2013-14 UConn Basketball: National Champions

JKelley34 · Mar 30, 2014

Clears Cleaver said:
They're done. No adjustments, stand aroudn and wtch Kemba, not enough guys to make shots and bad defensive rebounding. Team has regressed all year, or at least never got better while everyone else did. They may not win again this year as they are so easy to defend. Probably a six or seven seed

Clears Cleaver said:
It's best case scenario for uconn as they can't beat SMU or Louisville. But they are going to lose to Memphis, likely badly. And they are going to lose in first round of NCAA. There is something bad happening inside the locker room.

Does anyone care about this tourney? I read yday that after next year they are hoping to move it to Orlando. It's a joke

Hey Clears, with your prognosticating skills, can you start shitting on my personal life?

"Him? Models? No Chance, going to end up masturbating to anime porn tonight"

"Career prospects? HA! Dogshit. Won't even get a chance to fail at middle management, will be selling used tires by June."

Clears Cleaver · Mar 30, 2014

JKelley34 said:
Hey Clears, with your prognosticating skills, can you start shitting on my personal life?

"Him? Models? No Chance, going to end up masturbating to anime porn tonight"

"Career prospects? HA! Dogshit. Won't even get a chance to fail at middle management, will be selling used tires by June."

LOLOLOLOL

"you will be the most clever internet poster since....BUSoxfan!"

how's that?

Clears Cleaver · Mar 30, 2014

StuckOnYouk said:
Hey duke sox, Despite ESPN making it sound like duke and Syracuse are the only two quality teams that play in the NCAA, once again the jimmy Calhoun family tree shows that willpower and heart means more than conference affiliation or tv contracts or Vegas lines

Those guys think playing defense means slapping the floor. whatever

PC Drunken Friar · Mar 30, 2014

Holy shit, I underestimated this team. Congrats, Napier made himself a shitload of money.

bosox188 · Mar 30, 2014

StuckOnYouk said:
Hey duke sox, Despite ESPN making it sound like duke and Syracuse are the only two quality teams that play in the NCAA, once again the jimmy Calhoun family tree shows that willpower and heart means more than conference affiliation or tv contracts or Vegas lines

I am so happy that somebody brought that post back up after this.

ivanvamp · Mar 31, 2014

Clears Cleaver said:
Amazing. So tough. I actually felt good about this game when i saw the MSU players telling at each other. They are rattled. they had never seen defense and effort like that

I thought Ollie got out coached a lot, especially by Pitino, but damn he has pushed every right button. And I LOVED the big big double on Payne. Took that one from Jimmy C in the 99 title game.

Nolan was great today.

My only beef with Nolan was that throw down he had at the very end. VERY selfish play. Giffey was wide open under the basket and Nolan had a defender on his hip. Granted, he still made the dunk so it turned out ok, but I'd have had some firm words for him if not after the game, during the next film session. No place for a bad basketball play like that.

Clears Cleaver · Mar 31, 2014

ivanvamp said:
My only beef with Nolan was that throw down he had at the very end. VERY selfish play. Giffey was wide open under the basket and Nolan had a defender on his hip. Granted, he still made the dunk so it turned out ok, but I'd have had some firm words for him if not after the game, during the next film session. No place for a bad basketball play like that.

this is true. It was stupid. maybe he was mad at giffey for missing those FIVE wide open threes!

He will get yelled at. For sure.

Great story in the WSJ on the Garden rocking again for the first time in a long, long time:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304157204579471490629815828?mod=ITP_marketplace_4&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304157204579471490629815828.html%3Fmod%3DITP_marketplace_4

Clears Cleaver · Mar 31, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
Grinning from ear to ear today. This is just as unexpected as 2011 and probably more so. Guys have stepped up at the right time like Daniels, Boatright, and even Terrance Samuel. This is the DeAndre Daniels who was the big time recruit out of HS.

Anything after the Sweet 16 to me is gravy and this is some nice-tasting gravy.

seriously. I heard that Bazz and Boatright were having huge issues and when the team quit versus Louisville, i thought that was it. Hoops teams can fall apart like that (remember the Nova team where the corey's were fighting over a girl and they lost early in tourney?).

