Who is our go to guy?

[Kitaman]

We needed one today and I just couldn't see anyone step up. Deferring shots is nice but we needed a 25-30 point performance from someone on the road. Our sophs should know a lot about this subject. Had someone made up their mind to take over this game it would have infused confidence in this team. I thought it would be Lamb or Bazz, but its not.

Well its mid Feb and this 'rhetorical' question is still not answered.

 

[uconngb]

We needed one today and I just couldn't see anyone step up. Deferring shots is nice but we needed a 25-30 point performance from someone on the road. Our sophs should know a lot about this subject. Had someone made up their mind to take over this game it would have infused confidence in this team. I thought it would be Lamb or Bazz, but its not.

Well its mid Feb and this 'rhetorical' question is still not answered.

I think Boat is trying to step into this role....he could be another Kemba in a year or two. Lamb just doesn't have the mentality

 

[uconnfan68]

We needed one today and I just couldn't see anyone step up. Deferring shots is nice but we needed a 25-30 point performance from someone on the road. Our sophs should know a lot about this subject. Had someone made up their mind to take over this game it would have infused confidence in this team. I thought it would be Lamb or Bazz, but its not.

Well its mid Feb and this 'rhetorical' question is still not answered.

He left last year.

 

[Fishy]

If it's not Lamb, we're entirely duck*ed.

 

[champs99and04]

People need to stop pretending that Lamb is a great one on one player. I think the expectations were unrealistic coming into this season. Lamb's never going to be one of those, "Comeon guys, hop on my back" type guys. He doesn't have a great first step and isn't quite tall enough to shoot over people. He'll have games where he gets hot and puts up 25-30, but you won't see too many games where Lamb just goes one on one four straight possesions and wins the game. He's not Kemba, he's meant to be a second option.

It's not that Lamb "doesn't have it in em". He proved last year that he won't shy away from the big moment. I think it simply comes down to him not being a great one on one player, and I don't think he ever will be. That doesn't mean he can't be very good at this level and the next level, but if you're looking for one of those "get out of my way and watch me win this" guys, look elsewhere.

 

[Fishy]

Then we are duck*ed because he's the best option we have.

 

[champs99and04]

Then we are duck*ed because he's the best option we have.

Rip was our best option too, and he wasn't a great one on one player either. Luckily we had Khalid that season as well, somebody who could break his man down off the dribble. Combine that with the fact that we had guys who could set screens and free Rip up, and it was an efficient offense. This years team is a year away from being able to execute consistently against great defensive teams. Unfortunately for us, we're not eligable for the tournament next year, so yeah, we're *ked.

 

[Fishy]

It's coincidental that you bring up Rip.

For whatever reason, the brain trust in the chat room loves to reference the 2010 Husky team as the parallel to our band of misfits this year. They're wrong - whiny as well, but mostly wrong.

The crew that it really reminds me of is the 96/97 team. Very young, had some adversity, also had the NCAA stick its dick in their ear - very similar.

They had a little bit of success early - beat Virginia. (UConn used to beat Virginia like a drum.)

Then, in about mid-January, the wheels came off. They simply could not score and then they lost Moore for several games and King for the year. After that, look out below.

They lost ten of their last thirteen. Just could not score...scored in the low 50's/high 40's frequently. Lost in the first round of the BET to Pitt and went to the NIT. They actually did rally in the NIT and made it to NY. (Lost to FSU and then beat Arkansas in the consolation game.)

The similarities are very, well, similar. Could not score, young team couldn't close games, literally seem lost. Of course, that season set up the nice run to the Final Eight the next year and ultimately, the first title. 2013 looks like a problem, though, doesn't it?

 

[bobbygt]

2013 looks like a problem, though, doesn't it?

That and the players leaving for the nba....

 

[sledog]

The bus driver??

 

[Brochacho]

Well, I think we should go to Drummond anytime he is open off the pick and rolls. Or anytime he is 5 feet away from the basket with no one on him. But hey, what do I know.

