You guys have gone off the deep end!

[GotNets?]

I stayed away from The Yard until now b/c I knew this place would be on fire, I'm assuming I'm right. I want to preface this that losing to NM State is inexcusable and Hurley needs to make adjustments. This could have been a S16 team and it was fair to make that our expectations. But this team was flawed still and it showed on Thursday. We need to have a better go-to-scorer/a true PG (and that is no knock on RJ, he was the only guy who showed up second half vs NM State). No doubt about that. However, Hurely deserves to keep his job through at least the next two seasons.

I just wanted to point out some positives from this year:

• First time Preseason Top 25 since 2016-17
• First time being ranked 15 or higher since 2013-14
• First time being ranked in the final AP Poll since 2013-14
• First time being a 5-seed or higher since 2010-11
• First time making back-to-back tournaments since 2010-11/2011-12

All this was accomplished losing your top scorer to the NBA Draft Lottery and navigating a mid-season COVID stoppage. If we happened to beat NM State and then lose to Arkansas in a close one, how many of you are still mad? Yes, it's 2 seasons in a row we lost as the higher seed. But you have to take a look at where we were 2, 3, 4, 5 years ago! That is what drives me insane about calling for Hurley's job.

Next year will be a tough year. Losing Polley/Whaley. Most likely losing Cole/Martin. Potentially losing Sanogo (I am sure he will test the waters to a degree). You'll be starting a lot of underclass who were talented in HS but have not proved it at this level, so it will be some growing pains. No UConn team has went to 3-straight NCAATs since 05-06 mind you, so lets just manage our expectations going forward. The 23-24 team very well could be special if Hurley is able to develop the talent that's coming in. We've seen him do it with most (not all) of the guys he's brought in.

What if we have a losing record in the BE next year? How does that make you feel?

To your comment about beating NMSU and then losing to Arkansas, I think that would have made for a good year. Sweet 16 was probably the goal for many, but winning a game would have represented strong progress. If Arkansas embarrassed us on the National stage, then I might not be as happy but at least we’d have won game.

As you said, it’s inexcusable, but no matter how angry we are, he’s going to get another shot regardless of how anyone feels. Fingers crossed the team looks prepared for any postseason play. The eye test is part of it for me.

 

[GotNets?]

I stayed away from The Yard until now b/c I knew this place would be on fire, I'm assuming I'm right. I want to preface this that losing to NM State is inexcusable and Hurley needs to make adjustments. This could have been a S16 team and it was fair to make that our expectations. But this team was flawed still and it showed on Thursday. We need to have a better go-to-scorer/a true PG (and that is no knock on RJ, he was the only guy who showed up second half vs NM State). No doubt about that. However, Hurely deserves to keep his job through at least the next two seasons.

I just wanted to point out some positives from this year:

• First time Preseason Top 25 since 2016-17
• First time being ranked 15 or higher since 2013-14
• First time being ranked in the final AP Poll since 2013-14
• First time being a 5-seed or higher since 2010-11
• First time making back-to-back tournaments since 2010-11/2011-12

All this was accomplished losing your top scorer to the NBA Draft Lottery and navigating a mid-season COVID stoppage. If we happened to beat NM State and then lose to Arkansas in a close one, how many of you are still mad? Yes, it's 2 seasons in a row we lost as the higher seed. But you have to take a look at where we were 2, 3, 4, 5 years ago! That is what drives me insane about calling for Hurley's job.

Next year will be a tough year. Losing Polley/Whaley. Most likely losing Cole/Martin. Potentially losing Sanogo (I am sure he will test the waters to a degree). You'll be starting a lot of underclass who were talented in HS but have not proved it at this level, so it will be some growing pains. No UConn team has went to 3-straight NCAATs since 05-06 mind you, so lets just manage our expectations going forward. The 23-24 team very well could be special if Hurley is able to develop the talent that's coming in. We've seen him do it with most (not all) of the guys he's brought in.

But good recap of the high points too. It matters less to me than March, but it serves a purpose in recruiting, for example.

 

[ThabeetDown]

What if we have a losing record in the BE next year? How does that make you feel?

I'd say a below .500 BE season would put him squarely on the hot season for the following year no doubt.

Fingers crossed the team looks prepared for any postseason play. The eye test is part of it for me.

