It’s been one week since the soft launch of A Dime Back. I hope you’ve found our posts mind-blowing, or at least mildly entertaining.
By way of introduction, I am Tyler Wilkinson. I’ve been a UConn fan since I can remember. I faintly remember being in love with Chris Smith. I remember Donyell Marshall’s 360 dunk against Seton Hall. I sincerely believe I once saw Scott Burrell jump over some dude’s head while stealing the ball (for the record, my dad will back me up on this). I remember Allen, Hamilton, Butler, Okafor, Gordan, Gay and Kemba. I loved Ricky Moore and Kevin Freeman. I screamed my lungs out stuck in Hartford traffic in 1999 when UConn shocked the world and beat the evil Duke Blue Devils. I smoked a Cuban cigar on the steps of Gampel Pavilion when they destroyed Georgia Tech in 2004. I smashed a kitchen chair when they lost to George Mason. I drank way too much champagne when they beat Butler.
My cohort in this endeavor is Matt Imbrogno. Matt is a UConn grad (2006-2009) who doubles as Editor-in-Chief for the New York Yankees’ blog The Yankee Analysts. He also teaches children, but who cares if they ain’t got no jump shot? Matt will provide an additional voice and significantly raise the collective IQ of the site. He also loves the Bidwell Tavern but it’s a sensitive subject with him living 2 hours away.
A Dime Back is meant as an outlet. It’s where Matt and I will sort out our overly emotional reactions to all things Husky basketball. It will be a place to reminisce about UConn history. It will be a haven for those of you who need a place to vent during games coached by George Blaney. Hopefully it will be worth reading.
Here’s what it won’t be. It won’t be an up to date compilation of UConn news. For my money, the best place around for that is The UConn Blog (@theuconnblog). They’re also great for ruthless mocking of opposing Big East schools (what’s left of them). A Dime Back will also not be in the locker room, bringing you quotes and delving into the nuts and bolts on a game-to-game basis. For that, there is an army of beatwriters representing the different media outlets in the state. I’ll give a shout out to Dom Amore (@amorecourant) from the Hartford Courant who is engaging, informative and a genuinely good guy.
To get the full experience of A Dime Back, you can like us on facebook. You can also follow us on Twitter (@ADimeBack). Matt is also on Twitter (@mimbro1). We hope this site will allow us to share our enthusiasm for UConn basketball with as many people as possible. And if not, it’s off to clown college.
Donyell’s face is priceless after that dunk. That’s what this years team is missing, more 360 dunks.
I know you can remember the jersey number of every UConn basketball player for the past 20 years.