Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Ricker, post: 4351223, member: 1245"] An explanation because I wasn't intending to be particularly negative or controversial. I want to be clear, Ball & Ross are going to be Huskies so I am supportive. The reports of Ball's athleticism, strength, attitude, commitment to improvement, and ranking, are all thumbs up. Playing at Brewster allows me to watch him in person a few times against top competition from a few feet away. I'm looking forward to that. All subjective. If a guy projects to be good enough to impact high division 1 play, watching him live over 3.5 random games ought to at least find some stretches where he puts the team on his back. He has had 30 points in other games so he obviously has it in him, objectively. [USER=6696]@husky429[/USER] has given his assessments which I think are fair and not really different from mine. My only input is based on the particular games I watched live. I only posted what I saw because it's unfair to a kid if fan expectations for his impact are too high. My satisfaction 'gauge' is to have UConn regularly finishing in the top 4 of the conference, putting up a gallant fight to try to win the conference tournament, make the ncaa tourney, and have periodic deep runs. My view of players relates to being able to contribute delivering on these hopes. Subjectively, to meet my Uconn BB hopes, I am biased to favor players that have objective accomplishments, especially related to winning competitions, or they repeatedly meet the subjective 'eye test': Akinjo led his Oakland team to Peach Jam Championship and was MVP then was important to deep Baylor run. Floyd played well even out of position at PG in Peach Jam finals and was a winner, college we'll see Castle fights competition and makes a USA Team Karaban wins NEPSAC conference, is MVP, and shows well in Pangos Cream of the Crop game of top 100 players Clingan is top player in Pittsburg AAU field amongst tons of other top players Sanogo ate up top 100 players like Big Cliff in direct on court battles Richie Springs was statistically one of the top rebounders in AAU Andre Jackson it was just the eye test and putting the team on his back all the time Bouknight it was running plays for him, hitting 3's, and rundown effort to block breakaway layups, Anthony PG Objectively, I am unaware of Ball & Ross being associated as important cogs on championship teams, receiving accolades as top players in tournaments, or showing up as statistical leaders in scoring, rebounding, percentage shooting, assists, or other categories. (I haven't killed myself looking, so I could be wrong and unaware). Subjectively, you have [USER=6696]@husky429[/USER] breakdowns, and I have added impressions from 3.5 particular games. Not meant to be more than that. Their contributions at UConn aren't determined yet. Hurley has a vision for them. I'm routing for them. I expressed my disappointment that we didn't snag other particular players. I think that is legitimate because many are important cogs on winning teams, have made all tournament teams, are leaders in statistical categories, objectively were high ranked in numerous cases. Moreover, most were 'local', unofficially visited, and knew our players. I had hopes for a couple. My bad. (I'm still cling to hope that in the future, the transfer portal delivers somebody from my list). I'm done till I watch more games. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach