Cuse ain’t shit. syracuse.nyc. Boeheim’s a nose picker. Let’s bag.
John asks: Win loss prediction after last nights [season opener] performance?
I went with a very pessimistic prediction of 17-14 in our preseason roundtable. After two games, I think I’ve seen enough to add in another win or two. The talent level seems to be about what I expected and the team remains in perpetual danger of getting railroaded by injuries, but it’s impossible to ignore the uptick in effort level and preparedness. Even with the American being complete shit this season, a tournament appearance would surprise me, but 20 wins looks attainable.
Jon asks: If I’m not wrong, this is Gilbert’s third year at UConn and his third year recovering from shoulder surgery. Every year he’s done well and “shaken off the rust.” Why is this different? What faith should I have in his level of play and in his shoulder?
Jon, you are not wrong. Gilbert dislocated his shoulder a couple times in high school, resulting in surgery in 2016. He injured it in game three of his freshman year, resulting in season-ending surgery. Gilbert’s shoulder remained mashed potatoes, though, and he injured it AGAIN in the fifth game of the 2017-2018 season, also resulting in season-ending surgery. This last one was supposedly different, in that UConn consulted with Dr. James Andrews, MD, one of the leading orthopedic surgeons in the world (he also happens to be the Tampa Bay Rays orthopedic medical director), and Andrews recommended a more aggressive surgical approach. Now, the vast majority of what I know about medicine I learned from episodes of ER and Grey’s Anatomy, but according to actual medical people, this time it worked. Gilbert has looked solid in the first two games, but I hold my breath every time he hits the deck, and I don’t think that’s going to stop any time soon. So much of this season hinges on that shoulder not being mashed potatoes, and I’m at like 65 percent confidence that it will remain a whole, uncooked potato for the season but YMMV.
Ryan asks: Who is Carlton’s historical UConn comp at this stage in his development?
Tough to say. UConn has had a number of big men develop over their UConn tenures. Travis Knight comes to mind as someone who was largely ineffective for his first two years and became an effective post scorer and one of the best rebounders in the Big East by his junior year. But Knight was a much bouncier, more athletic big man (even if he looked like the clumsiest possibly version of my 11-year-old self). A hopeful comp would be someone like Alex Oriakhi or Josh Boone – big, strong centers without overwhelming athleticism but with solid skill and footwork. It’s unlikely that Carlton turns out to be as good as either of them as a sophomore, but if he can get close, it would go a long way towards addressing some of the biggest issues on this roster.
BPM asks: Does Vital’s energy, hustle and swagger makeup for his bouts of idiocy and selfishness?
Yes, of course. Vital fell into some insane bad habits as one of UConn’s 2.5 basketball players last year and it’s going to take some time to correct them. It’s hard for me to kill him too much for it considering he was often the only guy on the court with a pulse. But now that UConn has a functioning coach, a healthy roster and a better idea of what it takes to win, Vital needs to rein it in and find his role. That’s not going to happen on the bench though and, despite a nice run by Tarin Smith to start the season, the Huskies are better with Vital on the court even when his shot is running cold. He’s (somehow) the team’s best rebounder, its most fiery competitor and the guy most likely to get to the free throw line when the rest of the offense breaks down.
— Tyler
Ari asks: Is Syracuse too big for UConn? In terms of size on the floor.
I don’t think so? Syracuse played Morehead State right after UConn did, and, despite having one (1) player over 6’7″, Morehead still managed to score 70 points against Cuse and their shitty zone, with the Orange scoring 84, only 4 points more than UConn scored against them. Syracuse is one of the biggest teams in the country, but that number is skewed by the presence of 7’2″ Paschal Chukwu, who isn’t actually that good. Between Carlton, Cobb and Yakwe (Whaley is still a question mark with a sprained ankle sustained against Morehead State), they should be able to do yeoman’s work against the Syracuse bigs, who, other than Chukwu top out at 6’10”. Rebounding is my biggest concern, because it’s still an area where UConn struggles mightily, and their offense is predicated on getting out in transition, which requires them to get some defensive rebounds. Personally, I’m hoping that Hurley throws a full court press at Syracuse. Keep them out of their half court offense, get some turnovers and runrunrunrunrun so the Huskies don’t have to play in the half court against that awful, shitass zone. (Though Gilbert seems the likeliest to be able to get penetration against that cursed defense.) And I would take UConn’s (healthy) backcourt over Cuse’s backcourt every day of the week and twice on Thursday.
— Meghan
Chris asks: Why is Cuse the actual worst?
In no particular order:
- Because they started out with a racist mascot and you can’t just make it a piece of fruit and pretend it’s all OK
- Boeheim is the living embodiment of the racist history of this country, and trashes his own players when they go pro (seriously why does anyone play for him)
- Eric Devendorf
- Their fans
- Bernie Fine
- The 6 OT game
- The YMCA
- That motherfucking 2-3 zone learn something new you old ass fucker
— ADB, on behalf of everyone, everywhere
