Some quotes from Dave Benedict

[BlueMAB]

More likely he didn't have a "plan" that Vance's Dad liked. Unless of course you have some insider knowledge?

LMAO, classic boneyard post. What's your source for Vance's dad making the decision? Can you link it?

A journalist with actual sources reports that Jackson left because when Ollie didn't have a plan for him in the offense moving forward.

His dad was a critic, but I've never seen it reported that VJ left because "his dad made him". That's the story that has been told on the Boneyard a million times, because he was critical on Twitter.

You could argue the decision was made when his dad tweeted "Glenn Miller leaving really hurts." the weekend before Vance announced his transfer.

But then my question for you is...who fired Glenn Miller?

If you've got a link where a credible journalist reports that the dad made the decision, I'd like to see it. Otherwise, I'm entirely justified for Ollie losing Jackson because 1) he didn't have a plan in the offense for his best shooter and 2) he fired Glenn Miller (which cost us MAL, and probably any chance at having a real offense).

 

[Whtdmd]

LMAO, classic boneyard post. What's your source for Vance's dad making the decision? Can you link it?

A journalist with actual sources reports that Jackson left because when Ollie didn't have a plan for him in the offense moving forward.

His dad was a critic, but I've never seen it reported that VJ left because "his dad made him". That's the story that has been told on the Boneyard a million times, because he was critical on Twitter.

You could argue the decision was made when his dad tweeted "Glenn Miller leaving really hurts." the weekend before Vance announced his transfer.

But then my question for you is...who fired Glenn Miller?

If you've got a link where a credible journalist reports that the dad made the decision, I'd like to see it. Otherwise, I'm entirely justified for Ollie losing Jackson because 1) he didn't have a plan in the offense for his best shooter and 2) he fired Glenn Miller (which cost us MAL, and probably any chance at having a real offense).

LMAO "losing MAL cause us any chance in real offense" Do u know how hes doing

 

[BlueMAB]

LMAO "losing MAL cause us any chance in real offense" Do u know how hes doing

That's not what I wrote.

"he fired Glenn Miller (which cost us MAL, and probably any chance at having a real offense)."

You're missing the context of the comma. Poorly worded, but that was in reference to Glenn Miller, not MAL.

Come back with something else.

 

[jonw]

LMAO, classic boneyard post. What's your source for Vance's dad making the decision? Can you link it?

A journalist with actual sources reports that Jackson left because when Ollie didn't have a plan for him in the offense moving forward.

His dad was a critic, but I've never seen it reported that VJ left because "his dad made him". That's the story that has been told on the Boneyard a million times, because he was critical on Twitter.

You could argue the decision was made when his dad tweeted "Glenn Miller leaving really hurts." the weekend before Vance announced his transfer.

But then my question for you is...who fired Glenn Miller?

If you've got a link where a credible journalist reports that the dad made the decision, I'd like to see it. Otherwise, I'm entirely justified for Ollie losing Jackson because 1) he didn't have a plan in the offense for his best shooter and 2) he fired Glenn Miller (which cost us MAL, and probably any chance at having a real offense).

"more likely"....meaning my scenario is more likely than what a players Dad said. And not just any players Dad, one with a history of speaking out feeling his son was being misused.

It was reported that Ollie told him to get to work. Meaning improve yourself and the rest takes care of itself. There was not going to be any "plan" where he was promised shots, minutes or any kind of featured role.

 

[BlueMAB]

"more likely"....meaning my scenario is more likely than what a players Dad said. And not just any players Dad, one with a history of speaking out feeling his son was being misused.

It was reported that Ollie told him to get to work. Meaning improve yourself and the rest takes care of itself. There was not going to be any "plan" where he was promised shots, minutes or any kind of featured role.

So I've learned that you:
a) don't have a link
b) rely on conjecture and internet rumors.
c) don't believe a reporter with actual sources and,
d) mock those who have more faith in credible sources than conjecture and internet rumors.

Cool story bro.

