UConn basketball....

[UconnU]

I miss JC. He would have never let the program get to this point. Need to start recruiting kids who are mentally tough, who want to be challenged. No more VJ types.

 

[upstater]

I really don't think Cincy would have lost to wagner and the other the other low major with a full team to start the year out. UConn did.

Well, you'd be wrong. Cronin's Bearcats lost to Presbyterian College in the 3rd game of the season a few years ago. He also managed to lose to an Ivy League school in the first game of the NCAA tournament a couple years ago as well!

 

[Bagel&Cheese]

It's quite simple why the men's program is falling down a cliff.

* AAC - Can't wait to watch the East Carolina game next year.
* Ollie - Jim Calhoun he's not. I'm not even sure he's in Perno's league.

End of story. It's not complicated.

 

[Waquoit]

I will never comprehend people getting offended by optimism, I just don't get it, it makes no sense whatsoever

Because "optimism" with no rational basis is just fantasy. And reading those "optimists" declaring that we'll be fine because "We're UConn!" is maddening.

 

[The Funster]

Our backs are against the wall, no doubt. KO and the staff need to step up their game. I'm always an optimist so I'm thinking KO can lead us back out of the wilderness. He has some serious work to do, that's for sure.

 

[jibsey]

This league doesn't hurt our recruiting? Look at the in conference schedules of P5 teams vs ours and ask why a recruit would want to play for us? A top team in the AAC for us Cincinatti was a yawn opponent when we were in the BE. Twilight Zone.

 

[KingAG]

Because "optimism" with no rational basis is just fantasy. And reading those "optimists" declaring that we'll be fine because "We're UConn!" is maddening.

I could be wrong but i haven't heard anyone say that. You guys just dont agree with our reasons. Which is fine, debate is healthy. But we arent delusional. I can speak for most of tge "optimist"(if that's what they want to call it). We call out BS and bad things when we see it. Guys like @mauconnfan myself and others are very reasonable and objective. We just get labelled as blind fans who are out of touch with reality. I've learned some things recently that gives me better understanding of why certain posters are so down on the program. I get it. But I cant help but to find positives in every situation. Its a healthy practice that I live my life by. I cant help but believe UConn will survive this and rise again

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I could be wrong but i haven't heard anyone say that. You guys juat dont agree with our reasons.

You haven't seen the myriad of posts harkening back to "in 99 nobody gave us a shot vs Duke!" and countless other random thoughts and observations from UConn games and players past?

I mean hell we have posters here calling out message board posters to be ready and on their game for the upcoming season.

None of that matters at all. Either KO shows up and performs or he doesn't.

Nothing posted on this message board matters. At all.

 

[intlzncster]

It's really simple... We need to have a serious bounce back year and all of the positives we've heard in regards to KO's renewed energy and verve, the Chill and Kill effect, and the new S&C guy need to come to fruition. On paper, we have four very good players in Jalen, Alterique, Larrier, and CV. Those four guys have to carry the load and I believe they are talented enough to make this an NCAA team next year. Anderson, again, on paper, is a very good fourth guard. The key will be one or two of the other guys stepping up and being better than we anticipate. I believe that at least one of Cobb, Diarra, Carlton, Whaley, or Polley is going to be better than we anticipate. Optimism, maybe, delusional, maybe...

The second part, and sadly, this is the part that worries me the most, is if KO can actually coach this team up. If we broke down KOs five years here:

2013 - Great coaching job with a depleted roster
2014 - Incredible postseason run after a very inconsistent regular season. If we want to play the hypothetical game, if Amida does not for a brief moment develop great hands and coordination, KO might be gone.
2015 - Very inconsistent, disappointing year.
2016 - Great postseason run (with a major save by Jalen) and a very inconsistent year. Through the first 5-6 games (up until halftime of Michigan game) we looked like a final-four caliber squad.
2017 - Depleted roster, dissension, and questionable coaching.

It's not the best resume. KO has to recover that passion and bring some innovation to his game planning. We know he has the ability to coach; he out-coached in succession Jay Wright, Hoiberg, Tom Izzo, Billy Donovan, and Cal... But we have not played with anywhere near that precision or intensity since. Yes, players have a lot to do with it. But so does the coach.

