What we learned tonight

[SaeHusky]

1. Giffey needs 30 plus minutes a game - He keeps the ball alive on defense, is a solid rebounder, and consistently can hit the open shot

2. Time to officially pull the plug on Calhoun for this year

3. Samuel needs to play more - Great hands and explosive. I think he would also be able to get Napier more open looks on offense

4. Either Daniels is still injured or he will always be an Enigma

5. We would be screwed without Napier

 

[geohusky]

A mystery wrapped in a riddle?

 

[August_West]

I'm ready to pull the plug on Daniels.
We played well the 2 games he was out, and even though we lost to cinci without it him, it wasn't because of his absence. Kromah was our best player and giff got more minutes, we were a net positive without DD that game and nothing shows me he would have helped in anyway that game. The last positive impact DD had on a game was at Memphis many moons ago.

 

[August_West]

I'm ready to pull the plug on Daniels. We played well the 2 games he was out, and even though we lost to cinci without it him, it wasn't because of his absence. Kromah was our best player and giff got more minutes, we were a net positive without DD that game and nothing shows me he would have helped in anyway that game. The last positive impact DD had on a game was at Memphis many moons ago.

Actually I take that back, he did impact the game against Memphis defensively at the end of the game in Hartford.

Maybe we just put a Memphis uniform on every opponent an get DD back on his game.

 

[Palatine]

We learned what we already know. If we don't rebound we struggle. They had 6 offensive rebounds to our 1 in the first half and controlled the boards. That is the story.

 

[Rico444]

Pull the plug on Omar and DD... Thank God KO doesn't read this board.

 

[August_West]

Pull the plug on Omar and DD... Thank God KO doesn't read this board.

I think KO is just as mystified as we are. On Saturday it's march. We don't have a solid go to rotation yet. He's still searching and trying to get guys going. We have not improved as a team heading into march, in fact we are playing our worst basketball of the season. Last night it was Samuel who gets no minutes, providing a spark. We are running out of time wondering if this is the game that OC or DD pilot light turns on again. We see what happens when Bazz can't carry us ( smu being latest example).

I'm as big a positive uconn supporter as anyone but I've been a fan a long time and recognize troubles spots and will call a spade a spade when I see it. Yeah 2011, blah blah. Not only will we never see uconn do that again in our lifetime ( 9th place to NC.)We will not see ANY team do it.

If people are hanging their tournament hopes on 2011, you may be in for a rude awakening.

In the end the best teams, teams that steadily improve over the course of a season teams that peak toward march, teams that know who they are, are the teams that you will look to make the runs.

I'm a realist. I would like to be proven wrong. And I really, really hope they do prove me wrong, but I'm not counting on a deep run, just hoping for one. No loss with this team will shock me. The margin for error is just way too slim with this bunch. Is there anyone besides Napier that we can count on for consistent production? I'm not seeing it.

 

[Gurleyman]

I think KO is just as mystified as we are. On Saturday it's march. We don't have a solid go to rotation yet. He's still searching and trying to get guys going. We have not improved as a team heading into march, in fact we are playing our worst basketball of the season. Last night it was Samuel who gets no minutes, providing a spark. We are running out of time wondering if this is the game that OC or DD pilot light turns on again. We see what happens when Bazz can't carry us ( smu being latest example).

I'm as big a positive uconn supporter as anyone but I've been a fan a long time and recognize troubles spots and will call a spade a spade when I see it. Yeah 2011, blah blah. Not only will we never see uconn do that again in our lifetime ( 9th place to NC.)We will not see ANY team do it.

If people are hanging their tournament hopes on 2011, you may be in for a rude awakening.

In the end the best teams, teams that steadily improve over the course of a season teams that peak toward march, teams that know who they are, are the teams that you will look to make the runs.

I'm a realist. I would like to be proven wrong. And I really, really hope they do prove me wrong, but I'm not counting on a deep run, just hoping for one. No loss with this team will shock me. The margin for error is just way too slim with this bunch. Is there anyone besides Napier that we can count on for consistent production? I'm not seeing it.

