KO's next steps on the recruiting trail

[mauconnfan]

I agree KO loss touch with reality last season - between the injuries, self inflicted bad protocol "concussions", guys being totally out of conditioned, and then losing all communication with certain players. He needs to realize that he needs some good Bigs in an environment where they can develop and we need guys who can play together and make baskets.
Durham and Enoch are big loses given our very weak front court situation.

How much weight has Cobb's loss since he signed? We are losing S&C time - without a replacement in place.

Yeah I agree what was he thinking? He needed to play the guys that gave us even more of a chance to continue losing because they proved so much when they did hit the court. Must've been me losing my mind and actually thinking they both had a long way to to go and instead they just needed minutes to prove they could both be 12/8 guys. If some of you coached we'd still have the young phenoms in a Husky uniform and we'd be on the brink to yet another national title. Geez what was KO thinking?

So funny around here and sad.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Yeah I agree what was he thinking? He needed to play the guys that gave us even more of a chance to continue losing because they proved so much when they did hit the court. Must've been me losing my mind and actually thinking they both had a long way to to go and instead they just needed minutes to prove they could both be 12/8 guys. If some of you coached we'd still have the young phenoms in a Husky uniform and we'd be on the brink to yet another national title. Geez what was KO thinking?

So funny around here and sad.

If playing them would've made one of them stick around, we should've played them. Durham has real talent, Enoch has potential, and we have nobody who's played more than 2 min a game left on the roster. Playing brimah was shortsighted, if keeping one of the two was a realistic possibility.

 

[mauconnfan]

If playing them would've made one of them stick around, we should've played them. Durham has real talent, Enoch has potential, and we have nobody who's played more than 2 min a game left on the roster. Playing brimah was shortsighted, if keeping one of the two was a realistic possibility.

I think my thoughts on AB have been known for a while. Having said that he was our best option 90% of the time and ultimately we all want your team to win. I agree Enoch had potential but that's exactly what it was. He also had potential to allow every driver of the ball to go by him without a whimper and sometimes without him being anywhere close to where he should have been. On offense he would make a great move, one I amour all of us thinking "someday" but then he didn't finish, or he traveled. I wanted him to stay here and prove he could be something, same with Juwan. But both showed absolutely nothing to us and the staff that they could win minutes for AB and Facey I'm afraid. And let's be honest here, that's not good at all because this front court for the last 3-4 years could have easily been broken into by anyone worthy of playing solid basketball.

Though everyone was treated appropriately but kids these days think they are better than what they truly are I'm afraid.

 

[Dove]

Sorry to much bourbon and lawn work. Miss read what you wrote

You do lawn work and drink bourbon? That is a problem in itself.

 

[RUSS56]

Brimah gave us a better chance to win, your absolutely correct, but there was a point in the season, that dictated it was time to get the returning kids a bigger role and see what they could do. The numbers were not as far apart as you think. Brimah averaged 7.6ppg and 6.1rpg, if you equate Enoch's pts/reb to the same minutes Brimah played he would be 7.2ppg and 5rpg. Certainly Brimah was the better option, all I am saying wouldn't Enoch be the better option knowing he was going to have to be the man next year? We never got that answer, all I am saying is, wouldn't it have been helpful to get an idea of that?

 

[intlzncster]

I agree KO loss touch with reality last season - between the injuries, self inflicted bad protocol "concussions", guys being totally out of conditioned, and then losing all communication with certain players. He needs to realize that he needs some good Bigs in an environment where they can develop and we need guys who can play together and make baskets.

This one cracks me up. Science has moved on, yet Chief is stuck is the middle ages. Apparently he hasn't seen all those former demented professional athletes who have mental problems in there later years. It's precautionary Chief. And everyone's doing the exact same thing. It's also a liability thing. Athletics will never revert back to a stupider time. It's fortunate humans have gotten smarter.

And pretty sure KO's got a decent idea he needs some good bigs.

How much weight has Cobb's loss since he signed? We are losing S&C time - without a replacement in place.

What's truly funny is that what Cobb could use the most is a guy like Travis Illian who emphasizes fitness over everything else.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Something tells me Hans isn't going to be firing up his Tupac playlist on Spotify any time soon.

I, for one, got a lot out of that thread.

In a Boneyard turned upside down, I was serious in my post.

My own collection is pretty meager: I've downloaded & burned library CDs by 2pac, Ghostface Killah, TI, Kanye, Jay Z, Beasties, Eminem, Wu-Tang, Tricky, Outcast, D12, but never listened much, or even some at all. My hard product collection on CD & cassette(!) maxes out with Grandmaster Flash, Sugar Hill Gang, Public Enemy, Ice-T, NWA, EPMD, LL Cool J, 2 Live Crew, Terminator X, Dre, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, De la Soul, BDP, Us3, Queen Latifah, and a couple mixtapes made by a friend.

