KO blast team.

[intlzncster]

It just so happens that are most talented player is from Cornell. Don't let the name of the school fool you in the talent level of the player. I mean would we better with a problem child from Duke or a little used North Carolina player. I don't think so. The problem is we didn't have a point guard with this team until JA started developing as one. KO overestimated the impact that SG would have running the point for our team this year and it has caused him lots of headaches this year. That is why DHAM is asked to handle the ball so much on offense at times.

What did you expect him to do? The cupboard was bare. He got the best available option on the market and went with it. Didn't work out. C'est la vie.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Remove Kemba, Emeka, and Rip and see how many Championships/Wins JC would have gotten those seasons.

Never understood that argument at all. So and so only won because he had X great player. No sh t. Great players get wins.

Lmao, goosefraba rocket man, take it easy.

I think that those are two valid points to look at.

We pulled out a win in the opening round of the NCAAT on a pretty remarkable play by Brimah. Had we not, who knows where we'd stand as a program right now. Just a hypothetical.

In regards to Napier, I think it's a valid point as well. Napier to me, was the best Husky I ever saw his senior season. Is it crazy to question how a first time head coach maybe had to ride the credentials of a once in a lifetime player on a miracle run, followed by two seasons of mediocrity?

I still think KO is the man for the job right now, but you can't say he's above being questioned. That's all.

 

[intlzncster]

Expectations were way to high. Those who played last year didn't prove the could win big games. Some would play hard when the game or season was out of reach. I guess no pressure.

Our transfers were brought in to play big minutes. Not optimal.

All the Adams is all world AAU lovers, overhyped what happens when you play D1 ball. He will be good. But big step up in size, talent, coaching and maturity.

This team is leaderless and the signs where there last year when they wouldn't follow Boat.

I'm actually right where my expectations were: hoping we'd make the NCAAs. Thought maybe we'd have 2 or 3 more conference wins (vs Cinci, Temple, and Houston).

But we are in the hunt. So I'm not off the ship yet.

 

[intlzncster]

Lmao, goosefraba rocket man, take it easy.

I think that those are two valid points to look at.

We pulled out a win in the opening round of the NCAAT on a pretty remarkable play by Brimah. Had we not, who knows where we'd stand as a program right now. Just a hypothetical.

In regards to Napier, I think it's a valid point as well. Napier to me, was the best Husky I ever saw his senior season. Is it crazy to question how a first time head coach maybe had to ride the credentials of a once in a lifetime player on a miracle run, followed by two seasons of mediocrity?

I still think KO is the man for the job right now, but you can't say he's above being questioned. That's all.

I wasn't saying KO shouldn't be questioned. Not at all. Just saying, in general, because I see it all the time with coaches, that that type of argument is confounding. KO deserves a lot more leeway, given his relative inexperience, and all the other oft repeated headwinds coming his way when he took over.

Remember we escaped in a couple of those other NCAAs too. To this day, I have a pit in my stomach from the Arizona game losing 3. I still think it's going in. Or being 18 down against Duke in the FF.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I wasn't saying KO shouldn't be questioned. Not at all. Just saying, in general, because I see it all the time with coaches, that that type of argument is confounding. KO deserves a lot more leeway, given his relative inexperience, and all the other oft repeated headwinds coming his way when he took over.

Remember we escaped in a couple of those other NCAAs too. To this day, I have a pit in my stomach from the Arizona game losing 3. I still think it's going in.

I totally agree with you. There is inherently a lot of luck in sports. I don't think Ollie is as great as we thought he was after that run, but he's certainly no where near as bad as some are making him out to be now.

Recall, this whole thing got started over what I thought was a fairly innocuous comment by me saying I didn't like him throwing the team under the bus.

 

[80shusky]

If you haven't in-bred into your players that in game 29 they better come out w energy, then you have failed as a coach. That is just simply unacceptable. Players shouldn't get a free pass and I'm not advocating for that. But the coach is responsible for EVERYTHING....that is why players never get fired, only coaches.

When did our players become in-bred? Yuck.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I totally agree with you. There is inherently a lot of luck in sports. I don't think Ollie is as great as we thought he was after that run, but he's certainly no where near as bad as some are making him out to be now.

Recall, this whole thing got started over what I thought was a fairly innocuous comment by me saying I didn't like him throwing the team under the bus.

