Originally Posted by
Patrick Yates
Granted Calhoun is a complete D-Bag. But, his decision makes sense. HC only agreed to compete in the tourney when the ORGANIZERS promised a game at Storrs. Calhoun wasn't a party to this agreement.
I am sure that he wants no part of HC in Storrs. There is nothing for UCONN to gain, and everything to lose. For HC, it is the opposite. There is nothing to lose and every thing to gain.
UCONN should annhialate HC. But, the Huskies will be looking ahead, while HC will be playing as though it were their FF. HC wants to play a big game in a local area to maximize its recruiting profile. If they win, great, but if they keep it respectable, they come out as winners.
UCONN only gets a neutral outcome if they absolutely destroy HC (but they look like bullies who ran up the score on an overmatched squad). Plus, a loss to a low level local team would be horrible. Imagine Duke losing to NCCU, Davidson, Willimington at CIS. Sure, the teams are respectable, but Duke should handily win. It is only news when they lose.
Calhoun, who I hate, only sought to avoid a trap game against a local competitor. He never agreed to the HC game. That was the organizers deal, not Calhoun's.
You have to know, and I mean that anyone with 2 separate brain cells to rub together, HAS to know that Big Time Teams use their clout to big-time tournaments and lesser squads all the time. Now, we do not know that Duke does it, same with UNC, but it probably has happened at some point. Usually the lesser squad keeps its yap shut when it happens, for good reason.
Look, I feel for the HC boys and their academic concerns. But, a lot of teams would kill for a slot in a tourney like this, no matter where they had to travel to, especially a low level squad like HC. There are a ton of mid and low majors that want these slots, and they have to do whatever, wherever, when said slot opens up. Which it won't for HC after this for many years.
How many mid-majors and low-majors get to play near their home turf in tourneys like this? None. I hope HC enjoys this brief moment in the spotlight, because it will be 5-10 years before they are ever invited to a big time tourney, if they keep their current coach on. Getting into the NCAAs as a mid major just got that much harder at HC.
Patrick Yates