Jersey Guy Pushing Our Buttons

[HuskyHawk]

Then go watch games that have already happened. This fantasy world never existed.

Seems like you never watched the games that did happen.

 

[The Funster]

Then why bother posting this? Basically everything bad that could have happened to a top-flight college basketball team happened to us in the last six-seven years. And we're coming out of it with a great young coach and killer recruiting. And, by the way, we have players on our current roster with national championship rings.

Because others were discussing it? I'm sorry, should I check with you before I post anything?

 

[Inyatkin]

Because others were discussing it? I'm sorry, should I check with you before I post anything?

I wasn't trying to be argumentative. My point is that everyone knows what's been thrown at us and that it's had a real impact, yet we still have people saying things like, "How come UConn has had some down years lately?" The reason is because of all the stuff everyone knows.

 

[noeynox]

You and @freescooter are spot on. Does anyone else not notice it? Nobody is saying "oh crap we have to play UConn" anymore. They walk into Gampel or XL and think they can win....hell, some of them even do it. There is no buzz around us, we aren't ranked or really even talked about. I want every team to live in mortal terror of playing the Huskies. To know that even if they win, it meant that they played an A+ game and came away physically and mentally drained.

Instead I see UConn up by 12 and giving a game away, looking like a mediocre Jr. High team. Temple had no fear. Tulsa had no fear when they came back from down 20. I want any team down 10 to UConn in the second half to know that the game is over. That we will be relentless to the finish.

I agree with this but when you think of our best teams, there was always a player on the floor that would take others to task for being lazy or selfish. Kevin Ollie, Ricky Moore, Khalid, Kemba, Bazz, Taliek. Maybe its revisionist history on my part but those guys were bulldogs who held others accountable even Boat was like that. On this team, I see Jalen Adams eventually being that guy, but none of the core players seem to have that "we need a stop right now, mothereffers" mentality. Probably just in my head though.

 

[The Funster]

I wasn't trying to be argumentative. My point is that everyone knows what's been thrown at us and that it's had a real impact, yet we still have people saying things like, "How come UConn has had some down years lately?" The reason is because of all the stuff everyone knows.

I get it. I was just backing freescooter up a bit. The fact is we have dipped, for good reasons, but we've dipped. That's all I was trying to say.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I agree with this but when you think of our best teams, there was always a player on the floor that would take others to task for being lazy or selfish. Kevin Ollie, Ricky Moore, Khalid, Kemba, Bazz, Taliek. Maybe its revisionist history on my part but those guys were bulldogs who held others accountable even Boat was like that. On this team, I see Jalen Adams eventually being that guy, but none of the core players seem to have that "we need a stop right now, mothereffers" mentality. Probably just in my head though.

I don't think it is in your head. It was passed like a baton from team to team. Calhoun insisted on it. Okafor was one of those guys too, it wasn't just guards. Not every team had what it takes...we had some lean talent years here and there, mostly due to some early departures and recruiting misses. I don't ever remember having a team with the talent this one has, that underperformed as these guys have this season. Given the overall weakness in college basketball this season, this team really should have been a wire to wire Top 25 team without much difficulty.

Here is what I recall...UConn teams usually imposed their will on the opponent. We forced the action, we set the pace, we frustrated them. This team almost never does that. It plays the game the other team wants to play, and tries to be better than them at it. The Temple games were textbook examples. The only time all year I really felt like I was watching old time UConn basketball was the second half @Memphis. We forced the pace, were relentless on offense and defense and they had to play our style.

 

[mavblues]

Good discussion. I have been loathe to be too critical of the men (at least in public), because at the end of the day, they are student athletes, not professionals.

I played a sport in college, and my son is currently a D-1 athlete.

The pressures these guys have to deal with, both on the court/field and off, cannot be put into words. Everyone thinks they have a good idea of what's required/expected - I assure you, you do not. Things have changed markedly since my time in school and my son's.

