UConn’s Tyler Polley: 'I bleed blue, so I really couldn't leave' (Borges)

[huskymedic]

->Indeed, when Polley announced his intention to return to UConn, it came with the caveat that he would test the waters of the NBA Draft and professional basketball. “I just wanted feedback,” he said. “I knew I wasn’t gonna get drafted. I knew I could probably play overseas somewhere, but I really wasn’t ready. I needed to show more and improve more what I can do on the court in college. Going pro, I knew wasn’t an option this year.”

Neither was transferring to another school, though he had some suitors. Florida, Texas A&M and some other SEC schools were interested in the Miramar, Fla. product.

“I never worried he’d transfer to another college,” Polley’s mom, Kim Rogers, said. “I think him testing the waters was the only other option he would consider. He was flattered that other people were taking an interest in him, but he never really flirted with the idea of leaving UConn. If he was gonna leave UConn, it was going to be for the NBA or professional (basketball).”

Not that transferring wasn’t slightly tempting.

“To say it didn’t cross my mind, I’d be lying,” Polley confessed. “I was thinking a fresh start would be good. But at the end of the day, being here for four years, I know the coaching staff and the system and the school in and out. And I love UConn. I really bleed blue. So, I really couldn’t leave.” <-

 

[mauconnfan]

Will root for the kid like never before. Go get'em Tyler!

 

[8893]

#ReturnOfDaggerTreyTy

 

[Waquoit]

I really think he's going to have a big year.

 

[Son of Robert]

23 years old, a grown man, Tyler has filled out physically. 5th year senior, nearly a pro, Tyler puts it all together this year. He can't just be a shooter, he's got to mix it up and use his physicality and skills to play a more complete game.

X Factor.

I really think he's going to have a big year.

 

[CL82]

If he truly bleeds blue, does that mean that his blood is under-oxygenated?

 

[Husky25]

23 years old, a grown man, Tyler has filled out physically. 5th year senior, nearly a pro, Tyler puts it all together this year. He can't just be a shooter, he's got to mix it up and use his physicality and skills to play a more complete game.

X Factor.

I agree. I expect more of an effort on defense...from the conference defensive co-player of the year.

EDIT!!!!!
Holy Cow did I read that wrong. Goes to show how tied at the hip Polley and Whaley are in my mind.

Please accept my apologies, @Son of Robert .

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Always has been a great kid who's easy to root for. Hoping he goes out this year a champ.

 

[MexicoHusky]

->Indeed, when Polley announced his intention to return to UConn, it came with the caveat that he would test the waters of the NBA Draft and professional basketball. “I just wanted feedback,” he said. “I knew I wasn’t gonna get drafted. I knew I could probably play overseas somewhere, but I really wasn’t ready. I needed to show more and improve more what I can do on the court in college. Going pro, I knew wasn’t an option this year.”

Neither was transferring to another school, though he had some suitors. Florida, Texas A&M and some other SEC schools were interested in the Miramar, Fla. product.

“I never worried he’d transfer to another college,” Polley’s mom, Kim Rogers, said. “I think him testing the waters was the only other option he would consider. He was flattered that other people were taking an interest in him, but he never really flirted with the idea of leaving UConn. If he was gonna leave UConn, it was going to be for the NBA or professional (basketball).”

Not that transferring wasn’t slightly tempting.

“To say it didn’t cross my mind, I’d be lying,” Polley confessed. “I was thinking a fresh start would be good. But at the end of the day, being here for four years, I know the coaching staff and the system and the school in and out. And I love UConn. I really bleed blue. So, I really couldn’t leave.” <-

Lots of good quotes from Polley

 

[mauconnfan]

I agree. I expect more of an effort on defense...from the conference defensive co-player of the year.

I don't think it's been effort on D ever more a loss of quickness and a step or so post ACL surgery. He definitely needs to get back at least to where he was pre-surgery on that end but I'm guessing more time on the new knee will show positive signs on the quickness side. I think we'll see a different guy on both ends as he gets further along in recovery, not sure how much but he will be a valuable piece no matter.

 

[Husky25]

I don't think it's been effort on D ever more a loss of quickness and a step or so post ACL surgery. He definitely needs to get back at least to where he was pre-surgery on that end but I'm guessing more time on the new knee will show positive signs on the quickness side. I think we'll see a different guy on both ends as he gets further along in recovery, not sure how much but he will be a valuable piece no matter.

