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What is the scouting report? I've been assuming this is a guaranteed win. Should I not be?
 
Honestly don't know much about them other than Dez Wells, well built guard who is going to be assuming alot of the PG duties with Seth Allen out, I'm worried about who guards him with the new handcheck rules. He can bully Boat and Bazz, might be a job better suited for Giffey and Kromah.
 
This is after reading their season preview from ESPN insider.

The main thing is that they turned the ball over A LOT. 22 percent of their possessions last year ended in a turnover, although their offense was good, but not gray when they didn't turn the ball over. The majority of the blame for that was put on Wells last year. They also run a 3 guard, stretch 4 perimeter like us, but have a giant in the middle in 6'10" 270lb sophomore Shaquille Cleare. Wells drives a lot; 50 percent of his attempts were at the rim a year ago. He is definitely a major problem with these new rules. After him, Sophomore wing Jake Layman might be the next biggest thorn. He will like likely start on Friday with Seth Allen out. Their bench depth is nothing compared to ours, and we match up well with them past Dez Wells. However, if we can do our best to limit, contain, and challenge him, there is no reason we shouldn't win by double digits.
 
We have no one to match up to their bulk inside. Wells is also a very physical player, who will be tough to defend. However, as stated above, he also has a tendency to be turnover prone...hope that continues.

We are doomed, DOOMED for sure!
 
D$ said:
What is the scouting report? I've been assuming this is a guaranteed win. Should I not be?
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You think opening night on a neutral court against Maryland is a guaranteed win? Do you watch much college basketball? I know they no longer have Alex Len, but they won 25 games last year.

For comparison's sake, I bet you that Michigan State was a bigger favorite over us last year than we'll be Friday night.
 
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With the exception of exhibition games, and games against some really over matched opponents in our new league, nothing is a guaranteed win. Davids often slay Goliaths in mens college basketball.
 
HuskyBballFan said:
You think opening night on a neutral court against Maryland is a guaranteed win? Do you watch much college basketball? I know they no longer have Alex Len, but they won 25 games last year.

For comparison's sake, I bet you that Michigan State was a bigger favorite over us last year than we'll be Friday night.
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Most games against high majors are never guaranteed Ws. But based on how well the team performed last season, how many of the players have returned and have improved, and how well some of the newcomers have been able perform and mesh with the team, I like our chances.

Now we do have to keep in mind that the first two games were against far inferior competition. It wouldn't be the first time that a UConn team looked good in those types of games but then not ready for a big-boy. But in this case, KO showed us last season how well he prepared the team for each contest. I don't recall them ever not being in a game last season, but you know how my memory is. If we didn't have a lot of returning players, I'd be more nervous about this game. We don't need huge contributions from the newcomers. We just need them to not s*ck when they're in there and let the proven players come in and light the Turtles up.

We have plenty of offensive fire power with Bazz, Boat, DD, Omar, Giffey and I'll add Kromah since he comes here with senior level experience and has peformed at a high level so far.

We just need the Bigs to defend, rebound and not foul too much (so they don't let MD get to the line early and often). Between Olander, Nolan, Brimah and Facey, I think we have enough bodies to do that.

And maybe we'll get some surprise contributions from Samuel and Tolksdorf. So far Samuel seems to play under control, looks to pass first (so he's not likely going to jack up bad shots...though you never know when allusions of grandeur takes over like it too often did with Beverly who thought he was the second coming of Kemba sometimes. Note, I liked Bev for the most part, but he too often chose score over distribute, which is not what you want with a fill-in guard...but I digress.), and take just a few good shots if the D gives us such. He looks like a solid defender too, so I think he'll hold his own. And Tolksdorf seems to have a lot of confidence in his 3-ball. Not that he was shy last season, but he just seems more confident. That's not to say he'll let it rip and net a big 3 on some critical possession, but I think KO is confident with him for his teammates to find him in the corner and let him fire away within the flow of the game.