Having said that, the players on this team do not seem to possess the historical "toughness" gene brought to UConn by Jim Calhoun. That's not to say that they are soft per se, or give up, but I think they do get flustered at key moments.

They are all supremely talented athletes, and by all accounts they are good kids. I think both of those things are important and not to be discounted. However, sometimes you have to be an S.O.B. and take over a game with your talent instead of looking to pass to a less talented teammate.

I don't believe mental toughness is a trait that can be learned, or corrected. At this point, it is what it is. I think the best we can hope for is that they learn how to better respond to an opposing team's run before they lose a lead, because by then it's too late. I do like the consistency of the defense, and I think that some of the teams that made runs on us made some tough shots along the way.

 

[MASSconn]

Sorry to many of you delusional fans. This article is partially true, about our Men's team.

Yes, we won two titles going on incredible runs, but UCONN has not been a feared powerhouse since our team in 09. The power Calhoun teams had a swagger that the Ollie teams absolutely do not have. Is it cause we play in -*ng American? It definitely has an impact. But I truly feel that something is missing.

Watching Duke UNC right now is painful, for this exact reason. Prime time basketball between two ranked teams. I terribly miss beating on Cuse, Pitt, etc. They feared us. Right now it doesn't feel like it.

 

[Waquoit]

Watching Duke UNC right now is painful, for this exact reason. Prime time basketball between two ranked teams. I terribly miss beating on Cuse, Pitt, etc. They feared us. Right now it doesn't feel like it.

Yeah? Well feel this!

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I don't think it is in your head. It was passed like a baton from team to team. Calhoun insisted on it. Okafor was one of those guys too, it wasn't just guards. Not every team had what it takes...we had some lean talent years here and there, mostly due to some early departures and recruiting misses. I don't ever remember having a team with the talent this one has, that underperformed as these guys have this season. Given the overall weakness in college basketball this season, this team really should have been a wire to wire Top 25 team without much difficulty.

Here is what I recall...UConn teams usually imposed their will on the opponent. We forced the action, we set the pace, we frustrated them. This team almost never does that. It plays the game the other team wants to play, and tries to be better than them at it. The Temple games were textbook examples. The only time all year I really felt like I was watching old time UConn basketball was the second half @Memphis. We forced the pace, were relentless on offense and defense and they had to play our style.

What's frustrating to me is the belief among certain fans that talent is all it takes to be dominant.

The 2015-16 Huskies have the talent to be dominant, but the core of that talent has only been playing together for what, six months?

Our first championship team had four starters that had been playing together for three years.

Our second championship had three starters who played together for three years, and a bench loaded with experience.

Similar depth of combined experience was present in 2006 and 2009 and 2014.

Even though we have experience, it's not experience that was acquired together, as a group, which makes all the difference.

And before you mention Kemba, yes, that team was the exception, but then again, Kemba was both a transcendent talent and transcendent leader. Even with him and a deep and talented freshman class, that team struggled mightily during the regular season.

I feared this team would have more than its share of W.T.F. losses before the season, because even with talent, the first run through with new guys never goes smoothly. My fears have come true, but there's reason for hope. Each W.T.F. loss brings them closer to realizing the goal. Just hope they get there before running out of chances.

 

[CL82]

Sorry to many of you delusional fans. This article is partially true, about our Men's team.

Yes, we won two titles going on incredible runs, but UCONN has not been a feared powerhouse since our team in 09.

What? I'm sorry I couldn't hear you over the sound of the 2011 and 2014 teams laughing at you.

 

[Inyatkin]

Sorry to many of you delusional fans. This article is partially true, about our Men's team.

Yes, we won two titles going on incredible runs, but UCONN has not been a feared powerhouse since our team in 09. The power Calhoun teams had a swagger that the Ollie teams absolutely do not have. Is it cause we play in -*ng American? It definitely has an impact. But I truly feel that something is missing.

Watching Duke UNC right now is painful, for this exact reason. Prime time basketball between two ranked teams. I terribly miss beating on Cuse, Pitt, etc. They feared us. Right now it doesn't feel like it.

