Shonn Miller and Sterling Gibbs

[PcketknfNiels]

Why did we stick with Gibbs all year? Because the alternative was playing Adams 30 minutes a game all year notwithstanding that, until the tournament, his ability to get to the hoop was overwhelmed by the fact that Gibbs played much better D, was in a different stratosphere as a shooter and avoided the abundant freshman mistakes. And was more consistent. The Adams who suddenly started hitting shots in the last few weeks was not the Adams who Gibbs was playing more than most of the year.

You're confusing people thinking you are wrong for being against participation awards with people who think you don't actually know crap about basketball.

Gibbs was horrible defensively for at least the first half of the season, and was THE key factor with this team being offensively challenged all year. The only reason he didn't turn the ball over was because he wasn't capable of breaking any defense down, and thus the vast majority of his passing were routine around the horn type passes. I'll grant that he's a better shooter than Jalen, but that only adds to the argument that he should have been off the ball.

Adams on the other hand, while he'll make freshman mistakes, he's capable of initiating offense and would have been able to improve over the course of the season with added experience in a bigger role. Gibbs is what he is, no 5th year senior was going to suddenly drastically improve or show new skills.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Can only speak for myself but I hate the participation trophy destruction of society. That being said, I will never waiver on my stance of always supporting those who are family. Shonn and Sterling are family.

Have you ever actually played a team sport?

Omar and Nolan are family. Gibbs and Shonn were hired guns. Them coming to UConn to play basketball for a high profile program was more self-serving than beneficial to this program in any way.

 

[UConnJim]

Gibbs was horrible defensively for at least the first half of the season, and was THE key factor with this team being offensively challenged all year. The only reason he didn't turn the ball over was because he wasn't capable of breaking any defense down, and thus the vast majority of his passing were routine around the horn type passes. I'll grant that he's a better shooter than Jalen, but that only adds to the argument that he should have been off the ball.

Adams on the other hand, while he'll make freshman mistakes, he's capable of initiating offense and would have been able to improve over the course of the season with added experience in a bigger role. Gibbs is what he is, no 5th year senior was going to suddenly drastically improve or show new skills.

Of course he would have been better playing off the ball! Unfortunately, UConn didn't have an experienced pg so the responsibility fell on Gibbs. Early in the season, Adams was not ready to be the pg.

Don't blame the players. This team had limitations, but they played their hearts out most games. We should thank Gibbs and Miller, not criticize them.

 

[UConnJim]

Omar and Nolan are family. Gibbs and Shonn were hired guns. Them coming to UConn to play basketball for a high profile program was more self-serving than beneficial to this program in any way.

Dude, go to bed and sleep on it. Anyone that criticizes two players that gave there all to UConn comes across as a big jerk.

 

[Leebo]

Dude, go to bed and sleep on it. Anyone that criticizes two players that gave there all to UConn comes across as a big jerk.

He's not going to be able to sleep it off because he's like this all the time.

 

[Gurleyman]

It's not and I don't. We will be a better team next year, and part of that is because these 2 extremely limited players won't be around.

You're losing it. These 2 guys were our only post scorer and the one guy you couldn't afford to leave on the perimeter. Without them, we would have pretty much been just like last year's team with Jalen Adams (who couldn't shoot threes) instead of Boat and an offense that looks like a clogged toilet. That means none of these guys get the taste of winning a postseason tournament or playing in the NCAAs to build on.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Of course he would have been better playing off the ball! Unfortunately, UConn didn't have an experienced pg so the responsibility fell on Gibbs. Early in the season, Adams was not ready to be the pg.

Don't blame the players. This team had limitations, but they played their hearts out most games. We should thank Gibbs and Miller, not criticize them.

So you're saying Gibbs shouldn't have been the PG and that Ollie shouldn't have been playing the guy on this team who is a PG from day 1? We knew very early on Gibbs wasn't the guy, why wouldn't you go with the alternative? Players get better by playing and getting that experience.

 

[Stainmaster]

Wish Shonn didn't decide to his pants from the Cincy game until now. Not sure if the moment was too big for him at a real program or what. Either way, not going to sit here and act like I'll miss either of them much.

Let me guess, you're in your 50s and terminally single with an odor that repulses every woman who comes near you? It's definitely showing here.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Dude, go to bed and sleep on it. Anyone that criticizes two players that gave there all to UConn comes across as a big jerk.