Go back and read my edit.

My head is hung in shame.

 

[ucp990411]

Anybody that bleeds blue has the same blood type as me. Hope he tears up every opponent next year, I will be rooting like crazy for him.

 

[Waquoit]

I don't think it's been effort on D ever more a loss of quickness and a step or so post ACL surgery. He definitely needs to get back at least to where he was pre-surgery on that end but I'm guessing more time on the new knee will show positive signs on the quickness side. I think we'll see a different guy on both ends as he gets further along in recovery, not sure how much but he will be a valuable piece no matter.

Agreed, I'm using the Hayward template. First year back he had flashes of his old self but inconsistent, second year sounded like was all the way back.

 

[Palatine]

I know opinions vary on Tyler Phommachanh's skill set. But there is no question the kid is all CLASS and has represented the university in an exemplary fashion.

 

[CL82]

I know opinions vary on Tyler Phommachanh's skill set. But there is no question the kid is all CLASS and has represented the university in an exemplary fashion.

I hope he has a great year. Consistency is going to be the key. If he become a reliable scoring threat, this will be a great year for him. Here the thing: he absolutely has the ability. He just needs "be a goldfish" (Yeah, I finished up the first season of Ted Lasso and can't wait for it to start up again) and have a Rashad Anderson like confidence that next shot is going in.

 

[Sphinx]

Polley showed hints of aggressiveness last year, both in his baseline move and in charging the basket for put-backs. If he comes back healthy and confident, he can own the 3 position. He's part of the enormous challenge Hurley has to effectively integrate 12 guys, any one of whom might start for other D-1 teams. My guess is that Tyler can beat out Martin for the 3, but I'm hoping that Jackson comes back improved enough to beat out both of them. I expect Hurley will eventually settle on an 8-man rotation that will either include Tyler or spot Tyler as a 9th man 3-pt specialist.

 

[SubbaBub]

Polley can do just about anything on the court physically. I hope he gets locked in early on both ends and keeps it that way all season. If he's hitting shots and competing on D, he can be a huge difference maker. He can also set an example for the younger players if he's putting in the work.

 

[husky429]

IMO we need to be getting him 8+ shots from deep a game and 25 minutes of PT. He is our best shooter. Run him off of screens ALL GAME. The spacing he provides is vitally important, regardless of his sometimes meh defense and lack of rebounding.

Shooting is the Most important skill in the game, bar none. He’s going to come back from injury better than ever.

 

[Umami Zen]

Would like to see Tyler be our Microwave-Instant Offense and be one of our closers at crunch time when we need timely buckets and FTs

Would be great to see him improve his foot speed and off ball motion to get to his spots/get open vs having set plays run for him when the D knows who is getting the ball. Needs space to get into flow

 

[SubbaBub]

Would like to see Tyler be our Microwave-Instant Offense and be one of our closers at crunch time when we need timely buckets and FTs

Would be great to see him improve his foot speed and off ball motion to get to his spots/get open vs having set plays run for him when the D knows who is getting the ball. Needs space to get into flow

I'd like to see him be a 15/8 lockdown defender. No reason he can't if his shot is falling and he's locked in.

 

[superjohn]

I'd like to see him be a 15/8 lockdown defender. No reason he can't if his shot is falling and he's locked in.

15 ppg 8 rebs per game lock down defender? You're talking about Tyler Polley?

 

[Husky25]

15 ppg 8 rebs per game lock down defender? You're talking about Tyler Polley?

That's a 15 year career as the 9th off an NBA bench.

 

[HooperScooper]

I'd like to see him be a 15/8 lockdown defender. No reason he can't if his shot is falling and he's locked in.

And I want to go to bed with Hannah Jeter (always had a thing for her). Both things have about the same probability of happening. I'd lower the expectations if I were you.

 

[Huskybass]

I'd like to see him be a 15/8 lockdown defender. No reason he can't if his shot is falling and he's locked in.

The last time we had a guy go from averaging 2 rebounds per game to 8 rebounds per game was when?

 

[Jay-Bone]

This really makes me hate myself for being so hard on his rebounding.