I think we need a little perspective...

[Leebo]

We are so lucky as fans to have witnessed the run we got to witness.

Runs end, even if teams aren't thrust into wild conference alignment. Did people actually think we'd win 4 championships in every 15 year stretch for the rest of time?

We will probably still have great years in our future, but people need to accept the absurdity of what UConn accomplished and get ready for regression to the mean at some point.

 

[Rocktheworld]

UConn has a very loyal fan base, the boneyard especially.

You know after all the posts and threads I have seen questioning KO 8 months after winning a title, talking about pushing kids out the door to transfer to open up scholarships, constantly trashing certain players in an unproductive manner, I'm not sure how loyal some of the posters here are. Some people's posting is a perfect microcosm for the "what have you done for me lately" attitude that plagues modern sports. And the influence is the key part; these people complaining really just care about themselves and their fragile egos that have been attached to the successes and failures of 13 college kids.

At least there wasn't too much questioning of the team's heart.

 

[SubbaBub]

I really dislike these meta threads critical of fans, née fanatics, response to the outcomes of games and seasons. Emotion is the entire point.

There has been an unprecedented case of whiplash here because we've gone from the very top to the very bottom in less than two years. And to those who would point to other programs in the AAC, the NE, or Umass, the response is in what universe are we supposed to accept those comparisons? Not the one I live in.

Is their any scenario where SMU beats Uconn during the Big East years and people aren't upset about it? No, so why accept it now. As KO said, "We're UConn."

Some of you are acting like we're are Villanova.

 

[Leebo]

We will always have the prestige that our run affords us, but just ask other historical powers. Just because a team has a bunch of championships doesn't mean they're going to go to the final four every year.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Is their any scenario where SMU beats Uconn during the Big East years and people aren't upset about it? No, so why accept it now. As KO said, "We're UConn."

I wouldn't think so, given SMU has been ranked for much of the time Larry Brown has been there. If this year's SMU team was in the BE when we were, they'd be a Cincinati-like, solid second-tier team. I don't think anyone ever got to "the sky is falling, UConn is dying, KO can't recruit, push some kids out and open some scholarships, whaaaa whaaaa" level of being upset over losing to Cincinati, especially in obvious down years such as this one.

That's what "taking perspective" is, and it's exactly what the OP is asking people to do.

 

[Rocktheworld]

We will always have the prestige that our run affords us, but just ask other historical powers. Just because a team has a bunch of championships doesn't mean they're going to go to the final four every year.

Thank duck some of these guys aren't UK fans.

 

[Leebo]

Yeah, I mean, even Calipari has only managed to wrangle 1 championship out of his scheme, and I'm assuming the vast majority of us will outlive his coaching days, so even what he's doing can't last.

 

[8893]

Too much fvc king perspective.

 

[warbler1055]

I read the OP post twice. Good perspective. But I still think the football program has a very big impact on our BB program. And there is no denying, our football sucks. Pasqualoni and Diaco have not shown us anything. How football will impact us is not hard to see. We just do not have the TV money to compete long term.

 

[UConnDad]

We will probably still have great years in our future, but people need to accept the absurdity of what UConn accomplished and get ready for regression to the mean at some point.[/QUOTE]
Well I agree that our success is absurd and remarkable. But what is our mean? This frequency of March success is most likely unsustainable. But who knows. Let's enjoy some more Hoops seasons before we lose our optimism about our chances. There are obstacles which we must overcome but let's just take the court and warm up the bulldozer.

 

[upstater]

There has been an unprecedented case of whiplash here because we've gone from the very top to the very bottom in less than two years. And to those who would point to other programs in the AAC, the NE, or Umass, the response is in what universe are we supposed to accept those comparisons? Not the one I live in.

Is their any scenario where SMU beats Uconn during the Big East years and people aren't upset about it? No, so why accept it now. As KO said, "We're UConn."

Some of you are acting like we're are Villanova.

Top to bottom in 2 years? April UConn was on top, then it lost 5 players. And it went to the NIT. Again, perspective.

