What a content day. Podcast, Heckler’s Guide, a Take-Down and now Mailbag! You’re welcome, America. In this installment we tackle important Friday scheduling, fight moves and team chemistry.
Remember: If your question wasn’t answered, or you’re just hearing about this and want to get in on the fun, you can submit your questions here or on Twitter.
Kevin asks: Long time listener, first time caller. What should I do on October 16th upon my return for homecoming weekend? Literally take the branded #IceBus to Hartford to cheer on the #IceBus, or go to First Night?
Logic would say to go to whichever you want. Are you a big hockey fan? Go see #IceBus. Love you some Stewie/JCDH? First Night it is. Ultimately, that’s how you should make your decision: follow your heart.
If you love hockey and are looking forward to the year ahead, have fun in Hartford. Just remember that five-star recruit Hamidou Diallo will be present at First Night and pretty much every school wants him. He would be impressed if Gampel was filled to capacity. He might see your empty seat and decide to go elsewhere. Somewhere that is not a hockey school. If you can live with yourself after clearly being the sole reason UConn loses out on a big recruit, then go watch hockey.
John Enright asks: Who had the better fight moves? The kitchen worker who used a Ken Patera like full nelson on drunk/abusive UConn student Luke Gatti or Rod Sellers when he banged Christian Laettner’s head on the court?
This is a very difficult questions. Because that hero kitchen worker not only took the mac and cheese kid (MACK) down with some badass moves, but he did it will saying, “You don’t touch my boss.” I was impressed both with the take down and the sentiment. Also, drunk 19-year-olds can be surprisingly strong and wily. Took some effort to keep him down.
While Laettner was obviously a more imposing physical specimen than MACK, he was already on the floor when Sellers had the chance during the scrum to crack his stupid, derpy dome into the hardwood. This was quick, but more a moment of opportunity.
Jon asks: We all know that MBB has talent & they are friends off court: should I have concerns about having never been on the court together?
This is an interesting question. It’s true that teams with immense talent often have difficulties coming together, usually when high-talent new players are introduced into an existing rotation. The most recent UConn example of this was probably 2011-12 when Andre Drummond joined a team that had improbably won the national championship the year before. When Kemba Walker departed, there was a leadership struggle and chemistry issues from the start and that squad limped to a disappointing first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament.
The biggest difference between that team and this year’s Huskies is the maturity of the new players. Sterling Gibbs and Shonn Miller, both fifth-year senior transfers, have both been through the ringer over the college careers, dealing with everything from injuries to suspensions. I think that makes them more likely to settle into their roles on the team without much tumult. It’s also worth noting that, unlike in 2012, there’s no real roster competition to upset the apple cart. Gibbs will start at point guard and Miller will start at the power forward. I think everyone has embraced that as reality, avoiding any Oriakhi-esque hurt feelings.
On the court, we’ll see. On paper, Gibbs and Miller seem to compliment UConn’s returning starters (Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and Amida Brimah) very well. None of those three will have to alter their style of play to accommodate the newcomers. In fact, their jobs should be easier — especially Brimah with the rebounding and defensive help that Miller will provide inside. That said, an adjustment period is to be expected. As you point out, I do think the off-court camaraderie will aid in that process. So, no. Don’t worry.
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