It was a cruddy day for the spring game as the cold and rain kept attendance to just 2,500 at Rentschler. The weather could also be attributed to the lack of offense displayed in the 16-14 Blue team victory over the White team.
The defense was strong as expected, which is a good sign for the Huskies. You can win games with a bad offense, but not with a bad defense. With most of the defense coming back next year hopefully they'll be able to keep Connecticut competitive against most of the teams they'll face next season.
The quarterback question was not answered as there was no clear standout. Scott McCummings went 1-7 for only 8 yards. Trick shot master, Johnny McEntee went 6-16 for 51 yards and an interception. Michael Box couldn't complete a pass in 4 attempts and freshman, Michael Nebrich went 2-5 for 10 yards.
With the departure of Jordan Todman to the NFL, the search for a replacement at running back has been an urgent one with not many options, especially since Todman last year was the primary form of offense for UConn. Senior and USC transfer, D.J. Shoemate looks like their next running back. After a mediocre performance in the 2010 season opener at Michigan, Shoemate ran for 110 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown in the spring game.
Spring games are a tough way to see how a team may fare in the regular season. It's mostly because you're splitting up the whole team into 2 and mixing the good players with the bad. A good amount of these guys may not see much playing time next season. As a whole unit this Husky team could look very good, but as of now there's no way to tell.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Pedro Feliciano Out for the Season
The lefty relief pitcher is going to miss his first year in pinstripes. The Yankees pitcher had an MRI which revealed he has a torn capsule in his pitching shoulder, an injury attributed to how the Mets abused his talents after appearing in 92 games in 2010. Surgery will most likely be needed.
With Feliciano out, that leaves only Boone Logan as the only lefty in the bullpen for the Yankees and he was supposed to compete with Joba Chamberlain for the 8th inning set-up job.
Pedro Feliciano could have made the Yankees already strong bullpen even better, but we'll have to wait until next year to see what he'll bring to the pen.
With Feliciano out, that leaves only Boone Logan as the only lefty in the bullpen for the Yankees and he was supposed to compete with Joba Chamberlain for the 8th inning set-up job.
Pedro Feliciano could have made the Yankees already strong bullpen even better, but we'll have to wait until next year to see what he'll bring to the pen.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Kemba Walker to Enter the NBA Draft
Today as expected, Kemba Walker announced his decision to enter the NBA Draft after only his junior year. He hasn't hired an agent yet, but intends to and has been talking with some.
"There's no chance that I'm coming back," Walker said.
Jim Calhoun and Walker even joked how UConn doesn't have a scholarship for him anymore and that it was time to go. With Kemba's decision to leave, the Huskies will bring back 4 starters and 9 players for next year from the team that won them the national championship.
Kemba Walker is considered by many to be a first round pick. While perusing the internet, I've even seen suggestions that Walker could potentially be a top five pick and is a top five prospect in this year's draft, albeit being a weak NBA Draft this year. Another reason for Walker to leave school early coming off a stunning breakout season. Connecticut will also introduce blue chip recruit, Ryan Boatright. Personally I don't pay much attention to high school athletes so I YouTubed him and he plays just like Kemba Walker. He's of similar size, very fast, and loves to drive the lane for the layup or the floater, but also can make his jumpers and distribute the ball. Even as a freshman, he has the ability to fill at least some of the void with Walker's departure. When looking Boatright up on ESPN's recruiting page for UConn, one of his listed weaknesses is scoring too much and not passing as much. I believe this will be a non-issue with Shabazz Napier returning, who ran the offense for about the last half of the season because it allowed Walker to get better shots by playing off the ball. With Napier running the offense as an experienced sophomore next year, Boatright can score as much as he pleases because Napier knows how to distribute. Besides, players like Jeremy Lamb, Alex Oriakhi, and Roscoe Smith are going to be looking to play a bigger part in scoring. Next season look for UConn to still contend and maybe look to repeat as national champions.
I'm not only looking forward to next season, but I'm very interested to see the type of NBA player Kemba Walker will become. Walker will become the 27th player Jim Calhoun has sent to the NBA.
Kemba Walker's Press Conference at Storrs, CT:
"There's no chance that I'm coming back," Walker said.
Jim Calhoun and Walker even joked how UConn doesn't have a scholarship for him anymore and that it was time to go. With Kemba's decision to leave, the Huskies will bring back 4 starters and 9 players for next year from the team that won them the national championship.
Kemba Walker is considered by many to be a first round pick. While perusing the internet, I've even seen suggestions that Walker could potentially be a top five pick and is a top five prospect in this year's draft, albeit being a weak NBA Draft this year. Another reason for Walker to leave school early coming off a stunning breakout season. Connecticut will also introduce blue chip recruit, Ryan Boatright. Personally I don't pay much attention to high school athletes so I YouTubed him and he plays just like Kemba Walker. He's of similar size, very fast, and loves to drive the lane for the layup or the floater, but also can make his jumpers and distribute the ball. Even as a freshman, he has the ability to fill at least some of the void with Walker's departure. When looking Boatright up on ESPN's recruiting page for UConn, one of his listed weaknesses is scoring too much and not passing as much. I believe this will be a non-issue with Shabazz Napier returning, who ran the offense for about the last half of the season because it allowed Walker to get better shots by playing off the ball. With Napier running the offense as an experienced sophomore next year, Boatright can score as much as he pleases because Napier knows how to distribute. Besides, players like Jeremy Lamb, Alex Oriakhi, and Roscoe Smith are going to be looking to play a bigger part in scoring. Next season look for UConn to still contend and maybe look to repeat as national champions.
I'm not only looking forward to next season, but I'm very interested to see the type of NBA player Kemba Walker will become. Walker will become the 27th player Jim Calhoun has sent to the NBA.
Kemba Walker's Press Conference at Storrs, CT:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)