How hard will it be for UConn to repeat as NCAA champion?

[TheRealKBuks]

I created a thread a few days after we won about our results the season after a title. It's so tough. I do think we are in position with the returning players + transfer + freshman to do better than the previous four.

1999-2000
Preseason Rank: AP #1
End of Season Result: 25-10, 5-seed, L 2nd Round

2004-2005
Preseason Rank: AP #8
End of Season Result: 23-8, 2-seed, L 2nd Round

2011-2012
Preseason Rank: AP #4
End of Season Result: 20-14, 9-seed, L 1st Round

2014-2015
Preseason Rank: AP #17
End of Season Result: 20-15, Missed NCAAs, L 1st Round of NIT

The Season after a Title

I think you all know where I am going with this. It is safe to say UConn has underperformed every season after an NCAA championship. The hangover is real. I hope Hurley uses this as motivation next year. 1999-2000 Preseason Rank: AP #1 End of Season Result: 25-10, 5-seed, L 2nd Round...

the-boneyard.com

I'm usually overly optimistic but the fact that we will be able to run a similar offense around a sophomore Clingan makes me believe.

 

[ucp990411]

Hurley's style and our defense keeps the fouls down too - can't let the officials decide the game for us.

It’s June and people are complaining about the officials. Only on the boneyard

 

[Fan1978]

If we had everyone back? Sign me up.

I think if jackson was back a repeat chance would be significant. He was growing exponentially late in the year

 

[Chin Diesel]

It is very hard to repeat.

 

[UofCT]

It is very hard to repeat.

Only a handful of guys are going for a repeat. We will have 4-5 rotation players going for their first

 

[HCCForever]

He and JC were together somewhere in Connecticut the other night at an awards ceremony.

Yes Coach K. accepted an award at the Franciscan Sports Banquet which was held at The Aqua Turf. This was a few days after Coach K's daughter's home burned to the ground.

 

[superjohn]

I believe that Florida benefited 100% by us being upset for one of those championships

Nah, there's a reason that UConn team was upset. They should've lost to Washington.

 

[superjohn]

Is it me, or has coach K pulled a reverse Boehiem? Seems more likable with time.

Yes, it also helps that he seems to love UConn, Calhoun, and Hurley.

 

[Scot-e]

Going to be extremely hard to win the Big East. I feel better about our chances in the Sweet 16 on then in our conference tournaments. Strange thing to say I know.

 

[metsfan2323]

Is it me, or has coach K pulled a reverse Boehiem? Seems more likable with time.

A lot has changed since those tough early 90's losses to Duke. We have taken two championships away from them and we are now in love with the Hurley family. That's quite a recovery. There must have been more than a few Duke fans who were apoplectic seeing the Hurley family lead UConn (their second most hated team) to #5.

It's a shame we don't play Duke every year. If they ever came to Gampel that would be a tough ticket to get.

 

[willie99]

We're in the mix, we're part of the national discussion

That's all we can expect, only one team can win it all

Enjoy the ride people

 

[Doctor Hoop]

What helps is we have 5 good freshmen that had nothing to do with the championship and just want to establish themselves. Hopefully they’re cocky and egotistical enough to not care about the championship. Cam wasn’t here either so that’s 6 players that are more focused about establishing themselves and won’t fill any pressure. The boatload of the pressure will be on Clingdan , Newton and the Coaching staff.

Glad you left out Karaban. He appears immune to pressure.

 

[Umami Zen]

With the obvious exception of Newton/Spencer.. We are young and talented.. Samson has been in the Program for two years but not on the floor and Diarra had limited minutes last year. Karaban played 30+ MPG and DC played regularly but limited minutes as Freshmen. We will probably start a very talented freshman at PG/SG in Castle. We have a much more challenging OOC schedule and the BE is stacked this year.

IMO.. How strong is our depth/bench and does talent override youth/inexperience in how they perform? I believe the summer sessions and the European trip will go a long way in telling us how quickly that second group will gel and what our upside looks like. I think our team talent will compensate for our youth and inexperience.

