How good can we be?

[BFieldHusky]

A couple of things to keep in mind:

1. We play a much easier schedule than last year. Especially in the non-conference.
2. The conference as a whole is down this year.
3. For everyone saying we basically have the same team. Gilbert being back would be MASSIVE. We were 4-0 with him last year, and down only 1 at halftime to a Top 5 team. He immediately would make a huge difference.
4. We add Sid Wilson, who I think will be a better overall player than Larrier was last year. Maybe not offensively, but with rebounding and defense yes.

 

[CL82]

1. We play a much easier schedule than last year. Especially in the non-conference.
2. The conference as a whole is down this year.

Shhhhh.

 

[Chief00]

How good will we be next season? For now the question is how much fun will we have on June 23rd in Baltimore. Next season will come soon enough.

 

[tcf15]

How good will we be next season? For now the question is how much fun will we have on June 23rd in Baltimore. Next season will come soon enough.

2 Street 2 Chief

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

2 Street 2 Chief

I love the idea of Chief driving down to Baltimore to hang out at a day party with a bunch of people he doesn't know.

 

[champs99and04]

I'm all for the Chief caricature but when you're trying to live up to your rep in a thread that has zero connection to what you just posted and had actually generated on-topic discussion to this point, maybe it's time to walk it back a little bit.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I'm all for the Chief caricature but when you're trying to live up to your rep in a thread that has zero connection to what you just posted and had actually generated on-topic discussion to this point, maybe it's time to walk it back a little bit.

You'd almost think he was desperate for attention.

 

[TRest]

Remember, chief is at least over 50; if he was playing pickup games on campus when I was there. Failure to launch.

 

[Danzz]

NIT

 

[ctchamps]

A couple of things to keep in mind:

1. We play a much easier schedule than last year. Especially in the non-conference.
2. The conference as a whole is down this year.
3. For everyone saying we basically have the same team. Gilbert being back would be MASSIVE. We were 4-0 with him last year, and down only 1 at halftime to a Top 5 team. He immediately would make a huge difference.
4. We add Sid Wilson, who I think will be a better overall player than Larrier was last year. Maybe not offensively, but with rebounding and defense yes.

All this plus Hurley plus a more excited fan base excluding apologistas and I stick to my 24 - 29 wins this season.

 

[Blaneylover]

I have no clue how good we will be next year.

I'm sure there will be a learning curve. I don't think there will be too much pressure on Hurley in his first season.

Sid and the transfers will help. I don't think we addressed our center position. We have a lot of redundant
6-8 guys. I know our guard play should be solid to dare I say great with the return of both Adams and Vitale and AG.

I think Coach Hurley will get the kids to buy into his system. I'm just curious if they can put it all together this year.

It will be interesting to see. I want to keep my expectations in check, but I think good guard play can overcome weaknesses.

I think an NCAA trip is a possibility.

I agree with this list. Baby steps. Poor perimeter defense cost us three games, at minimum, this past season. As for the beatdowns, the days of being blown out of games at the half need to end.

If I get a full season of constant effort on defense, a healthy back court, and a recognizable offensive system, I will.be thrilled. 20 wins are a fair goal to shoot for.

 

[jibsey]

We assume the coaching is better, but does the coach make shots? How is our outside shooting which BTW was with the dregs of the nation any better this year?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

All this plus Hurley plus a more excited fan base excluding apologistas and I stick to my 24 - 29 wins this season.

I don't care one bit if you're wrong, I like the feeling I get when you write like this. Besides, the question was, "How good can we be?"

 

[UConnDan97]

Like the FB team, undefeated.

I like the way you think!

Put me down as a non-drunk NCAA believer. I think folks are going to be pleasantly surprised to see how much kids improve when freshmen and sophomores become sophomores and juniors...

 

[TheChamps990411]

Other than improved coaching there is no reason people should assume we'll be much better.

The NCAA believers are drunk

Havent `11 and `14 taught you anything? You know nothing Jon Snow!

 

[TheChamps990411]

I have no clue how good we will be next year.

I'm sure there will be a learning curve. I don't think there will be too much pressure on Hurley in his first season.

Sid and the transfers will help. I don't think we addressed our center position. We have a lot of redundant
6-8 guys. I know our guard play should be solid to dare I say great with the return of both Adams and Vitale and AG.

I think Coach Hurley will get the kids to buy into his system. I'm just curious if they can put it all together this year.

It will be interesting to see. I want to keep my expectations in check, but I think good guard play can overcome weaknesses.

I think an NCAA trip is a possibility.

I say over 14 wins but under 20.

 

[buddy]

If Alterique is healthy and able to knock off the rust (big "IF") then we can definitely make the NCAAs. Him and Jalen could be a lethal 1-2 punch.