Way more than that. Ollie needs to hit not just a home run, but a grand slam, with the 2018 class. With possible defections of Adams/Larrier and an inevitable transfer, he needs a monster 2018.

 

[KingAG]

You haven't seen the myriad of posts harkening back to "in 99 nobody gave us a shot vs Duke!" and countless other random thoughts and observations from UConn games and players past?

I mean hell we have posters here calling out message board posters to be ready and on their game for the upcoming season.

None of that matters at all. Either KO shows up and performs or he doesn't.

Nothing posted on this message board matters. At all.

This is true it doesnt matter. But we all come here because we have a common love for UConn basketball. We all want the same thing. And this board is a good barometer of the tone of the fans. What we post here is what most fans feel. And right now the fan base is polarized. Why? Is half the fan base delusional? I dont believe that. The reality is there are truths to both sides and once we can all agree that each side has valid points this place will become much more enjoyable again

 

[ConnHuskBask]

This is true it doesnt matter. But we all come here because we have a common love for UConn basketball. We all want the same thing. And this board is a good barometer of the tone of the fans. What we post here is what most fans feel. And right now the fan base is polarized. Why? Is half the fan base delusional? I dont believe that. The reality is there are truths to both sides and once we can all agree that each side has valid points this place will become much more enjoyable again

I don't think half the fan base is delusional, but I do think people are unwilling to look at the situation at hand and not look at the core issue, but rather blame external factors (injuries, conference, etc.).

It all comes down to KO. Can he step up? He's shown in the past he can. I don't like the trajectory we're on, but I hope he can change it.

 

[KingAG]

I don't think half the fan base is delusional, but I do think people are unwilling to look at the situation at hand and not look at the core issue, but rather blame external factors (injuries, conference, etc.).

It all comes down to KO. Can he step up? He's shown in the past he can. I don't like the trajectory we're on, but I hope he can change it.

I think we all can agree on that. Things havent been UConn level in a few yrs and Ollie must do better.

 

[Waquoit]

We call out BS and bad things when we see it.

IMO, you've been serving much more BS than you've been calling out.

 

[pj]

Way more than that. Ollie needs to hit not just a home run, but a grand slam, with the 2018 class. With possible defections of Adams/Larrier and an inevitable transfer, he needs a monster 2018.

I don't think a monster 2018 is realistic. The 2018 class is already too far along in their recruiting for either 2017-18 wins or even the arrival of Chill to make a big difference. We need to get 3 good class of 2018 guys, patch holes again with a grad transfer or two, and get an elite 2019 class. To get there, 2017-18 has to be a highly successful season, UConn players have to strongly endorse the coaching staff to recruits, and KO needs to get the program's marketing pitch and sales process to a higher level of professionalism.

 

[intlzncster]

I don't think half the fan base is delusional, but I do think people are unwilling to look at the situation at hand and not look at the core issue, but rather blame external factors (injuries, conference, etc.).

It all comes down to KO. Can he step up? He's shown in the past he can. I don't like the trajectory we're on, but I hope he can change it.

The reality is that it is all of those factors and more. They are axiomatically not mutually exclusive. If you can't put most of last years results on injuries, you're fooling yourself*. If you can't put defections on Ollie and staff and some parental involvement, you are fooling yourself. Why's this so hard?

*yes I know they lost their 1st two games to crappy teams--still can't extrapolate that out; does not work that way.

 

[Pudge]

Because "optimism" with no rational basis is just fantasy. And reading those "optimists" declaring that we'll be fine because "We're UConn!" is maddening.

No hold on a minute ...

RATIONAL BASIS begins with: (1.) One of the few coaches in CBB with a National Championship - brought together by great understanding of how 8 guys played roles on a Team; (2.) Jalen Adams did get far better as the year went on. If he works on his jump shot and has assorted surrounding players, his 2017-2018 will be epic. One of the best players in the conference; (3.) Larrier and Gilbert showed in less than 4 games that they had supreme talent. We can hope for full health - gosh they are 20 year olds NOT old men like you & I; (4.) Out of Whaley, Carlton, Cobb ... we should get some good play. Someone has to play inside. (4.) Vital. We all love the guy.

