That wasn't basketball, but better times ahead

[upstater]

Absolutely. We have to quit recruiting ghostly, stick figure bigs with zero chance of adding any real bulk to their frames. These guys all get tossed around like rag dolls by any team with one or more wide bodies down low. We need Okafors, or at least some Freeman/Selvie/White/Boone/Adrien/Okwandu types that can bang with the big boys underneath the basket. I'm tired of these 98 pound weaklings getting sand kicked in their faces at the beach, like in the old Charles Atlas cartoon ads.

Half the guys you named showed up as Charles Atlas weaklings not to even mention Thabeet. Adrien was the exception there. I mean, you listed Okwandu.

 

[gtcam]

Fairly good read Fishy but still looking up what the hell an off the wall rotation is and can only come up with home improvement stuff
I wrote an email Aresco but am not holding my breath to hear back
As far as adding a team - would like to see something close to UConn - Dayton, URI - both have young up and coming coaches
One move away from your desired staff - can anyone guess who you want to move and who you want in? Ricky M is a good recruiter.
I love to see how some people place the lulls and runs squarely on KO shoulders - oh well just shaking my head - sometimes 6 kids do lose engagement when they are dead tired - we all saw the difference of JA yesterday after a 1st half rest
Liked your take on the seniors

And yes, George was/is a good game coach
Carmen was in the house Friday and Saturday

 

[gtcam]

#4) Is spot on.....Before yesterday I was not that impressed with Kevin Ollie, but his game plan yesterday gave you guys the best chance to win. Make Cincinnati beat us at the line. As a Bearcat fan, fortunately we were able to knock them down. I am sure Ollie questioned his players manhood after they kinda' went thru the motions and did not really compete the previous two times they played Cincinnati. Yesterday he got his guys to play like warriors, if we are gonna' get beat we're gonna' go down swinging. I believe Ollie's goal was to muck things up, shorten the game, don't let Cincinnati impose their will on us, and force them to make free throws. He was right where he wanted to be with about three minutes to go. The game had no flow, and was brutal to watch. No way it should take two and one half hours to play a regulation college basketball game. I believe after Clark got the tooth knocked out, the refs biggest fear was a fight. If they have to blow the whistle on every possession they will blow the whistle every possession, but there ain't gonna' be no fights. Our reputation probably contributed to this. Big props to Ollie and your team, they played like warriors yesterday.

Is this a joke or did AACRrigns enlist his little brother to sign of on another of his foolish ramblings?

 

[uconnfan68]

Agree, Aresco needs to be questioned by the media on this stupid referee selection move. This should be the last time Hess works an AAC game - period.
Also , the staff needs upgrading with a true Bigs Coach.

Wasn't all Hess, the other 2 were terrible also. Burke even commented on that at one point. Bottom line, they lost control in the first 2 minutes.

 

[junglehusky]

Why not go full derp and play five guards ALL THE DAMN TIME?

 

[selles]

How many times a game do you say "nice cut" with UConn? Me neither.

I agree with this point in general, but this seems like a good spot to note that over the past couple games Vital had several of the nicest hard cuts without the ball I've seen from a UConn player in years. Not sure where it came from, but hope he keeps it up next year.

 

[Glastonhusky]

Durham has so much upside. He reminds me of Vin Baker.

and lets not forget how young Enoch is. He turns 20 in Sept, huge upside there as well but he needs to lose bad weight and get quicker.

Polley looks like a guy who will be able to rebound from day one.

Much to look forward to next year for Basketball and Football.

I noticed the same thing about Enoch's weight. Yes we need his bulk, but he needs to turn some of that bulk into lean muscle. I hope he can work with a trainer this off season to make that happen.

 

[The Funster]

I don't want to add any teams at this point. We need to see if some rivalries can develop (I'm serious). If this is going to be our home we can't keep adding teams to the mix, IMO.

Cincy was the better team and deserved to win. The refs were awful and made bad calls on both teams. Cincy was better at forcing contact and then made their foul shots. Credit to them.

Count me among the few here that actually likes Mick Cronin. He's a classic underdog guy and coaches with a chip on his shoulder and doesn't hide it. He won't ever win an NC but I still like him.

Losing 40% of our starting lineup may have been the best thing that ever happened to Ollie's Huskies. The first two games were an abomination. It looked like another season of swinging the ball around the perimeter until someone was forced to make something happen one on one as the shot clock wound down. After the shock of losing Gibson and Larrier faded a rudimentary offensive philosophy or system began to emerge. Ollie needs to build on it.

Ollie needs to bring someone in from outside to sit next to him on the bench. A new voice is needed. Think George Blaney.