My honest assessment is that Kevin is a guy who has never coached before at any level, aside from his short stint as an assistant to JC. It shows. I think he has the ability to be superb, and he's killing it on the recruiting side, but he's feeling his way for what he wants to be. He's not a JC clone for sure, and I think he is trying different approaches to see what will work for him. He doesn't know yet. After yesterday, he realized he needs to be a little tougher on this team.

Belichick failed in Cleveland. Francona failed with Cleveland (I sense a theme). Pete Carroll failed in New England. There are many examples, but Ollie is still developing as a coach.

 

[tykurez]

... but Ollie is still developing as a coach.

But "we" don't have time for that. When he was pulling in the Div I average of about $1.5mil maybe, but not when we're paying the guy $3mil a year.

 

[HuskyHawk]

But "we" don't have time for that. When he was pulling in the Div I average of about $1.5mil maybe, but not when we're paying the guy $3mil a year.

I confess, my concerns with Diaco have often been predicated on the belief that UConn needs to win now in football and basketball to prove its worth and get a P5 invite. That is key to my frustration and anger yesterday. It was an inexcusable loss, probably the 4th such loss this year. This team needed a top 25 ranking and solid 2-3 games in the NCAA tournament. Now we will be lucky to avoid the NIT. The timing is atrocious.

 

[krinklecut]

But "we" don't have time for that. When he was pulling in the Div I average of about $1.5mil maybe, but not when we're paying the guy $3mil a year.

Yes we do have time for that.

 

[Palatine]

He's clearly frustrated. And he has every right to be frustrated. But he is also in a position to affect what is going on. He is in a position to make his players and his team better. That starts in the mirror. The fact he is doing this in public shows that whatever he is trying to do isn't working. This is the kind of thing that is fine December but not March.

Don't let your team turn the ball over on four consecutive possessions. Call time after two or three. Use a more consistence rotation so players have a better idea when and how they will be used. Play to the players strength. Run a play to get Gibbs an open three. Open a side of the floor for Adams. Have the players throw that first pass immediately instead of pounding the ball for ten seconds. I would also like to see him stick up for the players in a demonstrative fashion after bad calls. This is all simple stuff.

But what Ollie really needs is to win a close game. Have someone make a buzzer beater. That would up the confidence on the floor and on the bench. Ollie has to get them in position and somebody just has to do it. Until somebody does, the doubt will be there.

 

[UConniki]

Mens basketball is the flagship sport @ CT and is about to miss NCAAT for the second year in a row COMMING OFF OF AN NC while the football team just went bowling in year two led by a first time coach COMMING OFF OF A 2WIN SEASON!!!! ENOUGH WITH THE "HE'S STILL LEARNING"crap. Basketball with 5 starters 13 players is much easier to turn around then football with 24 starters and 80players(?) yet a first time coach just did it. While football looks like it's trending up basketball looks to be doing just the opposite.This team is not well coached.

 

[August_West]

When did our players become in-bred? Yuck.

That happens a lot to keep the bloodlines pure.

 

[Towney007]

It just so happens that are most talented player is from Cornell. Don't let the name of the school fool you in the talent level of the player. I mean would we better with a problem child from Duke or a little used North Carolina player. I don't think so. The problem is we didn't have a point guard with this team until JA started developing as one. KO overestimated the impact that SG would have running the point for our team this year and it has caused him lots of headaches this year. That is why DHAM is asked to handle the ball so much on offense at times.

To me the issue is really more with the PG than the presence down low, even though I think that'll figure itself out. There are entire stretches of minutes where it doesn't even look like we're *running* an offense. Literally. We have three guys in Hamilton, Gibbs and Purvis that can all score - and while there are some important distinctions between the three - they all serve the same function. It's hard to balance having all three involved. Jalen runs the point better than Gibbs, but that's not really saying much. Both are absolutely better in the 2-guard hole and I think for the sake of his development that Ollie has been really hesitant to allow Jalen too much time at the point.

The bench pieces are... just mostly bad. Everyone's had moments this season, but it's really hard to find *that guy* off the bench that's gonna drill 8 for you, give you the tough D, the big board, etc. My knock is that i'd like to see more Enoch, if for nothing more than establishing his physical presence down low, but it's hard to knock Ollie on rotations because well... there isn't much to rotate into the game.

