Thank you Lasan.

[Strummer]

He got a bit lost in the shuffle during the tourni run because his minutes were down, but this kid was a necessary piece to this year's puzzle. When he was playing his best, he played started minutes and provided a nice drive and tight D, with boarding. When he was coming off the bench for limited minutes, late, he did his job, and he did it well.

His contribution to the championship game has been a bit lost in the celebration of the obvious heroes - boat and bazz, and Niel's all around grittiness (took a forearm to the face and had no thoughts about flopping to the ground, which likely would have resulted in a replay review flagrant).

In the title game, Kromah played a quiet 20 minutes. Half the game. Didn't seem it, did it? But he had a very nice impact. 6 boards in 20 minutes. That was huge. Rattled in a shot early to build the early lead. Two assists and a steal, with only 1 TO and only 1 PF.

Did you see the defense he played on the Harrison kid for the 2nd to last shot? Essentially got close enough to challenge, but then, seasoned veteran, backed off to remove all chance of the crappy foul call, well aware of the situation.

And, quite obviously, was in the right place and made himself available for the final knife in the wildcat - caught it, did not take a panic shot, calmly pump faked poy in the air, then leaned in ever so slightly to ensure contact without giving away the foul.

Then, his 2 free throws iced the game.

Here here.

Thanks for coming to UConn Lasan - you wore the uni for about 7 months, but you're part of the family forever now.

 

[Huskybass]

Lasan was a huge part of this team. He did lots of things well and provided quality depth. No way this team cuts down nets without him.

 

[Ct79]

Forcing that jump ball giving us possession back late in the second half was huge.

 

[UConn3432]

He brought a toughness to this team that will be tough to replace. I love the senior transfers, keep them coming.

 

[UChusky916]

Don't forget that huge offensive rebound with under 2 mins left. Grabbed the ball going out of bounds and threw it back to Bazz on the perimeter (I was scared sh!tless he'd throw it right to UK). Kromah was the unsung hero of the final 3 mins of the championship game.

 

[UChusky916]

Forcing that jump ball giving us possession back late in the second half was huge.

Absolutely. Love how the announcers on real-time were like 'OH I THOUGHT HE FOULED HIM' and then they watch the replay and see Kromah had his hand right on the ball the whole time and they backpedaled as fast as possible.

 

[Palatine]

Every time someone gets an offensive board at the end of the game I always think of Jamal Coombs-McDaniel.

 

[Obrero]

Yeah, Kromah was the epitome of a team player, esp late in the season when the lineup changes cut into his playing time. No sulking or failing to be ready to rumble when called upon. And he came up huge in the last four minutes of the season.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

He definitely earned that ring this year. May have been quiet during the last stretch, but when this team was struggling to find itself a bit earlier this year, he brought some identity and consistency.

 

[boog204]

He as huge in the championship game. The early J, he had a couple of really nice drives that rimmed out, the jump ball, the 6 boards, great D, THE offensive board, having the presence of mind to pump fake to draw the foul and avoid the block (looking at you, Phil) and then confidently knocking down free throws. You need guys like him to win championships. Wish we had more time with Lasan.

 

[Tenspro2002]

He had a huge contribution as a bigger guard off the bench, with excellent D and a reliable handle. His offense abandoned him somewhat towards the end of the year, but his physical drives to the rim were an important change-of-pace on offense (similar to what Samuel did).

By the end of the year, when this team discovered its identity (stout D, toughness, intelligent O), it was obvious how well Kromah fit.

 

[UCHuskies08]

I wonder if in his wildest imagination during his time at GW, he ever thought he'd be cutting down the nets at the Final Four.

 

[Dogdeacon]

He as huge in the championship game. The early J, he had a couple of really nice drives that rimmed out, the jump ball, the 6 boards, great D, THE offensive board, having the presence of mind to pump fake to draw the foul and avoid the block (looking at you, Phil) and then confidently knocking down free throws. You need guys like him to win championships. Wish we had more time with Lasan.

Kromah sprinted from outside the 3pt line to grab that offensive board under 2. One of the biggest plays of the game and it was pure hustle, smarts and clutch. Wanted it more.

 

[SellersElbow]

Kromah's decision to become a husky was a huge win-win for him and us. Great stuff all around. I just wish R.J. had gotten a similar chance to show what he could he do on the big stage last season.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Congratulations and thank yous are in order for Kromah and his contributions in the NCAA.

Make no mistake about it either there was a stretch this season ( around the Washington game) where he was our second best player most nights.

 

[boog204]

Kromah sprinted from outside the 3pt line to grab that offensive board under 2. One of the biggest plays of the game and it was pure hustle, smarts and clutch. Wanted it more.

Absolutely... That was with what, a minute to go? If KY gets that board they are down 4 with the ball and the chance to extend the game. Instead you get a hustle board, great kick out, a timeout, and then LK at the line to essentially put it out of reach. Biggest play of the game along with Boat's stepback J over Randle to push it to a two possession lead.

 

[Scoe]

He was absolutely huge for us, getting him is like the equivalent of an NBA title contender getting a 10 plus year vet. I knew he was gonna be a big wildcard for us, as if trying to score against Shabazz and Boat was too much for teams we bring in Samuel and Kromah off the bench thats just sick. A great team first player and not only did he get to win a national championship but he got to join his former coach Karl Hobbs, hope he stays on the staff btw selfishly.

 

[Matrim55]

The game was over when he got that rebound, but he still wasn't done making big plays. Wish we had him for three more years.

 

[UCweCONN]

How awesome for Lasan to come here for one year and win a national championship? Reminds me of EJ Harrison who was a star at DIII Western for two years but decided he wanted bigger challenges. He played a little, won a national championship in '99, and parlayed this into a pro career in England. The stuff dreams are made of.

 

[superjohn]

The jump ball he forced was as big as any play in the game. We were clinging to a 1 point lead and he came out of position to make a fantastic play giving us possession and helping us keep the lead which we would never relinquish, one of many huge plays he made.

 

[Scoe]

One year of Kromah >> One year of Drummond

don't start and derail this thread

 

[art4life]

Excellent post.
Lasan was a good player - played some outstanding D and had a few decent offensive games.

And he was a great teammate - fit in right away and we're the better for it.

Wish him all the best.

 

[stickyrice]

don't start and derail this thread

Not trying to. Just giving props to Kromah and his impact to the team.

 

[breezy]

Lasan Kromah is as successful of an example as any of a 5th year transfer. We knew we had a loaded backcourt but with the disappearance of Omar we STILL were loaded because of Lasan.

Remember his full court sprint and full extended dive at a loose ball during the Memphis game, despite the fact that he slide out of bounds?

Remember when we couldn't score against (eastern Washington or Washington I can't remember which), and lasan did what a vet knows to do: stopped deferring to bazz and score like 12 points in the first half to keep us in it offensively? He sometime played 30 minutes and sometimes played 8, but he always came to play. He was the true glue guy on this squad (not giff). Tip of the cap to a great albeit 1-year husky.

 

[tcf15]