So, other than the "so much music, so little time" thing, I got a lot out of that thread too. And I'd rather go back there for reference that have a hijacked recruiting thread that gets locked up.

 

[mauconnfan]

Brimah gave us a better chance to win, your absolutely correct, but there was a point in the season, that dictated it was time to get the returning kids a bigger role and see what they could do. The numbers were not as far apart as you think. Brimah averaged 7.6ppg and 6.1rpg, if you equate Enoch's pts/reb to the same minutes Brimah played he would be 7.2ppg and 5rpg. Certainly Brimah was the better option, all I am saying wouldn't Enoch be the better option knowing he was going to have to be the man next year? We never got that answer, all I am saying is, wouldn't it have been helpful to get an idea of that?

I agree it would seem he cold've used the extra time but at the same time the job is his if he can improve. Why leave? Seems to me he made this decision long ago thinking he was better than he actually is but that's just me. I mean what kid in his right mind would sit out a year when the opening is there, where you are? Makes no sense. I would loved to see what he had, but his defense really was so atrocious he was tough to put on the court.

Hind sight, but man kids need it to wrapped up now and handed to them. Screw them if they don't want to earn their PT.

 

[BlueMAB]

I do agree with you in part, but the facts offer some separation. Brimah commited a foul every 7.75 minutes, Enoch every 6.52 minutes. Brimah as a freshman averaged a foul every 5.59 minutes. The point is if the kid is getting more significant minutes, and is treated like a prospect, instead of a suspect, maybe his numbers go down. Maybe his defense remains poor, maybe it improves, but the kid had to be on the floor longer to find that out, and it never happened. Brimah was a great off the ball defender, he was a poor on the ball defender.

Enoch also shot 41% from the field. The guy who was allegedly the better offensive player couldn't finish. The only thing he did better than Brimah was shoot free throws (68% to 62%). When adjusted for minutes played, he blocked fewer shots and grabbed fewer rebounds.

He didn't deserve 1 minute more than he played.

 

[nomar]

Yeah I agree what was he thinking? He needed to play the guys that gave us even more of a chance to continue losing because they proved so much when they did hit the court. Must've been me losing my mind and actually thinking they both had a long way to to go and instead they just needed minutes to prove they could both be 12/8 guys. If some of you coached we'd still have the young phenoms in a Husky uniform and we'd be on the brink to yet another national title. Geez what was KO thinking?

So funny around here and sad.

You're also pretty dumb not to realize that we should be sending kids out to play with concussions.

 

[BlueMAB]

I agree it would seem he cold've used the extra time but at the same time the job is his if he can improve. Why leave? Seems to me he made this decision long ago thinking he was better than he actually is but that's just me. I mean what kid in his right mind would sit out a year when the opening is there, where you are? Makes no sense. I would loved to see what he had, but his defense really was so atrocious he was tough to put on the court.

Hind sight, but man kids need it to wrapped up now and handed to them. Screw them if they don't want to earn their PT.

He was going to be our starting center, unless Carlton beats him out. If you're a Junior who is concerned about losing PT to a freshman, perhaps it is best for you to move on because you might not be that good.

When his dad is done complaining about his lack of development, I'd like to know how Ollie was responsible for Enoch's 41% FG shooting. Aside from that, on the defensive end, the game was obviously too fast for him at this level.

 

[RUSS56]

This has no real answers yet, he may go to a P-5 conference, and be a total bust, or he may go there, and be a double-double guy, in either case, those slaying him now, or those wondering why?....will have their day.

 

[RUSS56]

I consider this. Look at any sport, and a team that has had a poor season. Almost always, a coach comes to the point of realization, that you can no longer salvage a bad season. They start to experiment looking ahead to the next year. If you believe that Enoch was going to have the starting C role next year to lose, why would it be a bad thing to throw him in the fire for 25 minutes a night, and see if his numbers improved with time on the court? If you don't get this answer, aren't you starting from the sme place next year anyway, only without adding some game experience? If you give him 25+ minutes a night, and you see no change, then at leat you know the next recruiting period, big is a major priority.

 

[Inyatkin]

You're also pretty dumb not to realize that we should be sending kids out to play with concussions.

The Chief00 renaissance is going to be done in by blows to the head. Figuratively.

