283 replies to this topic

[Dan Murfman]

Well I hope a UConn official wouldn't be like BC officials and flat out lie.

[RedOctober3829]

University of Connecticut sophomore guard Jeremy Lamb has decided to forego the final two seasons of his college eligibility and make himself available for the upcoming NBA Draft.
"It was a difficult decision, but after much prayer and discussion with my parents, I feel that it's in the best interest of me and my family to declare myself eligible for the upcoming NBA Draft and pursue my dream of playing professional basketball," Lamb said. "I have very much enjoyed my two years at UConn, especially getting to experience one of the greatest feelings that a college player can have, winning the national championship."

http://www.uconnhusk.../041012aab.html

[BigSoxFan]

Put up meaningless stats on a team that can't participate in the tourney

Or...

Make millions in the NBA

Not a difficult decision to me. Lamb didn't progress like I thought he would after your title run but he should still be a solid rotational player in the NBA.

[Clears Cleaver]

Drummond is reportedly gone too, announcing today or tomorrow. Most disappointing player in UConn history? Top 2 recruit who basically was a negative value player who leaves after one season. He's a good kid by all accounts, can't blame him for going of course, just hope he gets some coaching becasue he is about 5 years away from being able to play in the NBA at his current trendline.

average attendance next year in the XL center games? 5,000? thing is, I bet Calhoun plays frenetically and traps/presses and actually is fun to watch, but with no BET or NCAA, no one will care.

[jsinger121]

Here's the announcement.

http://espn.go.com/n...declaring-draft

[Dan Murfman]

Since Oriakhi couldn't go to BC he has chosen to go to a school that can actually make the tournament next year. He's going to Missouri.

[minischwab]

Since Oriakhi couldn't go to BC he has chosen to go to a school that can actually make the tournament next year. He's going to Missouri.

Can someone please explain to me why sooooo many fans were attacking Oriakhi yesterday? UNC fans, UK fans, UConn fans, hate coming from all over the place. He's just a solid player trying to finish his degree and have one more shot at playing in the tournament. It's not his fault that his program will be banned, he's been a good student. He has done nothing wrong, yet is being blasted by so many fan bases. I get UConn fans being upset, but UK and UNC fans? Why the hate, just because he picked another program to transfer to? What am I missing here?


Edit: To show what I mean...
http://bloguin.com/r...ex-oriahki.html

Also, the ESPN.com story has over 2000 comments, many of them personal attacks.

Edited by minischwab, 14 April 2012 - 11:53 AM.

[ivanvamp]

Put up meaningless stats on a team that can't participate in the tourney

Or...

Make millions in the NBA

Not a difficult decision to me. Lamb didn't progress like I thought he would after your title run but he should still be a solid rotational player in the NBA.

I think Lamb could be another Richard Hamilton type player. About the same size - similar height, wiry - both have quick releases, both shoot very well coming off screens. Like Hamilton, he's not an Alpha dog out there...seems to need to be a #2 guy, but still, should be a dangerous weapon in the NBA.

[Dan Murfman]

Can someone please explain to me why sooooo many fans were attacking Oriakhi yesterday? UNC fans, UK fans, UConn fans, hate coming from all over the place. He's just a solid player trying to finish his degree and have one more shot at playing in the tournament. It's not his fault that his program will be banned, he's been a good student. He has done nothing wrong, yet is being blasted by so many fan bases. I get UConn fans being upset, but UK and UNC fans? Why the hate, just because he picked another program to transfer to? What am I missing here?


Edit: To show what I mean...
http://bloguin.com/r...ex-oriahki.html

Also, the ESPN.com story has over 2000 comments, many of them personal attacks.

Well on ESPN.com if someone said the sky is blue there would be over 2000 comments with personal attacks.

And as far as UConn goes I think most of the rational fans wish him nothing but the best as he was a big part of the championship run last year. But him transferring really isn't totally about the ban. Him and Calhoun didn't see eye to eye this season. Drummond came in and took some of his minutes and he didn't have a good season. I will also say this it doesn't help UConn fans that his father has been on twitter pretty much trash talking UConn .

