If Wolf and Napier back

[scrappy2.0]

This is a top 5 team

Love the possibility of playing

C-Wolf
F Daniels
G Calhoun
G Napier
G Boatright

and back up

C-Facey
PF Nolan
F Torsdorf
G Giffey
G Samuel

 

[Irishboy9780]

Olander should be back as well. I don't know about top 5 but top 15 to start the season should not be a question... This team will be so incredibly deep with talent... the last Uconn team i can think of that was as deep as this team will be is the 08-09 huskies... expectations will be high next year, and after watching the heart they put in this year.. i have no doubt the can meet them all and exceed them.

 

[mauconnfan]

Top 5 is stretching it early because they have a lot to prove........but they can be good. Once again my preference is fly under the radar and get that chip back on the shoulder so they set out to prove the media wrong. 20-10 in 2012-13 and everyone back for 13-14 should get them some love but not too much hopefully!

Questions remain - Can Bazz stay healthy? Can Boat step it up a little more in the world of consistency? Is Nolan improving and is Wolf staying? Is Omar the guy who was improving until the hand/wrist injury and will he bring even more improvement in his weaknesses, especially ball handling? Did Deandre suddenly "get it" and turn the corner because if he comes back that guy from the last 7-8 games or even better than he can have some solid numbers? The bench, especially Giffey and the freshman - are there as many answers coming off the bench as we think? Are the frosh ready, 1 or 2 of them, to find some minutes and a niche in rebounding, blocking shoits or defensively?

They can be good, just how good will remain to be seen. But there is plenty to be optimistic about that's for damn sure.......KO being the main focus!

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

UConn will not be top 5 or top 10 or top 15 most likely... not top 20 and more probably than not in the AP voters eyes not pre season top 25 although attrition on other teams could enable UConn to be between 20-25 in the media. Coaches Poll could be easier to break. For instance with Snell leaving NM with Alford and his son NM could drop. I like Cullen Neal joining his dad quite a bit though and his father is a great fit at NM. So NM may take a hit is the pre season polls that isn't warrranted also.

Polls are just fun and speculative and something to talk about. One thing is I think your prognostication could be right on point for the last AP Top 25 Poll that matters most with UConn in the Top 5. That would give UConn a draw at Madison Square Garden in the Regional Final. How would that make UConn fans feel?!

Just my opinion and I could be off for sure. I like Facey as the man this year but still hold out some hope for Wolf. Olander is a real long shot to be anything of value.

 

[Irishboy9780]

There really isn't a question Uconn should be ranked within the top 20. There is certainly no reason they should not be ranked at all. What they are returning and bringing in garners a top 20 to top 15 ranking.

 

[UChusky916]

FWIW, Wolf has posted multiple pics of him with his girlfriend on instagram (who I believe he got in the altercation with). So it seems as though they've gotten over the incident.

Not sure how that bodes for him coming back next year, but I see it happening. The kid will be a senior.

I have no doubt Napier will be back. We would have heard something by now. The kid knows greatness and wants to achieve it. He knows its within reach if he comes back, and he will.

 

[sledog]

Unless I'm missing something, the team still needs a board-o-vac.

 

[HuskyNationJE]

Don't forget Amida Brimah as well in that lineup. At this point, I almost hope we cut Wolfe and can steal MiKyle Macintosh and get him on our roster. Wolfe stepped up this year a little bit, but I'd rather build for the future and MiKyle is 6"6 230lbs. That would be a nice addition to the lineup and this way Brimah, Facey and Nolan can really get their skills tested getting thrown in the mix. At 230, he weighs more than these big men coming out and can use his size to get boards for us. Wolfe can go.

 

[david]

I cannot believe anyone thinks a top 5 ranking is riding on Enosch Wolf coming back. He had one very good game and a couple of decent games that showed promise, but this is the same Enosch Wolf that has difficulty making a layup under the basket at 7'1". Wolf is a non-factor as is. Yes, he is tall and therefore could be an impact player if he got much, much, much, much better. But the idea that we will be a top 5 team if potential all-american Shabazz Napier returns and Enosch freaking Wolf returns is befuddling.

