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Shift expectations to a championship team

We shouldve easily beat Xavier who I think is a top ten team. I think it was OBVIOUS we were better. I’ve seen all the teams and there is no one and I mean no one that stands away from the crowd
I live our defensive potential—- I think we are just touching the surface on our offense.
We have all the ingredients Size speed length talent depth heart.
I think Dan Hurley will find rotations that create the best possible chemistry And this is not a team that will suffer w foul trouble.
So why not us?
Scrappy - happy Thanksgiving for your optimism but X is not a top 10 team. Maybe on D but not on O
 
We shouldve easily beat Xavier who I think is a top ten team. I think it was OBVIOUS we were better. I’ve seen all the teams and there is no one and I mean no one that stands away from the crowd
I live our defensive potential—- I think we are just touching the surface on our offense.
We have all the ingredients Size speed length talent depth heart.
I think Dan Hurley will find rotations that create the best possible chemistry And this is not a team that will suffer w foul trouble.
So why not us?

I agree with you that this year is wide open and as long as we get into the NCAA tournament we have as good a chance as anyone. Kentucky lost at home to Evansville. Duke to SFA. There is no dominant team. We have enough talent to compete and win against anybody.

PS: A lot depends on the growth and progress of Bouknight and Akok. We definitely should raise our expectations as a fan-base. We have enough pieces.
 
I agree with you that this year is wide open and as long as we get into the NCAA tournament we have as good a chance as anyone. Kentucky lost at home to Evansville. Duke to SFA. There is no dominant team. We have enough talent to compete and win against anybody.

PS: A lot depends on the growth and progress of Bouknight and Akok. We definitely should raise our expectations as a fan-base. We have enough pieces.
I 100% agree. I wouldn’t predict a deep run or even a tournament birth. But if we don’t achieve those things it won’t be because we ran into a far superior team. This yr should be fun for any team that is decent. We all have a shot
 
No less than a three-peat.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Props for noting that comparative foul totals were favorable throughout last weekend. Living the defensive potential!

Regular season champs, conference tourney champs, national champs

Getting the triple crown this year
 
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I don't think they need to score more at all. I want Carlton to score more because he does consistently what he's capable of doing in spurts. I want Akok to score more as he gains confidence and the staff gains confidence in him. I want Bouknight to score more as his minutes and shots go up.
Vitale is already scoring 15 a game, which is appropropiate for his game. If Gilbert's scoring doesn't go up at all I'm fine. I'd like him to shoot better, but that becomes less of an issue the less he shoots.
Please let me explain my key comment regarding Al & Vital. "They need to take fewer shots and make a higher percentage. The opportunity for shots is going to diminish at Bouk begins to take a more dominant role."
There are a limited number of shots in any single game. The number varies and is determined by factors like pace, turnovers, Offensive rebounds, etc.. Some of the shots Al & Vital are taking are going to have to go to Bouk because of his superior offensive capabilities. Therefore in order for the two to maintain there current scoring rate, the will have to score at a higher efficiency. Hence, they take fewer shots and make a higher percentage. The underlying theme, is that the duo must take better shots and refrain from high risk, low reward maneuvers.

But I do think your deduction that it is good for Carlton and Akok to score more. Carlton simply by being more forcefull close to the rim and making a higher percentage. Akok will have to work for his shot and demand the ball when in his scoring zone. Something he seems hesitant to do at the point in his career
 
I think Vital and Gilbert do not have to score 30ppg. Bouknight and Gaffney on the floor definitely take the pressure off of Vital and Gilbert to produce. Carleton, Akok, and Sid or Polley in the front court. If Hurley wants to go with Gaffney and two other big guards he can, take out one of the front court guys and put in Adams.
Agreed. What I think you're saying is our focus needs to change from individual scoring to positional scoring. This is specially important when Dan Hurley runs out 10 guys during a game. By Positional scoring, We don't for need Al & Vital to score 30. But we would like our guards (Al, Vital, Adams, Gaffney) to account for at least 30 points. This takes the pressure off individuals to reach a certain performance of points. For example recently we got most of our guard position points from Adams. I would also like to get 30 points from our wings (Polly, Akok, Bouk, Sid) and 20 points from our posts (Carlton, Whalley). That gets us to my personal rule of thumb, score 80 and you've got a good shot to win (typically, I mean it is a rule of thumb). It is a team game and this keeps the focus on the team aspect.
 
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How many championship teams started out 4-2, with an ugly loss at home?
 
Just living in the moment right now ask me again in March or at least February. Yes there are no dominant teams so well see what happens.
 
