Why we should not be OK with losing right now

[Bonk]

im one person who has said that im looking to next year and am not invested in winning and losing this year and I stand by that. But that being said I am in no way shape or form ok with losing. Never have been and never will be.

But you should be invested in winning and losing this year... it matters. You can look to Hurley's "bigger picture" in the future but the reality is the bigger picture has to start right now. Grinding out road wins against teams we should absolutely beat is part of the future fabric of this team.

 

[Martin]

Completely agree. Setting your sights on anything but an NCAA tournament bid is a toxic mindset to have. What recruit wants to come to a school where the target for the year is to make it to the NIT? As fans too, how can we call ourselves a blue-blood, but then be okay with USF losses and mediocrity? Sure UConn basketball has lost its luster a bit in the past few seasons, but the moment we lower our expectations, we relegate ourselves from ever reaching the status of a top-tier blue blood that our history has proven us to be.

@coachdanhurley

 

[Tenspro2002]

It isn't great. Jackson has shooting woes, despite having high upside. And Javonte is not top 75. He is not ready for college b-ball physically. He's gonna be good down the road but from the footage I've seen he is not a great rebounder. He hasn't caught up to his body yet.
It's a solid class at this point, nothing program changing.

Regardless of your opinion on the next recruiting class, don't you think there will be vast improvement with Gaffney, Bouknight, and Akok as sophomores, as well as the addition of RJ Cole? That's 4/5 of our starting lineup.

We don't need Jackson and Brown-Ferguson to be studs right away for this team to be much better.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I have never been okay with losing , but I‘m a huge fan of a team finding chemistry and getting better as the year goes on.
Plus at my age “future “ Is a four letter word
Or as my late father-in- law use to say at my age buying green bananas is a gamble.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I would like this twice if I could.

I'll add a Like in your name.

 

[Get a Job]

This team has the talent to at least get a bid as an 8-10 seed, that is not unrealistic, especially in a Topsy-turvey year like this where there is no clear strong team. At this juncture the team has not taken advantage of how..average... the overall field is (compared to most years). Most years THIS particular UConn team might be NIT but this is the year they can actually do something better.

It actually shocks me that that is seen as unrealistic. There are less talented teams doing better this year. Other coaches in their second years have had stronger turnarounds with less to work with....Hurley will get it done, it just feels slower than I thought it would take.

This take is mind-numbingly delusional. If we make the NIT I will be blown away.

 

[Husky68]

The talent is overrated by many on here. What have you seen on the floor the last 3 years to say we are talented enough? The proof is right there for all to see. We are undersized and underdeveloped physically. We have no frontcourt depth. We rebound poorly. We have point guard issues. We turn the ball over. We take awful shots. We don't shoot the ball particularly well. Mentally we tend to collapse when things snowball negatively. Our most talented players are freshman. How does that all add up to being talented enough?You don't play the game on paper or with high school rankings of yesteryear. You are what your record says you are. Perhaps it's not that complicated. Perhaps it's just as simple as we are just not that good and we just need more good players and we need those players to gain experience.

Maybe the coaching is overrated here also. Give me the top 5 things/moves/schemes that Hurley has done so far through this season up through game 14 that indicates he has the talent to be a top Div1 head coach. Which player development, offensive set, defensive set, playing time adjustment, in game adjustment gives you the warm and fuzzies that man we got the right guy. Of course the team would be better if KEA, Kemba or Shabazz stepped through the door, but that ain't happening. What is he doing well with what he has.

 

[Jbirdp5]

Everyone involved in the program is trying as hard as they can to get better and win every game......if anything people have been killing hurley for not punting on this year and just playing the young guys......

 

[jdb50]

How the hell has Wichita St been able to rebuild over the last two seasons and keep winning doing it but we can't?

 

[David 76]

Wait. So some of you have been rooting for us to lose?

Or am I just not getting upset enough?

 

[UCfor3]

Maybe the coaching is overrated here also. Give me the top 5 things/moves/schemes that Hurley has done so far through this season up through game 14 that indicates he has the talent to be a top Div1 head coach. Which player development, offensive set, defensive set, playing time adjustment, in game adjustment gives you the warm and fuzzies that man we got the right guy. Of course the team would be better if KEA, Kemba or Shabazz stepped through the door, but that ain't happening. What is he doing well with what he has.

Maybe it is, but I am willing to give him more than a year and change before I go in to panic mode considering the hand he was dealt. Hurley was billed as a program builder. Let's give him the chance to do just that. If he gets a couple more classes in and we still look like garbage on the floor then something may need to be done. It's not like he is the only relatively new coach at a struggling program that is having issues. Is it fair to question his coaching? Sure it is. I just don't happen to think it's the most problematic issue right now. If people think Hurley is to blame then what would you want done? Making a premature coaching change would probably cause a mass exodus and we would be worse off than when he got here. It's fair to criticize him but we need this to work in the worse way so let's give it a legit chance. The alternative is downright frightening.

