I'll Keep Beating the Drum

[Jaydumo20]

I still believe that we, as human beings, and uconn fans, can be short sighted at times. The brain has a natural reaction- to compare what we see to what we have seen in the past:

See a fire station? Your brain automatically compares it to a fire station you know well.

See a little league field? You'll automatically frame it in comparison to a field you played on as a kid maybe.

This is all below consciousness, 'mind' you.

See a UConn team? Compare it to the most recent UConn teams.....

But that's doing this team a disservice. The one thing they do have is talent, the staff and time on their side. They are getting better where it matters most and can clean up the messiness.

No one banked on this solo ball. Or this Sam. Or this Hass.

I have a feeling about this squad. They will do big things come march.
Hang me if you want- i know a few people who will be happy about that.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Fun fact:

UConn has not lost in the continental USA with a healthy Liam McNeeley.

 

[RuffRuff]

Fun fact:

UConn has not lost in the continental USA with a healthy Liam McNeeley.

I think Hurley is really smart, and honestly a lot more patient that he lets on. As a developer first, the interesting thing to consider and watch is how he stages the season, willing to let kids fail to build them back up (to a limit) as part of the development process. There is a psychological arc to a season he manages with an eye on peaking when it matters. Along the way, you know he's showing a lot of tough love, but also has their back at their lows, and that's what gets kids really bought in. I know I get impatient watching it at times, but then realize I'm being an idiot.

The season is really multiple small seasons. The non con, January, February, Conf Tourney and then the Dance. 80ish% of a seasons deemed success is put on the Dance, so the key is really having it all working then. We just have to wait to see how this script plays out.

 

[TheHorde]

I still believe that we, as human beings, and uconn fans, can be short sighted at times. The brain has a natural reaction- to compare what we see to what we have seen in the past:

See a fire station? Your brain automatically compares it to a fire station you know well.

See a little league field? You'll automatically frame it in comparison to a field you played on as a kid maybe.

This is all below consciousness, 'mind' you.

See a UConn team? Compare it to the most recent UConn teams.....

But that's doing this team a disservice. The one thing they do have is talent, the staff and time on their side. They are getting better where it matters most and can clean up the messiness.

No one banked on this solo ball. Or this Sam. Or this Hass.

I have a feeling about this squad. They will do big things come march.
Hang me if you want- i know a few people who will be happy about that.

DOOMED

 

[6in25]

BELIEVE!!!

 

[Kitaman]

Weird how this team is indescribable. I've never seen a UConn team this good and can't explain why.

 

[2014DualCs]

It's what makes the Boneyard, the Boneyard. People are going to fire off instantaneous reactions to indescribable losses, plays, decisions, etc.

Before the Marquette game, I'm sure a majority of people believed we had a 0% chance of even sniffing 3-peat. Now a majority of people are back on the bandwagon. Experiencing the highs and lows are part of being a fan. GOTTA LOVE IT!!! GO SKIES!

 

[freescooter]

Weird how this team is indescribable. I've never seen a UConn team this good and can't explain why.

Maybe because there are probably 10 UConn teams that would crush this group.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I think Hurley is really smart, and honestly a lot more patient that he lets on. As a developer first, the interesting thing to consider and watch is how he stages the season, willing to let kids fail to build them back up (to a limit) as part of the development process. There is a psychological arc to a season he manages with an eye on peaking when it matters. Along the way, you know he's showing a lot of tough love, but also has their back at their lows, and that's what gets kids really bought in. I know I get impatient watching it at times, but then realize I'm being an idiot.

The season is really multiple small seasons. The non con, January, February, Conf Tourney and then the Dance. 80ish% of a seasons deemed success is put on the Dance, so the key is really having it all working then. We just have to wait to see how this script plays out.

This.
I think you nailed the very thing that gets this staff the most excited. Dan Hurley holds his Dad in the highest regard and considers the motivation/mental piece above all. This staff love x's and o's, sure, but they are holistic, systems guys. The best one's are.

 

[UCLJ0211]

Weird how this team is indescribable. I've never seen a UConn team this good and can't explain why.

Did you watch last year’s team?

 

[SubbaBub]

They are actually doing better than I expected aside from the Maui debacle.

The real test is the next 9 games. We aren't as good as 24, don't have the dominant weapons of 23. This team can win games, any game, if they cut down on the mistakes.

There isn't the go to dump down guy inside (though Reed is showing something), there isn't an A1 defensive stopper, there isn't much on the bench (though Ross and Stewart are rising), and there isn't the go to end of clock bucket getter.

If there is going to be a 3peat, it will take everyone playing well in every game.

 

[RuffRuff]

Hurley does strike me a masterful psychological strategist. Look at his local mentor group and wisdom panel with Geno and JC.

 

[Huskybass]

Maybe because there are probably 10 UConn teams that would crush this group.

Is it enjoyable going through life as a miserable, negative ? You must have had a really bad childhood.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Well we were right about how deep we were, then we were wrong about how deep we were because the players that made up that depth (Sophomores) were not playing well at all. Now we are back to being deep again. So it just took time to understand how the pieces were going to fit because we could not identify who the pieces were through the first 18 or so games.

We may still not know as we are still hoping Ross does not start going for head fakes and leaving his feet, and Stewart keeps making his three point attempts and gets a good volume of decent looks.

We did not know that Liam was our best player until right before he got injured. Now as he comes back is he still our best player or is it Ball. My vote is still Liam.

We certainly never expected Alex to miss two important free throws. We could not have expected four straight free throws missed by Diarra and Mahaney.

It’s not easy being a fan with an opinion but we are starting to look like the team we all thought we might be at the beginning of the season.

