Niels Giffey will be a huge loss

[UconnU]

Looking at his advanced stats from last season.. He led our team in offensive efficiency by 13 points, fg%, efficiency fg %, 3pt %, 3rd in defensive rebounding %, 3rd in steals.... dude was a beast for us. Also, During the tourney he made his mind up that he was going to get boards and he was relentless on the glass... changed the dynamic of our team.

http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams/connecticut/

 

[primus74]

I, honestly, believe that his rebounding in the tournament was one of the top keys to winning the tournament. They got out-rebounded all year long and in the tourney they were even or ahead and that made a huge difference. He wasn't hitting threes in the first 5 games and looked like he just decided to do all the little things to help win (defense and boards). He did hit those huge 3's against Kentucky though. He's a huge loss.

 

[Rico444]

I know people want to say we're underrated going into next season, but Shabazz, Giffey, Kromah, and DeAndre are going to be ENORMOUS losses. Not saying we're going to stink next year, but it's definitely going to take some time for the team to find its new identity.

 

[Kitaman]

People don't realize how much he complimented Bazz in leadership. Where Bazz was vocal, even at times complaining, Giffey was cool, calming and actually patting players (i.e. encouraging) on the back. When Boat hurt his ankle in the Championship game it was Giffey who went to check on him. That stuff happened quite often. He was team Captain in every sense of the word.

He was the "everything will be okay", "I got your back", type of leader. That we will miss for sure.

 

[uchusky32]

People don't realize how much he complimented Bazz in leadership. Where Bazz was vocal, even at times complaining, Giffey was cool, calming and actually patting players (i.e. encouraging) on the back. When Boat hurt his ankle in the Championship game it was Giffey who went to check on him. That stuff happened quite often. He was team Captain in every sense of the word.

He was the "everything will be okay", "I got your back", type of leader. That we will missed for sure.

Can't underestimate what experience brings. The young guys should be more talented but look what we did to Kentucky. We'll be good but poised at clutch time? Boat will but those 4 you mention hit some really clutch game saving shots. Can't wait to see what the young guns will do!

 

[uchusky32]

Giff rebounded ran the floor well especially when he was guarded by a 4. And he stretch the floor during offensive sets. But what I appreciated most was and is he is a team first type of guy. He never complained about how many shots or touches he got. One could argue he need more of both.

 

[Husky68]

Good guys go and good guys step up. Agree re loss of 4 guys is important re skills and experience. Guys to step up are not mostly 18 year old kids who if at Kentucky looking at their draft status from day one but the two that are seem well positioned to play and get better over season. Hamilton could be a better freshman Calhoun, Lubin as an Adrien freshman year would be just fine. The other guys needed to fill the 4 roles noted all have experience. Samuel got some good minutes, he knows what needs to do and has a good base of size/strength and finishing at rim. Facey as have mentioned is 21 years old and got a good year of practice under his belt. Cassell is a red shirt sophomore who if anyone has a dad to show him how to play the game he does. Purvis is also a red shirt sophomore who played some serious minutes for NCST and was pretty effective as a freshman. Calhoun needs to 1st start making shots so that is not the issue when he plays, then get his body working and become a better overall player, he has a solid year under his belt and a year where he saw what was missing he his performance and has the coaches to help him fix it.
Overall looking at returning players to step up to fill roles (Nolan/Brimah/Boat not considered as they just need to continue to get better in their roles with adjusted responsibilities but consider these 3 as again filling out 2 starting roles) am quite pleased with solid potential and hopefully all will surprise like Giffey did for me last year.

 

[Danzz]

I, honestly, believe that his rebounding in the tournament was one of the top keys to winning the tournament. They got out-rebounded all year long and in the tourney they were even or ahead and that made a huge difference. He wasn't hitting threes in the first 5 games and looked like he just decided to do all the little things to help win (defense and boards). He did hit those huge 3's against Kentucky though. He's a huge loss.

Exactly. We really needed someone to step upon the boards and he did it for us against very good teams. Expectations of new players is fine but it will be the improvement of the returning players that will make or break our season. Nolan and Brimah will be key.

