Remember 2011? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Remember 2011?

I get the OP wants to be positive, you yourself has already answered your own questions. If people wanna vent let them.
 
Scoe said:
I get the OP wants to be positive, you yourself has already answered your own questions. If people wanna vent let them.
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I’m venting as well. I guess we all need to let off some steam.

As @Travelman6 said above, let’s see what they do against Nova
 
Scott2Tate said:
Hear me out. Yes, this loss to SH was horrendous. As a Xennial, I remember the 2011 Kemba season miraculous run to the NC (They had 9 losses that season, and as I recall only got into the tournament bc they won the BE tournament). Do I think this team can do the same and win the NC? Realistically not, but who knows? I’ve been shocked before (the first time literally is the reason behind my name). Do I think they are as terrible as so many have posted since the game? No!
Perhaps I’m a glass half full kinda person, but this is when our team needs our support, not a total dragging. Bright spot for all of the AK haters? He started hitting his 3s again. I’ll take that as a win. (And will now brace for all the BYers who will inevitably tell me what an idiot I am…)
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Okay, but what’s an Xennial?
 
Scott2Tate said:
Hear me out. Yes, this loss to SH was horrendous. As a Xennial, I remember the 2011 Kemba season miraculous run to the NC (They had 9 losses that season, and as I recall only got into the tournament bc they won the BE tournament). Do I think this team can do the same and win the NC? Realistically not, but who knows? I’ve been shocked before (the first time literally is the reason behind my name). Do I think they are as terrible as so many have posted since the game? No!
Perhaps I’m a glass half full kinda person, but this is when our team needs our support, not a total dragging. Bright spot for all of the AK haters? He started hitting his 3s again. I’ll take that as a win. (And will now brace for all the BYers who will inevitably tell me what an idiot I am…)
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Forgetting everything else, we were a three seed in that tournament (which means we would have been at worst the 12th team on the committee's S curve when they filled out the field). As 37 schools received at-large bids that year, we would have had to have jumped at least 25 spots if we weren't in the tournament prior to the BE tournament.

Additionally, eleven BE schools made that tournamrnt. We were the ninth seed in the BE tournament, which, if no non-conference results were considered we still would have been in. In non-conference play that year we were undefeated and won the Maui Invitational, beating Michigan St & Kentucky, who both were ranked the entire season and spent time in the top five.

We were nowhere near the bubble when that BET started.
 
I'd say this years Uconn team has a probability being closer to last years North Carolina State Wolfpack final 4 team that went a wild "26-15" record.

Uconn could finish a lowly 18-13, 10-10 in the big east. Win 4 in a row to win the Big East tourney...and they go 22-13.

They become a 10 or 11 seed in the NCAA tourney. They get to the final 4 and finish with a record of 26-14.

Thought?
 
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The comparison to 2011 is a tough one. That squad had a generational talent, a physical low post defender, a good rotation of wing players, and role players who did their job well. Also, they showed glimpses of how great they could be by winning a tough Maui slate at the start of the season.
 
Scott2Tate said:
Hear me out. Yes, this loss to SH was horrendous. As a Xennial, I remember the 2011 Kemba season miraculous run to the NC (They had 9 losses that season, and as I recall only got into the tournament bc they won the BE tournament). Do I think this team can do the same and win the NC? Realistically not, but who knows? I’ve been shocked before (the first time literally is the reason behind my name). Do I think they are as terrible as so many have posted since the game? No!
Perhaps I’m a glass half full kinda person, but this is when our team needs our support, not a total dragging. Bright spot for all of the AK haters? He started hitting his 3s again. I’ll take that as a win. (And will now brace for all the BYers who will inevitably tell me what an idiot I am…)
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Is it possible we get to the Elite 8, yes but very unlikely. It’s possible because in any given game Karaban or Solo or Diarra could have terrific breakout games, it’s possible because Mahaney could come off the bench to add 20 points or Tarris with the game going down to the wire makes big bucket after big bucket, or McNeeley scores 45, or Stewart makes 5 three’s in a row. It’s possible, but don’t bet on it. On the flip side, maybe it’s not possible because Karaban still can’t make an inbounds pass, or McNeeley or Samson go into halftime with 4 fouls, or Diarra hurts his knee again. :eek:
 
FfldCntyFan said:
Forgetting everything else, we were a three seed in that tournament (which means we would have been at worst the 12th team on the committee's S curve when they filled out the field). As 37 schools received at-large bids that year, we would have had to have jumped at least 25 spots if we weren't in the tournament prior to the BE tournament.

Additionally, eleven BE schools made that tournamrnt. We were the ninth seed in the BE tournament, which, if no non-conference results were considered we still would have been in. In non-conference play that year we were undefeated and won the Maui Invitational, beating Michigan St & Kentucky, who both were ranked the entire season and spent time in the top five.