Jackson didn't say he left because he wasn't made promises. But, it's not difficult to say "I'll promise you every opportunity to earn playing time as everyone else. You're going to have to work, we all are. If you do, good things will come. I see you as a 3 and d guy. With Jalen's ability to penetrate, you stand to get a lot of kick-outs for open threes. I also need you to help bust zones from deep. Continue to work on your shot, conditioning, strength, and defense. I want to see you develop all aspects of your game, keep getting better, and we can do great things."

But that's just off the cuff.

I don't know what Ollie said, but it was reported that he didn't have a plan for Jackson. If you've got a link to a story with sources, or a quote direct from Jackson or his dad, share it, because the rest is literally conjecture and rumors.

 

[Whtdmd]

"more likely"....meaning my scenario is more likely than what a players Dad said. And not just any players Dad, one with a history of speaking out feeling his son was being misused.

It was reported that Ollie told him to get to work. Meaning improve yourself and the rest takes care of itself. There was not going to be any "plan" where he was promised shots, minutes or any kind of featured role.

The biggest issue with VJ was the lack of quickness. His measurements 6'8" with a 6'8" wingspan did not help much. The biggest thing he needed to work on was his body and dribbling. His basketball IQ was good. VJ was going to be stuck in his production level unless he was willing to work on gaining the lean muscles and increasing his vertical by a few inches. Shabazz did that this summer

 

[Madmannsucks]

The New Haven Register’s Dave Borges reached out to Jackson’s father, Vance Jackson Sr., to try and find answers. Jackson Sr. has been outspoken on Twitter all season about his son’s playing time and utilization during games. Unfortunately, he locked his Twitter account, so trying to find those tweets isn’t practical.

But an excerpt from Borges’s story really, really caught my attention.

“’We talked it over, and for him to pursue his dreams, this was best for him,’ Jackson Sr. said. ‘We didn’t see things the same way, Vance, and me, and the coach, on how to utilize his skills. We wanted the best opportunity to utilize those skills, and it didn’t happen here.’”

“We?” Since when did Jackson Sr.’s opinion about the future of his son’s career carry as much weight as Vance himself?

This isn’t the first time this has happened at UConn. Alex Oriakhi, the starting power forward on UConn’s 2010-11 championship team, transferred before his senior season because of the 2013 postseason ban. While it’s a big deal that he left, the thing that made his departure unique was the fact that his father, Alex Oriakhi Sr., announced his transfer, not him.

 

[jonw]

So I've learned that you:
a) don't have a link
b) rely on conjecture and internet rumors.
c) don't believe a reporter with actual sources and,
d) mock those who have more faith in credible sources than conjecture and internet rumors.

Cool story bro.

Jackson didn't say he left because he wasn't made promises. But, it's not difficult to say "I'll promise you every opportunity to earn playing time as everyone else. You're going to have to work, we all are. If you do, good things will come. I see you as a 3 and d guy. With Jalen's ability to penetrate, you stand to get a lot of kick-outs for open threes. I also need you to help bust zones from deep. Continue to work on your shot, conditioning, strength, and defense. I want to see you develop all aspects of your game, keep getting better, and we can do great things."

But that's just off the cuff.

I don't know what Ollie said, but it was reported that he didn't have a plan for Jackson. If you've got a link to a story with sources, or a quote direct from Jackson or his dad, share it, because the rest is literally conjecture and rumors.

um, to my point, that's likely along the lines of what Ollie told him. Now with everything we know about Vance Sr. do you really think he sees Vance as a 3 & D guy?

 

[Madmannsucks]

Coach Kevin Ollie consistently called for Jackson to improve on defense, and as Jackson transferred out, his father, Vance Sr., indicated that the Huskies' offense was not a good fit for his skills. He played in 32 games, started 21, and averaged 26.9 minutes for UConn (16-17).
From the Hartford Courant.

 

[Madmannsucks]

"It's going to be sad for him to go," said Vance Jackson Sr., Vance's father, Tuesday. "It's nothing that we really wanted to do. We thought it was best for him."

Jackson Sr. said his son can do a lot more than he showed playing for the Huskies, but he didn't see anything changing for the better next season.

"Vance just knows he can do a lot more with the basketball," Vance Jackson Sr. said. "UConn is just more associated with guards and the guards create for everybody. ... I just feel like it's limiting his abilities by just sitting in the corner ready to shoot. They don't have a plan to change anything for him. Vance can get to the basket a lot. He just wasn't allowed to play like that."