 

[Ts5034]

Just look at this video. I realize it's HS not college d1. But if you don't see what can be then you're nuts. Not sure why as of yet, thinking that he's just not confident enough this year of the new knee and needs to get stronger, but there's some huge upside here as metsfan points out and that's exciting.

Im not saying this as a knock on Durham, I think he can develop into a nice player for us, but I was honestly more impressed with Tony Bradley in that video. I looked up his stats and he averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds a game this year as a Freshman for North Carolina. Keep in mind he is playing in the ACC. Those are the kind of front court players we need to start recruiting, and more importantly developing. I agree that we need bigs that have more size and strength.

 

[Tenspro2002]

And Freeman is not a coach.

How are there still folks who have no clue that a Director of Basketball Operations is not a coach?

I know that Freeman is Director of Basketball Ops and isn't a coach. But do you really think he'd take that position without an expectation of eventually joining the bench?

My point is: UConn alumnus status should not automatically put your resume at the top of the pile. We need more diversity of perspective, not less.

 

[Matrim55]

Im not saying this as a knock on Durham, I think he can develop into a nice player for us, but I was honestly more impressed with Tony Bradley in that video. I looked up his stats and he averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds a game this year as a Freshman for North Carolina. Keep in mind he is playing in the ACC. Those are the kind of front court players we need to start recruiting, and more importantly developing. I agree that we need bigs that have more size and strength.

Yeah, why doesn't Ollie just go out there and beat UNC for more 5-star recruits?

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I guess if we replace a games with USF or Tulane it would be a good thing. Especially for a BPI/SOS standpoint and if the tourney credits almost offset 1 new add, I guess I'd be OK with it..

That being said, why in the world is it Wichita that is the first choice? If it's me I'm talking VCU. I believe they've made the tourney 6 straight seasons, including a Final 4, have had sustained success over multiple coaches and the biggest thing is they aren't in Kansas.

 

[JMick]

Just look at this video. I realize it's HS not college d1. But if you don't see what can be then you're nuts. Not sure why as of yet, thinking that he's just not confident enough this year of the new knee and needs to get stronger, but there's some huge upside here as metsfan points out and that's exciting.

Durham will be good. It's just a matter of when. Hopefully with a full off-season he will gain some more strength and get his confidence back.

 

[aceboon]

I know that Freeman is Director of Basketball Ops and isn't a coach. But do you really think he'd take that position without an expectation of eventually joining the bench?

My point is: UConn alumnus status should not automatically put your resume at the top of the pile. We need more diversity of perspective, not less.

Dude do you not realize that Freeman just got passed up for an assistant opportunity last year with the Killings hiring? If his resume was at the top of the pile due to his alumni status then why is he still the director of basketball ops when there was just an opening last year?

 

[SubbaBub]

There was nothing wrong with the offensive system we saw this past week. The problem was the lack of intelligent execution by the players. Still too many poor decisions in shot selection and too many empty trips. And yesterday, the biggest problem is that Brimah was and absolute no show on both ends. Catch, fake, swarmed by defenders a weak shot attempt, turnover, hand clap. Need a big next year that can catch and either go up strong or kick it out consistently. And everything needs to be crisper. Cincy had time to triple the ball on almost every catch inside the arc.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Is this a joke or did AACRrigns enlist his little brother to sign of on another of his foolish ramblings?

Definitely a joke. Either that or he "watched" the game by only reading the box score.

 

[intlzncster]

Kevin Ollie needs to be better during games - we had some off the wall rotations early in the year, but I guess that settled when he lost 40% of his starting lineup. His team needs to be better prepared to start games and halves and he needs to find a way to keep his team engaged. You cannot be successful giving up the number of runs they do. No more fn around.

Totally agree on room for improvement. We as fans should give him that room though. People are looking at him as a static from a coaching perspective, and it's mind boggling. The fact that he is so young and inexperience bodes really well for the future in terms of individual development. He's got more 'potential' if you were. I don't know why people expected a finished product coming into his career. We weren't getting a very experience coach, never mind an HOF guy, with KO coming in.

7) Recruiting simply needs to improve. I think it's heading in the right direction, so I believe it will. We have guards for miles and miles. Adding Alterique next year will move Jalen off the ball and I think that will be like throwing gasoline on a fire - he's going to blow up. Vital was a steal, MAL is a future star, etc. Larrier, Jackson and Polley will be fine. Durham will be much better and he'll be a mismatch at times with his range.

Recruiting down low does need to improve. A lot of that was previous sanctions and missing out on top targets. Can't do anything about the first, but the send can be addressed. Maybe starts with identifying targets you can get, and casting a bit wider net with regards to those guys? Leave to top guys aside, and go hard after a wider set of the 2nd tier, instead of settling for 3rd tier, when you've missed out on the first.

