Who does Bazz say will be the hardest player to replace? | The Boneyard

Who does Bazz say will be the hardest player to replace?

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Huskygrad88 said:
Watch every game down the stretch run and there is no doubt
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It's funny. I just re-watched the Nova game 2nd half and I kept thinking, "damn, Niels is having a huge impact on this game." In one stretch, he had 2 assists for 3s (Daniels and Napier), a couple of boards, a defensive play where the other player dribbled out of bounds, and a defensive play where he forced a back court (blown call, but it could not have been blown without Niels' pressure).
In every great team you have at least on critical stud player and one critical do-it-all player. Shabazz will be missed the most, obviously, but I agree that Niels will be second most missed.

It's no coincidence that we peaked a few games after Niels became the starter.
 
Niels had the size, athleticism & positioning skill to fill in at the 4 and 5, but even lateral quickness to cover 3s...plus one of the highest 3 point shooting % in UConn history.
DHam has a much better handle that Giff and is probably a better passer. He has acquired toughness playing against his older brothers...but is he ready to defend bigger players at the college level when needed?
Will Omar be able to step up and have the drive to win the 50-50 balls and hit the big shots?
 
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CallMeBruce said:
Daniels will definitely be more missed than Giffey.
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DD was a very important player and when he played at his best, he was a game changer. I'm a big believer in Kentan Facey and I think he can step up and replace most of what DD brought to the table (less range on his jumper, but better rebounder and I think he will be a more consistent player).
 
elduderino said:
Love Neils! This was a crime, you're better than that Nolan.
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Well I think Nolan just figured why make the extra pass.

But........... I like where your heart is!
 
All I know is at the end of the year along with Bazz, and Boat, Giffey was the only other player Ollie seemed to trust on the floor. This is in game tight situation (and there were a lot of them), and times when we needed to be in control of possessions and situations.

He was a senior with Championship pedigree and mucho experience. He did everything that was asked and NEVER choked or seemed over his head. Ollie even put him on Randle, an AA and top 5 draft pick, Giffey was effective. Kromah tried but couldn't do it. He may not be more important than Bazz but him leaving is huge, and we will find out how true this is next year. He is the new Rashaad, in that he may not get the notoriety but he is the key to winning our 4th Championship.

Rashad you are not the only 'silent' legend. I hope we fans talk about Giffey in the same breath we talk about J-Lamb, K-Free, Ricky, Jake, Taliek and all the other important player components essential to winning Championships.
 
huskyharry said:
DD was a very important player and when he played at his best, he was a game changer. I'm a big believer in Kentan Facey and I think he can step up and replace most of what DD brought to the table (less range on his jumper, but better rebounder and I think he will be a more consistent player).
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I'm with you and I hope we are RIGHT!
 
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patrick said:
Well I think Nolan just figured why make the extra pass.

But...... I like where your heart is!
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Yeah, youre right. Pretty tough to argue the finish, but I kind of picture Neils there like the little kid running his heart out, up and down the court, "pass me the ball guys, I'm open."
 
Kitaman said:
All I know is at the end of the year along with Bazz, and Boat, Giffey was the only other player Ollie seemed to trust on the floor. This is in game tight situation (and there were a lot of them), and times when we needed to be in control of possessions and situations.

He was a senior with Championship pedigree and mucho experience. He did everything that was asked and NEVER choked or seemed over his head. Ollie even put him on Randle, an AA and top 5 draft pick, Giffey was effective. Kromah tried but couldn't do it. He may not be more important than Bazz but him leaving is huge, and we will find out how true this is next year. He is the new Rashaad, in that he may not get the notoriety but he is the key to winning our 4th Championship.

Rashad you are not the only 'silent' legend. I hope we fans talk about Giffey in the same breath we talk about J-Lamb, K-Free, Ricky, Jake, Taliek and all the other important player components essential to winning Championships.
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I want to triple like THIS! ! !

