I BELIEVE in Omar Calhoun....

[huskyharry]

I hope Omar heals quickly and can get right back in the gym.

 

[SteelCT]

Is Omar not healthy right now? I've seen him walking around and he seems fine...but being good to walk around and being basketball ready can be two different stories...In regards to him starting this year I'm not going to say you are completely delusional (just mostly) but it will be a great thing for the team if he even contends for a starting spot. I was thinking that we have 6 guys that could potentially start but if I'm hearing 7...obviously that's better. As if I wasn't already pumped for this season. Student ticket lottery is supposed to be this week.

 

[Hoopdreams]

Omar is doing just fine. Has worked extremely hard. He will be ready for a banner season. Like I said, he will have a big time Senior campaign. Will be a starter and will average around 20ppg

 

[breezy]

I had a dream last night that Omar had a put back dunk a-la Stanley on his first possession in the first game.

 

[champs99and04]

I remember back during the fall of 2013 when I declared Omar the best NBA prospect on the roster. Aside from this being a sign that I don't know what I'm talking about, it really demonstrates how significant his fall has been.

Certainly, he was nowhere close to healthy as a sophomore, and as a junior, he didn't play until, IIRC, the Duke game. I also remember reports from Duffy (or maybe it was Borges) during the summer of 2012 raving about how Omar was destroying practices, hanging with Kemba in one on one games, etc. If, somehow, he can return to pre-college health, that would be exciting.

 

[Waquoit]

It's funny how one shot can shape a career or a season. Bazz' shot against Florida was huge for him and the team. It helped burnish his clutch credentials in spectacular fashion as well as getting a win that showed UConn could compete with the best. But just 2 games later, Omar had his shot. A wide open 3 that would have beat Stanford. Now it wasn't the best of set-ups, he wasn't expecting Bazz to shuttle him the ball like a hot potato with virtually no time on the clock. But it was makeable and I wonder if that shot goes in that things might have broken better for Omar to this point.

 

[aceboon]

I remember back during the fall of 2013 when I declared Omar the best NBA prospect on the roster. Aside from this being a sign that I don't know what I'm talking about, it really demonstrates how significant his fall has been.

Certainly, he was nowhere close to healthy as a sophomore, and as a junior, he didn't play until, IIRC, the Duke game. I also remember reports from Duffy (or maybe it was Borges) during the summer of 2012 raving about how Omar was destroying practices, hanging with Kemba in one on one games, etc. If, somehow, he can return to pre-college health, that would be exciting.

Duffy said after watching Omar in the summer of 2012 in workouts he thought he would become their best player at some point in the season.

 

[MexicoHusky]

I hope the best for Omar, but at this point in his career I think it's best if Omar is a seldom used bench player. Major minutes from Omar most likely means the other guys aren't as good as we hoped. As always, we will see.

 

[joober jones]

Omar is doing just fine. Has worked extremely hard. He will be ready for a banner season. Like I said, he will have a big time Senior campaign. Will be a starter and will average around 20ppg

I really can't see this happening, but would have mixed feelings if it did. One the one hand, I'd be thrilled for Omar because I'd love to see him succeed and recapture the bright future he once seemed to have. On the other hand, if we were relying on that kind of production out of him, it would mean that several other guys on the team would be seriously underperforming.

 

[HuskyCLT]

I'd be thrilled if Omar had those numbers. It seems pessimistic to think that would only mean other guys are under-performing. It could just mean Omar is that good and outplays other really good players - which is the scenario I think everyone would love to see. Hypothetically, of course. 20 ppg is quite a bit lofty, but vast improvements are always welcome.

I hope the best for Omar, but at this point in his career I think it's best if Omar is a seldom used bench player. Major minutes from Omar most likely means the other guys aren't as good as we hoped. As always, we will see.

I really can't see this happening, but would have mixed feelings if it did. One the one hand, I'd be thrilled for Omar because I'd love to see him succeed and recapture the bright future he once seemed to have. On the other hand, if we were relying on that kind of production out of him, it would mean that several other guys on the team would be seriously underperforming.

 

[Hoopdreams]

I remember back during the fall of 2013 when I declared Omar the best NBA prospect on the roster. Aside from this being a sign that I don't know what I'm talking about, it really demonstrates how significant his fall has been.

Certainly, he was nowhere close to healthy as a sophomore, and as a junior, he didn't play until, IIRC, the Duke game. I also remember reports from Duffy (or maybe it was Borges) during the summer of 2012 raving about how Omar was destroying practices, hanging with Kemba in one on one games, etc. If, somehow, he can return to pre-college health, that would be exciting.

Don't give up hope. He will prove everyone wrong. In my eyes, he's still the best pro prospect on the team and one of the best shooters in the Country. He will still be an NBA draft pick. He's been looking fantastic this off season and is a projected starter pursuant to inside sources. He's been jumping out of the gym and shooting a tremendous amount of shots on the shooting gun. His quickness is back and he's trimmed and toned up nicely. Definitely a pro body. Watch out! Here comes Omar!

 

[superjohn]

Don't give up hope. He will prove everyone wrong. In my eyes, he's still the best pro prospect on the team and one of the best shooters in the Country. He will still be an NBA draft pick. He's been looking fantastic this off season and is a projected starter pursuant to inside sources. He's been jumping out of the gym and shooting a tremendous amount of shots on the shooting gun. His quickness is back and he's trimmed and toned up nicely. Definitely a pro body. Watch out! Here comes Omar!

Omar, you're posts are so enthusiastic. Keep em coming!