 

[upstater]

The kid couldn't stay on the floor. There's not much chance he would have been able to play 25 minutes a game before fouling out. Or giving up 40 point nights to the guy he's guarding.

Am I the only one who wants a lineup out there that gives UConn the maximum chance to win? I don't care what the record is. Put the best kids out there.

 

[upstater]

I agree it would seem he cold've used the extra time but at the same time the job is his if he can improve. Why leave? Seems to me he made this decision long ago thinking he was better than he actually is but that's just me. I mean what kid in his right mind would sit out a year when the opening is there, where you are? Makes no sense. I would loved to see what he had, but his defense really was so atrocious he was tough to put on the court.

Hind sight, but man kids need it to wrapped up now and handed to them. Screw them if they don't want to earn their PT.

The team was such a huge problem this year. With Enoch out there, we had 6 foot guards drive the lane straight for layups. With Brimah in there, that didn't happen. What did happen is that the ball would get tossed into Brimah and he'd either take a horrific shot or else turn it over. Both of these guys were disasters on opposite ends of the floor.

The only way to mitigate this? Play Brimah and never ever ever throw the ball into him on the blocks. He had so few offensive rebounds--you might as well just have him at the top of the key setting picks. But even that was fraught with danger as he frequently was called for moving picks.

How do you hide the lack of ability of the frontcourt?

 

[upstater]

I agree KO loss touch with reality last season - between the injuries, self inflicted bad protocol "concussions", guys being totally out of conditioned, and then losing all communication with certain players. He needs to realize that he needs some good Bigs in an environment where they can develop and we need guys who can play together and make baskets.
Durham and Enoch are big loses given our very weak front court situation.

How much weight has Cobb's loss since he signed? We are losing S&C time - without a replacement in place.

We're saying they were out of condition because Jalen was huffing it?

The last time UConn had a guard like Jalen, and that guy is Kemba Walker, he used to also bend over and just take breaks on O at points in the game. Maybe when you're asking a guy to be the guy bringing the ball up AND also the guy driving for baskets, he is going to tire out, no matter the condition he is in?

 

[Goat]

Brimah's effort got him the captaincy 3x. What if the departed didn't work as hard on practice and training? A coach can't encourage work and play people who work less than those who are on the bench. The 3 of them seemed a little soft and we know Jackson didn't come in game shape. Compare them to Vital who seemed to grow a size as the season went on.

I think KO maybe learns to keep a kid happy enough to stay signed while still encouraging improvement. However, a big problem seems to be that some of the departed saw a bad season and a thin front court as empowering and KO didn't agree to surrender control.

 

[Chief00]

We're saying they were out of condition because Jalen was huffing it?

The last time UConn had a guard like Jalen, and that guy is Kemba Walker, he used to also bend over and just take breaks on O at points in the game. Maybe when you're asking a guy to be the guy bringing the ball up AND also the guy driving for baskets, he is going to tire out, no matter the condition he is in?

Are you kidding? Kemba had limitless energy!

 

[upstater]

Are you kidding? Kemba had limitless energy!

Kemba was bent over huffing in parts of every game. He had to take plays off ON the court. This isn't a detraction at all.

But while we complement players that have inexhaustible energy, realize that they weren't carrying the same load that Kemba and Jalen were. They are not doing everything.

We had no PG other than Jalen this year. He was also the best scorer on the team.

The only guy I can think of who was indefatigable compared to Kemba and Jalen was Ryan Boatright in 2014-2015.

 

[Chief00]

Brimah's effort got him the captaincy 3x. What if the departed didn't work as hard on practice and training? A coach can't encourage work and play people who work less than those who are on the bench. The 3 of them seemed a little soft and we know Jackson didn't come in game shape. Compare them to Vital who seemed to grow a size as the season went on.

I think KO maybe learns to keep a kid happy enough to stay signed while still encouraging improvement. However, a big problem seems to be that some of the departed saw a bad season and a thin front court as empowering and KO didn't agree to surrender control.

The disconnect that happened shouldn't have and its KO's responsibility to manage all that.

 

[Chief00]

Kemba was bent over huffing in parts of every game. He had to take plays off ON the court. This isn't a detraction at all.

But while we complement players that have inexhaustible energy, realize that they weren't carrying the same load that Kemba and Jalen were. They are not doing everything.

We had no PG other than Jalen this year. He was also the best scorer on the team.

The only guy I can think of who was indefatigable compared to Kemba and Jalen was Ryan Boatright in 2014-2015.

I like Jalen but comparing his stamina and energy level to Kemba'sis a complete joke. I did not see Kemba take many plays off. What on Earth were you watching?

