Archive for January 7th, 2013

The ConnCast: Calhoun, Ollie’s extension and…Homeland!

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Jim Calhoun (AP)

In this week’s ConnCast, Chris Brodeur and I discuss Jim Calhoun’s post-retirement life and Kevin Ollie’s contract extension (in between my coughing and sneezing).

Calhoun touched on a number of topics — his  aspirations for the future and the crumbling of the Big East among them — during an interview with Hearst Connecticut last week. You can read the story here.

Although I couldn’t squeeze this into the article, I’d like to point out that Calhoun admitted to being a dedicated Homeland fan. I believe he used the word “riveting.” We discuss Homeland and a few other Calhoun matters in 20 equally-riveting minutes below.

If you’re using a smartphone, hit the link here.

If you’re on the computer, use the flash player. Thanks for listening!

Recruiting Roundup: January 7

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UConn has been off since its New Years Day loss at Marquette, which has given the coaches time to hit the recruiting trail.

An updated look at UConn’s targets:

2013

Amida Brimah, C, Miami — The Huskies appear to be in good shape with Brimah, a 6-foot-11 defensive menace with a 7-foot-6 wingspan. This will come as a surprise to absolutely no one, but UConn needs to add a rebounder. New Haven Register beat writer Dave Borges took a closer look at Brimah here.

Notes: Guard Kendall Smith, a late-blooming 6-foot-3 slashing point guard, verbally committed to UNLV this past week. Smith had been courted by  UConn, but it’s unclear if an offer was ever made….Center Kameron Rooks, the son of former NBA player Sean Rooks, committed to Cal. It looks as though all of UConn’s 2013 eggs are in Brimah’s basket.

2014

Ahmed Hill, G, Augusta, Ga. — A prolific scorer, Hill has serious interest (and offers) from a plethora of high majors. Duke is the latest school to get involved. Needless to say, he’d be a huge pickup for UConn.

Paschal Chukwu, C, Fairfield, Conn. — Adding Brimah in 2013 and Chukwu in 2014 would solve the rebounding problems (at least you would hope so). The Huskies appear to be serious about Chukwu: Ollie was spotted at a Fairfield Prep game this past week. The rapidly-developing 7-foot-2 Nigerian can change the game defensively (obviously), but is also capable of knocking down a 17-foot jumper (according to Hearst Connecticut’s Pat Pickens).

Jared Terrell, G, Weymouth, Mass. — At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Terrell is a strong, explosive shooting guard who attacks the basket. Ranked as the nation’s No. 4 two-guard, Terrell has offers from UConn, Cincinnati, Maryland, Rutgers, Providence and others, per Scout.com.

Abdul Malik Abu, F, Boston –If UConn wants to get more physical, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound Malik Abu would be a perfect addition. One thing Ollie can sell here: playing time. Malik Abu would have a shot at starting from Day One. Most other teams recruiting him probably can’t offer the same opportunity.

Jahlil Okafor, C, Chicago According to Yahoo!, the 6-foot-11, 280-pound Okafor made 46 of his first 59 field goal attempts. One of the top talents in 2014, Okafor will have his choice of any high major. I suspect that the conference realignment issue will hurt UConn’s chances with highly-rated prospects such as Okafor.

Leron Black, F, Memphis – Black, an athletic 6-foot-7 forward, de-committed from Baylor this past week, citing a “rushed decision,” according to the Memphis Commerical-Appeal. Jerry Meyer of 247 sports tweeted that Black was contacted by Kentucky, Baylor, Ohio State, Florida, UConn, Memphis, Kansas, Missouri and NC State since withdrawing his commitment. All but Kentucky have offered.

Notes/Quotes from Jan. 7: “It happens when you’re not rebounding. Somebody is going to get their feelings hurt a little bit.”

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After a six-day layoff, UConn looks to avenge a Big East opening loss to Marquette when it hosts an improved DePaul squad Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion.

The bizarre ending to the Marquette game is in the rear-view, and Kevin Ollie is no longer concerned with an officiating error that cost the Huskies two points to start overtime.

Kevin Ollie (AP)

“It’s over with,” Ollie said. ” Satisfied or not, it doesn’t make a difference. I talked to the commissioner. I talked to the head of officials; they all apologize and I accept their apology. We move on. Things happen. Like I said before, the past doesn’t equal the future unless you live in it.”

DeAndre Daniels, who sat for the final 12:26 and most of overtime versus Marquette, must move on as well.

“I thought if I rebounded more, I would have been in the game,” said Daniels, who will likely get the task of guarding DePaul forward Cleveland Melvin. “Whatever Kevin Ollie felt was best for the team at that situation was right.”

Nothing earth-shattering here, but Ollie insisted that playing time in the frontcourt is contingent on the backboards.

“If you’re not rebounding, you’re not playing,” Ollie said. “I don’t want to go into halftime (like) the Marquette game feeling that way again. Hopefully they understand the message. If you’re not getting rebounds, you’re coming out. If you’re not playing hard, you’re coming out…It happens when you’re not rebounding. Somebody is going to get their feelings hurt a little bit.”

Other notes:

*DeAndre Daniels and Ryan Boatright got into a little scuffle the other day, which Ollie said he likes. Boatright, low to the ground at 5-10, can be a pain during box-out drills.

“I’m so little and strong when I get low, they kind of get mad and get to grabbing and stuff,” Boatright said.

It’s all good, though, both players said. Daniels and Boatright are roommates and “the best of friends.” Teammates fight sometimes. It happens.

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