Three Rings

[78AlwaysHappy]

All 14 players who have played on three NCAA Division I Championship basketball teams are from UCLA: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sidney Wicks, Curtis Rowe, Lynn Shackelford, Larry Farmer, Henry Bibby, Steve Patterson, Kenny Heitz, Jon Chapman, John Ecker, Andy Hill, Terry Schofield, Bill Sweek, and Larry Hollyfield.

It would be nice to add a few Uconn names to that list.

 

[bjc42]

It would be nice to add a few Uconn names to that list.

I think we just might

 

[jibsey]

While I understand the 3 peat talk is inevitable and maybe beneficial for the program it’s got to be understood how freaking hard this would be to do. It seems like many here are like “hey we reloaded, got AK back, make room on the shelf for the trophy.” we have the right coaching staff to try for it, but it’s a monumental task and I can’t wait to see the attempt.

 

[fatlucy]

Doomed

 

[CL82]

While I understand the 3 peat talk is inevitable and maybe beneficial for the program it’s got to be understood how freaking hard this would be to do. It seems like many here are like “hey we reloaded, got AK back, make room on the shelf for the trophy.” we have the right coaching staff to try for it, but it’s a monumental task and I can’t wait to see the attempt.

I'm OK with this talk in the summer. It's been a heady run and getting Karaban back has gotten everyone psyched. Things will settle down as we get closer to November.

 

[phillionaire]

The elves also got 3 rings can’t forget that

 

[gsmooth]

While I understand the 3 peat talk is inevitable and maybe beneficial for the program it’s got to be understood how freaking hard this would be to do. It seems like many here are like “hey we reloaded, got AK back, make room on the shelf for the trophy.” we have the right coaching staff to try for it, but it’s a monumental task and I can’t wait to see the attempt.

I think it will be very beneficial to the program. This is going to be mentioned at least 1 once during every game UConn plays and it will be mentioned in studio shows and other games that UConn isn't playing-that's a lot of good publicity. This includes the Maui Invitational where the almost many fanbases of other teams will be watching whether their team is participating or not in the Maui Invitational. If UConn starts off the season hot and wins the Maui, the 3 peat talk will only intensify.

 

[Deepster]

We didn't shy away from the repeat (when everyone turtled up all season long worried about being "doomed"). We won't shy away from a three peat. You have Hurley at UFC last night putting up 1-2-3 fingers. If that's not a "come get us" moment, nothing is.

 

[TheHorde]

We have a completely intact coaching staff and a roster that has a mix of guys with multiple championships, one championship, and even experience at other high level programs. If there is a team out there suited to carry that burden, it’s this one. And that burden is offset by the mental edge UConn has in opponents heads knowing we have won so often and so handily. With that said, this coming year would likely prove to be the most challenging of the three to complete, even with a very deep and talented roster. The field should be slightly deeper at the top end of the spectrum.

 

[bigknight3]

While I understand the 3 peat talk is inevitable and maybe beneficial for the program it’s got to be understood how freaking hard this would be to do. It seems like many here are like “hey we reloaded, got AK back, make room on the shelf for the trophy.” we have the right coaching staff to try for it, but it’s a monumental task and I can’t wait to see the attempt.

Exact same statements were made going into last season. No reason to fight it at this point as long as people are even keeled with their expectations and enjoy the ride.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Exact same statements were made going into last season. No reason to fight it at this point as long as people are even keeled with their expectations and enjoy the ride.

Think last season there was a lot of reason for optimism.

Sanogo was being replaced by a more talented center, Hawkins was being replaced by a more consistent player, and Andre was being replaced by a just as talented more well rounded player.

This year I don’t think we are replacing what we’re losing at the same level. Specifically at center with a guy who’s been one of the most important parts of this run.

Know our guards have been great already but they are going to have to consistently be the best on the court in a Bazz/Kemba way to do it this year. Not sure if we’re going to have that same advantage in the paint as year’s past.

 

[uconngb]

I'm OK with this talk in the summer. It's been a heady run and getting Karaban back has gotten everyone psyched. Things will settle down as we get closer to November.

Are you new to this board????

 

[uconngb]

Think last season there was a lot of reason for optimism.

Sanogo was being replaced by a more talented center, Hawkins was being replaced by a more consistent player, and Andre was being replaced by a just as talented more well rounded player.

This year I don’t think we are replacing what we’re losing at the same level. Specifically at center with a guy who’s been one of the most important parts of this run.

Know our guards have been great already but they are going to have to consistently be the best on the court in a Bazz/Kemba way to do it this year. Not sure if we’re going to have that same advantage in the paint as year’s past.

Admire your attempts to rationalize, but there was NO ONE saying Cam would capably replace Jordan. No one

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Admire your attempts to rationalize, but there was NO ONE saying Cam would capably replace Jordan. No one

I’d have to go back and check, but I think there was some quiet optimism about him being a more consistent shooter over the summer. Not better overall player, but consistent shooter and ballhandler. Especially after the Europe trip.

 

[uconngb]

I’d have to go back and check, but I think there was some quiet optimism about him being a more consistent shooter over the summer. Not better overall player, but consistent shooter and ballhandler. Especially after the Europe trip.

No. Jordan was the 14th pick in the NBA draft. Remember???

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

No. Jordan was the 14th pick in the NBA draft. Remember???

So I went and checked, and I’ll give myself some pats on the back here for calling exactly that preseason.

