I like this team

[JLW]

I’m still of the mindset with over a month left of the regular season, there’s plenty of time to get healthy and get better. Definitely not giving up on the 3 peat yet!!

 

[Magic32]

I really like this team and will still like them even without a third straight title if we don't win. People forget how hard it is to win one and they won two in a row. Players are making improvements, just not the jumps most fans wanted/expected. They are in every game but just don't seem to be able to put it all together for 40 minutes. I still think this team has a high ceiling (championship potential), but it definitely has a lower floor than previous two.

There were some dynamic players we lost last season. We miss the safety net of Clingan, the tenacity and fire of Spencer, the defense and hustle of Castle as well as the leadership and penetration of Newton.

I'm okay not being the best team each and every year if it means Hurley is bringing in players he wants and being loyal to those that stay. I like seeing the progress players make.

 

[AllHusky]

Think that loyalty and honesty should be together when discussing roster construction(going forward). Impossible for staff not to continually evaluate each athletes future in the program. Telling a kid after 2 years of hard work that he is not cutting it, and he should consider leaving is not disloyal, it is honest. Apostolos Roumoglou is getting minutes at Richmond. He certainly is not the athlete that Ross is, but if we are being honest about the future(at this moment), wouldn't Jaydens future look a little bleak? Of course Ross can change that narrative over the next 6 weeks, but many here have concluded that he is not what we are looking for. Coaches probably have more loyalty and hope for Jayden than many on this board.

 

[Husky Alien]

A 3 peat will be difficult but not out of the question. When Liam gets back to full strength we should see a different team then when he was out. Also, we need to utilize Reed in a better way, there needs to be some plays that run through him down low, we don't even look his way anymore. If we go low and back out it can open things up from the outside. I'm ok with our ranking or not, teams do not want us in their bracket.

 

[HooperScooper]

And actually going into the backcourt on one occasion. I do like the way he is trying though. LOL he probably never imagined just how rough the Big East is when he signed up.

I'm sure DH didn't offer to make up a highlight film for him of Tristan getting mugged going down the lane every time in every single game. Tristan probably had a few invites to NFL camps.

Aiden's going to be OK. He just has to get used to all the abuse in this league. I'm going to take the advice of others above and enjoy the ride. This could be the little train that could.

I'm going to keep track on him, Solo, Samson et al. and watch them grow.

Nobody cares at this point but I had to laugh at the irony that you put an "a" instead of an "e" in Tristen's name and an "e" instead of an "a" in Aidan's name. Switch it and you're good to go.

 

[jibsey]

People must be watching different games than I am, talking about 3 peat. I’d love to eat my own words down the road BTW.

 

[JLW]

I’m obviously not talking the team as it is now. As stated, I’m talking a much improved and healthier version a month from now.

 

[JLW]

We have nothing to whine about with the last 2 seasons. You would think this was a NY Jets blog!!

 

[bendm]

People must be watching different games than I am, talking about 3 peat. I’d love to eat my own words down the road BTW.

Bama made the final four with a top 5 offense and bad D. This assumes Liam is back to 100% of course. If he never got hurt we’re still undefeated in the contiguous US.

 

[1999GoodSon]

Anyway, Hurley will iron things out and have it figured out by Feb 7 vs St. Johns, I am sure. I am looking at that game as the potential game where UConn turns the corner

Certainty is a rare bird in the Big East. When you look at the upcoming week's schedule, St. John's, Marquette and us all play each other. UCONN/ St Johns is the last matchup . That's some unnaturally crazy s___ right there.

Depending on who beats who first game, let's say we beat Marquette (no certainty there) and Marquette beats St. Johns, they'll be coming here Friday night ready for a battle royale in a nationally televised game. Flip the script, and I think it favors us with momentum coming off beating Marquette. Any way you look at it, I hope you're right, but I 'm seeing the potential for this next 10 days to see who really is top dog. But I sure don't see any certainty.

 

[AllHusky]

Next 10 days going to be rough sledding unless we toughen up top to bottom. Liam would be a pleasant addition, but not counting on him till Feb 15 +/-

 

[ValleyGuy]

Weren't those teams' average age like 24 years old though? I'm too lazy to look it up, but I recall there being much more veteran presence throughout those rosters than on this current UConn team.

As for 2014? The Shabazz Napier-type baller aint on this squad.

Omier for Baylor and Nijel Pack were on that squad and both still in school. They also had the ACC player of the year (blanking on his name) and I think he was there half a dozen years.

 

[evmore]

Colorado was a brutal loss but that Dayton loss doesn't look all that great either. Memphis is still playing well.

Anyway, Hurley will iron things out and have it figured out by Feb 7 vs St. Johns, I am sure. I am looking at that game as the potential game where UConn turns the corner similar to how they turned the corner around the same time 2 years ago vs Marquette 87-72 (despite the 3 pt @Creighton loss a few days later).

Don't forget 2 years ago, not only losing 5 of 6 and 6 of 8 but they looked subpar in that 68-62 win over a terrible GTown team directly after that 2-6 stretch. it took them 10 games to fully regain their confidence after the 83-73 @Xavier loss.

I love this team, and although they may be taking years off my life I will continue to support with rabid relentlessness.. Thing is, roles can't be forced & it seems like maybe they were initially.. Not a PG, but Mahaney playing like he did v Xavier needs to be the standard. Ak bashing is disgusting, he was absolutely screwed by the refs.. He's already overmatched by bigger 4's or quicker 3's, so when he and the bigger 4 are battling for position & he's not holding or hacking - it's not a foul. He isn't a go-to guy, but he is the guy who makes defenses pay when they don't communicate, as long as there are passers on the court playing with their head up. Hass isn't exactly that type of PG, despite doing many things very well. Liam on the other hand can get a bucket... coming back IS going to help a lot, but it doesn't necessarily make our on ball defense much better.. Solo, Stew, need to step it up & Nowell & Ross need to be absolute savages.