Two weeks out from the first exhibition game

[UConnSwag11]

Mon., Oct. 30 vs.

Merrimack # Hartford, Conn. - XL Center 7:00 p.m.


Can't wait for the season to finally begin. We have a deep team and a lot to prove. Should be an exciting season.


Starting lineup prediction

Adams, Gilbert, Larrier, Diarra/Williams, Onuorah

 

[MuchoDogYears]

Starting 5:
Top guards: Adams, Gilbert,
Top forwards: Larrier, Polley,
Top center: Cobb

 

[mauconnfan]

Starting 5:
Top guards: Adams, Gilbert,
Top forwards: Larrier, Polley,
Top center: Cobb

Interesting hmmmm..

 

[jibsey]

I know it's exhibition and doesn't count and the competition isn't there but I am looking forward to seeing what we have in the frontcourt, because that's about the only question, isn't it?

 

[HooperScooper]

I know it's exhibition and doesn't count and the competition isn't there but I am looking forward to seeing what we have in the frontcourt, because that's about the only question, isn't it?

Seeing how Larrier and Gilbert perform after injuries and taking just about a full season off is the the other major question.

 

[uconngb]

Seeing how Larrier and Gilbert perform after injuries and taking just about a full season off is the the other major question.

I think this is most important. Hopefully they can both truly go 100% without fear of further injury. We need both of them healthy to have any real chance this year. If not, the performance of the front court is moot.

 

[scotty0330]

Larrier essentially hasn't played in two years....I agree that is a huge question mark over a full season

 

[jibsey]

I don’t have anxiety over Gilbert and Larrier. They have been in pretty heavy duty scrimmages without problem so far right? Can’t go through life scared. My anxiety is the frontcourt.

 

[Jaybo]

I don’t have anxiety over Gilbert and Larrier. They have been in pretty heavy duty scrimmages without problem so far right? Can’t go through life scared. My anxiety is the frontcourt.

Not so worried about larriers knee. but Gilberts shoulder scares me.

 

[HooperScooper]

I don’t have anxiety over Gilbert and Larrier. They have been in pretty heavy duty scrimmages without problem so far right? Can’t go through life scared. My anxiety is the frontcourt.

I'm not worried about them getting hurt again, although I can see that being a concern. I'm concerned about how they'll play after injuries and taking a year (Larrier 2 years) off. Will they play just like they did before they got hurt? Will it take them a while to get back to that level? Or won't we see them at their best this season?

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

I know it's exhibition and doesn't count and the competition isn't there but I am looking forward to seeing what we have in the frontcourt, because that's about the only question, isn't it?

How about, can we a run a freaking offense?

Our offense has SUCKED for the last 3 seasons, specifically since one Shabazz Napier.

There are no excuses now (barring injury). We have the two-headed monster in the backcourt, a legitimate stretch forward in Larrier, and a full team with depth. It's time to put it all together. Adams is an upperclassmen.

No excuses now. Let's go Jalen. Let's go KO.

 

[Stainmaster]

Our offense has SUCKED for the last 3 seasons, specifically since one Shabazz Napier.

One could even argue that Shabazz's ability to hit circus shots masked a similarly poor offense back then.

 

[jibsey]

One could even argue that Shabazz's ability to hit circus shots masked a similarly poor offense back then.

Bazz would get streaky and that erases a lot of mistakes and droughts, but If our guards are an issue, we are in deep doo doo.

 

[UConnSwag11]

One could even argue that Shabazz's ability to hit circus shots masked a similarly poor offense back then.

No post play would do that

 

[shizzle787]

We need to bring the press back which results in the run and gun offense.

 

[GetTheFacts]

Was anyone else taken back by Ollie's comments on Media Day? He almost made it seem like this team is a massive work-in-progress.

“I’m teaching guys how to jump to the ball right now,” sixth-year head coach Kevin Ollie said. “I’m really not concerned about who’s fifth or sixth or first. I’m trying to teach these guys the basics of basketball.”

Ollie is always conservative with the media but that didn't exactly inspire a ton of confidence.

 

[kansashusky]

We need to bring the press back which results in the run and gun offense.

We don't have a rim protector, so I do not think we will press a bunch this year.

 

[MadDogRevival]

I feel like Scooby and I've just been told I'm about to get a Scooby Snack.

 

[HooperScooper]

I don’t have anxiety over Gilbert and Larrier. They have been in pretty heavy duty scrimmages without problem so far right? Can’t go through life scared. My anxiety is the frontcourt.

This article on Larrier, with quotes from A.J. Price about his experience, shows how tricky it is to come back after an ACL tear. Physically you should be fine but that doesn't mean you come back and are what you were right away.

UConn coach Kevin Ollie said that Larrier has looked “OK” in early practices, adding “nobody’s looking great right now.” He figures the more Larrier plays and gets back in the grind against top competition, he’ll be back to his old self.

Really, Ollie added, the biggest concern for Larrier might be rust. Larrier had to sit out the entire 2015-16 season after transferring from VCU, then played just 3 1/2 games last season before the injury.

“He hasn’t played in pretty much two years, so it’s gonna take time,” Ollie said. “We’re not just gonna have him come back and be an All-American. He’s gonna take his time. I want him to fight through the struggles, fight through the times where he felt like giving up. That’s the time where I think he’s gonna separate himself.”

A.J. Price: UConn’s Terry Larrier must get over mental hurdle of ACL tear

 

[nashusky109]

Larrier has one more year left right? Is there any chance he comes back if he does not have an amazing year?

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Larrier has one more year left right? Is there any chance he comes back if he does not have an amazing year?

Let's hope that's not the case. Lol
But I recall he sent out a snapchat earlier this summer with a picture of his jersey saying "One more go at it" or something like that.
I think it's highly unlikely he will be back after next season, unless something crazy happens.

 

[tcf15]

Per @Chief00, looks like a we're about a week out from our first exhibition game: Providence V UConn: A Benefit For Hurricane Relief at Mohegan Sun Arena on Oct 25, 2017

 

[Balker]

Per @Chief00, looks like a we're about a week out from our first exhibition game: Providence V UConn: A Benefit For Hurricane Relief at Mohegan Sun Arena on Oct 25, 2017

Oh S*#$!

This is awesome. Not just because there is now a quality game coming in just days, but because it will show the team exactly who it really is before the season starts, rather than waiting for a low-major to blow us away in the first 20 minutes of our first game.