But, they got lucky vs St Joe's when Brimah had that three-point play and since then they played defense at a level far beyond what they showed in the regular season. Their offense has been a bit better thanks to free throw shooting, but its been defense, defense, defense. And that is effort and team work. Kudos to Ollie. Give that man a conference and he'd be able to recruit like Calipari

Average Reds · Mar 31, 2014

When UConn went down early in the second half I thought they had spit the bit and were done. Could not have been more wrong there.

Congrats to UConn and their fans. Great season for them.

curly2 · Mar 31, 2014

UConn's had a lot of players with more ability, but nobody's got more heart or guts than Shabazz Napier.

Dan Murfman · Mar 31, 2014

Still smiling and can't wait until Saturday but just saw this about a possible ooc game next year.

http://instorrsnow.wordpress.com

The Huskies continue to try and beef up their non-conference schedule, given the lack of RPI-power the American Athletic Conference portion of their slate seems to pack. And they’re doing so with one of the beefiest opponents of all.

There may be a Duke-UConn game in the greater New York area as early as next season, several sources said Sunday.

The two schools are in discussions over a game between their basketball programs in a site such as Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn or even the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

Dan Murfman · Mar 31, 2014

And just a reminder about Saturday night broadcast.http://deadspin.com/turner-will-produce-team-specific-telecasts-for-the-fin-1466840495/all

This season's Final Four will be the first time the semifinals are broadcast on cable. With that move comes the freedom to try something new: For both of the semifinal games, fans of each competing team will receive their very own broadcast.
Turner COO Lenny Daniels explained the idea of three different perspectives on three different channels to SportsBusiness Journal: The normal, national broadcast for each Final Four game will be on TBS. But TNT and TruTV will also carry the games, with the production focusing on one of the schools. They'll have different broadcasters, presumably with local connections. They'll use different camera angles, following that specific team's players. They'll offer different halftime shows, analyzing that team's performance. All operating under the assumption that fans want to view their team's games through a very personalized lens.

"This is really about giving fans alternate viewing options," Daniels said. "Ratings are always a consideration, but we're not worried about them. We're looking for innovative, forward-thinking ways to present these games."

benhogan · Mar 31, 2014

Congrats UConn!

Feel like UConn got screwed by Syracuse (where I'm an alum) and the Catholic schools (like GTown and Nova) that didn't have the guts UConn did to develop a 1A football program.

Also really respect Kevin Ollie's backstory, 15 year NBA career, after not getting drafted and playing his first 2 years in the CBA.

Go ahead and beat your chest you have a lot to be proud of...

Dan Murfman · Mar 31, 2014

KO-'Ya'll understand this... this is a great trophy, but I want another one. We got a new building and we got a lot of damn room'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rlQ80cefKM

Skeesix · Mar 31, 2014

Dan Murfman said:
KO-'Ya'll understand this... this is a great trophy, but I want another one. We got a new building and we got a lot of damn room'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rlQ80cefKM

I wish people in these videos would point out Khalid El-Amin hangin out. He was almost as big a part of that 99 title as Rip.

Dewy4PrezII · Apr 1, 2014

Kevin Ollie was listed at 6'3", Khalid El-Amin was listed at, I believe 5-10 but in that picture at 3:44 KO looks a foot taller than El-Amin. No wonder his NBA career was short lived. He was a beast in college though.

Dan Murfman · Apr 5, 2014

I'm done bouncing of the walls. Let's go UCONN!

OCST · Apr 5, 2014

Any word on how well UConn traveled to Dallas?

RIrooter09 · Apr 5, 2014

Who are you guys rooting for? I think Wisconsin is the better match up for us.

SoxFan58 · Apr 5, 2014

I think Kentucky. I think they're very similar to Florida and Wisconsin is much more efficient offensively.

RIrooter09 · Apr 5, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
Don't really care who it is. With the defense UConn is playing, they can match up with either of those teams.

Kentucky's size inside scares me.

RIrooter09 · Apr 5, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
So did Michigan State's.

Kentucky is bigger, and more talented.

RIrooter09 · Apr 5, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
They're big, but the question is how would Kentucky match up against UConn's backcourt or cover Daniels on the perimeter? They can't guard Kaminsky and Daniels is more athletic.

Yeah I'm conflicted. I rooted for the Pats to play the Giants in '07 so what do I know.

RIrooter09 · Apr 5, 2014

UK it is. Let's beat this greasy fuck.

SumnerH · Apr 5, 2014

Congrats Uconn. I'm not a huge fan, though my vitriol has decreased since Calhoun left. But even if he were there I'd still be rooting for you guys over Calipari.