Instead of the typical standard Connecticut curmudgeon behavior. Consider this: 2017 ended with a Thud. Change was needed. I happen to think part of the Ollie issue ... is the divorce. Going less than .500 has to make him nervous as being back on a 10 day contract. He is not safe. Chillious and Killings: We were swimming along with Blaney, Miller, Hobbs ... and that, frankly, was not moving the needle. Chillious and Killings, IMHO, is the reset we needed - boldly highlighted by a AD David Benedict that is into the Program. A Action guy.

Want to know what the standard UCLA fan says at this point? I am optimistic because, unlike maybe some others, I remember the fieldhouse and the tidy white short shorts. The games against Maine ... and the big WIN against Hofstra. There is nothing this little engine in Storrs can't do. I do believe Ollie - with a CULTURAL push from the stakeholders (including our primary alums) - can get another title. Not in 2017-2018. But within a 5 year cycle.

 

[intlzncster]

I don't think a monster 2018 is realistic. The 2018 class is already too far along in their recruiting for either 2017-18 wins or even the arrival of Chill to make a big difference. We need to get 3 good class of 2018 guys, patch holes again with a grad transfer or two, and get an elite 2019 class. To get there, 2017-18 has to be a highly successful season, UConn players have to strongly endorse the coaching staff to recruits, and KO needs to get the program's marketing pitch and sales process to a higher level of professionalism.

Then they're screwed. Seriously. You can't take this many hits to recruiting and weather than kind of storm with a thin class. If we hadn't had all the 2016 defections, I'd agree with you. But the pipeline, while not dry, is at a trickle right now.

We don't have remotely enough players right now. Think about a roster with no Jalen, no Larrier, and without one other guy. And then plug in an average 2018. And then the year after. The pipeline will be well and truly dry.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

The reality is that it is all of those factors and more. They are axiomatically not mutually exclusive. If you can't put most of last years results on injuries, you're fooling yourself*. If you can't put defections on Ollie and staff and some parental involvement, you are fooling yourself. Why's this so hard?

*yes I know they lost their 1st two games to crappy teams--still can't extrapolate that out; does not work that way.

I think the injuries play to some extent, but losing to East Carolina, Tulsa, Houston, etc. even with a banged up squad, those really shouldn't happen.

And as we all know, that problem isn't relegated to last season alone. Sluggish at best regular seasons have become the norm, not the exception.

 

[pj]

Then they're screwed. Seriously. You can't take this many hits to recruiting and weather than kind of storm with a thin class. If we hadn't had all the 2016 defections, I'd agree with you. But the pipeline, while not dry, is at a trickle right now.

We don't have remotely enough players right now. Think about a roster with no Jalen, no Larrier, and without one other guy. And then plug in an average 2018. And then the year after. The pipeline will be well and truly dry.

Yeah, I'm thinking about it. It comes down to, they need to recruit players and they need to develop them. We can see that already in the frontcourt - we've got a bunch of young guys, Diarra, Carlton, Polley, Whaley. There's space for 5 big men on a 13 man roster. These are our big men for years to come. KO has to develop them into excellent players or we'll be in trouble. We may have to make do for a few years with similarly rated players on the wing and at guard (e.g. Vital level players). They have to be developed and turned into excellent players, the way JC used to do, and a winning team created. That's how KO will rebuild his reputation and get us back to the top.

I don't mind it. Seeing guys like Vital, Diarra, etc develop is why I like college ball more than the NBA. But the coach has to get it done.

 

[intlzncster]

Yeah, I'm thinking about it. It comes down to, they need to recruit players and they need to develop them. We can see that already in the frontcourt - we've got a bunch of young guys, Diarra, Carlton, Polley, Whaley. There's space for 5 big men on a 13 man roster. These are our big men for years to come. KO has to develop them into excellent players or we'll be in trouble. We may have to make do for a few years with similarly rated players on the wing and at guard (e.g. Vital level players). They have to be developed and turned into excellent players, the way JC used to do, and a winning team created. That's how KO will rebuild his reputation and get us back to the top.