 

[RF79]

I’m trying to be optimistic. It’s becoming a little more difficult to be positive after the drubbings we received these last two games. In all honesty I pissed at the way these guys played USF. They started off on a good foot but were hiding in their shells by halftime. I know this “rebuild” will be a marathon and not a sprint. As I realize it now the first 12 games(OOC games) weren’t really how any of us should’ve based this second season of the rebuild. I’m not ok at all losing to these mediocre mid majors.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Wait. So some of you have been rooting for us to lose?

Or am I just not getting upset enough?

Why choose? This is the age of "both/and." Sophie never had it so good.

 

[Bonk]

OP seems like he has great insight into how recruits make their decisions.

Best recruiter in the sport says results are the most important factor

 

[Huskeeeeees]

Maybe it is, but I am willing to give him more than a year and change before I go in to panic mode considering the hand he was dealt. Hurley was billed as a program builder. Let's give him the chance to do just that. If he gets a couple more classes in and we still look like garbage on the floor then something may need to be done. It's not like he is the only relatively new coach at a struggling program that is having issues. Is it fair to question his coaching? Sure it is. I just don't happen to think it's the most problematic issue right now. If people think Hurley is to blame then what would you want done? Making a premature coaching change would probably cause a mass exodus and we would be worse off than when he got here. It's fair to criticize him but we need this to work in the worse way so let's give it a legit chance. The alternative is downright frightening.

This is a very good response. I'm not thrilled by what I've seen so far but I don't disagree with anything in your post. I think most reasonable fans will read it and it'll resonate as logical, fair and supportive of the program we all root for.

I'm not someone who thinks rebuilds need to take 4 years before you can judge it. If you're being honest with yourself, you should have a clear feel for how things are trending by then. However, I do think that given the circumstances, a couple of seasons is a reasonable amount of time to not demand immediate success. I can't promise I won't criticize and complain along the way but I'm willing to wait to see next year's team before wondering if we got the right guy. One sign of a good coach is that regardless of talent (and barring major injuries) their teams tend to play better as the season progresses. We may not make the tournament but let's see if the 2nd half of the season looks better than the the first. It'd be an encouraging lift for those of us who are starting to feel a bit uneasy.

 

[Stainmaster]

Best recruiter in the sport says results are the most important factor

Congrats, you’ve fallen for Calipari BS. Sure, Kentucky recruits off of results...

 

[HuskylnSC]

No one here is 'OK with losing'. Some realize the truth of the situation and understand that UConn MBB is in a process. What is happening is part of the process. I do not get all bent out of shape with the losses because I see how Dan Hurley has his hands tied and applaud his way of handling the situation he was dealt. I am happy with the steps of the process so far and am anticipating the future steps will reap many great victories.

 

[Bonk]

Congrats, you’ve fallen for Calipari BS. Sure, Kentucky recruits off of results...

38 draft picks, 28 first round, 21 lottery in 10 years. Whether or not UK pays, the results speak for themselves.

 

[Fan4ever]

I want and expect to win every freakin game we play.

Adding on, this Coach & Team should come into every game with the energy, hustle and competitiveness to win every game.

 

[willie99]

I'm not OK with losing, but I have to admit I'm becoming more numb to losing. Only so much passion one can invest in losing

But I'll be there Wednesday night +3 and Sunday afternoon +9 and doing my best to help them win

 

[gtcam]

I am not convinced that concentrating on 4* and 5* is the best way to go at this point in time.
There are way too many P5 and others goings after the same guys and when push comes to shove - both KO and Dan Hurley have experienced the pain - these guys have a huge propensity to go to those P5s.
There are tons of really solid 3* and non top 100 kids out there who are maybe not that well known but possess the skills and most importantly the body that can allow them to compete and contribute.
KO and Dan Hurley look at this like a lot of kids in high school look at a prom date - they put all this effort into 20% of the girls and like most, they don't have a chance.
I understand that if you don't try you don't get it, but the strategy has to be tweeked
The important thing right now is to WIN
Is our 2020 recruitment strong? I say its very good, throwing in Spriggs and Cole, but not strong.
Jackson is a freak athlete, has a lot of areas he needs to work on. According to 247/ESPN and other recruiting "experts" he was 58% UConn, 17% Cuse and 25% among Iowa, UCLA and Alabama. These aren't the elite.
Brown is young, very young and unproven but he is still growing and I think will be a really productive big in 2 years.
In my view, these two young men are not going to step into the starting line up and contribute - that is what a top 100 recruit should do. Both Jackson and Brown should be very good players down the road.
Why did UConn play so well vs Fla, Xavier and Buffalo? Because we matched up better with these teams physically and if you notice that these teams also struggle against all those teams that are bigger and stronger.
UConn needs size, UConn needs shooters, UConn needs scorers, UConn needs more men, not boys. UConn needs to WIN

 

[Dave Carlson]

What does it mean to not accept losing?

Does every UConn fan have to sit up, go to our windows, open them, stick our heads out and yell - "I don't accept losing and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

Or do you mean we shouldn't accept losing and Hurley is losing so we should create a groundswell to have him fired and replaced with a winner?

Or we shouldn't accept losing and these players are losing so we should create a groundswell to get rid of them and replace them with other players?