This is the concern for me too. Lack of preparations/adjustments in BIG games. Remember Villanova in Hartford was Kimani, so can't even give Hurley credit there. But let's face it, back-to-back duds in BE semi games and NCAA first round games is very much a trend that that is emerging and is problematic.

 

[OkaForPrez]

I'd say a below .500 BE season would put him squarely on the hot season for the following year no doubt.

This is the concern for me too. Lack of preparations/adjustments in BIG games. Remember Villanova in Hartford was Kimani, so can't even give Hurley credit there. But let's face it, back-to-back duds in BE semi games and NCAA first round games is very much a trend that that is emerging and is problematic.

Hard disagree to anyone who credits that Nova W to Kimani. We were shot out of cannons in that game. Hurley had us primed and rabid. He called a back door AJ lob out of the gate because he knew it would fire up the team and the crowd.

Kimani played the end game well, but it bothers me fully when people try to take away that W from Danny. And his ejection was BS to boot.

 

[DrZzzz]

After UConn lost to UCLA in the tourney in 1995, plenty of people were calling for Calhoun's head. There was an article (in the Courant?) that basically stated that Calhoun couldn't coach. That his plan against UCLA was for Ray to go one on 5. This after losing to the eventual champs.

Hurley needs more time before he is dubbed the Cronin of UConn. I am happy to say that I can look forward to another good, and hopefully great season next year. I couldn't say that a few years ago.

 

[Travelman6]

After UConn lost to UCLA in the tourney in 1995, plenty of people were calling for Calhoun's head. There was an article (in the Courant?) that basically stated that Calhoun couldn't coach. That his plan against UCLA was for Ray to go one on 5. This after losing to the eventual champs.

Hurley needs more time before he is dubbed the Cronin of UConn. I am happy to say that I can look forward to another good, and hopefully great season next year. I couldn't say that a few years ago.

And I was just 10 back then, so I remember the game somewhat but I don't vividly recall any season until 1998-99 (although I remember the 98 UNC game all too well) but I assume those calls for Calhoun to leave must have intensified for Ole Miss (96) and missing the tourney completely in 97. Thank goodness for those who stuck with him for 4 more years.

 

[Kathy]

And I was just 10 back then, so I remember the game somewhat but I don't vividly recall any season until 1998-99 (although I remember the 98 UNC game all too well) but I assume those calls for Calhoun to leave must have intensified for Ole Miss (96) and missing the tourney completely in 97. Thank goodness for those who stuck with him for 4 more years.

I was around then, season ticket holder - there may have been a few but not overwhelming. He was still taking us where we had never been consistently. From 89-90 to 98-99
Regular season champs - 6/10
BE Tournament champs - 4/10
Sweet Sixteen - 7/10
Elite Eight - 4/10
If those were numbers from Hurley in years 4-13 my guess is most would be satisfied.
If that wasn't good enough, not sure what people expect

 

[Travelman6]

I was around then, season ticket holder - there may have been a few but not overwhelming. He was still taking us where we had never been consistently. From 89-90 to 98-99
Regular season champs - 6/10
BE Tournament champs - 4/10
Sweet Sixteen - 7/10
Elite Eight - 4/10
If those were numbers from Hurley in years 4-13 my guess is most would be satisfied.
If that wasn't good enough, not sure what people expect

I would be ecstatic with that if that was Hurley's track record for years 4-13 BUT by year 12 or 13 I'd start to be asking, ok, let's take the next step to the FF.

 

[Kathy]

I would be ecstatic with that if that was Hurley's track record for years 4-13 BUT by year 12 or 13 I'd start to be asking, ok, let's take the next step to the FF.

And that would be fair - year 13 was our first Natty.

 

[mauconnfan]

I just don’t remember the calls to take JC out at all it had to be some very ignorant people. I mean if you weren’t enjoying the constant positive runs after years of Yankee Conference nothing and cellar dwelling in the Big East you weren’t much of a fan.

I mean it’s a whole different world now, expectations have changed dramatically and first round exits should be met with concern. Next year is huge the NIT or less is not acceptable.

