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http://abitofeverythingblogger.blogspot.com/2012/09/four-reasons-why-2013-huskies-will-be.html
Just a few thoughts of mine
The 2012 Huskies struggled mightily against Big East opponents they should have beat, while coming frustratingly close to knocking off a top 5 team in Syracuse twice, once in regular season, and once in Big East Tournament play. The type of inconsistency the Huskies played with, almost knocking off the Orange, while losing to Rutgers and Providence maddened Huskies fans and was seen as wasted talent by some.
Though not able to participate in post season play because of questionable NCAA decisions, this year’s Uconn team will be better than last. What the 2013 team lacks in NBA potential will be made up two fold in hard work, confidence, and moxie. Let’s take a look at why this year’s team will be better than last year.
1. A Chip On Their Shoulders
The 2013 Uconn team will be looking for revenge, after being punished by the NCAA for academic reasons in which none of the current team had anything to do with. If that doesn’t fire the squad up, Coach Jim Calhoun most certainly will. Calhoun, who thrives off of controversy and doubt (see the ’05 ’06 laptop scandal), will have plenty to motivate him, as his ethics and reputation came into question by the NCAA, along with rumors of his retirement. Look for Calhoun to brush away pestering uncertainty of the future this upcoming season.
2. Lowered Expectations, Not Always A Bad Thing
Expectations for the 2012 Uconn team shot up, after the arrival of top recruit Andre Drummond last year. Whether unfairly or not, many were anticipating a similar final four and championship run as the 2011 team. Truthfully, the 2011 championship team had plenty of subpar moments, and the season was won not because of a dominant team, but a dominant player, with a good cast of sidekicks. Immense pressure was put squarely on the shoulders of a team without an experienced leader last season. There was no Kemba Walker in 2012. This season’s team will fall into the shadow of afterthought, to the rest of the country; exactly where Jim Calhoun likes it. The pressure is off this season, and experience will come through trial and error without the strain of living up to high expectations.
3. Distractions
Believe it or not, this year’s Uconn squad, coming off the chaotic off season it had, will have less distractions than last season’s. Andre Drummond’s last second commitment, Ryan Boatright’s ineligibility, Alex Oriakhi’s statements about his coach, Shabazz Napier’s statements about his teammates, and Jim Calhoun’s health were all distractions to last year’s team. This very likely affected the 2012 team’s cohesion last year, and could certainly have played a part in their disappointing season. Look for all that off the court drama to be gone this upcoming season.
4. Ryan Boatright
If you compare Freshman Ryan Boatright to Freshman Kemba Walker the similarities are striking. Both were small, speedy, high energy scorers with great athleticism and plenty of swagger. The case can even be made that Boatright was the better Freshman because of Walker’s tendency to play out of control. If Boatright can progress at the same level as Walker, the 2013 team should be much improved. Boatright has all the tools to become the next “Kemba Walker” or maybe he’ll be first “Ryan Boatright”. I believe Ryan Boatright will have a breakout year this upcoming season, and he will be one of the major reasons why this year’s Uconn team will be better than last year’s.
Just a few thoughts of mine
The 2012 Huskies struggled mightily against Big East opponents they should have beat, while coming frustratingly close to knocking off a top 5 team in Syracuse twice, once in regular season, and once in Big East Tournament play. The type of inconsistency the Huskies played with, almost knocking off the Orange, while losing to Rutgers and Providence maddened Huskies fans and was seen as wasted talent by some.
Though not able to participate in post season play because of questionable NCAA decisions, this year’s Uconn team will be better than last. What the 2013 team lacks in NBA potential will be made up two fold in hard work, confidence, and moxie. Let’s take a look at why this year’s team will be better than last year.
1. A Chip On Their Shoulders
The 2013 Uconn team will be looking for revenge, after being punished by the NCAA for academic reasons in which none of the current team had anything to do with. If that doesn’t fire the squad up, Coach Jim Calhoun most certainly will. Calhoun, who thrives off of controversy and doubt (see the ’05 ’06 laptop scandal), will have plenty to motivate him, as his ethics and reputation came into question by the NCAA, along with rumors of his retirement. Look for Calhoun to brush away pestering uncertainty of the future this upcoming season.
2. Lowered Expectations, Not Always A Bad Thing
Expectations for the 2012 Uconn team shot up, after the arrival of top recruit Andre Drummond last year. Whether unfairly or not, many were anticipating a similar final four and championship run as the 2011 team. Truthfully, the 2011 championship team had plenty of subpar moments, and the season was won not because of a dominant team, but a dominant player, with a good cast of sidekicks. Immense pressure was put squarely on the shoulders of a team without an experienced leader last season. There was no Kemba Walker in 2012. This season’s team will fall into the shadow of afterthought, to the rest of the country; exactly where Jim Calhoun likes it. The pressure is off this season, and experience will come through trial and error without the strain of living up to high expectations.
3. Distractions
Believe it or not, this year’s Uconn squad, coming off the chaotic off season it had, will have less distractions than last season’s. Andre Drummond’s last second commitment, Ryan Boatright’s ineligibility, Alex Oriakhi’s statements about his coach, Shabazz Napier’s statements about his teammates, and Jim Calhoun’s health were all distractions to last year’s team. This very likely affected the 2012 team’s cohesion last year, and could certainly have played a part in their disappointing season. Look for all that off the court drama to be gone this upcoming season.
4. Ryan Boatright
If you compare Freshman Ryan Boatright to Freshman Kemba Walker the similarities are striking. Both were small, speedy, high energy scorers with great athleticism and plenty of swagger. The case can even be made that Boatright was the better Freshman because of Walker’s tendency to play out of control. If Boatright can progress at the same level as Walker, the 2013 team should be much improved. Boatright has all the tools to become the next “Kemba Walker” or maybe he’ll be first “Ryan Boatright”. I believe Ryan Boatright will have a breakout year this upcoming season, and he will be one of the major reasons why this year’s Uconn team will be better than last year’s.