Who pointed to UMass or anything like it. Gonzaga is ranked #2. That was a point of comparison.

UConn lost to SMU (twice) in the same year it won a national championship. In the Big East years, UConn lost to teams like USF and DePaul, not to mention Providence (yuck!).

 

[uconnric]

My post said 95% of the unrest has to do with the conference situation.

I didn't say the program is doomed. I didn't say we can't have success.

The conference situation is going to be a huge unknown and be a big obstacle going forward.

So if you want to point out where I don't have perspective or am whining 11 months after a title be my guest.

Providing UNLV and the fact Ollie made a decade plus career as examples of how UConn in 2015 going forward can over come a huge revenue and competitive disadvantage to our peers just makes no sense.

And how is your constant whining going to make a difference? This was not a bad team, nor is it a bad conference. It's not a P5 conference. The RPI took a hit because teams in the league lost some games early in the season. The Big East will never be what is once was, that ship has sailed. We all wish our conference affiliation was stronger, hopefully that will change. Whining doesn't get it done.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

And how is your constant whining going to make a difference? This was not a bad team, nor is it a bad conference. It's not a P5 conference. The RPI took a hit because teams in the league lost some games early in the season. The Big East will never be what is once was, that ship has sailed. We all wish our conference affiliation was stronger, hopefully that will change. Whining doesn't get it done.

How is stating a fact whining?

Don't come here with your sanctimonious BS and when people call you out for the absurdity of your stance, come and cry about it.

UConn is going to be playing mid majors and facing a $20M+ revenue gap every year, but since UNLV won a title 25 years ago and then faded into irrelevance, that's the big comforting fact?

This UConn team just wasn't that good. They had a great player in Boatright and then a lot of guys who really didn't look like they knew what they were doing out there most of the time. Exception being Hamilton. Guys showed flashes, like Brimah and Purvis, but the team wasn't that good.

It sucks that were in the NIT, but not a shock.

Which brings me back to my original and only point. The root of all this unrest is because people don't know what the future holds and that's all related to the league.

If we were in the ACC or B1G, the talk would be about disappointment, and then reloading.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Top to bottom in 2 years? April UConn was on top, then it lost 5 players. And it went to the NIT. Again, perspective.

Who pointed to UMass or anything like it. Gonzaga is ranked #2. That was a point of comparison.

UConn lost to SMU (twice) in the same year it won a national championship. In the Big East years, UConn lost to teams like USF and DePaul, not to mention Providence (yuck!).

I think he meant 2011 (Big East, NC) to 2013 (American, banned, new coach, recruiting limitations)

 

[Shabazzkets]

I can't speak for everyone, but I think this all boils down to concern for the future. You can rah-rah about mid-majors who have had established runs of success (UNLV, Gonzaga, etc.) but there are 100 more who haven't done a darn thing. And nobody wants 2014 to be the last Final 4 we make.

People handle this concern in different ways, but it's all about looking forward. The conference creates a lot of doubts about that future, concerns that P5 teams just don't have (money flowing from TV contracts, respect with the NCAA committee, interesting conference schedules and rivalries, etc.). Every seed of doubt sprouts into paranoia because we're stuck in a conference with an uncertain future.

 

[PAHusky]

It's possible to be both appreciative of our recent successes and yet question the future direction of the program. Ollie did an amazing job leading us to the title, and no other program over the past 15 years has had the kind of success we've had. With that success, and the plethora of "are we a blueblood" threads, comes stepped up expectations as well. Now that we've reached the top, how do we stay there? The answer to that question boils down to two interconnected points - recruiting talent and performance on the court. This past year we've had moderate but not overwhelming success in either. Does that discount anything we did last year? No, and our chip excuses the failings in the latter category but certainly not the former. Factoring in the ideas that our last two championship runs were magical simply because they were so unexpected and incredibly tough to duplicate and the fact that our conference blows to our increased expectations, and I don't get how some are calling people out on this board for not having perspective. You're not less of a fan for criticizing some aspects of the program, or questioning the direction we're taking towards the future. If we consider ourselves among the best programs nationally - and we are - then it only makes sense that our expectations are increased as well, for better or for worse.

