So close you can smell it.

[Palatine]

The last time I was this ready for the opener was against Wagner. I thought we were ready to roll. That didn't go well.

I truly believe this team can exceed expectations. That they will produce a lot of very warm winter nights. I try not to take the opener too seriously. I remember 03-04 when we beat Yale by 10 in the opener. Afterwards the Yale coach implied they were the better team. We won the NC that year.

Anyways, I hope everyone is psyched. A comfortable victory where we play well would be nice. Heck, just seeing 'em back on the court will be nice. Go Huskies.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Tip off 30 hours away and still no word on James...don’t like that

 

[Vancat]

Psyched as well!

 

[UconnU]

Psyched. Feels like we’re the last team in the country to get their season started though

 

[amidagoat]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dannyHAM]

Very hyped. Will be there Friday with a bunch of people, and Florida as well. Huskies!

 

[Kenny11]

Tip off 30 hours away and still no word on James...don’t like that

Me neither. I think its obvious he won't play but it would be nice to know a timeline. Last year, Hurley just suspended Sid indefinitely and brought him back later without much or any announcement. Hopefully, this is different.

 

[McLovin]

Tip off 30 hours away and still no word on James...don’t like that

Not sure why everyone here thinks he's going to get off with a slap on the wrist and be back soon. Look at Hurley's track record handling these situation (last year with Sid a prime example).

We shouldn't expect much info from Hurley but we should expect a lengthy absence (at least the first month).

I'd be happy to be wrong about this one, but I don't think the punishment will be as light or as short as people expect.

 

[Sphinx]

Given that Sacred Heart lost to Providence by 46 points on Tuesday night, the opener is not likely to establish any positives. St. Joe's, next Wednesday, may be a different story. The Hawks beat a favored Bradley team Tuesday night. We'll see what they do Sunday against Old Dominion.

 

[firstnline]

Very hyped. Will be there Friday with a bunch of people, and Florida as well. Huskies!

DITTO!!!

 

[CL82]

Tip off 30 hours away and still no word on James...don’t like that

He isn't playing. Expect him to be the invisible man until the University decides what they are going to do.
(just my guess, no inside info)

 

[Sphinx]

Not sure why everyone here thinks he's going to get off with a slap on the wrist and be back soon. Look at Hurley's track record handling these situation (last year with Sid a prime example).

We shouldn't expect much info from Hurley but we should expect a lengthy absence (at least the first month).

I'd be happy to be wrong about this one, but I don't think the punishment will be as light or as short as people expect.

I have no doubt you're right. We won't see Bouk before December. He must be shown that his selfish actions cost the team its NCAA bid next March. This will be Bouk's life lesson. Hurley's life lesson will be to recruit committed basketball players and not kids who need life lessons.

 

[superjohn]

Watch "Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell" on YouTube

 

[HuskyHawk]

I have no doubt you're right. We won't see Bouk before December. He must be shown that his selfish actions cost the team its NCAA bid next March. This will be Bouk's life lesson. Hurley's life lesson will be to recruit committed basketball players and not kids who need life lessons.

What you know about Bouknight as a person wouldn't fill a thimble. There are zero kids graduating high school, athletes or otherwise, who don't need many, many life lessons. It's what college is about. You can only hope they are less costly than this one.

 

[CL82]

He must be shown that his selfish actions cost the team its NCAA bid next March.

No, no he doesn't. If that does happen it will because the university decided to have a "show punishment." You know like the parent who decides to create a public scene because they are embarrassed by their kid's actions.

 

[Sphinx]

What you know about Bouknight as a person wouldn't fill a thimble. There are zero kids graduating high school, athletes or otherwise, who don't need many, many life lessons. It's what college is about. You can only hope they are less costly than this one.

It is pathetic, of course, that an 81-year-old should attach his happiness to the antics of an 18-year-old kid unknown to him. It is pathetic when the 81-year-old should resent the kid's coach taking punitive action against the kid without considering the happiness of the 81-year-old. All of that is pathetic. But allowing for differences in age, it is more or less true of all of us. Our personal joie de vivre is impacted by Bouknight's action and Hurley's response, but we are in no way consulted in the matter. What is this forum for if not to allow for a little venting of frustration -- an occasional forlorn cry into the void.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It is pathetic, of course, that an 81-year-old should attach his happiness to the antics of an 18-year-old kid unknown to him. It is pathetic when the 81-year-old should resent the kid's coach taking punitive action against the kid without considering the happiness of the 81-year-old. All of that is pathetic. But allowing for differences in age, it is more or less true of all of us. Our personal joie de vivre is impacted by Bouknight's action and Hurley's response, but we are in no way consulted in the matter. What is this forum for if not to allow for a little venting of frustration -- an occasional forlorn cry into the void.

Frustrated sure. So who do you think is most upset by this? James is most upset. He is probably crushed that he let down his teammates, his coaches, his family and others. Hurley has said as much. I do not wish to add my trivial anxiety to his burden. As for Hurley, he recruited a great player and a kid who is by all accounts, and despite this, a great kid. He will have bright future here and beyond. Hurley has no regrets about bringing him to UConn, of that I have no doubt.

One of my favorite players UConn ever brought in is Caron Butler. From his wikipedia page: "Butler was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, where he suffered through a rough childhood; he was a drug dealer at age 12 and arrested 15 times before the age of 15.[1] Butler discovered his love for basketball while at a youth detention center." Went on to be a lottery pick.

I'm ready for the season. I expect Bouknight will play a key role as we finally qualify for postseason play. We are going to be very glad he's a husky.

 

[firstnline]

The last time I was this ready for the opener was against Wagner. I thought we were ready to roll. That didn't go well.

I truly believe this team can exceed expectations. That they will produce a lot of very warm winter nights. I try not to take the opener too seriously. I remember 03-04 when we beat Yale by 10 in the opener. Afterwards the Yale coach implied they were the better team. We won the NC that year.

Anyways, I hope everyone is psyched. A comfortable victory where we play well would be nice. Heck, just seeing 'em back on the court will be nice. Go Huskies.

I'm pumped, I'm psyched, and I'm ready. It's time for my cheeseburger in paradise.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I have no doubt you're right. We won't see Bouk before December. He must be shown that his selfish actions cost the team its NCAA bid next March. This will be Bouk's life lesson. Hurley's life lesson will be to recruit committed basketball players and not kids who need life lessons.

Man, all the downvotes. The irony here is that Florida is going to pound us and everyone is going to say “why can’t we be as good as they are” and if he played for Florida you would never hear a word about this.

 

[huskyrob1]

Man, all the downvotes. The irony here is that Florida is going to pound us and everyone is going to say “why can’t we be as good as they are” and if he played for Florida you would never hear a word about this.

Florida might go all the way this year, now that they have Blackshear.

 

[McLovin]

Not sure why everyone here thinks he's going to get off with a slap on the wrist and be back soon. Look at Hurley's track record handling these situation (last year with Sid a prime example).

We shouldn't expect much info from Hurley but we should expect a lengthy absence (at least the first month).

I'd be happy to be wrong about this one, but I don't think the punishment will be as light or as short as people expect.

This didn't age well. I'll be (happily) eating crow for dinner tonight. Hope it tastes like chicken.

 

[GHSWolverines]

I am optimistic for a better year. If not NCAA bound, then we will be NIT bound. That's how Calhoun started things rolling.