Player development is not what it should be and this is not a sentimental business.

This is very much related to recruiting though. If you don't recruit good players with high ceilings, how can you expect them to develop? Garbage in = garbage out--not saying our guys are garbage at all mind you.

Guys are developing: on this team, see Jalen, the two freshman, Facey did at the end. Sometimes it falls on the players themselves.

I like what we have coming back. I think next year is going to be a bumpy one if for no other reason than we're adding a ton of new pieces and the team will be very young. Back court is set, wings are set....just need the front court to surprise.

Gonna be more bumpy than people think, especially at the start, given the front loaded schedule. It's not just incorporating a lot of pieces, but having guys back from a lot of time off basketball because of injuries. One guy languishing in the Juco game. Lot of sophomores and freshman. Few upperclassmen.

Having a stud experienced combo guard is an incredible blessing (see Kemba). Oddly, Durham getting his feet under him this year is an incredible blessing as well. Beginning of the year, I wanted him to redshirt. But now, I want him to hit the ground running, and playing this year was the best way to do that.

 

[Matrim55]

Oddly, Durham getting his feet under him this year is an incredible blessing as well. Beginning of the year, I wanted him to redshirt. But now, I want him to hit the ground running, and playing this year was the best way to do that.

If Durham stays healthy, he's going to be a big gddmn problem for EVERYBODY next year. Cincy couldn't keep him off the offensive glass yesterday, and that's with him playing at about 30% of his potential.

Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy

 

[whaler11]

I guess if we replace a games with USF or Tulane it would be a good thing. Especially for a BPI/SOS standpoint and if the tourney credits almost offset 1 new add, I guess I'd be OK with it..

That being said, why in the world is it Wichita that is the first choice? If it's me I'm talking VCU. I believe they've made the tourney 6 straight seasons, including a Final 4, have had sustained success over multiple coaches and the biggest thing is they aren't in Kansas.

Nobody in their right mind would leave the A-10 for the AAC as a basketball only.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Nobody in their right mind would leave the A-10 for the AAC as a basketball only.

You don't think so? Still feel like head to toe the AAC is a better hoops league even if it isn't the hoop centric league the A10 is.

In the A10 the games are barely even televised.

 

[intlzncster]

Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy Please Stay Healthy

This is what I say with the Pats annually. Can't believe I have to do the same with the Huskies. But I do.

 

[whaler11]

You don't think so? Still feel like head to toe the AAC is a better hoops league even if it isn't the hoop centric league the A10 is.

In the A10 the games are barely even televised.

I don't think Dayton or VCU would want to join. From a basketball standpoint the leagues are pretty much equal. From a travel standpoint the A-10 has a huge advantage.

Joining a football league as a basketball only is insane - especially if you are the only one.

Wichita would be interested because once Creighton bailed on the MVC it has seemingly become an auto-bid only league. If that Illinois State team is below the line of a 68 team tourney then the MVC is probably never getting multiple bids again.

 

[Chief00]

I agree with this point in general, but this seems like a good spot to note that over the past couple games Vital had several of the nicest hard cuts without the ball I've seen from a UConn player in years. Not sure where it came from, but hope he keeps it up next year.

Confirmed.

 

[Towney007]

Just a few rambling thoughts, because I can't expand much more than what Fishy said - because he's really spot-on across the board.

I think this team takes a big step forward and I think there's absolutely a scenario where things come together with this group to make some serious noise. I like our group of guards - from a pure talent standpoint - as much as anyone in the country. Where i'm down a bit is that Gilbert didn't play this year and honestly - it's one thing to practice and whatnot and an entirely different thing to carve your teeth on the court. He's talented enough to jump right in - but early on I see growing pains. Then mix in MAL and he's more of the same - which isn't necesarily a bad thing.

On the wings, we're fine. I don't expect us to be total world beaters but there's plenty there to be competitive and again - gel later in the year. So i'm fine there.

The front court - plain and simple - is the issue. Without it, we'll kind of be what we are.

I'm all for the conference beefing up the hoops slate by adding a team - maybe two. I'd agree that the best candidates are probably wichita, VCU, Dayton and URI. I'm agnostic as to who it is, as they've all got some obvious benefits and some obvious shortcomings. I'm more interested to see how the successful programs in the conference keep up the momentum and bringing the middle of the conference up to scuff. The teams that are languishing probably will for the forseeable future. Adding a team probably speeds up the process, though - and the conference needs all the help it can get.