 

[RayRay19]

Just saying...I rather have 1 chip and then a no show than 2 back to back final four appearances....

 

[UConnWingman]

How is stating a fact whining?

Don't come here with your sanctimonious BS and when people call you out for the absurdity of your stance, come and cry about it.

UConn is going to be playing mid majors and facing a $20M+ revenue gap every year, but since UNLV won a title 25 years ago and then faded into irrelevance, that's the big comforting fact?

This UConn team just wasn't that good. They had a great player in Boatright and then a lot of guys who really didn't look like they knew what they were doing out there most of the time. Exception being Hamilton. Guys showed flashes, like Brimah and Purvis, but the team wasn't that good.

It sucks that were in the NIT, but not a shock.

Which brings me back to my original and only point. The root of all this unrest is because people don't know what the future holds and that's all related to the league.

If we were in the ACC or B1G, the talk would be about disappointment, and then reloading.

Boatright was not a great player for UConn. A good player, yes, but he never succeeded in making the players around him better, which is essentially a defining trait of a quality PG.

 

[Jerry1714]

If you are looking for rationale discussions and common sense the Boneyard is the wrong place.

You got guys talking about dropping football and joining the BE, others thinking UConn is done as a basketball power, and some thinking the NCAA selection committee is changing rules to screw UConn.

A loony bin is less insane than this place.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Boatright was not a great player for UConn. A good player, yes, but he never succeeded in making the players around him better, which is essentially a defining trait of a quality PG.

What's UConn's record without Boatright this season?

Boat won a title here as arguably the second best player on the team (him or Daniels) and took this team to 20 wins and within one more late comeback from making the tourney.

But, I guess he couldn't make other players better?

 

[Inyatkin]

Boatright was not a great player for UConn. A good player, yes, but he never succeeded in making the players around him better, which is essentially a defining trait of a quality PG.

Joined up Sunday to tell us Ryan Boatright is not a great player? Good decision on your part.

 

[SubbaBub]

We will always have the prestige that our run affords us, but just ask other historical powers. Just because a team has a bunch of championships doesn't mean they're going to go to the final four every year.

All the more reason to keep expectations high. Any non-NCAA year in BB or non-bowl season in FB is a bad year whether it turns into a title 3 years later or not. It's not about not accepting down years (2000) or even disappointing years (2006). It is about meeting a standard of excellence in everything you do.

Can anyone say that standard was met this season? Patting everyone on the back you tacitly accept that effort. There is only one guy who gets props for bringing it every day and he is gone with one more loss. Everyone else needs to step up.

Hamilton make noticeable gains in the last month. Great to see from a Frosh, he should be really good next season if he continues to improve this offseason. He needs to work on his handle as he will have more ball handing responsibilities. He also needs another move to add to the spin and find his spots on the floor. I'd also work on getting a consistent shot form. Do this and he'll be an AA.

Everyone else knows what areas they need to improve.

AB, rebounding, a post move or two, post defending other than trying to block every shot.

Nolan, rebounding, post defense without fouling. He needs to be the guy when AB gets in foul trouble.

Facey, defending. A consistent 12 foot shot wouldn't hurt.

Lubin, defending bigger players without fouling. Being the best offensive rebounder on the team.

Calhoun, on ball defense and hitting open three's. Pump fake, drive, 12 foot shot.

Purvis, three point shooting, driving the lane to get fouled or finish. Understanding the team defensive concepts. Leadership, it's his team next year.

Samuel, ball control and security, a stop and pop. On ball and off ball defending.

Cassell, open three point shooting, defense.

 

[SubbaBub]

Top to bottom in 2 years? April UConn was on top, then it lost 5 players. And it went to the NIT. Again, perspective.

Who pointed to UMass or anything like it. Gonzaga is ranked #2. That was a point of comparison.

UConn lost to SMU (twice) in the same year it won a national championship. In the Big East years, UConn lost to teams like USF and DePaul, not to mention Providence (yuck!).

