Playing Without Akok

[businesslawyer]

That used to be true, when the NIT was sponsored by the MIBA, a group of NYC schools. That was certainly true in 1997, when UConn got in with a 14-14 record and went to the semi-finals. But since the NCAA took over in 2005, things have changed. The NCAA has explicitly stated that performance, not drawing potential, is primary. For example, regular season conference champions who do not make the NCAA tourney, now get preference over all others. Further, the selection committee is no longer a group of NYC metropolitan-area coaches and ADs. Nor does ESPN any longer have any say in the matter. It is a national committee which happens, at present, to be very Mid-Western and very lightly representative of the Northeast. Bottom-line, the NIT is not operated today as a fund-raiser for Northeast schools or a commercial-draw for ESPN. The NCAA views it as a national consolation tourney for worthy teams that don't quite make it to the NCAAs. Net-net, UConn needs to win some games.

66 teams make the dance. 32 more make the NIT. Yes, there are auto-bids for both, but I'm more confident than you that winning 3 of our last 4 and at least 1 in the tourney is sufficient for the NIT. I don't think they care how many AAC teams are in -- I think they try to do exactly what the NCAA does -- take their autobids (conference regular season champs who didn't make the dance) and then fill up the brackets with best teams available. If we wiin those games and have both Net and Ken Pom in the low 60s, I'm more confident than you.

 

[HuskyHawk]

66 teams make the dance. 32 more make the NIT. Yes, there are auto-bids for both, but I'm more confident than you that winning 3 of our last 4 and at least 1 in the tourney is sufficient for the NIT. I don't think they care how many AAC teams are in -- I think they try to do exactly what the NCAA does -- take their autobids (conference regular season champs who didn't make the dance) and then fill up the brackets with best teams available. If we wiin those games and have both Net and Ken Pom in the low 60s, I'm more confident than you.

Agreed. I think our ability to sell tickets and TV eyeballs plus our close losses against tournament teams makes us appealing. 3 of 4 plus one in the AAC should do it. That Temple loss hurt.

Meanwhile lets hope that not many regular season champs get knocked off in their tournaments. Houston, Gonzaga, SDSU and Dayton are all in anyway. Need Vermont to win and several others. Need Arizona State not to win the PAC regular season. Lots of lower level conferences in virtual ties right now.

 

[olehead]

Don't know if UConn beats Temple handily with Akok
PC gave the team 18/14 - even in his best of best I don't see Akok getting those results - he isn't aggressive enough on the offensive end to get those pts and offensive boards. The Temple guards were chewing up Bouk, Gaff and Adams - PC is fairly aggressive - had 2 blocks -
Dan Hurley would have had Akok probably on Rose or Scott due to Temples 3/4 guard lineup and Akok would have been in foul trouble and not allowed to cheat underneath and slide because he would be tied to his quicker assignment JMO

*PC=Porkchop for you casual fans.

 

[ToolzieFan]

For what it worth, an NIT Bracketogist has us as a #6 seed.

 

[Hankster]

Winning record almost assures us I believe. NIT would love UConn to make a run no doubt!

I am sure I am wrong but I do believe tournaments want exciting teams. We are the most exciting in the AAC for sure, and one of the top 5 in the nation. Nobody wants a dull tournament. Our losses are the most exciting I have seen this year. LOL Has to be worth something.

 

[Get a Job]

I am sure I am wrong but I do believe tournaments want exciting teams. We are the most exciting in the AAC for sure, and one of the top 5 in the nation. Nobody wants a dull tournament. Our losses are the most exciting I have seen this year. LOL Has to be worth something.

I haven't seen the latest AP Excitement Poll. Didn't realize we cracked the top 5.

 

[temery]

Just a little confirmation about how we've changed since losing Akok Akok..

A lot has been said about how the team is "developing" and plays "prettier" in the last week. That's clearly true, because as much as we love the young man and belive in his future, Akok was giving us nothing offensively the last few weeks we've played. The observations seem confirmed by a glance at Ken Pom this morning, where our offensive efficiency rating has moved into double digits for the first time that I can remember.

What hasn't been talked about, however, is that our defensive efficiency ratings have at the same time plummeted, and a glance this morning had us down roughly 20 spots in the fifties from where I recall being while Akok was playing.

So that is the recipe for the rest of the season. We can't replace Akok's defense with anyone on the roster, because Pork Chop and Josh aren't going to be on the floor together for most of the game, but between figuring out player's defensive roles and some more improvement from individuals (that's a hint James and Sidney), if we can get our team defense back to where it was a run in the AAC tourney or, more likely because of games not being played on consecutive days, the NIT, is not imposible to imagine.

You're proud yourself with your thread title, aren't you?

well done.

 

[businesslawyer]

You're proud yourself with your thread title, aren't you?

well done.

LOL. No, totally inadvertent.

But thank you fo making me spit a mouthful of tea across my office.