I don't mind it. Seeing guys like Vital, Diarra, etc develop is why I like college ball more than the NBA. But the coach has to get it done.

Not knocking you, but read that again. Is that a recipe for success in MCBB?

You really do need studs at the guard position to win. Look at the backcourts of every single one of our championship teams. Loaded with 'best UCONN player...' kind of guys.

If we were to get Waters this year (we are not), I might feel a little different.

 

[superjohn]

Well PJ thinks UConn basketball will become Tulane and he/she seems perfectly comfortable with it.

 

[KingAG]

IMO, you've been serving much more BS than you've been calling out.

Example? And i wasnt talking about BS from posters. I was referring to the program. Like feeding brimah in the post was BS

 

[djct1999]

To get a pulse of UConn basketball, all we have to do is take a look around. Look at Arizona. Look at Kansas. Look at Duke. Look at Kentucky.....................then look at UConn. Look at Syracuse. Truth is, the haves vs the have nots has spread. UConn is on the wrong side and will remain there indefinitely.

 

[intlzncster]

To get a pulse of UConn basketball, all we have to do is take a look around. Look at Arizona. Look at Kansas. Look at Duke. Look at Kentucky......then look at UConn. Look at Syracuse. Truth is, the haves vs the have nots has spread. UConn is on the wrong side and will remain there indefinitely.

Syracuse is worse than us right now. But you made your point anyway.

 

[UCDaveD]

This league doesn't hurt our recruiting? Look at the in conference schedules of P5 teams vs ours and ask why a recruit would want to play for us? A top team in the AAC for us Cincinatti was a yawn opponent when we were in the BE. Twilight Zone.

You're wasting your time trying to explain this. A lot of these people are just living in an alternate reality.

 

[BaZZnBOAT]

To get a pulse of UConn basketball, all we have to do is take a look around. Look at Arizona. Look at Kansas. Look at Duke. Look at Kentucky......then look at UConn. Look at Syracuse. Truth is, the haves vs the have nots has spread. UConn is on the wrong side and will remain there indefinitely.

Quite frankly I disagree with this. We have never been those teams. We beat them, but we do not operate in the same way. I agree things need to get better and soon, but I just don't like the comparison.

 

[Huskybass]

We have ten scholarship players in late May after having only eleven last season. Think about that for a minute. Perhaps a few of you will realize that it's difficult to compete when your own "leadership" consistently leaves you undermanned and less than fully prepared. I for one am tired of seeing the team fall behind by scores like 18-4 against teams we used to roll right over. People can make all the excuses they want, but in three short years the program has fallen off so badly that it is now basically irrelevant on the national scene. Sad, but true.

 

[Hugo]

No hold on a minute ...

RATIONAL BASIS begins with: (1.) One of the few coaches in CBB with a National Championship - brought together by great understanding of how 8 guys played roles on a Team;

Chillious and Killings: We were swimming along with Blaney, Miller, Hobbs ... and that, frankly, was not moving the needle. Chillious and Killings, IMHO, is the reset we needed - boldly highlighted by a AD David Benedict that is into the Program. A Action guy.


Just to be consistent with your rational, if you give credit to KO for the 2014 championship then Miller, Hobbs and Blaney (not sure about Blaney as he may have retired at that point} deserve the same credit. If we weren't moving the needle with those three assistants, then to be consistent again you need to include Ollie with them as well. KO deserves credit for 2014 but so does the rest of the staff. As a group they get credit and as a group they take any blame.

 

[freescooter]

No ever wants to tell the whole story. Comparing us to cincy last yr while totally ignoring how we were decimated by injuries is why ppl get accused of just being negative. There is enough to be negative about, why invent more

Um, Cincinnati didn't lose to the likes of Northeaster and Wagner. Injuries or no injuries last year's team was not looking like anything special, that is for certain. Look they barely beat Chaminade. Trying to make the case that it was only injuries that led to last year's disappointment is a bit of whistling past the graveyard I think.

 

[UConnfan8]

IMO, you've been serving much more BS than you've been calling out.

Too many cheerleaders on this board. Delusional of how "in trouble" we actually are. These guys think that no matter what we are okay. Calhoun had them too high.