 

[Rico444]

I've told this story before, but I'll repeat it again because it seems relevant. I went to an open practice during our national championship season two years ago. It was very tame, I'm sure, but Ollie addressed us a few times and at the end of practice, he thanked us for coming and let the fans come onto the court for pictures, autographs, etc. The players were all great, but Omar went out of his way to say hello to just about everyone; I hung back from the court because I didn't have kids to introduce to the players and would've felt a little weird just walking up to them by myself, but Omar came right up into the stands and said hello to everyone and shook all of our hands. This was right in the middle of that stretch where he was really struggling, barely seeing the court, and hearing it from the fans. I'll always root hard for the kid after seeing that,

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I've told this story before, but I'll repeat it again because it seems relevant. I went to an open practice during our national championship season two years ago. It was very tame, I'm sure, but Ollie addressed us a few times and at the end of practice, he thanked us for coming and let the fans come onto the court for pictures, autographs, etc. The players were all great, but Omar went out of his way to say hello to just about everyone; I hung back from the court because I didn't have kids to introduce to the players and would've felt a little weird just walking up to them by myself, but Omar came right up into the stands and said hello to everyone and shook all of our hands. This was right in the middle of that stretch where he was really struggling, barely seeing the court, and hearing it from the fans. I'll always root hard for the kid after seeing that,

I like being introduced to the compliance team before practice starts. You must have just missed Marielle Vangelder. If not mistaken she left for UNC in 2013 (I think). She seemed like a really nice person.

 

[ARIDE]

Omar is doing just fine. Has worked extremely hard. He will be ready for a banner season. Like I said, he will have a big time Senior campaign. Will be a starter and will average around 20ppg

Your nuts!

 

[Huskybass]

The last guy that went from averaging 5 points as a Junior to 20 points as a Senior was
Fictitious Dreamonus back in 1962-63.

 

[Rico444]

Your nuts!

What about his nuts now?

 

[BJ_Toscano]

An interesting thing about Omar is that his points per 40 minutes and 3-point % are:

2012-2013: 13.8, 32%
2013-2014: 11.4, 24%
2014-2015: 12.7, 34%

A lot of people (myself included) hearken back to his freshman year performance. But considering the injuries, not such a big drop-off when he's actually healthy enough to play.

 

[Kembacity]

I've told this story before, but I'll repeat it again because it seems relevant. I went to an open practice during our national championship season two years ago. It was very tame, I'm sure, but Ollie addressed us a few times and at the end of practice, he thanked us for coming and let the fans come onto the court for pictures, autographs, etc. The players were all great, but Omar went out of his way to say hello to just about everyone; I hung back from the court because I didn't have kids to introduce to the players and would've felt a little weird just walking up to them by myself, but Omar came right up into the stands and said hello to everyone and shook all of our hands. This was right in the middle of that stretch where he was really struggling, barely seeing the court, and hearing it from the fans. I'll always root hard for the kid after seeing that,

Awesome to hear, looks like he learned well from Shabazz. He always struck me as a shy kid, I don't know why, so its nice to hear that he really isn't when it comes to mingling with the fans

 

[Huskybass]

Omar will be a starter this season. Will have a huge year like former Husky Kemba Walker and will be a first round NBA draft pick. You can take that to the bank.

How's this looking right about now after 22% shooting against Maine and New Hampshire? If Omar can be a decent role player, that would be great. But he isn't going to start, be a star, or be drafted by the NBA.

 

[CL82]

How's this looking right about now after 22% shooting against Maine and New Hampshire? If Omar can be a decent role player, that would be great. But he isn't going to start, be a star, or be drafted by the NBA.

It doesn't look that way right now, but that's kind of a tough thing to celebrate, isn't it?

 

[Huskybass]

It doesn't look that way right now, but that kind of a tough thing to celebrate, isn't it?

I would love to see Omar contribute. But those predictions about starting and being the star were just plain crazy. Gibbs and Purvis combined for 41 points last night. Who was Omar going to start in place of?

 

[MexicoHusky]

I wish Omar tried to focus on doing things other than shooting 3s. He seems to be hunting those shots, but his percentage is poor thus far. Combine that with the previous 2 years and my optimism for Omar is all but gone. Anyways, at this point his career is 3/4 complete and he's still trying to become a three point specialist. Maybe he can contribute like Kromah did in 2014. we'll see. It ain't over until it's over.

 

[superjohn]

Omar doesn't contribute right now, he loves shooting the three but he just isn't a good shooter. He needs to find something he's good at if he wants to see the court. He's a tough kid so I wouldn't count him out but the reality is he's an end of the bench player.

 

[8893]

Omar doesn't contribute right now, he loves shooting the three but he just isn't a good shooter. He needs to find something he's good at if he wants to see the court. He's a tough kid so I wouldn't count him out but the reality is he's an end of the bench player.

I was thinking that last night. There isn't much difference between what he and Sam offer at this point, which is not a lot for this team.

 

[uconnell]

I hope Omar comes back to what he was the year he committed. I wish nothing but the best for a very nice young man who stuck with Ollie during the coaching change.
Omar coming.

 

[August_West]

I was thinking that last night. There isn't much difference between what he and Sam offer at this point, which is not a lot for this team.

he is WAY more athletic than Sam.

 

[Marat]

he is WAY more athletic than Sam.

And thus is a better defender.

 

[8893]

he is WAY more athletic than Sam.

And thus is a better defender.

Agreed that Omar has better potential because of that, but perhaps that didn't make as much difference last night, especially on offense against the zone, which appeared to neutralize Miller's athletic advantage as well.

 

[Matt1010]

I'm not writing Omar and SCJr off for the season with this post but if things continue the way they have been they can't be on the floor (more than ~5-10 minutes) against top competition. The drop off between our top guards and those two is HUGE. Omar needs to stop being a gunner and try to make plays for other guys. He seems to think that he is a legit three point threat but the plain and simple answer is he's not. If you can't hit 35%+ from deep I don't want you shooting, especially given the multitude of other offensive weapons we have.