We are an emotional fanbase. I get when people are upset. I hate losing as much as anyone. I have to turn the TV off when they are playing poorly because it makes me physically ill. But, I try to keep perspective.
Just 8ish months ago, after all of the one and done type talent had already signed with a Coach(because let’s face it, that is who they are loyal to) Cal decided to skip out on Ky taking what he could with him. Most agreed at that point that it was a short term struggle. But almost assuredly a possible long term win.
At that point, 99% of the fanbase would have been totally elated if you told them we were 10-2 with wins over Duke and Gonzaga . We had been ranked in the top 10 for what 4 weeks, peaking at #4. We also have a top 5 recruiting class with 2 more Ky boys coming. Anyone who looked at that information in a vacuum 8 months ago would have eaten that up. Why? Because Pope had about 2 months to get on campus, get a coaching staff and 2 months to recruit a team that was almost completely filled by the portal.
As much as older players add stability, you cannot build a roster 100% out of them and not get players who have holes in their game. That is why they are still playing college ball after 5 year.
This is why Pope knew he had to have top level talent from HS. And, you have to get a few of those to stay each year make it work.
So for you guys kicking and screaming like 2 year olds, who want to stick with older guys altogether. You were warned. We are a 10-20 ranked team, who can beat anyone on any given night. But, can lose on any given night.
It is going to take 1-2 years of recruiting and retaining to get to a level UConn is on this journey. If you thought anything else, you were fooling yourself. If we had gotten the insufferable Hurley to move, this probably would have taken way less time, but the dude was not interested. Outside of him and Pearl, who has a lot of warts for someone like Mitch, I don’t think we are getting any better results with another coach.
Just my take.