 

[James]

Lamb should be our go to player, but if Drummond keeps learning how to position himself for drop step dunks deep in the paint; he's a strong 1/2 option. Boatright is also coming on strong. We saw a glimmer yesterday, let's see if they can sustain it

 

[uconnsox23]

Well, I think we should go to Drummond anytime he is open off the pick and rolls. Or anytime he is 5 feet away from the basket with no one on him. But hey, what do I know.

Drummond can dominate against almost any big. He just disappears sometimes in the middle of games i dont know if it's because he's not demanding the ball or because the guards aren't getting him the rock, but he is key for sure.

 

[FeedTheDove]

To be honest, its whoever is playing well that game. Drummond was taking over yesterday so we kept pounding it into him. And it was working! Until the ankle... Lamb NEEDS to be that guy but he rarely is. And id say next would be boat and bazz. Boat has that mindset of attack mode and he can very well develop into a go to guy..in the coming years.

 

[Chief00]

It's coincidental that you bring up Rip.

For whatever reason, the brain trust in the chat room loves to reference the 2010 Husky team as the parallel to our band of misfits this year. They're wrong - whiny as well, but mostly wrong.

The crew that it really reminds me of is the 96/97 team. Very young, had some adversity, also had the NCAA stick its dick in their ear - very similar.

They had a little bit of success early - beat Virginia. (UConn used to beat Virginia like a drum.)

Then, in about mid-January, the wheels came off. They simply could not score and then they lost Moore for several games and King for the year. After that, look out below.

They lost ten of their last thirteen. Just could not score...scored in the low 50's/high 40's frequently. Lost in the first round of the BET to Pitt and went to the NIT. They actually did rally in the NIT and made it to NY. (Lost to FSU and then beat Arkansas in the consolation game.)

The similarities are very, well, similar. Could not score, young team couldn't close games, literally seem lost. Of course, that season set up the nice run to the Final Eight the next year and ultimately, the first title. 2013 looks like a problem, though, doesn't it?

Wasn't Caron Butler the other thing to happen.

 

[huskymagic]

Rip was our best option too, and he wasn't a great one on one player either. Luckily we had Khalid that season as well, somebody who could break his man down off the dribble. Combine that with the fact that we had guys who could set screens and free Rip up, and it was an efficient offense. This years team is a year away from being able to execute consistently against great defensive teams. Unfortunately for us, we're not eligable for the tournament next year, so yeah, we're *ked.

Dont worry once we repeat as champs this year there wont be any discussion of probation for next year

 

[Kitaman]

Dont worry once we repeat as champs this year there wont be any discussion of probation for next year

Hell, right now I just want to repeat going to the Tourney.

 

[Henry]

People need to stop pretending that Lamb is a great one on one player. I think the expectations were unrealistic coming into this season. Lamb's never going to be one of those, "Comeon guys, hop on my back" type guys. He doesn't have a great first step and isn't quite tall enough to shoot over people. He'll have games where he gets hot and puts up 25-30, but you won't see too many games where Lamb just goes one on one four straight possesions and wins the game. He's not Kemba, he's meant to be a second option.

It's not that Lamb "doesn't have it in em". He proved last year that he won't shy away from the big moment. I think it simply comes down to him not being a great one on one player, and I don't think he ever will be. That doesn't mean he can't be very good at this level and the next level, but if you're looking for one of those "get out of my way and watch me win this" guys, look elsewhere.

Lamb needs to learn to create his own shot. It would take another year here but that is unlikely. Rip learned to do it by the end of his second year and Lamb looked like he would last year with the number of floaters in the lane he took and made. He needs to learn the midrange game like Rip. He's a plus three point shooter and has the potential to make it as a pro but he needs time.

 

[tzznandrew]

Wasn't Caron Butler the other thing to happen.

Caron Butler was 2000-02 (the second of the two seasons was when the nearly beat Maryland).