Beat Kentucky.

mikepnq · Apr 6, 2014

Kentucky is the only team as hot and pseudo dominant as Uconn right now (going solely on tournament games). It's only fitting that the two of them meet in the final.

I'm a little worried about Giffey, Nolan, etc on Randolph, but I think Boatright, Napier, and the other guards will make entry passing a nightmare for Kentucky. Either way, should be a fantastic final.

HillysLastWalk · Apr 6, 2014

Competing for a fourth Championship since my time at that school. Baseball and college basketball are my two favorite sports ... what an amazing 15 years for the Sox and UCONN. Im amped. Cant wait for Monday.

HillysLastWalk · Apr 6, 2014

This guy was following around Giffey being a tool. Funny read afterwards though ... Fluke!!!: http://www.cbssports.com/general/writer/gregg-doyel/24513616/uconns-secret-to-beating-florida-injured-gators-fluke-buzzer-beater

ivanvamp · Apr 6, 2014

I can't figure out what teams with really good big men are doing when playing UConn. UConn may be long, but they're not big or very tough inside. Young scored nearly every time he touched it inside, and there was no way UConn could keep him off his spot down low. But they only went to him a handful of times. Why not go to him every trip down the floor, and spread the court with your shooters? Why didn't Payne of MSU post up more? I know UConn likes to double, but still. It's almost as if teams know they can abuse UConn down low, but just decide, nah, we'd rather let our guards be harassed by Napier and Boatright all game long.

Mystifying. But hey, good for UConn!

I think Monday will be phenomenal. I hope UConn beats Kentucky so badly. Olliie is about as easy a guy to root for as possible. And Calipari is just about as easy a guy to root against as possible. Even as an SU guy, this is a very, very easy call for Monday. Go Huskies!

Average Reds · Apr 6, 2014

HillysLastWalk said:
This guy was following around Giffey being a tool. Funny read afterwards though ... Fluke!!!: http://www.cbssports.com/general/writer/gregg-doyel/24513616/uconns-secret-to-beating-florida-injured-gators-fluke-buzzer-beater

Jesus, what a tool.

Curtis Pride · Apr 6, 2014

HillysLastWalk said:
This guy was following around Giffey being a tool. Funny read afterwards though ... Fluke!!!: http://www.cbssports.com/general/writer/gregg-doyel/24513616/uconns-secret-to-beating-florida-injured-gators-fluke-buzzer-beater

According to Wikipedia, Doyel is an U of Florida alum. He may have been a tad biased.

Williams Head Case · Apr 6, 2014

I'm so out of sorts right now. This has been an incredible ride and I'm trying to enjoy every moment of it but at times its hard for me to realize this isn't a dream, this team is actually 40 minutes away from yet another championship. Coming into the season, I knew we were good and I thought we had a legitimate shot to make noise in March, but at the low points of the season, like the Texas roadtrip or any of the Louisville games, I thought we were done. Lo and behold, KO is getting all the fight he can out of this team at just the right time.

I hope that win or lose, KO can use this success and all the direct and indirect benefits on the recruiting trail, Warde and Susan can use it in their ACC/Big 10 pitches, and the media can use it in recognizing UConn as the college basketball dynasty that is has become. Name one team that wouldn't take UConn's past 15 years of accomplishments.

The key of course will be keeping KO at UConn with a healthy raise, keeping blossoming players like Daniels in school instead of going pro, and mitigating any loss of respect/prestige/RPI/revenue due to conference realignment with big ticket OOC games. But for now, I'm just enjoying the hell out of this ride.

curly2 · Apr 6, 2014

What an amazing ride this has been. Down 16-4 to a team on a 30-game winning streak and they win going away.

I think I'l be a basket case for the game tomorrow.

DukeSox · Apr 7, 2014

I mean it's one thing for UConn not to have any plan to give their players a path to a diploma, but can't a guy get a Clif bar or something?

http://ctmirror.org/uconns-napier-on-altheletes-unionizing/

Shabazz Napier, point guard for The University of Connecticut's men's basketball team, recently told reporters he understands why athletes at Northwestern need a union, as he sometimes has to go to bed "starving" because he cannot afford food.

"We as student athletes get utilized for what we do so well. We are definitely best to get a scholarship to our universities, but at the end of the day, that doesn't cover everything. We do have hungry nights that we don't have enough money to get food and sometimes money is needed," the senior told reporters.

