Awake from your food coma, you disgusting beast, and let’s mailbag.
JLK asks: will the men lose more than 1 game the rest of the way?
Tim asks: is it crazy to think single digit wins in within the realm of possibility? What does this team do well?
These questions are fun because they represent the polar ends of UConn fandom. The answer, probably obviously, is somewhere in the middle. KenPom currently projects UConn to finish 15-15. I think 17-13 is where I’d put my money, though in all practical terms, those records mean the same thing; neither is getting the team to the tournament.
As for the second part of Tim’s question. I expect this team to defend well, even if they haven’t so far. Otherwise, they’re probably around league average in everything except blocked shots and Jalen Adams ass-kickery.
HedgedHusky asks: how about some positivity. What gives us hope for the football and basketball teams? Esp football as I’m not avid follower
Let’s start with basketball because that’s easier. The program is historically great, is still only three years removed from a championship, has a ton of talent arriving and returning next year and their areas of needed improvement are manageable and obvious. In true Kevin Ollie fashion, his team will probably start next season ranked number 18 or something — higher if Adams returns.
For football, uh… I, ah…
Hmm…
After Saturday, we’ll get to enjoy at least nine months without a crushing loss!
Uh…
There’s very little room for them to get worse!
I think in order to get your hopes up for next year’s football season, you’re hoping that a lot of things break your way — especially that Donovan Williams’ development is dramatically accelerated by being thrown to the wolves over the last few games. Maybe new offensive coordinator David Corley can devise a winnable plan given a full offseason of preparation.
Of course UConn could just hire a new head coach that excites the fanbase, but I’m not holding my breath.
UConnMania asks: How have transfers like Rock Lubin, TSam, & Cassel Jr fared on their new campuses?
Bunkey’s friend Sam Cassell Jr. is tearing it up at Iona. He’s averaging almost 16 points per game in nearly 35 minutes, all without his three-point shot falling (28.6%). The team is 1-2 but so is everyone else in the MAAC, where the only squad with a winning record is national powerhouse Fairfield.
Terrence Samuel is coming off the bench for Penn St. and playing 20.5 minutes per game. His numbers aren’t super impressive (5.3 points, 2.7 assists) but he did drop 16 this week against Colgate, a game in which he (gasp!) hit a three-pointer!
Rakim Lubin is at Cal State Northridge playing for Reggie Theus — yes, the coach from Hang Time. Lubin is starting and playing 15.4 minutes per game. He’s averaging 6.2 points and 5.6 rebounds…so basically Amida Brimah without the blocks.
Elsewhere, old friend Leon Tolksdorf is in his senior season at American University. Also a starter, he’s averaging 4.8 points in 22.3 minutes. As you’d probably expect, the three-point shot is still Tolksdorf’s best weapon. He’s shooting 38.5 percent this season. Basketball aside, Tolksdorf looks like he’s doing just fine.
