Would things feel different if we beat Tulsa?

[Uconn77Duke74]

It depends how we "beat" Tulsa. If A Big had scored 30 and 12 and we won i'd feel better.

 

[champs99and04]

You could argue they've played this way all season with the exception of the BU and Oregon games. Then 35 minutes v. Arizona, 20 minutes v. MSU, 35 minutes v. WSU you get the idea. The point being they are getting beat or playing down to opponents with similar or significantly less talent or getting just outright getting embarrassed by teams that are better to the point that Central looks more respectable these days. It happened last year, it happened in 2015-16 for the entirety of the regular season, it happened in 2014-15 as well. The difference was there were talented enough players around (Boatright, Hamilton, Miller, Gibbs, Jalen) that made it work to a degree. Two of those players didn't even develop in this program.

Wagner, Yale (only scored 44 pts v. an Ivy League school), Northeastern, ECU, @Tulsa x4, @Houston x3. never competing at Moody, not beating a ranked opponent since 2/18/2016 (FYI - it's 2018), 1-10 vs. top 25 last two seasons & 1-10 v. Power 5/Big East in that time span as well.

We have been witnessing bad basketball not up to the standards of the program and $3.5 MM a year contract (top 10 in all of college basketball) for 3.5 seasons with the exception of March 2016. His success at UConn fan be found for the entirety of 2012-13 season, March/April 2014, and March 2016.

However you want to slice it up, it's been bad and it's been bad for a while and we all gave a pass because he coached well in 2012-13 then was at the helm during a Natty run plus him being an alumnus of the university and the program. He deserved that pass since not many have accomplished what he has, but the Natty get out of jail free card has expired. It's a real shame, I wanted it to work with him long term.

I'm just responding to your claim that you wanted them to get in the whereabouts of 18-20 wins and play competitive basketball. At 9-6, 2-1 in conference, they're right about on track to do that and possibly clinch an NIT invite.

The only reason I highlighted that part of your post is because - despite the overall trajectory of the program, which is pretty bleak as you said - I think that's a reasonable bar to set for the remainder of this season. If they win most of the games they should win, steal a couple here and there, play the better opponents tough, and generate some momentum heading into next year with respectable runs in the AACT/NIT, then Ollie will likely be back. If not, he might be gone. Generally speaking, I think people on this board are closer to the same page than it would appear.

 

[Storrs South]

I'm just responding to your claim that you wanted them to get in the whereabouts of 18-20 wins and play competitive basketball. At 9-6, 2-1 in conference, they're right about on track to do that and possibly clinch an NIT invite.

The only reason I highlighted that part of your post is because - despite the overall trajectory of the program, which is pretty bleak as you said - I think that's a reasonable bar to set for the remainder of this season. If they win most of the games they should win, steal a couple here and there, play the better opponents tough, and generate some momentum heading into next year with respectable runs in the AACT/NIT, then Ollie will likely be back. If not, he might be gone. Generally speaking, I think people on this board are closer to the same page than it would appear.

They have that opportunity, but I have seen nothing to convince me that will happen.

 

[Paesano]

I'm just responding to your claim that you wanted them to get in the whereabouts of 18-20 wins and play competitive basketball. At 9-6, 2-1 in conference, they're right about on track to do that and possibly clinch an NIT invite.

The only reason I highlighted that part of your post is because - despite the overall trajectory of the program, which is pretty bleak as you said - I think that's a reasonable bar to set for the remainder of this season. If they win most of the games they should win, steal a couple here and there, play the better opponents tough, and generate some momentum heading into next year with respectable runs in the AACT/NIT, then Ollie will likely be back. If not, he might be gone. Generally speaking, I think people on this board are closer to the same page than it would appear.

Where are you getting 9-6, 2-1?

 

[champs99and04]

Where are you getting 9-6, 2-1?

I was just playing into the hypothetical that we had beaten Tulsa, in which case our record would have been 9-6, 2-1 (now 10-6, 3-1). Unless I'm going crazy I think my math is right.