This relates to more than just BB. And SMU was nowhere close to PC then. I also don't recall finishing behind PC hardly ever.

 

[Leebo]

Regardless of what regression to the mean actually means in the future... there will be years where we don't make the NCAA tournament!

I'm not going to get worked up about it happening after we just won the championship.

Don't get me wrong, I was screaming at the TV during the actual games as much as any other fan. But it is what it is.

 

[The Funster]

I liked the OP and agree with it. I also see some other people's point of view and can appreciate them. Here's how I see it after many years of reading and posting on fan message boards. They are overwhelmingly negative. Even when the team is doing good there is a subset of fans that only focus on the negative. You can't shout them down or put them all on ignore. I don't spend much time on them in season. Maybe I'll stop by at a trade or transfer deadline but that is pretty much it. I'll be on when it is playoff/postseason time because then things are generally more positive and check in more often during the offseason to catch up on news, team gossip and opinion. I usually refrain from looking at much on the BY from November to late Feb (well, except for the CR board since it's inception). Once the postseason begins I'll be on because there are a lot of posters that genuinely like and look forward to seeing their opinions (and senses of humor).

I mean, it's all pretty simple if there is something on TV I don't like I change the channel or turn it off. Same with message boards. It is too bad because before we won our second NC this place was a helluva lot of fun but it is what it is. Still good, but better in small doses I guess.

 

[boba]

“You cannot reason people out of a position that they did not reason themselves into.” - Ben Goldacre.
As a fan I just accept that I cannot change outcomes, influence decisions, or have any real affect on anything but most insignificant events. (Notable exception being one of thousands at a close game). As such what Funster said, take the good, discount as best you can the bad, and put Frank Ivy on ignore.

 

[businesslawyer]

Boatright was not a great player for UConn. A good player, yes, but he never succeeded in making the players around him better, which is essentially a defining trait of a quality PG.

I think you can call Boatright a "great" player. But he is not a great point guard.

 

[uconnric]

How is stating a fact whining?

Don't come here with your sanctimonious BS and when people call you out for the absurdity of your stance, come and cry about it.

UConn is going to be playing mid majors and facing a $20M+ revenue gap every year, but since UNLV won a title 25 years ago and then faded into irrelevance, that's the big comforting fact?

This UConn team just wasn't that good. They had a great player in Boatright and then a lot of guys who really didn't look like they knew what they were doing out there most of the time. Exception being Hamilton. Guys showed flashes, like Brimah and Purvis, but the team wasn't that good.

It sucks that were in the NIT, but not a shock.

Which brings me back to my original and only point. The root of all this unrest is because people don't know what the future holds and that's all related to the league.

If we were in the ACC or B1G, the talk would be about disappointment, and then reloading.

When you do it over and over again, it's whining.

 

[Brochacho]

We are so lucky as fans to have witnessed the run we got to witness.

Runs end, even if teams aren't thrust into wild conference alignment. Did people actually think we'd win 4 championships in every 15 year stretch for the rest of time?

We will probably still have great years in our future, but people need to accept the absurdity of what UConn accomplished and get ready for regression to the mean at some point.

I feel like UConn fans think NCAA titles are easy. I mean, we are justified, especially considering that since 1995 our two basketball programs have won 13 titles, with #14 on the way. The only team (teams with 3+ titles) in history to have a lower average of years between national titles than us is UCLA, and they won 11 in 31 years. Only 6 programs in the 76 years of awarding the NCAA championship have won 4. I think instead of using these past few days to complain about recruiting or the inability of KO to coach, we should be reflecting on how lucky we are as fans to have had what we have had. From the time of their first championship to their fourth, Indiana needed 46 years to get to 4, UNC needed 48. We needed 15. Think about that.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I think you can call Boatright a "great" player. But he is not a great point guard.

Marcus Williams was a better "point guard" than Kemba, Napier or Boat.

However, Kemba, Napier and Boat's "greatness" definitely exceeds Williams.

Still think to say Boat didn't make his teammates better is a pretty naive statement. Just the simple fact other teams geared their D to stop him every single game created looks and opportunities for other guys.