Missouri tonight

[djct1999]

Essentially, he left UConn and a legacy behind for 1 additional game. Classic mumu.

 

[uconnell]

Obviously Alex needed Chuck!

No Alex needed Kemba.

 

[Palatine]

Missouri was out rebounded by 20+. If that is what Alex was after he could have stayed in Storrs.

 

[Matt (Chicago)]

AO is not Lebron sorry hes not that important

And yet here you are sticking up for him. Everyone on this board appreciates what he did for us in 2011, just read some of the other threads about him. What people are upset about is how he trashed our HOF coach and program once he left. But you conveniently leave that out of your argument of course....

 

[mauconnfan]

Missouri was out rebounded by 20+. If that is what Alex was after he could have stayed in Storrs.

But according to so many he would've been "great " for the Huskies this year and they would have been better? This is one of the many reasons most are glad he was outta here........his mental toughness or lack thereof......

 

[BearJWS]

Essentially, he left UConn and a legacy behind for 1 additional game. Classic mumu.

You beat me to the punch!
It was fun seeing him crying for a call again... the usual, disbelieve look... Wide open eyes & mouth, both hands out, palms up... like "why no call, I'm Alex O?"...

 

[Waquoit]

Basically, everybody here is down on AO for being human. Nice.

 

[mauconnfan]

Basically, everybody here is down on AO for being human. Nice.

No they're not, they are down on him for not playing hard the year after he was handed a NC ring. For pouting like a 5 yr old and not meeting the challenge instead throwing daggers via the internet at his HOF coach for his own inabilities. If you see it any other way good for you....this was not a favorite amongst Husky fans for good reason!! And Lord knows it ended the way I wanted it to. Frank Haith handled him oh so well!! LOL

 

[BearJWS]

Basically, everybody here is down on AO for being human. Nice.

Opening a big can of worms with that comment. Maybe if Alex O & his father didn't insult UConn & Calhoun on his way out the door, didn't cry & pout during his time at UConn, there wouldn't be such backlash... You don't see this with Roscoe Smith.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I entered today with a lot of hatred towards AO. Watching these games its clear he made the right decision, unfortunately just the wrong school. Making the Tourney is where it's at. Like the feeling you get when you buy a powerball ticket, already planning your life as a multi-millionaire. He had that feeling one more time.

All I want from an incoming freshman at UConn is to have a primary goal of winning a nat'l championship. I cant blame a guy for going for a second title. As a senior If you told me I couldn't have a chance to play for a title, I'd leave before the ink dried on my release papers.

It's not about his decision to leave for most of us. It's about the way he did it. I've always contended that if he had just said "At this point I feel Missouri is the better place for me" and moved on, FAR fewer of us would shed a negative light on him.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I just looked at his stats they're insane i think he'd probably be averaging somewhere around 20 and 10 if he hadn't transferred. He'll get his shot at the NBA but it won't be guaranteed. I wish we could let go of this now though, oh how i wish that there won't be a thread when AO inevitably goes to the D league.

Doubtful that he'd be averaging more than he did at Mizzou if he had stayed. Keep in mind he played in a VERY weak SEC this year.

 

[Waquoit]

You bust a gut winning the national championship, make the all-Tournament team and the coach tosses you aside a few months later to make room for a shiny, new toy. Anyone would be pissed, resentful. So he makes a few comments on the way out the door. So what? He an amateur, he doesn't have professional handlers and spin doctors working for him. I should be surprised about the amount of people who give a couple comments more weight than winning an NC, but I'm not. We're UConn fans, after all.

 

[Waquoit]

It's not about his decision to leave for most of us. It's about the way he did it.

So you're about style over substance, fine.

 

[NCHusky91]

Alex was just an average player, that's all. He never really developed into a stud like his size and strength indicated he could have. His coordination was always a bit lacking. Even knowing the way last year worked out, I would take a stud like Drummond 100% of the time.

 

[mauconnfan]

You bust a gut winning the national championship, make the all-Tournament team and the coach tosses you aside a few months later to make room for a shiny, new toy. Anyone would be pissed, resentful. So he makes a few comments on the way out the door. So what? He an amateur, he doesn't have professional handlers and spin doctors working for him. I should be surprised about the amount of people who give a couple comments more weight than winning an NC, but I'm not. We're UConn fans, after all.

BS "tossed aside"...he was given the same opportunity he had when he won a NC and he came back the same player with a chi**ier attitude, not better like others have been. He was expected to play next to AD not tossed side due to his arrival so that's complete BS....he couldn't handle the competitive situation and instead of manning up he went in to a childish rampage both on the bench and off the court. I am a UConn fan and while I love winning NC's that does not make the players I root for! Did Ray win one, Doron, Kevin Ollie???? Please you choose to support his crap that's fine but don't throw the NC card out there, that's not the way it ended with him like it or not!

I would prefer KO, Ray Ray, Doron, Yell and Donny on my team than this guy.........any day and they have no rings. I am a Uconn fan after all right?

 

[Waquoit]

The abuse level I'm reading far exceeds simply not rooting for the guy, mau. And I gotta laugh at the "don't throw the NC card" comment. As if an NC is nothing. You remember those times when making the tournament was cause for celebration and an FF was but a dream. You sound like a WBB fan there.

 

[UConn990411]

You bust a gut winning the national championship, make the all-Tournament team and the coach tosses you aside a few months later to make room for a shiny, new toy. Anyone would be pissed, resentful.

I think it's fair to blame Calhoun for some of Alex's early struggles - after the sophomore season he had, it never made sense that Oriakhi suddenly started getting Calhoun's quick hook again.

But AO got his chances to play extended minutes later in the season, both with and without Drummond on the court, and he pretty much sucked every time. He has himself to blame more than anyone.

