Solo Ball has been the best UConn player on the floor several times this year and many times last year. It really upsets me when fans on this forums go super negative when a player has a stretch off a couple subpar games. We have seen Tristen Newton haters, Andre Jackson haters, Sanogo haters, etc. A constant stream of negative jerks who just want to bury players when they have a bad stretch. Please Stop. I don’t want to hear negativity about Solo. He is a great player. He has proven himself and deserves patience and the benefit of the doubt.
Solo Ball is a great player and key part of this team
- Thread starter Scottobot
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He's been an excellent player here, and he's going through a rough patch. I guess I look at it like this...
"Rickety" Moore --> was destroyed on the early versions of these boards. National Champion and all-time Husky
Taliek --> From that game freshman year, where he missed those free throws to almost his final game here, he was ripped apart. National champion, our all-time assist king, and Husky legend.
Bazz --> Called "UConn's worst point guard under Calhoun" and crushed here for being selfish blah blah blah... absolute legend, two-time champ, and finals MVP, and immortalized in the Huskies of Honor
Newton --> "Weak link" and "not a point guard" --> Two years, two natty's, could have easily been a two-time finals MVP, and immortalized in the Huskies of Honor
Andre --> Couldn't shoot, a liability, no basketball IQ, too passive.... an absolute dominant force by the end of his career.
Castle --> was crushed here and labeled as overrated. I remember someone saying he was a worse shooter than Andre and wasn't able to guard 1's and 2's. 'nuff said.
Point is that this is a stupidly critical group of often-stupid people who frequently make stupid statements (I've had a million of them) about our players. It's not going to stop. But history tells me that when this board goes on their witchhunts, it often leaves behind delicious reciepts that look totally asinine. I'm looking forward to Solo shutting a lot of people up as he figures this all out.
And I'll add... A couple of years ago, there was an article about "toxic" fanbases, and we were high on the list. Portions of the board went nuts into world's of denial. The constant attack on players, coaches, and everything else reeks of this toxicity. We've literally won six titles in 25ish years, and 1/2 the fanbase is miserable after a road win against a top 25 team. It's not going to stop. Just let people look foolish in hindsight.
"Rickety" Moore --> was destroyed on the early versions of these boards. National Champion and all-time Husky
Taliek --> From that game freshman year, where he missed those free throws to almost his final game here, he was ripped apart. National champion, our all-time assist king, and Husky legend.
Bazz --> Called "UConn's worst point guard under Calhoun" and crushed here for being selfish blah blah blah... absolute legend, two-time champ, and finals MVP, and immortalized in the Huskies of Honor
Newton --> "Weak link" and "not a point guard" --> Two years, two natty's, could have easily been a two-time finals MVP, and immortalized in the Huskies of Honor
Andre --> Couldn't shoot, a liability, no basketball IQ, too passive.... an absolute dominant force by the end of his career.
Castle --> was crushed here and labeled as overrated. I remember someone saying he was a worse shooter than Andre and wasn't able to guard 1's and 2's. 'nuff said.
Point is that this is a stupidly critical group of often-stupid people who frequently make stupid statements (I've had a million of them) about our players. It's not going to stop. But history tells me that when this board goes on their witchhunts, it often leaves behind delicious reciepts that look totally asinine. I'm looking forward to Solo shutting a lot of people up as he figures this all out.
And I'll add... A couple of years ago, there was an article about "toxic" fanbases, and we were high on the list. Portions of the board went nuts into world's of denial. The constant attack on players, coaches, and everything else reeks of this toxicity. We've literally won six titles in 25ish years, and 1/2 the fanbase is miserable after a road win against a top 25 team. It's not going to stop. Just let people look foolish in hindsight.
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Solo is a great player and he will be fine. One thing we have noticed over the past 3 games is that Mullins is playing really well and it looks like more of the shot opportunities are being set up for Mullins and it appears to have taken something out of Ball's game. I think there is a learning curve for the offense to create opportunities for different players.
The great thing about a team like this, is similar to your Tristan, Andre and Sanogo comparisons, there’s so many pieces that the “guy” going into a slump doesn’t matter much. Honestly it gives him the ability to work out of it without feeling the pressure of the team on his shoulders. Alex went through a similar stretch earlier in the year and it’s just next man up mentality. That’s how championship teams are built. We all should lay off him, let’s remember these are all kids.
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I love how Hurley makes his point at the 7:15 time stamp on the officiating.
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Part of Ball's problem seems to be his shooting woes are in his head a little. It is frustrating to watch pass on an open spot up 3 and then a possession or 2 later dribble and shoot a contested one or just dribble the ball away to a defender.
