Post Game Reactions and Expectations.

[Chief00]

Also, let's consider that's played 3 real games since the 2014-2015 season.

As always, Coach Calhoun's podcast was on target - he needs to work on his college game and not even think NBA yet. I also agree after an ACL it’s usual And 1 - meaning it takes a year of playing competitive ball to get back to where you were - and in Larrier’s case we could debate where that was?

 

[CL82]

My sense is you start Larrier. Vital comes in as the first guard off the bench, or comes in for Larrier if he's struggling in any particular game.

Feel good for Christian regardless. He's worked hard to improve his game and is playing with a ton of confidence.

 

[raf46]

The Next 3 games will tell us a lot more than the 3 exhibitions.

Not really. Colgate, Stony Brook, Boston U. awful schedule. Do not play for real until Dec 30. Merrimack and Queens. And they wonder why a total of 7000 showed up for the two exhibitions. I know a new team needs the games to define roles. But our home sched is a disgrace!

 

[Guapo]

Not really. Colgate, Stony Brook, Boston U. awful schedule. Do not play for real until Dec 30. Merrimack and Queens. And they wonder why a total of 7000 showed up for the two exhibitions. I know a new team needs the games to define roles. But our home sched is a disgrace!

This post is a disgrace.

Have you looked at our pre-Dec 30 schedule?

 

[Fishy]

Lol....we need to schedule better exhibition teams to improve attendance.

All right.

 

[BlueMAB]

Not really. Colgate, Stony Brook, Boston U. awful schedule. Do not play for real until Dec 30. Merrimack and Queens. And they wonder why a total of 7000 showed up for the two exhibitions. I know a new team needs the games to define roles. But our home sched is a disgrace!

Next three games, I agree, but....PK80???

Who is concerned about exhibition attendance?

 

[mauconnfan]

Not really. Colgate, Stony Brook, Boston U. awful schedule. Do not play for real until Dec 30. Merrimack and Queens. And they wonder why a total of 7000 showed up for the two exhibitions. I know a new team needs the games to define roles. But our home sched is a disgrace!

Pretty sure Kentucky will have a full house or close in 6 of their first 7 vs Utah Valley, Vermont, ETSU, Troy, Fort Wayne and UIC.

Duke will in their first 4 of 5 vs Elon, Utah Valley, Southern, Furman and Portland St.

Nova too with their first 5 vs columbia, Lafayette, Nicholls, Wes Kentucky and Penn

They all do it, UConns always did it but somehow there were full houses or close in the late 80's and 90's didn't matter who was coming in.

 

[raf46]

This post is a disgrace.

Have you looked at our pre-Dec 30 schedule?

Yes I have. You should. After BU it is Columbia, Monmouth and Coppin St. The same Coppin AB torched for 40.

 

[gtcam]

Not really. Colgate, Stony Brook, Boston U. awful schedule. Do not play for real until Dec 30. Merrimack and Queens. And they wonder why a total of 7000 showed up for the two exhibitions. I know a new team needs the games to define roles. But our home sched is a disgrace!

Are you responding to a 1979 post????
Have you looked at the pre January schedule? Are you only concerned with the home schedule?
The preseason is what it is - the schedule as to who you can play is dictated by NCAA

 

[Guapo]

Yes I have. You should. After BU it is Columbia, Monmouth and Coppin St. The same Coppin AB torched for 40.

Um, you're leaving out some key games there...

 

[tcf15]

Um, you're leaving out some key games there...

Think he's talking strictly home games.

 

[Wordbomar]

Win and people will come. Most attended game last year was Wagner... why? Because we were pre season top 25 and there was buzz around the team and program coming off a top 10 recruiting class and a NCAA tourney appearance.

 

[raf46]

Think he's talking strictly home games.

Yes, the home games. However, I will be in MSG and at every home game, with my UCONN on. Lets Go Huskies. We all want the best for the team.

 

[Guapo]

Yes, the home games. However, I will be in MSG and at every home game, with my UCONN on. Lets Go Huskies. We all want the best for the team.

I see, go Huskies.

 

[Excalibur]

One thing that I’ve taken from exhibition season is that the habit of giving up massive runs is still alive and well. A D2 team pulled off a 23-3 run around halftime.

For the first time in a very long time, I'm going into a season concerned that we are going to be awful. In fact, I don't recall ever feeling that. Maybe prior to the 2010-11 season (which thankfully I was very wrong about).

 

[Edward Sargent]

Pretty sure Kentucky will have a full house or close in 6 of their first 7 vs Utah Valley, Vermont, ETSU, Troy, Fort Wayne and UIC.

Duke will in their first 4 of 5 vs Elon, Utah Valley, Southern, Furman and Portland St.

Nova too with their first 5 vs columbia, Lafayette, Nicholls, Wes Kentucky and Penn

They all do it, UConns always did it but somehow there were full houses or close in the late 80's and 90's didn't matter who was coming in.