I would have wished him well had he just left for Missouri and gone about his business, but he continued to run his mouth off about Calhoun all season. Add in the fact that he was thinking transfer before UConn's season ended last year and, well, it just doesn't give me a favorable impression of the kid.

But he is just that - a kid - and UConn wouldn't have won its third championship without him. I hope he succeeds in basketball or whatever he does, but at the same time, I won't be rooting for him either.

 

[ClumsyLibrarian]

Numbers lie.

He was not particularly impressive by any stretch this year - looks like Tarzan, tends to play like Jane.

He'll get some D-League attention and it would probably be good for him to head there. The guys who tend to excel overseas are usually the tougher sorts who aren't worn down by the nonsense of constantly being cut, paychecks being late, etc. Alex would not do well there.

One additional thing - Phil Pressey is a really good kid. But as a point guard, he's a grenade with the pin pulled.

Who remembers when AO first left and his parting shots were, "Phil is the best point guard I've ever played with in my life." Or something close to that? Just a clear shot at Kemba. Well, Phil really proved himself this tournament...

 

[Scoe]

And yet here you are sticking up for him. Everyone on this board appreciates what he did for us in 2011, just read some of the other threads about him. What people are upset about is how he trashed our HOF coach and program once he left. But you conveniently leave that out of your argument of course....

I have stated my opinion on it and AO SR is a dick. Im over it though its time to move on. You can either give AO more power by continuing to be upset at him or you can move on its your choice.

 

[BearJWS]

You bust a gut winning the national championship, make the all-Tournament team and the coach tosses you aside a few months later to make room for a shiny, new toy. Anyone would be pissed, resentful. So he makes a few comments on the way out the door. So what? He an amateur, he doesn't have professional handlers and spin doctors working for him. I should be surprised about the amount of people who give a couple comments more weight than winning an NC, but I'm not. We're UConn fans, after all.

Bust a gut? Really? I don't think anyone saw Alex "bust a gut" last year. He bragged about how he improved his game going into the 2011-2012 season but regressed in every facet. He forgot how to catch a ball, his scoring went down, he forgot how to rebound. His defense fell behind. He started the season as a starter, but his play was terrible, so he got demoted for Andre Drummond. Then even when inserted back into the starting line up with Drummond, he still under performed. He blamed it all on Calhoun. Calhoun didn't miss those shots, Calhoun didn't drop all those passes, Calhoun didn't miss those rebounds, Calhoun didn't miss those blown defensive assignments. Calhoun did get angry at him for it & pulled him for someone who could. Alex pouted & complained. Additionally, all season long Alex vented via Facebook/Twitter about how he was being misused. Not to mention Alex's father did the same. Then upon leaving, Alex took more pot shots. Alex has no one to blame but himself.

 

[Dogdeacon]

So you're about style over substance, fine.

Style?! - I think the contention would be that what he said revealed more about his character and 'substance'. In any walk of life it is bad form (again not style) to talk poorly about former employer, a competitor, colleagues etc..

For me it was weird watching him. I kind of wanted him to do well, but didn't mind seeing his shortcomings (rebounding tenacity) exposed either.

If Colorado State can control the boards like that they have a chance against Louisville. But I kinda think Missouri still had its chances and would have been in the game if they had any offensive coherence and could have played defense for more than 10 seconds per possession. So probably Louisville by 15

 

[Scoe]

I think it's fair to blame Calhoun for some of Alex's early struggles - after the sophomore season he had, it never made sense that Oriakhi suddenly started getting Calhoun's quick hook again.

But AO got his chances to play extended minutes later in the season, both with and without Drummond on the court, and he pretty much sucked every time. He has himself to blame more than anyone.

I would have wished him well had he just left for Missouri and gone about his business, but he continued to run his mouth off about Calhoun all season. Add in the fact that he was thinking transfer before UConn's season ended last year and, well, it just doesn't give me a favorable impression of the kid.

But he is just that - a kid - and UConn wouldn't have won its third championship without him. I hope he succeeds in basketball or whatever he does, but at the same time, I won't be rooting for him either.

It seemed like there was a lack of communication on AO and JC part. AO went about it the wrong way he should have approached Calhoun in private rather then post things on twitter. The whole point of getting AD was to form a frontcourt duo, find a way for those guys to play together rather then make it a competition. You need to make sacrifices in order to win a championship. Communication is key when trying to put together a talented team, oh well it is what it is.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

So you're about style over substance, fine.

No, but I will hold it against someone if they take unnecessary shots at Calhoun and the program for no reason other than to make themselves feel better. If a good employee of yours took a higher paying job somewhere else, I'm guessing you wouldn't have an issue. If, however, on their way out they told you to , I'm guessing that might overshadow some of the good times.

 

[aceboon]

Who remembers when AO first left and his parting shots were, "Phil is the best point guard I've ever played with in my life." Or something close to that? Just a clear shot at Kemba. Well, Phil really proved himself this tournament...

He actually said it during the offseason before the 11-12 season. Funny comment I saw on twitter from one of the CBB writers who said he once asked a BE coach why they didn't recruit Pressey. He said that for every game that he'll win, he'll end up losing you 3 more.

 

[LIUCHusky]

I entered today with a lot of hatred towards AO. Watching these games its clear he made the right decision, unfortunately just the wrong school. Making the Tourney is where it's at. Like the feeling you get when you buy a powerball ticket, already planning your life as a multi-millionaire. He had that feeling one more time.

All I want from an incoming freshman at UConn is to have a primary goal of winning a nat'l championship. I cant blame a guy for going for a second title. As a senior If you told me I couldn't have a chance to play for a title, I'd leave before the ink dried on my release papers.

I'm glad you were never a teammate of mine.