OkaForPrez
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Overcoming adversity is a core value in American culture. It's the central plotline in all of our sports movies and something we love about sports. The wonderful part of this UConn team is just how much of it is currently baked into the team and players.
The Team - Our seniors started in this program with the first consecutive losing seasons since the Perno years. Don't forget that Polley, Whaley and Carlton are Ollie guys. Their freshman and sophmore campaigns were both sub .500. Their head coach was fired and their incoming headcoach's HOF dad commented how under developed they were physically the day his son took over the program. They stayed. They built up their games and help lay the foundation for new players. Corona cuts short their turn around season, robs them of the prep time heading into big east play.
Hurley - Dan Hurley quit basketball in 1993. He had lost his love of the game and if it wasn't for George Blaney! he may never have become the Coach he is today. Overcoming adversity is so much a part of Dan Hurley that its no surprise he excels at building programs.
The Seniors:
Zay - 2.6 pts an 2.2 RB in 14 MPG starting 12 as a freshman. Slashed to garbage time his Sophmore year. Bursts on the scene following Akok's injury. Some on this board are now talking about him in the league.
Tyler - works his way up from a low 30s to 40s+ 3pt shooter. Blows out knee. Doesn't get time to work out the kinks coming back from injury. Shot looks truly broken in early season play. Jumps out of phone booth wearing cape to save us in Milwaukee.
Josh - One of the most hot and cold relationships with the UConn fan base this side of Taliek Brown. Left for dead (twice?). Embracing his role as first big off the bench. Playing angry, providing energy.
The Junior:
Brendan - Reminds me a bit of Rash Jones. Was asked to do more than he should have been as an underclassman. Settling into his role as a reserve guard. Overplaying right now but playing hard. I have high expectations for him in the back half of this season. I think he's going to be vitally important. No pun intended?
The Sophomores:
Akok - Fan Favorite. Amida hustle. Kemba exuberance. Emeka timing. Horrific Injury. Fights back to ahead of schedule return. Can't wait to see him on the court again.
Bouk - Had to overcome off court issues as a freshman and a late start. Asked to be the guy as a Sophmore. That's not easy. It broke Bazz for a while. Seeks contact to draw fouls, spends half his time on the floor literally on the floor. Shows every bit of the brass required to live up to the challenge. Never seems phased on the court. Reminds of Ben Gordon in that regard.
Gaff - Still figuring it out but already taking heavy criticism for half the underproduction at pg. The feel good side of this one remains to be seen. I've like his aggressiveness dribbling into the pockets of the 2-3 at times and his aggressive take down the stretch against Marquette.
The Transfers:
RJ - 3 Star ranked 479th nationally by 247. Loved UConn as a kid and dreamt of playing for us. Wasn't good enough out of highschool. Grinded his way into a UConn uniform and now starts at PG and plays 30 mpg. Defense has been stellar. Goat for the Creighton loss. Bounces back and hits late FT's against Marquette.
Rese- 3 star ranked 220 nationally by 247. Has been one of the best players on the court at times for us. Rebounding and toughness drawing comps to Donny Marshall one of the most beloved huskies of his era.
These are awesome storylines. Every one of them. This team is as much fun to root for as any I can remember. Every game is special and we need to remember that after losses and especially after games are scrubbed. My only hopes for this team is to see as much of them as possible.
The Team - Our seniors started in this program with the first consecutive losing seasons since the Perno years. Don't forget that Polley, Whaley and Carlton are Ollie guys. Their freshman and sophmore campaigns were both sub .500. Their head coach was fired and their incoming headcoach's HOF dad commented how under developed they were physically the day his son took over the program. They stayed. They built up their games and help lay the foundation for new players. Corona cuts short their turn around season, robs them of the prep time heading into big east play.
Hurley - Dan Hurley quit basketball in 1993. He had lost his love of the game and if it wasn't for George Blaney! he may never have become the Coach he is today. Overcoming adversity is so much a part of Dan Hurley that its no surprise he excels at building programs.
The Seniors:
Zay - 2.6 pts an 2.2 RB in 14 MPG starting 12 as a freshman. Slashed to garbage time his Sophmore year. Bursts on the scene following Akok's injury. Some on this board are now talking about him in the league.
Tyler - works his way up from a low 30s to 40s+ 3pt shooter. Blows out knee. Doesn't get time to work out the kinks coming back from injury. Shot looks truly broken in early season play. Jumps out of phone booth wearing cape to save us in Milwaukee.
Josh - One of the most hot and cold relationships with the UConn fan base this side of Taliek Brown. Left for dead (twice?). Embracing his role as first big off the bench. Playing angry, providing energy.
The Junior:
Brendan - Reminds me a bit of Rash Jones. Was asked to do more than he should have been as an underclassman. Settling into his role as a reserve guard. Overplaying right now but playing hard. I have high expectations for him in the back half of this season. I think he's going to be vitally important. No pun intended?
The Sophomores:
Akok - Fan Favorite. Amida hustle. Kemba exuberance. Emeka timing. Horrific Injury. Fights back to ahead of schedule return. Can't wait to see him on the court again.
Bouk - Had to overcome off court issues as a freshman and a late start. Asked to be the guy as a Sophmore. That's not easy. It broke Bazz for a while. Seeks contact to draw fouls, spends half his time on the floor literally on the floor. Shows every bit of the brass required to live up to the challenge. Never seems phased on the court. Reminds of Ben Gordon in that regard.
Gaff - Still figuring it out but already taking heavy criticism for half the underproduction at pg. The feel good side of this one remains to be seen. I've like his aggressiveness dribbling into the pockets of the 2-3 at times and his aggressive take down the stretch against Marquette.
The Transfers:
RJ - 3 Star ranked 479th nationally by 247. Loved UConn as a kid and dreamt of playing for us. Wasn't good enough out of highschool. Grinded his way into a UConn uniform and now starts at PG and plays 30 mpg. Defense has been stellar. Goat for the Creighton loss. Bounces back and hits late FT's against Marquette.
Rese- 3 star ranked 220 nationally by 247. Has been one of the best players on the court at times for us. Rebounding and toughness drawing comps to Donny Marshall one of the most beloved huskies of his era.
These are awesome storylines. Every one of them. This team is as much fun to root for as any I can remember. Every game is special and we need to remember that after losses and especially after games are scrubbed. My only hopes for this team is to see as much of them as possible.