 

[mauconnfan]

I cannot believe anyone thinks a top 5 ranking is riding on Enosch Wolf coming back. He had one very good game and a couple of decent games that showed promise, but this is the same Enosch Wolf that has difficulty making a layup under the basket at 7'1". Wolf is a non-factor as is. Yes, he is tall and therefore could be an impact player if he got much, much, much, much better. But the idea that we will be a top 5 team if potential all-american Shabazz Napier returns and Enosch freaking Wolf returns is befuddling.

I don't think anyone said the Top 5 ranking was on Wolf? You guys obviously don't watch much basketball to think Wolf did not impact games.......he has good hands, he can pass, he doesn't rebound especially well but he keeps the ball alive for the guards quite often with his length, he alters shots and he is the more intelligent of the bigs based on the fact he knows where to be and hedged pretty well......is he great - no! He was the best "5" we had when he was out of foul trouble last year and it wasn't too close.........to replace a 7 footer with a 6'6" 230 lber is ridiculous unless it's Jeff Adrien at this point..........

 

[Huskybass]

Wolf is long and skilled. I will be happy to have him back on the roster.

 

[scrappy2.0]

I cannot believe anyone thinks a top 5 ranking is riding on Enosch Wolf coming back. He had one very good game and a couple of decent games that showed promise, but this is the same Enosch Wolf that has difficulty making a layup under the basket at 7'1". Wolf is a non-factor as is. Yes, he is tall and therefore could be an impact player if he got much, much, much, much better. But the idea that we will be a top 5 team if potential all-american Shabazz Napier returns and Enosch freaking Wolf returns is befuddling.

I think Wolf is a piece of the pie as I do with Nolan. They both have exciting upside and are necessary pieces to compose what I believe is a top 5 NCAA team. I think we have 4 star type players--Daniels Napier Boat and Calhoun--and that C spot is a clincher Wolf has a soft touch but plays tough and long as well. Hes not a 40 minute player so Nolan and spotting Facey as a third big is important as well. Id like to play 4-1 as much as possible but playing tradional 2 big s--we can do that too. I like this team--in fact I think it will be scary good.

 

[UConNation]

They're a top 15-20 team pre-season. I don't put a ton of stock in the ESPN rankings, but there's been 2 polls that have already come out as "very early pre-season rankings" and they both have UConn right around the 15/16 ranking. There's absolutely no doubt they'll be in the top 25. Also, I really appreciate all of the banter back and forth about Wolf, but with his relatively decent basketball IQ and the fact that he's 7'1", there is NO reason whatsoever that we should have been getting out rebounded with him in the lineup. If he's back I'd like to see that change.

 

[UConn_Top_Dog]

I saw pictures of the ground breaking ceremony and coach Ollie and coach Auriemma both chose one player to take part in the ceremony. Boat and Kallena Mosqueda-Lewis were the chosen players. Why not Bazz? He should be the one Ollie should have chosen since he is the head captain of the team. Could this mean he is not returning next season?

 

[Steve85]

I saw pictures of the ground breaking ceremony and coach Ollie and coach Auriemma both chose one player to take part in the ceremony. Boat and Kallena Mosqueda-Lewis were the chosen players. Why not Bazz? He should be the one Ollie should have chosen since he is the head captain of the team. Could this mean he is not returning next season?

Bazz will be back (I think...hope...no seriously...).

Maybe he had a class. They do have to attend those once in a while.

 

[HooperScooper]

UConn will not be top 5 or top 10 or top 15 most likely... not top 20 and more probably than not in the AP voters eyes not pre season top 25 although attrition on other teams could enable UConn to be between 20-25 in the media. Coaches Poll could be easier to break. For instance with Snell leaving NM with Alford and his son NM could drop. I like Cullen Neal joining his dad quite a bit though and his father is a great fit at NM. So NM may take a hit is the pre season polls that isn't warrranted also.

Polls are just fun and speculative and something to talk about. One thing is I think your prognostication could be right on point for the last AP Top 25 Poll that matters most with UConn in the Top 5. That would give UConn a draw at Madison Square Garden in the Regional Final. How would that make UConn fans feel?!

Just my opinion and I could be off for sure. I like Facey as the man this year but still hold out some hope for Wolf. Olander is a real long shot to be anything of value.