I don't think the "rust" will be an issue. I think you all have unrealistic expectations for this guy. I am hoping that he can actually play a few games and not get hurt again. Him and Jalen? How about He and Jalen?

 

[Mano]

If they buy in and play for each other with love and heart and love in their hearts as a family and a unit with resolve and desire knowing that only they can believe in each other and that believing in each other is the belief that will drive them to success on the court and in life then they can come together and push one another to great and amazing things.

So, like, hopefully 20+ wins.

 

[Chief00]

I love the idea of Chief driving down to Baltimore to hang out at a day party with a bunch of people he doesn't know.

Chief has always been inclusive - makes friends fast - and already knows a core
DMV crew.

 

[Chief00]

Remember, chief is at least over 50; if he was playing pickup games on campus when I was there. Failure to launch.

Chief launch past your sorry butt and never looked back.

 

[TRest]

Chief launch past your sorry butt and never looked back.

Keep passing the mirrors too.

 

[80shusky]

I think we are better. Miss the dance though. Maybe win 20 games? Based on:
Adams is a plus, better even than last year.
Gilbert can play, even just 10-15 mins a game and can finish season.
New guards Smith and B. Adams can contribute.
Vital is Vital, maybe a little better.
Carlton is key. Get him the ball early in the post. Throw him the damn ball!
Diarra improves with more focus on front court, hopefully.
Slight improvements at minimum from Polley and Whaley.
Sid can be a scorer for us.

 

[champs99and04]

There are a lot of variables. We could be as good as almost anyone or we could still be pretty bad.

I mean, if you're taking best case scenario for every player? Or even most of them? We could win the conference outright. Why couldn't we? All you need is a precedent and one exists for all of our players. We're talking about a team with a couple five star guards and a relatively talented nucleus beyond that. Which team in this league is head and shoulders above us talent wise? UCF and Memphis are being talked about as dark horses and they were nearly as bad as us last year. SMU is being talked up and I think they opened as a dog against us in the conference championship. Cincinnati and Wichita both lost a lot. Houston will have to replace Rob Gray and possibly their coach.

Then again, it's Jalen and a bunch of question marks. We don't really know if Christian Vital is good. We don't know if Tarin Smith can play at a high level. Gilbert, Wilson, Carlton, Diarra, Polley, and Whaley are underclassmen. There is still room for this train to go off the rails without too much consternation.

But I refuse to call it a rebuild and I don't feel that much differently about this than any other UConn season. We should show up every night, improve incrementally, and put a scare in a team or two that is supposed to be in a different weight class. If we get, say, 2015 Rhode Island or even 2016 Rhode Island, where we're frustrated but things are still pointing up, I'm OK with that.

 

[BlueDogs]

16-17 wins would be a solid turn in the right direction
18-19 wins would be a great turn around.
20 would be miraculous
21+ - Hurley is the next coming

 

[jibsey]

16-17 wins would be a solid turn in the right direction
18-19 wins would be a great turn around.
20 would be miraculous
21+ - Hurley is the next coming

16 wins is a failure. We are in the AAC not the ACC.

 

[Sphinx]

16-17 wins would be a solid turn in the right direction
18-19 wins would be a great turn around.
20 would be miraculous
21+ - Hurley is the next coming

Add two wins to every category, and you pretty much have it.

 

[mauconnfan]

16 wins is a failure. We are in the AAC not the ACC.

And this year will be weaker on top of the league have to agree as well as OOC schedule. 18-20 min, maybe with some better shooting, defense and chemistry 21-22.

Maybe Dan can get the UConn swag back again in the league so teams get nervous about playing UConn. Wait, were they ever nervous - so how can it be "again"?

 

[metsfan2323]

We have more talent than last year's Rhode Island team. Nuff said.

Health will be key. If Jalen is special the team could surprise big time.

I expect Hurley to beat the stink out of them the first week of practice.

If they are smart Gilbert won't play until January, then break him in slowly, Unleash him in February and hope he makes it to March.

 

[Rico444]

I don't think the "rust" will be an issue. I think you all have unrealistic expectations for this guy. I am hoping that he can actually play a few games and not get hurt again. Him and Jalen? How about He and Jalen?

Maybe try re-reading my post (preferably without your pompous English professor's glasses on). I said IF HE IS HEALTHY Alterique could make a huge difference. I also qualified that by saying that's a big "if."

You must be a ton of fun at parties.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Maybe try re-reading my post (preferably without your pompous English professor's glasses on). I said IF HE IS HEALTHY Alterique could make a huge difference. I also qualified that by saying that's a big "if."

You must be a ton of fun at parties.

Even after I took dozens off Ignore, he remains. No regrets. Eternal post handle mismatch.