UConn Point Guards

[UConnJim]

In my opinion, one of the biggest issues that UConn's offense has faced over the past few years is stability at point guard. Here is the list of UConn's primary (sometimes you can argue there were 2) point guard each season:

(In bold are the season in which UConn went to the elite 8 or better. W/L record are listed for PG transition years.)

2017/2018: Gilbert
2016/2017: Adams (16-17)
2015/2016: Gibbs (25-11)
2014/2015: Boatright (20-15)
2013/2014: Napier
2012/2013: Napier
2011/2012: Napier (20-14)
2010/2011: Walker
2009/2010: Walker (18-16)
2008/2009: Price
2007/2008: Price
2006/2007: Price (17-14)
2005/2006: Williams
2004/2005: Williams (23-8)
2003/2004: Brown
2002/2003: Brown
2001/2002: Brown
2000/2001: Brown (20-12)
1999/2000: El-Amin
1998/1999: El-Amin
1997/1998: El-Amin (32-5)
1996/1997: Moore (18-15)
1995/1996: Sheffer (32-3)
1994/1995: Ollie
1993/1994: Ollie
1992/1993: Ollie (15-13)
1991/1992: Smith
1990/1991: Smith (20-11)
1989/1990: George
1988/1989: George
1987/1988: George
1986/1987: George (9-19)

During the Calhoun era, UConn had a stable point guard with another point guard being groomed. Think George and Smith, Smith and Ollie, Brown and Williams, Williams and Price, Price and Walker, Walker and Napier, Napier and Boatright. UConn went to 10 Elite 8s, but only once during a PG transition in 1997/1998 when a freshmen El-Amin was paired with a junior Moore.

But, when there was a point guard transition, UConn typically had a subpar year except the year Sheffer took over in 1995/1996 as a senior and El-Amin took over as a Freshman in 1997/1998 with Ricky Moore a junior.

In Ollie's 6 seasons, we have had 5 primary point guards. We knew the sanctions were going to have some impact on Ollie's first year or 2 of recruiting, but the problem looked to be solved last year when UConn had Adams and Gilbert, with Gilbert the heir apparent at point guard. Unfortunately, Gilbert got hurt and we were down to Adams last year with no clear backup and the team underperformed. This year, we are expecting Gilbert to take over at PG with Adams and Anderson also capable of playing PG. If Gilbert is hurt, we are still in an unstable point guard situation.

 

[OkaForPrez]

This.

 

[upstater]

I've been saying this for awhile.

And yes, what is missing from that continuity is also older PGs passing the baton off to the next heir.

Boatright never even played with Gibbs.
Adams did not have an older mentor as he sat the bench. Nor did Gilbert.

 

[Horatio]

The best PG days start with Williams 2004 and end with Boat leaving. A lot of winning during that stretch. Almost two championships and two final fours.

 

[UConnJim]

The best PG days start with Williams 2004 and end with Boat leaving. A lot of winning during that stretch. Almost two championships and two final fours.

I totally disagree. Ollie, Sheffer, Moore, and El-Amin were all really good PGs. El-Amin stepping in a freshman and running the show over a junior Ricky Moore was astonishing.