[Plantiers Wart]

Now Roscoe Smith is leaving. Ugh. This is looking like Calhoun is going to stick around for two more years, since he can't leave now with everything in turmoil, and when they tank next season, he can't leave on a low note.

[Rocco Graziosa]

Can someone explain to me exactly what UConn's academic infractions were and how its possible they are the only major D1 school to have committed this violation? This doesn't pass the smell test to me.

Also why on earth Calhoun didn't retire after last season on top continues to befuddle me. Even if he didn't know this was coming he would have went out on top and an untouchable legend in UConn history.

[ivanvamp]

So UConn loses Drummond, Lamb, Oriakhi, and Smith, all underclassmen? Yikes. Shabazz, Boatright, and Olander (yes, him) really need to step up if they want to have any hope of putting together a decent season next year.

[RedOctober3829]

UConn is playing in the Jimmy V Classic on December 4th at MSG against NC State.

[Plantiers Wart]

UConn is playing in the Jimmy V Classic on December 4th at MSG against NC State.

So begins the Enoch Wolf era......

[Williams Head Case]

Not all the news is bad:

At 6-foot-10, 205 pounds, Nolan is a versatile lefty who can block shots and step out on the perimeter. Nolan’s greatest strength, according to Lewis, is his “ability to run the floor as a four and a five.” Lewis added that his post game is the area he most needs to improve as he prepares for Big East basketball.

“He’ll be able to show his talents (at UConn), as in his jumpshot, his ballhandling skills, you know, as a big man, he can also create his own shot and play away from the basket,” Lewis said. “He can step out and hit a 3-pointer and can also get other guys involved.”

Nolan averaged 16.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.3 assists while shooting 63 percent from the field and 77 percent from the line in seven games at Riverside last season. He attended three different high schools — Milwaukee Vincent, St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) and Riverside University — and scrapped plans to attend two others. According to Lewis, Nolan did not become eligible at Riverside until more than halfway through his senior season.

Nolan held offers

from Arizona, Baylor, St. John’s, Minnesota, Marquette, Maryland, Oregon and Clemson. According to most recruiting websites, UConn was not even on his radar.

“Last week, he had brought (his interest in UConn) to my attention,” Lewis said. “Earlier this morning, he brought it to my attention that he made a commitment.”

Nolan was rated as a four-star recruit, and will undoubtedly have a chance to play right away in Storrs. He joins Tyler Olander and Enosch Wolf as the team’s only big men.

Edited by Williams Head Case, 03 May 2012 - 04:51 PM.

[RedOctober3829]

Michigan State-UConn on November 9th in Ramstein, Germany.

http://espn.go.com/m...tary-base-nov-9

[Dan Murfman]

It's just a practice facility that hasn't been built but it has it's own website


http://www.uconnbask...r.com/home.html

[BigSoxFan]

It's just a practice facility that hasn't been built but it has it's own website

http://www.uconnbask...r.com/home.html

This facility is going to be really nice. Don't think I've ever seen a practice gym with that full court / 3 half court setup.

[Dan Murfman]

I just hope Geno lets the men use it.

Edited by Dan Murfman, 21 August 2012 - 06:53 PM.

[Dan Murfman]

Where will they show up?

http://espn.go.com/b...50-in-50-series

[Dan Murfman]

Who knows but reading between the lines I think he's hanging it up. Might be his way to get KO the job.


http://sportsillustr...houn/index.html

[StuckOnYouk]

Great read. Yeah, sounds like he's had enough. 70 years old, tons of grandkids, money, surgicially repaired hip. Why come back?

Never knew BC turned him down. Kind of ironic he beats them what, 22 times in a row? That's Calhoun, never lets something go.

I love that man unconditionally, warts and all.

Edited by StuckOnYouk, 06 September 2012 - 06:14 PM.

[BigSoxFan]

I'm sure being ineligible for the NCAA tournament will help make his decision.

[Plantiers Wart]

I'm sure being ineligible for the NCAA tournament will help make his decision.

