Merrimack A Decent Test

[Sphinx]

1. Street & Smith has Merrimack #14 in pre-season Division II rankings.
2. 19-12 last year, going to regional semi-finals of NCAA Div II tournament.
3. Returns four of five starters.
4. Led by 6-0 soph PG Juvares Hayes, pre-season All-America hon mention.
5. Hayes led all of Div II in total assists and APG last year. Had one game of 22 pts, 12 assists, 11 rebounds.
6. Leading scorer last year (18 ppg) 6-7 junior F Ryan Boulter.
7. Hayes and Boulter both three-point threats at 39% and 38% respectively.
8. Team has no listed center. Tallest returnee is Boulter at 6-7, a few 6-5's. One incoming frosh at 6-9.
9. PG Hayes top rebounder at 6.2 rpg last year. Boulter 4.6 rpg.

Hayes appears to be a bona-fide triple-threat. Boulter a sharpshooter. Team appears to have little inside presence. Not much length and no mid-sized banger.

This is a game where UConn's 3-pt defense will likely be tested, while Cobb, Carlton, Diarra will get a chance to operate inside.

For comparison, Southern beat this team 84-65 last year. UConn pummeled Southern in an exhibition 94-65. (But then UConn lost to Wagner in their next game.)

 

[B1GEast]

I really hope we don't lose this one.

 

[awfuldan]

Good. We need to be tested.

I would rather lose to this team than any team we face in the regular season. Doesn't matter if they are Division II. It's an exhibition. The guys need to be challenged in order to learn and grow as a team.

That said, I would love to blow 'em out and see a few Kwintin Williams dunks in garbage time.

 

[Kenny11]

Uconn -11.5

 

[jibsey]

I'm going to this game but was thinking it was no test compared to PC. We sagged on a lot of 3's so I hope we clean that up. Really want to see Larrier assert himself because I think he is the key to our season besides Jalen who we know will perform.

 

[Waquoit]

Doesn't the words "Merrimack A Decent Test" make you a bit sad. It's not exactly the Russian National Team.

 

[Pudge]

Doesn't the words "Merrimack A Decent Test" make you a bit sad. It's not exactly the Russian National Team.

it also is not the Baltimore AC Ballers ... or whatever.

Different times; and we are growing a Team - building a Program. I want to see a bunch of things happen before Oregon. Let's see.

 

[nomar]

Doesn't the words "Merrimack A Decent Test" make you a bit sad. It's not exactly the Russian National Team.

it also is not the Baltimore AC Ballers ... or whatever.

Different times; and we are growing a Team - building a Program. I want to see a bunch of things happen before Oregon. Let's see.

I don't mind playing them, but saying they should provide a good test is beyond sad.

 

[Palatine]

If we don't beat them like a rented mule, that would be disappointing.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Uconn -11.5

Doesn't the words "Merrimack A Decent Test" make you a bit sad. It's not exactly the Russian National Team.

Remember the days when beating a cupcake by 30 instead of by 50 was a cause for consternation?

 

[businesslawyer]

Doesn't the words "Merrimack A Decent Test" make you a bit sad. It's not exactly the Russian National Team.

For God's sake this. If playing Merrimack is the answer we are asking entirely the wrong questions.

 

[mauconnfan]

If they don't win by 100 I am going to become a PeeCee fan, sorry can't take this any more.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Doesn't the words "Merrimack A Decent Test" make you a bit sad. It's not exactly the Russian National Team.

I suspect it's a minority opinion, but It saddens me more that you write ,"Doesn't the words . . . make you a bit sad."

Either "Don't the words . . ." or "Doesn't the phrase . . ." would do.
My daughter and I have come to label it, "the dumbening up of America."

Some people expect more of the Huskies. I expect more of The Boneyard.
We both get our daily dose of disappointment.

 

[CL82]

If they don't win by 100 I am going to become a PeeCee fan, sorry can't take this any more.

I feel like by now there is a thread on the PC board saying "UConn fans have already decided to follow PC this year after the epic beat down we gave them" with a link to your post.

 

[sammydabiz]

I suspect it's a minority opinion, but It saddens me more that you write ,"Doesn't the words . . . make you a bit sad."

Either "Don't the words . . ." or "Doesn't the phrase . . ." would do.
My daughter and I have come to label it, "the dumbening up of America."

Some people expect more of the Huskies. I expect more of The Boneyard.
We both get our daily dose of disappointment.

Ehhh

TomAto, tomato

If that truly disappoints you, I have some Prozac to sell ya buddy, keep ya head up english nazi, things will get better

 

[Huskyforlife]

This game better never be in question. It’s D2 for ef sake.

 

[LIuconn]

This game better never be in question. It’s D2 for ef sake.

But what if their team has played together longer than ours?

 

[Kitaman]

If they don't win by 100 I am going to become a PeeCee fan, sorry can't take this any more.

The internet is forever or at least your lifetime.

 

[Waquoit]

I suspect it's a minority opinion, but It saddens me more that you write ,"Doesn't the words . . . make you a bit sad."

Either "Don't the words . . ." or "Doesn't the phrase . . ." would do.
My daughter and I have come to label it, "the dumbening up of America."

Some people expect more of the Huskies. I expect more of The Boneyard.
We both get our daily dose of disappointment.

FWIW, I wasn't sure but was too lazy to do the research.

 

[TRest]

it also is not the Baltimore AC Ballers ... or whatever.

Different times; and we are growing a Team - building a Program. I want to see a bunch of things happen before Oregon. Let's see.

I'm pretty sure KO inherited a program. One of the better ones.

 

[Stainmaster]

I'm pretty sure KO inherited a program. One of the better ones.

Yup, KO inherited a program that didn't face recruiting sanctions at the same time it was doomed into transitioning from the best basketball conference in the history of the sport to CUSA 2.0. Maintaining past levels of success should've been a walk in the park.

 

[TitleTown]

Division II Merrimack poses a "decent test"? This is really where our program is right now? Sad.

 

[TRest]

Yup, KO inherited a program that didn't face recruiting sanctions at the same time it was doomed into transitioning from the best basketball conference in the history of the sport to CUSA 2.0. Maintaining past levels of success should've been a walk in the park.

And he did a great job during the first two years, which should have been the hardest. All I want is some sign of competence and competitiveness from this coach and team. The conference isn't holding back the top teams in it, we should always be one.

 

[champs99and04]

Harsh crowd. I think most of us knew what the OP meant. It would be nice to see them play well against an opponent that isn't the equivalent of a tackling dummy, he's saying. Nobody is cutting down the nets after a victory, but if they can separate themselves athletically and demonstrate progress towards building cohesive units on both ends of the floor, I'll feel better about life.

 

[djct1999]

it also is not the Baltimore AC Ballers ... or whatever.

Different times; and we are growing a Team - building a Program. I want to see a bunch of things happen before Oregon. Let's see.

Different times indeed(especially if Merrimack is considered a good test). But lets make one thing clear, the Program was built. Construction began 30 plus years ago.