We are who we are and the sky isn't falling

[bendm]

Nowell/Transfer PG (depth)
Ball/Adams/Mullins
Transfer W (with size)/Mullins
Stewart/Transfer PF (unless Abraham makes a leap).
Reed/Reibe

Going into next season with Nowell as our projected starting PG would be gross negligence. I think 99% of the board agrees a starting transfer PG is the biggest need.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Going into next season with Nowell as our projected starting PG would be gross negligence. I think 99% of the board agrees a starting transfer PG is the biggest need.

I know they do. What I'm saying is that they wouldn't be saying that if Dan had done the right thing and made Nowell the clear backup this season. He's probably going to be very good. I have 99% confidence he'd be better next year than Diarra has been this year.

 

[uconnblueinky]

2 other things made this season disappointing...

1. Hurley publicly talking about NC #3. He said it, the team then said it, and once it's out there, expectations adjust accordingly. If anyone asked him about it, he should have said "Good god, man, we just lost 4 starters to the draft, and 2 went in the top 10. Let's have realistic expectations".
2. He made a mistake in the portal in taking Mahaney as the starting PG. That was a big one because while Hass (I think) has for the most part exceeded expectations, there's no one really to back him up.

Also unplanned injuries messed things up. Losing McNeeley, Hass being hobbled, Karaban's issues, Nowell's injuries (shoulder in December, ankle more recently) did not help. Add to that the disappointing (for the most part) sophomore "leap" of Ross and Stewart - Stewart is averaging just over 5 PPG and Ross just under 3 PPG...

None of that is a recipe for success. Also it didn't help being ranked #3 preseason. We certainly have had some disappointing losses, none worse than Seton Hall, although Colorado is a very close 2nd (dead last in the Big 12 and 11-16 overall).

Beat PC (no small task), Georgetown, and Seton Hall, lose to Marquette, end the regular season 21-10 and 13-7 in the BE - 4th place - and see what happens in the NCAA's...

Bottom line for the future - Hurley is crazy smart, and he's surrounded himself with a terrific staff. I believe of course they learn from this season and come back better in every way next season...

Yes and the injuries really have played a factor. Liam doesn't get hurt and this team might have won 3 or so more games . Who knows though

 

[bendm]

I know they do. What I'm saying is that they wouldn't be saying that if Dan had done the right thing and made Nowell the clear backup this season. He's probably going to be very good. I have 99% confidence he'd be better next year than Diarra has been this year.

Oh, sure he should have but he didn’t and it’s too late now so we can’t count on Nowell as the starter. Backup PG fine but I’d still worry that our 2 backup ball handlers (Nowell and Adams) are both question marks.

 

[jibsey]

I know they do. What I'm saying is that they wouldn't be saying that if Dan had done the right thing and made Nowell the clear backup this season. He's probably going to be very good. I have 99% confidence he'd be better next year than Diarra has been this year.

We haven’t seen that this year with all due respect. He’s a decent ball handler but very short and suspect against bigger guards. Is he a good perimeter shooter? Can he even get his shot off? So far he hasn’t really taken it to the rim.
I see him as a backup point guard who can do some things but it’s too early to say probably very good. BTW, I hope to be very wrong about him.Hope he’s Allen Iverson.

 

[CTBasketball]

It’s Rolling Rock and buffalo wings from here on out fellas. Sack up.

 

[AdamaNation]

This. I try not getting too down and remember how bad it was pre-Hurley.

That being said I miss the Rocky I and Rocky II versions of Hurley. I want that back.

What no televised workouts and charity wrestling matches?

 

[Price0809]

With how bad UConn looked at times yesterday, and how inconsistent this season has been, any Big East team in the BET, or any team in the NCAA Tournament would still not want to play us. Would St. John's want to see us a third time in the BET?
If we end up an 8 or 9 seed, would a 1 seed really want to see us in the second round?
Will that lead to a BET title or a surprise second weekend or Final Four run? Maybe not.
But can't be too worried for March after back-to-back national championships and still an overall competitive team this year.

 

[superjohn]

Adding Cam to this team would help, but he's not a PG either. Sometimes you just need to bite the bullet, develop the young guys and hope to still make the tournament. Chasing perpetual final four level competitiveness via the portal is unwise. It's the same mistake Self made at Kansas. How much would Zuby help them right now?