You're over-reacting a bit. We're 8-2 in our last 10 with several blowout wins and a narrow road loss to a top 10 team. We hit a bump in the road against SMU, but that doesn't mean we are wallowing around now, lost and desperate for an identity. It just means we didn't play well and lost a game.

Forget 2011, then. The 1999 team lost at home on Senior Day, looked flat in the next game against Providence, and needed a late comeback to defeat Seton Hall in the 1-8 game. The 2004 team ended the regular season with a flat loss to Syracuse and we weren't sure what the deal was with Okafor. We had plenty of angst about those teams around now, too. And I'm sure Cuse fans weren't feeling it after we ran them out of the Garden in 2003.

Those were better teams than this one (1-3 seeds with lottery pick talent), so we do have less margin for error, yes. But a late-February/early March dip in intensity/performance isn't unusual for anyone.

 

[patrick]

You're over-reacting a bit. We're 8-2 in our last 10 with several blowout wins and a narrow road loss to a top 10 team. We hit a bump in the road against SMU, but that doesn't mean we are wallowing around now, lost and desperate for an identity. It just means we didn't play well and lost a game.

Forget 2011, then. The 1999 team lost at home on Senior Day, looked flat in the next game against Providence, and needed a late comeback to defeat Seton Hall in the 1-8 game. The 2004 team ended the regular season with a flat loss to Syracuse and we weren't sure what the deal was with Okafor. We had plenty of angst about those teams around now, too. And I'm sure Cuse fans weren't feeling it after we ran them out of the Garden in 2003.

Those were better teams than this one (1-3 seeds with lottery pick talent), so we do have less margin for error, yes. But a late-February/early March dip in intensity/performance isn't unusual for anyone.

Well said!

We could easily get a win on Saturday and the mojo does a 180!

 

[SirHypeAlot]

Pull the plug on Omar and DD... Thank God KO doesn't read this board.

DD aside...you still have faith in Omar?

 

[CTBasketball]

I think if Kromah/Giff plays well down the stretch with Nolan/Brimah, and them 4 taking some of DD's minutes we would be better off. And T.Sam should definitely get every second of Omar's minutes

 

[champs99and04]

You're over-reacting a bit. We're 8-2 in our last 10 with several blowout wins and a narrow road loss to a top 10 team. We hit a bump in the road against SMU, but that doesn't mean we are wallowing around now, lost and desperate for an identity. It just means we didn't play well and lost a game.

Forget 2011, then. The 1999 team lost at home on Senior Day, looked flat in the next game against Providence, and needed a late comeback to defeat Seton Hall in the 1-8 game. The 2004 team ended the regular season with a flat loss to Syracuse and we weren't sure what the deal was with Okafor. We had plenty of angst about those teams around now, too. And I'm sure Cuse fans weren't feeling it after we ran them out of the Garden in 2003.

Those were better teams than this one (1-3 seeds with lottery pick talent), so we do have less margin for error, yes. But a late-February/early March dip in intensity/performance isn't unusual for anyone.

Hell, just look at Syracuse from last season. They were an absolute train-wreck to end the season, and everything culminated in the form of a 61-39 shellacking at the hands of Georgetown on the final day of the regular season. Did anybody expect them to then reach the Big East championship and later the final four?

Obviously UConn hasn't played good ball of late (extending back as far as the Temple game), but that doesn't necessarily forecast anything. I'd much rather be cold now than be cold in two weeks.

 

[James]

How does a guy like TSAM log zero minutes in a game like SMU, when both our guards were destroyed off the bounce. we definitely needed more quickness. BTW Napiers leadership is the real deal

 

[61cygni]

5. We would be screwed without Napier

You only learned this last night?

 

[scrappy2.0]

1. Giffey needs 30 plus minutes a game - He keeps the ball alive on defense, is a solid rebounder, and consistently can hit the open shot

2. Time to officially pull the plug on Calhoun for this year

3. Samuel needs to play more - Great hands and explosive. I think he would also be able to get Napier more open looks on offense

4. Either Daniels is still injured or he will always be an Enigma

5. We would be screwed without Napier

Still have great faith in Daniels. I think he is highly skilled yet soft. That injury probably has made him tentative--he was playing well up to the injury.

