really good under Kevin Ollie didn't they? How good were Giffey and Deandre under JC? Shabazz soph year? Pain in the butt, not a leader at all but became on under KO. Boat got a lot better too. KO added a nice piece in Lasaan too and used him at all the right times. Not sure what you're thinking or even if you can but try again when you catch up on UConn basketball. But we appreciate your interest!

How young were they? You know college players tend to get better and take on more leadership as they get older. Kromah is Ollie's claim to fame in your opinion? I loved him as a player, he is a great person, but Ollie is not a good basketball coach!

 

[huskymagic]

You know it's bad when Ollie is setting all kinds of new UCONN records breaking 40 and 50 year marks and not of the good kind.
Regarding 2014, the top 4 players on that team were Calhoun recruits and what did they have in common? Oh yes high IQ, good shooters from the perimeter, and very tough competitors. What have we had since none of the above sans Adams. The players we have now lack the conviction and attitude in their game that UCONN teams of the past had. Their is no identity right now.

 

[upstater]

How young were they? You know college players tend to get better and take on more leadership as they get older. Kromah is Ollie's claim to fame in your opinion? I loved him as a player, he is a great person, but Ollie is not a good basketball coach!

Holy hypocritical cow!!! You are saying those players were young back then??

My lordie!!!

That's the whole freakin' point.

 

[joober jones]

You know it's bad when Ollie is setting all kinds of new UCONN records breaking 40 and 50 year marks and not of the good kind.
Regarding 2014, the top 4 players on that team were Calhoun recruits and what did they have in common? Oh yes high IQ, good shooters from the perimeter, and very tough competitors. What have we had since none of the above sans Adams. The players we have now lack the conviction and attitude in their game that UCONN teams of the past had. Their is no identity right now.

Is their? THERE just might be.

 

[mauconnfan]

How young were they? You know college players tend to get better and take on more leadership as they get older. Kromah is Ollie's claim to fame in your opinion? I loved him as a player, he is a great person, but Ollie is not a good basketball coach!

 

[Gurleyman]

They were still all of Calhoun's recruits!

Terrible against St. Joe's? Napier had 24pts 8rbs 6a 3s against St Joe's. Game planned out of the game against Florida? Not his best game but he still had 12pts 6a 4s against the Gators.

Nothing like letting facts get in the way of your argument.

Sorry, but I watched the games.

He was terrible against Saint Joe's - exactly the opposite of what we were hoping for out of our senior leader. His regulation stat line was 15 points on 6-20 shooting, and in crunch time, he dribbled off his leg out of bounds for an unforced turnover and he missed a bunny (that Brimah cleaned up). He made his FTs in overtime (7-7) to make his stat line look better, but we lose in regulation if his teammates don't pick him up and he'd be remembered a lot differently (role player on a NC team, with two poor performances in first round exits as the lead guard).

Florida didn't let Napier do much of anything. He only took 6 shots in the entire game, and Daniels took over (plus our team defense was off the charts outstanding). Florida took us out of what we do best, we needed to make adjustments and have other people step up. To Napier's everlasting credit, he didn't get frustrated and try to force anything or try to play hero ball - he played a mature game and we won. But the idea that we won the whole tournament just because of Napier falls apart when you look at the clear evidence that Florida shut him down and forced other people to beat them - and other people did.

 

[Mr. French]

Funny how an asinine comment about Ollie's coaching and Napier's performance has people going back and forth debating Shabazz's tournament play...

If anyone thinks either extreme, that (a) Napier was shut down and/or played poorly or (b) he was the sole reason, DESPITE Ollie, that we won -- is completely lost.

These random, dumb debates need to stop. People make random ridiculous statements that are so far to one side of the extreme, trying to have a hot take, that it becomes worthless discussion.

It's amazing how a few things happening can make ridiculous hot takes the norm around here. I get the frustration, but holy heck ...