Or we shouldn't accept losing, so we should pool our money together and start paying for better recruits?

Or we shouldn't accept losing, so we should stop going to the games and supporting a losing team?

Or we shouldn't accept losing, so we should go to the games and boo our own players because they are losing?

Obviously you think the fans' attitude has some connection with winning, and I want to understand how that magical thinking is supposed to work.

 

[Shine33]

Who the heck is okay with losing!!? Dumb post imo. No one here is okay with it, some here just realize that climbing back up the mountain is a process

 

[jdb50]

I just watched the second half of Marquette vs Nova. We have much work to do to be able to stop the losing this year and more so next year in much more active opposing venues. If we can't compete at USF with 4,600 fans and many for UConn what is next year going to look like? Losing is not going away any time soon.

 

[Stainmaster]

38 draft picks, 28 first round, 21 lottery in 10 years. Whether or not UK pays, the results speak for themselves.

I have some news for you if you’re waiting for UConn to be like Kentucky in the ways you seem to want them to be.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

38 draft picks, 28 first round, 21 lottery in 10 years. Whether or not UK pays, the results speak for themselves.

Have you considered becoming a fan of their program?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

What does it mean to not accept losing?

Does every UConn fan have to sit up, go to our windows, open them, stick our heads out and yell - "I don't accept losing and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

If it'll make the OP happy, I could go for fans behind the baskets holding up giant Howard Beale cut-outs during opposing teams' free throws.

 

[AdamaNation]

Disagree. He’s so young and lanky still, typically only rebounds when the ball falls right to him. Not saying that won’t change, he’s got high upside, just will need time

Agree on javonte. I don’t think most on the board have seen him. He’s pretty much a longer AA that won’t have a 6 month head start on weight training and building his body isn’t he like 21

How the hell has Wichita St been able to rebuild over the last two seasons and keep winning doing it but we can't?

they have Hurley’s players

 

[Jbirdp5]

I am not convinced that concentrating on 4* and 5* is the best way to go at this point in time.
There are way too many P5 and others goings after the same guys and when push comes to shove - both KO and Dan Hurley have experienced the pain - these guys have a huge propensity to go to those P5s.
There are tons of really solid 3* and non top 100 kids out there who are maybe not that well known but possess the skills and most importantly the body that can allow them to compete and contribute.
KO and Dan Hurley look at this like a lot of kids in high school look at a prom date - they put all this effort into 20% of the girls and like most, they don't have a chance.
I understand that if you don't try you don't get it, but the strategy has to be tweeked
The important thing right now is to WIN
Is our 2020 recruitment strong? I say its very good, throwing in Spriggs and Cole, but not strong.
Jackson is a freak athlete, has a lot of areas he needs to work on. According to 247/ESPN and other recruiting "experts" he was 58% UConn, 17% Cuse and 25% among Iowa, UCLA and Alabama. These aren't the elite.
Brown is young, very young and unproven but he is still growing and I think will be a really productive big in 2 years.
In my view, these two young men are not going to step into the starting line up and contribute - that is what a top 100 recruit should do. Both Jackson and Brown should be very good players down the road.
Why did UConn play so well vs Fla, Xavier and Buffalo? Because we matched up better with these teams physically and if you notice that these teams also struggle against all those teams that are bigger and stronger.
UConn needs size, UConn needs shooters, UConn needs scorers, UConn needs more men, not boys. UConn needs to WIN

You say we should go after kids that can develop, and then knock brown and Jackson because they’re going to need some development. Not sure I follow your logic

 

[superjohn]

I am not convinced that concentrating on 4* and 5* is the best way to go at this point in time.
There are way too many P5 and others goings after the same guys and when push comes to shove - both KO and Dan Hurley have experienced the pain - these guys have a huge propensity to go to those P5s.
There are tons of really solid 3* and non top 100 kids out there who are maybe not that well known but possess the skills and most importantly the body that can allow them to compete and contribute.
KO and Dan Hurley look at this like a lot of kids in high school look at a prom date - they put all this effort into 20% of the girls and like most, they don't have a chance.
I understand that if you don't try you don't get it, but the strategy has to be tweeked
The important thing right now is to WIN
Is our 2020 recruitment strong? I say its very good, throwing in Spriggs and Cole, but not strong.
Jackson is a freak athlete, has a lot of areas he needs to work on. According to 247/ESPN and other recruiting "experts" he was 58% UConn, 17% Cuse and 25% among Iowa, UCLA and Alabama. These aren't the elite.
Brown is young, very young and unproven but he is still growing and I think will be a really productive big in 2 years.
In my view, these two young men are not going to step into the starting line up and contribute - that is what a top 100 recruit should do. Both Jackson and Brown should be very good players down the road.
Why did UConn play so well vs Fla, Xavier and Buffalo? Because we matched up better with these teams physically and if you notice that these teams also struggle against all those teams that are bigger and stronger.
UConn needs size, UConn needs shooters, UConn needs scorers, UConn needs more men, not boys. UConn needs to WIN

Yikes. Yep, we should corner the market on 3 stars. Great plan!