 

[scdono]

I was just playing into the hypothetical that we had beaten Tulsa, in which case our record would have been 9-6, 2-1 (now 10-6, 3-1). Unless I'm going crazy I think my math is right.

Yes your math is right. We would be 3-1 in conference with a solid conference road win. We would still rationally be talking about making the tournament.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Tulsa was the only loss that really stung.
Arkansas and Auburn were dreadful, but like, we weren't expected to win those games anyway.
9-6, 2-1 would be pretty good all things considered. These next 4 games are another chance to somewhat right the ship though.

This post could have been written in the late 70s or early '80s when UConn was first playing with the big boys. The program with 4 NCs not expected to beat Arkansas or Auburn. Wow, the bar is set low.

 

[Hi-Low]

I happen to think people would feel worse about the program going forward if the team beat Tulsa. That goes for any of the remaining games on our schedule.

Not really fair..........people are upset because we had so many opportunities in Nov & Dec for quality non-conf wins and not only lost badly but were embarrassed. Then the Wichita loss almost completely took any remaining hope for an at-large off the table. Back to back years with the season seemingly over before January 1 doesn't garner alot of excitement about the program.

I want to win as many games as possible, see the team improve & in March I'll be hoping for a "miracle" in Orlando. I think most UConn fans feel that way regardless of feelings about KO.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

This post could have been written in the late 70s or early '80s when UConn was first playing with the big boys. The program with 4 NCs not expected to beat Arkansas or Auburn. Wow, the bar is set low.

Yeah, in case you haven't noticed, things are a little different now. Jim Calhoun isn't walking through that door.
I expected UConn men's basketball to be much better than they are this season, but let me ask you a question. Did you think they were going to beat Arkansas or Auburn, going into those games?

 

[mauconnfan]

It depends how we "beat" Tulsa. If A Big had scored 30 and 12 and we won i'd feel better.

If he missed that prayer 3 in regulation you wouldn't feel better?

 

[polycom]

No. When you aren't winning championships or even getting close. The style of the wins matters.

 

[mauconnfan]

No. When you aren't winning championships or even getting close. The style of the wins matters.

I get it when you're capable of winning championships but when you're not I disagree, the win means as much by 3 as it does by hammering someone by 20 (we can't do that anyway).

 

[Kemba429]

9-7 vs. 10-6 ehhhhh, not really. My feelings will be different however if this past game is the turnaround game that I think everyone has been desperately waiting for. We got a rough stretch for 9 out of our next 10 opponents. This is where everyone needs to step up.

 

[jibsey]

We have to make ourselves relevant again. Beating UCF, Tulsa or whatever doesn't quite get it done for me. But that's just me, everyone has their own expectations for the program.

 

[GemParty]

Best Nova at home. Storm the floor. Get on tv. Have fun. Vital's never seen the tourney, he wants to.

 

[pj]

10-6/3-1 definitely much better than 9-7/2-2. But, at the end of the season, the difference is 19-12 vs 18-13, that feels less significant. A win would have given the players confidence and hope. It looks like they're developing it anyway. Happy for that. Jim Calhoun always wanted his players to be confident and have a swagger. Winning is fun and makes teams better.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Yeah, in case you haven't noticed, things are a little different now. Jim Calhoun isn't walking through that door.
I expected UConn men's basketball to be much better than they are this season, but let me ask you a question. Did you think they were going to beat Arkansas or Auburn, going into those games?

Definitely not. But that is precisely my point. How does a program like UConn, coming off of National Championships in 2011 AND 2014 suddenly become impotent against almost every program from major conferences and struggle to beat lower level programs that they use to beat by 25+ points while clearing their bench?

 

[scdono]

I am reminded with each victory that we would be talking about being on the Bubble by now. I guess it will take a couple more victories include Villanova upset

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

4-1 in league holy crap that’d be incredible