The dagger and neils will never be forgotten by true UCONN fans!
 
patrick said:
Wow

Wow really?

Why would he say it?

Neils was every bit of the warrior that we needed and loved! ! !
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Maybe he was being gracious. In either case, Giffey is the third-best player we're losing, and better players are harder to replace.
 
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CallMeBruce said:
Maybe he was being gracious. In either case, Giffey is the third-best player we're losing, and better players are harder to replace.
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The DD that had 27/8 and 20/10 in the tourney will be almost as hard to replace no doubt………but I would find it hard for you to argue who was more consistent throughout the year, especially the 2nd half of the year. You need to look at it from a relative point because not as much was asked of Niels but with less shots and better defense he made a very big impact in many wins.

I don't want to sway one way of the other, but it's tough to say who will be missed more overall. DD made a huge difference improving his game but Niels overall game made a huge difference game in-game out and also he was a guy who got some very big rebounds in big games.

Bazz will be toughest to replace because of leadership, toughness and clutch time……….then it's a crap shoot, but one I don't care if I win or not. Will miss them all!
 
elduderino said:
Love Neils! This was a crime, you're better than that Nolan.
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I think Niels had just thrown down a break away a few moments before, share the wealth! We all know if Phil tries to make a pass there any number of things can go wrong.

P.S. How about Niels securing the board in the midst of a slew of Spartans and getting fouled at the end of the play!
 
AZHuskiePop said:
The most difficult thing to replace will be the chemistry of that team that emerged.
A quick look at UConn History will tell you some of the most individually talented teams failed to attain it.
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99 and 2004 great talent (and chemistry) 1990, 2014 great chemistry, 2011 great chemistry and hidden talent
 
Giffey really did have a great senior season. I agree he will definitely be missed tremendously. Don't forget the contributions from Kromah as well. Another guy that will need to be replaced.
 
UCHuskies08 said:
Bazz is a humble guy.

If you watch his interviews, he says the team-first thing every time.
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Yeah he's well taught by Ollie. The comment that this years roster had 12 Kevin Ollie's wasn't far off. By saying Giffey would be the toughest to replace, Shabazz was also cementing the fact that he is by far the toughest to replace. Guys like him come around once in a lifetime, or twice in 4 years if you're a UConn fan
 
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Kembacity said:
Yeah he's well taught by Ollie. The comment that this years roster had 12 Kevin Ollie's wasn't far off. By saying Giffey would be the toughest to replace, Shabazz was also cementing the fact that he is by far the toughest to replace. Guys like him come around once in a lifetime, or twice in 4 years if you're a UConn fan
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Why is it Ollies' teaching? Maybe the kid just cares about his team first.
 
It's very hard to replace the grease man on a team, especially one with outside shooting ability. He had size to rebound consistently, could handle the ball if needed, could make free throws, box out inside if need be, and had a solid outside shot. Those kind of guys don't come along very often.

On the flip side, you can replace Shabazz and DD's position. Now, can you replace Shabazz and DD's abilities and talent profile specifically? Much, much harder. But finding a guy who can effectively play the point and a wing forward is easier than finding someone who can effectively play the positions Niels did.
 
I hear what your saying but our PG position will drop off next year (no dis-respect to Boat).
Hopefully we won't need need to fill all the gaps NG filled. Won't need someone to play the 3, 4 and, occasional 5 next year because our centers and powers forwards will rebound
 
You're right, the PG will probably fall off, my point was that finding someone that can play the 1 is a lot different than finding someone who plays Giffey's position since it's so undefined.
 
Giff was so important. Statistically the most accurate shooter in the country, and a versatile defender ; which included rebounding prowess. Also a tough
 
Seriously how can you not love this team? The battle tested superstar(Shabazz), heart of a lion(boat), great glue guys(giffey,kroma,tsam,brima), Hungary frosh( all 3), teammates who understood their smaller roles(oleander, tolks). And a coach with something to prove.

LOVE THIS TEAM!!!
 
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