I don't know much about MD, but they were just okay last season going 8-10 in the ACC. But we all should be aware how often there are early season upsets with teams coming out firing on all cylinders for these nationally televised early season neutral court games.
 
I still have a sneaking suspicion were going to surprise with some full court pressure early and often in this game. It makes too much sense.

Our advantages are guard play, depth and depth at guard play.
Their weaknesses are turnovers and the lack of prep time with their current point guard whether that guard be a freshman or someone not accustomed to running the offense.

We were playing around with the press a bit against SCSU when Bazz and Boat were both in the game in the first half. Maybe a very subtle test run.
I would love to drop it on them from go and try to put them in a panic. The issue, of course, is the refs and the unknown there.
 
I listened to the post game show on WTIC on the way home from the XL Center last night. They gave the sizes of the MD line up and based on our lack of rebounding, that may be a very big issue. Key will be to what extent we can minimize the rebounding disadvantage and our ability to press and fast break against them in order to get easy buckets and wear them out. In any event, I'm excited the season is starting for real, and I believe we will be enjoying some nice warm bowls of turtle soup during the football game!
 
.-.
One thing I like about the matchup...turnovers. Maryland had a lot last year. And now their starting point guard is out. Wells is a great player, but can he handle the point guard duty day one? Their backup point guard is a freshman, who struggled with pressure in their scrimmage against Villanova according to reports. We need to take advantage of this.

Hopefully our frontcourt can hold their own. Maryland only goes 8 deep, so we have depth on our side.
 
DogMania said:
Most games against high majors are never guaranteed Ws. But based on how well the team performed last season, how many of the players have returned and have improved, and how well some of the newcomers have been able perform and mesh with the team, I like our chances.

Now we do have to keep in mind that the first two games were against far inferior competition. It wouldn't be the first time that a UConn team looked good in those types of games but then not ready for a big-boy. But in this case, KO showed us last season how well he prepared the team for each contest. I don't recall them ever not being in a game last season, but you know how my memory is. If we didn't have a lot of returning players, I'd be more nervous about this game. We don't need huge contributions from the newcomers. We just need them to not s*ck when they're in there and let the proven players come in and light the Turtles up.

We have plenty of offensive fire power with Bazz, Boat, DD, Omar, Giffey and I'll add Kromah since he comes here with senior level experience and has peformed at a high level so far.

We just need the Bigs to defend, rebound and not foul too much (so they don't let MD get to the line early and often). Between Olander, Nolan, Brimah and Facey, I think we have enough bodies to do that.

And maybe we'll get some surprise contributions from Samuel and Tolksdorf. So far Samuel seems to play under control, looks to pass first (so he's not likely going to jack up bad shots...though you never know when allusions of grandeur takes over like it too often did with Beverly who thought he was the second coming of Kemba sometimes. Note, I liked Bev for the most part, but he too often chose score over distribute, which is not what you want with a fill-in guard...but I digress.), and take just a few good shots if the D gives us such. He looks like a solid defender too, so I think he'll hold his own. And Tolksdorf seems to have a lot of confidence in his 3-ball. Not that he was shy last season, but he just seems more confident. That's not to say he'll let it rip and net a big 3 on some critical possession, but I think KO is confident with him for his teammates to find him in the corner and let him fire away within the flow of the game.

I don't know much about MD, but they were just okay last season going 8-10 in the ACC. But we all should be aware how often there are early season upsets with teams coming out firing on all cylinders for these nationally televised early season neutral court games.
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If it comes down to how well Leon plays against MD then we are in big trouble. If he hits the floor we are either 30 up or 30 down or in big time foul trouble.
 
Onions said:
If it comes down to how well Leon plays against MD then we are in big trouble. If he hits the floor we are either 30 up or 30 down or in big time foul trouble.
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Leon could easily see time if Maryland goes zone or with potential foul issues.
 
gwhuskyfan said:
Seth Davis ‏@SethDavisHoops
1m​

I'll go with the Terps. Smotrycz is a difference maker @notthefakesvp RT @jdon19: Who do you like in the UMD / UConn game on Fri. ?