 

[dennismenace]

I don't believe that the BY complaints are at all about a simple false dichotomy argument framed by a Calhoun vs Hurley demands. Calhoun is a point of reference and Hurley is fast becoming a point of reference. He is being outcoached in-game and possibly pre-game. It is x's and o's. He has demonstrated a lack of response to adjustments made by opponents that has been his Achilles heel above all. Many people on the BY have repeatedly suggested that if h can't handle that himself he should assign that to the staff at least for now. It appears that he is ignoring the obvious and sadly thinking if he gets everyone hyped up enough he can control the situation instead of thinking through and adjusting his tactics. The complaint most often heard is either stubbornness to change on this and/or acknowledging he needs to ask for help if he cannot (more obviously) do this himself.

There are more than a few very knowledgeable contributors on the board who know basketball and coaching (I am not one of them) and they seem to me to be in united agreement more on this point than anything else. That is the problem and setting up false dichotomies (either JC/ or Dan Hurley) about the issue of comparing JC to Dan Hurley is a wishful thinking that the "fans" need to grow up and stop doing that.

It is not going to stop until he stops because it is obviously leading to failure despite all the hard work, hustle and willingness of the team and staff to follow the leader.

His contract allows him the financial comfort to not have to do anything different at this point but
eventually this will catch up with him if he does not change.

One last point which may or may not be relevant but I think it is imho. JC's mentor was Red Auerbach. Who is/was Dan Hurley's??

 

[mauconnfan]

They can't afford his buyout

Dammit!!

I kid, I kid!

 

[J187Money]

I don't believe that the BY complaints are at all about a simple false dichotomy argument framed by a Calhoun vs Hurley demands. Calhoun is a point of reference and Hurley is fast becoming a point of reference. He is being outcoached in-game and possibly pre-game. It is x's and o's. He has demonstrated a lack of response to adjustments made by opponents that has been his Achilles heel above all. Many people on the BY have repeatedly suggested that if h can't handle that himself he should assign that to the staff at least for now. It appears that he is ignoring the obvious and sadly thinking if he gets everyone hyped up enough he can control the situation instead of thinking through and adjusting his tactics. The complaint most often heard is either stubbornness to change on this and/or acknowledging he needs to ask for help if he cannot (more obviously) do this himself.

There are more than a few very knowledgeable contributors on the board who know basketball and coaching (I am not one of them) and they seem to me to be in united agreement more on this point than anything else. That is the problem and setting up false dichotomies (either JC/ or Dan Hurley) about the issue of comparing JC to Dan Hurley is a wishful thinking that the "fans" need to grow up and stop doing that.

It is not going to stop until he stops because it is obviously leading to failure despite all the hard work, hustle and willingness of the team and staff to follow the leader.

His contract allows him the financial comfort to not have to do anything different at this point but
eventually this will catch up with him if he does not change.

One last point which may or may not be relevant but I think it is imho. JC's mentor was Red Auerbach. Who is/was Dan Hurley's??

Good points.

Here is how I see it (and I'm not a coach nor do I pretend to be one):

1) Hurley needs to get better
2) Our players often missed easy opportunities to score or made stupid mistakes/passes/fouls/etc that have nothing to do with coaching - that cost us several games (even if you believe that Hurley made coaching mistakes in those games)

This year was fun, even though it ended a game or two early. This hasn't been as much fun in a LOOOOOONG time. So I'm not going to nitpick. We are relevant again for the first time in a long time. I'm going to enjoy it.

 

[ThabeetDown]

Hard disagree to anyone who credits that Nova W to Kimani. We were shot out of cannons in that game. Hurley had us primed and rabid. He called a back door AJ lob out of the gate because he knew it would fire up the team and the crowd.

Kimani played the end game well, but it bothers me fully when people try to take away that W from Danny. And his ejection was BS to boot.

I don't even mean to take a shot at Dan Hurley. He obviously prepped the team and the game plan that kept them in the game. Of course the ejection was absolutely ridiculous. But Dan Hurley was not on the court for the W at the end of the day.

 

[OkaForPrez]

I don't even mean to take a shot at Dan Hurley. He obviously prepped the team and the game plan that kept them in the game. Of course the ejection was absolutely ridiculous. But Dan Hurley was not on the court for the W at the end of the day.

Fair. I think reasonable people can disagree as to whether or not what Dan did to prepare the team over the course of the season and leading up to that game and on the sideline for the first quarter of the game is enough to credit him with a signature win. For me, its enough to consider it his win. I took umbrage with your statement that we can’t. I do.