That said, he is needed for a chance at number 7. I think it more a matter of when, but if and when he, Mullins, Karaban and Demary go off together in a game from outside, it is going to be ugly for the other team.
Finally, the team can endure the shooting slumps, but it can't carry over to the other end. He can't play poor defense and not box out on some possessions. We need 40 effort filled minutes from everybody on both ends. This team is capable of beating anyone, but I don't think they are going to steamroll too many teams. They just aren't built that way. They have the ability to go off an any given night, but more often than not they are just going to wear down teams and bludgeon them to death with good, smart basketball.
That said, he is needed for a chance at number 7. I think it more a matter of when, but if and when he, Mullins, Karaban and Demary go off together in a game from outside, it is going to be ugly for the other team.
Finally, the team can endure the shooting slumps, but it can't carry over to the other end. He can't play poor defense and not box out on some possessions. We need 40 effort filled minutes from everybody on both ends. This team is capable of beating anyone, but I don't think they are going to steamroll too many teams. They just aren't built that way. They have the ability to go off an any given night, but more often than not they are just going to wear down teams and bludgeon them to death with good, smart basketball.
TheShot1990
Foot stays on gas
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Phenomenal athlete and WHEN his shots start falling will go back to being terrifying to opponents. Key part of this team.
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Kemba took a bit of a beating too his sophomore year when we went off the rails - Dyson took more, but Kemba’s limitations as a point guard were viewed as a part of the problem. Nobody saw that 2011 run coming that offseason.
Ben frustrated the board in the middle of his career - when he had the “Gentle Ben” tag. Similar to Kemba, we loved him as a freshman sparkplug off the bench - but the next step to featured player and stardom was bumpy.
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Agree, the emergence of Mullins seems to have thrown Solo off a little. His 3's seem to be rushed and forced. I'd like to see him start games by getting some points going to the basket and then take 3's within the flow of the offense.
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@boog204 well said.
We all know that it's easier to be negative than positive.
Looking at the current state of things and somehow thinking they are gonna last forever is a common human problem
Have patience and try being an optimistic fan once in awhile. It has more impact in the long run than always offering our dubious 'expert' critiques, .....and it's better for our health.
#1Love
We all know that it's easier to be negative than positive.
Looking at the current state of things and somehow thinking they are gonna last forever is a common human problem
Have patience and try being an optimistic fan once in awhile. It has more impact in the long run than always offering our dubious 'expert' critiques, .....and it's better for our health.
#1Love
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Alex went thru the same thing last year and is doing fine. Solo will be fine.
StllH8L8ner
You’ll get nothing and like it!
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Solo’s going through a rough patch but will be fine.
“People boo because they want to cheer”
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“People boo because they want to cheer”
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“If no one is hating you’re not doing anything” Solo is playing.
Hurley loves a 3 guard lineup.
Mullins is doing an amazing Cam Spencer imitation and Silas is approximating Tristen.
Ball is not Castle nor is he Hawkins. But he is a gamer and outside if his 3pt shooting funk he is really trying — and largely succeeding — in drives, ball control, passing, loose ball hustle, blocks and rebounds —just not his ok ball defense and 3pt shooting right now.
Give him a couple more games to figure it out.
Hurley loves a 3 guard lineup.
Mullins is doing an amazing Cam Spencer imitation and Silas is approximating Tristen.
Ball is not Castle nor is he Hawkins. But he is a gamer and outside if his 3pt shooting funk he is really trying — and largely succeeding — in drives, ball control, passing, loose ball hustle, blocks and rebounds —just not his ok ball defense and 3pt shooting right now.
Give him a couple more games to figure it out.
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QDOG5
I dont have a drug problem I have a police problem
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It is fine that some harp on what Solo has not been good at, but they need to realize he has been, and will remain to be, an integral piece of our winning formula. All of our starters have struggled at some point, but this team as a whole has stepped up and helped each other to gut out tough wins and almost defeat Arizona when not at full strength.
The resiliency of this team when it clearly has not been firing on all cylinders has been amazing to me. I think these guys are still building chemistry and when it finally clicks everyone and including Solo will silence these negative Nellie’s.
The resiliency of this team when it clearly has not been firing on all cylinders has been amazing to me. I think these guys are still building chemistry and when it finally clicks everyone and including Solo will silence these negative Nellie’s.
Marat
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Solo has become more valuable than just shooting 3s like last season. He is one of our best slashers to the hoop now and can finish at the rim. He has an improved mid range game also and defenders need to respect his outside shot . He is also a good rebounder when he tries. He just needs to focus his intensity on guarding and playing defense as thats important.
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