Shabazz deserves his own thread

[superjohn]

He was magnificent today showing off his total floor game. In the first half, he was in facilitator mode and as the game was tight in the second half he just took over offensively, while still getting others involved. He was stealing the ball, making good passes and scoring whenever it was needed. His defense was subpar at times last year, this year he's been pretty damn good on D all year long. Shabazz is the best point guard in the Big East and one of the best in the country.

 

[Huskies4ever]

He willed us. Reminiscent of Kemba.

 

[UConn Hoops1]

He was magnificent today showing off his total floor game. In the first half, he was in facilitator mode and as the game was tight in the second half he just took over offensively, while still getting others involved. He was stealing the ball, making good passes and scoring whenever it was needed. His defense was subpar at times last year, this year he's been pretty damn good on D all year long. Shabazz is the best point guard in the Big East and one of the best in the country.

And he got in Omar's face for the late three(missed) when he should have been thinking clock and pulling the ball back. Man, I hope the thought of leaving never,ever crosses his mind. He is just what the program needs on so many levels, with the new class coming in, to keep the trajectory straight up.

GO HUSKIES!!! BEAT THE CUSE!!!

 

[gibhunter]

Short memory. He played no defense first half at the Johnnies.

Sent from my MAXX HD.

 

[superjohn]

The St. John's game is the one game I missed this year so can't comment on that, overall his defense has been very good this year.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Short memory. He played no defense first half at the Johnnies.

Sent from my MAXX HD.

Good call. Point out the 1 half he played poorly all season to discredit the impact he's had on the team this season.

 

[Kitaman]

He was magnificent for a half. He's a head scratcher for sure. I won't complain because if he continues to exert himself only in the 2nd half, it betters the chances of him returning. Great player with little supporting cast.

 

[gibhunter]

He's had flashes of greatness this year. He's no Kemba, but if he sticks around he will be one of UConn's all time greats.

Sent from my MAXX HD.

 

[OkaForPrez]

In the first half, he was in facilitator mode and as the game was tight in the second half he just took over offensively, while still getting others involved.

Regarding his first half second half splits, bazz has been doing this all year. I thought it was a tactical move to try to get other guys involved, but lately I've been thinking about it as a conservation of energy approach. We did this a different way with Kemba who would take possessions off while on the floor to rest. I think we need the threat of bazz on the floor for 37 min but we need his scoring in crunch time. As a result, he conserves in the first and opens things up in the 2nd.

 

[Kitaman]

Regarding his first half second half splits, bazz has been doing this all year. I thought it was a tactical move to try to get other guys involved, but lately I've been thinking about it as a conservation of energy approach. We did this a different way with Kemba who would take possessions off while on the floor to rest. I think we need the threat of bazz on the floor for 37 min but we need his scoring in crunch time. As a result, he conserves in the first and opens things up in the 2nd.

Great way to look at it, I hope your are right.

 

[RichZ]

Kemba's greatest asset was that his level of play and determination went up logarithmically as the importance of the game increased. Considering that all he's got got riding on each game this season is the regular season, Bazz is doing just fine. Hopefully, he'll be around next year to show us what he's capable of when it comes down to 'win or go home' in the post season.

 

[UConnDad]

The announcers kept saying he looks tired. Another steal. Can he make it the whole game. Another steal. Maybe a little acting to make the opposition slightly careless?

 

[SaeHusky]

If he plays at this level again next year he will deserve a spot in our RING of HONOR. Def one of my all time favorites

 

[August_West]

Shabazz was a cut and a half above everyone on the floor today. The havoc he started causing in defense was unbelievable. They could not get the ball to half out cleanly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Doggie Style]

If he plays at this level again next year he will deserve a spot in our RING of HONOR. Def one of my all time favorites

Media doesn't seem to think he's coming back next year

 

[ctchamps]

Media doesn't seem to think he's coming back next year

ESPN is working the angle to continue to hurt UConn!

 

[ctchamps]

Regarding his first half second half splits, bazz has been doing this all year. I thought it was a tactical move to try to get other guys involved, but lately I've been thinking about it as a conservation of energy approach. We did this a different way with Kemba who would take possessions off while on the floor to rest. I think we need the threat of bazz on the floor for 37 min but we need his scoring in crunch time. As a result, he conserves in the first and opens things up in the 2nd.

I think it's a combo, getting guys involved and conserving energy. The wear and tear on the guards has increased this season because they have to not only defend their players, but help out the bigs in rebounding.

 

[art4life]

Bazz was definitely the player of the game today.
Scored big when needed & got key steals too.

 

[Dove]

If he plays at this level again next year he will deserve a spot in our RING of HONOR. Def one of my all time favorites

This yer he has bee very good. That RING of HONOR stands for greatness. Kemba has shown that one season of Godliness will you up there. Bazz flirts with greatness but for the most part is very good. IMO he is a long way away from that RING of HONOR.

 

[aceboon]

ESPN is working the angle to continue to hurt UConn!

the national media doesn't even talk about UConn, its the local writers who are driving the Bazz and Boat to the NBA narrative

 

[NEforceUConn]

I just finished watching the replay and SN won the game. Just a great performance by a great player. When he steps up to take over a game it is remarkable. I am struggling to think of another player who controlled games like that - going back years but maybe Ernie D, when he turned it on it was all over for the opponent.

SN has become one of my favorite huskies.

 

[mauconnfan]

I just finished watching the replay and SN won the game. Just a great performance by a great player. When he steps up to take over a game it is remarkable. I am struggling to think of another player who controlled games like that - going back years but maybe Ernie D, when he turned it on it was all over for the opponent.

SN has become one of my favorite huskies.

When he throws a 75 foot behind-the-back pass to a streaking Husky for a lay up then we can bring him in the Ernie D discussions!! LOL......

Bazz was real good today on both ends.........need him to stay and carry this team to another special year!

 

[CL82]

Good call. Point out the 1 half he played poorly all season to discredit the impact he's had on the team this season.

It was fair observation. Agree though that it doesn't change what he done all season.

I was at the game the fans around me couldn't believe Bazz's speed and range. They weren't thrilled about the loss, but they were appreciative of his performance.

On a related note, man is it a blast to watch Ollie coach in person. He never takes a play off and pushes the guys every play. He's a good one. (For those who were there that was me that clapped and yelled "you tell him coach" after the warning.)

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Coming into the season, I was convinced that Boatright would be our best player. Shabazz was so wildly inconsistent his first two years that I assumed that's just who he is - a guy who will score 27 one game and then have 5 points and 6 turnovers the next game.

Now when I watch this team, especially in person, I can't get over the anxiety difference between when Boatright has the ball at the end of the shotclock and when Shabazz has the ball.

 

[mauconnfan]

Coming into the season, I was convinced that Boatright would be our best player. Shabazz was so wildly inconsistent his first two years that I assumed that's just who he is - a guy who will score 27 one game and then have 5 points and 6 turnovers the next game.

Now when I watch this team, especially in person, I can't get over the anxiety difference between when Boatright has the ball at the end of the shotclock and when Shabazz has the ball.

I can't see where people saw the "wildly inconsistent" Shabazz the first 2 years so I guess maybe that's why I'm a little less surprised than some of you. The kid has been clutch and ballsy since day 1 and while at times he got wild he improved game-to-game in most cases. Admittedly he's even better than expected from me but I thought he would be The Man for this team and has certainly proved to be all of that!