 

[gtcam]

Let's everyone slowdown a bit. This team is unlikely to crap the bed but it also doesn't look, at this point, to be headed for a 3 peat. Let's wait to see if Liam is returning this season and if he does, what does that do to chemistry and vice versa - what does the chemistry look like if he doesn't return.
Beating Marquette is one thing - beating Auburn, Duke (egads), ISU, UHouston are all tall tasks.
Not saying it can't be done but also not at all sure it can be a 3 peat.
UConn simply has to stay healthy and look at every game ahead of them as if it could be the last.
I'm kinda enjoying the drama!!!!

 

[UKemba15]

This is all below consciousness, 'mind' you.

I agree with your post, but the ‘like’ I gave it was directly targeted at this line. I’m a sucker for a good pun.

 

[Deepster]

I still believe that we, as human beings, and uconn fans, can be short sighted at times. The brain has a natural reaction- to compare what we see to what we have seen in the past:

See a fire station? Your brain automatically compares it to a fire station you know well.

See a little league field? You'll automatically frame it in comparison to a field you played on as a kid maybe.

This is all below consciousness, 'mind' you.

See a UConn team? Compare it to the most recent UConn teams.....

But that's doing this team a disservice. The one thing they do have is talent, the staff and time on their side. They are getting better where it matters most and can clean up the messiness.

No one banked on this solo ball. Or this Sam. Or this Hass.

I have a feeling about this squad. They will do big things come march.
Hang me if you want- i know a few people who will be happy about that.

No hanging for you, kid. You’re are thinking about this the right way. The Judge has big plans for this March and needs good people like you.

 

[Deepster]

Let's everyone slowdown a bit. This team is unlikely to crap the bed but it also doesn't look, at this point, to be headed for a 3 peat. Let's wait to see if Liam is returning this season and if he does, what does that do to chemistry and vice versa - what does the chemistry look like if he doesn't return.
Beating Marquette is one thing - beating Auburn, Duke (egads), ISU, UHouston are all tall tasks.
Not saying it can't be done but also not at all sure it can be a 3 peat.
UConn simply has to stay healthy and look at every game ahead of them as if it could be the last.
I'm kinda enjoying the drama!!!!

Blasphemy.

 

[Deepster]

DOOMED

That’s the first Doomed I’ve seen in a while here. If we lose Friday, you’re gonna want to lay low for a while.

 

[imno1]

 

[PAHusky]

As obnoxious as the boo birds are after bad loses the kool aid drinking optimists chirping at the Debbie downers after every big win are equally annoying.

This is a decent UConn team. They’re not great defensively and right now they have basically one healthy offensive weapon. The health of a freshman will essentially determine the team’s ceiling. There’s depth in the sense that we have a lot of guys who can flash on any given day but are largely inconsistent. If Dan Hurley gets anything beyond a sweet 16 appearance with this crew it will be an amazing coaching job. I think he has it in him but let’s not get crazy after one win and start anointing this team

 

[Scoe]

Always live in the moment never get too high ( maybe get a bit high on game day) or too low. One game at a time, everyone always likes to look at the future as in looking ahead to March or who's leaving for the draft, I can't do it, it gives me anxiety.

 

[freescooter]

As obnoxious as the boo birds are after bad loses the kool aid drinking optimists chirping at the Debbie downers after every big win are equally annoying.

This is a decent UConn team. They’re not great defensively and right now they have basically one healthy offensive weapon. The health of a freshman will essentially determine the team’s ceiling. There’s depth in the sense that we have a lot of guys who can flash on any given day but are largely inconsistent. If Dan Hurley gets anything beyond a sweet 16 appearance with this crew it will be an amazing coaching job. I think he has it in him but let’s not get crazy after one win and start anointing this team

We didn’t beat Dook. Or Auburn,Or 2024 UConn. We beat a good Marquette team that is pretty famous for gagging in big games. And we almost gave it away but they couldn’t take it. And they couldn’t stop Ball or really Karaban. We shot 60% from 3. It was like one of those games in the Tournament when the 10 seed upsets #2 by being unconscious from 3. That’s what it reminded me of. The moment was too big for Marquette which has been their mo under Shaka I think. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t a great win. It was and it came at a time when we were reeling a little bit. But it doesn’t translate to 3-pete

 

[UC0NN]

2023 team - Wins the offensive and defensive rebounding game, wins the turnover game. Very good defensive team. Outstanding offensive post game with Sanogo. Shoot well in the tournament, the result is pure dominance.

2024 team - Similar to the above, but bulletproof. Elite defense.

2025 team - Average at best at offensive and defensive rebounding and turnover margin. Defense is getting better, but not where it needs to be. Could be very good in a month. Ball/Karaban/Liam - if 2 out of 3 of these guys shoot well, we win most games. And the opposite is true as well. Just like most teams in college basketball. Shoot poorly from 3, season over.

 

[AllHusky]

I think Hurley is really smart, and honestly a lot more patient that he lets on. As a developer first, the interesting thing to consider and watch is how he stages the season, willing to let kids fail to build them back up (to a limit) as part of the development process. There is a psychological arc to a season he manages with an eye on peaking when it matters. Along the way, you know he's showing a lot of tough love, but also has their back at their lows, and that's what gets kids really bought in. I know I get impatient watching it at times, but then realize I'm being an idiot.

The season is really multiple small seasons. The non con, January, February, Conf Tourney and then the Dance. 80ish% of a seasons deemed success is put on the Dance, so the key is really having it all working then. We just have to wait to see how this script plays out.

Think Hurley is very patient. More patient than the Yard. He seems to give a kid enough rope to hang himself, pulls him back, builds him up and lets the rope out a bit more. Posted about how he has handled Stewart Ross Mahaney Ball, really neat how he has brought them to this point. Lots more to come THIS season from those 4.