We were nowhere near the bubble when that BET started.
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That was ESPN and the rest of the medias narrative. We were a lock to be in
 
Scott2Tate said:
Hear me out. Yes, this loss to SH was horrendous. As a Xennial, I remember the 2011 Kemba season miraculous run to the NC (They had 9 losses that season, and as I recall only got into the tournament bc they won the BE tournament). Do I think this team can do the same and win the NC? Realistically not, but who knows? I’ve been shocked before (the first time literally is the reason behind my name). Do I think they are as terrible as so many have posted since the game? No!
Perhaps I’m a glass half full kinda person, but this is when our team needs our support, not a total dragging. Bright spot for all of the AK haters? He started hitting his 3s again. I’ll take that as a win. (And will now brace for all the BYers who will inevitably tell me what an idiot I am…)
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The coaches should make everyone who may possibly bring the ball up court watch tape of Kemba breaking a double team. He was absolutely flawless at doing so and usually ended up on a 5v3 situation in our favor.
 
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2011. 2011. What happened in 2011? Its here somewhere...but where?
Book Looking GIF by GritTV
 
Scott2Tate said:
Hear me out. Yes, this loss to SH was horrendous. As a Xennial, I remember the 2011 Kemba season miraculous run to the NC (They had 9 losses that season, and as I recall only got into the tournament bc they won the BE tournament). Do I think this team can do the same and win the NC? Realistically not, but who knows? I’ve been shocked before (the first time literally is the reason behind my name). Do I think they are as terrible as so many have posted since the game? No!
Perhaps I’m a glass half full kinda person, but this is when our team needs our support, not a total dragging. Bright spot for all of the AK haters? He started hitting his 3s again. I’ll take that as a win. (And will now brace for all the BYers who will inevitably tell me what an idiot I am…)
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Do you remember that UConn played 11 games against ranked opponents in the BE conference and tournament alone including 5 against the #5 and #6 teams? And 3 non-conference games against teams that were ranked? And that 4 others in conference were against teams in the “others receiving votes” category? And despite losing 9 league games we ended the year ranked #9 in the AP poll? To say nothing of having the best player in the country. If this team makes a run in the NBE it will more resemble Georgetown’s than the 2011 UConn. That team played an absolutely brutal regular season to the point where the NCAA tournament seemed like a vacation.
 
2011. We were losing games ( 9 regular season) and there was plenty of talk about whether we were making the tournament that year or not PLUS fans were so aggravated they was little enthusiasm to go to the BE tournament.

That of course spawned Makers Muppet, the best post in UConn board history up to then and now and forever, and the magic ensued.
We then went through a strong BE tourney field playing and winning 5 games, the highlight being Kemba’s step back breaker against hated Pitt. But we pulled a 3 seed by virtue of that BE performance beating AZ and KU on the way to Butler.

But I think everyone here is right that we dont have the strong guard play and toughness to repeat that scenario.
To repeat that we would have maybe 1 more game to lose and then run the BE and that probably doesn’t get but a 5 seed.
 
Geeeezuuuzz. I was not comparing every single detail and member of the 2011 team to this team, I was only trying to bring some hope to fellow Husky fans after such a crappy loss.

I remember the 2011 team was pretty low in the BE standings, which forced them to go through 5 games to win the BET, and then unbelievably went on to win the championship. As I said, I thought I remembered that they had to win the BET to get into the NCAAs. I was clearly wrong (it has been 14 years…I’m not perfect). My apologies and I guess thanks for pointing out the multiple errors I made by not checking the details first.

My point is that I don’t think anyone foresaw what was coming in the run to the BE and championship, even with Cardiac Kemba leading the team. My hope is that perhaps this team can find some of the same magic and have a respectable end to the season. I’d be happy with a win in the first weekend.
 
jibsey said:
2011. We were losing games ( 9 regular season) and there was plenty of talk about whether we were making the tournament that year or not PLUS fans were so aggravated they was little enthusiasm to go to the BE tournament.

That of course spawned Makers Muppet, the best post in UConn board history up to then and now and forever, and the magic ensued.
We then went through a strong BE tourney field playing and winning 5 games, the highlight being Kemba’s step back breaker against hated Pitt. But we pulled a 3 seed by virtue of that BE performance beating AZ and KU on the way to Butler.

But I think everyone here is right that we dont have the strong guard play and toughness to repeat that scenario.
To repeat that we would have maybe 1 more game to lose and then run the BE and that probably doesn’t get but a 5 seed.
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All true. But we also played an absolutely brutal schedule. The Big East was incredibly deep. Plus we played I think 3 other ranked teams, not to mention 2 games against teams that were ranked when we played them but subsequently fell out, and 3 Big East teams that were ranked for most of the year but ultimately ended up just outside the top 25. If you put that schedule in front of Hurley he, and most current coaches honestly, would go hide under their beds.
 