This from the New London Day.

 

[FDNY99]

I was close with Rich Pagliuca-Harold Presley's coach at St Bernard's-when JC was hired. He told me that JC loved recruiting athletes and making them basketball players and he would be great at UConn. KO I think has some of that in his recruiting-but needs more kids that can shoot.

You are right on Coach P’s taken on Calhoun..but he also said that Calhoun loved recruiting athletic basketball players who Could Play D and shoot! I know this as fact because he was my guidance counselor and we talked at length about UConn MBB. He also told me that Harold never even considered UCONN because of the HC but if Calhoun was there when he was coming out it would have been different. Coach P would also be disgusted by this team and how Ollie game preps and makes in-game decisions! That man was an excellent coach! He would agree..time for a change in Storrs.

 

[Stainmaster]

The biggest issue with VJ was the lack of quickness. His measurements 6'8" with a 6'8" wingspan did not help much. The biggest thing he needed to work on was his body and dribbling. His basketball IQ was good. VJ was going to be stuck in his production level unless he was willing to work on gaining the lean muscles and increasing his vertical by a few inches. Shabazz did that this summer

His IQ was not good - other freshmen were still pulling him aside and explaining the defensive scheme to him during the conference tourney.

 

[BlueMAB]

um, to my point, that's likely along the lines of what Ollie told him. Now with everything we know about Vance Sr. do you really think he sees Vance as a 3 & D guy?

Everything we know about Vance Sr. is based on 140 character tweets. Unless and until Vance Jr. says otherwise, he gets to decide what college he attends.

YG@VanceJackson1

The decision I had made had nothing to do with my pops it was a me decision that I took time and made for myself

7:34 PM - Mar 28, 2017

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  26 people are talking about this

 

[huskyrob1]

You are just wrong on this one. There are plenty of casual fan alumni and plenty of die-hard non-alumni.

If you took the non-alumni out of the rent you couldn’t fill 5 sections beyond the students.

If you took the non-alumni out of a women's game in Gampel, you would have a ton of empty seats or three times that when Geno's girls play on the road. I know the women's game is different and attracts an older crowd, just stating a fact.

 

[FriarJ]

This is an age old argument that comes up from time to time with all schools, My experience is obviously with another school but people are people. How many of you went to UConn because you were fans of the basketball team? I bet there are many. Also for every casual fan who is a non alumni that fades away because of struggles you can find 2-3 that have been fans for life and no bump in the road is going to change that. There are also a ton of kids that graduate and never give 2 craps about the team if they are struggling. The idea that alumni care more is ridiculous. Let's see what the stands look like in Hartford or Providence if it was only alumni

 

[Walker11]

This is an age old argument that comes up from time to time with all schools, My experience is obviously with another school but people are people. How many of you went to UConn because you were fans of the basketball team? I bet there are many. Also for every casual fan who is a non alumni that fades away because of struggles you can find 2-3 that have been fans for life and no bump in the road is going to change that. There are also a ton of kids that graduate and never give 2 craps about the team if they are struggling. The idea that allumni care more is ridiculous. Let's see what the stands look like in Hartford or Providence if it was only alumni

I do think it may be a uniquely special experience if you grew up as a die hard UConn fan and then attended UConn (or whatever school you grew up a fan of). But there are plenty of people that grew up die hard UConn fans and did not go there, and plenty of alums that are not die hards. This is obvious. And presumably many of us non-Uconn alums are actually college graduates and are first and foremost Uconn fans, and not die-hards of our alma mater. As someone who grew up loving the Huskies and attended a pretty good basketball school I can firmly say that there was nothing so exceptional about seeing Scottie Reynolds on campus that made me convert my allegiance. It is cool to see Nova do well because now more people are familiar with the school throughout the country but at the end of the day, I am going to be much more passionate about the team I have been watching since I was 5.