And you know the staff will have them well-conditioned and properly prepared for the season. Like Coach K said in the article.. Anything can happen and you can get on a run for those last 6 games as we did last year.. Speculating that we're in the top 4 BE teams by the end of the season and we're lacing them up for a deep Tournament run.. It'll be a different ride than last year but will be unique in its own way.. I think Danny is excited for the challenge..Can't wait.

Edit: It will be hard but not impossible.

 

[Dove]

It is very hard to repeat.

So, you're saying there's a chance?

 

[Tenspro2002]

I created a thread a few days after we won about our results the season after a title. It's so tough. I do think we are in position with the returning players + transfer + freshman to do better than the previous four.

1999-2000
Preseason Rank: AP #1
End of Season Result: 25-10, 5-seed, L 2nd Round

2004-2005
Preseason Rank: AP #8
End of Season Result: 23-8, 2-seed, L 2nd Round

2011-2012
Preseason Rank: AP #4
End of Season Result: 20-14, 9-seed, L 1st Round

2014-2015
Preseason Rank: AP #17
End of Season Result: 20-15, Missed NCAAs, L 1st Round of NIT

The Season after a Title

I think you all know where I am going with this. It is safe to say UConn has underperformed every season after an NCAA championship. The hangover is real. I hope Hurley uses this as motivation next year. 1999-2000 Preseason Rank: AP #1 End of Season Result: 25-10, 5-seed, L 2nd Round...

the-boneyard.com

I've said over and over again that the defending champ is almost always overrated, with an undue benefit of the doubt that massive personnel losses will be easily replaced.

Only 1 time out of 4 did our preseason ranking translate to our NCAAT seed, and that year (2005) we were probably overseeded.

We will be a good team. Top 15 and a top-4 seed is very likely. But more than that is asking a lot.

 

[dogpause]

It would be great, but when you consider that even with arguably the best coach in the game, we only won three. If we can get to the Final Four next year, not only do we have a chance to win it, but it will provide a solid, and extended, boost to our recruiting even if we don't win the championship.

Hurley's going to be a better recruiter than JC was. HIs personality, youth, pedigree and connections give him a edge. He'll use his championship as a springboard better than most coaches. The national media loves him too -- he's got humility, and he's "one of the guys."

 

[Chin Diesel]

It is very hard to repeat.

Only a handful of guys are going for a repeat. We will have 4-5 rotation players going for their first

I forget which college football coach said it but it was a similar message to his team after winning the championship.

UConn isn't defending anything next year. No one is taking the trophy out of Storrs. It is forever there to represent that season. This isn't boxing or MMA where you turn over a belt.

Every season has its own trophy to commemorate the achievements of that team.

So play loose and play to win. No one is taking anything from you.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I created a thread a few days after we won about our results the season after a title. It's so tough. I do think we are in position with the returning players + transfer + freshman to do better than the previous four.

1999-2000
Preseason Rank: AP #1
End of Season Result: 25-10, 5-seed, L 2nd Round

2004-2005
Preseason Rank: AP #8
End of Season Result: 23-8, 2-seed, L 2nd Round

2011-2012
Preseason Rank: AP #4
End of Season Result: 20-14, 9-seed, L 1st Round

2014-2015
Preseason Rank: AP #17
End of Season Result: 20-15, Missed NCAAs, L 1st Round of NIT

The Season after a Title

I think you all know where I am going with this. It is safe to say UConn has underperformed every season after an NCAA championship. The hangover is real. I hope Hurley uses this as motivation next year. 1999-2000 Preseason Rank: AP #1 End of Season Result: 25-10, 5-seed, L 2nd Round...

the-boneyard.com

So what you’re saying is we’re due to have a great year after winning a national championship.

 

[Scrutineer]

I would be perfectly happy with a Big East Championship and Sweet 16.

Some musings about this issue:
-That sounds like a goal for Marquette.
-The Big East should be so good the champion should at least get to the Elite 8.
-It would be great to know what Dan Hurley will say and do to motivate the players this year, but I don't think it will be:
"It's too hard to repeat so let's save ourselves from potential disappointment by agreeing to settle for the Sweet Sixteen".