I see this as being the main reason for him to come back, not quit. Not one to walk away from a fight, and if it IS Ollie getting the job, not wanting a tourney-less year to taint the start of his career.

[BigSoxFan]

I see this as being the main reason for him to come back, not quit. Not one to walk away from a fight, and if it IS Ollie getting the job, not wanting a tourney-less year to taint the start of his career.

How would it taint his career? Everyone knows the deal for the 2012-2013 season. In fact, you could argue that it might be better for Ollie because it would allow him to get his feet wet as a head coach without the immediate pressure of tournament success.

[Dan Murfman]

Of course there is the theory Calhoun is stepping down to get Ollie the job. UConn has a new AD who would like to hire the next coach. And Calhoun seems to want Ollie to get the job. So by stepping down now the AD won't have time to do a full search and will basically have to give it to Ollie.

Edited by Dan Murfman, 07 September 2012 - 10:37 AM.

[StuckOnYouk]

I'm sure being ineligible for the NCAA tournament will help make his decision.

That won't be why he leaves. He's never backed down from a fight with the NCAA, and that's what this is. The NCAA hates him and created a new rule specifically with UConn in mind. Penalizing them for grades from 3 years ago and beyond...while UNC will remain eligible for all tourney games. The APR is a joke.

[StuckOnYouk]

That won't be why he leaves. He's never backed down from a fight with the NCAA, and that's what this is. The NCAA hates him (particulary Mark Emmert - UConn ties) and created a new rule specifically with UConn in mind. Penalizing them for grades from 3 years ago and beyond...while UNC will remain eligible for all tourney games. The APR is a joke.

[Plantiers Wart]

A losing or even barely above .500 season for the new coach, with no BE or NCAA tourney, even though the fans know the deal, will still be viewed as a crappy start for Ollie. With all the defections from the program, they will struggle to win half the games. If the AD isn't sold on Ollie to begin with, and gets him basically foisted upon him at the last minute by Calhoun, he won't be happy - My thought was always that Calhoun would go two more years - next one throwing himself on the grenade and saying F you to the NCAA, and then try and go out in 2013-14 with a big year, leaving on his terms.

But if he leaves, and Ollie gets the job and ends up with a losing record in year one, he is on the hot seat for year two. That's the "taint".

[Dan Murfman]

That won't be why he leaves. He's never backed down from a fight with the NCAA, and that's what this is. The NCAA hates him and created a new rule specifically with UConn in mind. Penalizing them for grades from 3 years ago and beyond...while UNC will remain eligible for all tourney games. The APR is a joke.

I don't disagree the APR is joke and all but whether the NCAA or Emmert has a vendetta against UConn they only have to look in the mirror for why they're in this position. Every other school was able to get the number they needed they should have too.

[bosox188]

I don't disagree the APR is joke and all but whether the NCAA or Emmert has a vendetta against UConn they only have to look in the mirror for why they're in this position. Every other school was able to get the number they needed they should have too.

Yea, they should have just made up a bullshit curriculum for their athletes to get the number they needed like UNC.

[Dan Murfman]

Yea that would have worked. But when all the conference realignment stuff was going on we had that fraud Drocca going on and on how UNC did it the right way. That fraud hasn't said a peep since the scandal broke.

[Doug Beerabelli]

UConn wasn't smart re APR stuff - dropped the ball on getting kids in the right classes at right times IIRC. Gavin Edwards dropping out one class short of graduation also was a killer.

I thought I recently read somewhere that UConn is still making efforts to get into the BET, fwiw. Hope they succeed.

I think JC comes back.

[SoxScout]

STORRS – Jim Calhoun's long, remarkably successful and often turbulent tenure as UConn's men's basketball coach is coming to an end.

According to an NBC-Connecticut report, Calhoun, 70, will retire, an announcement to come Thursday. UConn officials were not offering confirmation nor denials. Calhoun, before leaving Gampel Pavilion Wednesday afternoon, told the Courant there was nothing to report, but added "we're having the discussions we need to have about moving forward. … Life is full of tough decisions."

http://www.courant.c...0,3835501.story

FWIW, I was told last month that Shaka Smart wanted this job.