 

[FriarJ]

I do think it may be a uniquely special experience if you grew up as a die hard UConn fan and then attended UConn (or whatever school you grew up a fan of). But there are plenty of people that grew up die hard UConn fans and did not go there, and plenty of alums that are not die hards. This is obvious. And presumably many of us non-Uconn alums are actually college graduates and are first and foremost Uconn fans, and not die-hards of our alma mater. As someone who grew up loving the Huskies and attended a pretty good basketball school I can firmly say that there was nothing so exceptional about seeing Scottie Reynolds on campus that made me convert my allegiance. It is cool to see Nova do well because now more people are familiar with the school throughout the country but at the end of the day, I am going to be much more passionate about the team I have been watching since I was 5.

Your experience alone should put this debate to bed. Non alumni are just as big a fans and in many cases moreso.

 

[Robertelamin]

You still don't get it. My son started going to games as an infant. He is 30 yo lives in jersey, didn't go to UConn but is as a big a fan as they come. It is NOT just being an alum it is being a fan.
He drives 3 hours to go to games, watches all on TV because he is a true fan.

Wow, I didn't know KO's brother lived in NJ.

 

[The Funster]

VJ Sr.'s plan was he wanted his son to be the focal point of the offense and not have to worry about defense.

 

[huskyrob1]

That's not what I wrote.

"he fired Glenn Miller (which cost us MAL, and probably any chance at having a real offense)."

You're missing the context of the comma. Poorly worded, but that was in reference to Glenn Miller, not MAL.

Come back with something else.

Glenn Miller played the trombone, I believe Glen Miller is the man you are referring to.

 

[UConnDan97]

I don't know the only sport that was big when I went to school here was polo. We had great horses

East Campus forever! I loved going to Horsebarn Hill to see the horses. And I still do...

 

[gtcam]

East Campus forever! I loved going to Horsebarn Hill to see the horses. And I still do...

I remember as a kid going to all the barns - feeding the horses sugar cubes, sheering the sheep with the aggies, the smell and sounds of the pig barn and feeding the cows straw
Then taking girls there in high school and buying them ice cream
Then in college - seeing the animals in a whole different dimension (if you know what I mean!)
Bringing my kids up there with their grandparents where my parents and I could relive the experience through their eyes
And now bringing my grandkids up to see them - its not as friendly or as open as it once was but its still a thrill to me and gives me goosebumps
And then the ice cream..........................................

 

[Huskybass]

That doesn't really mean anything though. You can be a fan of whoever you want but that doesn't mean it's not different when you're actually a graduate from that school. These are college sports. You can't tell me it's not a different experience when you actually see players in your classes or see them at a house party or bar.

I had classes with a couple of players. Knew them well enough to be friendly. When we won the NIT in 88 I was on the floor of MSG, celebrating with the team when we won. You would have thought we won the Big Dance, people were so happy! I played pick up against Earl Kelley. I liked Earl, but he was a badass. Best to be on his good side. Gerry Besselink dated my friend Tina for a long time. So yeah, being there was a pretty great experience.

 

[Huskybass]

I remember as a kid going to all the barns - feeding the horses sugar cubes, sheering the sheep with the aggies, the smell and sounds of the pig barn and feeding the cows straw
Then taking girls there in high school and buying them ice cream
Then in college - seeing the animals in a whole different dimension (if you know what I mean!)
Bringing my kids up there with their grandparents where my parents and I could relive the experience through their eyes
And now bringing my grandkids up to see them - its not as friendly or as open as it once was but its still a thrill to me and gives me goosebumps
And then the ice cream.......

There is something special about the Dairy Bar. Always has been.

 

[SubbaBub]

What exactly are your sources for hearing of prospective replacements worthy of the job?! The website pros at the Hartford Courant or the freakin' boneyard! In order to find a replacement they'd kind of need to fire Ollie and start a search and interview people. Until that happens saying that there are or are not worthy replacements is pure conjecture. It is not and cannot be a reason or rationale for retaining Ollie. Dom Perno wasn't fired because Jim Calhoun was standing outside Storrs or anywhere else with his resume.

I doubt Brad Stevens is leaving the Celtics to come here. As such, any name we would attract is going to be an unknown. The names being thrown around here don't wow me. Hence, AD Dave should make that decision and face the music because it's his job.

