UConn Bench Players Shoutouts

[Son of Robert]

I want to say Phil Nolan, even though he may have started at times. Lots of toughness, made some tough plays like defensive stops, key rebounds, or a putback in traffic, punched Laettner and got away with it, what more do I need to say.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Lol - these types of threads feel like a memory challenge for all yeah geezers.

Ya, eh?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Phil Nolan... what more do I need to say[?]

Best photo bomber

 

[Inyatkin]

I want to say Phil Nolan, even though he may have started at times. Lots of toughness, made some tough plays like defensive stops, key rebounds, or a putback in traffic, punched Laettner and got away with it, what more do I need to say.

Phil Nolan punched Christian Laettner? What, was he sitting in the stands or something?

 

[caw]

I loved freshman Ricky. Sophomore Ricky was a colossal disappointment. It's amazing how quickly he erased the "Rickety Moore" and "Ricky Shuffle" days by coming one of the best on-ball defenders I've ever seen.

Sophomore year Ricky was mostly plagued by his shoulder issues and suspension, or am I misremembering?

 

[HCCForever]

Sophomore year Ricky was mostly plagued by his shoulder issues and suspension, or am I misremembering?

You are correct in suspensions. Ricky was a sophomore and Kirk King a senior when they were suspended for accepting plane tickets. We never got to see Kirk again

 

[Huskybass]

Kromah for sure. Clingan as a Freshman. Boat prior to starting.

 

[Shamon30]

Guess?

 

[Son of Robert]

Phil Nolan punched Christian Laettner? What, was he sitting in the stands or something?

He used his forearm twice I think, banging Laettners head on the floor. How do you not know this? I looked on you tube, did not see it. Can someone find this?

 

[businesslawyer]

I'll go back to the beginning, JC's first recruit Lyman De Priest. He guarded everyone well, from Dana Barrows to Shaq. He also had one of my all-time favorite player quotes. I forget against who, but he had a strong game off the bench to beat a tough team right after a DNP-CD the game before. When asked about that he said, "I knew Coach would get back to me."

This 1000%.

 

[businesslawyer]

Who are some of your most favorite UConn bench players. Doesn't have to be production but should be in-game changers (meaning presence felt). Also should include a player you were anxious to see get on the court. Please only include their bench seasons.

Here's a couple I'll name.

Ray Allen (not sure if he can be included). I'm foggy on when he replaced Brian Fair, he was too good to sit.
Shabazz (freshman with swag)
John Gywnn (my favorite)
Marcus White (honorable mention)

Ray Allen did not start games until his sophomore year. Shabazz may have started a few but also had to wait until his sophomore year. Gwynn never was a starter, and is a great answer. Marcus White I thinks shared time starting his first year with Hilton Armstrong and maybe even Tooles, and then transferred out (which at the time he did it would disqualify him.)

 

[Inyatkin]

He used his forearm twice I think, banging Laettners head on the floor. How do you not know this? I looked on you tube, did not see it. Can someone find this?

Phil Nolan and Rod Sellers are, in fact, two different people and they played 20 years apart. "How do you not know this?"

 

[WrenchFan69]

Niels Giffey is the easiest answer. Charles Okwandu and Shabazz Napier in 2011. Joey California in 2023.

 

[Mr. French]

Rash Jones, Albert Mouring and Lasan Kromah are my favorites. Joey California is up there too.

Lasan Kromah was so good that season, he always made the right play and surprised with some big moments.

 

[KembaRunner]

Niels Giffey is the easiest answer. Charles Okwandu and Shabazz Napier in 2011. Joey California in 2023.

Love Joey Cali but DC and Diarra were my favorites (and Diarra a year later). We’d already have trams reeling and then we’d bring in a total dog on-ball and an eraser at the rim.

 

[Kitaman]

Ray Allen did not start games until his sophomore year. Shabazz may have started a few but also had to wait until his sophomore year. Gwynn never was a starter, and is a great answer. Marcus White I thinks shared time starting his first year with Hilton Armstrong and maybe even Tooles, and then transferred out (which at the time he did it would disqualify him.)

Wow! Impressive. Thanks, you recommend?

 

[StllH8L8ner]

He used his forearm twice I think, banging Laettners head on the floor. How do you not know this? I looked on you tube, did not see it. Can someone find this?

 

[Son of Robert]

Phil Nolan and Rod Sellers are, in fact, two different people and they played 20 years apart. "How do you not know this?"

Sorry man, wtf, my bad. Just being stupid, I'm laughing at myself for this. Derrrr.

 

[Inyatkin]

Sorry man, wtf, my bad. Just being stupid, I'm laughing at myself for this. Derrrr.

All good

 

[businesslawyer]

Wow! Impressive. Thanks, you recommend?

View attachment 112157

There are very few advantages of being older than fire. Please give me my few advantages.

 

[Kitaman]

There are very few advantages of being older than fire. Please give me my few advantages.

But it was a serious question.

 

[Shamon30]

Donnell Beverly is another

 

[NowInStorrs]

Andrew Hurley. Every time he hit the court I felt pretty good about our chances of winning.

 

[Kembacity]

I was a huge Tony Robertson fan. He was basically the 6th/7th man for three of his four years. Always thought he'd take the next step and be a star, but it never happened.

Right there with you, he was faster than a speeding bullet running the break

 

[cwh20]

I want to say Phil Nolan, even though he may have started at times. Lots of toughness, made some tough plays like defensive stops, key rebounds, or a putback in traffic, punched Laettner and got away with it, what more do I need to say.

There were in fact repercussions just not in game. Right before the 1991 tournament the NCAA in their wishy washy ways suspended Sellers for the first tournament game. 8/9 vs Nebraska which UConn won handily. We, the NCAA had to take action they said.

Meanwhile Laettner in the same tourney, first game secured a defensive rebound, looks right at the opponent laying on the floor and stomps on his chest. Ooh this is interesting! “No penalty” says the ethical NCAA committee. Why? Because Sellers didn’t have a foul or technical called on him. Laettner did so the officials took care of it on the floor and there was no need to penalize the great Laettner/Duke program further. Hahahaha. Except my real reaction was screw you NCAA!

 

[cwh20]

I love seeing the instant offense off the bench. The Microwave and Rashad were great in that role.

 

[G0UCONN]

Where the BY loves to spend their time
View attachment 112111

Absolutely. A great place to be with so many great memories.....

 

[Jaydumo20]

Kromah for sure. Clingan as a Freshman. Boat prior to starting.

I'll parrot Kromah. Thats my dude (And Hass of course, but too obvious)

 

[Shamon30]

He used his forearm twice I think, banging Laettners head on the floor. How do you not know this? I looked on you tube, did not see it. Can someone find this?

At negative three years old no less

 

[Jholla2183]

Rashamel Jones
Freshman Ricky Moore
Craig Austrie
Monquencio Hardnett
Tony Robertson
Mike Hayes