A "yes, but" about winning national championships. A classic of the genre. The basic point being that winning national championships is not good enough for you. Yes, we won, but we weren't "feared." Something is "missing."
And you call us delusional.

 

[dwalks93]

What I remember about 2014 was UConn getting beaten 3 times during the season by Louisville....Oh actually, I barely remember that and those UL loses now seem irrelevant. Instead I just remember all the UConn player's celebrating and confetti falling when UConn won it all in San Antonio. Come to think of it, I hope UConn invited Pitino to the Rose Garden ceremony with President Obama just so he could witness how much UL's regular season wins mattered.

The dream is to be like the 2004 UConn team who was the best and most dominate team from start to finish. But no team can have that every year and history favors the final winner. Villanova has been arguably the most winning team in America the past 5 regular seasons....right up until the tournament. I bet Villanova would trade its regular season success for our post season success in a NY minute. This season may not be UConn's best ever but if they turn it on the tournament, it can all change.

"Fear" is a subjective emotion. Championships speak for themselves. And no program has won more championships in BB than UConn in the last 20 years. If teams are not scared of UConn in the regular season they will be come tournament time. No program wants to face UConn in the NCAA tournament and that includes this year.

What is the difference between the 2004 and 2014 UConn teams? Nothing, they are both National Champions...

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

It's abundantly clear that being feared in the regular season is better than winning national championships.

 

[MASSconn]

A "yes, but" about winning national championships. A classic of the genre. The basic point being that winning national championships is not good enough for you. Yes, we won, but we weren't "feared." Something is "missing."
And you call us delusional.

Love these clown responses. I was in the front row in Dallas, I saw 2 rings in 4 years of college. I loved every second of it. It's not my point.

We still have not been a consistent Top 25 team since '09. Closest was '11, in which our late season Big East run put us to a 3 seed and a lot of pundits picked us to make a run. It's frustrating, and there's no way can disagree.

 

[CL82]

Love these clown responses. I was in the front row in Dallas, I saw 2 rings in 4 years of college. I loved every second of it. It's not my point.

We still have not been a consistent Top 25 team since '09. Closest was '11, in which our late season Big East run put us to a 3 seed and a lot of pundits picked us to make a run. It's frustrating, and there's no way can disagree.

Geez....Stupid is stupid no matter how many times you restate it.

What's worse that a troll? A troll clown.

 

[MASSconn]

I'll respectfully disagree

 

[CAHUSKY]

What I remember about 2014 was UConn getting beaten 3 times during the season by Louisville....Oh actually, I barely remember that and those UL loses now seem irrelevant. Instead I just remember all the UConn player's celebrating and confetti falling when UConn won it all in San Antonio. ...

Right state, wrong city. We were celebrating in Arlington.

 

[dwalks93]

My bad on Arlington.

UConn has celebrated so many championships it is tough to remember all the cities we've won in...

 

[Marty Jackson]

I don't think this is anti-UConn, and he's not really wrong. Being left in the American was a body-blow. It isn't the Big East, which was at least a "BCS" league. Now we are considered the rough equivalent of mid-major. Those in the P5, and their fans, look at UConn as similar to say, Gonzaga. Decent hoops...otherwise useless. The perception needs to change. We do need to do some ass kicking.

A nice Sweet 16 run would help. Ollie being a bit more of a cheerleader would help. I thought Diaco was a good hire because I thought he could be an evangelist for UConn football, and he has. I never thought we needed one for basketball, but where is Kevin Ollie? Calhoun was in the news constantly. He was on TV, he was everywhere. Everyone knew him, and many hated him, but that's fine. Ollie is just too quiet. He needs to make some noise, and start talking up his program a bit. We need a bit of bombast, some flair.

Agree with your point of view. Not sure this was anti-uconn.
Winning is the only voice needed.

