Good quotes from the team about decisions to stay SN/RB/DD

[RayRay19]

http://courantblogs.com/uconn-men/notes-and-quotes-from-decision-day-at-gampel/#more-2011

 

[Kitaman]

Thanks, I also see Giffey as a leader though. Kid has been A-1 in terms of a consummate teammate. He should be a co-captain when we open the season.

 

[Waquoit]

Thanks, I also see Giffey as a leader though. Kid has been A-1 in terms of a consummate teammate. He should be a co-captain when we open the season.

I want that guy to be money from the 3-pt line in the corner. He's been teasing us for 3 years.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

I am very happy those guys are all back. I think we should have a great team next season. If we can improve our rebounding and post defense, we can be deadly. I fully expect this team to make a run at the final 4 and the title. Let's hope they can all put it together and get it done.

 

[art4life]

I'm excited they're all coming back next season.
Should be interesting.

Glad to see DeAndre has put eight points on!?!!?

 

[UChusky916]

Its somewhat odd and a little discouraging seeing Boatright so determined to make the jump to the NBA next year.

The kid has incredible athletic talent. But unless he makes a jump in play like Kemba did from Soph>Jr year, I really don't see him being drafted next year either.

People were telling him he'd go in the first if he came out this year!? Yeah right!

He's undersized and can't defend bigger guards. He needs to work on his passing and decision-making. And his shot is just too streaky.

I hope Boat doesn't let other people in his ear get into his head about where he'd get drafted. Having a goal of '1 more year' is good motivation to improve, but he can't let that cloud his judgement. I just hope he doesn't try to take over games too much while trying to prove himself.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Its somewhat odd and a little discouraging seeing Boatright so determined to make the jump to the NBA next year.

The kid has incredible athletic talent. But unless he makes a jump in play like Kemba did from Soph>Jr year, I really don't see him being drafted next year either.

People were telling him he'd go in the first if he came out this year!? Yeah right!

He's undersized and can't defend bigger guards. He needs to work on his passing and decision-making. And his shot is just too streaky.

I hope Boat doesn't let other people in his ear get into his head about where he'd get drafted. Having a goal of '1 more year' is good motivation to improve, but he can't let that cloud his judgement. I just hope he doesn't try to take over games too much while trying to prove himself.

Boatright admitted he came into his 2nd year thinking the exact same thing.

I don't think it will be an issue. He knows that the biggest thing he needs to do is prove that he has solid point guard skills, the biggest of which being decision making. Taking bad shots to increase his scoring average isn't going to do much for him.

I personally don't think he'll be a 1st round pick after next year, either. But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

 

[Rico444]

I'm excited they're all coming back next season.
Should be interesting.

Glad to see DeAndre has put eight points on!?!!?

Let's hope he puts eight points onto his scoring average next season.

 

[hthusky74]

Its somewhat odd and a little discouraging seeing Boatright so determined to make the jump to the NBA next year.

The kid has incredible athletic talent. But unless he makes a jump in play like Kemba did from Soph>Jr year, I really don't see him being drafted next year either.

People were telling him he'd go in the first if he came out this year!? Yeah right!

He's undersized and can't defend bigger guards. He needs to work on his passing and decision-making. And his shot is just too streaky.

I hope Boat doesn't let other people in his ear get into his head about where he'd get drafted. Having a goal of '1 more year' is good motivation to improve, but he can't let that cloud his judgement. I just hope he doesn't try to take over games too much while trying to prove himself.

He definitely plays dumb which isn't good when your position in the NBA would have to be point guard. He still over commits too much, and has way too many shots blocked as a result. He needs to have a pass first mentality.

 

[mcs333]

I like Boat attitude. He wants this to be his last year so he knows he needs to improve, have a great summer. He has the confidence in himself. Good for him. I know the coaches and Calhoun will give him a honest assessment after next season. So it is not up to us to say he won't be a first round draft choice. He may improve significantly and show as all he is first round player. Go for it Boat!

 

[Rico444]

Also, not to knock Boatright's ability, but I would love to find out which teams were telling him he would be a first rounder this year. Executives like that are absolutely ruining the college game, because that's why kids who have no chance of getting drafted leave for the league every year.

 

[huskyharry]

I like Boat attitude. He wants this to be his last year so he knows he needs to improve, have a great summer. He has the confidence in himself. Good for him. I know the coaches and Calhoun will give him a honest assessment after next season. So it is not up to us to say he won't be a first round draft choice. He may improve significantly and show as all he is first round player. Go for it Boat!

Agree...his confidence is a great asset and I think he will be a much more effective player next year. I do hope that he doesn't make taking and making 3 pt. shots his priority...I think penetration and pull up jumpers, floaters and the bank-shot runners are much more effective (as well as kick out passes to open teammates). Solid production without getting his shot blocked and avoiding turnovers will help his draft stock much more than making a few 25 foot three-pointers.

Less gambling/reaching on defense but proving that he can contain top notch penetrators (like Russ Smith, whom he struggled against this year), should be part of his defensive goals.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Hopefully Boat understands that what's good for the team is good for him. The better we do, the more likely an NBA GM is going to think that the third best player on a championship-caliber team is a legitimate NBA prospect.

 

[art4life]

Let's hope he puts eight points onto his scoring average next season.

That would be nice - 20pts a game avg = definitely in the realm of possibility!

 

[UCONNfan1]

I thought it was interesting that there were ANY NBA scouts telling Boat he might be a 1st round pick this year. They list him at 6'0", but isn't the kid really 5'10" or 5'11" max? I mean, little guys can make it in the league - Nate Robinson is listed at 5'9", and he went 21st in the first round in 2005.

Kemba's listed as 6'1" and I'm not sure if he's quite that tall. I hope Boatright is a success in the NBA. And I know you can't assume that because Ryan had lesser stats than Nate that he'd have gone lower, but Robinson averaged 16+ PPG, 4.5 APG, and 38% from beyond the arc in 31 minutes.

Last year Ryan averaged 15.4 PPG, 4.4 APG and shot 33% from beyond the arc, but all in 36+ MPG. Per minute production, Robinson was better. Just trying to figure out based on the stats where Ryan might have gone in the draft. I do think coming back was in his best interest, but I can see why he toyed with the idea...

 

[UConn5]

I was very surprised to read that Boatright was hearing from some people that he could go first round. With an improved Junior yr who knows but like he even said, you need to be able to knock down open 3's consistently to make it when you're 6 feet tall (generously listed)

 

[CardiacKemba]

Big fan of Boat's mindset going in to next year

 

[Bryan Lord]

"Why would Boat go pro? He’s be out on the street fast than PP loses a football game. Boat can stay at UCONN for a couple more years and freeload."

Posted by a supposed UConn fan on that page.