Refer to my post earlier about participation awards.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

You're losing it. These 2 guys were our only post scorer and the one guy you couldn't afford to leave on the perimeter. Without them, we would have pretty much been just like last year's team with Jalen Adams (who couldn't shoot threes) instead of Boat and an offense that looks like a clogged toilet. That means none of these guys get the taste of winning a postseason tournament or playing in the NCAAs to build on.

Miller was a horrible rebounder, complete foul machine, and a total 0 as a rim protector. Purvis, not Gibbs, was this team's best deep threat. Omar could have played spot up shooter in Gibbs place and we wouldn't have been any worse for it.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Let me guess, you're in your 50s and terminally single with an odor that repulses every woman who comes near you? It's definitely showing here.

Pretty wide miss, but I can see how my saying I won't miss either of their games on a sports team necessitates that kind of response.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Not sure why any of you feel the need to bend over backwards to kiss either of these guys asses. Gibbs was largely a failure and KO did him no favors stubbornly sticking with him at PG all year. Miller was a pretty efficient finesse post player, but doesn't rebound well at all, doesn't protect the rim, and is a complete foul machine.

You 3 seem like the type of guys that thinks every athlete should get a trophy for participating. If you had your way, we wouldn't even be keeping score of these games, we'd just have a 68-way tie every year.

Are you ting me?
We are not kissing their asses, you imbecile, we are giving them credit for picking this university and entertaining us until we ran into the number 1 team in the country in the last 32. They brought pride and leadership to this thrown-together team. On top of that, they led our team to a conference championship and a run in the NCAA tournament. These are kids after all with heaps of ridiculous pressure, so they deserve appreciation.What are we supposed to f*king say? "Good riddance Sterling and Shonn, you were a waste of time and not good enough. Who cares what you achieved here, you're failures".
Get out of here. There will be a hole without Shonn next year.

 

[Leebo]

What are we supposed to f*king say? "Good riddance Sterling and Shonn, you were a waste of time and not good enough. Who cares what you achieved here, you're failures".

Yes, I believe that's what he has reiterated several times.

 

[Stainmaster]

Pretty wide miss, but I can see how my saying I won't miss either of their games on a sports team necessitates that kind of response.

Either way, you post as if you have a participation trophy up your rear. You might wanna take it out, your temperament could stand to improve.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Omar and Nolan are family. Gibbs and Shonn were hired guns. Them coming to UConn to play basketball for a high profile program was more self-serving than beneficial to this program in any way.

Would you not do the same if you were Sterling Gibbs/Shonn Miller? What do you expect them to do? Sterling Gibbs and Shonn Miller were presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity- You can play at any school that wants you for one year, one last college ride, without having to sit out a year.
Be proud they picked the University of Connecticut when they each could have chosen from a handful of other schools. What other option did we have? Keep Terrence Samuel and sign a 2 star PF from the streets of Hartford?

 

[Tuna]

Yeah, he totally wanted to play badly. What is wrong with you.

What's wrong with him is he's a total scumbag who spouts off under the veil of anonymity that internet message boards provide. He's a miserable soul who finds comfort in losing so he has something to complain about. It's reminiscent of a gambling addict who subconsciously knows that at the end of the day he will lose. And when he does lose he will complain to whoever will listen about how bad his luck is and how crappy he runs even though deep down he knows he's meant to lose and it soothes him when he does. Because losers are supposed to lose. It's why there are 10x as many posts after a loss than after a win. These people actually hope for a loss deep down because they know they're losers and they can't wait to log on and tell everyone about it. Unfortunately boards like these give these parasites a place to spout off instead of cursing at their tvs alone in their basement. I for one would much prefer the latter.

Miller and Gibbs brought a lot to this team this year and they will be missed, as will Phil and Omar. All seem like standup kids with a lot of heart. To disparage their contributions here is a total joke and you should be ashamed of yourself.

 

[traitor71]

It's not always the message, it's the delivery. I don't think it can be disputed that Gibbs wasn't what we hoped he might be and that Miller was not very effective down the stretch. We don't need to beat them up though. The kids were what they were and the season is over. A season that ended a lot stronger than we all thought it may have just a couple of weeks ago.

I'm like everyone else, I want to see this team play up to the standard that has been set in the past and I would like to see us not needing to rely on 5th year transfers, but I just don't see the need to burn anyone now.