You have made a statement about Fans not coming out not scheduling

 

[MuchoDogYears]

Larrier’s not coming off the bench. He, Adams and Gilbert are the most talented players on the team and you’d sorta like them on the court when the game starts.

One thing that I’ve taken from exhibition season is that the habit of giving up massive runs is still alive and well. A D2 team pulled off a 23-3 run around halftime.

I didn't see the game. Did KO call a timeout early on in the run? Some coaches (JC) recognize a "run" soon after it starts and call a TO. There's a feel to the game some coaches have for when the momentum shifts.

Other coaches (KO?) need that "run" to hit double digits before they begin to realize something isn't right out there on the floor. And another 4 minutes of of "letting the players play through it" as everyone in the house is screaming for a TO before they finally call one.

That's where a player like Shabazz saved KO's butt many times by single handedly stopping another team's run without relying on the coach to do something.

I'm not a KO basher...but in-game adjustments, in-game "feel" has never been a strong point.

 

[awfuldan]

I didn't see the game. Did KO call a timeout early on in the run? Some coaches (JC) recognize a "run" soon after it starts and call a TO. There's a feel to the game some coaches have for when the momentum shifts.

Other coaches (KO?) need that "run" to hit double digits before they begin to realize something isn't right out there on the floor. And another 4 minutes of of "letting the players play through it" as everyone in the house is screaming for a TO before they finally call one.

That's where a player like Shabazz saved KO's butt many times by single handedly stopping another team's run without relying on the coach to do something.

I'm not a KO basher...but in-game adjustments, in-game "feel" has never been a strong point.

Yes, KO did call a time-out early in Colgate's run.

Also, UConn followed up that 23 - 3 run with a 15 - 0 run of their own. And won the game by almost 60 points.

 

[Huskymagic]

The only take away from these exhibitions is that our incoming big men are better players than expected.

Starting lineup will not be 3 little guards. It will be Jalen, Rique. Polley, Larrier, and probably Whaley.

I think Carlton and Whaley are the 2 best bigs on the roster and it's not even close. I'd probably start Whaley because of his activity and energy, and length is better than any other big.

 

[Son of Robert]

Vital has earned totally agree. But you can also argue the guards will be less effective without a threat to score from the foul line/perimeter or be able to take off the dribble from the perimeter. I mean you will have 2 low post guys in the line up with 3 guards and therefore the lane will be clogged on penetration. Larrier, as bad as people think he's been, is 0-8 from 3 but still shooting 44% over all. Take those 8 off the chart and you have a 50% shooter who just may need to realize his biggest impact is short jumpers and going to the hole when it's available.

Has he taken some bad shots, yeah but so has everyone else. Does he need to take care of the ball better, yep but so does everyone else. He needs to be in the lineup to keep things honest on the offensive end I believe and we need to give him time to get back on his feet per se. I mean he only played 2-3 games last year and now just 3 exhibitions, we need to be patient but we do need him and can't take away his confidence by sitting him. Just my 2 cents.

Christian Vital is playing very well on both ends of the court. His game is going to be better than last year and having him do what he does well is crucial to the team's success this year. Terry Larrier is a different player with arguably a much higher ceiling. He is 6:9 and long and mobile. Also very athletic with the skills of a guard. He is able to score from anywhere, mixing it up with the taller players Uconn will see most of the season. I submit that he has the best midrange game on the team, even if we haven't seen it all, and should be both one of our leading scorers as well as one of our top rebounders. Defensively he is able to guard multiple positions. Larrier in the lineup gives Uconn much more versatility than playing 3 smaller guards and two post players. He's a slasher, the guy in the lane, high post, low post, perimeter. Very hard to guard because of all this; very hard for other teams to match up with him. He is poised for a terrific season if he can pull it all together. Larrier is Uconn's X factor more so than anyone else. I do not think anyone is really sure exactly what level he will play at this year, but if he focuses on his shot selection, team play, and his defense, his contributions this year could be impressive. He is a gunner, there is no doubt, so toning this down fractionally, and looking for his teammates more as a facilitator, will really help not only himself as a player, but more importantly this team as a whole.

 

[dennismenace]

Just hope they are forced by KO to play team ball. I think this needs to be the discipline. You can't win with individual play; we don't have that kind of talent/experience. Begins and always returns to D. The discipline of "team" has to be enforced by the coach. He and he alone has that power. Lot of hungry players this year which is good. Need a complete makeover from last years mindset. I hope KO takes control of this team and is decisive about principles. Positive attitude yes. But enforce principles which as Chief and others pointed out always includes fundamentals and limiting bad decisions. Cannot settle for less.

 

[jibsey]

KO has loyalty to certain players. Larrier is starting and it doesn’t matter how lousy he plays. I happen to think we need to give him rope to get him going. KO gets an idea in his head and doesn’t seem to budge, I hope that KO shows flexibility this season and if Larrier doesn’t improve and perform not to keep running hom out there.

 

[Excalibur]

For the first time in a very long time, I'm going into a season concerned that we are going to be awful. ).

Need to trust my instincts, I guess . . .