Post in thread 'Three Man Weave Twitter Preview Thread - #8'
Three Man Weave Twitter Preview Thread - #8

 

[EZPass]

I’d have to go back and check, but I think there was some quiet optimism about him being a more consistent shooter over the summer. Not better overall player, but consistent shooter and ballhandler. Especially after the Europe trip.

I remember this one. Pre-euro trip, almost a year ago exactly. There’s a gem in there comparing Hawkins and Jayson Tatum btw

Is Sanogo the player we miss the most?

I personally think the answer is yes, but interested in what the Boneyard thinks. My thoughts kinda lead me to believe Adama was the key to success offensively last season. His presence in the four out scheme opened up so much for our perimeter shooting. Defenses were stuck with basically two...

the-boneyard.com

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

I remember this one. Pre-euro trip, almost a year ago exactly. There’s a gem in there comparing Hawkins and Jayson Tatum btw

Is Sanogo the player we miss the most?

I personally think the answer is yes, but interested in what the Boneyard thinks. My thoughts kinda lead me to believe Adama was the key to success offensively last season. His presence in the four out scheme opened up so much for our perimeter shooting. Defenses were stuck with basically two...

the-boneyard.com

@nomar was also cautiously optimistic about Cam in there too. There was reason to feel really good about the roster heading into the season. Clingan being one of the big ones.

Post in thread 'Is Sanogo the player we miss the most?'
Is Sanogo the player we miss the most?

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

This year I’m not sure who that guy is that we know is going to be one of the best, most impactful players in the country.

Don’t think Mahaney will be Spencer, Reed won’t be Clingan, Liam can equal Castle possibly.

It’s really going to come down to if Solo can become a better player than Newton (because I don’t believe Diarra has the potential to do that) and if Stewart can become that star. That’s what this season will boil down to when it comes to 3. If AK can turn into an All American that would be very helpful too.

 

[uconn_jack]

Admire your attempts to rationalize, but there was NO ONE saying Cam would capably replace Jordan. No one

Agree. Most were just thinking he'd just be a better, starting level Calcaterra. Not the dominating stud he was.

 

[Ricker]

As an appetizer I'd like to get a first round matchup that gets us a 13th straight double digit ncaa win. I think that is a record which would stand a long long time.

We were so tough to match up with with Clingan in the post. It's going to be a tough road this year with so many teams able to match up with us. 5-22 from 3 isn't going to be offset by post defense etc. Regardless of any regular season adversity, we get to March with a decent seed and we aren't overmatched by anybody. I like our chances, but recognize the difficulty and will applaud whatever the result is of this run.

 

[Mr. French]

Clingan and Sanogo will be our most missed players (C position)…but no reason Liam, Stewie, AK and Mahaney, Ball can’t be more productive than our last 2 seasons of production on the wings.

If the PG/C spots just maintain consistent play, we’re going to be darn tough to stop.

 

[auror]

There was certainly optimism from some on Cam, especially those that considered what his whole game meant for the team. From the preseason in September of last year.

All of that is great, but the lineup construction element that I’m most excited about and think will really set 2024 UConn apart is passing. Jordan Hawkins was an off ball screen savant, and while Cam Spencer is strong in that area, he’s not going to be quite as good as Hawkins at it. Spencer, however, brings his own strengths, and his playmaking is much, much better than Hawkins’. He’s a shooter who also had a 20% assist rate at Rutgers (per KenPom). He’s essentially going to be a 3rd PG on the court for UConn. He’s a pro at curling around a screen, getting into the paint, drawing the help D, and throwing the quick lob to a big (Clingan and Samson salivating). While some extremely important skills (like 1-on-1 on-ball iso-scoring) have diminishing returns when stacked in your lineup because there’s only 1 ball, it is my opinion (and that of many NBA GMs these days) that BBIQ, feel, passing, and playmaking for others are not diminishing. I consider those skills to be multiplicative, as passing by definition involves more players in the offense, and if those players are also excellent passers it just accelerates the effect further and builds on itself.

I have no idea how anyone guards UConn this year. You can’t pack the paint because of the spacing. You can’t sell out on the shooters because of the lob threat and 4 guys who can attack close-outs off the bounce. You can’t attempt to grind the game to a halt because UConn’s extensive playbook will usually get them an open shot eventually each possession, and if not, Newton or Castle will drive and attempt to draw a foul.

And if you do by chance guard the Huskies well, the other secret sauce for UConn’s offense kicks in: Offensive rebounding.

Interesting enough, they both finished their seasons in the 91st percentile for catch and shoot efficiency and 1.24 ppp on off ball screens (Hawkins 1% more frequency scoring off screens). Eerily identical.

 

[aceboon]

There was certainly optimism from some on Cam, especially those that considered what his whole game meant for the team. From the preseason in September of last year.






Interesting enough, they both finished their seasons in the 91st percentile for catch and shoot efficiency and 1.24 ppp on off ball screens (Hawkins 1% more frequency scoring off screens). Eerily identical.

Is that your reddit post? It was perfectly spot on about UConn and other top 10 teams.

 

[navery12]

Too many people are getting hung up on how do you replace X, Y, Z from last year's team to win again. There's not one formula to win, so you don't need to find someone to do exactly what Clingan did last year or bring the same skill set as Cam. This team will be a significantly better shooting team and will have a ton more depth than last year, so you lean on that to win