 

[Marty Jackson]

He kinda was. He took a team from D2 to league champs in 3 years and a d1 NCAA bid. And as for Providence who is a top 25 team and who is a couple of losses from the nit? It is really a sad thing how far UConns stock has fallen in such a short time and most of you know it. Just don't want to admit it.

Couldn't disagree more.
The program hasn't fallen at all. You are looking through the eyes of someone who has seen 4 NC's, the latest of which was 2 years ago. You've just feasted on what could be one of the greatest runs in college ball the past 16-17 years and now you're looking around thinking "what's next?"...
If you remember the climb up the hill, you aren't so quick to head down. It took 10 years and several heart breaking losses between 1989 and 1999. In that time, there were no NC's yet those were great years too. The close calls, the tough losses left you hungry for next year. Could next year be the year?

Sorry but your point of view is like nails on a chalkboard to folks who have followed the program for 30+ years. So please, continue to tell me how the program has fallen. Educate me. Please.

 

[Marty Jackson]

He's not talking about the last 2 decades. He's talking about 2016 and beyond. Some of you are pretty clueless if you don't see how far we've fallen in public perception. Losing Calhoun and ending up in the American has been a huge setback whether you want to admit it or not.

If you need the media and national attention to be a fan, that kind of makes you a fair weather fan.

 

[Stray_Dog]

If you need the media and national attention to be a fan, that kind of makes you a fair weather fan.

kinda...maybe, but I as a fan, am hoping we are in a P-5 so I don't have to look back to determine who was right on this or not as for national perception versus being a fan.

However, it is my opinion that the longer we are in the AAC, the more likely it will be that due to national interests when scouting talent, that those in the P-5 will have a major leg up on us. So as a fan, I will root for whoever suits up in UConn colors, but I wont be kidding myself if/when that talent pool starts to drop and we become more concerned with winning the AAC conference title game than the NCAA final four. ...and just because that currently negative view may exist - don't think that we are not fans! And know this is not going to happen tomorrow, but what happens when Coach K.O leaves for an NBA job??? Who replaces him? Lets be honest, it is much easier to replace a coach when your school is synonymous with the sport and has consistently good recognizable talent to play against. This may not be the case going forward. Right now UConn is relegated to the G-5. People in CT reminisce about the Whalers, so how well has the Wolf Pack caught on? CT is relegated to every pro minor league team out there and for what? So as a fan, it hurts to see UConn being relegated to the minors of college sports.

 

[dwalks93]

kinda...maybe, but I as a fan, am hoping we are in a P-5 so I don't have to look back to determine who was right on this or not as for national perception versus being a fan.

However, it is my opinion that the longer we are in the AAC, the more likely it will be that due to national interests when scouting talent, that those in the P-5 will have a major leg up on us. So as a fan, I will root for whoever suits up in UConn colors, but I wont be kidding myself if/when that talent pool starts to drop and we become more concerned with winning the AAC conference title game than the NCAA final four. ...and just because that currently negative view may exist - don't think that we are not fans! And know this is not going to happen tomorrow, but what happens when Coach K.O leaves for an NBA job??? Who replaces him? Lets be honest, it is much easier to replace a coach when your school is synonymous with the sport and has consistently good recognizable talent to play against. This may not be the case going forward. Right now UConn is relegated to the G-5. People in CT reminisce about the Whalers, so how well has the Wolf Pack caught on? CT is relegated to every pro minor league team out there and for what? So as a fan, it hurts to see UConn being relegated to the minors of college sports.

No one is disagreeing UConn's status in the AAC is hurting the short term excitement surrounding the athletic program. I think most fans miss the Big East type environment but missing it will not change the reality. Remember UConn did not choose to be in this position and it is amazing how well UConn has weathered the storm.