JM's message applies: "It's so easy to give in. HARD things are HARD. And if you don't embrace that, if you ever give in to it, then you will never get to where you want to be."

 

[Chin Diesel]

So, you're saying there's a chance?

 

[Scrutineer]

Another National Championship would be awful nice, but not likely realistic.

I would love to have a run of BE championships (regular & tourney). Let's make the Elite8 each of the next 5-7 years with multiple Final4's.

I think the main reason Husky detractors are able to take shots at us is that since 2009, our championship runs came unexpectedly. Everyone forgets consistent JC had the machine running from 1990-2009. Every 4 or 5 years we would have an off season - but when JC's teams were good, they took no prisoners.

When a few people have "hinted" we were lucky in 2011 and 2014 I've told them we were unlucky in 1996, 1999, 2006 and 2009 but we don't walk around with t-shirts proclaiming that.

 

[Scrutineer]

Very optimistic for this coming season due to a strong starting lineup and what appears to be significant depth. Even more stoked for the long term success of the program given the apparent excellence in recruiting, culture, player development, chemistry, etc that Coach Hurley has developed.

Culture and chemistry were the keys this year and Krzyzewski mentioned the camaraderie that was so evident.
No hero ball, no forced shots by players trying to "get theirs", and great unselfish play all around, even by the guys that had limited minutes (like NA, JC and DC). They were a team with a goal, knew their roles and followed the script.

 

[Scrutineer]

Glad you left out Karaban. He appears immune to pressure.

He also gives great interviews. Very thoughtful, seems to have thought things through, and must be an English major based on his vocabulary and grammar.

 

[Umami Zen]

He and JC were together somewhere in Connecticut the other night at an awards ceremony.

Franciscan Sports Banquet and Silent Auction.. 6/6/23.. Aqua Turf Club

Edit: Posted before I saw post #36 saying the same.. My mistake.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Some musings about this issue:
-That sounds like a goal for Marquette.
-The Big East should be so good the champion should at least get to the Elite 8.
-It would be great to know what Dan Hurley will say and do to motivate the players this year, but I don't think it will be:
"It's too hard to repeat so let's save ourselves from potential disappointment by agreeing to settle for the Sweet Sixteen".

JM's message applies: "It's so easy to give in. HARD things are HARD. And if you don't embrace that, if you ever give in to it, then you will never get to where you want to be."

Of course the team should shoot to be champions. I personally just want us to win our conference for the first time in a long time which is pretty attainable compared to being the third team ever to go back to back. Then just put together a good tourney run.

But hey, if we can do it again I’ll make sure I’m there again!!

 

[wingsfan055]

Very likely. Listen to Coach Hurley during our parade. He sounded optimistic:

 

[UofCT]

We might actually be more talented next season. If Castle is who we want him to be then we are going to conquer and dominate. Nobody has the raw talent + championship experience combination.

 

[tzznandrew]

I've said over and over again that the defending champ is almost always overrated, with an undue benefit of the doubt that massive personnel losses will be easily replaced.

Only 1 time out of 4 did our preseason ranking translate to our NCAAT seed, and that year (2005) we were probably overseeded.

We will be a good team. Top 15 and a top-4 seed is very likely. But more than that is asking a lot.

2000 and 2005 were both years that injuries really screwed with what could have been good runs.

2000 had finally gotten its act together and then the KEA injury knocked them out in R2. Had they won, they'd have gotten the 8 seed and then the 7 seed in the E8 and then a 5 in the Final Four. Decent chance they would have played MSU for a chance at the title.

2005 had the Rashad injury—and the AJP injury—in the background.

If you're just looking at roster changes, etc., I think 2005 is the closest parallel. Okafor and Gordon were top two scorers, inside out, just as Sanogo and Hawkins. Taliek brought a toughness and defense like Jackson. Then they brought in a Top 10 guy in Gay and had a strong group of rising sophomores (Charlie, Josh, Marcus) who had to step up. I don't think that team beats Illinois or UNC that year, but with a healthy AJP & Rashad they're a real threat.

 

[huskyinfl]

It’s June and people are complaining about the officials. Only on the boneyard

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