Dewy4PrezII · Apr 7, 2014

DS, do you think that a lack of money for student athletes is just a UConn thing? I am sure there are financially strapped Duke players, you just don't get to read quotes from them after the first round or the tourney.

Stevie1der · Apr 7, 2014

Dewy4PrezII said:
DS, do you think that a lack of money for student athletes is just a UConn thing? I am sure there are financially strapped Duke players, you just don't get to read quotes from them after the first round or the tourney.

I have a really difficult time believing that any DI athlete does not have a top of the line meal plan provided to them free of charge by their University. I appreciate Napier's sentiment, but student athletes in have to be careful about embellishing things like this, because it allows opponents of additional compensation a chance to latch on and amplify the ridiculousness of these statements while further obscuring the actual reforms that are needed within the system.

OCST · Apr 7, 2014

Stevie1der said:
I have a really difficult time believing that any DI athlete does not have a top of the line meal plan provided to them free of charge by their University. I appreciate Napier's sentiment, but student athletes in have to be careful about embellishing things like this, because it allows opponents of additional compensation a chance to latch on and amplify the ridiculousness of these statements while further obscuring the actual reforms that are needed within the system.

You don't believe that his basketball schedule sometimes prevents him from getting to scheduled meals, and sometimes he's got to eat after the dining halls have closed?

It happened to me all the time in college, and I wasn't an athlete. My roommate ran track, and I would frequently seem him miss meals because of practice (it used to get him really pissed off- he'd get out of practice juuuuust before the dining halls closed, and sometimes he wouldn't make it back in time).

He's voicing a legitimate concern. I don't find any "ridiculousness" in what he says.

ivanvamp · Apr 7, 2014

Stevie1der said:
I have a really difficult time believing that any DI athlete does not have a top of the line meal plan provided to them free of charge by their University. I appreciate Napier's sentiment, but student athletes in have to be careful about embellishing things like this, because it allows opponents of additional compensation a chance to latch on and amplify the ridiculousness of these statements while further obscuring the actual reforms that are needed within the system.

Agreed. I work at a major D1 school and work with athletes. They are not starving. Like, at all. They may be hungry at 2:00 am I guess, but come on.

ivanvamp · Apr 7, 2014

By the way, UConn by three tonight.

bosox188 · Apr 7, 2014

Stevie1der said:
I have a really difficult time believing that any DI athlete does not have a top of the line meal plan provided to them free of charge by their University. I appreciate Napier's sentiment, but student athletes in have to be careful about embellishing things like this, because it allows opponents of additional compensation a chance to latch on and amplify the ridiculousness of these statements while further obscuring the actual reforms that are needed within the system.

So, I graduated from Uconn 3 years ago this May, and there's a few things here that I can think of off the top of my head that I thought might be useful. I think this should all still be relatively accurate unless something major has changed:

1. Students who live in the dorms on campus get a meal plan that includes unlimited access to the dining halls, and typically also includes a certain number of "flex passes" that can be used to get a meal from a Grab n' Go location, and also "points" that are essentially just dollars the university puts on the card to let you buy things at the Student Union marketplace and Grab n' Go spots. Certain dining halls, like 1 or 2 of them, stay open later if I remember correctly (I think until say 10pm). In addition to that, there are plenty of Grab n' Go locations or the Student Union that will be open until I think 11pm that serve wraps/sandwiches and you pay with meal plan points or with a flex pass.

2. This is really the bigger point. Students who live in the on-campus (or off-campus) apartments such as Charter Oak and Hilltop are not provided with meal plans the way that students in the dorms are. So if you have an apartment, you're cooking for yourself, you aren't using the school meal plan. I'm fairly sure that most of the big-time athletes (aka the basketball players) are in apartments for most if not all of their time at Uconn, so they aren't getting the meal plan. Now some of the underclassmen players might be starting out in dorms. For example, during my senior year when Lamb, Giffey, and Olander were freshman, they lived on my floor in a dorm building. I actually think Shabazz may have already had an apartment that year, possibly because he was a bigger recruit than they were. So I guess yeah, the school may not be providing meals for him, but if he really needed that he could have just lived in a dorm the way 90% of the rest of the campus students do instead of being given a nice apartment that other people waitlist themselves for.

2013-14 UConn Basketball: National Champions

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