UConn basketball is still a big time player. This year's men's bb team is probably not our best ever but it would not be shocking to make a run in the NCAA tournament. Next year's the men's bb is bringing in a monster recruiting class, arguably UConn's best class ever, so obviously the AAC is not hurting our brand in bringing in talent. KO may eventually leave or he may not but as far as I can tell he seems happy at UConn. As fans we cannot allow the fear of an unknown future to cloud the present state of the program. There is no reason to think UConn basketball is faltering and as long as there is an NCAA tournament in which UConn can participate, players will come to Storrs. Winning a NC out of the AAC is the same process as winning a NC out of the ACC and recruits know they can win a NC at UConn while building an NBA resume.

Bottom Line: the sanctions, the banned tournament, the NCAA allowance of player transfers, and Calhoun's retirement slowed the men's basketball program a little but UConn has rebounded quickly. As for the women's bb program, it would be impossible to be any more dominate.

Football is a bigger issue. A program cannot win with only 5 good players (unlike in basketball) and the huge money involved makes P5 status a near necessity for perennial success. Yet, even with AAC status, UConn football is improving. There is no reason to be down on UConn football....we are trending in the right direction.

I get it... being in the AAC lacks the excitement of playing comparable P5 programs. And yes, being a non-member of the P5 hurts especially when listening to other obnoxious P5 fan bases. But I truly believe President Herbst and the UConn Athletic Department have done everything to position UConn appropriately for a P5 slot. Instead of feeling down about the direction of UConn athletics, we should be excited the UConn has rebounded and remained relevant.

Any critic who is taking shots at UConn is not recognizing how well UConn has persevered. UConn is still outperforming our regional rivals...even from the G5. UConn won't be there forever.

 

[BlueandOG]

No one is disagreeing UConn's status in the AAC is hurting the short term excitement surrounding the athletic program. I think most fans miss the Big East type environment but missing it will not change the reality. Remember UConn did not choose to be in this position and it is amazing how well UConn has weathered the storm.

UConn basketball is still a big time player. This year's men's bb team is probably not our best ever but it would not be shocking to make a run in the NCAA tournament. Next year's the men's bb is bringing in a monster recruiting class, arguably UConn's best class ever, so obviously the AAC is not hurting our brand in bringing in talent. KO may eventually leave or he may not but as far as I can tell he seems happy at UConn. As fans we cannot allow the fear of an unknown future to cloud the present state of the program. There is no reason to think UConn basketball is faltering and as long as there is an NCAA tournament in which UConn can participate, players will come to Storrs. Winning a NC out of the AAC is the same process as winning a NC out of the ACC and recruits know they can win a NC at UConn while building an NBA resume.

Bottom Line: the sanctions, the banned tournament, the NCAA allowance of player transfers, and Calhoun's retirement slowed the men's basketball program a little but UConn has rebounded quickly. As for the women's bb program, it would be impossible to be any more dominate.

Football is a bigger issue. A program cannot win with only 5 good players (unlike in basketball) and the huge money involved makes P5 status a near necessity for perennial success. Yet, even with AAC status, UConn football is improving. There is no reason to be down on UConn football....we are trending in the right direction.

I get it... being in the AAC lacks the excitement of playing comparable P5 programs. And yes, being a non-member of the P5 hurts especially when listening to other obnoxious P5 fan bases. But I truly believe President Herbst and the UConn Athletic Department have done everything to position UConn appropriately for a P5 slot. Instead of feeling down about the direction of UConn athletics, we should be excited the UConn has rebounded and remained relevant.

Any critic who is taking shots at UConn is not recognizing how well UConn has persevered. UConn is still outperforming our regional rivals...even from the G5. UConn won't be there forever.

Love it! Do you have any interest in being our new AD?

 

[dwalks93]

Love it! Do you have any interest in being our new AD?

I'd love to be UConn's AD but I do not think crying in public would help our image. It took me almost 24 hours to work up the energy to write that pep talk. The rest of the time I spend in the fetal position, crying, drinking, and asking God when UConn will get a P-5 invite.

To quote Winston Churchill "if you are going through hell, keep going." This has been a rough ride for UConn and its fans but we are going to make it to the P5. Instead of quitting UConn has battled and remained relevant..UConn will eventually be rewarded.