Omar Calhoun is just not right--it I think were hurting Omar by playing him right now. He needs to take a full summer to reshape his game--he is shot mentally.

Eye opener every time Samuels plays--hes earned 20 minutes+

Lastly this team was only going to be as good as our inside play would bring us. Losing Wolfe probably changed the parameter from championship to sweet 16 whether people believe that or not. BUT there is still time for Brimah Nolan and even Daniels to still step up with consistency.

 

[gtcam]

Still have great faith in Daniels. I think he is highly skilled yet soft. That injury probably has made him tentative--he was playing well up to the injury.

Omar Calhoun is just not right--it I think were hurting Omar by playing him right now. He needs to take a full summer to reshape his game--he is shot mentally.

Eye opener every time Samuels plays--hes earned 20 minutes+

Lastly this team was only going to be as good as our inside play would bring us. Losing Wolfe probably changed the parameter from championship to sweet 16 whether people believe that or not. BUT there is still time for Brimah Nolan and even Daniels to still step up with consistency.

BUT there is still time for Brimah Nolan and even Daniels to still step up with consistency.

Even Daniels? Brimah is excusable due to age and experience - DD has ZERO, NADA, NO excuses at all for his performances. Complete lack of toughness, motivation, competetiveness, desire and all this comes from within. He has been blessed with the physical tools to be a superstar but instead hides and langors in mediocrity. If he is injured - he needs to sit. If he isn't - KO or somebody needs to slap him upside of his head, wake him up or bury him on the bench. It's hard enough playing when our 5s don't produce but when DD was out there last night it was playing 3 v 5.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Pull the plug on Omar and DD... Thank God KO doesn't read this board.

Can you name one positive thing Omar has done on the floor?

It's not "hating" on Omar to say samuel should get good minutes.

Omar has made 7 FGs in 2014 and his sole attribute is being a scorer.

Time to move on this season and hope his junior year brings back signs of his freshman session.

 

[johnhuskies95]

I'm ready to pull the plug on Daniels.
We played well the 2 games he was out, and even though we lost to cinci without it him, it wasn't because of his absence. Kromah was our best player and giff got more minutes, we were a net positive without DD that game and nothing shows me he would have helped in anyway that game. The last positive impact DD had on a game was at Memphis many moons ago.

You're ready to pull the plug on our second best scorer? That might be one of the most ridiculous things I've read on this board.

 

[SubbaBub]

Not to bag on KO, but his pro-style pick and roll iso offense isn't the best fit for Omar or DD. No excuse for lack of reb/defensive effort or missing open shots, but both guys seem to need plays run for.them.

I think both are so eager to make a play when they do get the ball that they make poor decisions.

Again, not condoning just looking for answers.

 

[Rico444]

Can you name one positive thing Omar has done on the floor?

It's not "hating" on Omar to say samuel should get good minutes.

Omar has made 7 FGs in 2014 and his sole attribute is being a scorer.

Time to move on this season and hope his junior year brings back signs of his freshman session.

Unless you think Omar is completely done as a player, it makes zero sense to bench him for the rest of the season. He's not making shots, but giving him 5-10 minutes a night to see if he can break out of this is not going to kill the team, especially since Ollie and Shabazz said this past week that he's looking better in practice.

All of these people saying Omar should be benched for the rest of the season are the same ones who would say "Good riddance!" if he decided to transfer because his head coach lost faith in him and benched him. Then, they would be the same ones who would bitch in two years when he was kicking ass for another program. If you want to seriously risk losing Omar for good, then yeah, let's just sit his behind down on the bench for the rest of the year. Makes NO sense to completely give up on him, when you could just limit his minutes like Ollie has been doing the entire conference season. But this is the Boneyard, where hyperbole tends to trump common sense.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Unless you think Omar is completely done as a player, it makes zero sense to bench him for the rest of the season. He's not making shots, but giving him 5-10 minutes a night to see if he can break out of this is not going to kill the team, especially since Ollie and Shabazz said this past week that he's looking better in practice.