 

[BlueMAB]

I consider this. Look at any sport, and a team that has had a poor season. Almost always, a coach comes to the point of realization, that you can no longer salvage a bad season. They start to experiment looking ahead to the next year. If you believe that Enoch was going to have the starting C role next year to lose, why would it be a bad thing to throw him in the fire for 25 minutes a night, and see if his numbers improved with time on the court? If you don't get this answer, aren't you starting from the sme place next year anyway, only without adding some game experience? If you give him 25+ minutes a night, and you see no change, then at leat you know the next recruiting period, big is a major priority.

This season wasn't lost until we were out of the conference tournament. With the tournament being played on our home court, we had a chance at the NCAA tourney, and the guys who give the team the best chance to win, deserve to play.

Am I the only one who wants a lineup out there that gives UConn the maximum chance to win? I don't care what the record is. Put the best kids out there.

No you aren't.

 

[UConnDan97]

This season wasn't lost until we were out of the conference tournament. With the tournament being played on our home court, we had a chance at the NCAA tourney, and the guys who give the team the best chance to win, deserve to play.

^^^ This. 100% this.

It's simple, really. In basketball, the season is never over until you are eliminated from your tournament...

 

[Inyatkin]

This season wasn't lost until we were out of the conference tournament. With the tournament being played on our home court, we had a chance at the NCAA tourney, and the guys who give the team the best chance to win, deserve to play.

Weird how this is lost on people.

 

[BUConn10]

I like Jalen but comparing his stamina and energy level to Kemba'sis a complete joke. I did not see Kemba take many plays off. What on Earth were you watching?

Kemba only sat for 11 minutes over the 5 games in 5 days at MSG in 2011. That's 199 out of 210 possible minutes including two games that went into OT. I agree, his stamina deserves legendary status and to point to him putting his hands to his knees to equate his stamina to Jalen's is not accurate in my opinion.

 

[intlzncster]

In a Boneyard turned upside down, I was serious in my post.

My own collection is pretty meager: I've downloaded & burned library CDs by 2pac, Ghostface Killah, TI, Kanye, Jay Z, Beasties, Eminem, Wu-Tang, Tricky, Outcast, D12, but never listened much, or even some at all. My hard product collection on CD & cassette(!) maxes out with Grandmaster Flash, Sugar Hill Gang, Public Enemy, Ice-T, NWA, EPMD, LL Cool J, 2 Live Crew, Terminator X, Dre, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, De la Soul, BDP, Us3, Queen Latifah, and a couple mixtapes made by a friend.

So, other than the "so much music, so little time" thing, I got a lot out of that thread too. And I'd rather go back there for reference that have a hijacked recruiting thread that gets locked up.

Too funny! I stand corrected Hans. Mea culpa

 

[upstater]

Kemba only sat for 11 minutes over the 5 games in 5 days at MSG in 2011. That's 199 out of 210 possible minutes including two games that went into OT. I agree, his stamina deserves legendary status and to point to him putting his hands to his knees to equate his stamina to Jalen's is not accurate in my opinion.

How much did Jalen sit? Barely ever.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I like the idea of go hard after both Alex Yetna & Isaac Kante. It would be interesting.

 

[EastConn'er]

In case anyone is interested in recruiting info, the Nike EYBL & Adidas Gauntlet sessions are coming up end of next week. I’m sure Ollie & staff will be very active looking for potential 2018 targets and any possible 2017 re-classifiers during these weekends. Too bad a lot of the weekends overlap, so maybe Ollie & staff splits up and hit both?

2017 Nike EYBL sessions:
Session 1: April 21-23 -Hampton, VA
Session 2: April 28-30 – Indianapolis, IN
Session 3: May 12-14 – Atlanta, GA
Session 4: May 26-29 – Los Angeles, CA
These games have been available online in the past, though I don’t see any updates for 2017 yet.

2017 Adidas Gauntlet sessions:
Session 1: April 21-23 – Dallas, TX
Session 2: April 28-30 – Atlanta, GA
Regionals: May 26-29 - Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston
Finale: July 12-15 – Spartanburg, SC
Summer Championship: July 26-30 – Las Vegas
Not sure if the games are online.

Should be interesting seeing who they target over the next few months. I hope we stay on New Englander preps Simi Shittu, Sid Wilson, David Duke & AJ Reeves. Also it will be interesting how we do with Jahvon Quinerly, Moses Brown, Kofi Cockburn, Jalen Carey, Cam Reddish, etc. I’m sure we’ll probably hear some new names popping up too. Fun times… not all is bleak, think positive!