As soon as their season had ended (but before they learned they wouldn't be going to the NIT), UConn Coach Jim Calhoun indicated that his roster would turn over. Sure, there were no seniors on the roster, they had no spare scholarships, they lack any surefire 1st round NBA players going pro, and this is college not a pro league where you can cut a kid. But this is UConn and Jim Calhoun suffering through a miserable season and a sub-.500 Big East season. He's going to make sure some things are well understood."There will be a couple of changes to the roster mandated by our performance, mandated by our inadequacies, mandated by some kids who probably deserve to get a chance maybe at a different level," Calhoun said.That could be roughly translated to, "If you stay, I will bury you so deep on the bench the towel boy will have a better seat." That would explain why UConn has been hot on the trail of at least 3 possible recruits who could help them next year.
...
"There are some guys on our team who could have very successful careers maybe at a different level," Calhoun said. "They're young and this would be a good time for them to at least think about what their future is, and I'll be very honest with each and every one of them."
Hasheem Thabeet may or may not turn pro -- though, considering how far his stock as fallen -- it seems less likely. One freshman on the team has gotten the message and will go. Ben Eaves has decided to transfer. He played a total of 25 minutes last season and scored 1 point. Naturally, Jim Calhoun was saddened by this.
"Ben and I met this week and he let me know that he has decided to continue his college career at another institution," coach Jim Calhoun said in a statement. "While I am sad to see Ben leave, I completely understand his feelings and will do everything I can to help him transfer to a school where he can enjoy the best experience for him as a student and as a basketball player. I wish him nothing but good luck in the future."I'm glad he released that as a statement, I'm not sure he could have kept a straight face if he had tried to say it publicly.
ADVERTISEMENT
_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. One of the most important attributes which a school administration should require of its coaches, is the ability to be sure that the program is a good fit for each recruited player. There is no greater failure than luring an 18-year old into a program, and then, as an excuse for the team's lack of success, discarding him so that he loses yet at least one more year. This applies not only to Eaves - - had in fact Price and Thabeet been the players Calhoun decided they could be, so UCONN had achieved some success, then an Eaves would have seen more time and been able to contribute as a role player.
What make it worse is that, it's not as if Calhoun did not choose to go scholarship-less. He knows what he has for what years - - so he loads up this year's team, leaves nothing for next year - - and now decides its the fault of the bit players.
Class, integrity and acceptance of responsibility show up most in bad times. It's missing at UCONN.
Posted at 2:47PM on Mar 21st 2007 by paron
2. what?! How is this lacking class? Calhoun isn't forcing anybody to leave. If a player is not happy with his playing time, why would he stay? Especially when he knows he will play more at a different school. It's not like Eaves came to UConn expecting to start and was then shockingly benched. He probably came to UConn because they're a big name program offering him a scholarship and that's all he thought of at the time. Eaves will enjoy much more playing time and personal success at another school with a smaller program. UConn was not the best choice of a school for Eaves to go to, so now he is making a good choice by transferring. Rob Garrison is considering transfering from UConn as well, and seeing as he did not see much playing time either, it is probably a good decision.
Posted at 2:22PM on Mar 25th 2007 by Mike
3. CALHOUN SHOUKD NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THESE TACTICS...
BUT ITDOESNT SURPRISE,ANYTHING FOR A WIN...
I HOPE HE IS SANCTIONED,SEVERELY....
A DEAL IS A DEAL LIVE WITH IT...
CALHOUN IS A POOR SPORT WHY SHOULD COLLEGE BASKETBALL ENABLE THIS BIG BAD BABY.
Posted at 2:22PM on Mar 25th 2007 by PETER