 

[Stainmaster]

Would you not do the same if you were Sterling Gibbs/Shonn Miller? What do you expect them to do? Sterling Gibbs and Shonn Miller were presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity- You can play at any school that wants you for one year, one last college ride, without having to sit out a year.
Be proud they picked the University of Connecticut when they each could have chosen from a handful of other schools. What other option did we have? Keep Terrence Samuel and sign a 2 star PF from the streets of Hartford?

Maybe he's the one person still holding out hope that Rakim Lubin would've become the next DeJuan Blair.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Maybe he's the one person still holding out hope that Rakim Lubin would've become the next DeJuan Blair.

I guess you never know, the Rak could take California State University-Northridge to new heights by his senior year.

 

[Stainmaster]

I guess you never know, the Rak could take California State University-Northridge to new heights by his senior year.

I'll be rooting for him to do it, that's for sure. Not sure how likely it is though - their freshman starting PF averaged 10 and 5 next year, and they have both a Texas A&M transfer and a former USC commit via JUCO at the 5. Definitely still want to follow him.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

I'll be rooting for him to do it, that's for sure. Not sure how likely it is though - their freshman starting PF averaged 10 and 5 next year, and they have both a Texas A&M transfer and a former USC commit via JUCO at the 5. Definitely still want to follow him.

Absolutely. I just think he's always going to look like a Defensive End who wandered onto the basketball court.

 

[Tenspro2002]

We will miss Miller immensely next year. On the offensive end, he had the highest BBIQ on the team. On the defensive end, unfortunately the coaching staff couldn't drill out of him his tendency to clutch/grab in the post. Still, very clearly a net positive.

Gibbs was miscast in the role of PG, but was the spot-up shooter we needed. For those pining for the days of Terrence Samuel, my goodness.

It's clear the chemistry/roles were never as settled as we needed them to be, but I don't think you can blame the individuals for that. It happens.

Without these guys we wouldn't have sniffed the Tournament and our program wouldn't have gotten even the brief glimpse of relevance and buzz we got the last 9 days.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Are you ing me?
We are not kissing their asses, you imbecile, we are giving them credit for picking this university and entertaining us until we ran into the number 1 team in the country in the last 32. They brought pride and leadership to this thrown-together team. On top of that, they led our team to a conference championship and a run in the NCAA tournament. These are kids after all with heaps of ridiculous pressure, so they deserve appreciation.What are we supposed to f*king say? "Good riddance Sterling and Shonn, you were a waste of time and not good enough. Who cares what you achieved here, you're failures".
Get out of here. There will be a hole without Shonn next year.

Stop trying to top each other and going out of your way to laud Gibbs. Nobody on this board thought he should have been in the position and given the minutes that he got. As far as being a leader, what? Gibbs has 2 prior stops that show he's not a great character guy, and not a damn thing was said the entire season about Shonn being a leader in the locker room, and he sure as hell wasn't one on the court.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Would you not do the same if you were Sterling Gibbs/Shonn Miller? What do you expect them to do? Sterling Gibbs and Shonn Miller were presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity- You can play at any school that wants you for one year, one last college ride, without having to sit out a year.
Be proud they picked the University of Connecticut when they each could have chosen from a handful of other schools. What other option did we have? Keep Terrence Samuel and sign a 2 star PF from the streets of Hartford?

Clearly you don't understand what I am responding to. It doesn't matter whether I would have made the same decision or not, the guy I responded to calling them "family" as if they were program lifers was being ridiculous. They chose UConn because we were the best offer they had on the board. Omar would have filled Gibbs role on this team just fine, and Shonn was a decent role player, his not being in the program for a year wasn't going to cripple the brand.

 

[8893]

“I think, to be honest, some people may say it was a disappointment,” he said. “But, to me, it was a success. We won an AAC championship that no one ever thought we would win. We won a game in the tournament. But, it goes further from basketball. These are my brothers. I think that’s why it hurts so bad. You want to achieve things with your family, and this is my family.”

http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20160319/kansas-hands-uconn-first-ncaa-loss-under-ollie

GFY @PcketknfNiels . I'll take a kid like Gibbs eight days a week. He's given more to this program in one season than an angry troll like you could give in ten lifetimes.

Sad that you're too miserable to realize what it's all about.

