What will happen at UConn?

[Mitch McConnell]

Now out of the tournament, UConn could be at its own crossroads. Huskies likely won't be in the tournament next year because they failed to meet academic requirements. They appealed the NCAA's ruling but it would be news if the original decision was overturned. Then you have Jim Calhoun. He's going to be 70 soon (along with his health and if he decides to shut it down, how attractive will that job be? Can it lure a solid successor.

I look at Uconn like Umass in the 1990s. Calipari did a great job there and got it to a Final Four but it hasn't maintained the excellence that he created. Good program but nothing extraordinary. Should be interesting to watch in Storrs.

[PoconoPony]

Calhoun is a very stubborn type of personality. I am not sure if he will give up the ship and retire or fight the thing out until the day he dies. It will be interesting to see what happens. One thing that is sure is that his team this year did not perform at the level expected. They are very young, but no leaders stepped up.

[East Coast Mustang]

Now out of the tournament, UConn could be at its own crossroads. Huskies likely won't be in the tournament next year because they failed to meet academic requirements. They appealed the NCAA's ruling but it would be news if the original decision was overturned. Then you have Jim Calhoun. He's going to be 70 soon (along with his health and if he decides to shut it down, how attractive will that job be? Can it lure a solid successor.

I look at Uconn like Umass in the 1990s. Calipari did a great job there and got it to a Final Four but it hasn't maintained the excellence that he created. Good program but nothing extraordinary. Should be interesting to watch in Storrs.

UConn is an elite program. UMass was a flash in the pan. No comparison.

[Mitch McConnell]

Now out of the tournament, UConn could be at its own crossroads. Huskies likely won't be in the tournament next year because they failed to meet academic requirements. They appealed the NCAA's ruling but it would be news if the original decision was overturned. Then you have Jim Calhoun. He's going to be 70 soon (along with his health and if he decides to shut it down, how attractive will that job be? Can it lure a solid successor.

I look at Uconn like Umass in the 1990s. Calipari did a great job there and got it to a Final Four but it hasn't maintained the excellence that he created. Good program but nothing extraordinary. Should be interesting to watch in Storrs.

UConn is an elite program. UMass was a flash in the pan. No comparison.

There is a comparison. Calhoun is responsible for everything that program has accomplished. It wasn't very good before he arrived.

Do you have the records for his future successor handy?

[Digetydog]

Working in Hartford, many of my co-workers and friends are Uconn fans. I can get free tickets to most of their big games at the XL Center. The feeling around town is that it would be best if Calhoun retired. Given his health issues(which are many), there is a feeling that he might actually go out on his shield during a game. He really is beloved.

Together with Aureima, the two BB programs provided Uconn its first national notoriety in anything. In many ways, they helped the university grow in stature.

I hope he retires. To paraphrase former SMU QB Mike Romo, I don't want to see him go out like an old, fat Elvis.

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-men ... 0974.story

[SMU Pony Mom]

Regardless of whether or not he retires, I believe Calhoun will remain involved with the university and the basketball program. He does not want to see everything he has worked so hard to achieve break down upon his departure. If he doesn't retire this year it wouldn't surprise me if they decide to name Kevin Ollie "head coach in waiting." With the possibility of no post season play next year (I actually still believe they will allow teams to use the most recent stats after the April meeting, allowing UConn to be eligible) it would be a good transition for Ollie. I for one am hoping for a smooth transition.

[CalallenStang]

Mitch, Calhoun has been at UConn much longer than Calipari was at UMass. That's the difference.

[East Coast Mustang]

Yea, seriously Mitch...is Duke an elite program once Coach K leaves? Are we really having this argument?

Calipari took UMass to one Final Four and then bolted...Calhoun won three national titles at UConn. Iff you want to keep making the comparison, let's meet up in person so I can have some of what you're drinking on this nice Friday afternoon

[Mitch McConnell]

The question is whether UConn can stand the test of time after Calhoun leaves. Duke was pretty decent before Coach K got there. Played in a couple of Final Fours and I believe lost to Kentucky in the 1978 championship game.

One would have to wonder if Calipari stayed at UMass if that program would have taken off and garnered similar success. Calipari and Calhoun would have been competing for the same players more than likely. If Calipari stayed, would UMass have joined the Big East? Interesting to ponder.

It's OK to disagree with each other. I personally have some questions as to UConn's ability to sustain after Calhoun leaves.

We'll see. There's enough concern in Storrs right now as to whether that will continue.

I'm drinking water. Thanks. You can stop now with accusing everybody of smoking crack and drinking heavily on something if they have the nerve to have a different take than you.

[mustang1108]

UCONN is an elite program in the most elite conference in college basketball they will get a big name coach or a coach that will be able to succeed.

[Mitch McConnell]

UCONN is an elite program in the most elite conference in college basketball they will get a big name coach or a coach that will be able to succeed.

No, the Big 10 is the best conference in college basketball.

[hoopmanx]

I agree w/Mitch. UConn isn't a great job, just a great program under Calhoun. There is a difference, and it's really on whoever takes it over. Duke was a good program before K, see Gminski/Spinarkel/Banks etc. Connecticut, the state, has had a few very elite prospects lately, but its not a fertile recruiting ground etc. They could remain quite good, or they could fall off a ton.

[hoopmanx]

UCONN is an elite program in the most elite conference in college basketball they will get a big name coach or a coach that will be able to succeed.

No, the Big 10 is the best conference in college basketball.

That's just silly. No conference touches the ACC historically, and in the future

[mustangbill67]

UCONN is an elite program in the most elite conference in college basketball they will get a big name coach or a coach that will be able to succeed.

No, the Big 10 is the best conference in college basketball.

the only sport the big 10 is good in is ice hockey.

[East Coast Mustang]

I'm drinking water. Thanks. You can stop now with accusing everybody of smoking crack and drinking heavily on something if they have the nerve to have a different take than you.

And you can stop stroking the Big Ten's [deleted] at every turn. It's getting old. You're a Minnesota fan, we get it, we just don't care. They're about as relevant nationally as SMU is. And the Big Ten sucks at football. There, I said it.

UConn has been an elite program for close to 20 years now. They're in a premiere conference, have good facilities, a large budget for men's basketball, and a close proximity to a major recruiting hotbed (NYC). There's no reason to think they won't attract a big name coach who will continue to success that Calhoun has had when he leaves. There is no comparison whatsoever to Calipari at UMass- he was there for like 7 years and went to one Final Four. Calhoun has three titles in 20+ years. Plenty of people will want that job when he leaves, provided it doesn't happen under severe NCAA sanctions.