College Hoops - UConn is going to surprise some opponents

[jolyb]

It's been a few years since UConn has been a factor in college hoops. The Kevin Ollie era ended rather abruptly, and he has been replaced by Danny Hurley of the New Jersey basketball Hurleys. He has this team playing with an intensity that Jim Calhoun would envy. In three games this season, I haven't seen them take a possession off. A very different attitude than the past couple of seasons.

Last night they surprised a good Syracuse team at the Garden. 'Cuse was favored by 10; UConn fought them off and won by just under 10 with strong defense and very balanced scoring.  The game reminded me of some of the battles of the old Big East when these two teams would go at it with hammer and tongs. 

Not a lot was expected of them at the beginning of the season, but this is a team who is going to make it very difficult for any opponent who doesn't show up ready to play.

[spanky126]

Thanks for the update Jolly...I've been so busy watching (and betting) college and pro football that I've not seen any baskets. What team would you suggest to put some coin on for a future bet...especially one at a price...

[1hooper]

Jolyb,good hire by UConn. Wife and I both went to URI,early ’70’s, where Hurley coached the last 5-6 seasons. Good friend’s family has had season tix for decades,we get to see him up close. His personality runs hot,will probably move on within 5 years but your W-L record will improve. 

PC Friar fan,
Hooper

[PonyGirlJCM]

I knew that Hooper hailed from my region of the world but didn’t know as there were others....is JolyB from here also or just likes the team?  Would be interesting to know where everyone comes from...

[jolyb]

PonyGirl, my rooting for UConn does reflect a local bias as well as being an alum. We live about 30 minutes west of Hartford in what is called the Farmington Valley. Been following the men's program for a long while, especially since Jim Calhoun came to Storrs from Northeastern and moved the program from regional to national prominence.  My wife and I also enjoy watching the UConn women's games and marvel how they have been able to sustain such a level of excellence for such a long period of time. 

[PonyGirlJCM]

I live on the other side of the state....New London County...
My daughter has lived in North Carolina 17 years but still a UConn fan and not afraid to show it....

[1hooper]

Looks like we’ll have to plan a southern New England get together in 2019.
Any others members live near us?
Hooper

[PonyGirlJCM]

Sounds like a great idea.....maybe we reach out on the regular forum page and see if there is anyone else out there....could even add anyone in the tri-state area....NY NJ ....anyone that would like to attend.....where would be a good meeting place?

[1hooper]

Mohegan Sun Racebook?  mohegansun.com/playing/race-book.html
Hooper

[jolyb]

Depending upon the distances that attendees have to travel, a couple of other possible choices would be the Bradley Teletheater in Windsor Locks, CT or Sports Haven in New Haven.  Both are operated by MyWinners, the former CTOTB, both have food service and racing displayed on large screens and individual carrels.  My wife and I have had some enjoyable lunches at the Turf Club at Bradley, although I personally liked the menu better before Bobby V. (as in Valentine) took over the food operation.

Here's a link that I hope will get you to both of these:  www.mywinners.com/how-wager/winners-locations/  

[PonyGirlJCM]

Mohegan Sun is easiest for me.....followed by New Haven.....
Mohegan Sun has buses come in from lots of places so that could possibly be a consideration if people wanted to come but not have to drive....
After the holidays.....put out a feed and see who is interested ?

[shoes]

I would love to meet up with the northeast contingent though it's a bit of a drive for me from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mohegan Sun sometimes has some pretty good concerts don't they?

[1hooper]

That is a long drive,shoes. Have a son in law from Port Huron.
Isn’t Dave Davies touring next year? Maybe he hits MI,CT or MA.
Hooper

[gam]

Back on topic, did anyone notice that Calhoun returned to coaching this year? Begs the question, why'd he "retire" in the first place? Has to be some story here.

[jolyb]

These threads seem to have a way of taking on lives of their own, don't they?

Gam, I'll try to expand upon your observation about Jim Calhoun. At age 76 he seems to be having the time of his life creating a men's basketball program from scratch at St. Joseph's, a small Catholic school in West Hartford.  It doesn't make any difference to him that this is Division III instead of Division I; he approaches it with the same intensity and zeal that he brought to the programs at both Northeastern and UConn.  St Joseph's only recently went co-ed; I think that all of his players are either Freshmen or transfer students.  But his presence has attracted a lot of attention - the school gym doesn't have much spectator room, so they had to move a game to the campus of Trinity University to accommodate the fans.  It must be quite an experience for players who were never "blue chippers" to becoached by a hall of fame, three time National Champion coach.  I'm sure that their vocabularies have expanded also.

As to the circumstances that led to his retirement from UConn about 6 years ago, we will probably never know the full story.  On the one hand, he was 70 years old and had a history of health issues, including a couple of successful bouts with cancer, some cardiac issues and was certainly entitled to a less stressful lifestyle.  His retirement was described as voluntary and the University kept him on the payroll as a special consultant.  On the other hand, his program had received NCAA penalties for failure to meet certain academic requirements and graduation levels (not caused by early departure for the NBA), and there were other lurking uestions about recruiting matters (not unlike most other major basketball programs).  The new University President brought in a new Athletic Director and might have been happy to have a new head coach of the basketball program as well.  On the surface, his retirement appeared to be amicable.

Jim has always been a controversial man.  He has made a difference in the lives of many young men in his program.  Lots of them still come back every year to participate in his charity golf outings.  He once received a lot of criticism when the state had a serious budget problem (when doesn't it?) and as the highest paid state employee he famously answered the question about giving back part of his salary with the statement, "not one dime."  On the other hand, a few years ago my wife received treatment at the Jim and Pat Calhoun Cardiac Care facility at the UConn Health Center.  You don't get your name put on the door of such a section without making a sizeable donation or raising lots of funds.  

[1hooper]

Nice win today by Jolyb’s UConn women,beating #1 Notre Dame on the road.
Hooper

[gam]

Haven't been following BBall recruiting too much lately but the guys on the Pitt message board were expressing disappointment that a highly regarded Big committed to UConn last week. UConn may be handicapped some by being in the AAC, but maybe Hurley will be able to pull them in anyway.