Should have signed a big, talented combo guard as a freshman instead of bringing in Mahaney. Should have been playing Nowell more from day one. Stewart too. Then next year's team would be in better shape.

So what does the yard want? More transfers so our McD AA guys spend more time on the bench. Adams could be an amazing player as a sophomore, but only if he plays next year and we take the lumps that come from that. Has to get stronger too. Mullins likely starts. Reibe will play backup C minutes like Donovan did.

I absolutely want more transfers, we need them. There's some kids on this team who are much better served at mid-major programs. Guys have gotten minutes this season and they haven't cut it. Adams could turn out to be an amazing player but if he's our starting point guard next season we're in for a world of hurt.

 

[Price0809]

I am still focused on this year and think we could make a run and win the BET. Take one game at a time fellas. We are not guaranteed a spot in March Madness.

It has been enjoyable to take it one game at a time this year and week to week. Last year there was a certain pressure to finally win a regular season title after 18 years without one. And then once postseason play began there was pressure to win the Big East tournament and repeat in April.

 

[Captbluefin]

Hurley trying to 3-peat and win as many games as possible cost the team and young players precious development.

Sometimes ya need to reload when the clip is about empty.

 

[Captbluefin]

I know they do. What I'm saying is that they wouldn't be saying that if Dan had done the right thing and made Nowell the clear backup this season. He's probably going to be very good. I have 99% confidence he'd be better next year than Diarra has been this year.

Playing for who?

 

[HooperScooper]

If we end up an 8 or 9 seed, would a 1 seed really want to see us in the second round?

Cameron Salerno of CBSSports.com doesn't think they would.

4. Buy or sell: Will one of this big-brand batch of No. 8 or No. 9 seeds reach the Sweet 16?​

Trotter: Buy. Preseason top-10 teams like UConn, Gonzaga and Baylor are shaping up to be a No. 8 or No. 9 seed. That's insane......

.....Are you really fired up about seeing Dan Hurley on the opposing sideline with a Sweet 16 berth on the line?

College basketball buy or sell: Can Michigan State win the national championship? Thoughts on Indiana's search

Does Wake Forest reach the tournament? Can this big-brand batch of No. 8 or No. 9 seeds wreck a bracket? We answer those questions and more.

www.cbssports.com

 

[jdb50]

I know they do. What I'm saying is that they wouldn't be saying that if Dan had done the right thing and made Nowell the clear backup this season. He's probably going to be very good. I have 99% confidence he'd be better next year than could run the team Diarra has been this year.

No way is Nowell going to be better next year than a healthy Hassan was this year. Kahlid was his height and had a big impact his freshman year. But he was a real confident player. If Nowell was 6'3" maybe he could be the starter. I have felt all season he needed more minutes in case Hassan turned an ankle but the way things are going having a bigger point guard is essential. 6'4" plus to battle St Johns length.

 

[fatlucy]

Hurley trying to 3-peat and win as many games as possible cost the team and young players precious development.

Sometimes ya need to reload when the clip is about empty.

Go away

 

[UCan3]

Nowell had a nice assist and his handle is better than Mahaney. I don’t think he’s a threat driving or shooting over taller players but maybe it would be better to have him zipping around trying to create scoring opportunities. What else we got?

He did that well v St. John’s. A little bit Taliek Brown in him which I think we need at this point In time.

We cannot keep playing at 30 MPH when top opponents are at 60 MPH.

I think Nowell gave us some juice - we need more of that…

 

[Dove]

Very well said!

It was okay, I guess.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I’d ask Nowell to come back and develop behind a senior point guard transfer next season. There’s no reason he couldn’t play in lineups with this transfer senior that should have Newton/Cam size as well, if he’s too good to keep on the bench. I’m also in the camp that it would be insanely risky to rely on Sophomore Nowell to breakout, but we’ve seen second year Hurley guards do this multiple times, so maybe Dan will go for it.

I still think we have an outstanding foundation to build off of in Solo/Alex/Reed and hopefully a stud in Mullins. It’s obvious what kind of players to surround those guys with, it’s just securing them in a competitive portal environment not coming off back to back titles anymore, but I believe in our NIL and staff to get their targets. If most of Nowell/Ross/Stewart/Abraham/Singare come back, we won’t need that many transfers.

