Noel "not feeling" UConn

[jdubs30]

GoodmanCBS Jeff Goodman

Nerlens Noel also said that North Carolina, Georgetown and Florida still in the mix. Noel said not feeling UConn much right now.
36 minutes ago

GoodmanCBS Jeff Goodman

Nerlens Noel also previously said he will take an unofficial visit to Syracuse on Feb. 11. So,this week to Providence and KY on Feb. 17.
38 minutes ago

GoodmanCBS Jeff Goodman

Nerlens Noel, arguably No. 1 player in Class of 2012, told CBSSports.com he will visit Kentucky Feb. 17 and Providence this Wed or Thurs.

 

[Marsh01]

I wouldnt feel them either!

 

[RF2044]

Noel seems like a smart kid.

 

[zeekay]

Yeah with Calhoun health problems it's unclear who he might be playing for. Not surprised.

 

[hoopsupstate]

I think he already knows where he wants to go and wants to get his visits over sooner rather than later.

 

[caw]

I've been telling you for a week or longer UConn was fourth with him ATM. Believe me Providence is more of a player than you are giving them credit for.

 

[Madbiker]

Hope he's not feeling UK either. Selecting Providence would be a big risk for him.

 

[zeekay]

I just want him for the sheer fact that it will be a second big man recruit in a row that we stole from sleezy Calimari. UK fans are going to be SO pissed. And I want to drink their tears.

But yeah if he goes to Prov, I'd be more cool with that than him going to UK.

 

[Upstate]

Goodman isn't counting out UNC.

GIANTS

 

[cuseattle]

I wonder who UConn hires if Calhoun is done. Probably an outside guy, because I am not familiar with anyone on their staff.

 

[jdubs30]

I wonder who UConn hires if Calhoun is done. Probably an outside guy, because I am not familiar with anyone on their staff.

Ollie

 

[Orangeyes]

I've been telling you for a week or longer UConn was fourth with him ATM. Believe me Providence is more of a player than you are giving them credit for.

Just like DePaul was a player for Anthony Davis.

 

[cuseattle]

Kevin Ollie. Yeah maybe...

 

[cytolliver]

Ollie

really? uconn must be banking on a few more years from calhoun

 

[zeekay]

Ollie will be a big risk for a program of that caliber. I mean his experience (or lack thereof) makes Hop look like someone with a hall of fame coaching career in comparison.

 

[caw]

really? uconn must be banking on a few more years from calhoun

Some of the fanbase want Ollie, some want to look outside (if they could pry someone like Smart/Stevens/Hurley/etc.) It has been widely reported that all the background talk is that Ollie is being groomed to take over when Calhoun retires and it's pretty much going to happen. Ideally, Calhoun would coach through at least 2012-2013 and Ollie would take over after that, with 3 years as the assistant.

I am in the camp that believes Ollie is a fantastic fill in for Calhoun. 4 years as the UConn PG, 13 in the NBA with the last few being solely to mentor the kids in Oklahoma City and 2 more as an assistant at UConn. A high reputation guy who interacts well with younger players, has played in the NBA for a decent amount of time and made it there based almost entirely on work ethic. Has done a great job as an assistant in two years and has UConn President Herbst as a fan. He would also keep past UConn stars engaged with the program which would be huge for recruiting, keeping the fanbase enthused, etc. Some don't like him though because he lacks Head Coaching experience, which he will never have before Calhoun retires.

 

[orangehomer]

Some of the fanbase want Ollie, some want to look outside (if they could pry someone like Smart/Stevens/Hurley/etc.) It has been widely reported that all the background talk is that Ollie is being groomed to take over when Calhoun retires and it's pretty much going to happen. Ideally, Calhoun would coach through at least 2012-2013 and Ollie would take over after that, with 3 years as the assistant.

I am in the camp that believes Ollie is a fantastic fill in for Calhoun. 4 years as the UConn PG, 13 in the NBA with the last few being solely to mentor the kids in Oklahoma City and 2 more as an assistant at UConn. A high reputation guy who interacts well with younger players, has played in the NBA for a decent amount of time and made it there based almost entirely on work ethic. Has done a great job as an assistant in two years and has UConn President Herbst as a fan. He would also keep past UConn stars engaged with the program which would be huge for recruiting, keeping the fanbase enthused, etc. Some don't like him though because he lacks Head Coaching experience, which he will never have before Calhoun retires.

the guy has done basically zero coaching. he can be the nicest most popular guy in the CT but if he can't coach it doesn't matter. what on his resume tells you that this guy can coach a high major basketball program...much less one that expects national titles? it makes no sense.