 

[7774]

You know it's bad when Ollie is setting all kinds of new UCONN records breaking 40 and 50 year marks and not of the good kind.
Regarding 2014, the top 4 players on that team were Calhoun recruits and what did they have in common? Oh yes high IQ, good shooters from the perimeter, and very tough competitors. What have we had since none of the above sans Adams. The players we have now lack the conviction and attitude in their game that UCONN teams of the past had. Their is no identity right now.

Yes, what good shooters from the perimeter. Daniels 24% from 3 as a freshman, Giffey 32%, Napier 33%.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

It's just an awful season overall. Ollie is a good coach when he's got the players for a pro system but ask him to adapt to anything and he's completely lost. Our front court is a joke at this point and isn't getting better next year. Vital gets ripped on but he was ranked outside the top 100 for a reason. Jackson would have been too if he shot anything like this in hs. Durham is mentally compromised. I just want this year over so I can spend the offseason chugging the blue kool aid and convincing myself we're natty contenders next year

I agree. This is how it has been on football board - people wanting season over. Conference realignment has had an effect on recruiting in hoops as well as football. Just not getting the same caliber of kid that the Huskies use to get.

 

[Gurleyman]

Funny how an asinine comment about Ollie's coaching and Napier's performance has people going back and forth debating Shabazz's tournament play...

If anyone thinks either extreme, that (a) Napier was shut down and/or played poorly or (b) he was the sole reason, DESPITE Ollie, that we won -- is completely lost.

These random, dumb debates need to stop. People make random ridiculous statements that are so far to one side of the extreme, trying to have a hot take, that it becomes worthless discussion.

It's amazing how a few things happening can make ridiculous hot takes the norm around here. I get the frustration, but holy heck ...

What are you talking about?

It was a six game run. For one of those six games, he played poorly (6-20 in regulation and two bad mistakes in crunch time). For one other game, he was effectively shut down and held to 6 FGA by a veteran team with a solid defensive game plan. The rest of the way, he was a maestro playing like a First-Team All-American. I feel like that's not an "extreme" - that's pretty much the story of what happened.

The whole point I was making was that there were 3 moments along the way in particular when we desperately needed other people to step up: against Saint Joes, against Villanova when we were down 20-10 and he went to the bench with two fouls, and against Florida, when we were spinning our wheels on offense due to their D on Baxx. All three times, other guys stepped up. I feel like that's not a very controversial take.

 

[Mr. French]

What are you talking about?

It was a six game run. For one of those six games, he played poorly (6-20 in regulation and two bad mistakes in crunch time). For one other game, he was effectively shut down and held to 6 FGA by a veteran team with a solid defensive game plan. The rest of the way, he was a maestro playing like a First-Team All-American. I feel like that's not an "extreme" - that's pretty much the story of what happened.

The whole point I was making was that there were 3 moments along the way in particular when we desperately needed other people to step up: against Saint Joes, against Villanova when we were down 20-10 and he went to the bench with two fouls, and against Florida, when we were spinning our wheels on offense due to their D on Baxx. All three times, other guys stepped up. I feel like that's not a very controversial take.

I'm certainly more in line with what you're saying, and the "asinine comment" came obviously from him, which you responded to.

I don't think there's a game where he played "terrible" so I felt that was extreme and in my opinion not correct.

But I get your point and essentially agree. The fact that his point of view was that Bazz "single handedly" led them to the title thereby diminishing Ollie's contributions, amongst others, is my biggest beef.

It's so ridiculous it almost bears no rational response, which you provided, but then the debate becomes fogged due to his initial insanity.

 

[tzznandrew]

Yes, what good shooters from the perimeter. Daniels 24% from 3 as a freshman, Giffey 32%, Napier 33%.

It's almost as if players struggle to adjust to the speed of the game, and their shooting suffers at first. Strange.

One example, let's say totally at random. Imagine a player who shot 42.5% from the field, and 27% from 3 one year showed up the next and shot 48% and 43% from 3. You know, like Adams.