You're confusing issues. Yeah, Boatright missed a reverse after tweaking an ankle, but how does that have anything to do with Ollie teaching them focus or discipline? We led 20-9 early and didn't finish around the rim when we could have extended it. Finishing plays isn't on the coach.
There is one thing maybe we can say about coaching - we had 3 straight terrible possessions after we tied the game in the second half. Maybe we needed a TO after the first one - or some sort of better direction from the sidelines. Even then, we lost the loose ball that led to the Leslie garbage dunk when we had a chance to get the ball down 3. We still might have had a chance to pull it out with that one loose ball (Boat lost it).
But even if you hold that against KO, it is with the benefit of hindsight. One of those bad possessions saw Napier back-rim a tough 3 that he sometimes makes. If that went in, then it would be only one bad possession.
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He had back spasms this game. I'm hoping that was his main issue.I want the DD that was dunking over dudes on MSU, not bricking 3s vs everyone else.
He had back spasms this game. I'm hoping that was his main issue.
There were multiple poor decisions made by Boatright in the 1st half when we had a lead. Yes. I think Ollie can contribute a lot to teaching these guards how to run the offense and not to drive and wish.
they played hard out there tonight... and they play as a team and KO is clearly in control and respected by the players. there is no show boating or BS (not that we ever had much of that) but its a TEAM for sure.
my only complaint was no Time out at 3 minutes left in the first half. and i think he is still learning about the personal. We are talented though and Giffey and RJ are better than people think , IMO.
If you take Boatright out of attack mode, we have no offense (other than what Napier can generate). A lot of the open looks we got at 3's that built our lead started with Boat getting into the lane. Now when you attack, law of averages means a couple possessions will go poorly - but we clearly couldn't run plays to get the ball into Daniels or Calhoun's hands tonight. It was all Bazz and Boat (and whatever Wolf could provide as a bonus).
In that 4-22 stretch in the first half, we had good chances, and they were spread out. Evans didn't finish a couple times with easy ones (and had a third blocked), Napier missed at the rim once (and had another blocked) and missed a clean look at a 3, Omar missed a chippy (and chucked an air ball and a bad three), Wolf had a contested layup roll off, Daniels front-rimmed an open three, Giffey missed on a curl, and yes, Boat had three or so misses in there too (the reverse lay-up and a missed bank shot in the paint spring to mind).
But we hit the half and I honestly thought that other than a couple freshman moments from Omar, and our last possession of the half which was terrible, we were doing well on the offensive end. Just the lack of talent - and perhaps nagging injuries with Evans and Boat as a factor - was keeping us from being up by 10 or more. I never really thought in real time that coaching was even remotely an issue tonight, until perhaps that 6-0 late run when it felt like maybe we needed more sideline direction - but even that happened so fast (and was a Napier 3 away from being a non-issue).
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Good post. Huskies were down by 4 @ 59-55 with 2:29 left in the game. This turned out to be the most important possession of the game. DD was called for a traveling turnover. I noticed the facial expression on the face of Bazz after that play when looking at KO. I think in that spot it could reasonably be argued that it was a good time for a time out. Designing a play securing that the ball was in the hands of Bazz to create may very well have been the prudent move in retrospect. On the next possession a Leslie dunk put it back to 6 with 1:57 remaining. Boat then responded with a 3 to cut the lead to three with 1:57 left. It turned out to little to late and I think that possession was a turning point for an end game situation.
KO is great and already has earned a long term at least 3 year deal. The guys busted their as**** all night. A true credit to the character of Kevin Ollie and the players.
Not really loving what I am seeing. Kids seem off and not sharp. Is this what we are signing up to?
On a side note. I will celebrate when Dickie V is no longer. He has ruined so many basketball games.
You buried yourself. Stupid thread stupid way to try and save your as sThis was a reaction post. I have always liked Ollie. I actually have spent time with him before. Great guy. The Boatright play and Olander and DD was just so frustrating to watch. I would play Nolan and Wolf as much as possible. I would keep Olander at the 4 all game. Wolf can be decent if he gets the time. Olander could hold down the 4 for decent minutes. DD is not doing great. He seems to digress starting at his apex in Summer Ball every year and then during the year gets worse.
If Calhoun stepped down after 2011 and Ollie took over last year's team they would have gone back to the Final Four if not repeated.
You're confusing issues. Yeah, Boatright missed a reverse after tweaking an ankle, but how does that have anything to do with Ollie teaching them focus or discipline? We led 20-9 early and didn't finish around the rim when we could have extended it. Finishing plays isn't on the coach.
There is one thing maybe we can say about coaching - we had 3 straight terrible possessions after we tied the game in the second half. Maybe we needed a TO after the first one - or some sort of better direction from the sidelines. Even then, we lost the loose ball that led to the Leslie garbage dunk when we had a chance to get the ball down 3. We still might have had a chance to pull it out with that one loose ball (Boat lost it).
But even if you hold that against KO, it is with the benefit of hindsight. One of those bad possessions saw Napier back-rim a tough 3 that he sometimes makes. If that went in, then it would be only one bad possession.
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I do think a TO might have helped, but the lost ball was just the ball getting away from Boatright, he didn't even dribble it. I'm not sure a TO would have helped at all there.
Boatright is pressing, he's trying to do to much and is getting frustrated and not playing as well as he can. He reminds me a lot of sophomore Kemba.
Husky Dad,
Forget it. Doesn't matter what actually happens. The official position of the boneyard, which may not be violated, is this "Ollie is doing a great job." Other rules you must abide by include:
Recruits love Ollie. But they won't come to UConn because he only has a 1 year deal. so when he whiffs with a recruit it is Warde Manuel's fault.
Jim Calhoun bears no responsibility for the current state of the program.
The NCAA is out to get UConn.
Do not under any circumstances violate these rules.
Are you kidding? This UConn team is almost devoid of any returning or top frontcourt talent and has now beaten one top 25 team, lost to one by 6 and will lose to the other by 6 at most. I'm not sure what you are expecting.