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Message: [QUOTE="DMIL, post: 2772174, member: 8539"] I don’t think that’s a high bar being set. The team last year underperformed for a lot of different reasons. In other words there is a thought that the team could not perform any worse which was a far under performing unit. The record was not reflective of their collective talent. There were at least 5 games if not more last year that should have been won. Adding the technical skill set of Hurley, coaching staff, stabilized environment, addition of Gilbert, motivated Adams, Sid Wilson, experienced sophomores that I expect will exponentially be better just on effort alone in a down year for the conference you are looking at a floor of 18 to 20 wins. To your point when Hurley’s 2019 and 2020 classes mature that is when you can expect UCONN to return back to a perinial top 10 Power and the beginning of regular deep NCAA tournament runs. 20 win seasons are expected at UCONN even in our down years so the 18 to 20 win floor is just a standard UCONN down year more specifically in the AAC. The key to the 2018 team is going to be Jalen Adams. Not necessarily his production but more about his leadership. Can he make that transition? It will be the biggest x-factor with the team. We saw this with Kemba and Shabazz. Really night and day when you think about them before and after their transitions. Despite Ollie’s short comings he recruited pretty well but not consistently up to expectations coming off of the 2014 title. The injuries and defections set back the team minimum 3 years. These were at least 4 top 100 kids that would be Juniors right now. You take Kemba off of the 2011 team and what does that season look like? You take Shabazz off of the 2014 team and what does that look like? We know the answer to that. This stuff isn’t rocket science. Talent, depth and chemistry is what is needed to consistently contend. I’m actually looking for Hurley to exceed expectations meaning I expect he will. I’m a buyer. Getting back to UCONN basketball means 20 win down years, consistent tournament runs, toughness, grit and 30 plus win National Title final 4 runs. This starts in 2018. [/QUOTE]

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