I'm glad that Gibbs does.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Stop trying to top each other and going out of your way to laud Gibbs. Nobody on this board thought he should have been in the position and given the minutes that he got. As far as being a leader, what? Gibbs has 2 prior stops that show he's not a great character guy, and not a damn thing was said the entire season about Shonn being a leader in the locker room, and he sure as hell wasn't one on the court.

Dude.... I don't even know what to say. Are you basing Sterling Gibbs' ENTIRE character on the fact that he attended a few different schools and had an on-court altercation in the past? Did you not see Gibbs this year? His character was fine. Of course, he struggled the first portion of the year, as anyone would coming to a new situation. I think some of us overrated Gibbs perhaps. When we heard Sterling Gibbs was signing with UConn, we saw he averaged 16 points and we saw visions of Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier in our head. But, I for one, did not watch much, if any, of Sterling Gibbs until he came to UConn. I assumed he would be a quick, ball handling, good shooting floor general at point. It turns out he was an above average shooting, relatively slow, undersized 2 guard. That's not his fault, our expectations were just out of line. He still came to this University and gave it everything he had. After stumbling to start the year, he found his role and delivered big time shooting for us late in the season. If this team were in a different portion of the bracket, say the 1 seed Oregon region, who's to say this team couldn't get to the elite 8 or FF? We just ran into a much better team. It's impressive that they made it this far, and they served as great bridge players to help our young guys for next year. Because I don't know about you, but that second half against Kansas encouraged for next season with Hamilton, Purvis and Adams, and I doubt we make that progress without Gibbs and Miller.
And do NOT sit there and tell me Gibbs is not a Husky "lifer" or however you phrase it. Go to the 4:40 mark here and tell me Gibbs doesn't feel a connection to UConn.

 

[RM99]

Gibb's and Miller became Huskies and will always bleed blue. Ignore doubters. Just wondering if there are any post game quotes or sightings of Miller. Appreciated both Gibb's and Miller all year and feel bad that Miller had a bad game as his last game. Without him the season would have been over a lot earlier.

 

[Tdaley]

Hard to sustain success in any big time program without making the dance almost every year. Without Gibbs and Miller we would have missed the NCAA tournament two years in row. Expectations for Gibbs was way too high. ( This happens all the time with freshman recruits too) Miller and Gibbs provided our program with a bridge to get us through the 2015/2016 season to the 2016/2017 season. I am very happy that Ollie got both of them to come to UConn in their final year of college basketball. They both made major contributions to the success of this year's team.

 

[ctchamps]

What's wrong with him is he's a total scumbag who spouts off under the veil of anonymity that internet message boards provide. He's a miserable soul who finds comfort in losing so he has something to complain about. It's reminiscent of a gambling addict who subconsciously knows that at the end of the day he will lose. And when he does lose he will complain to whoever will listen about how bad his luck is and how crappy he runs even though deep down he knows he's meant to lose and it soothes him when he does. Because losers are supposed to lose. It's why there are 10x as many posts after a loss than after a win. These people actually hope for a loss deep down because they know they're losers and they can't wait to log on and tell everyone about it. Unfortunately boards like these give these parasites a place to spout off instead of cursing at their tvs alone in their basement. I for one would much prefer the latter.

Miller and Gibbs brought a lot to this team this year and they will be missed, as will Phil and Omar. All seem like standup kids with a lot of heart. To disparage their contributions here is a total joke and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Because of what you wrote I don't feel the "need" to post this:

I think the only thing worse than the band wagon fan is the entitled fan who NEEDS the team to win as opposed to wants the team to win. Everyone can identify these so called losers (yeah I'm calling them out only because that's the only language they understand) by the way they hit the players, team and coaches over the course of a season. It's all about them, the fan. The failure isn't about the team or players. There is no sympathy or empathy regarding what the team is going through. All they can think of is how the team failed them.

All serious fans immerse themselves in outcomes. But at the end of the day the well adjusted fan doesn't project outcomes as a part of themselves. The well adjusted fan doesn't want payback for bad outcomes. They don't want to hurt the players, team or coach because they feel lousy. The insecure (their language -losers) want to see these players, coaches, team suffer.

They should paint their toe nails Cuse orange and walk around barefoot in front of the world because they take the escalator and don't have ten toes in.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I'll admit I had to log out to see who everyone was complaining about.

I'm amazed most of you didn't have him on ignore and I'm shocked he stuck around this long. Usually he picks a fight, gets his feelings hurt, and disappears.