So I dunno. This was a patch work year where if things broke well we'd be a contender. If not, we'd probably be a post season team anyway - but salvagable with a good recruiting class. And you know - that's actually exactly what we are still. Like I said - we could beat anyone in the tournament. We could also not be there at all. It's the epitome of a bridge year.

 

[tjc1888]

Mens basketball is the flagship sport @ CT and is about to miss NCAAT for the second year in a row COMMING OFF OF AN NC while the football team just went bowling in year two led by a first time coach COMMING OFF OF A 2WIN SEASON!!!! ENOUGH WITH THE "HE'S STILL LEARNING"crap. Basketball with 5 starters 13 players is much easier to turn around then football with 24 starters and 80players(?) yet a first time coach just did it. While football looks like it's trending up basketball looks to be doing just the opposite.This team is not well coached.

Bob Diaco has been coaching football since 1999.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Maybe this combination of players just isn't that good this year? Doesn't mean you stop trying but we need better personnel not just better coaching.

This team is filled with a bunch of 2* guys and a couple of 3.5* guys. This is the result. Doesnt matter who the coach is.

 

[tzznandrew]

Mens basketball is the flagship sport @ CT and is about to miss NCAAT for the second year in a row

But see, they aren't "about to miss." They're on the right side of the bubble. That can change, but if you're going to say things at least be accurate.

 

[intlzncster]

The fact he is doing this in public shows that whatever he is trying to do isn't working.

Not following this line of logic.

 

[intlzncster]

Mens basketball is the flagship sport @ CT and is about to miss NCAAT for the second year in a row COMMING OFF OF AN NC while the football team just went bowling in year two led by a first time coach COMMING OFF OF A 2WIN SEASON!!!! ENOUGH WITH THE "HE'S STILL LEARNING"crap. Basketball with 5 starters 13 players is much easier to turn around then football with 24 starters and 80players(?) yet a first time coach just did it. While football looks like it's trending up basketball looks to be doing just the opposite.This team is not well coached.

Dude, Bob Diaco has been a coach at some position for 20+ years. Ollie has exactly 6 years under his belt.

"Still learning" is highly accurate.

 

[intlzncster]

That happens a lot to keep the bloodlines pure.

This particular breed is bred to cut down nets.

 

[Deadrody]

I feel like if we're in the tournament we could beat anyone. I also feel like we could careen right out of tournament contention. Neither would surprise me in the least. It's just what we are.

Next year I feel better, I'd like to see this team be a solid-good team, stay in the top 25 most of the year and make the tournament and flirt with the Sweet 16. The year after that though... look out.

Here's the problem... isn't that exactly what we could have said at times last year ? And this team has much greater talent, overall.

 

[Deadrody]

He doesn't scream and cuss like Calhoun...

This never ceases to amaze me. You get the whole man. Jim Calhoun does not build a 3 time national championship program virtually out of nothing without being JIM CALHOUN, screaming and cussing included.

Yes, Ollie won a championship with Calhoun's players. The jury is still out on what kind of PROGRAM he can build on his own.

 

[7774]

This never ceases to amaze me. You get the whole man. Jim Calhoun does not build a 3 time national championship program virtually out of nothing without being JIM CALHOUN, screaming and cussing included.

Yes, Ollie won a championship with Calhoun's players. The jury is still out on what kind of PROGRAM he can build on his own.

When you say "won with Calhoun's players", what do you mean? Many people make that comment, and I always wonder about the thought process that leads to it.

 

[UConniki]

Bob Diaco has been coaching football since 1999.

Not as a head coach, he was a DC. And things didn't go so well with the offense so a coaching change was made on offense after the first year was over. KO has been HC for 4 years, do you see any improvement in anything court related. Players getting better, team playing better, KO coaching better. There doesn't seem to be the same sense of urgency as with the football program. KO is still learning. Did any one see the regression in KO's coaching coming after the way the first two years went? I did. BAZZ, BOAT,DD, NG (yeah say what you want but they were guys recruited be JC) are gone and with them Uconn's invites to the NCAAT. There have been sooooo many winnable games the last two years, some were lost do to player mistakes, missed shots, turnovers whatever, but KO has lost more games with coaching mistakes than the players with bad plays, its not even close. The team was a tournament caliber team last year and definately this year and what ever happens from here on out is a reflection on KO's coaching. Even if we somehow get in, we shouldn't have been this close to not getting in. 6th place in the AAC, think about that.