 

[AdamaNation]

Oh Karl Hess. He's the who stole an overtime basket and possession from us against Marquette a few years ago then blamed the players for lining up incorrectly.

Also - next year we need a UConn Mom to step up. There's been a gaping void of exuberance behind the bench since Andrea Walker and Carmen Velasquez left.

And the super hit ms. Boatright.

 

[Mike Honcho]

And the super hit ms. Boatright.

Agreed. Huge oversight on my part.

 

[Nostical]

I hate the American Conference for being so freaking stupid that they hired Karl Hess to officiate a tournament game. Someone needs to be shot.

I guess no gun was readily available. Karl Hess, Ron Groover and Mike Nance, the Saturday night butchers of our game, we're back for an encore on Sunday. (Well almost.) Mike Nance (the obvious sacrificial fall guy) was replaced by Olandis Poole, selected because the pea was missing from his whistle.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I don't think Dayton or VCU would want to join. From a basketball standpoint the leagues are pretty much equal. From a travel standpoint the A-10 has a huge advantage.

Joining a football league as a basketball only is insane - especially if you are the only one.

Wichita would be interested because once Creighton bailed on the MVC it has seemingly become an auto-bid only league. If that Illinois State team is below the line of a 68 team tourney then the MVC is probably never getting multiple bids again.

The bolded above - I'm not sure I follow this as it pertains to the A10. I understand wanting to stay with like minded athletic institutions and that it would be crazy for a Georgetown or Villanova to consider joining a league that supports football, for instance if they received an ACC basketball invite.

However, the A10 is never on national TV and even our measly payout from the AAC seems a lot higher than the few hundred thousand that the A10 receives. I agree the travel isn't comparable, but if you're VCU don't you think playing UConn, SMU, Memphis, Temple on ESPN Networks far outweighs playing Dayton, URI, St. Joe's on NBC Sports Channel? I feel like even with the added travel, they'd still come out with more money in the AAC too?

Could be wrong - but interested to hear why.

 

[whaler11]

The bolded above - I'm not sure I follow this as it pertains to the A10. I understand wanting to stay with like minded athletic institutions and that it would be crazy for a Georgetown or Villanova to consider joining a league that supports football, for instance if they received an ACC basketball invite.

However, the A10 is never on national TV and even our measly payout from the AAC seems a lot higher than the few hundred thousand that the A10 receives. I agree the travel isn't comparable, but if you're VCU don't you think playing UConn, SMU, Memphis, Temple on ESPN Networks far outweighs playing Dayton, URI, St. Joe's on NBC Sports Channel? I feel like even with the added travel, they'd still come out with more money in the AAC too?

Could be wrong - but interested to hear why.

They would spend the delta on TV money in travel before the fall semester is over.

You are also the lone member of a 13 team league that makes all your decisions based on basketball. The other 12 schools are making their decisions weighted by football.

Yes they would get more television exposure - but Dayton and VCU are as successful right now as every AAC program but three.

The AAC gets treated like garbage by the selection committee. Who would sign up for that?

 

[ConnHuskBask]

They would spend the delta on TV money in travel before the fall semester is over.

You are also the lone member of a 13 team league that makes all your decisions based on basketball. The other 12 schools are making their decisions weighted by football.

Yes they would get more television exposure - but Dayton and VCU are as successful right now as every AAC program but three.

The AAC gets treated like garbage by the selection committee. Who would sign up for that?

1) I guess I made the assumption that the invite would be for basketball only. I would think they could dump at least some of their non-revenue sports in the CAA.
2) I don't see how the league making decisions on football - aside from adding a new league member - would affect VCU? Trading football TV exposure on ESPN in lieu of basketball exposure, I suppose? Payouts from the deal too.
3) No debating that VCU/Dayton are highly successful. I think VCU has made 6 straight tourneys. Only Cincinnati can say that in the AAC.
4) Doesn't seem like the A10 is any better. 11 seed for URI, 10 seed for VCU and a 7 seed for Dayton?

In any event, I guess this idea made me think of a future where UConn can join the ACC in some capacity as a basketball member with some football arrangement. I actually think AAC Football is a pretty solid product - especially playing in the Eastern Division with some familiar opponents, but man, this hoop season just sucks the life out of you.

I wonder if UConn could survive with a ND-lite type deal? Play as the 16th hoop team, and then football have a 2 home 2 away deal but be from a list of selected teams (i.e. no FSU, Clemson, VT or something) and then have at least a low level bowl tie in (probably still better than what we have in the AAC). Fill out the remainder of the schedule - 2 ACC home, 2 ACC away, UMass, MAC, P5, BYU? Certainly would be a bit worse than the AAC, but I guess I'm desperate.

/rant over.