Rick Issanza (C, 7'1", 225)

[Guapo]

Man this is crazy
The kid didn't have the heart or the drive to work on the things he was told to by not only KO's staff but pro scouts
He was a project coming in with limited basketball experience and frankly, based on the practice and off season efforts, he did as well as could be expected
you can lead a horse to water....
Glad you're happy - me too

I disagree, but obviously there's nothing to be done about it now so...

 

[intlzncster]

Too many recruits over the last 5 years either were late to the game or did not possess the innate basketball intelligence to pick up the principles. Some of them are still on our roster and expected to be major contributors going forward.

Quite frankly, I think most kids are lacking these days coming in, some much more than others of course. This is the problem with AAU and the "brand of basketball" being taught at that level.

Coaching BBIQ and fundamentals at the college level has being paramount. They don't get that as much at the high school level.

 

[mauconnfan]

If you could get the right coaches to work with that guy for a year or two. I don't think Ollie's staff knew how to coach up centers. They did an awful job with Brimah. Even Thabeet should have been so much better with the right teachers.

Yeah Calhoun sucked as a coach Thabeet would’ve been all world with the right coaches. Brimah and Thabeet don’t belong in the same paragraph.

 

[Ewekon]

Perfectly fine backup center project. He can play defense, rebound and get a put-back or two, that's all we are looking for behind Carlton. You hope he develops some back to the basket offensive skills, as Carlton has, and by the time he's a junior he's a solid contributor. You still recruit over him next year if you can.

There isn't any scenario where our team is going to be 12 4* and 5* guys. You need a bench of either experienced guys with low ceilings or projects that may turn into really good players.

I really think that on a real UConn team Carlton is the back up.

 

[intlzncster]

Yeah Calhoun sucked as a coach Thabeet would’ve been all world with the right coaches. Brimah and Thabeet don’t belong in the same paragraph.

Yeah whut? Thabeet was one of the greatest defensive centers in MCBB history. He developed nicely on offense as well. Never a 1st option, but he wasn't supposed to be. It's not like you want to turn him into Olajuwan.

 

[Scrutineer]

I really think that on a real UConn team Carlton is the back up.

It's been so long since we've had a real center that most of us are grasping at tall guys and praying.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I really think that on a real UConn team Carlton is the back up.

Last year I would have agreed. This year, he’s better as a sophomore than Kevin Freeman and many other UConn centers. Imagine a team of outside threats around him, and a real PF next to him. Guy could be very effective. He’s not the problem.

 

[intlzncster]

Last year I would have agreed. This year, he’s better as a sophomore than Kevin Freeman and many other UConn centers. Imagine a team of outside threats around him, and a real PF next to him. Guy could be very effective. He’s not the problem.

Kevin Freeman? I mean, he wasn't a center but ok. The problem with these comparisons is that the guys in past were playing against much better, more seasoned competition. They were also competing for time with players like that as well, so didn't get the burn.

Josh's biggest problem is his athletic limitations.

 

[Fishy]

Last year I would have agreed. This year, he’s better as a sophomore than Kevin Freeman and many other UConn centers. Imagine a team of outside threats around him, and a real PF next to him. Guy could be very effective. He’s not the problem.

Oh, God, no, he’s not better than Kevin Freeman as a sophomore.

He’s going to be a useful player, but no - Kevin Freeman might not have ever come out of a game yet this season if he were on the roster.

 

[mauconnfan]

Yeah whut? Thabeet was one of the greatest defensive centers in MCBB history. He developed nicely on offense as well. Never a 1st option, but he wasn't supposed to be. It's not like you want to turn him into Olajuwan.

No doubt he improved dramatically every year here not sure what weyo was even talking about. A lot of people underrate Thabeet even here just because he fell short after leaving UConn.