 

[caw]

the guy has done basically zero coaching. he can be the nicest most popular guy in the CT but if he can't coach it doesn't matter. what on his resume tells you that this guy can coach a high major basketball program...much less one that expects national titles? it makes no sense.

I guess one could ask the same thing about Mike Hopkins to the extent neither really has head coaching experience (he's still Cuse's "head-coach-in-waiting", correct?)

Both Big East PGs for 4 years
Both assistants under the coach they played for
Neither with head coaching experience
One has 16 years being an assistant
One has 13 years being an NBA Point Guard and 2 years being an assistant

Your comment is the same as why UConn fans that don't want Ollie, don't want Ollie. I already stated I fall in the other camp. I believe for various reasons (not just because he is a nice guy, though his ability to relate to players will help in recruiting) that he would be a strong head coach. At the least his basketball knowledge is very, very high. I've seen him run practices, he knows what he is doing on that front. On the bench, in game situations he could flounder. I think he has the knowledge and experience to be able to make it.

Any coach, regardless of experience, is a question mark when moving to a new job. There are a good number of new head coaches that do very well, and there are good number that fail.

 

[dollarbill44]

the guy has done basically zero coaching. he can be the nicest most popular guy in the CT but if he can't coach it doesn't matter. what on his resume tells you that this guy can coach a high major basketball program...much less one that expects national titles? it makes no sense.

I wonder if people said that about Boeheim when he took over. I was too young to follow that stuff back then.

 

[OrangeCrush22]

It's between Kentucky and Syracuse. It's been known all along. If he goes to Providence I'll be very, very, surprised. UConn was never in it.

Syracuse - 47%
Kentucky - 47%
Providence - 5%

 

[AZOrange]

UNC is way behind and looking at other guys...

 

[pfister1]

Some of the fanbase want Ollie, some want to look outside (if they could pry someone like Smart/Stevens/Hurley/etc.) It has been widely reported that all the background talk is that Ollie is being groomed to take over when Calhoun retires and it's pretty much going to happen. Ideally, Calhoun would coach through at least 2012-2013 and Ollie would take over after that, with 3 years as the assistant.

I am in the camp that believes Ollie is a fantastic fill in for Calhoun. 4 years as the UConn PG, 13 in the NBA with the last few being solely to mentor the kids in Oklahoma City and 2 more as an assistant at UConn. A high reputation guy who interacts well with younger players, has played in the NBA for a decent amount of time and made it there based almost entirely on work ethic. Has done a great job as an assistant in two years and has UConn President Herbst as a fan. He would also keep past UConn stars engaged with the program which would be huge for recruiting, keeping the fanbase enthused, etc. Some don't like him though because he lacks Head Coaching experience, which he will never have before Calhoun retires.

Actually he lacks any type of coaching experience. He may be the next great coach, but if you are a program at the Elite level, I don't know that you want to throw the keys to a guy who hasn't even completed his second year in the coach's chair.

His NBA experience is nice, but doesn't have a lot of bearing on whether or not he will be fit to run a Division I program that is going to be in a huge transition period - replacing a HOF coach, trying to determine where its ultimate conference home will be, etc., etc.

In this day and age there is a heckuva lot more to the job than just Xs and Os and recruiting.

All I can say is as a Cuse fan I am completely comfortable with UConn selecting Kevin Ollie as their next Head Coach.

 

[AZOrange]

Ollie can recruit. Just because you havent coached before doesnt mean you cant. Heck Mark Jackson got an NBA franchise with zero bench experience.

 

[armory]

Come to Syracuse, where we feel you!

(too easy)

 

[ebucklewis]

I guess one could ask the same thing about Mike Hopkins to the extent neither really has head coaching experience (he's still Cuse's "head-coach-in-waiting", correct?)

Both Big East PGs for 4 years
Both assistants under the coach they played for
Neither with head coaching experience
One has 16 years being an assistant
One has 13 years being an NBA Point Guard and 2 years being an assistant

Your comment is the same as why UConn fans that don't want Ollie, don't want Ollie. I already stated I fall in the other camp. I believe for various reasons (not just because he is a nice guy, though his ability to relate to players will help in recruiting) that he would be a strong head coach. At the least his basketball knowledge is very, very high. I've seen him run practices, he knows what he is doing on that front. On the bench, in game situations he could flounder. I think he has the knowledge and experience to be able to make it.

Any coach, regardless of experience, is a question mark when moving to a new job. There are a good number of new head coaches that do very well, and there are good number that fail.

As a UCONN fan, I assume you have seen and heard Kevin Ollie speak near a microphone. It ain't pretty. He may turn out to be a great coach, but that is not the image a public university likes to put on display.