How many championship teams started out 4-2, with an ugly loss at home?

None. But it's not uncommon for tournament teams do that, one year before their championship year.

Next year is shaping up well. Senior old-school Carlton and the long rim-protecting Javonte Brown Ferguson is a great double look at center, with Whaley for a third change of pace. Akok and Springs at PF, with Sid Wilson there when they go small, again three different looks. Bouk, Polley, and Andre Jackson at SF. Bouk and BAdams at guard. Gaffney and Cole at PG. It's a quality lineup. Could use one more guard to round out the team. But Gaffney, Bouk, Andre, Akok, and Javonte Brown Ferguson all have NBA potential. That's a lineup that could do some damage.
 
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Give us old guys a break. When you are old enough to remember Jim A. I think phonetic spelling is a given.
I remember Jim very well, he was a UConn legend. Jim was highly recruited and UConn was lucky to have him. Jim, Tony Hanson, Jeff Carr, Randy LaVigne. Jim also played with Corny and Mike his last two years. Just trying to respect the guys name, nothing personal. If I'm not older than you are, I'm right behind you. I know Calhoun put UConn on the map, but those mid and late 70's teams with Abromaitis, Tony Hanson, Corny and Mike helped as well, at least with the Big East invite.
 
This is not a championship team but each team has a few head scratching losses. We've had our share in the past 4 years. I clearly remember the Caron Butler's '01 team losing to St. Bonaventure and lost a tough game vs Oklahoma 2 games later. All part of the growing process that you can't expect to show up and win. I'm sure the kids learned from that one.
 
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We shouldve easily beat Xavier who I think is a top ten team. I think it was OBVIOUS we were better. I’ve seen all the teams and there is no one and I mean no one that stands away from the crowd
I live our defensive potential—- I think we are just touching the surface on our offense.
We have all the ingredients Size speed length talent depth heart.
I think Dan Hurley will find rotations that create the best possible chemistry And this is not a team that will suffer w foul trouble.
So why not us?
LOL!!! Our FT shooting were terrible!!! Games were won or lost based on FT!!!
 

Legendary poster back in the day. Rutgers fan. He used to come on the board, and, in all seriousness, put forth case why Rutgers would win the big East. For example, he compared Felipe Lopez to a young Michael Jordan...and was not exaggerating his take.

RutgersAl posts were a signal that basketball was here, and it was going to be a good season.
 
I will not shift my expectations because my expectations are the same every year. This is muddahfreakin UConn baby. #OnefortheThumb
Liked for the thumb slogan. Is that yours or - more likely - am I just not paying attention?
 
Legendary poster back in the day. Rutgers fan. He used to come on the board, and, in all seriousness, put forth case why Rutgers would win the big East. For example, he compared Felipe Lopez to a young Michael Jordan...and was not exaggerating his take.

RutgersAl posts were a signal that basketball was here, and it was going to be a good season.
Man I totally forgot about that total idiot loser
 
Someone was housing a bunch of Rose-soaked turkey last night

Why does this board go through this every year...? No championship team falls behind St Joes by 20+. Can we please just wait until nest year to talk about this. We should be happy with a top-quarter finish in the conference and an at-large bid.
Easily fall behind when a team shoots lights out 3's from not only from all around the court but on the run. Second half they made a few at best and our boys erased a huge point deficit. That's the sign of a very good team.
 
Legendary poster back in the day. Rutgers fan. He used to come on the board, and, in all seriousness, put forth case why Rutgers would win the big East. For example, he compared Felipe Lopez to a young Michael Jordan...and was not exaggerating his take.

RutgersAl posts were a signal that basketball was here, and it was going to be a good season.
I think it was Mike Rosario. After he transferred to Florida, RutgersAl slowly stopped posting and dwindled away ...
 
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I have some friends who get well ahead of themselves at the beginning of almost every season. These last few seasons hurt. It’s just good to know that this team is competitive and they don’t have that lay down mentality when we’re down. We do see a change and that’s a good start and I’m happy with that
 
RutgersAl posts were a signal that basketball was here, and it was going to be a good season.
FWIW, Al was a good dude. He came to several of our FB tailgates and always brought something good.
 
FWIW, Al was a good dude. He came to several of our FB tailgates and always brought something good.

I actually didn't mind him tbh. His posts always gave me a chuckle. And I was mildly envious of his boundless, albeit Pollyanna-esque, optimism.
 
I think it was Mike Rosario. After he transferred to Florida, RutgersAl slowly stopped posting and dwindled away ...

hahaha yes, that's the one. Lopez went to St Johns anyway. Good call.
 
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