Based on the fact that almost everyone has them in their very early preseason top 25 lists in the 14-20 range (except the clueless CBSSports.com guys), that everyone is (hopefully!) coming back, the way they played last year and the many teams losing key pieces that weren't contemplated in the very early preseason top 25 lists, I think it's a given they are ranked to start the season. As you said though, doesn't really make much difference. It's where you are at the end of the season and it might be best if they aren't ranked to give the team another season with a chip on their shoulders.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Many of the other teams in the early Top 20's have massive losses too (Ohio State, Kentucky, Lousville, Georgetown, Duke). Next season is wide open.

 

[husky91]

Wolf has had 3 good games as a Husky in 50+. How will he start over TO, Nolan or Facey even?

This is a top 5 team

Love the possibility of playing

C-Wolf
F Daniels
G Calhoun
G Napier
G Boatright

and back up

C-Facey
PF Nolan
F Torsdorf
G Giffey
G Samuel

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Don't forget Amida Brimah as well in that lineup. At this point, I almost hope we cut Wolfe and can steal MiKyle Macintosh and get him on our roster. Wolfe stepped up this year a little bit, but I'd rather build for the future and MiKyle is 6"6 230lbs. That would be a nice addition to the lineup and this way Brimah, Facey and Nolan can really get their skills tested getting thrown in the mix. At 230, he weighs more than these big men coming out and can use his size to get boards for us. Wolfe can go.

http://zagsblog.com/articles/mikyle-mcintosh-nearing-decision/

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-MiKyle-McIntosh-145999

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Based on the fact that almost everyone has them in their very early preseason top 25 lists in the 14-20 range (except the clueless CBSSports.com guys), that everyone is (hopefully!) coming back, the way they played last year and the many teams losing key pieces that weren't contemplated in the very early preseason top 25 lists, I think it's a given they are ranked to start the season. As you said though, doesn't really make much difference. It's where you are at the end of the season and it might be best if they aren't ranked to give the team another season with a chip on their shoulders.

I am starting to get the vibe based on whats going on with attrition that UConn seems to be headed for a #20-25 type pre season ranking. Anything Goodman related really is suspect. I think UConn with Bazz should be a between #12-15 nationally pre season ahead of both Marquette and UNC based on todays departures. I have no faith though in the AP voters in the pre season poll as it applies to UConn to give them the ranking I suggested. It does look like a pre season ranking may be in order though now.

 

[HuskyNationJE]

http://zagsblog.com/articles/mikyle-mcintosh-nearing-decision/

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-MiKyle-McIntosh-145999

I saw the rivals thing and the UConn had offered. The Zags blog didn't mention us at all tho, so who knows. I don't know if I trust Rivals however. They say we aren't recruiting Ivan Rabb, ESPN says we are, and he told me that we are, so I don't know how credible of a source they are.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I saw the rivals thing and the UConn had offered. The Zags blog didn't mention us at all tho, so who knows. I don't know if I trust Rivals however. They say we aren't recruiting Ivan Rabb, ESPN says we are, and he told me that we are, so I don't know how credible of a source they are.

I agree with you on the source. Not sure where we stand with this guy. Seems like UCLA, Miami or ISU.

 

[Alum86]

Wolf is a role player, tops. 7 mins a game tops if he returns. Olander hopefully has some more ND games in him. Probably will be ranked between 10-15 to start

 

[HuskyNationJE]

I agree with you on the source. Not sure where we stand with this guy. Seems like UCLA, Miami or ISU.

Agreed. He had said in an interview that UCLA was his top choice but only because it was the only school he had been to. This article you posted makes me think we're out of the mix, and like you said, those 3 schools will be who he chooses between. Oh well. Would have liked to pick him up, but I think I can let that hope float off. Wish these recruiting sites would figure their stuff out and all get on the same page. Seems like one always has some false information.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Agreed. He had said in an interview that UCLA was his top choice but only because it was the only school he had been to. This article you posted makes me think we're out of the mix, and like you said, those 3 schools will be who he chooses between. Oh well. Would have liked to pick him up, but I think I can let that hope float off. Wish these recruiting sites would figure their stuff out and all get on the same page. Seems like one always has some false information.

Interesting prospect though and I would love to have him at the expense of a guy like Olander transferring to play his senior year at Illinois State.

Agree with you and some of the info disseminated by recruiting sites appears to be stale or off track at times. JMHO