 

[JB75]

Honestly , I really think we could have used Nowell. Danny again had Chance to play him more in November /December but stuck hard with mahaney hoping he woke up. We really don’t know what he can do because he’s probably played 15 total mins since new years(if that) Don’t get why he doesn’t let him get more minutes knowing we’re gonna need him in March. Mahaneys gotten numerous upon numerous opportunities to show what he can do. Nowells gotten none. Can’t be worse than what we have now for a backup. What’s worst that can happen? It’s house money. I don’t get it

 

[RuffRuff]

I’d ask Nowell to come back and develop behind a senior point guard transfer next season. There’s no reason he couldn’t play in lineups with this transfer senior that should have Newton/Cam size as well, if he’s too good to keep on the bench. I’m also in the camp that it would be insanely risky to rely on Sophomore Nowell to breakout, but we’ve seen second year Hurley guards do this multiple times, so maybe Dan will go for it.

I still think we have an outstanding foundation to build off of in Solo/Alex/Reed and hopefully a stud in Mullins. It’s obvious what kind of players to surround those guys with, it’s just securing them in a competitive portal environment not coming off back to back titles anymore, but I believe in our NIL and staff to get their targets. If most of Nowell/Ross/Stewart/Abraham/Singare come back, we won’t need that many transfers.

This would be a gross mis-evaluation of a NC caliber roster. Mullins & returners plus a new PG have zero chance at doing anything significant. If we're ok being Purdue (who's predictably folding like a cheap tent) and that's the bar, then fine. If we want to field a NC caliber roster, that ain't it.

While the Dauster's of the world are already talking Portal, it's premature. Apparently there are players in it already, and they expect 1500 or so to enter. I have my thoughts on what I think we'll need, but will wait till we're there. It's more than a PG is all I'll say.

 

[Kitaman]

Its been a frustrating, daunting, and challenging season. But last I heard . . . . . . . .

.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

So my kids are out. My wife is out. I have a bit of the Husky blues, so I begin to watch the 2023 final four. Immediately, I was surprised to remember that we went NINE deep in both games. I was pleasantly surprised to see how strong Joey C. played D in both games. That was not his forte. I was surprised to see how well the Judas from St. John’s played as well. Then, I watch the 2024 final four. That year’s team was not as deep, but our players were much more mature and overall, more complete players. Alex and Clingan were sophomores, TN was on his second year on the program. Castle was coming into his own and Cam was showing us that he was a different human. That team may be pound for pound the best college team ever. But in comparing the 2023 team with this year’s team, I have some takeaways:
1. Enjoy the last two years. They were awesome
2. This year’s team had to regress. That’s how awesome the last two years were, particularly last year.
3. Finding Joey C. and Cam changed the complexity of both teams. That, in a nutshell, was the biggest difference this year. HOWEVER
4. This coaching staff saw something in Aidan. The same coaching staff that saw something in Joey C and Cam. I am not DOWN on the year. Not yet. I think that Aidan may find a release once we are playing again against non big east opponents. He is the missing piece. This team has enough of everything else to make a run. We need Aidan to play the Joe C and Cam roles. Is it a pipe dream? Maybe. Is it far fetched to believe that Stewart will show up for a weekend or two? Maybe. But I have been dreaming for two straight years, so don’t wake me up yet.

 

[Marat]

Its been a frustrating, daunting, and challenging season. But last I heard . . . . . . . .

.

And as Gus likes to say loudly on TV -
"Back to Back CHAMPS !"

 

[jibsey]

The press has been reporting that the sky is not falling…..it fell.

 

[uconngb]

This was the #2 rated team in the country and DH was pissed we were not #1. All of the "ifs" from above, if they all were positive, would have us in the convo for a three-peat. We're nowhere near that. We've still had, all things considered, a solid year. There are a ton of teams that would love to win 20 wins and get to "dance." But we're better than that. We're where we were pre-championships. And that is okay and I'm hoping this is the dose of humility/reality DH and whoever returns needs to remember that it's not all a given and it wasn't supposed to be as easy as it was the latter half of 23 and all of 24. But we certainly have several things that need to be changed/altered if we aspire to be a final-four team again.

I think many, many times can play the multiple “if” game. We needed an awful lot of things to go really right with the way the team was constructed.