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freescooter said:
All true. But we also played an absolutely brutal schedule. The Big East was incredibly deep. Plus we played I think 3 other ranked teams, not to mention 2 games against teams that were ranked when we played them but subsequently fell out, and 3 Big East teams that were ranked for most of the year but ultimately ended up just outside the top 25. If you put that schedule in front of Hurley he, and most current coaches honestly, would go hide under their beds.
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Yes you are right about the schedule then. I remember a home game we lost to Marquette I think. The crowd was not happy.
We need some magic to happen. Anyone know where Makers is?
 
3rdbass said:
I guess the OP is hoping that McNeeley is that but I don't see it.
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Nope- I know enough to say there is no Kemba on this team, but we have players that can have great success if they get their together. Just imagine if Karaban, McNeeley, and Ball put a string of games together when they are all playing at or near their peak. That’s the magic I’m hoping we see (however unrealistic it may seem to others…we’ve seen crazier things happen as Uconn fans).
 
Scott2Tate said:
Nope- I know enough to say there is no Kemba on this team, but we have players that can have great success if they get their together. Just imagine if Karaban, McNeeley, and Ball put a string of games together when they are all playing at or near their peak. That’s the magic I’m hoping we see (however unrealistic it may seem to others…we’ve seen crazier things happen as Uconn fans).
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Let’s hope we see something like what you’re saying, in March. I would add Diarra and Mahaney to that list also. If Mahaney can have a 17 or 20 pt game like he did earlier in the season, that helps us a lot and if Diarra’s knee heals in time then we have improve 100%.
 
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Hoophound said:
The real question is whether or not Liam McNeeley can pull a Carmelo Anthony. I don't think so, but I'll watch him give it a shot.
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There is a scenario where:

AK finds himself
Solo gets back to shooting 44% from three
Liam settles into the player he was pre-injury, balanced scorer/passer
Hass gets healthy
Our 5's are productive and not nitwits

We get decent minutes from our bench, and figure out a way to play reasonable defense.

The player that I think needs to get hot is Karaban. The way I see it is that Hurley is already fed up with this team and he's going to let his guy go out winning/losing it for us. He's also the team leader and needs to show b@lls when it matters.

This isn't a one man team. We aren't riding the back of anyone to make a run, would have to be collective. I am not expecting another Creighton game from Liam again this season, unique situation.
 
CONN78SEJ said:
Let’s hope we see something like what you’re saying, in March. I would add Diarra and Mahaney to that list also. If Mahaney can have a 17 or 20 pt game like he did earlier in the season, that helps us a lot and if Diarra’s knee heals in time then we have improve 100%.
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Mahaney has scored 16 points total in the last five games, I'm not holding my breath. Diarra is a gamer but he's down to one leg at this point. Are these things possible? Sure. Likely? Not at all.

The two major flaws of this team are the same as they've been since Maui - they suck on defense (terrible perimeter defense and no Clingan-like presence at the rim to cover for that) and there's no one on offense whose strength is getting a bucket out of nothing. Liam is probably the closest but I think he's just an extremely good complimentary piece like AK rather than a primary scorer. AK tried to assume the mantle but he can't drive at all and his shot has abandoned him, so paradoxically the more he presses the more he gets away from the things like cutting etc that made him as good as he can be on offense the last few years. His cuts - and the offense in general - don't really work right now though because no one is afraid of a UConn playing taking them off the dribble or hitting big shots in their face, so they can stick like glue to their man. At this point Dan Hurley's sets are useless motion and empty cardio - everyone is running to the same spot but no one can score, so they run through the motion until the shot clock winds down and something gets jacked up.
 
PAHusky said:
Mahaney has scored 16 points total in the last five games, I'm not holding my breath. Diarra is a gamer but he's down to one leg at this point. Are these things possible? Sure. Likely? Not at all.

The two major flaws of this team are the same as they've been since Maui - they suck on defense (terrible perimeter defense and no Clingan-like presence at the rim to cover for that) and there's no one on offense whose strength is getting a bucket out of nothing. Liam is probably the closest but I think he's just an extremely good complimentary piece like AK rather than a primary scorer. AK tried to assume the mantle but he can't drive at all and his shot has abandoned him, so paradoxically the more he presses the more he gets away from the things like cutting etc that made him as good as he can be on offense the last few years. His cuts - and the offense in general - don't really work right now though because no one is afraid of a UConn playing taking them off the dribble or hitting big shots in their face, so they can stick like glue to their man. At this point Dan Hurley's sets are useless motion and empty cardio - everyone is running to the same spot but no one can score, so they run through the motion until the shot clock winds down and something gets jacked up.
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Well you’re partially right, but are missing the fact that lately our bigs, Reed and Johnson have been invisible. Two games ago they both scored a combined 7 points and last game scored a combined 2 points. Earlier in the season, both contributed, but lately they have been terrible. Opposing coaches see that and focus there defense on our perimeter scorers.
 
maybe get matched against Arkansas in first game of the tourney. That's a wonderful gift! All you have to do is prepare and have a game plan against Cal and you beat him
 
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