 

[Strummer]

He wasn't hitting threes in the first 5 games

Dude was 2 of 4 from 3 against St. Joes, where every point mattered hugely. He hit a HUGE 3 against Iowa state when they had pulled to within 2 shots very late in the game. I remember that well because it was at that moment that I thought we we're going to put it away - prior to that they had whittled the lead down and they had the momentum.
And, of course, he hit 2 HUGE 3s against UK.

If anybody is unsure about how much of an impact he had, rewatch the Nova game. Niels dominated.

 

[DreamSeason]

My favorite player last season not named Shabazz. Niels Giffey and Jeff Adrien are my all time '' Bleed Blue Collar'' Huskies.

 

[Scot-e]

Looking at his advanced stats from last season.. He led our team in offensive efficiency by 13 points, fg%, efficiency fg %, 3pt %, 3rd in defensive rebounding %, 3rd in steals.... dude was a beast for us. Also, During the tourney he made his mind up that he was going to get boards and he was relentless on the glass... changed the dynamic of our team.

http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams/connecticut/

Duh.

We are obviously DOOMED!!!!!!!

 

[GemParty]

Where can we find another Giffey clone? What high schooler is great from 3 & a tough defender/rebounder?

 

[Scot-e]

IF KO can get to the finish line with some of these kids he is talking to- we could have one of the most talented classes coming in we have ever had. It will be quality not quantity. The downside to players like Diamond Stone (if there is one) is that they will not stick around long enough to really develop- you have to hope they are impact guys from day one.

But if KO closes the deal on these kids you are upgrading from NG on most levels beside heart.

 

[Inyatkin]

I know people want to say we're underrated going into next season, but Shabazz, Giffey, Kromah, and DeAndre are going to be ENORMOUS losses. Not saying we're going to stink next year, but it's definitely going to take some time for the team to find its new identity.

Post-championship seasons have a way of being really frustrating, no matter how much talent you bring back. We're going to face plenty of that.

 

[Husky25]

Exactly. We really needed someone to step upon the boards and he did it for us against very good teams. Expectations of new players is fine but it will be the improvement of the returning players that will make or break our season. Nolan and Brimah will be key.

Omar comin'.

Mark my words. Instead of the rhythmic clapping to Jock Jams when introducing the starting lineup, Gampel (and the XL Center) should go pitch dark. After it's completely silent, play Farmer in the Dell. That would scare the crap out of any opponent!!!!

 

[J-dog]

Giffey's performance last year, especially in the tourney, totally changed his UConn legacy. Before that he just seemed like a nice role player that would at times seem to be too willing to acquiesce to those around him. Almost too nice a guy… Well, that perception all changed & this 2-time NCAA champion will surely be missed & very difficult to replace.

 

[blackbird]

Giffey is a winner.

That's really the best way to describe him. In both championships, he did what the team needed him to do to win. (In his freshman year, he was excellent in the championship game.)

Someone said this during the season, but to anyone who watched the women's team too..he was the Men's answer to Kelly Faris. And that's as good of a compliment coming from a women's fan of any. (Short of calling a player Taurasi, Bird, or Moore. And even then, Kelly's probably up there with the three of them for appreciation.)

Gif and Napier were special kids and special players. Regardless of how well the team plays next season, I'm going to miss having those two on the floor.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Niels' emergence as a rebounder seems to be a result of his finally letting go and becoming more aggressive. He became really good at getting back to the basket after a shot had gone up, grabbing and securing the rebounds so much stronger than when he was a freshman. He got stronger physically, but the main thing was his getting more in t0uch with his aggressive, competitive side (and this was mostly limited to rebounding). I still think that Niels was playing in a more constrained way than was best for him. I could see him improving a good deal more if he was forced into more of a "go to" guy role. He was often too loose as a freshman, but then got too tight in his play after getting reamed by JC more than was warranted. Niels was an essential piece to win the championship and could be even better with time and increased confidence.

 

[Scoe]

No question I will miss his calm and laid back demeaned we had our fiery leaders like Shabazz and Boatright, Niels and Deandre were the laid personality guys. I hope Gif doesn't become one of those guys you never see again, he will do great going forward hopeful he's given a shot at the NBA.

 

[Strummer]

Niels and Deandre were the laid personality guys.

I'm not a big laid personality guy.

 

[CTBasketball]

Napier/Giffey/Olander's career record was 104-41. He played a huge role in many of those wins.