DOOMED!
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Why would you be concerned what this dope thinks? He went to Duke, so by definition he doesn't know much about college basketball, only to jump up and down all night like a fool. If you really want to get his input on something, ask him what Duke's record is against UConn in the Final Four!
 
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D$ said:
What is the scouting report? I've been assuming this is a guaranteed win. Should I not be?
Expand ...

The biggest advantage we have is Seth Allen not being available due to injury. They have a freshman Roddie Peterson that is a dark horse to give good minutes here. Without him, they will be hard pressed on the perimeter. That being said, Shaquille Cleare and Jake Layman are two blue chips recruits entering their sophomore year. If they have substantially improved and lived up to expectations, they could be difficult to contain, Cleare is a beast in terms of size, but didn't have the skill last year to capitalize at the college level as a Freshman.

So, all it takes is one career performance from a Maryland player and our team coming out flat and we've got ourselves a ball game - something that seems to happen about 10+ times a season to every college team.

If you already chalked it up as a win, don't bother to watch the game. Me, I'll wait and see how the game unfolds.
 
hthusky74 said:
Why would you be concerned what this dope thinks? He went to Duke, so by definition he doesn't know much about college basketball, only to jump up and down all night like a fool. If you really want to get his input on something, ask him what Duke's record is against UConn in the Final Four!
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It's a running joke!
 
hthusky74 said:
Why would you be concerned what this dope thinks? He went to Duke, so by definition he doesn't know much about college basketball, only to jump up and down all night like a fool. If you really want to get his input on something, ask him what Duke's record is against UConn in the Final Four!
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Tongue in cheek, Davis is notorious for making horrible picks, I think he picked against UConn in 04 every step of the way because of free throw shooting. He also picked Montana to upset Syracuse last year in the 1st round and Syracuse beat them by like 50.
 
caw said:
Leon could easily see time if Maryland goes zone or with potential foul issues.
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KO played Leon quite a bit last year in spurts. He's may not be a rotation player off the bench, but he certainly can hold his own when called upon. He's not a stiff who we'll only see if the game is a blowout one way or the other. He's not option 1 or 2 at the wing (or even as an undersized 4 if needed), but he's good enough to give some PT, even if it's just a minute or two each half.

Players like Tolksdorf are valuable assets that a coach needs to find PT most games since there will be a game or two when he's needed due to foul trouble or injuries. If the player can't hold their own, I can see not giving much if any PT. But in his case he's solid and worth developing throughout the season, in the event that he's needed in an important spot.

Granted the wing is loaded with DD, Kromah, Giffey, Omar (though the latter 2 are able to play the 2G), so the need for his skills isn't dire, but I still think KO try to work him in most games even if it's just for a few minutes as long as he doesn't make mistakes and knocks down 3s at a reasonable clip. Hopefully he gets off early this season. He started off poorly last year which cost him some early PT, but once he showed he was capable, KO used him more liberally as the season went on.
 
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Based on a lot of opinions regarding rebounding in the past indicates success in the future, we lose. We WERE 340 something in the country LAST year and maryland i believe was 3rd. Forget that we havent lost anyone and added some good talent or that we have more to play for or that maryland has no point guard and dont look at fg% or defense ...its all abound rebounds from the past.
 
OklahomaUconn said:
Based on a lot of opinions regarding rebounding in the past indicates success in the future, we lose. We WERE 340 something in the country LAST year and maryland i believe was 3rd. Forget that we havent lost anyone and added some good talent or that we have more to play for or that maryland has no point guard and dont look at fg% or defense ...its all abound rebounds from the past.
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Maryland lost Alex Len to the draft. Those numbers from last year mean nothing
 
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