All of these people saying Omar should be benched for the rest of the season are the same ones who would say "Good riddance!" if he decided to transfer because his head coach lost faith in him and benched him. Then, they would be the same ones who would bitch in two years when he was kicking ass for another program. If you want to seriously risk losing Omar for good, then yeah, let's just sit his behind down on the bench for the rest of the year. Makes NO sense to completely give up on him, when you could just limit his minutes like Ollie has been doing the entire conference season. But this is the Boneyard, where hyperbole tends to trump common sense.

OR, just maybe some of us have no agenda and just want to see the best team on the floor.

Your argument holds no weight considering the same could be said for Samuel. Why is Omar's minutes, development and overall " happiness" with the program being put ahead of another player who is contributing?

Frankly, I don't care about next season too much going into March of this season when we have a dynamic leader like Napier playing out his college career.

I think Omar does hurt the team in his 5-10 minutes a game and the margin for error is too thin this time of the year top willfully not have the best guys on the floor.

 

[Onions]

... Lastly this team was only going to be as good as our inside play would bring us. Losing Wolfe probably changed the parameter from championship to sweet 16 whether people believe that or not. BUT there is still time for Brimah Nolan and even Daniels to still step up with consistency.

You still won't give up on this nonsense, will you. Brimah and Nolan each score more per minute than Wolfe did, let alone things like blocking shots and running the floor, although Wolfe had a slight edge in rebounding. Wolfe would be getting about as many minutes as Leon does.

 

[Henry]

A lot of this team's problems are mental. As soon as the other team goes into a 2-3 or 3-2 zone, the guys start hoisting up threes and stop moving the ball. In those circumstances Ollie should immediately put Samuel in to have another guy who can try to break down the zone. I would rather have Boatright talking shots than Tyler.

 

[Rico444]

OR, just maybe some of us have no agenda and just want to see the best team on the floor.

Your argument holds no weight considering the same could be said for Samuel. Why is Omar's minutes, development and overall " happiness" with the program being put ahead of another player who is contributing?

Frankly, I don't care about next season too much going into March of this season when we have a dynamic leader like Napier playing out his college career.

I think Omar does hurt the team in his 5-10 minutes a game and the margin for error is too thin this time of the year top willfully not have the best guys on the floor.

The difference is, I'm not arguing that Samuel be benched for the rest of the season. You want to jeopardize Omar's entire husky career because you think he's so detrimental to the team that playing 5-10 minutes a night is going to bury us? Over his last 4 games, Omar has taken a TOTAL of 5 shots while playing less than 10 minutes in 3 of the 4 games (and got exactly 10 in the other). Yeah, he's really killing us as the 10th or 11th man off the bench. And obviously you don't care much about next season, because you're giving zero thought to what benching Omar right now could mean for the future all in the name of 5 minutes.

Like I said earlier, thank the good lord Kevin Ollie doesn't take advice from this place. Our program would be much worse off if he did.

 

[Strummer]

You still won't give up on this nonsense, will you. Brimah and Nolan each score more per minute than Wolfe did,

The single statistic of "points per minute" is hardly a comprehensive evaluation of each player.

What I saw last night and on many other occasions this year has been a veritable layup line to the rim, past Brimah, Nolan, and Olander. Last night Brimah and Nolan got pushed around like rag dolls by their bigs. You won't find that in the stat book. You won't find all the easy layups we gave up to their bigs because Phil and and Amida are skinny and have not mastered position defense.

What Wolf would have provided this year, that no one on the team currently does, is a legitimate "big body" to keep the other team's bigs out of our junk under the basket.

I don't think Wolf makes this team a final four team, but I think having Wolf would make the team noticeably better than it currently is, and SUBSTANTIALLY less likely of getting punted from the tourni by a team with a large body down low that is well coached enough to go repeatedly down low. Frankly, the FSU coach did a poor job of capitalizing on their dominance down low, but better coaches won't.