The FB program went through this twice in the last six years. Both choices crashed hard. So much that most were giddy to have Randy back.
To fire KO is to end all connections to the Calhoun era as no one else from his coaching tree has had any real success. That's perfectly fine but it casts you into the void of short term coaches who will move onto other programs that can pay more if they do what we all want them to do. That's also fine.

Dave just needs to decide if KO is a lost cause and that is the best future for UConn. We'll get one chance at getting it right.

 

[jibsey]

Vance Jackson was already a major offensive force in many games for us and he was on track to continue starting with good production. The few times he posted up it looked like he had skills and even at 6’8” he would have been a better bet than our current bigs except for Carlton. KO should have sat him down and told him he was going to be one of the focuses along with Jalen in our offense and that they would all work toward getting better at defense. Somehow KO pissed him off and his father took that and finished it for him. He also rebounded, he was a solid body. I hate the attacks on him. He wasn’t perfect, a freshman with lots of upside.

 

[Javjudah]

LMAO, classic boneyard post. What's your source for Vance's dad making the decision? Can you link it?

A journalist with actual sources reports that Jackson left because when Ollie didn't have a plan for him in the offense moving forward.

His dad was a critic, but I've never seen it reported that VJ left because "his dad made him". That's the story that has been told on the Boneyard a million times, because he was critical on Twitter.

You could argue the decision was made when his dad tweeted "Glenn Miller leaving really hurts." the weekend before Vance announced his transfer.

But then my question for you is...who fired Glenn Miller?

If you've got a link where a credible journalist reports that the dad made the decision, I'd like to see it. Otherwise, I'm entirely justified for Ollie losing Jackson because 1) he didn't have a plan in the offense for his best shooter and 2) he fired Glenn Miller (which cost us MAL, and probably any chance at having a real offense).

Please stop it! Everyone knew Jackson was transferring, some thought it might happened at the end of the first semester. His dad believed that Vance should be the focal point of the offense. Vance was out the door before his meeting with Coach Ollie. There was a 1% chance he was going to stay and that was only If KO guaranteed he would start and be the focal point on offense.

 

[Whtdmd]

Vance Jackson was already a major offensive force in many games for us and he was on track to continue starting with good production. The few times he posted up it looked like he had skills and even at 6’8” he would have been a better bet than our current bigs except for Carlton. KO should have sat him down and told him he was going to be one of the focuses along with Jalen in our offense and that they would all work toward getting better at defense. Somehow KO pissed him off and his father took that and finished it for him. He also rebounded, he was a solid body. I hate the attacks on him. He wasn’t perfect, a freshman with lots of upside.

The thing also with Jackson was that he peak early. He was a top 15 player as a HS freshman and then slowly drop. I think he was in the top 50 at the end of the junior yr. His ranking was 70 when he got to UCONN. The was no great improvement in his game since the freshman yr in HS. He was not explosive and cannot beat his man one to one. The offense cannot run through him.

 

[jibsey]

Please stop it! Everyone knew Jackson was transferring, some thought it might happened at the end of the first semester. His dad believed that Vance should be the focal point of the offense. Vance was out the door before his meeting with Coach Ollie. There was a 1% chance he was going to stay and that was only If KO guaranteed he would start and be the focal point on offense.

A major part of coaching is creating an environment to get and keep the talent that helps you win. So all of the decommittments and transfers are no one’s fault?

 

[PAHusky]

I doubt Brad Stevens is leaving the Celtics to come here. As such, any name we would attract is going to be an unknown. The names being thrown around here don't wow me. Hence, AD Dave should make that decision and face the music because it's his job.

The FB program went through this twice in the last six years. Both choices crashed hard. So much that most were giddy to have Randy back.
To fire KO is to end all connections to the Calhoun era as no one else from his coaching tree has had any real success. That's perfectly fine but it casts you into the void of short term coaches who will move onto other programs that can pay more if they do what we all want them to do. That's also fine.

Dave just needs to decide if KO is a lost cause and that is the best future for UConn. We'll get one chance at getting it right.

Genuine question, who does wow you as a coach that is a realistic to even leave their current job, let alone come to UConn? This is complete inanity to me. We can't land a current NBA coach, so every other candidate is a question mark, so let's keep riding the guy who put up the worst season in the last twenty five years and then went ahead and did himself one better the next year? Lunacy