Required Reactionary UConn Post

As if watching UConn completely fall apart against SMU wasn’t bad enough, then we had to endure the fan response.

The reactions were decidedly split into two camps:

1. The university is burning to ashes. All hope is lost.

2. Everything is fine. Nothing to see here. You’re dumb if you’re worried.

This is just one writer’s opinion, but both sides of the above arguments make me want to put my laptop in the microwave. Far be it for me to tell anyone how to feel, but speaking for myself, I’m disappointed in this year’s team. Last night’s game wasn’t the last straw for me, simply a continuation of a season’s worth of problems that have recurred countless times over the past few months.

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I worry about the future of the program, not because Kevin Ollie can’t coach (he can), or because the team lacks the heart, determination or whatever white person word people feel obligated to ascribe a lack thereof to a struggling team. (editor’s note: it’s “grit.”)

I worry because UConn athletics, backing up against a financial cliff until a realignment opportunity changes their fortunes, has put forth a generally unenjoyable basketball product at a time when they were already having attendance problems and struggling to maintain fan interest. Despite their strong defensive efforts, the Huskies’ offense has been boring and inefficient — they are currently in the worst two-year stretch of offense by KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ranking since the stat began 14 years ago.

There’s cause for concern for the program — and reason for UConn to make changes to solidify their national standing in the coming years.

Now, speaking to this year’s team, I’m disappointed for one reason specifically: they don’t look any better than they did at the beginning of the year. We knew that such a talented group could have trouble coming together, especially bringing in two transfer starters. There is a lot of individual talent on the roster, and we knew that to be true in the preseason. After 30 games, however, what’s the excuse?

In my estimation, the biggest problem is a lack of a global game plan. The players, in general, don’t appear to understand how they should be interacting with each other on the offensive end of the court. There are no clear roles.

Following the SMU loss on Thursday, a common consolatory mantra was that UConn had also lost ugly to Louisville in 2014. That’s true, but I don’t see the relation. This year’s roster is staggeringly dissimilar. To state the obvious, there’s no Shabazz Napier on this team. The 2016 squad doesn’t have a player that can single-handedly lead the offense, and pull them out of slumps or lulls with their shooting or by getting to the free throw line. The Husky regular with the highest usage rate this season is Rodney Purvis, and he comes off the damn bench.

[Also, quick pause to remind you that the 2014 Louisville team was one of the best teams in the country when they ran UConn off the court in the AAC Tournament.]

Can this year’s team rebound and have a sustained tournament run? Sure, I guess. Anything is possible, but I very honestly don’t see it as likely, having watched them perform this season. Again, speaking only for myself, I wouldn’t wager on them winning consecutive games in any tournament setting. At the moment, they obviously need to win against UCF on Sunday, but their at-large chances become very tenuous if they can’t win at least one game in the AAC Tournament next week.

All of that being said, the Huskies’ problems are all correctable, just likely not this season.

In mid-2014 the narrative was that Kevin Ollie couldn’t beat big time coaches. Then he did.

In 2015, the narrative was that Kevin Ollie couldn’t recruit. Then he did.

I think some of the bloom is off of Ollie’s rose, and the last two seasons have made me appreciate Napier’s contributions even more, but Ollie has proven himself as an elite defensive coach, and as a highly-respected figure in college basketball. He just needs more time and more help. I do think he’ll get better at managing talent and personalities. He’s been around enough of them throughout his career. And the team’s offensive problems could be alleviated by bringing in an assistant coach that can better execute strategy that will work on the college level.

The recruiting class arriving on campus next year is impressive. The pieces that will remain from this season are supremely talented. There just needs to be more work put into making them all fit together.

So to recap: the sky isn’t falling. It’s reasonable to be disappointed in this season. Changes have to be made in the offseason. 2014 was a fun year, but is currently irrelevant. UConn could still shock the world this year, who knows? But still, delete your twitter account.