Was KO Just A "Casual Fan" Tonight?

[aceboon]

I hope some of ya'll who have criticized KO for not being JC Jr or Bobby Knight II paid attention to his passion on the sidelines tonight....and yea I'm referring to mainly you @TRest.

 

[TRest]

I hope some of ya'll who have criticized KO for not being JC Jr or Bobby Knight II paid attention to his passion on the sidelines tonight....and yea I'm referring to mainly you @TRest.

Good for him, I liked it. I never said I want a Bobby Knight, who is an assclown, but I must have struck a nerve with you.

 

[UConn_Top_Dog]

KO's middle name is Passion! KPO! He loves his team and loves UConn.

 

[Fishy]

Much better tonight - he can be far too passive at times.

 

[itgoeslike]

I hope some of ya'll who have criticized KO for not being JC Jr or Bobby Knight II paid attention to his passion on the sidelines tonight....and yea I'm referring to mainly you @TRest.

Both you and TRest were spot on. I think Ollie was a little reserved in the past but he showed serious passion tonight. Thank Calhoun (the coach) for orchestrating the right team to carry on his legacy. Ollie, Hobbs, Moore et al bleed blue (and have real talent).

 

[Dove]

I loved it. Seeing him sit for entire games was just weird. Tonight I thought he was almost begging for a tee. Must not have dropped an f-bomb.

 

[Tommyboy]

I have been critical before but loved the fire in KO tonight.

 

[aceboon]

Again, you guys who keep saying KO sits on the bench and observes aren't watching. Just cause he's not constantly up a ref's ass does't mean he's not active in the coaching box interacting with his TEAM. KO is constantly pointing out where guys should be positioned on O and D.

 

[gwhuskyfan]

There was one play where he really came out to give it to Kromah. Loved seeing KO showing his passion even more out there tonight

 

[TRest]

Again, you guys who keep saying KO sits on the bench and observes aren't watching. Just cause he's not constantly up a ref's ass does't mean he's not active in the coaching box interacting with his TEAM. KO is constantly pointing out where guys should be positioned on O and D.

I usually only watch KO when the camera is on him, because, well, there's a game to watch.

 

[zls44]

I was worried about him with eight to go, but he showed a lot of fight after that and did a good job with the rotations.

 

[sammydabiz]

I usually only watch KO when the camera is on him, because, well, there's a game to watch.

Ya gotta utilize that peripheral vision...

 

[Danzz]

Again, you guys who keep saying KO sits on the bench and observes aren't watching. Just cause he's not constantly up a ref's ass does't mean he's not active in the coaching box interacting with his TEAM. KO is constantly pointing out where guys should be positioned on O and D.

Exactly. Ollie is not JC and in some ways that is a good thing. Screaming and yelling the entire game is overrated even though screaming and yelling got us 3 NCCs. Ollie is more about instruction and less about punishment. Both types of coaches can be successful but I'm glad to see the quick hook go. Ollie has more of an NBA mentality letting players play through mistakes. Ollie has a different style and it may take fans a little while to get used to it; not better or worse, just different.

 

[sparky]

Screaming the whole game gets old with the players. Ollie understands these kids and treats them as players not objects. I am not overly fond of his substitution pattern, but his influence on these kids is noticeable. I did love it when he looked like his head was going to explode. He will be a great coach some day, but right now he is very good.

 

[maineuconnfan]

Did anyone ever watch Wooden coach? The guy was relaxed at all times. He always said he would teach them in practice, but the game was there test. You learn a heck of a lot when you play through mistakes. and then get the needed instruction in practice....I think it is important to invoke excitement when needed, but it is not necessary to win games.

 

[upstater]

One thing about Calhoun's method that is undeniable. When, as a player, you've been under a crucible for an entire year, and maybe made dumb mistakes because of the pressure, the moment the coach let's you breathe a little (usually in late Feb. or March), the big stage is not going to freak you out. Some kids wilted under Calhoun. Edwards and Boone are maybe two examples. But for 20 years, the most composed team in the NCAAs was the UConn Huskies. Now, either the staff identified players with nerves of steel, or those attitudes and personalities were forged by fire.

 

[art4life]

Loved the fire from KO tonight!
I thought he was gonna get "T-d" up after the horrendous Bazz carry call...

 

[mauconnfan]

Loved the fire from KO tonight!
I thought he was gonna get "T-d" up after the horrendous Bazz carry call...

KO needs to do that more often, can't be their friends all the time. His emotion on that play with the striped guy was great and seemed almost as if he was looking to get T'd up.........if you sit there and don't react you lose. Because Crean was playing the refs all the time, including time outs a quick run over to point something out and plant it in his head....part of the game KO needs to play. Agree he doesn't have to always be yelling but there has to be some for sure, JC is different all together but still got the best from his kids so those who didn't like his ways must not like the NC's either!

KO is really good and will be great. Slowly he will get better at everything like his players!!

 

[Husky1972]

No, JC didn't instruct a lot during games, but during his entire tenure, when a player was yanked he went to the empty seat waiting for him next to an assistant coach from Dickerman - Leitao - Blaney, etc.. At that point they received immediate feedback as to what they had done and what they could do better. It wasn't just punishment, but a teaching moment, as well, and utilized as a matter of procedure. That's part of the importance of having good assistants. And he gave his assistants lots of coaching authority and input.

JC lamented a couple of years when he had a thin roster that this process wasn't as available to him.

 

[DOZE860]

i will say sometimes it looks like Ollie is just watching the game as opposed to coaching it, but last night was one of the best games, coaching wise i have seen from him.

 

[aceboon]

I usually only watch KO when the camera is on him, because, well, there's a game to watch.

its pretty easy to notice the guy in the suit who is often the 6th man on the court, but hey, keep the cornball quips coming